As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 26, 2024
Registration Statement No. 333-
York Water Co S-3, filed Nov 26, 2024
York Water Co (YORW)
S-3
2024-11-26
View Original
Added on
October 16, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE YORK WATER COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Pennsylvania (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 23-1242500 (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
130 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17401
(717) 845-3601
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Joseph T. Hand
President and Chief Executive Officer
The York Water Company
130 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17401
(717) 845-3601
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Jeffrey G. Aromatorio
Reed Smith LLP
225 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1200
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Telephone: (412) 288-3364
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||
Non-Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Smaller Reporting Company | ☒ | ||||||
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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The Company hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Company shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated November 26, 2024 PROSPECTUS
THE YORK WATER COMPANY
$60,000,000
Common Stock
Debt Securities
This prospectus relates to up to $60,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of common stock, no par value per share of common stock, or “common stock,” and debt securities, including debt securities convertible into common stock, or “securities,” that we, The York Water Company, may sell from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus will allow us to issue securities over time and describes some of the general terms that may apply to an offering of such securities. We will provide a prospectus supplement each time we issue securities, which will inform you about the specific terms of that offering and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or “NASDAQ,” under the symbol “YORW.” On November 25, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on NASDAQ was $36.07 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on NASDAQ or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should review carefully the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We may offer the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is , 2024.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” using a “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before buying any securities in an offering.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell or seeking an offer to buy securities under this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are accurate only as of their respective dates, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.
In this prospectus, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to The York Water Company.
We were organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1816 and are the oldest investor-owned water utility in the United States. Our primary business of the Company is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. We also own and operate three wastewater collection systems and ten wastewater collection and treatment systems. We operate within our franchised water and wastewater territory, which covers portions of 57 municipalities within four counties in south-central Pennsylvania. We are regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or “PPUC,” for both water and wastewater in the areas of billing, payment procedures, dispute processing, terminations, service territory, debt and equity financing and rate setting. We must obtain PPUC approval before changing any practices associated with the aforementioned areas.
Water service is supplied through our own distribution system. We obtain the bulk of our water supply for our primary system for York and Adams Counties from both the South Branch and East Branch of the Codorus Creek, which together have an average daily flow of 73.0 million gallons from a combined watershed area of approximately 117 square miles. We have two reservoirs on this primary system, Lake Williams and Lake Redman, which together hold up to approximately 2.5 billion gallons of water. We supplement our reservoirs with a 15-mile pipeline from the Susquehanna River to Lake Redman which provides access to an additional supply of 12.0 million gallons of untreated water per day. We obtain our water supply for our system for Franklin County from the Roxbury Dam on the Conodoguinet Creek, which has an average daily flow of approximately 26.0 million gallons from a watershed area of approximately 33 square miles. The Company has a reservoir on this system which holds up to approximately 330 million gallons of water. We also own fifteen wells which are capable of providing a safe yield of approximately 923,000 gallons per day to supply water to the customers of our satellite systems in York, Adams, and Lancaster Counties. As of September 30, 2024, our average daily availability was 41.1 million gallons, and average daily consumption was approximately 22.4 million gallons. Our service territory had an estimated population of 209,000 as of December 31, 2023. Industry within our service territory is diversified, manufacturing such items as fixtures and furniture, electrical machinery, food products, paper, ordnance units, textile products, air conditioning systems, laundry detergent, barbells, and motorcycles.
Our principal executive offices are located at 130 East Market Street, York, Pennsylvania 17401. Our telephone number is (717) 845-3601. Our website address is www.yorkwater.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into, and does not form any part of, this prospectus.
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We discuss in this prospectus and in documents that we have incorporated into this prospectus by reference certain matters which are not historical facts, but which are “forward-looking statements.” Words such as “may,” “should,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements.” We intend these forward-looking statements to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding:
• | the amount and timing of rate changes and other regulatory matters including the recovery of costs recorded as regulatory assets; |
• | expected profitability and results of operations; |
• | trends; |
• | goals, priorities and plans for, and cost of, growth and expansion; |
• | strategic initiatives; |
• | availability of water supply; |
• | water usage by customers; and |
• | the ability to pay dividends on common stock and the rate of those dividends. |
These forward-looking statements reflect what the Company currently anticipates will happen. What actually happens could differ materially from what it currently anticipates will happen and caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance upon such statements, which are based only on information currently available to the Company and speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to make a public announcement when forward-looking statements in this report are no longer accurate, whether as a result of new information, what actually happens in the future or for any other reason. Important matters that may affect what will actually happen include, but are not limited to:
• | changes in weather or climate, including drought conditions or extended periods of heavy precipitation; |
• | natural disasters, including pandemics and the effectiveness of the Company’s pandemic plans; |
• | levels of rate relief granted; |
• | the level of commercial and industrial business activity within the Company’s service territory; |
• | construction of new housing within the Company’s service territory and increases in population; |
• | changes in government policies or regulations, including the tax code; |
• | the ability to obtain permits for expansion projects; |
• | material changes in demand from customers, including the impact of conservation efforts which may impact the demand of customers for water; |
• | changes in economic and business conditions, including interest rates; |
• | loss of customers; |
• | changes in, or unanticipated, capital requirements; |
• | the impact of acquisitions; |
• | changes in accounting pronouncements; |
• | changes in the Company’s credit rating or the market price of its common stock; and |
• | the ability to obtain financing. |
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Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus and the risk factors described in our other filings with the SEC that we make from time to time, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with other information in this prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus that we authorize for use in connection with an offering. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.
The rates we charge our customers are subject to regulation. If we are unable to obtain government approval of our requests for rate increases, or if approved rate increases are untimely or inadequate to cover our investments in utility plant and equipment and projected expenses, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our ability to maintain and meet our financial objectives is dependent upon the rates we charge our customers, which are subject to approval by the PPUC. We file rate increase requests with the PPUC, from time to time, to recover our investments in utility plant and equipment and projected expenses. Any rate increase or adjustment must first be justified through documented evidence and testimony. The PPUC determines whether the investments and expenses are recoverable, the length of time over which such costs are recoverable, or, because of changes in circumstances, whether a remaining balance of deferred investments and expenses is no longer recoverable in rates charged to customers. Once a rate increase application is filed with the PPUC, the ensuing administrative and hearing process may be lengthy and costly. The timing of our rate increase requests is therefore dependent upon the estimated cost of the administrative process in relation to the investments and expenses that we hope to recover through the rate increase. In addition, the amount or frequency of rate increases may be decreased or lengthened as a result of changes in income tax laws regarding tax-basis depreciation as it applies to our capital expenditures or qualifying repair tax deductible expenditures, and by changes to income tax rates.
We can provide no assurances that future requests will be approved by the PPUC; and, if approved, we cannot guarantee that these rate increases will be granted in a timely or sufficient manner to cover the investments and expenses for which we sought the rate increase. If we are unable to obtain PPUC approval of our requests for rate increases, or if approved rate increases are untimely or inadequate to cover our investments in utility plant and equipment and projected expenses, our results of operations may be adversely affected.
We are subject to federal, state and local regulation that may impose costly limitations and restrictions on the way we do business.
Various federal, state and local authorities regulate many aspects of our business. Among the most important of these regulations are those relating to the quality of water we supply our customers, water allocation rights and the quality of the effluent we discharge from our wastewater treatment facilities. Government authorities continually review these regulations, particularly the drinking water quality regulations, and may propose new or more restrictive requirements in the future. We are required to perform water and wastewater quality tests that are monitored by the PPUC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or “EPA,” and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, or “DEP,” for the detection of certain chemicals and compounds in our water and effluent. If new or more restrictive limitations on permissible levels of substances and contaminants in our water and wastewater are imposed, we may not be able to adequately predict the costs necessary to meet regulatory standards. If we are unable to recover the cost of implementing new water and wastewater treatment procedures in response to more restrictive quality regulations through our rates that we charge our customers, or if we fail to comply with such regulations, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are also subject to water allocation regulations that control the amount of water that we can draw from water sources. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, or “SRBC,” and the DEP regulate the amount of water withdrawn from streams in the watershed for water supply purposes to assure that sufficient quantities are available to meet our needs and the needs of other regulated users. In addition, government drought restrictions could cause the SRBC or the DEP to temporarily reduce the amount of our allocations. If new or more restrictive
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water allocation regulations are implemented or our allocations are reduced due to weather conditions, it may have an adverse effect on our ability to supply the demands of our customers, and in turn, on our revenues and results of operations.
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, which could affect demand for our water service and our revenues.
Demand for our water during the warmer months is generally greater than during cooler months due primarily to additional requirements for water in connection with cooling systems, swimming pools, irrigation systems and other outside water use. Throughout the year, and particularly during typically warmer months, demand will vary with temperature and rainfall levels. If temperatures during the typically warmer months are cooler than expected, or there is more rainfall than expected, the demand for our water may decrease and adversely affect our revenues.
Weather conditions and overuse may interfere with our sources of water, demand for water services, and our ability to supply water to our customers.
We depend on an adequate water supply to meet the present and future demands of our customers and to continue our expansion efforts. Unexpected conditions may interfere with our water supply sources. Drought and overuse may limit the availability of surface and ground water. These factors might adversely affect our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and our revenues and earnings may be adversely affected. Additionally, cool and wet weather, as well as drought restrictions and our customers’ conservation efforts, may reduce consumption demands, also adversely affecting our revenue and earnings. Furthermore, freezing weather may also contribute to water transmission interruptions caused by pipe and main breakage. If we experience an interruption in our water supply, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Some scientific experts are predicting a worsening of weather volatility in the future, possibly created by the climate change greenhouse gases. Changing severe weather patterns could require additional expenditures to reduce the risk associated with any increasing storm, flood and drought occurrences.
The issue of climate change continues to receive attention worldwide. Many climate change predictions, if true, present several potential challenges to water and wastewater utilities, such as increased frequency and duration of droughts, increased precipitation and flooding, potential degradation of water quality, and the resulting changes in demand for services. The changes may result in lower revenue, the need for additional capital expenditures, or increased costs. Because of the uncertainty of weather volatility related to climate change, we cannot predict its potential impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Although any potential expenditures and costs may be recovered in the form of higher rates, there can be no assurance that the PPUC would approve rate increases to enable us to recover such expenditures and costs. We cannot assure you that our costs of complying with any climate change related measures will not harm our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
General economic conditions may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
A general economic downturn may lead to a number of impacts on our business that may affect our financial condition and results of operations. Such impacts may include: a reduction in discretionary and recreational water use by our residential water customers, particularly during the summer months when such discretionary usage is normally at its highest; a decline in usage by industrial and commercial customers as a result of decreased business activity; an increased incidence of customers’ inability to pay or delays in paying their utility bills, or an increase in customer bankruptcies, which may lead to higher bad debt expense and reduced cash flow; a lower customer growth rate due to a decline in new housing starts; and a decline in the number of active customers due to housing vacancies or abandonments. A deterioration in general economic conditions may also lead to an investment market downturn, which may result in our pension plans’ asset market values suffering a decline and significant volatility. A decline in our pension plans’ asset market values could increase our required cash contributions to these plans and pension expense in subsequent years.
We could be adversely impacted by inflation.
