UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging
growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Contribution Agreement
On May 21, 2026, Emergen Energy LLC (“Emergen”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bimergen Energy Corporation (the “Company”), entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) with FPU-BEC Development Topco, LLC (the “JV Company”), a Delaware limited liability company affiliated with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and its Frontier Power & Utilities (“FPU”) platform. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, Emergen contributed 100% of its equity interests in three battery energy storage system (“BESS”) project companies (the “Project Companies”), to the JV Company.
As consideration for the contribution of the Project Companies, the JV Company will (i) issue to Emergen 75 Class B Units in the JV Company, representing 7.5% of the total outstanding equity interests, and (ii) distribute to Emergen a reimbursement payment of $1,176,159.00 (the “Reimbursement Amount”) payable within 10 business days of the execution of the Contribution Agreement.
The closing of the Contribution Agreement occurred simultaneously with its execution on May 21, 2026 with respect to two of the Project Companies and with respect to the third Project Company, will occur immediately following its acquisition by Emergen, which must occur within 15 business days of the date of the Contribution Agreement. If Emergen fails to consummate the third acquisition, Emergen is required to make a capital contribution to the JV Company in an amount equal to the portion attributable to such project.
The Contribution Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of Emergen relating to, among other things, organization and qualification, authority and enforceability, no conflicts, legal proceedings, non-foreign status, and the absence of brokers. Emergen also made representations and warranties relating to the Project Companies, including organization, ownership, title to project properties, environmental matters, undisclosed liabilities, intellectual property, contracts, permits, compliance with laws, legal proceedings, ERISA, labor matters, affiliate contracts, and taxes.
Joint Development Agreement
Concurrently with the Contribution Agreement, on May 21, 2026, Emergen entered into a Joint Development Agreement (the “JDA”) with the JV Company. The JDA establishes the framework for collaboration between the parties to jointly develop the contributed BESS portfolio and to cooperate in the joint identification, development, and commercialization of additional utility-scale battery energy storage projects with durations of four hours or greater per project in the ERCOT market.
Pursuant to the terms of the JDA, Emergen will be entitled to receive development service payments and milestone-based payments associated with the contributed projects and future project advancement activities. The agreements provide for the potential payment to Emergen of up to approximately $5.69 million in aggregate development fees and milestone payments, including amounts payable for development work completed to date and additional payments tied to the achievement of specified project development milestones and other conditions. Certain payments are payable no later than July 15, 2026, subject to the terms and conditions of the JDA.
Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement
Also on May 21, 2026, Emergen and the JV Company entered into a Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”), pursuant to which Emergen assigned and transferred 100% of the equity interests in the Project Companies to the JV Company, and the JV Company accepted and assumed the Contributed Equity from Emergen.
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement
Additionally, on May 21, 2026, Emergen entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “MIPA”) pursuant to which Emergen acquired 100% of the membership interests in one of the contributed Project Companies for consideration of approximately $643,500, payable in installments tied to specified project development milestones.
The foregoing descriptions of the Contribution Agreement, Joint Development Agreement, Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement, Eos Consent Agreement, and Oak Hill MIPA do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of each agreement, copies of which are filed as exhibits hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5, respectively.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The information under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K related to the Contribution Agreement, the JD Development Agreement, the Assignment Agreement and the MIPA is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits
| Number | Description | |
| 10.1*† | Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2026, by and between FPU-BEC Development Topco, LLC and Emergen Energy LLC | |
| 10.2*† | Joint Development Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2026, by and between FPU-BEC Development Topco, LLC and Emergen Energy LLC | |
| 10.3*† | Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2026, by and between FPU-BEC Development Topco, LLC and Emergen Energy LLC | |
| 10.4*† | Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2026, by and between Grun Energy, LLC and Emergen Energy LLC | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
* Filed herewith.
† Confidential portions of this exhibit were redacted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, and the Registrant agrees to furnish to the SEC a copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit upon request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BIMERGEN ENERGY CORPORATION | ||
| Date: May 28, 2026 | By: | /s/ Robert J. Brilon |
| Name: | Robert J. Brilon | |
| Title: | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | |
Exhibit 10.1
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
by and between
FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC,
and
EMERGEN ENERGY LLC,
dated as of
May 21, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | |||
| Article I DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||
| Article II CONTRIBUTIONS | 9 | ||
| Section 2.01 | Contribution by Bimergen | 9 | |
| Section 2.02 | Reimbursement of Pre-Formation Capital Expenditures | 9 | |
| Section 2.03 | Estimated Reimbursement Statement | 9 | |
| Section 2.04 | Joint Development Agreement Payments | 11 | |
| Section 2.05 | Withholding | 11 | |
| Article III CLOSING, CLOSING CONDITIONS AND DELIVERABLES | 11 | ||
| Section 3.01 | Closing | 11 | |
| Section 3.02 | Closing Deliverables | 12 | |
| Section 3.03 | Costs | 13 | |
| Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BIMERGEN | 13 | ||
| Section 4.01 | Organization and Qualification | 13 | |
| Section 4.02 | Authority and Enforceability | 13 | |
| Section 4.03 | No Conflicts; Consents | 13 | |
| Section 4.04 | Legal Proceedings | 14 | |
| Section 4.05 | Non-Foreign Status | 14 | |
| Section 4.06 | Brokers | 14 | |
| Section 4.07 | No Additional Representations | 14 | |
| Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BIMERGEN RELATING TO PROJECT COMPANIES | 14 | ||
| Section 5.01 | Organization and Qualification | 14 | |
| Section 5.02 | Ownership of Project Companies | 15 | |
| Section 5.03 | Project Properties | 15 | |
| Section 5.04 | Environmental Matters. | 16 | |
| Section 5.05 | Undisclosed Liabilities | 17 | |
| Section 5.06 | Intellectual Property | 17 | |
| Section 5.07 | Contracts | 18 | |
| Section 5.08 | Permits | 18 | |
| Section 5.09 | Compliance with Laws | 18 | |
| Section 5.10 | Legal Proceedings | 19 | |
| Section 5.11 | ERISA | 19 | |
| Section 5.12 | Labor | 19 | |
| Section 5.13 | Affiliate Contracts | 19 | |
| Section 5.14 | Taxes | 20 | |
| Article VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 20 | ||
| Section 6.01 | Organization | 20 | |
| Section 6.02 | Capitalization | 20 | |
| i |
| Section 6.03 | Authority and Enforceability | 20 | |
| Section 6.04 | No Conflicts; Consents | 21 | |
| Section 6.05 | Legal Proceedings | 21 | |
| Section 6.06 | Brokers | 21 | |
| Article VII COVENANTS | 21 | ||
| Section 7.01 | Public Announcements | 21 | |
| Section 7.02 | Transfer Taxes | 22 | |
| Section 7.03 | Further Assurances | 22 | |
| Article VIII INDEMNIFICATION | 22 | ||
| Section 8.01 | Survival | 22 | |
| Section 8.02 | Indemnification by Bimergen | 22 | |
| Section 8.03 | Indemnification by the Company | 23 | |
| Section 8.04 | Limitations on Indemnities | 23 | |
| Section 8.05 | Indemnification Procedures | 24 | |
| Section 8.06 | Exclusive Remedies | 25 | |
| Article IX MISCELLANEOUS | 26 | ||
| Section 9.01 | Notices | 26 | |
| Section 9.02 | Interpretation | 27 | |
| Section 9.03 | Headings | 27 | |
| Section 9.04 | Severability | 27 | |
| Section 9.05 | Entire Agreement | 27 | |
| Section 9.06 | Successors and Assigns | 27 | |
| Section 9.07 | No Third-Party Beneficiaries | 27 | |
| Section 9.08 | Amendment and Modification | 28 | |
| Section 9.09 | Waiver | 28 | |
| Section 9.10 | Governing Law | 28 | |
| Section 9.11 | Submission to Jurisdiction | 28 | |
| Section 9.12 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 28 | |
| Section 9.13 | Specific Performance | 29 | |
| Section 9.14 | No Recourse | 29 | |
| Section 9.15 | Release | 29 | |
| Section 9.16 | Counterparts | 29 | |
| Section 9.17 | Conflicts with Joint Venture Agreement | 29 | |
| ii |
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This Contribution Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and EMERGEN ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Bimergen”). The Company and Bimergen are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party” or, collectively, as the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
prior to Closing (as defined below) Bimergen is the record and beneficial owner of 100% of Equity Interests (as defined below) in (a)
WHEREAS,
Bimergen wishes to contribute to the Company, and the Company wishes to accept from Bimergen, 100% of the Equity Interests in the Project
Companies (as defined below) (the “Contributed Equity” and the Equity Interests of the
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms when used in this Agreement have the meanings specified or referred to in this Article 1:
“Action” means any claim, complaint, action, cause of action, demand, lawsuit, arbitration, inquiry, audit, notice of violation, proceeding, litigation, citation, order, decree, summons, subpoena, or investigation of any nature, civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory, or otherwise, whether at law or in equity.
“Additional Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08.
“Affiliate” of a Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however, that the term “Affiliate” does not, when used with respect to a JV Party, include the Company.
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“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Ancillary Agreements” means the Joint Venture Agreement, the Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement and the other instruments of contribution, transfer, or assumption required to give effect to the Transactions.
“Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(a).
“Bimergen” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Bimergen Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 (Organization and Qualification), Section 4.02 (Authority and Enforceability), Section 4.03 (No Conflicts; Consents), Section 4.06 (Brokers), Section 5.01 (Organization and Qualification), Section 5.02 (Ownership of Project Companies), and Section 5.03(a) (Project Properties).
“Bimergen Indemnified Parties” means, collectively, Bimergen, its Affiliates, and their respective Representatives.
“Bimergen Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
“Bimergen Closing Deliverables” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).
“Bimergen’s Knowledge” or any other similar knowledge qualification, means the actual knowledge of Cole Johnson, Clay Johnson or Trent Cornelius, after reasonable investigation.
“Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday, or any other day on which commercial banks located in the State of Texas, the State of New York or the city of London, England are authorized or required by Law to be closed for business.
“Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04(a).
“Claim Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05(a).
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
“Closing Deliverables” means, collectively, the Bimergen Closing Deliverables and the Company Closing Deliverables.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Company Closing Deliverables” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b).
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“Company Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties contained in Section 6.01 (Organization), Section 6.02 (Capitalization), Section 6.03 (Authority and Enforceability), Section 6.04(a) (No Conflicts; Consents), and Section 6.06 (Brokers).
“Company Indemnified Parties” means, collectively, the Company, Frontier, their Affiliates, and their respective Representatives.
“Company’s Knowledge” or any other similar knowledge qualification, means the actual knowledge of Aaron Maczonis, Kurt Wasserman, Mark Klein, or Nitin Gupta, after reasonable investigation.
“Contracting Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.
“Contracts” means all contracts, leases, licenses, instruments, options, sales and purchase orders, warranties, bonds, mortgages, indentures, notes, obligations, commitments, undertakings, joint ventures, binding applications, and all other agreements, commitments, and legally binding arrangements, whether written or oral, in each case as amended and supplemented from time to time.
“Contributed Equity” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to the Contributed Equity in substantially the form set forth as Annex A hereto.
“Disclosure Schedules” means the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement delivered by Bimergen concurrently with its execution and delivery of this Agreement.
“Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b).
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Encumbrance” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
“Environmental Law” means any Law concerning (a) the protection or restoration of the environment (including ambient or indoor air, surface water, wetlands, groundwater, drinking water supplies, surface or subsurface strata, and vapor), wildlife and vegetation (including threatened and endangered species and other species of special concern), environmentally sensitive areas, or historic or cultural resources, (b) public or worker health or safety with respect to the Release or handling of or exposure to Hazardous Materials, or (c) pollution or Hazardous Materials. Environmental Laws include, but are not limited to, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; Clean Water Act; Clean Air Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Toxic Substances and Control Act; Endangered Species Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act; Rivers and Harbors Act; Occupational Safety and Health Act (to the extent related to Hazardous Materials); National Historic Preservation Act; and similar state and local Laws.
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“Environmental Permits” means all Permits and consultations with Governmental Authorities arising or required under Environmental Laws required for the conduct of the business or the ownership, lease, development, construction, installation or operation of the Projects or Project Properties.
“Eos Joint Development Agreement” means that certain Joint Development Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2025, by and between Bimergen Energy Corporation and Eos Energy Storage LLC.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person that is not a natural person, (a) any capital stock, partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company interests or units, and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to (i) receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distribution of assets of, the issuing entity, (ii) vote with respect to any action of the issuing entity, or (iii) manage or control the issuing entity, or vote with respect to any action of the issuing entity; (b) any security, right, call, warrant, option, right of first refusal or other contract or commitment of any kind or character to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise receive or be issued, or otherwise acquire any equity interests described in clause (a) above; (c) any share appreciation rights, phantom share rights or other similar rights with respect to such Person or its business; and (d) any securities or instruments exchangeable for or convertible or exercisable into any of the foregoing or with any profit participation features with respect to such Person.
“ERCOT” means Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
“Estimated Reimbursement Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
“Estimated Reimbursement Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
“Existing Permits” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08.
“Final Reimbursement Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b).
“Frontier” means FPU Development Member, LLC.
“GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time, consistently applied.
“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations, or orders of such organization or authority have the force of Law), or any arbitrator, court, or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
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“Hazardous Material” means petroleum and all derivatives thereof, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, lead or lead-containing material, radioactive materials, radon, polychlorinated biphenyls and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and any other material, substance or waste that is regulated by, or may give rise to liability or standards of conduct under, any Environmental Law.
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05.
“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05.
“Independent Accountant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
“Intellectual Property” means any and all of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (a) trademarks and service marks, including all applications and registrations and the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by the foregoing; (b) copyrights, including all applications and registrations related to the foregoing; (c) trade secrets, inventions, methods, processes and know-how; (d) patents and patent applications; (e) internet domain name registrations; and (f) other intellectual property and related proprietary rights, interests, and protections (including all rights to sue and recover and retain damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees for past, present, and future infringement and any other rights relating to any of the foregoing).
“Joint Development Agreement” means, a joint development agreement concerning the Project Companies and the Project Properties, to be entered by and between the Company and Bimergen at the Closing, as mutually agreed between the Parties prior to Closing.
“Joint Venture Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company, Bimergen and Frontier.
“JV Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, constitution, treaty, common law, Order, other requirement, or rule of law of any Governmental Authority.