We have been affected and could continue to be affected by increased costs for items such as, among others, materials for capital expenditures, fuel, and treatment chemicals, due to the impacts of inflation. If inflation increases significantly, we may seek to increase our rates charged to customers. We can provide no assurances
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that any future rate increase request will be approved by the applicable regulatory authority, and if approved, we cannot guarantee that any rate increase will be granted in a timely manner and/or will be sufficient in amount to cover costs for which we initially sought the rate increase. The impact of inflation could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
The current concentration of our business in central and southern Pennsylvania makes us particularly susceptible to adverse developments in local economic and demographic conditions.
Our service territory presently includes 57 municipalities within four counties in south-central Pennsylvania. Our revenues and operating results are therefore especially subject to local economic and demographic conditions in the area. A change in any of these conditions could make it more costly or difficult for us to conduct our business. In addition, any such change would have a disproportionate effect on us, compared to water and wastewater utility companies that do not have such a geographic concentration.
Contamination of our water supply or water at customer sites may cause disruption in our services; subject us to reduction in usage, regulatory actions, damage to our reputation and private litigation; and may adversely affect our revenues.
Our primary business is to impound, purify to meet or exceed safe drinking water standards and distribute water. Our water supply is subject to contamination from the migration of naturally-occurring substances in groundwater and surface systems and pollution resulting from man-made sources. In the event that our water supply is contaminated, we may have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to substitute the flow of water from an uncontaminated water source through our interconnected transmission and distribution facilities. We may incur significant costs in order to treat the contaminated source through expansion of our current treatment facilities or development of new treatment methods.
In addition, contamination of the water provided to our customers exposes us to risks, including regulatory or government action, customer exposure to contamination or hazardous substances in the water, and resulting private claims and litigation. Negative impacts to our reputation may occur even if we are not responsible for any contamination or its consequences. Our inability to substitute water supply from an uncontaminated water source or to adequately treat the contaminated water source in a cost-effective manner, pending or future claims against us, and reputational damage could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The failure of, or the requirement to repair, upgrade or dismantle, any of our dams may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our water system includes three impounding dams. While we maintain active and robust dam maintenance and inspection programs, a failure of the dams could result in injuries and damage to residential and/or commercial property downstream for which we may be responsible, in whole or in part. The failure of a dam could also adversely affect our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We carry liability insurance on our dams, however, our limits may not be sufficient to cover all losses or liabilities incurred due to the failure of one of our dams. The estimated costs to maintain and upgrade our dams are included in our capital budget. Although such costs have previously been recoverable in rates, there is no guarantee that these costs will continue to be recoverable and in what magnitude they will be recoverable.
Wastewater operations entail significant risks and may impose significant costs.
Wastewater collection and treatment and septage pumping and sludge hauling involve various unique risks. If collection or treatment systems fail or do not operate properly, or if there is a spill, untreated or partially treated wastewater could discharge onto property or into nearby streams and rivers, causing various damages and injuries, including environmental damage. These risks are most acute during periods of substantial rainfall or flooding, which are the main causes of sewer overflow and system failure. Liabilities resulting from such damages and injuries could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The necessity for increased security has and may continue to result in increased operating costs.
We have taken steps to increase security measures at our facilities and heighten employee awareness of threats to our water supply. We have also tightened our security measures regarding the delivery and handling of
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certain chemicals used in our business. We have and will continue to bear increased costs for security precautions to protect our facilities, operations and supplies. We are not aware of any specific threats to our facilities, operations or supplies. However, it is possible that we would not be in a position to control the outcome of such events should they occur.
We rely on our information technology systems to help manage our operations.
We rely on our computer, information and communications technology systems in connection with the operation of our business, especially with respect to customer service and billing, accounting and, in some cases, the monitoring and operation of our operating facilities. Our computer and communications systems and operations could be damaged or interrupted by natural disasters, cyber-attacks, power loss and internet, telecommunications or data network failures or acts of war or terrorism or similar events or disruptions. Any of these or other events could cause service interruption, delays and loss of critical data or impede aspects of operations and therefore, adversely affect our financial results.
Cyber-attacks on entities around the world have caused operational failures and/or compromised corporate and personal data. Such attacks could result in the loss, or compromise, of customer, financial or operational data, disruption of billing, collections or normal field service activities, disruption of electronic monitoring and control of operational systems and delays in financial reporting and other management functions. Possible impacts associated with a cyber-incident may include remediation costs related to lost, stolen, or compromised data, repairs to data processing systems, increased cyber security protection costs, adverse effects on our compliance with regulatory and environmental laws and regulation, including standards for drinking water, litigation and reputational damage.
Our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and stock price may be adversely affected by pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies.
Our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and stock price may be adversely affected by pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies. We believe we will continue to operate our business consistent with any federal guidelines or state and local orders, however, the outbreak of pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies and any preventive or protective actions taken by governmental authorities may have an adverse effect on our operations.
We depend on the availability of capital for expansion, construction and maintenance.
Our ability to continue our expansion efforts and fund our construction and maintenance program depends on the availability of adequate capital. There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain sufficient capital in the future or that the cost of capital will not be too high for future expansion and construction. In addition, approval from the PPUC must be obtained prior to our sale and issuance of securities. If we are unable to obtain approval from the PPUC on these matters, or to obtain approval in a timely manner, it may affect our ability to effect transactions that are beneficial to us or our shareholders. A single transaction may itself not be profitable but might still be necessary to continue providing service or to grow the business.
The failure to maintain our existing credit rating could affect our cost of funds and related liquidity.
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services rates our outstanding debt and has given a credit rating to us. Their evaluations are based on a number of factors, which include financial strength as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. Failure to maintain our current credit rating could adversely affect our cost of funds and related liquidity.
We may face competition from other water suppliers or wastewater service providers that may hinder our growth and reduce our profitability.
We face competition from other water suppliers for acquisitions, which may limit our growth opportunities. Furthermore, even after we have been the successful bidder in an acquisition, competing water suppliers or wastewater service providers may challenge our application for extending our franchise territory to cover the target company’s market. Finally, third parties either supplying water on a contract basis to municipalities or entering into agreements to operate municipal water or wastewater systems might adversely affect our business
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by winning contracts that may be beneficial to us. If we are unable to compete successfully with other water suppliers and wastewater service providers for these acquisitions, franchise territories and contracts, it may impede our expansion goals and adversely affect our profitability.
An important element of our growth strategy is the acquisition of water and wastewater systems. Any pending or future acquisitions we decide to undertake will involve risks.
The acquisition and integration of water and wastewater systems is an important element in our growth strategy. This strategy depends on identifying suitable acquisition opportunities and reaching mutually agreeable terms with acquisition candidates. The negotiation of potential acquisitions as well as the integration of acquired businesses could require us to incur significant costs. Further, acquisitions may result in dilution for the owners of our common stock, our incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities and fluctuations in quarterly results. In addition, the businesses and other assets we acquire may not achieve the financial results that we expect, which could adversely affect our profitability.
We have restrictions on our dividends. There can also be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future or, if dividends are paid, that they will be in amounts similar to past dividends.
The terms of our debt instruments impose conditions on our ability to pay dividends. We have paid dividends on our common stock each year since our inception in 1816 and have increased the amount of dividends paid each year since 1997. Our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, applicable regulations and other factors, including the timeliness and adequacy of rate increases, will determine both our ability to pay dividends on our common stock and the amount of those dividends. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future or, if dividends are paid, that they will be in amounts similar to past dividends.
If we are unable to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness as it comes due or we default under certain other provisions of our loan documents, our indebtedness could be accelerated and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our ability to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness as it comes due will depend upon our current and future performance. Our performance is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. We believe that our cash generated from operations, and, if necessary, borrowings under our existing credit facilities will be sufficient to enable us to make our debt payments as they become due. If, however, we do not generate sufficient cash, we may be required to refinance our obligations or sell additional equity, which may be on terms that are not as favorable to us. No assurance can be given that any refinancing or sale of equity will be possible when needed or that we will be able to negotiate acceptable terms. In addition, our failure to comply with certain provisions contained in our trust indentures and loan agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness could lead to a default under these documents, which could result in an acceleration of our indebtedness.
We depend significantly on the services of the members of our senior management team, and the departure of any of those persons could cause our operating results to suffer.
Our success depends significantly on the continued individual and collective contributions of our senior management team. If we lose the services of any member of our senior management or are unable to hire and retain experienced management personnel, our operating results could suffer.
Work stoppages and other labor relations matters could adversely affect our operating results.
Approximately one-third of our workforce is unionized under a contract with a labor union. In light of rising costs for healthcare and retirement benefits, contract negotiations in the future may be difficult. We are subject to a risk of work stoppages and other labor actions as we negotiate with the union to address these issues, which could affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Although we believe we have a good relationship with our union workforce and have a strike contingency plan, we cannot be assured that issues with our labor force will be resolved favorably to us in the future or that we will not experience work stoppages.
There is a limited trading market for our common stock; you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you pay for them.
Although our common stock is listed for trading on NASDAQ, the trading in our common stock has substantially less liquidity than many other companies quoted on NASDAQ. A public trading market having the
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desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the market of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Because of the limited volume of trading in our common stock, a sale of a significant number of shares of our common stock in the open market could cause our stock price to decline.
The final determination of our income tax liability may be materially different from our income tax provision.
Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. The calculation of the provision for income taxes is subject to our interpretation of applicable business tax laws in the federal and state jurisdictions in which we file. In addition, our income tax returns are subject to periodic examination by the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities.
In December 2014, we changed our tax method of accounting to permit the expensing of qualifying asset improvement costs that were previously being capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes. Our determination of what qualifies as a capital cost versus a repair expense tax deduction is subject to subsequent adjustment and may impact the income tax benefits that have been recognized.
Although we believe our income tax estimates are appropriate, there is no assurance that the final determination of our income tax liability will not be materially different, either higher or lower, from what is reflected in our income tax provision. In the event we are assessed additional income taxes, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We are subject to market and interest rate risk on our $12,000,000 variable interest rate debt issue.
We are subject to interest rate risk in conjunction with our $12,000,000 variable interest rate debt issue. This exposure, however, has been hedged with an interest rate swap. This hedge will protect the Company from the risk of changes in the benchmark interest rates but does not protect the Company’s exposure to the changes in the difference between its own variable funding rate and the benchmark rate. A breakdown of the historical relationships between the cost of funds of the Company and the benchmark rate underlying the interest rate swap could result in higher interest rates adversely affecting our financial results.
The holders of the $12,000,000 variable rate Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority (PEDFA) Series A Bonds may tender their bonds at any time. When the bonds are tendered, they are subject to an annual remarketing agreement, pursuant to which a remarketing agent attempts to remarket the tendered bonds pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. In order to keep variable interest rates down and to enhance the marketability of the Series A Bonds, the Company entered into a Reimbursement, Credit and Security Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, or the “Bank,” dated as of May 1, 2008. This agreement provides for a direct pay letter of credit issued by the Bank to the trustee for the Series A Bonds. The letter of credit expires June 30, 2026 and is reviewed annually for a potential extension of the expiration date. The Bank is responsible for providing the trustee with funds for the timely payment of the principal and interest on the Series A Bonds and for the purchase price of the Series A Bonds that have been tendered or deemed tendered for purchase and have not been remarketed. If the Bank is unable to meet its obligations, the Company would be required to buy any bonds which had been tendered.
Future issuances of debt securities and equity securities may adversely affect us, including the market price of our common stock, and may be dilutive to existing stockholders.
In the future, we may incur debt or issue additional equity securities ranking senior to our common stock. Any future senior securities will generally have priority upon liquidation. Such securities also may be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences, and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock or provide for the issuance of additional equity securities that could be dilutive to existing stockholders. Because any decision to issue debt or equity in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising efforts. As a result, future capital raising efforts may reduce the market price of our common stock and be dilutive to existing stockholders.
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Some provisions of our charter documents and Pennsylvania law may have anti-takeover effects that could discourage an acquisition of us by others, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our shareholders, and may prevent attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management.
Provisions in our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us or increase the cost of acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders, or remove our current management. These include provisions that:
• | divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms; |
• | establish advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals to be brought before a shareholder meeting and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of director; |
• | provide that shareholders may only act at a duly organized meeting. |
These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for shareholders to replace members of our board of directors, who are responsible for appointing the members of our management. We are governed by the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, certain provisions of which may discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring us or merging with us whether or not it is desired by or beneficial to our shareholders. Under Pennsylvania law, a corporation may not, in general, engage in a business combination with any holder of 20% or more of its capital stock other than by majority vote of disinterested shareholders at a meeting called no earlier than five years after the interested shareholder became a 20 percent owner or, among other methods, the board of directors has approved the transaction. Any provision of our articles of incorporation or bylaws or Pennsylvania law that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our shareholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our common stock.
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We will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale by us of the securities registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, reduction or refinancing of debt or other corporate obligations, potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, the financing of capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including working capital.
The actual application of proceeds from the sale of securities issued hereunder will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto. The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds. We currently have no plans for specific use of the net proceeds. We will specify the principal purposes for which the net proceeds from the sale of our securities will be used in a prospectus supplement at the time of sale.
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The following description of our capital stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, or our “Articles,” and Amended and Restated By-laws, or our “By-laws,” which are included as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2024, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. We encourage you to read our Articles, our By-laws and the applicable provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, for additional information.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 47,000,000 shares, of which 46,500,000 shares are common stock and 500,000 shares are preferred stock, each without par value.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on each matter presented at a meeting of shareholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting. Cumulative voting in an election of directors is not permitted under our Articles. Pursuant to our By-laws, our Board of Directors consists of at least eight and not more than twelve directors, with three separate classes of directors and with each such class elected every three years to a staggered three-year term of office. As a result of this classification, a greater number of votes are required to elect a director than if the entire Board of Directors were elected at the same time, thus making it more difficult for shareholders to obtain board representation in proportion to their shareholdings.
Dividends
All shares of common stock are entitled to participate pro rata in any dividends declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Subject to the prior rights of creditors and of any shares of preferred stock which may be outstanding, all shares of common stock are entitled in the event of liquidation to participate ratably in the distribution of all our remaining assets.
Certain of our trust indentures and agreements relating to our outstanding indebtedness impose restrictions on the payment of dividends. In general, these restrictive provisions prohibit the payment of dividends on our common stock when cumulative dividend payments, over a specified period of time, exceed cumulative net income, over the same period, plus, in certain cases, a specified base amount. In view of our historic net income, management believes that these contractual provisions should not have any direct, adverse impact on the dividends we pay on our common stock. Notwithstanding these contractual provisions, our Board of Directors periodically considers a variety of factors in evaluating our common stock dividend rate. The continued maintenance of the current common stock dividend rate will be dependent upon (i) our success in financing future capital expenditures through debt and equity issuances, (ii) our success in obtaining future rate increases from the PPUC, (iii) future interest rates, and (iv) other events or circumstances which could have an effect on operating results.
Preferred Stock
We also have 500,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, which our Board of Directors has discretion to issue in such series and with such preferences and rights as it may designate. Such preferences and rights may be superior to those of the holders of common stock. For example, the holders of preferred stock may be given a preference in payment upon our liquidation, or for the payment or accumulation of dividends before any distributions are made to the holders of common stock. No shares of the preferred stock have been issued.
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Anti-Takeover Provisions
Pennsylvania State Law Provisions
We are subject to various anti-takeover provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended. Generally, these provisions are triggered if any person or group acquires, or discloses intent to acquire, 20% or more of a corporation’s voting power, unless the acquisition is under a registered firm commitment underwriting or, in certain cases, approved by the board of directors. These provisions:
• | provide the other shareholders of the corporation with certain rights against the acquiring group or person; |
• | prohibit the corporation from engaging in a broad range of business combinations with the acquiring group or person; and |
• | restrict the voting and other rights of the acquiring group or person. |
In addition, as permitted by Pennsylvania law, an amendment to our Articles or other corporate action that is approved by shareholders may provide mandatory special treatment for specified groups of nonconsenting shareholders of the same class. For example, an amendment to our Articles or other corporate action may provide that shares of common stock held by designated shareholders of record must be cashed out at a price determined by the corporation, subject to applicable dissenters’ rights.
Preferred Stock
The issuance of shares of preferred stock, while potentially providing desirable flexibility in connection with raising capital for our needs and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Bylaw Provisions
Certain provisions of By-laws may have the effect of discouraging unilateral tender offers or other attempts to take over and acquire our business. These provisions might discourage some potentially interested purchaser from attempting a unilateral takeover bid for us on terms, which some shareholders might favor.
Our By-laws require our Board of Directors to be divided into three classes that serve staggered three-year terms. When a board is staggered, hostile bidders must win more than one proxy fight at successive shareholder meetings in order to exercise control of the board of the target.
The By-laws also require that any shareholder intending to nominate a candidate for election as a director must give written notice of the nomination, containing certain specified information, to our secretary not later than 90 days nor earlier than 120 days in advance of the meeting at which the election is to be held.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Provisions
The PPUC has jurisdiction over a change in control of us or the acquisition of us by a third party. The PPUC approval process can be lengthy and may deter a potentially interested purchaser from attempting to acquire a controlling interest in us.
Miscellaneous
There are no preemptive rights, sinking fund provisions, conversion rights or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock. Holders of fully paid shares of common stock are not subject to any liability for further calls or assessments.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Sections 1741 and 1742 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, or the “BCL,” provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacity if the particular person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In general, the power to indemnify under these sections does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the
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corporation if the person otherwise entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless it is judicially determined that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for specified expenses. The corporation is required under Section 1743 of the BCL to indemnify present or former directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending such actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of such actions.
Section 1713 of the BCL permits the shareholders to adopt a bylaw provision relieving a director (but not an officer) of personal liability for monetary damages except where (i) the director has breached the applicable standard of care, and (ii) such conduct constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. The statute provides that a director may not be relieved of liability for the payment of taxes pursuant to any federal, state or local law or responsibility under a criminal statute. Article VII of the Company’s By-Laws limits the liability of any director of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Section 1713 of the BCL.
Section 1746 of the BCL grants a corporation broad authority to indemnify its directors, officers and other agents for liabilities and expenses incurred in such capacity, except in circumstances where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Pursuant to Section 1746 of the BCL, Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws provides for indemnification of directors, officers and other agents of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the BCL.
Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws provides a right to indemnification for expenses and certain liabilities paid or incurred by any indemnified representative of the Company, including directors and officers of the Company, in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she may be involved by reason of being or having been, among others, a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or at the request of the Company, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity. In accordance with Section 1744 of the BCL, Article VIII requires the Company to determine the availability of indemnification by certain specified procedures, including by vote of directors not a party to the proceeding in respect for which indemnification is sought or, in certain circumstances, determination of independent counsel.
Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws authorizes the Company to further effect or secure its indemnification obligations by purchasing and maintaining insurance. The Company has purchased officers’ and directors’ liability insurance which covers certain liabilities incurred by its officers and directors in connection with the performance of their duties, subject to the limitations of such policy. This insurance also insures the Company against any amounts paid by the Company to indemnify covered directors and officers.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” may be permitted for directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the common stock is Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc, PO Box 1342, Brentwood, NY 11717.
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The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may offer under this prospectus and one or more prospectus supplements. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. The following description of debt securities will apply to the debt securities offered by this prospectus unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement for a particular series of debt securities may specify different or additional terms.
General
We may issue senior, senior subordinated, or subordinated debt securities, and in any case may be secured or unsecured. The debt securities will be our direct obligations. Senior securities will rank equally and ratably in right of payment with other indebtedness of ours that is not subordinated. Senior subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of senior indebtedness, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and may rank equally and ratably with any other senior subordinated indebtedness. Subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to senior subordinated securities.
Debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We need not issue all debt securities of one series at the same time. Unless we provide otherwise, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of such series, for issuances of additional securities of that series. We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities that we previously issued.
The form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and is subject to any amendments or supplements that we may enter into with the trustee(s), however, we may issue debt securities not subject to the indenture provided such terms of debt securities are not otherwise required to be set forth in the indenture. Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and we may supplement the indenture from time to time. The material terms of the indenture are summarized below and we refer you to the indenture for a detailed description of these material terms. Additional or different provisions that are applicable to a particular series of debt securities will, if material, be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of that series. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent applicable, the following:
• | the title of the debt securities, including, as applicable, whether the debt securities will be issued as senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities, any subordination provisions particular to the series of debt securities; |
• | any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
• | whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and applicable subordination provisions, if any; |
• | whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured; |
• | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which we will sell the debt securities, such as an original issuance discount; |
• | the date or dates, whether fixed or extendable, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
• | the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which we will pay any such interest, the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and, in the case of registered securities, the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable; |
• | the terms, if any, by which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange the debt securities for our common stock, preferred stock, or any other security or property; |
• | if convertible, the initial conversion price, the conversion period, and any other terms governing such conversion; |
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• | the place or places where the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities will be payable and where the debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
• | whether we may, at our option, redeem the debt securities, and if so, the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; |
• | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof or provable in bankruptcy, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable; |
• | any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the price or prices at which, the currency in which and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation, and any provision for the remarketing of the debt securities; |
• | the issuance of debt securities as registered securities or unregistered securities or both, and the rights of the holders of the debt securities to exchange unregistered securities for registered securities, or vice versa, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made; |
• | the denominations, which may be in United States Dollars or in any foreign currency, in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
• | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities, and if so, the form of the debt securities (or forms thereof if unregistered and registered securities are issuable in that series), including the legends required by law or as we deem necessary or appropriate, the form of any coupons or temporary global security which may be issued and the forms of any other certificates which may be required under the indenture or which we may require in connection with the offering, sale, delivery or exchange of the debt securities; |
• | if other than United States Dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities will be denominated, payable, redeemable or repurchasable, as the case may be; |
• | whether the debt securities may be issuable in tranches; |
• | the obligations, if any, we may have to permit the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into common stock, preferred stock or other capital stock or property, or a combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected (including conversion price or exchange ratio), and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged; |
• | if other than the trustee under the indenture, any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
• | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default with respect to the debt securities or the right of the Trustee or the holders of the debt securities in connection with events of default; |
• | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants with respect to the debt securities; |
• | if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amount will be determined; |
• | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more debt securities and, if so, the depositary for such debt securities, the circumstances under which any such debt security may be exchanged for debt securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of debt securities may be registered in the name of, any person other than such depositary or its nominee, and any other provisions regarding such debt securities; |
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• | whether, under what circumstances and the currency in which, we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities to any holder of the debt securities who is not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts, and the terms of any such option; |
• | whether the debt securities will be secured by any collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and the terms of any related security, pledge or other agreements; |
• | the persons to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable, if other than the registered holders thereof on the regular record date therefor; and |
• | any other material terms or conditions upon which the debt securities will be issued. |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, then the payment will be made on the next business day without additional interest and with the same effect as if it were made on the originally scheduled date. “Business day” means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in New York, New York, and on which the trustee and commercial banks are open for business in New York, New York.
Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, each series of our senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment and be subordinate to all of our unsubordinated debt.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities under the indenture. We may act as paying agent under the indenture.
The prospectus supplement will contain a description of United States federal income tax consequences relating to the debt securities, to the extent applicable.
Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any covenants, such as restrictive covenants restricting us or our subsidiaries, if any, from incurring, issuing, assuming or guarantying any indebtedness or restricting us or our subsidiaries, if any, from paying dividends or acquiring any of our or its capital stock.
Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets
The indenture permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or the sale, conveyance or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets, provided that:
• | the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of a United States jurisdiction and assumes all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture; |
• | immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture exists; and |
• | we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent to the transaction contained in the indenture have been satisfied. |
If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets in compliance with the terms and conditions of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture and the debt securities with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture and the debt securities. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture and the debt securities, in our name and, except in the case of a lease, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may transfer all of our property and assets to another entity if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such entity is our wholly owned subsidiary. The term “wholly owned subsidiary” means any subsidiary in which we and/or our other wholly owned subsidiaries, if any, own all of the outstanding capital stock.
Modification and Waiver
Under the indenture, some of our rights and obligations and some of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:
• | a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest; |
• | a reduction in the principal amount of or interest on any debt securities; |
• | an alteration or impairment of any right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the indenture; |
• | a change in the currency in which any payment on the debt securities is payable; |
• | an impairment of a holder’s right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities; or |
• | a reduction in the percentage of outstanding debt securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults under the indenture. |
Under the indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities:
• | waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture; and |
• | waive any past default under the indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any series of debt securities. |
Events of Default
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, “event of default” under the indenture will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
• | failure to pay interest on any debt security for 30 days after the payment is due; |
• | failure to pay the principal of any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; |
• | failure on our part to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement in the indenture that applies to the debt securities for 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; and |
• | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. |
Remedies Upon an Event of Default
If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities to be due and payable immediately, except that, if the event of default is caused by certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the entire principal of all of the debt securities of such series will become due and payable immediately without any act on the part of the trustee or holders of the debt securities. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration.
The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee not less often than annually, a certificate from our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, as the case may be, as to
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such officer’s knowledge of our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal of or interest on any debt securities if the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the best interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default under the indenture.
The trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer the trustee satisfactory security or indemnity. If satisfactory security or indemnity is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may direct the time, method and place of:
• | conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or |
• | exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee. |
The holder of a debt security will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy only if:
• | the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default; |
• | the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have made a written request of, and offered reasonable indemnity to, the trustee to begin such proceeding; |
• | the trustee has not started such proceeding within 60 days after receiving the request; and |
• | no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee under the indenture. |
However, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of and interest on the debt security when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if at any time,
• | we have paid the principal of and interest on all the debt securities of any series, except for debt securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid in accordance with the indenture, as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or |
• | we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of any series theretofore authenticated, except for debt securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in the indenture, or |
• | all the debt securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their terms are to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums due on the debt securities, on the dates the payments are due or become due under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities, |
then the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of such series, except for:
• | rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and our right of optional redemption; |
• | substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities; |
• | rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any; |
• | the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee under the indenture; and |
• | the rights of the holders of such series of debt securities as beneficiaries thereof with respect to the property so deposited with the trustee payable to all or any of them. |
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Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any debt securities of any series either:
• | to defease and be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to such debt securities, or “defeasance,” with certain exceptions described below; or |
• | to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt securities under such covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities, or “covenant defeasance.” |
We must comply with the following conditions before the defeasance or covenant defeasance can be effected:
• | we must irrevocably deposit with the indenture trustee or other qualifying trustee, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the trustee, trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums on the due dates for those payments; and |
• | we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, to be effected with respect to such debt securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, had not occurred. |
In connection with defeasance, any irrevocable trust agreement contemplated by the indenture must include, among other things, provision for:
• | payment of the principal of and interest on such debt securities, if any, appertaining thereto when due (by redemption, sinking fund payments or otherwise), |
• | the payment of the expenses of the trustee incurred or to be incurred in connection with carrying out such trust provisions, |
• | rights of registration, transfer, substitution and exchange of such debt securities in accordance with the terms stated in the indenture, and |
• | continuation of the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee as against the holders of such debt securities as stated in the indenture. |
The accompanying prospectus supplement may further describe any provisions permitting or restricting defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
Global Securities
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security offered by this prospectus will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities representing all or part of that series of debt securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of debt securities to the holders. Instead, a global debt security representing that series will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a securities depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Any such depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act.” We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Notices
We will give notices to holders of the debt securities by mail at the addresses listed in the security register. In the case of notice in respect of unregistered securities or coupon securities, we may give notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York.
19
Governing Law
The particular terms of a series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities. Any indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following their execution. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be limited in the amount of debt securities that we may issue, and neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets. Thus, by owning debt securities, you are one of our unsecured creditors.
Regarding the Trustee
From time to time, we may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee to be appointed under the indenture or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
20
We may sell our securities from time to time to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly to purchasers, in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We may also issue these securities as compensation to such agents, underwriters or dealers for making sales of our securities. We may use these methods in any combination.
By Underwriters
We may use an underwriter or underwriters in the offer or sale of our securities.
• | If we use an underwriter or underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement and the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. |
• | We will include the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in the prospectus supplement. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and the underwriter may compensate those dealers in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. |
• | The underwriters will use this prospectus and the prospectus supplement to sell our securities. |
By Dealers
We may use a dealer to sell our securities.
• | If we use a dealer, we, as principal, will sell our securities to the dealer. |
• | The dealer will then resell our securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells our securities. |
• | We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of our transactions with the dealer in the prospectus supplement. |
By Agents
We may designate agents to solicit offers to purchase our securities.
• | We will name any agent involved in offering or selling our securities and any commissions that we will pay to the agent in the prospectus supplement. |
• | Unless indicated otherwise in the prospectus supplement, our agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. |
• | An agent may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of any of our securities that they offer or sell. |
By Delayed Delivery Contracts
We may authorize our agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts.
• | If we use delayed delivery contracts, we will disclose that we are using them in the prospectus supplement and will tell you when payment will be demanded and securities delivered under the delayed delivery contracts. |
• | These delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to the conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement. |
• | We will indicate in the prospectus supplement the commission that underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of our securities under delayed delivery contracts will be entitled to receive. |
21
Direct Sales
We may directly solicit offers to purchase our securities, and we may directly sell our securities to institutional or other investors, including our affiliates. We will describe the terms of our direct sales in the prospectus supplement. We may also sell our securities upon the exercise of rights which we may issue.
Shareholder Subscription Offerings
Direct sales to our shareholders may be accomplished through shareholder subscription rights distributed to shareholders. In connection with the distribution of shareholder subscription rights to shareholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may sell any unsubscribed securities to third parties directly or through underwriters or agents. In addition, whether or not all of the underlying securities are subscribed for, we may concurrently offer additional securities to third parties directly or through underwriters or agents. The shareholder subscription rights will be distributed as a dividend to the shareholders for which they will pay no separate consideration and will not be transferable. The prospectus supplement with respect to the offer of securities under shareholder subscription rights will set forth the relevant terms of the shareholder subscription rights, including:
• | the number of shares of our common stock that will be offered under the shareholder subscription rights; |
• | the period during which and the price at which the shareholder subscription rights will be exercisable; |
• | any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price of the shareholder subscription rights; and |
• | any other material terms of the shareholder subscription rights. |
General Information
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive and any profit they make on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation described in a prospectus supplement. We may indemnify agents, underwriters, and dealers against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or make contributions to payments they may be required to make relating to those liabilities. Our agents, underwriters, and dealers, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Representatives of the underwriters or agents through whom our securities are or may be sold for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the offered securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the offered securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the representative of the underwriters or agents to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the offered securities originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the offered securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected on a national securities exchange and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
In compliance with guidelines of the Financial Institution Regulatory Authority, or “FINRA,” the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
22
Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed on for us by Reed Smith LLP, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.
Baker Tilly US, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Baker Tilly US, LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, and through a link on our website at http://www.yorkwater.com.
23
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC in other documents. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to other documents that contain that information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information contained in this prospectus and information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes previously filed information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (in each case, other than those documents or the portions of those documents not deemed to be filed) between the date of the initial registration statement and the effectiveness of the registration statement and following the effectiveness of the registration statement until the offering of the securities under the registration statement is terminated or completed.
• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2024; |
• | Our Definitive Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024, as supplemented on March 22, 2024; |
• | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC on May 7, 2024, August 2, 2024, and November 7, 2024, respectively; |
• | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, January 30, 2024, February 28, 2024, March 5, 2024, May 7, 2024, August 27, 2024, October 7, 2024, November 26, 2024, and November 26, 2024; and |
• | The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2009, as the description therein has been updated and superseded by the description of our capital stock contained in Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
You may request a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by writing or telephoning us using the following contact information:
The York Water Company
130 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17401
Attn: Matthew E. Poff, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: (717) 845-3601
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of securities.
24
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
The following table sets forth estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered:
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | $9,186(1) | ||
NASDAQ Global Select Market Fee | * | ||
Legal fees and expenses | * | ||
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses | * | ||
Accounting fees and expenses | * | ||
Printing and engraving expenses | * | ||
Trustee Services | * | ||
Miscellaneous | * | ||
Total Expenses | $* | ||
(1) | This amount does not reflect the SEC registration fee offset pursuant to Rule 457(p). |
* | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Sections 1741 and 1742 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, or the “BCL,” provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur in such capacity if the particular person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In general, the power to indemnify under these sections does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the corporation if the person otherwise entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless it is judicially determined that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for specified expenses. The corporation is required under Section 1743 of the BCL to indemnify present or former directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending such actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of such actions.
Section 1713 of the BCL permits the shareholders to adopt a bylaw provision relieving a director (but not an officer) of personal liability for monetary damages except where (i) the director has breached the applicable standard of care, and (ii) such conduct constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. The statute provides that a director may not be relieved of liability for the payment of taxes pursuant to any federal, state or local law or responsibility under a criminal statute. Article VII of the Company’s By-Laws limits the liability of any director of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Section 1713 of the BCL.
Section 1746 of the BCL grants a corporation broad authority to indemnify its directors, officers and other agents for liabilities and expenses incurred in such capacity, except in circumstances where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Pursuant to Section 1746 of the BCL, Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws provides for indemnification of directors, officers and other agents of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the BCL.
Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws provides a right to indemnification for expenses and certain liabilities paid or incurred by any indemnified representative of the Company, including directors and officers of the Company, in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she may be involved by reason of being or having been, among others, a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or at the request of the Company, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity. In accordance with Section 1744 of the BCL, Article VIII requires the Company to determine the availability of indemnification by certain specified procedures, including by vote of directors not a party to the proceeding in respect for which indemnification is sought or, in certain circumstances, determination of independent counsel.
II-1
Article VIII of the Company’s By-Laws authorizes the Company to further effect or secure its indemnification obligations by purchasing and maintaining insurance. The Company has purchased officers’ and directors’ liability insurance which covers certain liabilities incurred by its officers and directors in connection with the performance of their duties, subject to the limitations of such policy. This insurance also insures the Company against any amounts paid by the Company to indemnify covered directors and officers.