“Losses” means losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, Actions, judgments, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, charges, and disbursements incurred in connection with any Action commenced or brought against any Indemnifying Party, and the costs of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder or pursuing insurance coverage from any insurer, and, if applicable, reasonable fees of attorneys, auditors, consultants and other agents or professional fees and expenses associated therewith, whether or not based on contract, tort, warranty claims or otherwise.
“Nonparty Affiliates” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.
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“Order” means any order, injunction, judgment, decree, determination, ruling, writ, assessment or award of a Governmental Authority.
“Organizational Documents” means with respect to a Person, the charter, bylaws, partnership agreements, operating agreements, limited liability company agreements, any shareholders’ agreements, equityholders’ agreements, voting agreements, or any other governing, ownership, operational, and any other organizational or constituent documents of similar nature or substance to any of the foregoing (and all amendments, supplements, and modifications thereto) of such Person.
“Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Permits” means all permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, authorizations, registrations, certificates, variances, exemptions, and similar rights obtained, or required to be obtained from, or other similar authorization granted or issued by, Governmental Authorities.
“Permitted Encumbrances” means (a) statutory Encumbrances arising out of operation of Law with respect to a liability or obligation incurred in the ordinary course of business of any Project Company securing payments not yet due and payable as of the Closing and that are not delinquent or are being actively contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, provided, in each case, that appropriate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company in accordance with GAAP; (b) easements, rights of way, encroachments, defects or irregularities in title, zoning and planning designations by any Governmental Authority and other similar rights of any Governmental Authority to regulate any real property owned or leased by any Project Company that do not materially interfere with or impair the present or proposed use or operation of the Project’s real property subject thereto or the value thereof; (c) severances of mineral or water rights (and leases or other rights to utilize severed mineral or water rights); (d) statutory or common law Encumbrances in favor of mechanics’, materialmens’, carriers’, workmens’, warehousemens’, repairmens’, landlords’ or other similar Encumbrances and security obligations and other statutory or common law Encumbrances to secure claims for labor, materials or supplies arising in the ordinary course of business of any Project Company; (e) Encumbrances created by the Company, or any of its Affiliates; and (f) Encumbrances securing obligations arising under agreements to be released and terminated at or prior to Closing.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity or a Governmental Authority.
“Pre-Closing Dispute Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
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“Pre-Closing Taxes” mean (a) any and all liability for Taxes of each Project Company for the Pre-Closing Tax Period; (b) all liability for Taxes of any member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of which each Project Company is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date, including pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section § 1.1502-6 or any analogous or similar state, local, or foreign law or regulation; (c) any and all Taxes of any person imposed on each Project Company for any period as a transferee or successor in respect of a transaction occurring on or before the Closing Date, by Law, contract, or otherwise; and (d) any payments required to be made after the Closing Date under any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity, Tax allocation or similar contracts (whether written or not) relating to the Pre-Closing Tax Period (other than any customary commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business the principal subject of which is not Taxes).
“Pre-Closing Tax Period” means all periods ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion through the end of the Closing Date for any taxable period that includes (but does not end on) the Closing Date.
“Project
Companies” means
“Project Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07.
“Project IP” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
“Project
Properties” means each of the
“Project”
means each of the
“Release” means any discarding, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, discharging, dumping, migration or disposing of any Hazardous Material into or through the environment.
“Redbird ProjectCo” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Redbird Project” means the anticipated 100 MW/400 MWh battery energy storage system project owned, being developed, or will be owned or developed, by the Redbird ProjectCo on the Redbird Project Property.
“Redbird Project Property” means the real property described as such on Annex B.
“Reimbursement Amount” means $1,176,159.00.
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s (i) Affiliates or any of its and their respective officers, directors, principals, partners, managers, members, and (ii) to the extent acting at the direction or with the consent of such Person (or any Person described in clause (i)), its attorneys, accountants, agents, advisors, employees, consultants, financial advisors or other authorized representatives.
“Resolution Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
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“Review Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b).
“Selected Firm” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(a).
“Survival Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01.
“Systems” means all computers, networks, systems, hardware, software, applications, websites and other information technology assets and equipment.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means (i) any and all federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar assessments imposed by a Taxing Authority, including any income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs, duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar, including FICA), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, escheat and unclaimed property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind or any charge of any kind in the nature of (or similar to) taxes whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not and (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (i) of this definition as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period, as a result of any tax sharing or tax allocation agreement, arrangement or understanding, or as a result of being liable for another person’s taxes as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or information return or statement relating to Taxes filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
“Taxing Authority” means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection, or imposition of any Taxes.
“Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05(a).
“Transactions” means, collectively, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Transaction Agreements” means, collectively, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
“Transaction Expenses” means the following, in each case to the extent unpaid as of Closing and not included in the Reimbursement Amount: (a) the aggregate amount of all fees, costs and expenses (whether or not yet invoiced), incurred by, or on behalf of, or to be paid by, the Project Companies, related to, arising from, or otherwise incidental to the Transactions (including in connection with the pursuit, negotiation, preparation or execution hereof or any Transaction Agreements, or the performance or consummation of the Transactions), and (b) any transaction or sale bonuses, change of control bonuses, retention bonuses or similar payments, or any “single trigger” severance benefits or payments, consent fees, make-wholes, breakage costs, premiums, penalties or similar payments incurred or payable to any current or former employee, officer, director, individual service provider or any third parties attributable or resulting from the Transactions.
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“Transfer Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a)(i).
“Transmission Interconnection Facilities” means the transmission service provider’s interconnection facilities as defined in the relevant interconnection agreement.
Article II
CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 2.01 Contribution by Bimergen. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Bimergen shall contribute, assign, transfer, convey, and deliver to Company, and Company shall accept from Bimergen, the Contributed Equity, free and clear of any security interest, pledge, lien, charge, mortgage, claim, or other encumbrance (each, an “Encumbrance”).
Section 2.02 Reimbursement of Pre-Formation Capital Expenditures. Simultaneously with Bimergen’s contribution contemplated under Section 2.01, at the Closing, the Company will distribute the Estimated Reimbursement Amount and issue to Bimergen newly issued limited liability company interests designated as “Class B Units” in the Company, in accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement (the “Bimergen Interests”), free and clear of all Encumbrances, other than as may be imposed by the Joint Venture Agreement and applicable securities Laws. Any such distribution will be treated as a reimbursement of pre-formation capital expenditures within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.707-4(d).
Section 2.03 Estimated Reimbursement Statement.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, Bimergen shall prepare and deliver to the Company a written statement (the “Estimated Reimbursement Statement”) setting forth Bimergen’s good faith estimate of the Reimbursement Amount required to be distributed at Closing pursuant to Section 2.01 (the “Estimated Reimbursement Amount”), together with reasonable supporting documentation, schedules, work papers, and other evidence in support thereof. Following delivery of the Estimated Reimbursement Statement, the Company and its Representatives shall have the right to review the supporting documentation provided in connection therewith. The Company may deliver to Bimergen, in writing any comments, objections, or proposed changes to the Estimated Reimbursement Statement (a “Pre-Closing Dispute Notice”). Bimergen shall consider in good faith all comments, objections, and proposed changes set forth in any Pre-Closing Dispute Notice and shall revise the Estimated Reimbursement Statement to the extent Bimergen determines, acting reasonably and in good faith, that such comments, objections, or proposed changes are warranted, consistent with the terms of this Agreement. To the extent Bimergen and The Company are unable to resolve any disagreement with respect to the Estimated Reimbursement Statement prior to the Closing Date, the Closing shall proceed on the basis of the Estimated Reimbursement Statement as revised by Bimergen, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, without prejudice to the Company’s right to dispute any such amounts pursuant to this Section 2.03 following the Closing.
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(b) Within 30 days following the Closing Date, Bimergen shall prepare and deliver to the Company a written statement (the “Final Reimbursement Statement”) setting forth a final calculation of the Reimbursement Amount, prepared in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, together with reasonable supporting documentation. Following delivery of the Final Reimbursement Statement, the Company shall have a period of thirty (30) days (the “Review Period”) to review the Final Reimbursement Statement. During the Review Period, Bimergen shall, and shall cause each Project Company to, provide the Company and its Representatives with reasonable access to the books, records, personnel, and work papers of each Project Company as may be reasonably necessary for the Company to complete its review. Bimergen shall cooperate fully with the Company and its Representatives in connection with the Company’s review of the Final Reimbursement Statement, including by responding promptly to reasonable requests for information or clarification and making available, upon reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, such personnel of Bimergen and each Project Company as the Company may reasonably request. If the Company does not deliver a written notice of disagreement (a “Dispute Notice”) to Bimergen prior to the expiration of the Review Period, the Final Reimbursement Statement shall be deemed final, conclusive, and binding upon the Parties.
(c) If the Company delivers a Dispute Notice within the Review Period, such Dispute Notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the items or amounts in the Final Reimbursement Statement as to which the Company disagrees, together with the Company’s proposed adjustments and the basis therefor. Any items or amounts not specifically identified in the Dispute Notice shall be deemed accepted by the Company and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon the Parties. Following delivery of a Dispute Notice, Bimergen and the Company shall negotiate in good faith for a period of thirty (30) days (the “Resolution Period”) to resolve any disputed items. If Bimergen and the Company are unable to resolve all disputed items within the Resolution Period, either Party may submit any remaining disputed items for determination by an independent accounting firm of national reputation mutually agreed upon by Bimergen and the Company (the “Independent Accountant”); provided that if Bimergen and the Company are unable to agree on the identity of the Independent Accountant within ten (10) Business Days following the expiration of the Resolution Period, each of Bimergen and the Company shall select an independent accounting firm of national reputation (each, a “Selected Firm”), and the two Selected Firms shall jointly designate a third independent accounting firm of national reputation to serve as the Independent Accountant within ten (10) Business Days of their appointment, and such designation shall be final and binding upon the Parties. The Independent Accountant shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall determine only those items remaining in dispute. The Independent Accountant’s determination shall be made within thirty (30) days after referral, shall be based solely on written submissions by the Parties (and not by independent review), and shall not assign a value to any disputed item greater than the highest value or less than the lowest value claimed by either Party with respect to such item. The determination of the Independent Accountant shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon the Parties, absent manifest error. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be borne by Bimergen, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, in inverse proportion to their respective success on the disputed items, as determined by the Independent Accountant.
(d)
Within five (5) Business Days following the date on which the Final Reimbursement Statement is finally determined in accordance with
this Section 2.03 (whether by deemed acceptance, mutual agreement, or determination by the Independent Accountant), (i)
if the final Reimbursement Amount exceeds the Estimated Reimbursement Amount, the Company shall make an additional capital contribution
of such excess to Company for distribution to Bimergen, and (ii) if the Estimated Reimbursement Amount exceeds the final Reimbursement
Amount, Bimergen shall make a capital contribution of such excess to Company for distribution to Frontier. Any contributions and distributions
required by this Section shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to accounts designated in writing by the recipients.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if Bimergen has not acquired the
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Section 2.04 Joint Development Agreement Payments. Frontier shall fund, or cause to fund, one hundred percent of the payments owed to Bimergen under the Joint Development Agreement, if any, on terms and subject to the conditions thereof.
Section 2.05 Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payments made to any Party pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of any such payment under any applicable Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, and paid to the proper Taxing Authority pursuant to any applicable Tax Law, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such holder in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Before making any deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 2.05, the Company shall give the applicable Party reasonable notice of any anticipated deduction or withholding (together with the legal basis therefor), provide the applicable Party with sufficient opportunity to provide any forms or other documentation or take such other steps in order to avoid such deduction or withholding, and reasonably cooperate with such Party in good faith to attempt to reduce any amounts that would otherwise be deducted and withheld pursuant to this Section 2.05.
Article III
CLOSING, CLOSING CONDITIONS AND DELIVERABLES
Section
3.01 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby shall take place
concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, on the date hereof (the “Closing”) remotely
by exchange of documents and signatures (or their electronic counterparts) (the date of such execution and delivery, the “Closing
Date”); provided, that the Closing will be deemed to be effective as of 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Closing
Date for all purposes; provided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties acknowledge that Bimergen
has not acquired the
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Section 3.02 Closing Deliverables.
(a) On or before the Closing Date, Bimergen shall deliver to the Company the following (collectively, the “Bimergen Closing Deliverables”):
(i) evidence of Bimergen’s acquisition of the Contributed Equity, free and clear of Encumbrances, other than restrictions under applicable state and federal securities Laws (the “Transfer Documents”);
(ii) the Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement, duly executed by Bimergen;
(iii) the Joint Venture Agreement, duly executed by Bimergen;
(iv) the Joint Development Agreement, executed by Bimergen;
(v) evidence of termination or release of the Eos Joint Development Agreement with respect to each Project Company and Project Properties satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion;
(vi) a duly executed certification from Bimergen, certifying that Bimergen is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2), in a form reasonably acceptable to Company; and
(vii) an executed counterpart signature page of Bimergen to each of the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party.
(b) On or before the Closing Date, Company shall deliver or distribute the following (collectively, “Company Closing Deliverables”):
(i) to Bimergen, the Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement duly executed by the Company;
(ii) to Bimergen, the Joint Venture Agreement, duly executed by the Company and Frontier;
(iii) to Bimergen, the Joint Development Agreement, duly executed by the Company; and
(iv) an executed counterpart signature page of Company to each of the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party.
(c)
Immediately following Bimergen’s acquisition of the
(d) 10 Business Days following the date hereof, the Company shall deliver to Bimergen, the Estimated Reimbursement Amount.
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Section 3.03 Costs. All costs, fees and expenses incident to this Agreement, the Closing Deliverables, the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the issuance of the Bimergen Interests and the Closing thereof shall be paid by the Party incurring same except to the extent otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BIMERGEN
Bimergen
represents and warrants to the other Parties that, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules (which, for the avoidance of doubt,
will be supplemented by the
Section 4.01 Organization and Qualification. Bimergen (a) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and to the extent required by applicable Laws, (b) has full power and authority to own the assets now owned, operated, or leased by it, including the Contributed Equity, and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Bimergen is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such licensing or qualification necessary.
Section 4.02 Authority and Enforceability. Bimergen has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery, and performance by Bimergen of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite entity action on the part of Bimergen. The Transaction Agreements to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by Bimergen, and (assuming due authorization, execution, and delivery by any other parties thereto) constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of Bimergen, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.