Item 16. | List of Exhibits. |
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference as part of this Registration Statement:
Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibits | ||
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement* | ||
Form of Indenture+ | |||
Opinion of Reed Smith LLP+ | |||
Consent of Baker Tilly US, LLP+ | |||
Consent of Reed Smith LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |||
Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of this Registration Statement) | |||
25.1 | Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1** | ||
Filing Fee Table+ | |||
* | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus forming a part of this registration statement. |
** | To be filed pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
+ | Filed herewith. |
Item 17. | Undertakings. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; and |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
II-2
(4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser: |
(i) | If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B: |
(A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and |
(B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of this registration statement relating to the securities in this registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; |
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the |
II-3
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
II-4
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of York, Pennsylvania, on November 26, 2024.
THE YORK WATER COMPANY | ||||||
By: | /s/ Joseph T. Hand | |||||
Joseph T. Hand President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. Each person in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Joseph T. Hand and Matthew E. Poff and each of them acting alone, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any and all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, as the Registrant deems appropriate and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature | Capacity | Date | ||||
/s/ Joseph T. Hand | President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Director) | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Joseph T. Hand | ||||||
/s/ Matthew E. Poff | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer) | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Matthew E. Poff | ||||||
/s/ Paul R. Bonney | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Paul R. Bonney | ||||||
/s/ Douglas S. Brossman | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Douglas S. Brossman | ||||||
/s/ Michael W. Gang | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Michael W. Gang | ||||||
/s/ Jeffrey R. Hines | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Jeffrey R. Hines | ||||||
/s/ George W. Hodges | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
George W. Hodges | ||||||
/s/ Jody L. Keller | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Jody L. Keller | ||||||
/s/ Robert F. Lambert | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Robert F. Lambert | ||||||
/s/ Erin C. McGlaughlin | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Erin C. McGlaughlin | ||||||
/s/ Steven R. Rasmussen | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Steven R. Rasmussen | ||||||
/s/ Laura T. Wand | Director | November 26, 2024 | ||||
Laura T. Wand | ||||||
II-5
EXHIBIT 4.1
THE YORK WATER COMPANY
AND
,
TRUSTEE INDENTURE
DATED AS OF _______, 20__
DEBT SECURITIES
THE YORK WATER COMPANY
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF _______ ___, 20__
Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
|
Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939
|
Section(s) of Indenture
|
||
|
§ 310(a)(1)
|
609
|
||
|
(a)(2)
|
609
|
||
|
(a)(3)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(a)(4)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(a)(5)
|
609
|
||
|
(b)
|
608, 610
|
||
|
§ 311(a)
|
613
|
||
|
(b)
|
613
|
||
|
(c)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
§ 312(a)
|
701, 702 (a)
|
||
|
(b)
|
702 (b)
|
||
|
(c)
|
702 (b)
|
||
|
§ 313(a)
|
703 (a)
|
||
|
(b)
|
703 (a)
|
||
|
(c)
|
703 (a)
|
||
|
(d)
|
703 (b)
|
||
|
§ 314(a)
|
704, 1005
|
||
|
(b)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(c)(1)
|
103
|
||
|
(c)(2)
|
103
|
||
|
(c)(3)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(d)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(e)
|
103
|
||
|
§ 315(a)
|
601 (a)
|
||
|
(b)
|
602
|
||
|
(c)
|
601 (b)
|
||
|
(d)
|
601 (c)
|
||
|
(d)(1)
|
601 (c) (1)
|
||
|
(d)(2)
|
601 (c) (2)
|
||
|
(d)(3)
|
601 (c) (3)
|
||
|
(e)
|
511
|
||
|
§ 316(a)(1)(A)
|
505
|
||
|
(a)(1)(B)
|
504
|
||
|
(a)(2)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(a)(last sentence)
|
101
|
||
|
(b)
|
507
|
||
|
(c)
|
105
|
||
|
§ 317(a)(1)
|
503
|
||
|
(a)(2)
|
509
|
||
|
(b)
|
1003
|
||
|
§ 318(a)
|
108
|
||
|
(b)
|
Not Applicable
|
||
|
(c)
|
108
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page
|
||
|
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
|
1
|
|
|
SECTION 101.
|
DEFINITIONS.
|
1
|
|
SECTION 102.
|
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
|
7
|
|
SECTION 103.
|
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.
|
8
|
|
SECTION 104.
|
FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE.
|
8
|
|
SECTION 105.
|
ACTS OF HOLDERS; RECORD DATES.
|
9
|
|
SECTION 106.
|
NOTICES, ETC., TO TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.
|
9
|
|
SECTION 107.
|
NOTICE TO HOLDERS; WAIVER.
|
10
|
|
SECTION 108.
|
CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
|
10
|
|
SECTION 109.
|
EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 110.
|
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 111.
|
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 112.
|
BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 113.
|
GOVERNING LAW.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 114.
|
LEGAL HOLIDAYS.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 115.
|
CORPORATE OBLIGATION.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 116.
|
WAIVER OF TRIAL JURY.
|
11
|
|
SECTION 117.
|
FORCE MAJEURE.
|
11
|
|
ARTICLE II SECURITY FORMS
|
12
|
|
|
SECTION 201.
|
FORMS GENERALLY.
|
12
|
|
SECTION 202.
|
FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.
|
12
|
|
SECTION 203.
|
SECURITIES IN GLOBAL FORM.
|
12
|
|
SECTION 204.
|
BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES.
|
13
|
|
ARTICLE III THE SECURITIES
|
14
|
|
|
SECTION 301.
|
AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES.
|
14
|
|
SECTION 302.
|
DENOMINATIONS.
|
16
|
|
SECTION 303.
|
EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING.
|
17
|
|
SECTION 304.
|
TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
|
18
|
|
SECTION 305.
|
REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
|
18
|
|
SECTION 306.
|
MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES.
|
19
|
|
SECTION 307.
|
PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED.
|
20
|
|
SECTION 308.
|
PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.
|
21
|
|
SECTION 309.
|
CANCELLATION.
|
21
|
|
SECTION 310.
|
COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.
|
21
|
|
SECTION 311.
|
CUSIP NUMBERS.
|
21
|
- i -
|
ARTICLE IV SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
|
22
|
|
|
SECTION 401.
|
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.
|
22
|
|
SECTION 402.
|
OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
|
22
|
|
SECTION 403.
|
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE.
|
23
|
|
SECTION 404.
|
COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
|
23
|
|
SECTION 405.
|
CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
|
23
|
|
SECTION 406.
|
DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
|
24
|
|
SECTION 407.
|
REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.
|
25
|
|
SECTION 408.
|
REINSTATEMENT.
|
25
|
|
ARTICLE V REMEDIES
|
25
|
|
|
SECTION 501.
|
EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
|
25
|
|
SECTION 502.
|
ACCELERATION.
|
27
|
|
SECTION 503.
|
OTHER REMEDIES.
|
27
|
|
SECTION 504.
|
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.
|
27
|
|
SECTION 505.
|
CONTROL BY MAJORITY.
|
27
|
|
SECTION 506.
|
LIMITATION ON SUITS.
|
27
|
|
SECTION 507.
|
RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
|
28
|
|
SECTION 508.
|
COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.
|
28
|
|
SECTION 509.
|
TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
|
28
|
|
SECTION 510.
|
PRIORITIES.
|
28
|
|
SECTION 511.
|
UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
|
29
|
|
ARTICLE VI THE TRUSTEE
|
29
|
|
|
SECTION 601.
|
CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
|
29
|
|
SECTION 602.
|
NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
|
30
|
|
SECTION 603.
|
CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
|
30
|
|
SECTION 604.
|
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.
|
31
|
|
SECTION 605.
|
MAY HOLD SECURITIES.
|
31
|
|
SECTION 606.
|
MONEY HELD IN TRUST.
|
32
|
|
SECTION 607.
|
COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
|
32
|
|
SECTION 608.
|
DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
|
32
|
|
SECTION 609.
|
CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.
|
33
|
|
SECTION 610.
|
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
|
33
|
|
SECTION 611.
|
ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.
|
34
|
|
SECTION 612.
|
MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.
|
35
|
|
SECTION 613.
|
PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.
|
35
|
|
SECTION 614.
|
APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT.
|
35
|
- ii -
|
ARTICLE VII HOLDER’S LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
|
36
|
|
|
SECTION 701.
|
COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF HOLDERS.
|
36
|
|
SECTION 702.
|
PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS TO HOLDERS.
|
37
|
|
SECTION 703.
|
REPORTS BY TRUSTEE.
|
37
|
|
SECTION 704.
|
REPORTS BY COMPANY.
|
37
|
|
ARTICLE VIII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
|
38
|
|
|
SECTION 801.
|
COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS.
|
38
|
|
SECTION 802.
|
SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED.
|
38
|
|
ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
|
39
|
|
|
SECTION 901.
|
WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
|
39
|
|
SECTION 902.
|
WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
|
39
|
|
SECTION 903.
|
COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
|
40
|
|
SECTION 904.
|
REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.
|
41
|
|
SECTION 905.
|
NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.
|
41
|
|
SECTION 906.
|
TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.
|
41
|
|
ARTICLE X COVENANTS
|
41
|
|
|
SECTION 1001.
|
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.
|
41
|
|
SECTION 1002.
|
MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.
|
41
|
|
SECTION 1003.
|
MONEY FOR SECURITIES PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
|
42
|
|
SECTION 1004.
|
EXISTENCE.
|
43
|
|
SECTION 1005.
|
STATEMENT BY OFFICERS AS TO DEFAULT.
|
43
|
|
SECTION 1006.
|
WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
|
43
|
|
SECTION 1007.
|
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.
|
43
|
|
ARTICLE XI REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
|
44
|
|
|
SECTION 1101.
|
APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
|
44
|
|
SECTION 1102.
|
ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.
|
44
|
|
SECTION 1103.
|
SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.
|
44
|
|
SECTION 1104.
|
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
|
44
|
|
SECTION 1105.
|
DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.
|
45
|
|
SECTION 1106.
|
SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE.
|
45
|
|
SECTION 1107.
|
SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.
|
45
|
|
SECTION 1108.
|
PURCHASE OF SECURITIES.
|
46
|
|
ARTICLE XII SINKING FUNDS
|
46
|
|
|
SECTION 1201.
|
APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
|
46
|
|
SECTION 1202.
|
SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.
|
46
|
|
SECTION 1203.
|
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.
|
46
|
|
ARTICLE XIII MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
|
47
|
|
|
SECTION 1301.
|
PURPOSES FOR WHICH MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED.
|
47
|
|
SECTION 1302.
|
CALL, NOTICE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS.
|
47
|
|
SECTION 1303.
|
PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT MEETINGS.
|
47
|
|
SECTION 1304.
|
QUORUM; ACTION.
|
47
|
|
SECTION 1305.
|
DETERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS; CONDUCT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS.
|
48
|
|
SECTION 1306.
|
COUNTING VOTES AND RECORDING ACTION OF MEETINGS.
|
48
|
- iii -
INDENTURE
THIS Indenture, dated as of _________ ___, 20__, between The York Water Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (herein called the
“Company”), having its principal office at 130 East Market Street, York, PA 17401, and, ____________, a ______ banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”) the office of the Trustee at which at the date hereof its corporate trust
business is principally administered being _____________________.
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein
called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.