Section 4.03 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery, and performance by Bimergen of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) violate or conflict with the Organizational Documents of Bimergen or any Project Company, (b) violate or conflict with any Law or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to Bimergen or the Project Companies, (c) materially conflict with, or result in (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) any material violation of, or default under, or give rise to a right of termination, acceleration, or modification of any obligation or loss of any benefit under any material Contract to which Bimergen is a party or to which any of the assets of Bimergen are subject, or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Encumbrance other than Permitted Encumbrances on the Contributed Equity. No consent, approval, waiver, or authorization is required to be obtained by Bimergen or by any Project Company from any Person in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by Bimergen of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except such consents, approvals, waivers, or authorizations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Bimergen’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or under the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party on a timely basis.
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Section 4.04 Legal Proceedings. There is no Action of any nature pending or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, threatened against or by Bimergen or any of its Affiliates that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which Bimergen or any of its Affiliates is a party. To Bimergen’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to give rise to, or serve as a basis for, any such Action.
Section 4.05 Non-Foreign Status. Bimergen is not a “foreign person” as that term is used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2.
Section 4.06 Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements based on arrangements made by or on behalf of Bimergen or any of its Affiliates.
Section 4.07 No Additional Representations. To the full satisfaction of Bimergen, Bimergen has obtained any and all materials that it has requested relating to the Company and the offering of the Bimergen Interests reflected by this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, and Bimergen has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Bimergen Interests. Other than as set forth in this Agreement, the Joint Venture Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, Bimergen is not relying upon any other information, representation or warranty by any of the Company or its Affiliates and their Representatives in determining and evaluating the Transactions. Bimergen has consulted to the extent deemed appropriate by Bimergen with its own and independent advisors as to the financial, tax, accounting, legal and related matters concerning an investment in the Bimergen Interests and on that basis believes that an investment in the Bimergen Interests is suitable and appropriate for Bimergen.
Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BIMERGEN RELATING TO PROJECT COMPANIES
Bimergen
represents and warrants to the other Parties that, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules (which, for the avoidance of doubt,
will be supplemented by the
Section 5.01 Organization and Qualification. Each Project Company (a) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and to the extent required by applicable Laws, the state in which each Project Property is located, (b) has full power and authority to own, operate, or lease the assets now owned, operated, or leased by it, including its respective Project Property, and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Each Project Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the Project Property is located and the conduct of its business makes such licensing or qualification necessary. True and correct copies of the Organizational Documents of each Project Company have been made available to the Company.
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Section 5.02 Ownership of Project Companies.
(a) Bimergen is the sole record and beneficial owner of all of the Contributed Equity, and upon the Closing of the Transactions, the Company will own all outstanding Equity Interests of each Project Company, free and clear of Encumbrances, other than restrictions under applicable state and federal securities Laws. The Contributed Equity constitutes all of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Project Companies.
(b) The Contributed Equity has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable, is not subject to, and is free and clear of any and all Encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, other than restrictions under applicable state and federal securities Laws. With respect to each Project Company, there are no (i) warrants or other rights or Contracts of any character relating to the issued or unissued Equity Interests, (ii) voting securities or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for Equity Interests, (iii) equity equivalents, interests in the ownership or earnings, or (iv) voting trusts, voting agreements or other similar Contracts.
(c) Except for this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements, none of Bimergen or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, any other Person that owns all or any portion of any Contributed Equity, Project Property or Project Company as of the Effective Date has entered into any Contracts currently in effect pursuant to which such Person has granted any preemptive or similar rights, subscriptions, warrants, calls, Contracts, rights of first refusal or rights of first offer or options to purchase all or any part of Project Properties or such Person’s Equity Interest in such Project Company, or other rights whereby any individual or entity has the right to purchase, issue, acquire, redeem, repurchase or sell all or any part of Project Properties or such Person’s Equity Interest in such Project Company, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or Contract.
(d) No Project Company has any subsidiaries, nor owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests in any Person.
Section 5.03 Project Properties.
(a) Each Project Company has good and valid title, as applicable, in fee simple or leasehold to its respective Project Property, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.
(b) None of Bimergen, any Project Company, or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, any other Person that owns all or any portion of any Project Property or any Project Company as of the Effective Date has received written notice of any, and to Bimergen’s Knowledge there are no, pending or threatened (in writing) condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any of the Project Properties or any portion thereof.
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(c) None of Bimergen, any Project Company, or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, any other Person that owns all or any portion of any Project Property or any Project Company as of the Effective Date has sold or otherwise disposed of or entered into any Contract that remains in effect providing for the sale of, or option to sell, a Project Property or any Equity Interest in any Project Company, other than the Transaction Agreements.
(d) Except as set forth on Section 5.03(d) of the Disclosure Schedules, no Project Company nor Bimergen has received (i) any written notice, study result, interconnection agreement, or communication from ERCOT, the applicable transmission service provider, or any other Governmental Authority indicating that the Project is required to fund, reimburse, front, or otherwise bear the costs of the Transmission Interconnection Facilities, nor (ii) any indication that the Project will be allocated any portion of the Transmission Interconnection Facilities.
Section 5.04 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each Project Company is and, in the past three (3) years, has been in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits regarding the relevant Project or Project Property.
(b) Each Project Company (i) possesses all Environmental Permits currently required for the relevant Project or Project Property, and all Environmental Permits issued to date are in full force and effect, or (ii) will possess in due course, without material costs or adverse conditions prior to the time required under Environmental Laws, all Environmental Permits.
(c) To Bimergen’s Knowledge, there are no environmental conditions, facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to prevent the receipt of any Environmental Permit or result in material delays or costs for the development and operation of the Project.
(d) No Project Company has received any written, or to Bimergen’s Knowledge, oral notice or Order (i) regarding any actual or alleged material violation of, or material liability under, Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or (ii) alleging that any Project Property or any portion thereof is contaminated with Hazardous Materials in violation of, or requiring investigation or remediation under, Environmental Laws in any material respect.
(e) There have, in the past three (3) years, been no pending or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, threatened in writing Actions arising under Environmental Laws against any Project Company concerning the Projects or Project Properties.
(f) No Project Company has released, treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, owned or operated any property or facility contaminated by, or exposed any Person to, any Hazardous Materials, and none of the Project Properties are contaminated by any Hazardous Materials, in each case which has given or would give rise to liability (contingent or otherwise) for such Project Company under any Environmental Laws.
(g) No Project Company has assumed, undertaken, provided an indemnity with respect to, or otherwise become subject to, any material liability of any other Person relating to Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials.
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(h) Bimergen has made available to the Company true, correct and complete copies of all environmental, health and safety audits, assessments, surveys, studies, reports and other material documents in its or any Project Company’s possession or reasonable control, relating to each Project Company or any of their current, former, or anticipated operations, properties or facilities (including the Project and the Project Properties).
Section 5.05 Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on Section 5.05 of the Disclosure Schedules and except for liabilities arising under Project Contracts, no Project Company has any liabilities.
Section 5.06 Intellectual Property; Systems and Data Security.
(a) Section 5.06 of the Disclosure Schedules lists all (i) Intellectual Property registrations and applications and (ii) material unregistered Intellectual Property, in each of cases (i) and (ii), owned or purported to be owned by any Project Company and/or relating to the Project Properties (collectively, the “Project IP”). Except as set forth on Section 5.06 of the Disclosure Schedules, the Project IP includes all Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of each Project Property as contemplated to be operated by the respective Project Company. Each Project Company exclusively owns all of its Project IP, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and has adequate, valid and enforceable rights to use all other Intellectual Property used in connection with the operation of its respective Project Property. None of Bimergen, any Project Company or their Affiliates is bound by any outstanding judgment, injunction, order, or decree restricting the use of the Project IP, or restricting the licensing thereof to any Person. With respect to the registered Intellectual Property listed on Section 5.06 of the Disclosure Schedules, (x) all such Intellectual Property is subsisting, valid and, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, in full force and effect and (y) Bimergen, the relevant Project Company or one of their Affiliates has paid all maintenance fees and made all filings required to maintain such Project Company’s ownership thereof. For all applied-for or registered Intellectual Property, Section 5.06 of the Disclosure Schedules lists (A) the jurisdiction where the application or registration is located, (B) the application or registration number, (C) the application or registration date, and (D) the registered owner of the application or registration.
(b) The prior and current use of the Project IP by Bimergen, any Project Company and their Affiliates and the conduct of their business does not infringe, violate, dilute, or misappropriate (“Infringe”) the Intellectual Property other than patents, or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, the patents of any Person, and has not done so, and there are and have been no Actions pending or threatened by any Person alleging any such Infringement or with respect to the ownership, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, or use of the Project IP. To Bimergen’s Knowledge, no Person is Infringing any of the Project IP or has done so. None of Bimergen, any Project Company or any of their Affiliates has threatened or asserted any Action against any Person alleging any such Infringement.
(c) All Systems owned or used by each Project Company (“Project Systems”) are (i) adequate and sufficient, and operate as required, for the conduct of their business and (ii) to Bimergen’s Knowledge, free and clear of all bugs, viruses, malware, defects and other corruptants. Bimergen, each Project Company and their Affiliates have implemented and maintained reasonable measures to protect the security, integrity and continuous operation of the Project Systems and all data, including personal data, stored thereon or processed thereby, and there have been no outages or failures, breaches or instances of unauthorized access or disclosure with respect to same.
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Section 5.07 Contracts. Section 5.07 of the Disclosure Schedules lists each Contract that a Project Company is party to (collectively, “Project Contracts”), and each such Project Contract will be valid and binding on the relevant Project Company, and to Bimergen’s Knowledge the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect. No Project Company or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, any other party thereto is in breach of or default under (or is alleged to be in breach of or default under), or has provided or received any notice of any intention to terminate, any Project Contract. There are no renegotiations of, or attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material amounts paid or payable by or to Bimergen, any Project Company or their Affiliates under any Project Contract, and to Bimergen’s Knowledge no written demand for such renegotiation has been made. No event or circumstance has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of default under any Project Contract or result in a termination thereof or would cause or permit the acceleration or other changes of any right or obligation or the loss of benefit thereunder. There are no disputes pending or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, threatened under any Project Contract. The consummation of the Transactions will not conflict with, or result in (with or without notice or lapse of time or both), any material violation of, or default under, or give rise to a right of termination, acceleration, or modification of any obligation or loss of any benefit under any Project Contract. Complete and correct copies of each Project Contract, including all amendments, have been provided or made available to the Company.
Section 5.08 Permits. Section 5.08 of the Disclosure Schedules lists all Permits (including Environmental Permits) (a) currently held by each Project Company (“Existing Permits”), or (b) that each Project Company is required to hold (“Additional Permits”) for the conduct of the business or the ownership, lease, development, construction, installation or operation of the Project or Project Properties as contemplated as of the Closing Date. The Existing Permits listed in Section 5.08 of the Disclosure Schedules are valid and in full force and effect. All fees and charges with respect to the Existing Permits listed in Section 5.08 of the Disclosure Schedules have been paid in full. No event has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, suspension, lapse, or limitation of any Existing Permit listed in Section 5.08 of the Disclosure Schedules.
Section 5.09 Compliance with Laws.
(a) Each Project Company has complied, and is in material compliance with, all applicable Laws, and no proceeding is pending or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, threatened, alleging any material failure to so comply. No Project Company nor Bimergen has received any written, or to Bimergen’s Knowledge, oral notice, order or complaint from any individual or Governmental Authority alleging that such Project Company or Project Property is not in compliance with applicable Laws.
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(b) Bimergen, and to Bimergen’s Knowledge, each Project Company, is not and in the last 5 years has not been (i) in violation of any applicable anti money-laundering or anti-bribery laws and regulations, (ii) a Person who is the target of any economic sanctions enforced or administered by the United States (including any Person listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury and/or on any other list of terrorists or terrorist organizations maintained pursuant to any of the rules and regulations of OFAC or pursuant to the requirements of Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (Sept. 25, 2001) and other similar requirements contained in the rules and regulations of OFAC and in any enabling legislation or other executive orders or regulations in respect thereof (“Lists”)), the United Kingdom, or the European Union or any of its member states (collectively, “Sanctions”); (iii) a Person who has been determined by competent authority to be subject to any Sanctions; or (iv) owned or controlled by, or acts for or on behalf of, any Person on the Lists or any other person or entity who has been determined by competent authority to be subject to any Sanctions. To Bimergen’s Knowledge, the operations of Bimergen (with respect to the Project) and each Project Company have been conducted at all times in all material respects in compliance with applicable Sanctions and financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the U.S. Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended, and all money laundering-related laws of other jurisdictions where Bimergen or any Project Company conducts business or owns assets.
Section 5.10 Legal Proceedings. There have been no Actions of any nature pending or, to Bimergen’s Knowledge, threatened against or by any Project Company or the Project Properties in the last three years. To Bimergen’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to give rise to, or serve as a basis for, any such Action.
Section 5.11 ERISA. The Project Companies do not, and do not have any obligation to, maintain, administer, contribute to or have, nor could they have, any liability with respect to any employee benefit plan. The Project Companies do not sponsor or maintain nor have any current or contingent liability or obligation under or with respect to (a) any “defined benefit pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) or any other plan, program or arrangement that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (b) any “multiemployer plan” as defined in ERISA Section 3(37) or ERISA Section 4001(a)(3), (c) any “multiple employer plan” (as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code), or (d) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA).
Section 5.12 Labor. No Project Company (a) has, and has never had, any employees and (b) is party to any employee agreement. No Project Company is, and has not been, party to, bound by or negotiating any collective bargaining agreement or other similar agreement with any trade or labor union or labor organization, works council, employee association, or other bargaining unit representative.
Section 5.13 Affiliate Contracts. No officer, manager, equityholder or Affiliate of Bimergen or any Project Company or any relative of such an officer, manager, equityholder or Affiliate of Bimergen or any Project Company has any Contract with any Project Company, or any interest in any property (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible), except solely as an equityholder at or prior to Closing. The Project Companies have no liabilities to Bimergen or any employee or officer of Bimergen or such Project Company (or any of their respective Affiliates), except for any amounts that will be satisfied prior to Closing. Except with respect to any amounts to be repaid at or prior to the Closing, neither Bimergen, nor any employee or officer of Bimergen or any of their respective Affiliates has any liability for any indebtedness owing to such Project Company.
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Section 5.14 Taxes. Each Project Company has duly and timely filed, or caused to be duly and timely filed on its behalf, all Tax Returns required to be filed by it. All such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes owed by any Project Company have been timely paid in full. No dispute, audit, investigation, examination, proceeding or claim by any Taxing Authority concerning any Tax liability of any Project Company is currently in progress or has been threatened or contemplated. No assessment of Tax has been proposed in writing against any Project Company or its assets or properties. No Project Company has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to an extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
Article VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Bimergen that the statements contained in this Article VI are true and correct.