The Securities of each series will be in such form as may be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions, and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers, or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply
with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder that are required to be part of this Indenture and, to the extent
applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the
Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. DEFINITIONS.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted
in the United States at the date of such computation; and
(3) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
Article, Section or other subdivision.
- 1 -
Certain terms, used principally in Article V, are defined in Section 102.
“Act” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 105.
“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts that are required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant
thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of
this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and
the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to authenticate Securities of one or more series.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on
Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in the place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the
successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.
“Board of Directors” means
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a resolution of such Person duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and in full force and effect.
“Book-Entry Security” has the meaning specified in Section 204.
“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or
the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means:
(i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock;
(iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets
of, the issuing Person.
- 2 -
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and
thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by its
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Controller, an Assistant Controller, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is that
indicated in the introductory paragraph of this Indenture or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.
“Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any specified Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such specified
Person against fluctuations in currency values.
“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence of which is, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of a global Security, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 301 until a
successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such
person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by
a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States of America, as in effect as of the date of issuance of Securities.
“Guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation,
by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements), of all or any part of Indebtedness.
“Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that incurs a Guarantee.
“Hedging Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any agreement with respect to the hedging of price risk associated with the purchase of commodities used in the business of such Person, so long
as any such agreement has been entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for purposes of speculation.
“Holder” when used with respect to any Security, means the Person in whose name the Security is registered in the Security Register.
- 3 -
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of:
(1) borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) (other than
obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clause (1), (2) and (4) of this definition) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent that such letters of credit
are not drawn upon);
(3) banker’s acceptances;
(4) any Lease Obligations;
(5) the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable
incurred in the ordinary course of business; or
(6) any Hedging Agreements,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Agreements) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance
with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included,
the guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable
provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301 and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument.
“Interest Payment Date,” means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Interest Swap Obligations,” means the obligations of any Person pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person, whereby directly or indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time
periodic payments calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such other Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same
notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate swaps, options, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements.
“Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet
in accordance with GAAP.
“Lien” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof and any agreement to give any security interest).
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether
at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
- 4 -
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or an Assistant Treasurer,
Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee, which certificate shall be in compliance with Section 103 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for or an employee of the Company, rendered, if applicable, in accordance with Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
which opinion shall be in compliance with Section 103 hereof.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 502.
“Outstanding” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying
Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such
Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
(iii) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and
delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are
valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, or whether a quorum is
present at a meeting of Holders of Securities, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date
of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the U.S. Dollar equivalent, determined by the Company on the date of original
issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above),
of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or upon any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is
not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person, which may include the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any one or more series of Securities on behalf of
the Company.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust or joint venture, or a governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.
- 5 -
“Place of Payment” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series are
payable as specified in accordance with Section 301 subject to the provisions of Section 1002.
“Post-Petition Interest” means any interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company (or would
accrue but for the operation of applicable bankruptcy or insolvency laws), whether or not such interest is allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
“Redemption Date” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
“Registered Security” means any Security in the form established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, or, if
not so specified, the last day of the calendar month preceding such Interest Payment Date if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of the calendar month or the fifteenth day of the calendar month preceding such Interest Payment Date if such
Interest Payment Date is the first day of a calendar month, whether or not such day shall be a Business Day.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee including any vice-president, assistant vice-president, assistant
treasurer, trust officer or any other officer who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers who have direct responsibility for the administration of the Indenture and also means,
with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.
“Stated Maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal
of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(i) any corporation of which the outstanding Capital Stock having at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors
under ordinary circumstances shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly by such Person; or
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(ii) any other Person of which at least a majority of the voting interest under ordinary circumstances is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by
such Person.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and
thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to
Securities of that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 903.
“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its “possessions,” which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“United States Alien” means any Person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien or foreign fiduciary of an
estate or trust, or a foreign partnership.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct noncallable obligations of, or noncallable obligations the payment of principal of and interest on which is guaranteed by, the United States of America, or to
the payment of which obligations or guarantees the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged, or beneficial interests in a trust the corpus of which consists exclusively of money or such obligations or a combination thereof.
“Vice President” when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice
president”.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means any Subsidiary of such Person of which all the outstanding voting securities (other than in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that is incorporated in a
jurisdiction other than a State in the United States of America or the District of Columbia, directors’ qualifying shares or an immaterial amount of shares required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such Person or
any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.
“Yield to Maturity” when used with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security, means the yield to maturity, if any, set forth on the face thereof.
SECTION 102. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used
in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Bankruptcy Act” means the Bankruptcy Act or Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture securityholder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.
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All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act and not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.
SECTION 103. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants the compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any (including any covenants the compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), have been complied with, except that
in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be
furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include
(1) a statement that each Person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate
or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
SECTION 104. FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the
opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person
may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer
knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be
based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company,
unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not,
be consolidated and form one instrument.
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SECTION 105. ACTS OF HOLDERS; RECORD DATES.
(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders
may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are
herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments and so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding of any Person of a
Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be
proved in the manner provided in Section 1306.
The Company may set in advance a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or
permitted under this Indenture. If not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Holder of Registered Securities of such series made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, the
record date for any such action or vote shall be the later of 30 days prior to such first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation. If a record date is fixed, those
Persons who were Holders of Outstanding Registered Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled with respect to such Securities to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote
or consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the
Trustee in writing in the manner provided in Section 106 and to the relevant Holders as set forth in Section 107.
(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or
by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer
acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person
executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(3) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the
Security Register.
(4) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of
the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance
thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security. Any Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or other Act as to his Security or portion of his Security; provided, however, that such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the Act becomes effective.
SECTION 106. NOTICES, ETC., TO TRUSTEE AND COMPANY.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or
with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or
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(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the
Company, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications
to the Trustee shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address
shown on the Security Register. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
SECTION 107. NOTICE TO HOLDERS; WAIVER.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed,
first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders of Registered Securities by mail, then such
notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. In any case in which notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such
notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder of a Registered Security, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be
the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
SECTION 108. CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act or another provision hereof required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act, such provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the former provision shall be deemed
to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded.
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SECTION 109. EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 110. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether or not so expressed.
SECTION 111. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 112. BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and
Security Registrar, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 113. GOVERNING LAW.
This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the
extent the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
SECTION 114. LEGAL HOLIDAYS.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this
Indenture or of the Securities) payment of principal and interest (and premium and Additional Amounts, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the
case may be.
SECTION 115. CORPORATE OBLIGATION.
No recourse may be taken, directly or indirectly, against any incorporator, subscriber to the capital stock, stockholder, officer, director or employee of the Company or the Trustee or of any
predecessor or successor of the Company or the Trustee with respect to the Company’s obligations on the Securities or the obligations of the Company or the Trustee under this Indenture or any certificate or other writing delivered in connection
herewith.
SECTION 116. WAIVER OF TRIAL JURY.
EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 117. FORCE MAJEURE.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its
control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications
or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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ARTICLE II
SECURITY FORMS
SECTION 201. FORMS GENERALLY.
The Securities of each series shall be Registered Securities and shall be in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) as shall be established by or pursuant to a
Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have such letters, numbers or other
marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by
their execution of the Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form as permitted by Section 304, the form thereof shall be established as provided in the preceding sentence. A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the
form or forms of Securities of any series (or any such temporary global Security) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (or
any such temporary global Security).
The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as
evidenced by their execution thereof.
SECTION 202. FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.
The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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By:
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AUTHORIZED OFFICER”
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SECTION 203. SECURITIES IN GLOBAL FORM.
If Securities of a series are issuable in global form, as contemplated by Section 301, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Security shall
represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of
Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented
thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 304. Subject to the
provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable
Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need
not comply with Section 103 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.
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The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the
Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 103 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together
with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 201 and 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on any Security in
permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or of the Trustee shall treat a Person as the
Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security as shall be specified in a written statement, if any, of the Holder of such global Security, which is produced to the Security Registrar by such Holder.
Global Securities may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Permanent global Securities will be issued in definitive form.
SECTION 204. BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture to the contrary:
(a) At the discretion of the Company, any Registered Security may be issued from time to time, in whole or in part, in permanent
global form registered in the name of a Depositary, or its nominee. Each such Registered Security in permanent global form is hereafter referred to as a “Book-Entry Security.” Subject to Section 303, upon such election, the Company shall execute, and
the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Book-Entry Securities that (i) are denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series if elected in whole or
such lesser amount if elected in part, (ii) are registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) are delivered by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions and (iv) bear a legend
in substantially the following form (or such other form as the Depositary and the Company may agree upon):
UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY], TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF [NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY] OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY] (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO [NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY] OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF [THE DEPOSITARY]), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY], HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.
(b) Any Book-Entry Security shall be initially executed and delivered as provided in Section 303. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Indenture, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Registered Securities not issued in global form, a Book-Entry Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee
of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary, or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company or the Trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for
any Book-Entry Securities, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary, whereupon the retiring Depositary shall surrender or cause the surrender of its Book-Entry Security or Securities to the Trustee. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company
upon receipt of such notice. If a successor Depositary has not been so appointed by the effective date of the resignation of the Depositary, the Book-Entry Securities will be issued as Registered Securities not issued in global form, in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Book-Entry Security or Securities theretofore held by the Depositary.
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The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities shall no longer be Book-Entry Securities represented by a global certificate or certificates, and
will so notify the Depositary. Upon receipt of such notice, the Depositary shall promptly surrender or cause the surrender of its Book-Entry Security or Securities to the Trustee. Concurrently therewith, Registered Securities not issued in global form
will be issued in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Book-Entry Security or Securities theretofore held by the Depositary.
Upon any exchange of Book-Entry Securities for Registered Securities not issued in global form as set forth in this Section 204(c), such Book-Entry Securities shall be cancelled by
the Trustee, and Securities issued in exchange for such Book-Entry Securities pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Book-Entry Securities, pursuant to instructions
from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
(d) The Company and the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Person in whose name any Book-Entry Security is registered as the
Holder thereof for all purposes of the Indenture and any applicable laws, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary received by the Trustee or the Company; and the Trustee and the Company shall have no responsibility for transmitting payments to,
communication with, notifying, or otherwise dealing with any beneficial owners of any Book-Entry Security. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or obligations, legal or otherwise, to the beneficial owners or to any other
party including the Depositary, except for the Holder of any Book-Entry Security; provided however, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) for the purposes
of determining whether the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, instruction or other action hereunder as of any date, the Trustee shall
treat any Person specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to any Book-Entry Securities as the Holder of the principal amount of such Securities set forth therein and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or
any agent of the Company or Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by a Depositary with respect to any Book-Entry Securities, or impair, as between a Depositary and holders of beneficial
interests in such Securities, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depositary as Holder of such Securities.
(e) So long as any Book-Entry Security is registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, all payments of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on such Book-Entry Security and redemption thereof and all notices with respect to such Book-Entry Security shall be made and given, respectively, in the manner provided in the arrangements of the Company with such
Depositary.