Section 6.01 Organization. The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Delaware. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such licensing or qualification necessary.
Section 6.02 Capitalization. At the Closing, all of the authorized and outstanding interests in the Company consists of the 75 limited liability company interests designated as “Class B Units” to be issued to Bimergen, and the 925 limited liability company interests designated as “Class A Units” issued to Frontier, in accordance with the terms hereof, and all of which will be duly authorized, validly issued, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than as may be imposed by the Joint Venture Agreement or applicable securities Laws, and not issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or offer or similar rights.
Section 6.03 Authority and Enforceability. The Company has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite entity action on the part of the Company and, if required, their Affiliates. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and (assuming due authorization, execution, and delivery by the other parties thereto) constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.
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Section 6.04 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) violate or conflict with its Organizational Documents, (b) violate or conflict with any applicable Law or order of any Governmental Authority, or (c) materially conflict with, or result in (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) any material violation of, or default under, or give rise to a right of termination, acceleration, or modification of any obligation or loss of any benefit under any material Contract or other instrument to which the Company is a party. No consent, approval, waiver, or authorization is required to be obtained by the Company from any Person (including any Governmental Authority) in connection with the execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of the Transaction Agreements to which they are party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except such consents, approvals, waivers, or authorizations which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or under the other Transaction Agreements to which they are party on a timely basis.
Section 6.05 Legal Proceedings. There is no Action of any nature pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against or by the Company or its Affiliates that challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party. To the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstances exist that may give rise to, or serve as a basis for, any such Action.
Section 6.06 Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
Article VII
COVENANTS
Section 7.01 Public Announcements. No Party shall cause the publication of any press release or public announcement regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as may be required by applicable Law or stock exchange requirements, in which case the party required to publish such press release or public announcement shall allow the other Parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on such press release or public announcement in advance of such publication, to the extent practicable; provided, however, that the Company may, without such prior consent, (a) issue or cause publication of any such press release or public announcement to the extent that the Company reasonably determines, after consultation with outside legal counsel, such action to be required by Law or by the rules of any applicable self-regulatory organization, in which event the Company shall to the extent practicable allow Bimergen reasonable time to comment on such press release or public announcement in advance of its issuance and (b) disclose this Agreement or the details of the Transactions to its investors or limited partners as part of the Company’s or its Affiliate’s fundraising, marketing, information or reporting activities in the ordinary course of business, including disclosure to current and potential investors in funds managed or advised by, or which in the future may be managed or advised by, such Persons so long as such Persons are subject to the existence of customary contractual confidentiality obligations with respect thereto.
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Section 7.02 Transfer Taxes. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added, and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the documents to be delivered hereunder shall be borne and paid by each Party on a 50/50 basis, when due. Each Party shall, at its own expense, timely file any Tax Return or other document with respect to such taxes or fees (and Company shall cooperate with respect thereto as necessary).
Section 7.03 Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each of the Parties shall execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances, and assurances and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the documents to be delivered hereunder.
Article VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.01 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect until the date that is three years from the Closing Date; provided that the Bimergen Fundamental Representations and the Company Fundamental Representations shall survive indefinitely. All covenants and agreements of the Parties contained herein shall survive the Closing until the date that is 90 days following expiration of the applicable statute of limitations in respect of the performance of such covenants (each, a “Survival Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims asserted in good faith with reasonable specificity (to the extent known at such time) and in writing by notice from the non-breaching party to the breaching party before the expiration date of the applicable survival period shall not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation or warranty and such claims shall survive until finally resolved.
Section 8.02 Indemnification by Bimergen. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article VIII, Bimergen shall indemnify and defend each of the Company Indemnified Parties against, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against, and shall pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, any of them based upon, arising out of, with respect to, or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of Bimergen contained in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, or any certificate delivered by or on behalf of Bimergen or any Project Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement, or obligation to be performed by Bimergen pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, or any certificate delivered by or on behalf of Bimergen or any Project Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) Transaction Expenses; and
(d) Pre-Closing Taxes.
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Section 8.03 Indemnification by the Company. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article VIII, the Company shall indemnify and defend each of the Bimergen Indemnified Parties against, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against, and shall pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, any of them based upon, arising out of, with respect to, or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement or any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; and
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement, or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 8.04 Limitations on Indemnities. Except for Losses that arise out of or relate to (A) fraud or (B) breach of or inaccuracy of any Company Fundamental Representations, Section 5.04 (Environmental Matters), Section 5.14 (Taxes) or Bimergen Fundamental Representations, the indemnification provided for in Section 8.02 and Section 8.03 shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) Bimergen shall not be liable to the Company Indemnified Parties for indemnification under Section 8.02(a) until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 8.02(a) exceeds $300,000 (the “Basket”), in which event Bimergen shall be required to pay or be liable for all such Losses from the first dollar. The aggregate amount of all Losses for which Bimergen shall be liable pursuant to Section 8.02(a) shall not exceed $2,500,000 (the “Cap”).
(b) The Company shall not be liable to the Bimergen Indemnified Parties for indemnification under Section 8.03 until the aggregate amount of all Losses in respect of indemnification under Section 8.03(a) exceeds an amount equal to the Basket, in which event the Company shall be required to pay or be liable for all such Losses from the first dollar. The aggregate amount of all Losses for which the Company shall be liable pursuant to Section 8.03(a) shall not exceed the Cap.
(c) For purposes of the indemnification obligations under this Article VIII, if it is determined that there has been an inaccuracy, misrepresentation or breach of a representation and warranty set forth in this Agreement (whether by written agreement of the applicable Parties or final determination, without any further right of appeal, of a court of competent jurisdiction), when determining the amount of Losses resulting from or arising therefrom, any qualifications in such representations and warranties of “material,” “materiality,” “material respects,” “material adverse effect” or words of similar import or effect shall be deemed to have been made without such qualification.
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(d) Any amount payable under this Article VIII by an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party shall be net of any amounts actually recovered by such Indemnified Party under applicable insurance policies in respect of such claim (after taking into account any deductibles, copayments or other cost sharing arrangements) or from third parties pursuant to any rights to indemnification or contribution (or other similar rights) with respect thereto, in each case net of all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in recovering such proceeds from such third party. The Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to duplicate recoveries for Losses arising out of a single set of related facts (it being the intent of the Parties to avoid “double-counting”).
(e) If a Party does not deliver a Claim Notice on or before the applicable Survival Date, then such Party shall be deemed to have waived all of its rights to seek any indemnification for such claim under this Agreement.
Section 8.05 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) Each Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party in writing (a “Claim Notice”) of any claim, notice, complaint, demand, arbitration, investigation, proceeding, legal action or similar action asserted, made, brought, threatened by or payable to a third party that is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party (a “Third Party Claim”) made with respect to a Loss subject to indemnification hereunder, which Claim Notice shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim (including the amount of (or, if not finally determined, a good faith estimate of) the Losses being incurred by, or imposed upon, the Indemnified Party) and a copy of all papers served with respect to such Third Party Claim (if any) and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Article VIII. Failure by the Indemnified Party to timely provide such Claim Notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party, or its ability to defend the applicable claim, is actually and materially prejudiced thereby.
(b) The Indemnifying Party has the right to defend the Indemnified Party against any Third Party Claim which is the subject of indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII. The Indemnifying Party will notify the Indemnified Party within 10 Business Days after having received any Claim Notice with respect to whether or not it is exercising its right to defend the Indemnified Party against the Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party has the right to defend such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party (which counsel shall be subject to the approval of the Indemnified Party, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), by all appropriate proceedings, to a final conclusion or settlement at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Section 8.05(b); provided, however, if the Indemnified Party is advised by a reputable law firm that a reasonable likelihood exists of conflicts of interest between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, including situations in which there are one or more legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, then, in each such case, the Indemnified Party has the right to retain its own counsel, at the Indemnifying Party’s sole cost and expense (provided, that such costs and expenses are reasonable and documented) and control its own interest in the claim. Subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, the Indemnifying Party has full control of such defense and proceedings; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any compromise or settlement of any Third Party Claim without the written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If the Indemnifying Party elects to defend the Indemnified Party against any Third Party Claim pursuant to this Section 8.05(b), the Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim Controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 8.05(b), and the Indemnified Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such participation. If the Indemnifying Party does not elect to defend the applicable Indemnified Party against a given Third Party Claim consistent with the above procedure, then the Indemnified Party may control the defense of such Third Party Claim with counsel of its choosing, and the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of such defense to the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be, that is controlling such defense shall keep the other Party reasonably advised of the status of such Third Party Claim and the defense thereof.
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(c) If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees, at the Indemnifying Party’s sole cost and expense, to reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including providing reasonable access to necessary and relevant documents, records and information, but in all cases excluding any confidential or proprietary information of the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. In addition, the Indemnified Party will use commercially reasonable efforts to make its personnel available for conferences, discovery, proceedings, hearings, trials or appeals as may be reasonably required by the Indemnifying Party.
(d) Once a Loss is agreed to by the Indemnifying Party or finally adjudicated to be payable pursuant to this Article VIII, the Indemnifying Party shall satisfy its obligations within 10 Business Days of such final, non-appealable adjudication by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The Parties agree that should an Indemnifying Party not make full payment of any such obligations within such 10 Business Day period, any amount payable shall accrue interest from and including the date of agreement of the Indemnifying Party or final, non-appealable adjudication to the date such payment has been made at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate, as published by the Wall Street Journal (or any successor publication) from time to time, calculated daily on the basis of a 365/366 day year and the actual number of days elapsed.
Section 8.06 Exclusive Remedies. Subject to Section 9.13, the Parties acknowledge and agree that their sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims (other than claims arising from fraud, criminal activity, or willful misconduct on the part of a Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, or obligation set forth in this Agreement shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article VIII. Nothing in this Section 8.06 shall limit any Person’s right to any equitable relief to which any Person shall be entitled to any remedy on account of any Party’s fraud, criminal activity, or willful misconduct.
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Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the earlier of the actual receipt or 5 days after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.01):
| If to Bimergen: | Emergen Energy LLC | |
| 895 Dove Street, Suite 300 | ||
| Newport Beach, CA 92660 | ||
| Attention: Cole W. Johnson | ||
| E-mail:
| ||
| with a copy to: | Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP | |
| 799 9th Street NW, Suite 1000 | ||
| Washington, DC 20001-4501 | ||
| Attention: | ||
| E-mail: | ||
| If to the Company: | ||
| Email: | ||
| and | ||
| Attention: | ||
| Email: | ||
| with a copy to: | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP | |
| 425 Lexington Ave | ||
| New York, NY 10017 | ||
| Attention: | ||
| E-mail: | ||
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Section 9.02 Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) the words “include,” “includes,” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation;” (b) the word “or” is not exclusive; and (c) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto,” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (i) to Articles, Sections, Disclosure Schedules, and Exhibits mean the Articles and Sections of, and Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits attached to, this Agreement; (ii) to an agreement, instrument, or other document means such agreement, instrument, or other document as amended, supplemented, and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof, and (iii) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the Party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein.
Section 9.03 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 9.04 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.
Section 9.05 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to their subject matter, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in any other Transaction Agreement or the Disclosure Schedules (other than an exception expressly set forth as such in the Disclosure Schedules), the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.
Section 9.06 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder, including by operation of law, without the prior written consent of the other parties. No assignment shall relieve the assigning Party of any of its obligations hereunder.
Section 9.07 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Article VIII, Section 9.14, or Section 9.15, this Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein or in any other Transaction Agreements, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to Section 9.08, the Parties reserve their right to vary or rescind at any time and in any way the rights, if any, granted under this Agreement to any other Person not a Party, including any indemnified Person under Article VIII, without notice to or consent of such other Person.
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Section 9.08 Amendment and Modification. This Agreement, including any Exhibit or Disclosure Schedule, may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each Party.
Section 9.09 Waiver. No waiver by any Party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the Party so waiving. No waiver by any Party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach, or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power, or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power, or privilege.
Section 9.10 Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims, causes of action, or disputes that may be based upon, arise out of, or relate to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the negotiation, execution, or performance hereof, or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct, or otherwise, and whether predicated on common law, statute, or otherwise) shall in all respects be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).
Section 9.11 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Chancery Court (or if such court shall be unavailable, any federal court sitting in Delaware), and, in each case, appellate courts therefrom, over any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or based upon this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby waives any objection to any related proceeding in such courts whether on the grounds of venue, residence or domicile or on the ground that the related proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Section 9.12 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION, (B) SUCH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS Section 9.12.
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Section 9.13 Specific Performance. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, and that the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof and thereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each Party (a) agrees that it shall not oppose the granting of such specific performance or relief and (b) hereby irrevocably waives any requirement for the security or posting of any bond in connection with such relief.
Section 9.14 No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim, action, suit, or other legal proceeding based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement, may only be brought against the entities that are expressly named as Parties (each, a “Contracting Party”), and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such Party, and no past, present or future incorporator, manager, partner, direct or indirect investors, Affiliate or other Representative of any Party or of any Affiliate of any Party, or any of their successors or permitted assigns (collectively, “Nonparty Affiliates”), shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of any Party under this Agreement or for any claim or action based on, in respect of or by reason of the Transactions. Without limiting the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted by Law, (a) with respect to disputes under or arising out of this Agreement, each Contracting Party hereby waives and releases any and all rights, claims, demands, or causes of action that may otherwise be available at Law or in equity, or granted by statute, to avoid or disregard the entity form of a Contracting Party or otherwise impose liability of a Contracting Party on any Nonparty Affiliate, whether granted by statute or based on theories of equity, agency, control, instrumentality, alter ego, domination, sham, single business enterprise, piercing the veil, unfairness, undercapitalization, or otherwise, and (b) each Contracting Party disclaims any reliance upon any Nonparty Affiliates with respect to the performance of this Agreement or any representation or warranty made in, in connection with, or as an inducement to enter into, this Agreement. Each of the Nonparty Affiliates is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 9.14.
Section 9.15 Release. Effective as of the Closing, Bimergen, on behalf of itself and its respective officers, directors and equityholders (the “Releasing Parties”), hereby unconditionally and irrevocably and forever releases and discharges each Project Company and the Company and their respective Affiliates and Representatives, and each of their respective members, general or limited partners, successors or assignees and any present or former directors, managers, officers, employees or agents of such Person (each, a “Released Party”), of and from any and all claims, debts, losses, expenses, proceedings, covenants, liabilities, suits, judgments, damages, actions and causes of action, obligations, accounts, and liabilities of any kind whether in Law or in equity which the Releasing Parties may have against each of the Released Parties, now or in the future, in each case, in respect of any cause, matter or thing relating to any of the Released Parties occurring or arising on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with Bimergen’s ownership and operation of each Project Company in each case other than in respect of (i) fraud and (ii) the rights, obligations and remedies of the Parties under this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreements. This Section 9.15 is intended for the benefit of, and may be enforced directly by, each of the Released Parties, and shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of the Releasing Parties.
Section 9.16 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, email, or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
Section 9.17 Conflicts with Joint Venture Agreement. The Parties agree that after the Closing, to the extent there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Joint Venture Agreement, the terms of the Joint Venture Agreement shall control the rights and obligations of the Parties.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
| FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| EMERGEN ENERGY LLC | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Contribution Agreement]
Exhibit 10.2
JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
This Joint Development Agreement (“Agreement”), dated as of May 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between FPU-BEC Development Topco, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “Project Company”), and Emergen Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Bimergen”). Project Company and Bimergen may be referred individually as the “Party,” or collectively as the “Parties.”
Background
A. Bimergen has expertise in the development of large, critical, and complex infrastructure projects throughout Texas.
B.
Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated under that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and
among the Project Company and Bimergen (the “Contribution Agreement”), Project Company owns certain utility-scale
battery energy storage systems in ERCOT, including (a) the 100 MW Red Bird Project, (b) the approximately 10 MW
C. Bimergen and FPU Development Member, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Frontier”) are parties to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Project Company (the “LLCA”), and capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the LLCA.
D. The Parties desire to enter into this Agreement for purposes of developing the Existing Portfolio and cooperating in the joint identification, development, and commercialization of energy infrastructure storage projects with durations of 4 hours or greater per project (such projects, “New Projects”, and upon acceptance by the Project Company, New Projects and the Existing Portfolio are collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Projects”).
Terms and Conditions
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, each Party hereby agrees to the following:
1. Project Development:
(a) Joint Development: The Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to collaborate and work together in good faith (the “Joint Development”) as follows: Bimergen or its Affiliates shall identify Projects and shall provide services, as set forth on Exhibit A, to accomplish, and assist the Project Company to accomplish, the success criteria as set forth on Exhibit A (the criteria, schedule, timeline, and milestones as set forth on Exhibit A are collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Milestones”). Bimergen shall not continue to develop the projects or take actions in respect of the Projects (including in respect of the services set forth on Exhibit A) without the Project Company’s prior written consent.
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(b)
Payments: The Project Company shall pay to Bimergen (i) within 10 business days from the date hereof, $2,500,000
by wire transfer in immediately available funds for its work to date in respect of the Redbird Project and (ii) within 10 business
days from the date of satisfaction of the Milestones set forth on Exhibit A (as reasonably determined by the Project Company)
in respect of each Project, the Project Company shall pay to Bimergen the amount set forth in Exhibit A in respect to each Project;
provided, that the payments with respect to the
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall be in any event construed or interpreted as preventing either Party from working with any third party on matters outside the scope of the Joint Development.
2. Project Origination Payments: Bimergen shall be entitled to payments for originating Projects as follows:
(a) Payments for Projects Originated by Bimergen or Affiliates (as defined herein):
(i)
(b) Milestone Payments for Projects Originated by Third Party Developer:
(i)
3. Termination:
(a) The Parties may terminate this Agreement by mutual written agreement.
(b) Either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notice if the other Party shall have failed to perform or comply in any respect with any material term, condition, or covenant under this Agreement and, after receipt of written notice from the non-defaulting Party identifying the failure to perform or comply and demanding cure, has failed to cure such breach within sixty (60) days or, if such failure cannot reasonably be corrected within sixty (60) days, within such longer period (not to exceed one hundred and twenty (120) days) as may reasonably be required to correct such failure.
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(c) For sake of clarification, any termination of this Agreement in accordance with this Section shall not in any way terminate or otherwise affect any MSA, any LTSA, or any other agreements entered into by and between the Parties or their Affiliates prior to the effective date of such termination, except as specifically set forth in such agreements. “Affiliate” or “Affiliates” shall mean any corporate entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Party, or a corporate entity that has a common controlling owner with a Party, in each case where “control” means ownership, directly or indirectly, in an entity of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interest of such corporate entity.
4. Representations and Warranties: Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party as follows as of the Effective Date:
(a) such Party is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing under the applicable law of the state of such Party’s formation;
(b) such Party is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which such qualification is required for purposes of this Agreement, except where failure to be so qualified, in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the Projects;
(c) such Party is not in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any judgment entered by any governmental, regulatory, or quasi-governmental authority which violations, individually or in the aggregate, would adversely affect such Party’s performance of any obligations under this Agreement;
(d) such Party has obtained all licenses, authorizations, approvals, consents, or permits required by applicable law to conduct its business generally and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and
(e) the execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement do not conflict with and will not result in a breach or violation of any Applicable Law, contract or instrument to which such Party is a party or is bound.
5. Compliance with Applicable Law: Each Party covenants, warrants and represents to the other Party that its activities in performance of or in connection with this Agreement shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in performing its respective obligations arising under this Agreement. Each Party shall ensure that such Party and each of its Affiliates, and directors, members, managers, officers, employees, agents, representatives, legal counsel, accountants, financial advisors, lenders, consultants, and other representatives of such Party and of its Affiliates (collectively, “Representatives”) fully comply with any and all applicable anti-bribery, anti-corruption, anti-terrorism, economic sanctions and anti-money laundering applicable laws, rules and/or regulations, including international anti-corruption conventions such as the United Nations Convention Against Bribery, and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and in each case, any applicable implementing legislation, with respect to their respective obligations under this Agreement.
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6. Indemnification:
(a) General: Each Party (the “Indemnifying Party”) shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party, and employees, agents and assigns (the “Indemnified Party”) from and against all claims, suits, causes of action, losses, liabilities, liens, damages, assessments, costs, expenses, demands, complaints or actions including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs (collectively, “Claims”) of third parties arising out of or related to: (i) death, personal injury, or property damage of third parties, and (ii) violations by the Indemnifying Party or any person for whom the Indemnifying Party is responsible of any applicable laws, rules and/or regulations; in each case to the extent arising from the Indemnifying Party’s or its Representative’s negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement. For sake of clarification, if both Parties are negligent or otherwise at fault or strictly liable without fault, then the obligations of indemnification under this Section shall continue, but the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnified Party only for the percentage of responsibility for the damage or injuries attributable to the Indemnifying Party.
(b) Survival: The indemnities set forth in this Section shall apply only to individual Projects, and shall expire and no longer be in effect with respect to any individual Project for a period of twelve (12) months following the earliest to occur of (i) the date on which a notice to proceed is issued with respect to the Project under the engineering, procurement and construction arrangement for the Project, (ii) the date on which physical construction activities begin on the Project site, and (iii) the date upon which the construction phase in the real property documents commences with respect to such Project.
7. Limitations of Liability:
(a) TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, IN NO EVENT WILL EITHER PARTY, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, COLLATERAL, SPECIAL, LIQUIDATED, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR ENHANCED DAMAGES, ANY DAMAGES RELATED TO BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF PRODUCTION, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF SAVINGS, LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF INTEREST, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY, LOSS OF MARKET SHARE, DIMINUTION IN VALUE, COST OF CAPITAL, COSTS OF REPLACEMENT OR SUBSTITUTE USE OR PERFORMANCE, LOSS OF INFORMATION AND DATA, LOSS OF POWER, VOLTAGE IRREGULARITIES OR FREQUENCY FLUCTUATION, AND/OR FOR ANY TYPE OF OR FOR ANY OTHER LOSS OR COST OF A SIMILAR TYPE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE AND WHETHER OR NOT A PARTY WAS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE FAILURE OF ANY PREVIOUSLY AGREED OR OTHER REMEDY. The maximum aggregate liability of ANY PARTY under this Agreement on aNY given date shall not exceed an amount equal to any amounts paid hereunder in the preceding 6 months.
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(b) SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, ANY CLAIM BY EITHER PARTY FOR BREACH, DAMAGES, AND/OR INDEMNIFICATION MUST BE MADE IN WRITING WITHIN TWELVE (12) MONTHS AFTER THE EARLIER TO OCCUR OF: (I) SUCH PARTY HAVING OBTAINED KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH CLAIM, OR (II) THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS, EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO COMMENCE ANY CLAIM OR ACTION AFTER SUCH TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD.
(c) ALL OF THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY WHETHER EITHER PARTY’S CLAIM ARISES FROM BREACH OF CONTRACT, GUARANTY, BREACH OF WARRANTY, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY, INDEMNITY, INFRINGEMENT, ENFORCEMENT ACTION, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL BASIS OR EQUITY THEORY.
(d) Survival: The limitations of liability set forth in this Section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
8. Excuses for Nonperformance: Neither Party shall be liable for any delay in performance or nonperformance of its respective obligations under this Agreement to the extent caused, wholly or in part, by any circumstances beyond such Party’s reasonable control, including the following circumstances, which unless clearly demonstrated to the contrary, are considered beyond such affected party’s reasonable control: (i) acts of God, including, but not limited to, severe or other inclement weather, dust or sandstorms, or earthquakes; (ii) epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, war, riot, terrorism, insurrection, sabotage, blockade, embargo, fire, explosion, flood, accident, (iii) acts or inaction of any governmental, regulatory, or quasi-governmental authority and court decrees; provided, that none of the above circumstances shall relieve a Party from liability for an obligation which arose before the occurrence of that circumstance, nor relieve any Party’s obligation to pay money in a timely manner which may be due and owing under this Agreement; provided, further, such Party shall give to other Party prompt notice of that force majeure with reasonable particularity and, in so far as known, the probable extent to which it will be unable to perform or be delayed in performing that obligation, whereupon that obligation of the Party giving the notice will be suspended to the extent that, by reason of the force majeure, it is not able to perform its obligations under this Agreement, but not longer than its continuance.
9. Notices:
(a) All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications made under this Agreement shall be in writing and be deemed duly given: (i) when delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) one (1) business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service or verified delivery by certified or registered mail to the address listed below, or (iii) immediately after being sent to the recipient by electronic mail (excluding any “bounceback” or notice of out-of-office or non-delivery is received):
| 5 |
| If to the Project Company, then: | ||||
| E-mail:
| ||||
| and | ||||
| E-mail:
| ||||
| With a copy to: | ||||
| Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP | ||||
| 425 Lexington Ave | ||||
| New York, NY 10017 | ||||
| Attention: | ||||
| E-mail: | ||||
| If to Bimergen, then: | ||||
| Bimergen Energy Corporation | ||||
| 895 Dove Street | ||||
| Suite 300 | ||||
| Newport Beach, CA 92660 | ||||
| Attn.: Cole W. Johnson | ||||
| With a copy to: | ||||
| Bimergen Energy Corporation | ||||
| 895 Dove Street | ||||
| Suite 300 | ||||
| Newport Beach, CA 92660 | ||||
| Attn.: Clay J. Johnson | ||||
(b) Either Party may change its address listed above by providing written notice to the other Party of such change.
10. Nature of Relationship: Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement or otherwise shall create or imply any joint venture, partnership, or other relationship between the Parties. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted as requiring any Party to enter into any further agreement regarding the Joint Development.
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11. Definitions and Headings: Unless otherwise expressly noted, all references (if any) in this Agreement to: (a) “Section” shall mean, with respect to such reference, each such section or subsection of this Agreement, and (b) “Attachment” shall mean, with respect to any such reference, each such schedule or exhibit attached to this Agreement. The headings of any section or paragraph of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be used to interpret any provision of this Agreement.
12. Non-Waiver: No failure, delay, or course of dealing by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of such right, power or privilege, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder. No waiver under this Agreement is effective unless it is in writing, identified as a waiver to this Agreement, and signed by an authorized Representative of the Party waiving its right.
13. No Third-Party Beneficiaries: Except for indemnification obligations, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The terms, conditions and covenants of this Agreement shall be binding upon each Party, and each of its respective successors, and is for the benefit of each such Party and its successors and assigns.
14. Assignment: This Agreement and any right, remedy and/or obligation under this Agreement may not be assigned, transferred, or delegated, by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided, that the Project Company may assign, transfer or delegate any right, remedy, or obligation under this Agreement to its Affiliate, or to any lender or financing party as collateral security; provided, further that in the event of any such assignment, the assigning Party shall remain bound and liable for its obligations under this Agreement to the same extent as if such assignment had not been made.
15. Entire Agreement and Amendment: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous written or oral agreements between the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained in this Agreement, and this Agreement may only be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, or otherwise modified by a written document signed by each Party.
16. Execution and Signature: This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signatures of any Party delivered by an electronic signature program (such as DocuSign) or an email transmission in portable document format (also known as a “pdf.” file), shall be deemed delivery of an original executed counterpart and shall be binding on each Party.
17. Intellectual Property. All work product, deliverables, reports, studies, analyses, designs, plans, permits, and other materials developed, prepared, or obtained by Bimergen or its Affiliates in the course of performing services under this Agreement (collectively, “Work Product”) shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Project Company. Bimergen hereby assigns, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to assign, to the Project Company all right, title, and interest in and to all Work Product. Bimergen shall execute, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to execute, all documents and instruments reasonably requested by the Project Company to evidence or perfect such ownership.
18. Other Provisions: The Parties agree that Sections 12.5 (Severability), 12.7 (Counterparts), 12.8 (Jurisdiction; Venue; Service of Process), 12.9 (Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction), 12.10 (Applicable Law), 12.11 (Waiver of Jury Trial), 12.15 (Further Action) of the LLCA shall apply and are incorporated here by reference, mutatis mutandis, which shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party, intending to be legally bound, hereby executes this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
[FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC]
| By: | ||
EMERGEN ENERGY LLC
| By: | ||
| Cole W. Johnson | ||
| Co-CEO |
[Signature Page to the Joint Development Agreement]
Exhibit A
The following terms when used in this Exhibit A have the meanings specified below:
“Land Survey” means a survey for each Project Property for which all necessary fees have been paid and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Project Company.
“Site
Control” means (i) with respect to each of the
“Title Commitment” means a consolidated title commitment or title report with respect to all real estate interests for each Project.
Other defined terms used in this Exhibit A but otherwise not defined in the Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Contribution Agreement.