ARTICLE III
THE SECURITIES
SECTION 301. AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures
supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);
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(2) any limit, if any, upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107);
(3) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, whether any Securities of the series are to be
issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Book-Entry Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global
Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 305, and the
Depositary for any global Security or Securities;
(4) the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than
in the manner provided in Section 304;
(5) the date or dates on which the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the Securities of the series is payable or the method of
determination thereof;
(6) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any,
whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and, if other than as
set forth in Section 101, the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date;
(7) if other than the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 1002,
the principal of (and premium, if any), any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;
(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the
terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option;
(9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be
redeemed or purchased in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;
(10) the denomination in which any Registered Securities of that series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of $2,000 and
any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(11) the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), any
interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America;
(12) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the
Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be
made;
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(13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any), any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the
Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, or values, rates or prices, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(14) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;
(15) any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of the series pursuant to Section
401, any additional conditions to discharge pursuant to Section 401, 402, 403, 404, or 405, and the application, if any, of Section 403 and 404;
(16) any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 501, the right of the Trustee or the
requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502, or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article X pertaining to the Securities of the series;
(17) the terms, if any, on which the Securities of any series may be converted into or exchanged for stock or other securities of the
Company or other entities, any specific terms relating to the adjustment thereof and the period during which such Securities may be so converted or exchanged;
(18) whether the Securities of a series will be issued as part of units consisting of Securities and other securities of the Company or
another issuer; and
(19) any other terms of the series permitted under the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board
Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution or supplemental indenture, a series may be reopened for issuances of
additional Securities of such series pursuant to a Board Resolution or in any indenture supplemental hereto.
At the option of the Company, interest on the Registered Securities of any series that bears interest may be paid by mailing a check or otherwise transmitting payment to the address of any Holder as
such address shall appear in the Security Register.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action together with such Board Resolution shall be certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.
SECTION 302. DENOMINATIONS.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any
series, the Registered Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any
series of Securities, any Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be issuable in denominations that are the equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in the City of New York for
cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is reported or otherwise made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, on the applicable issue date for such Securities, of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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SECTION 303. EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING.
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer or one of its Vice
Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon or affixed thereto attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Coupons shall bear the
facsimile signature of the Chairman of the Board, President, Treasurer or any Vice President of the Company.
Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them
have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication,
together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities as in this Indenture provided and not otherwise.
If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions or Officer’s Certificate as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, in
authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be given (in addition to the other documents required by Section 103 hereof), and (subject to Section
601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,
(a) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such
form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such
terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and
(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to
any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); provided that such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in currency other than that of the United States.
If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s
own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
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No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the
form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a
written statement (which need not comply with Section 103 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed
never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 304. TEMPORARY SECURITIES.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed,
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Company executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the
Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of
any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of
any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
All Outstanding temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor
authenticated and delivered hereunder.
SECTION 305. REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.
The Company shall cause to be kept for each series of Securities at one of the offices or agencies maintained pursuant to Section 1002 a register (the register maintained in such office and in any
other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration
of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities of such series. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.
At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities
that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial
owners of interests in a permanent global Security are entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301,
then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered from time to time in accordance with
instructions given to the Trustee and the Depositary (which instructions shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 103 or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with
respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of
such permanent global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of other definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of that series is to be
redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such permanent global Security marked to evidence the partial exchange shall be returned by the Trustee to the Depositary or such other depositary
referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Company referred to above. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such
exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related
proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be
payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchange pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing
of a notice of redemption of Securities of such series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
SECTION 306. MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like
tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding.
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If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by
them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto
and any other expenses (including the fee and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether
or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Securities.
SECTION 307. PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED.
Interest on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check
mailed or delivered to the address of any Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.
Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such
series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in
writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of
the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall
cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security
Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper, but such publication
shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
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(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to
this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture, upon registration of transfer of, in exchange for or in lieu of, any other Security, shall carry the
rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
SECTION 308. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered
Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever,
whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 309. CANCELLATION.
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be
delivered to the Trustee. All Registered Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the
Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section,
except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in its customary manner.
SECTION 310. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day
months.
SECTION 311. CUSIP NUMBERS.
The Company, in issuing the Securities, may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be
placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
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ARTICLE IV
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND
COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 401. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer, exchange or replacement
of such series of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when
(1) either
(A) all such Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) such Securities which have been
destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) such Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (B)(i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as funds in trust for such purpose, an amount in the currency or currencies or
currency unit or units in which such Securities of such series are payable or U.S. Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such times as will, together with any interest thereon, be sufficient to pay and
discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and
payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 401, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee
under Section 607 and to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money or U.S. Government Obligations shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under
Section 406, Article VI and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 402. OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
In addition to the Company’s rights under Section 401 (which shall not be affected by this Section 402), the Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in
an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 403 or 404 hereof applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth in Sections 403 through 406 hereof.
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SECTION 403. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 402 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 403, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 405 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of a series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal
Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of a series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 406
hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute
proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series to receive payments in respect of
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 405, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306 and 1002 of
this Indenture, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article IV. Subject to compliance with Sections 402 through 406 hereof, the Company may
exercise its option under this Section 403 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 404 hereof.
SECTION 404. COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 402 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 404, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 405 hereof, be
released from the operation of Section 801 hereof with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a series and any other covenant contained in the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such series on and after the date the conditions set
forth in Section 405 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the
consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this
purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether
directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a
Default or an Event of Default under Section 501 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such series of Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 402 hereof of the
option applicable to this Section 404 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 405 hereof, Sections 501(3) through 501(6) and Section 501(9) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
SECTION 405. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 403 or 404 hereof to the Outstanding Securities of any series:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, cash in
United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series on the Stated Maturity or on the
applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
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(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either
case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable
to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either: (i) on the date of such deposit (other than a
Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit); or (ii) insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date
of deposit;
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any
material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound;
(f) the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, assuming no intervening bankruptcy of
the Company or any Guarantor between the date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and assuming that no Holder is an “insider” of the Company under applicable bankruptcy law, after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will
not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;
(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the
intent of preferring the Holders of Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and
(h) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
SECTION 406. DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
Subject to Section 407 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes
of this Section 406, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 401 or 404 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture,
to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as paying agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium on ,
if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section
401 or 404 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.
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Anything in this Article IV to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S.
Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 401 or 404 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of
the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
SECTION 407. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any Securities and remaining
unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such
Securities shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall
thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or
publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 408. REINSTATEMENT.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 401, 403 or 404 hereof, as the
case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series
and the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 401, 403 or 404 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with Section 401, 403 or 404 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium
on, if any, or interest on any Securities following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the
Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE V
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
An “Event of Default” on a series occurs if:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable and the
Default continues for a period of 30 days
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any Security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at
maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;
(3) the Company fails to comply with any of its other agreements in the Securities of such series or this Indenture (as they relate
thereto) and the Default continues for the period and after the notice specified below (except in the case of a default with respect to any Change of Control Provisions or Article VIII (or any replacement provisions contemplated by Article VIII), which
will constitute Events of Default with notice but without passage of time);
(4) the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company in an amount of $50 million or more, individually or in the aggregate, and
such acceleration does not cease to exist, or such Indebtedness is not satisfied, in either case within five days after such acceleration;
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(5) the failure by the Company to make any principal or interest payment in an amount of $50 million or more, individually or in the
aggregate, in respect of Indebtedness of the Company within five days of such principal or interest becoming due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period set forth in the documents governing such Indebtedness);
(6) a final judgment or judgments in an amount of $50 million or more, individually or in the aggregate, for the payment of money
having been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Company and such judgment or judgments is not satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 90 days after being entered;
(7) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary case,
(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(c) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters into an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case,
(b) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or
(c) orders the liquidation of the Company,
(d) and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
(9) any other Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities of that series as provided in the supplemental indenture or Board
Resolutions establishing such series of Securities.
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Act or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar
official under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clause (3) above is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable series notify
the Company and the Trustee of the Default and (except in the case of a default with respect to any provisions of any supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities giving the Holders of Securities of such series the
right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Securities of such series upon the occurrence of a change of control prior to the final maturity date of such Securities of such series (“Change of Control Provisions”) or Article VIII (or any
replacement provisions contemplated by Article VIII)) the Company does not cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”
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SECTION 502. ACCELERATION.
If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 501 hereof) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series may declare all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Securities of that series shall become due
and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of Section 501 hereof occurs with respect to any series of
Securities, all outstanding Securities of that series shall become due and payable without further action or notice. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series then Outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of that series waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium, if any, on, or
the principal of, the Securities of that series.
SECTION 503. OTHER REMEDIES.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest
on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities in a series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder
of a Security in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 504. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities in any series by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of that
series waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Securities of that series (including in
connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series
may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration, with respect to that series). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 505. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.
With respect to any series of Securities, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial
to the rights of other Holders of Securities of any series or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
SECTION 506. LIMITATION ON SUITS.
A Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of that series only if:
(a) the Holder of a Security of that series gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the
Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Security or Holders of Securities offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to
the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
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(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the
provision of indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series do
not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Security may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Security or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Security.
SECTION 507. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security of any series to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Security, on or after
the respective due dates expressed in the Security (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of
such Holder.
SECTION 508. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.
With respect to the Securities of any series, if an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 501 hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Securities of that series and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful,
interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
SECTION 509. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities of any series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its
creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder
of that series to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607 of this Indenture. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607 of this Indenture out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any
and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained
shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of any series of Securities any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the
rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION 510. PRIORITIES.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
(a) First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 607 of this Indenture, including payment of all
compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
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(b) Second: to Holders of Securities for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest,
ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
(c) Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Section 510.
SECTION 511. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require
the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having
due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Security pursuant to Section 507 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10%
in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.
ARTICLE VI
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness
of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required
to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculation or other facts
stated therein).
(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be
proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
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(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with the
direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series or of all series, determined as provided in Section 505, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or
liability is not assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
SECTION 602. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give notice of such Default or Event of Default known to the
Trustee to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 107 and in compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived; provided,
however, that, except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of such series or
in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors
and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any Default or Event of Default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence
thereof.
SECTION 603. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.
Subject to the provisions of Section 601:
(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order
and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established
prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
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(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request
or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with
such request or direction;
(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or
investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or
attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys and, except for any Affiliates of the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series
for which it is acting as Trustee unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default which is in fact such a default shall have been received
by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of such Securities;
(i) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be
authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(j) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind
whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
(k) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to
be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder; and
(l) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers
authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
SECTION 604. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 605. MAY HOLD SECURITIES.
The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
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SECTION 606. MONEY HELD IN TRUST.
Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by
it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
SECTION 607. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses,
disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or
advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct; and
(3) to indemnify the Trustee and each of its directors, officers, employees, agents and/or representatives for, and to hold each of
them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on each of their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs
and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Trustee’s powers or duties hereunder.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 607, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all property and funds held or collected by the
Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.
Any expenses and compensation for any services rendered by the Trustee after the occurrence of an Event of Default (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) specified in clause (7)
or (8) of Section 501 shall constitute expenses and compensation for services of administration under all applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws.
The provisions of this Section 607 and any lien arising hereunder shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the
termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 608. DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
(a) If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest, as defined in this Section 608, with respect to the Securities of
any series, it shall, within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign with respect to the Securities of that series in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in
this Article.
(b) In the event that the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Subsection (a) of this Section 608 with respect to the
Securities of any series, the Trustee shall, within 10 days after the expiration of such 90-day period, transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of that series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such failure
in compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.
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(c) For the purposes of this Section, the term “conflicting interest” shall have the meaning specified in Section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act and the Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act with
respect to the Securities of any series any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding, if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in
Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act are met. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the optional provision permitted by the second sentence of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be applicable.