Development Services
With respect to all Projects, Bimergen shall provide the following services, in each case, satisfactory to the Project Company in its sole but reasonable discretion:
| 1. | Obtain evidence of Site Control; | |
| 2. | Obtain evidence of interconnection, in the form of an executed or draft interconnection agreement, a queue position or other binding agreement with the interconnection provider; | |
| 3. | Obtain Phase I ESA; | |
| 4. | Conduct desktop constraints analysis or red flag report; | |
| 5. | Prepare permitting matrix; | |
| 6. | Obtain evidence of ownership of the equity interests of the company developing a given Future Project; | |
| 7. | Cooperate with and provide reasonable support to the Project Company in connection with the development of the Projects (including coordinating activities and/or communications with ERCOT and introducing and coordinating communications with relevant stakeholders of each Project as reasonably requested by the Project Company); and | |
| 8. | Provide other services as the Project Company may reasonably request from time to time in connection with the development of the Projects. |
| Exhibit A-1 |
Project Payment Milestones
Redbird Project
| Amount Payable | Criteria | |||
| $2,500,000 | Satisfaction of all of the following: | |||
| 1. | Project Company’s receipt of evidence of interconnection, in the form of an executed or draft interconnection agreement, a queue position or other binding agreement with the interconnection provider; | |||
| 2. | Evidence of Redbird Site Control; | |||
| 3. | A Title Commitment and Land Survey with respect to Redbird Project Site; and | |||
| 4. | Achievement of “Final Notice to Proceed”. | |||
| Amount Payable | Criteria | |||
| $346,500 | Satisfaction of all of the following: | |||
| 1. | Project Company’s receipt of evidence of interconnection, in the form of an executed or draft interconnection agreement, a queue position or other binding agreement with the interconnection provider; | |||
| 2. | Evidence
of | |||
| 3. | A
Title Commitment and Land Survey with respect to | |||
| Amount Payable | Criteria | |||
| $346,500 | Satisfaction of all of the following: | |||
| 1. | Project Company’s receipt of evidence of interconnection, in the form of an executed or draft interconnection agreement, a queue position or other binding agreement with the interconnection provider; | |||
| 2. | Evidence
of | |||
| 3. | A
Title Commitment and Land Survey with respect to the | |||
| Exhibit A-2 |
Exhibit 10.3
CONTRIBUTED EQUITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This CONTRIBUTED EQUITY ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), by and between FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Emergen Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Bimergen”). The Company and Bimergen are each sometimes referred to in this Agreement as a “Party” or, collectively, as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2026 (the “Contribution Agreement”), by and between the Company and Bimergen;
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Contribution Agreement;
WHEREAS, Bimergen
(i) intends to acquire 100% of Equity Interests in
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and upon the conditions of the Contribution Agreement, Bimergen desires to assign and transfer to the Company, and the Company desires to accept from Bimergen and assume, 100% of the Equity Interests in the Project Companies owned or will be owned by Bimergen (collectively, the “Contributed Equity”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Assignment and Assumption. Bimergen hereby assigns and transfers the Contributed Equity to the Company, and the Company hereby accepts and assumes the Contributed Equity from Bimergen.
2. Effect
of Assignment and Assumption. From and after the Effective Date, the Company shall be admitted as a member of each of the
Project Companies and shall be designated as the sole member of each of the Project Companies in place of Bimergen, and Bimergen
shall cease to have any of the rights or obligations of a member under the Organizational Documents of each of the Project Companies
with respect to the Contributed Equity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the parties acknowledge that Bimergen has
not acquired the
3. Further Assurances. Upon the request of any party hereto, the other parties hereto shall, without further consideration, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such other instruments, and shall take, or cause to be taken, such further or other actions as such other party may deem necessary or desirable to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
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4. General Provisions.
(a) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, including those received via facsimile transmission, email (including in PDF format), or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000 (including DocuSign), shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
(b) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign its rights or obligations hereunder, including by operation of law, without the prior written consent of the other parties. No assignment shall relieve the assigning Party of any of its obligations hereunder.
(c) Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims, causes of action, or disputes that may be based upon, arise out of, or relate to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the negotiation, execution, or performance hereof, or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct, or otherwise, and whether predicated on common law, statute, or otherwise) shall in all respects be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).
(d) Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Chancery Court (or if such court shall be unavailable, any federal court sitting in Delaware), and, in each case, appellate courts therefrom, over any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or based upon this Agreement. Each of the Parties hereby waives any objection to any related proceeding in such courts whether on the grounds of venue, residence or domicile or on the ground that the related proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein among the parties and constitutes a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement among the parties with respect to such subject matter.
(f) Amendment. This Agreement shall not be amended, modified or waived in any respect, unless such amendment, modification or waiver is set forth in a writing executed and delivered by the parties.
(g) Terms of Contribution Agreement. The contribution and transfer evidenced by this Agreement is made subject to and upon all of the terms, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties set forth in the Contribution Agreement, and all of which terms, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties are incorporated herein by reference, and shall survive the delivery of this Agreement. In the event that the terms of this Agreement conflict with the terms of the Contribution Agreement, the Contribution Agreement shall control.
(h) Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions or portions thereof of this Agreement is determined to be illegal or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each of the remaining provisions or portion thereof shall remain, continue to be valid and effective and be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
[Signature Page Follows]
| -2- |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contributed Equity Assignment Agreement on the date first written above.
| FPU-BEC DEVELOPMENT TOPCO, LLC | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | Jake Hansen | |
| Title: | President | |
| Emergen Energy LLC | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| -3- |
Exhibit
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
between
GRUN ENERGY, LLC
and
EMERGEN ENERGY LLC
dated as of
May 21, 2026
MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 21, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into between Grun Energy, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Seller”), and Emergen Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Buyer”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings given to such terms herein.
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
Seller owns all the membership interests of
WHEREAS,
the Company owns the rights to develop a certain renewable energy project, as follows (the “Project”):
WHEREAS, Seller wishes to sell to Buyer, and Buyer wishes to purchase from Seller, One Hundred Percent (100%) of the limited liability company interests of the Company (the “Purchased Interests”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Purchase and sale
Section 1.01 Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Seller shall sell to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from Seller, the Purchased Interests, free and clear of any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, security interest, or other encumbrance (each, an “Encumbrance”).
Section 1.02 Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Purchased Interests (the “Purchase Price”) shall be $.065 cents per watt multiplied by 9.9 MW / 44.55 MWh capacity (equivalent to a consideration of $643,500).
Section 1.03 Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be paid in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, as follows. Payments shall be made solely through instructions mutually agreed by Buyer and Seller.
(a) Fifty percent (50%) of the Purchase Price shall be paid at the Closing (the “Initial Purchase Price”).
(b) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Purchase Price shall be paid no later than ten (10) business days after Notice to Proceed.
(c) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Purchase Price shall be paid no later than the earlier of (i) ten (10) business days after the Commercial Operation Date or (ii) 18 months following the Effective Date.
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Section 1.04 Withholding Taxes. Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Purchase Price all Taxes that Buyer may be required to deduct and withhold under any provision of Tax Law. All such withheld amounts shall be treated as delivered to Seller hereunder.
Section 1.05 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
“Affiliate” of a Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other ownership interests, by contract, or otherwise.
“Commercial Operation Date” means the date the Project is fully operational and has begun selling power.
“Contract” means any contract, lease, deed, mortgage, license, instrument, note, indenture, joint venture, or any other agreement, commitment, or legally binding arrangement, whether written or oral.
“Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules, attached hereto and made a part hereof, delivered by Seller concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government.
“Governmental Order” means any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, penalty, or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority.
“Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, treaty, or other requirement of any Governmental Authority.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations and/or condition (financial or otherwise) of Buyer, Seller, the Company or the Project, (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents, or (c) the ability of any party to perform any of its material obligations under the Transaction Documents.
“Notice to Proceed” means the earlier of (a) issuance of full notice to procced under the EPC contract, (b) the date on which the Company has paid the EPC contractor an down payment on a notice to proceed that has been mutually agreed between the Company and the EPC contractor, and (c) the Interconnection Agreement has been fully negotiated and is signature-ready.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity.
“Third Party Claim” means any action, suit, claim or other legal proceeding made or brought by any person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement or a Representative of the foregoing.
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ARTICLE II
CLOSING
Section 2.01 Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement on the date of this Agreement (the “Closing Date”). Closing may occur remotely via electronic exchange of documents and signatures.
Section 2.02 Seller Closing Deliverables. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer the following:
(a) An assignment agreement executed by Seller, conveying to Buyer the Purchased Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(b) A certificate of the Secretary (or other officer) of Seller certifying: (i) that attached thereto are true and complete copies of all resolutions of the members of Seller authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the other agreements, instruments, and documents required to be delivered in connection with this Agreement or at the Closing (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) to which Seller is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect; (ii) the names, titles, and signatures of the officers of Seller authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and (iii) that attached thereto are true and complete copies of the governing documents of the Company, including any amendments or restatements thereof, and that such governing documents are in full force and effect.
(c) A good standing certificate (or its equivalent) for the Company from the secretary of state or similar Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction in which the Company is organized and each jurisdiction where the Company is qualified, registered, or authorized to do business.
(d) A certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b) that Seller is not a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the “Code”).
(e) The written resignations, effective as of the Closing, of each of the officers, directors, and managers of the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.
(f) True, correct, and complete copies of all books and records of the Company, including all corporate, financial, and operational records in the possession or control of Seller or the Company.
Section 2.03 Buyer’s Deliveries. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver the following to Seller:
(a) The Initial Purchase Price.
(b) A certificate of the Secretary (or other officer) of Buyer certifying: (i) that attached thereto are true and complete copies of all resolutions of the board of directors of Buyer authorizing the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and that such resolutions are in full force and effect; and (ii) the names, titles, and signatures of the officers of Buyer authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.
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ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties of Seller
Section 3.01 Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that the statements contained in this ARTICLE III are true and correct as of the date hereof.
Section 3.02 Organization and Authority of Seller. Seller is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Texas. Seller has full limited liability company power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party, the performance by Seller of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite company action on the part of Seller. This Agreement and each Transaction Document to which Seller is a party constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms.
Section 3.03 Organization, Authority, and Qualification of the Company. The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Texas and has full limited liability company power and authority to own, operate, or lease the properties and assets now owned, operated, or leased by it and to carry on its business as it has been and is currently conducted.
Section 3.04 Capitalization.
(a) The Purchased Interests have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned of record and beneficially by Seller, free and clear of all Encumbrances. Upon the transfer, assignment, and delivery of the Purchased Interests and payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Buyer shall own all of the Purchased Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(b) The Purchased Interests were issued in compliance with applicable Laws. None of the Purchased Interests were issued in violation of any agreement or commitment to which Seller or the Company is a party or is subject to or in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person.
(c) There are no outstanding equity rights, convertible securities, profits interests, phantom equity, earn-in rights, voting agreements, rights of first refusal, preemptive rights, or similar arrangements affecting the Company.
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Section 3.05 No Subsidiaries. The Company has, or has the right to acquire, an ownership interest in any other Person.
Section 3.06 No Conflicts or Consents. Execution and performance by Seller will not violate or conflict with any Law, Contract, or Governmental Order, except as set forth on Schedule 3.06.
Section 3.07 Financial Statements. Complete copies of the financial statements of the Company consisting of the balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2026 and the related statements of income and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the year then ended (the “Financial Statements”) have been delivered to Buyer. The Financial Statements are based on the books and records of the Company and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of the respective dates they were prepared and the results of the operations of the Company for the periods indicated. The balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2026 is referred to herein as the “Balance Sheet” and the date thereof as the “Balance Sheet Date”.
Section 3.08 Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company has no liabilities, obligations, or commitments of any nature whatsoever, whether asserted, known, absolute, accrued, matured, or otherwise (collectively, “Liabilities”), except: (a) those which are adequately reflected or reserved against in the Balance Sheet as of the Balance Sheet Date; and (b) those which have been incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material in amount.
Section 3.09 Absence of Certain Changes, Events, and Conditions. Since the Balance Sheet Date, no material adverse change has occurred, and no event has occurred which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.10 Material Contracts.
(a) Section 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedules lists each Contract that is material to the Company (such Contracts, together with all Contracts concerning the development, construction, or operation of the Project (“Material Contracts”), including the following:
(i) each Contract of the Company involving aggregate consideration in excess of $100,000.00 and which, in each case, cannot be cancelled by the Company without penalty or without more than 90 days’ written notice;
(ii) all Contracts that provide for the indemnification by the Company of any Person or the assumption of any Tax (as defined in Section 3.19(a)), environmental, or other Liability of any Person;
(iii) all Contracts relating to Intellectual Property (as defined in Section 3.12(a)), including all licenses, sublicenses, settlements, coexistence agreements, covenants not to sue, and permissions; and
(iv) except for Contracts relating to trade payables, all Contracts relating to indebtedness (including, without limitation, guarantees) of the Company.
(v) all Contracts relating to land rights, leases, or options for real property to be used by the Project;
(vi) all interconnection applications, studies, agreements, or assignments;
(vii) all permits, approvals, or filings with Governmental Authorities material to development or operation of the Project;
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(viii) all vendor, EPC, O&M, shared-facilities, crossing, or easement agreements; and
(ix) any non-disclosure, exclusivity, or similar agreements restricting the Project. Complete and correct copies of all such agreements shall be delivered to Buyer.
(b) Each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor, to Seller’s knowledge, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under (or is alleged to be in breach of or default under) in any material respect, or has provided or received any notice of any intention to terminate, any Material Contract. Complete and correct copies of each Material Contract (including all modifications, amendments, and supplements thereto and waivers thereunder) have been made available to Buyer.
Section 3.11 Real Property; Title to Assets.
(a) Section 3.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedules lists all real property in which the Company has an ownership or leasehold (or sub-leasehold) interest, or holds any options or rights with respect thereto (the “Real Property”). Seller has delivered or made available to Buyer true, correct, and complete copies of all Contracts, title insurance policies, and surveys relating to the Real Property.
(b) The Company has good and valid (and, in the case of owned Real Property, good and indefeasible fee simple) title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all Real Property and personal property and other assets reflected in the Financial Statements or acquired after the Balance Sheet Date (other than properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date). All Real Property and such personal property and other assets (including leasehold interests) are free and clear of Encumbrances except for the following:
(i) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable;
(ii) those items set forth in Section 3.11(b) of the Disclosure Schedules;
(iii) mechanics’, carriers’, materialmen’s, or similar liens that (A) arise only in the ordinary course of business, and (B) are not delinquent; and
(iv) liens under equipment leases or conditional sales contracts that are (A) immaterial, (B) incurred in the ordinary course, and (C) will not, individually or in the aggregate, impair the ownership, development, financing, or operation of the Project or the Company.
(c) The Company is not a sublessor or grantor under any sublease or other instrument granting to any other Person any right to possess, lease, occupy, or use any leased Real Property. The use of the Real Property in the conduct of the Company’s business does not violate in any material respect any Law, covenant, condition, restriction, easement, license, permit, or Contract and no material improvements constituting a part of the Real Property encroach on real property owned or leased by a Person other than the Company. To Seller’s knowledge, there are no outstanding disputes, boundary issues, condemnation proceedings, zoning violations, or defaults under any Real Property agreements.
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Section 3.12 Intellectual Property.
(a) The term “Intellectual Property” means any and all of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (i) issued patents and patent applications; (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade names, and other similar indicia of source or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of, any of the foregoing; (iii) copyrights, including all applications and registrations; (iv) trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), technology, and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein; (v) internet domain names and social media accounts and pages; and (vi) other intellectual or industrial property and related proprietary rights, interests, and protections.
(b) Section 3.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedules lists all issued patents, registered trademarks, domain names and copyrights, and pending applications for any of the foregoing and all material unregistered Intellectual Property that are owned by the Company (the “Company IP Registrations”). The Company owns or has the valid and enforceable right to use all Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted (the “Company Intellectual Property”), free and clear of all Encumbrances. All of the Company Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable, and all Company IP Registrations are subsisting and in full force and effect. The Company has taken all reasonable and necessary steps to maintain and enforce the Company Intellectual Property. Seller represents that (i) the Company exclusively owns all right, title, and interest in the Company Intellectual Property free and clear of all Encumbrances; (ii) all third-party Intellectual Property used by the Company is validly licensed; (iii) no Intellectual Property rights are subject to any option, lien, or claim of reversion; and (iv) Seller has delivered true, complete copies of all Intellectual Property assignments, licenses, and registrations prior to Closing.
(c) The conduct of the Company’s business as currently and formerly conducted and as proposed to be conducted has not infringed, misappropriated, or otherwise violated and will not infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate the Intellectual Property or other rights of any Person. No claims or proceedings are pending or, to Seller’s knowledge, threatened alleging infringement, misappropriation, or violation of Intellectual Property rights by the Company or the Project. No Person is infringing, misappropriating, or otherwise violating any Company Intellectual Property.
Section 3.13 Insurance. Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of all current policies or binders of insurance maintained by the Company and relating to the assets, business, operations, employees, officers, and directors of the Company (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”). Such Insurance Policies: (a) are in full force and effect; (b) are valid and binding in accordance with their terms; (c) are provided by carriers who are financially solvent; and (d) have not been subject to any lapse in coverage. Neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates has received any written notice of cancellation of, premium increase with respect to, or alteration of coverage under, any of such Insurance Policies. All premiums due on such Insurance Policies have been paid. The Insurance Policies are of the type and in the amounts customarily carried by Persons conducting a business similar to the Company as of the Closing and are sufficient for compliance with all applicable Laws and Contracts to which the Company is a party or by which it is currently bound. The Company and Seller are, and have been, in full compliance with all terms and conditions of the Insurance Policies. No Insurance Policy is subject to any pending cancellation, premium increase, or adverse modification. Seller represents that (i) there are no gaps in coverage, and (ii) all pending or threatened claims under the Insurance Policies have been disclosed in Section 3.13 of the Disclosure Schedules.
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Section 3.14 Legal Proceedings; Governmental Orders.
(a) There are no claims, actions, causes of action, demands, lawsuits, arbitrations, inquiries, audits, notices of violation, proceedings, litigation, citations, summons, subpoenas, or investigations of any nature, whether at law or in equity (collectively, “Actions”) pending against or by the Company, Seller, or any Affiliate of Seller: (i) relating to or affecting the Company or any of the Company’s properties or assets; or (ii) that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin, or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the construction, development, or operation of the Project. No event has occurred or circumstances exist that may give rise to, or serve as a basis for, any such Action. Seller represents that no Actions are pending, threatened, or have been asserted in the past three (3) years against the Seller, the Company, or the Project. Seller further represents that, to Seller’s knowledge, there are no governmental inquiries, audits, or investigations ongoing or anticipated relating to the Company or the Project.
(b) There are no outstanding, and the Company is in compliance with all, Governmental Orders against, relating to, or affecting the Company or any of its properties or assets. No Governmental Orders restrict, impair, or impose conditions on the development, financing, construction, interconnection, or operation of the Project. Seller has disclosed all notices of violation, default, or deficiency, and all such matters have been fully resolved.
Section 3.15 Compliance with Laws; Permits.
(a) The Company has complied, and is now complying, with all Laws applicable to it or its business, properties, or assets. No written notices of violation, investigation, or non-compliance have been received from any Governmental Authority. The Company has implemented all required compliance programs and is not subject to any consent decrees, deferred prosecution agreements, or similar obligations.
(b) Section 3.15(b) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth the permits, licenses, registrations, and similar rights held by the Company with respect to the development, construction, and operation of the Project (the “Permits”).
(c) The Permits have been obtained and are valid and in full force and effect. Section 3.15(b) of the Disclosure Schedules lists all current Permits issued to the Company and no event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation or lapse of any such Permit. All Permits will remain valid following the consummation of the transactions. Seller represents that no conditions have been imposed by any Governmental Authority that materially increase costs or delay development.
Section 3.16 Environmental Matters.
(a) The terms:
(i) “Environmental Laws” means all Laws, now or hereafter in effect, in each case as amended or supplemented from time to time, relating to the regulation and protection of human health, safety, the environment, and natural resources, including any federal, state, or local transfer of ownership notification or approval statutes. “Environmental Laws” shall include all siting, permitting, and reclamation obligations applicable to the Project. and
(ii) “Hazardous Substances” means: (A) “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous substances,” “industrial wastes,” or “toxic pollutants,” as such terms are defined under any Environmental Laws; (B) any other hazardous or radioactive substance, contaminant, or waste; and (C) any other substance with respect to which any Environmental Law or Governmental Authority requires environmental investigation, regulation, monitoring, or remediation. For the avoidance of doubt, “Hazardous Substances” shall include any materials contained in batteries, transformers, or other equipment to be installed at the Project.
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(b) The Company has complied, and is now complying, with all Environmental Laws. Neither the Company nor Seller has received notice from any Person that the Company, its business or assets, or any real property currently or formerly owned, leased, or used by the Company has violated, is in violation of, or is under investigation for violation of any Environmental Law or any applicable Law regarding Hazardous Substances. Seller represents that it is not aware of the existence of any circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such violation. Seller has delivered to Buyer true, complete, and correct copies of all environmental audits, reports, assessments, and correspondence in its possession or control relating to the Company, the Project, or the Real Property.
(c) There has not been any spill, leak, discharge, injection, escape, leaching, dumping, disposal, or release of any kind of any Hazardous Substances in violation of Environmental Law: (i) with respect to the business or assets of the Company; or (ii) at, from, in, adjacent to, or on any real property currently or formerly owned, leased, or used by the Company. There are no Hazardous Substances in, on, about, or migrating to any real property currently or formerly owned, leased, or used by the Company, and such real property is not affected in any way by any Hazardous Substances. Seller further represents that (A) no underground storage tanks, asbestos-containing materials, or polychlorinated biphenyls are present at the Real Property; (B) no remediation, monitoring, or investigation obligations exist or are pending; (C) no governmental or third-party claims relating to Hazardous Substances have been made or threatened; and (D) Seller shall indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and the Company for any environmental liabilities, remediation, or claims relating to conditions existing prior to Closing.
Section 3.17 Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Section 3.17(a) of the Disclosure Schedules contains a true and complete list of each “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended, and including the regulations thereunder, “ERISA”), whether or not written and whether or not subject to ERISA, and each supplemental retirement, compensation, employment, consulting, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, incentive, bonus, equity, change in control, retention, severance, salary continuation, and other similar agreement, plan, policy, program, practice, or arrangement which is or has been established, maintained, sponsored, or contributed to by the Company or under which the Company has or may have any Liability (each, a “Benefit Plan”).
(b) Seller represents that neither the Company nor the Project have ever maintained, sponsored, or contributed to any Benefit Plan, and no current or former employee, officer, director, consultant, or contractor of Seller or the Company has any claim to compensation, benefits, or coverage from Buyer, the Company, or the Project.
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Section 3.18 Employment Matters. Seller further represents that no Benefit Plan obligations, liabilities, or commitments of any kind will transfer to Buyer or the Company at or after Closing, and that Buyer and the Company will have no successor or transferee liability with respect to any Benefit Plan of Seller or its Affiliates.
(a) The Company has no employees, independent contractors, or consultants and have never maintained any employment, consulting, or independent contractor relationships. No wages, compensation, or benefits of any kind are owed or will become due from the Company or will transfer to Buyer.
(b) The Company is not, and has never been, a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a union or similar labor organization (collectively, “Union”), and no Union has represented or purported to represent any employee of the Company. The Company has never been subject to any collective bargaining obligations, union representation, or labor disputes of any kind.
(c) Because the Company has no employees, independent contractors, or contingent workers, they have no liability or exposure under employment, labor, wage/hour, benefits, payroll tax, or immigration Laws. Seller represents that (i) no employment-related claims, disputes, audits, or proceedings are pending, threatened, or have been asserted against the Company or the Project; and (ii) no obligations relating to employees, consultants, or contractors will transfer to Buyer at or after Closing.
Section 3.19 Taxes.
(a) All returns, declarations, reports, information returns and statements, and other documents relating to Taxes (including amended returns and claims for refund) (collectively, “Tax Returns”) required to be filed by the Company on or before the Closing Date have been timely filed. Such Tax Returns are true, correct, and complete in all respects. All Taxes due and owing by the Company (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid. No extensions or waivers of statutes of limitations have been given or requested with respect to any Taxes of the Company. Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of all Tax Returns and examination reports of the Company and statements of deficiencies assessed against, or agreed to by, the Company, for all Tax periods. The term “Taxes” means all federal, state, local, foreign, and other income, gross receipts, sales, use, production, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, registration, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment, estimated, excise, severance, environmental, stamp, occupation, premium, property (real or personal), real property gains, windfall profits, customs, duties, or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, additions, or penalties with respect thereto. Seller further represents that (i) no deficiencies, audits, examinations, or investigations by any Governmental Authority are pending or threatened with respect to Taxes of the Company; (ii) no claim has been made by any Governmental Authority that the Company is or may be subject to taxation in a jurisdiction where it has not filed Tax Returns; (iii) all required Tax withholdings have been properly collected, remitted, and reported; and (iv) all Tax incentives, abatements, or exemptions claimed by the Company are valid and in full force.
(b) The Company has never been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated, or unitary Tax group for Tax purposes. The Company has no Liability for Taxes of any Person (other than the Company) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any corresponding provision of state, local, or foreign Law), as transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise. The Company has no liability for Taxes of Seller or any Affiliate of Seller, and no arrangements, indemnities, or agreements exist that could result in Buyer or the Company bearing any Tax liability of Seller or its Affiliates for periods prior to the Closing.
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(c) There are no liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon the assets of the Company.
(d) Seller is not a “foreign person” as that term is used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2. The Company is not, nor has it been, a United States real property holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable period in Section 897(c)(1)(a) of the Code.
Section 3.20 Books and Records. The minute books and share record and transfer books of the Company, all of which are in the possession of the Company and have been made available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects. Seller represents that all corporate records, equity ledgers, and governance documents of the Company are true and complete in all material respects as of the date thereof. No minutes, consents, or resolutions of the Company have been withheld.
Section 3.21 Related Party Transactions. There are no Contracts or other arrangements involving the Company in which Seller, its Affiliates, or any of its or their respective directors, officers, or employees is a party, has a financial interest, or otherwise owns or leases any material asset, property, or right which is used by the Company. Seller represents that no Affiliates of Seller or the Company will retain any rights, claims, or interests with respect to the Company, the Project, or their assets after Closing.
Section 3.22 Brokers. Except for Silver Fox Management Inc. pursuant to a separate agreement with Seller, no broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller. Seller shall be solely responsible for all fees, commissions, and expenses of Silver Fox Management Inc. or any other broker engaged by Seller. Buyer shall have no liability of any kind with respect to any brokerage, finder’s, or similar fee arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.23 Full Disclosure. No representation or warranty by Seller in this Agreement and no statement contained in the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement or any certificate or other document furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. No document, certificate, or schedule delivered to Buyer contains any untrue statement or omits information that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Seller acknowledges that Buyer is relying on the accuracy and completeness of such disclosures in entering into this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of Buyer
Section 4.01 Buyer represents and warrants to Seller that the statements contained in this Article IV are true and correct as of the date hereof. Buyer’s representations are limited to the express statements in this Article IV. No other representations, express or implied, are made or deemed made by Buyer.
Section 4.02 Organization and Authority of Buyer. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Delaware. Buyer has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which Buyer is a party, the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement and each Transaction Document constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations of Buyer enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms.
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Section 4.03 No Conflicts; Consents. The execution, delivery, and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not: (a) violate or conflict with any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws, or other governing documents of Buyer; (b) violate or conflict with any provision of any Law or Governmental Order applicable to Buyer; or (c) require the consent of Buyer’s board of directors only, which has been duly obtained. No other consents, notices, or approvals are required for Buyer to execute and deliver this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.04 Investment Purpose. Buyer is acquiring the Purchased Interests solely for its own account for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof or any other security related thereto within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Buyer acknowledges that Seller has not registered the offer and sale of the Purchased Interests under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and that the Purchased Interests may not be pledged, transferred, sold, offered for sale, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of except pursuant to the registration provisions of the Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption therefrom and subject to state securities laws and regulations, as applicable. Nothing herein shall restrict Buyer from transferring the Purchased Interests.
Section 4.05 Brokers. No broker, finder, or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s, or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document based upon arrangements made by Buyer. Seller acknowledges and agrees that Buyer shall have no liability for, and Seller shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from, any claim for brokerage, finder’s, or similar fees arising from arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller.
Section 4.06 Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. Buyer is not (and is not affiliated with any person or entity that is) owned by, or a majority of the stock or ownership interest is held or controlled by, individuals who are citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or any other country designated by the Governor of the State of Texas as a threat to critical infrastructure under Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Section 117.003.
ARTICLE V
Covenants
Section 5.01 Confidentiality. From and after the Closing, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, consultants, counsel, accountants, and other agents (collectively, “Representatives”) to, hold in confidence any and all information, in any form, concerning the Company, except to the extent that Seller can show that such information: (a) is generally available to and known by the public through no fault of Seller, any of its Affiliates, or their respective Representatives or (b) is lawfully acquired by Seller, any of its Affiliates, or their respective Representatives from and after the Closing from sources which are not prohibited from disclosing such information by any obligation. If Seller or any of its Affiliates or their respective Representatives are compelled to disclose any information by Governmental Order or Law, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing and shall disclose only that portion of such information which is legally required to be disclosed; provided, however, Seller shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain protective orders or other remedies to prevent disclosure. Seller shall not use, directly or indirectly, any such confidential information for the benefit of Seller or its Affiliates, or in competition with the Company or the Project.
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Section 5.02 Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each of the parties hereto shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Seller’s obligation under this Section shall include promptly executing all consents, assignments, and instruments necessary to vest full, clear, and marketable title to the Purchased Interests, the Project, and all related assets in Buyer and the Company.
Section 5.03 Project Development. Buyer shall use (and shall cause the Company to use) commercially reasonable efforts to develop and build the Project. Subject to applicable confidentiality obligations and restrictions, Buyer shall keep Seller reasonably updated as to the progress and status of the Project until the Purchase Price has been paid in full.
Section 5.04 No Transfers. Until the Purchase Price has been paid in full, Buyer may not sell or transfer (nor shall any change of control occur with respect to) the Project or its assets without the prior written consent of Seller, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed; provided further, that such consent will not be required for (i) any assignment or transfer required by Buyer’s financing of the Project, (ii) intra-group transfers, (iii) third party transfers to entities with equal or greater creditworthiness than Buyer, and (iv) the joint venture transaction currently contemplated between Buyer and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and its Affiliates, on the other hand.
ARTICLE VI
Tax matters
Section 6.01 Tax Covenants.
(a) Without the prior written consent of Buyer, Seller shall not, to the extent it may affect or relate to the Company: (i) make, change, or rescind any Tax election; (ii) amend any Tax Return; (iii) take any position on any Tax Return; or (iv) take any action, omit to take any action, or enter into any other transaction that would have the effect of increasing the Tax liability or reducing any Tax asset of Buyer or the Company, in respect of any taxable period that begins after the Closing Date or, in respect of any taxable period that begins before and ends after the Closing Date (each such period, a “Straddle Period”), the portion of any Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date. Seller shall also not (1) settle or compromise any Tax claim relating to the Company without Buyer’s prior written consent, or (2) make or change any accounting method or practice that would affect the Company. Seller shall indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and the Company from any liability resulting from any breach of this Section.
(b) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added, and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be borne and paid by Seller when due. Seller shall, at its own expense, timely file any Tax Return or other document with respect to such Taxes or fees (and Buyer shall cooperate with respect thereto as necessary). Buyer shall have no liability for any such transfer or similar Taxes. If Buyer is ever required by law to remit or pay any such Taxes, Seller shall promptly reimburse Buyer in full, together with any penalties, interest, or costs incurred.
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(c) Buyer shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, all Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company after the Closing Date with respect to any taxable period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date and all Straddle Period Tax Returns. Any such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice (unless otherwise required by Law) and without a change of any election or any accounting method. Buyer shall control the preparation and filing of all Tax Returns of the Company for pre-Closing and Straddle Periods, subject to Seller’s reasonable review. Seller shall reimburse Buyer for any Taxes of the Company allocable to Pre-Closing Tax Periods within ten (10) business days of demand.
Section 6.02 Straddle Period. In the case of Taxes that are payable with respect to a Straddle Period, the portion of any such Taxes that are allocated to Pre-Closing Tax Periods (as defined in Section 6.04) for purposes of this Agreement shall be: (a) in the case of Taxes: (i) based upon, or related to, income, receipts, profits, wages, capital, or net worth; (ii) imposed in connection with the sale, transfer, or assignment of property; or (iii) required to be withheld, the amount of Taxes which would be payable if the taxable year ended with the Closing Date; and (b) in the case of other Taxes, the amount of such Taxes for the entire period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire period. Seller shall be responsible for, and shall promptly reimburse Buyer for, all Taxes allocable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period, including the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period, regardless of whether such Taxes are assessed or payable before or after the Closing Date.
Section 6.03 Termination of Existing Tax Sharing Agreements. Any and all existing Tax sharing agreements (whether written or not) binding upon the Company shall be terminated as of the Closing Date. After such date neither the Company, Seller, nor any of Seller’s Affiliates and their respective Representatives shall have any further rights or liabilities thereunder. Seller shall indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and the Company from any liability arising under any Tax sharing agreement or similar arrangement (whether or not written) to which Seller or any Affiliate is a party.
Section 6.04 Tax Indemnification. Seller shall indemnify the Company, Buyer, and each Buyer Indemnitee (as defined in Section 7.01) and hold them harmless from and against (a) any loss, damage, liability, deficiency, Action, judgment, interest, award, penalty, fine, cost or expense of whatever kind (collectively, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification under this Agreement, “Losses”) attributable to any breach of or inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made in Section 3.19; (b) any Loss attributable to any breach or violation of, or failure to fully perform, any covenant, agreement, undertaking, or obligation in ARTICLE VI; (c) all Taxes of the Company or relating to the business of the Company for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods (as defined below); (d) all Taxes of any member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, or unitary group of which the Company (or any predecessor of the Company) is or was a member on or prior to the Closing Date by reason of a liability under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any comparable provisions of foreign, state, or local Law; and (e) any and all Taxes of any Person imposed on the Company arising under the principles of transferee or successor liability or by contract, relating to an event or transaction occurring before the Closing Date. In each of the above cases, together with any out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees) incurred in connection therewith, Seller shall reimburse Buyer for any Taxes of the Company that are the responsibility of Seller pursuant to this Section 6.04 within ten business days after payment of such Taxes by Buyer or the Company. The term “Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable period ending on and including the Closing Date. Seller’s indemnification obligations shall not be subject to any cap or basket, and shall survive until ninety (90) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including extensions). Seller shall reimburse Buyer for any Taxes of the Company that are the responsibility of Seller pursuant to this Section 6.04 within ten (10) business days after payment of such Taxes by Buyer or the Company. Interest shall accrue on any late reimbursement at 5.00% per annum.
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Section 6.05 Cooperation and Exchange of Information. Seller and Buyer shall provide each other with such cooperation and information as either of them reasonably may request of the other in filing any Tax Return pursuant to this ARTICLE VI or in connection with any proceeding in respect of Taxes of the Company, including providing copies of relevant Tax Returns and accompanying documents. Each of Seller and Buyer shall retain all Tax Returns and other documents in its possession relating to Tax matters of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (collectively, “Tax Records”) until the expiration of the statute of limitations of the taxable periods to which such Tax Records relate. Seller shall provide Buyer and its Representatives with reasonable access to all Tax Records (including work papers and correspondence with Governmental Authorities) upon request, at no cost to Buyer. Seller shall not withhold or redact any such records except as required by Law, and shall cooperate fully in the defense or resolution of any Tax audit or proceeding relating to a Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period. Buyer shall control any such proceedings, with Seller entitled only to participate at its own expense.
Section 6.06 Survival. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of Section 3.19 and this ARTICLE VI shall survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation, or extension thereof) plus ninety (90) days. Seller’s obligations under this ARTICLE VI shall not be subject to any indemnity cap, basket, deductible, or threshold set forth elsewhere in this Agreement. Seller shall remain fully responsible for all Pre-Closing and Straddle Period Taxes regardless of amount.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
Section 7.01 Indemnification by Seller. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this ARTICLE VII, Seller shall indemnify and defend each of Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company) and their respective Representatives (collectively, the “Buyer Indemnitees”) against, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against, and shall pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Buyer Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to, or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement, or obligation to be performed by Seller pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;
(c) any Taxes of the Company allocable to any pre-Closing Tax Period or the pre-Closing portion of any Straddle Period;
(d) any excluded liabilities or obligations of Seller or its Affiliates not expressly assumed by Buyer; and
(e) any claims by brokers, finders, or investment bankers for fees or commissions based on arrangements made by or on behalf of Seller.
Seller’s indemnification obligations under this Section shall apply without regard to any materiality, Material Adverse Effect, or knowledge qualifiers in this Agreement. In no event shall Seller be liable to Buyer or the Buyer Indemnitees for consequential, indirect, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, lost profits, diminution of value, or similar damages, except to the extent such damages are actually awarded to a third party in connection with a Third Party Claim.
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Section 7.02 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to the other terms and conditions of this ARTICLE VII, Buyer shall indemnify and defend each of Seller and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives (collectively, the “Seller Indemnitees”) against, and shall hold each of them harmless from and against, and shall pay and reimburse each of them for, any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Seller Indemnitees based upon, arising out of, with respect to, or by reason of:
(a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations or warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents; or
(b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement, or obligation to be performed by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.
Buyer’s indemnification obligations under this Section shall apply without regard to any materiality, Material Adverse Effect, or knowledge qualifiers in this Agreement. In no event shall Buyer be liable to Seller or the Seller Indemnitees for consequential, indirect, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, lost profits, diminution of value, or similar damages, except to the extent such damages are actually awarded to a third party in connection with a Third Party Claim.
Section 7.03 Indemnification Procedures. Whenever any claim shall arise for indemnification hereunder, the party entitled to indemnification (the “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly provide written notice of such claim to the other party (the “Indemnifying Party”). In connection with any claim giving rise to indemnity hereunder resulting from or arising out of any Action by a Person who is not a party to this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party, at its sole cost and expense and upon written notice to the Indemnified Party, may assume the defense of any such Action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any such Action, with its counsel and at its own cost and expense. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such Action, the Indemnified Party may, but shall not be obligated to, defend against such Action in such manner as it may deem appropriate, including settling such Action, after giving notice of it to the Indemnifying Party, on such terms as the Indemnified Party may deem appropriate and no action taken by the Indemnified Party in accordance with such defense and settlement shall relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations herein provided with respect to any damages resulting therefrom. The Indemnifying Party shall not settle any Action without the Indemnified Party’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense, it shall keep the Indemnified Party fully informed and shall not consent to any settlement unless it provides for full and unconditional release of the Indemnified Party.
Section 7.04 Survival. Subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained herein (other than any representations or warranties contained in Section 3.19 which are subject to ARTICLE VI) and all related rights to indemnification shall survive the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims which are timely asserted in writing by notice from the non-breaching party to the breaching party prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period shall not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation or warranty and such claims shall survive until finally resolved.
(a) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.02 (Organization and Authority of Seller), Section 3.03 (Organization, Authority and Qualification of the Company), Section 3.04 (Capitalization), Section 3.06 (No Conflicts or Consents), Section 3.22 (Brokers), Section 4.02 (Organization and Authority of Buyer), Section 4.03 (No Conflicts or Consents) and Section 4.05 (Brokers) shall survive for three (3) years following the Closing Date;
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(b) All other representations and warranties shall survive for twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date; and
(c) All covenants and agreements shall survive in accordance with their express terms.
Any claims timely asserted in writing prior to expiration of the applicable survival period shall continue until fully resolved. Seller’s obligations with respect to Taxes under ARTICLE VI shall survive as set forth therein.
Section 7.05 Tax Claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the control of any claim, assertion, event, or proceeding in respect of Taxes of the Company (including, but not limited to, any such claim in respect of a breach of the representations and warranties in Section 3.19 hereof or any breach or violation of or failure to fully perform any covenant, agreement, undertaking, or obligation in ARTICLE VI) shall be governed exclusively by ARTICLE VI hereof.
Section 7.06 Cumulative Remedies. The rights and remedies provided for in this ARTICLE VII (and in ARTICLE VI) are cumulative and are in addition to and not in substitution for any other rights and remedies available at Law or in equity or otherwise.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Section 8.01 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, Seller shall be solely responsible for all fees and expenses of any brokers, finders, advisors, consultants, or investment bankers engaged by or on behalf of Seller. Buyer shall have no liability therefor. Seller shall also bear its own legal and advisory expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement.
Section 8.02 Notices. All notices, claims, demands, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given: (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by email of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next business day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the fifth day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, if sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 8.02):
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Section 8.03 Interpretation; Headings. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. The parties agree that this Agreement was negotiated at arm’s length, and no presumption shall be made in favor of or against either party based on authorship.
Section 8.04 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement.
Section 8.05 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the sole and entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein and therein, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in the other Transaction Documents, any exhibits, and the Disclosure Schedules (other than an exception expressly set forth as such in the Disclosure Schedules), the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.
Section 8.06 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Buyer may assign this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder (a) to any of its Affiliates, (b) to any financing parties or collateral agents, or (c) in connection with any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of Buyer’s assets, without Seller’s consent. Any other assignment shall require the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. No assignment shall relieve the assigning party of its obligations hereunder unless expressly agreed in writing by the non-assigning party.
Section 8.07 Amendment and Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by any party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right or remedy arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. Any amendment, modification, or waiver requested by Seller that would materially increase Buyer’s obligations or reduce Buyer’s rights hereunder shall require the prior written consent of Buyer’s Board of Directors.
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Section 8.08 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement and all disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or relating hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, PROCEEDING, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES ATTACHED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT THE OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION; (II) EACH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY; AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 8.09 Disputes
(a) Mediation. Mediation shall be voluntary and not a condition precedent to litigation or other remedies available under this Agreement. The parties may agree to mediation at any time, but no party shall be required to delay pursuit of litigation, equitable relief, or indemnification claims pending the outcome of mediation.
(b) Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules including the Optional Rules for Emergency Measures of Protection, in Fort Worth, Texas. Notice of the demand for arbitration will be filed in writing with the parties and with the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator(s) shall not have the authority to award any relief which could not be awarded by the courts of the State of Texas. The award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding and judgment may be entered on the award in accordance with applicable law in any court having jurisdiction. The agreement to arbitrate will be specifically enforceable in accordance with applicable law in any court having jurisdiction
Section 8.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by email or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their duly authorized officers.
| Grun Energy LLC | ||
| By: | ||
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| President & CEO | ||
| Emergen Energy LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Cole Johnson | ||
| Co-CEO | ||
[Signature Page to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement]
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