SECTION 609. CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia,
authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority. If such corporation
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 609, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be
its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and
with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 610. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become
effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the resigning Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition at the
expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the resigning Trustee within 30
days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(d) If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608(a) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been
a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company
or by any such Holder of Securities, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
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then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 505, any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor
Trustee or Trustees.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for
any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and such successor Trustee or Trustees
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of such series.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series
and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in
the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 611. ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so
appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its
charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such
retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series,
the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1)
shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions
of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees
co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such
supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
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(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly
vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be
qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 612. MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that in the case of a corporation
succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such successor corporation shall expressly assume all of the Trustee’s liabilities hereunder. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered,
by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself
authenticated such Securities.
SECTION 613. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated therein.
SECTION 614. APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT.
The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration
of transfer or partial redemption or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever
reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50 million or equivalent amount expressed in a foreign currency and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority or authority of such country. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section 614, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 614, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 614.
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Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which
such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise
eligible under this Section 614, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving
written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 614, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders as their names and
addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named
as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 614.
The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 614, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such
payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607.
If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section 614, the Securities may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication
in the following form:
“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture.
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AS TRUSTEE
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By:
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AS AUTHENTICATING AGENT
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By:
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AS AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY”
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Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 614 to the contrary, if at any time any Authenticating Agent appointed hereunder with respect to any series of Securities shall not also be acting as the
Security Registrar hereunder with respect to any series of Securities, then, in addition to all other duties of an Authenticating Agent hereunder, such Authenticating Agent shall also be obligated (i) to furnish to the Security Registrar promptly all
information necessary to enable the Security Registrar to maintain at all times an accurate and current Security Register and (ii) prior to authenticating any Security denominated in a foreign currency, to ascertain from the Company the units of such
foreign currency that are required to be determined by the Company pursuant to Section 302.
ARTICLE VII
HOLDER’S LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 701. COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF HOLDERS.
With respect to each series of Securities, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
(a) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date relating to that series (or, if there is no Regular Record
Date relating to that series, on January 1 and July 1), a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of that series as of such dates, and
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(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request,
a list of similar form and content, such list to be dated as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, that so long as the
Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Company shall not be required to furnish or cause to be furnished such a list to the Trustee. The Company shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 702. PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS TO HOLDERS.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of each
series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders of each series received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished
to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. The Trustee shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 703. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE.
(a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the year 2018, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to Holders a brief
report dated as of such May 15 that complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall transmit by mail all reports as required by Sections 313(c) and
313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) A copy of each report pursuant to Subsection (a) of this Section 703 shall, at the time of its transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange
upon which any Securities are listed, with the SEC and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed or delisted on any stock exchange.
SECTION 704. REPORTS BY COMPANY.
The Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or
copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and shall otherwise comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information
contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
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ARTICLE VIII
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE,
TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 801. COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS.
(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, in any transaction or series of related transactions: (1) consolidate or merge
with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
or (3) assign any of its obligations under the Securities and this Indenture, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(i) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(iii) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists;
(iv) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
merger, consolidation or sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of such properties or assets or assignment of its obligations under the Securities and this Indenture and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this
Indenture.
(b) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more
related transactions, to any other Person.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 801 shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition of assets between or among the Company and any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
SECTION 802. SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED.
Upon any consolidation or merger, any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any assignment of the obligations
under the Securities and this Indenture in accordance with Section 801 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead
to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided,
however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets that meets the
requirements of Section 801 hereof.
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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 901. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
Notwithstanding Section 902 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without the consent of any Holder of a Security of any
series:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities or to alter the provisions of
Article II of this Indenture (including the related definitions) in a manner that does not materially adversely affect any Holder;
(c) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture;
(d) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Securities by a successor
to the Company pursuant to Article VIII of this Indenture;
(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Securities or that does not
adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;
(f) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act;
(g) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to Sections 610 and 611 of this
Indenture; and
(h) to add a Guarantor of the Securities.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the
documents described in Section 603 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate
agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 902. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.
Except as provided below in this Section 902, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Securities of any series may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of Securities of that series then Outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or
exchange offer for, that series of Securities), and, subject to Sections 504 and 507 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any,
on such Securities, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or such Securities may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount at maturity of the then Outstanding Securities of that series voting as a single class (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, that series of
Securities).
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory
to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of that series of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 603 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such
amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
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It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such
consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities of any series affected thereby a notice briefly describing the
amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Subject to Sections 504 and 507 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount at maturity of a series of Securities then Outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a
particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities. However, without the consent of each Holder of a series of Securities affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 902 may not (with respect to the series
of Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or
waiver;
(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security or alter any of the provisions with respect to the
redemption of the Securities unless otherwise specifically provided for in the supplemental indenture;
(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Security;
(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Securities (except a
rescission of acceleration of the Securities by the Holders of any series of Securities of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration);
(e) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;
(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of
Securities to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Securities;
(g) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security (other than as may be specifically permitted by the supplemental
indenture);
(h) cause the Securities to become subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness;
(i) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms
thereof; or
(j) make any change in Sections 504 or 507 or the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
SECTION 903. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall be set forth in a amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
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SECTION 904. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security and every subsequent Holder of a Security or
portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder of a Security or subsequent Holder of a Security may revoke the consent as to
its Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every
Holder.
SECTION 905. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Security thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Securities of a series may issue and the
Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order from the Company to authenticate such Securities, authenticate new Securities that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 906. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.
The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or
immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be given and (subject to Section 601 of this
Indenture) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 603 this Indenture, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE X
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any), interest on and any Additional Amounts with
respect to the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION 1002. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.
If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series
may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture
may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may
from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to
maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other
office or agency.
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SECTION 1003. MONEY FOR SECURITIES PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on or
any Additional Amounts with respect to any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such
sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, the Company will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any
Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest,
and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee,
subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), interest on or any Additional Amounts with
respect to Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of
any payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series; and
(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee
all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the
Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the
Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and
remaining unclaimed for three years after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat, or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be paid to the
Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the
Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York and in such other Authorized
Newspapers as the Trustee shall deem appropriate, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified herein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat, or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Company.
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SECTION 1004. EXISTENCE.
Subject to Article VIII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.
SECTION 1005. STATEMENT BY OFFICERS AS TO DEFAULT.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during
the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such
officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the
terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities is prohibited or if such event has
occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
The Company shall, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith and in any event within five days upon any officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of
Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.
SECTION 1006. WAIVER OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth in Section 1005, or any covenant added for the benefit of any series of Securities as contemplated by
Section 301 (unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301) if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected by such omission (acting as one class)
shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly
waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 1007. ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.
If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided
therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security
of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 1007 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 1007 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not
made.
If the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date with respect to that series of Securities (or if the Securities of
that series will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal and any premium or interest if there has been any change with
respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officers’ Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Company’s principal Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officers’ Certificate instructing the
Trustee and such Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of that series shall be made to Holders of Securities of that series who are United States Aliens without withholding for
or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of that series. If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officers’ Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be
withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities and the Company will pay to such Paying Agent the Additional Amounts required by this Section. The Company covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless
against any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officers’ Certificate furnished pursuant
to this Section 1007.
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ARTICLE XI
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1101. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for
Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1102. ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE.
The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series,
the Company shall, a reasonable period prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series
to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’
Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
SECTION 1103. SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and that may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination
for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of global
Securities of such series.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed
only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 1104. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 107 to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
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(2) the Redemption Price,
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial
redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,
(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if
applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
(5) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price,
(6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and
(7) the “CUSIP” number, if applicable.
A notice of redemption as contemplated by Section 107 need not identify particular Registered Securities to be redeemed. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company
shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request and provision to the Trustee of the notice information 10 days prior to delivery of the notice, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 1105. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.
On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate
and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the
Securities to be redeemed on that date.
SECTION 1106. SECURITIES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after
such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security
shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (and any Additional Amounts) to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that
installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates
according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the
rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the Securities’ Yield to Maturity.
SECTION 1107. SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.
Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of
such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series and Stated Maturity, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed
portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
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SECTION 1108. PURCHASE OF SECURITIES.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private
agreement. Such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such
delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 309 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.
ARTICLE XII
SINKING FUNDS
SECTION 1201. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such
series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such
minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be
subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
SECTION 1202. SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.
The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption), and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at
the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund
payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been
previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking payment
shall be reduced accordingly.
SECTION 1203. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.
Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an
Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which
is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee
shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in
Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.
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ARTICLE XIII
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1301. PURPOSES FOR WHICH MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED.
A meeting of Holders of Securities of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.
SECTION 1302. CALL, NOTICE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS.
(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1301, to
be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or in any other location, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of
such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 107, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of any series, shall have requested the Trustee for any such series to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1301, by written request setting forth in reasonable
detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 30 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held
as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such meeting and may call
such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in Subsection (a) of this Section.
SECTION 1303. PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT MEETINGS.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any
series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
SECTION 1304. QUORUM; ACTION.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series. In the
absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case, the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not
less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as
determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Subject to Section 1305(d), notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1302(a), except that such notice need be
given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state expressly that Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum.
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Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative
vote of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso
to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage that is less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.
Except as limited by the fourth paragraph of Section 902, any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall
be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
SECTION 1305. DETERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS; CONDUCT AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS.
(a) The holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 105 and the appointment of any proxy shall be
proved in the manner specified in Section 105. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 105 or other proof.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been
called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1302(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and
a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series and each proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal
amount (or such other amount of the minimum denomination of any series of Securities as may be provided in the establishment of such series as contemplated by Section 301 hereof) of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him;
provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting
to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or as a proxy.
(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1302 at which a quorum is present may be
adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
SECTION 1306. COUNTING VOTES AND RECORDING ACTION OF MEETINGS.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such
series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall
count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the
proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to such record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and
affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that such notice was given as provided in Section 1302 and, if applicable, Section 1304. Each copy shall be signed and
verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at
the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
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* * *
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
[Signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
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THE YORK WATER COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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, as Trustee |
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Exhibit 5.1
November 26, 2024
The York Water Company
130 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania 17401
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Reed Smith Centre
225 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2716 Tel +1 412 288 3131
Fax +1 412 288 3063
reedsmith.com
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RE: Registration Statement on Form S-3
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to The York Water Company, a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Corporation”), in connection with a registration statement on Form S-3 (the
“Registration Statement”) filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), relating to the offering by the Corporation from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of: (i) shares of common stock of the Corporation, no par value (“Common Stock”); and (ii) debt securities in one or more series (the “Debt Securities” and, together
with the Common Stock, the “Securities”), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, by and between the Corporation and a trustee to be selected by the
Corporation (the “Indenture”), in each case, as described in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), and as shall be designated by the Corporation at the time of the applicable offering. The
maximum aggregate public offering price of the Securities being registered is $60,000,000. This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act and in connection with the
filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.
In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments we have deemed necessary or advisable, including (i) the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, (ii) the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The York Water
Company, effective as of May 30, 2010 (the “Articles of Incorporation”), (iii) the Amended and Restated By-laws of The York Water Company, effective as of January 23, 2012 (the “Bylaws” and together with the Articles of
Incorporation, the “Charter Documents”), (iv) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”), and (v) such other records, agreements and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to
enable us to render the opinions set forth below. In all such examinations, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons whose signatures appear on any document, the genuineness of all signatures on original documents, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all items submitted to us as originals,
the conformity with originals of all items submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. We have also assumed the authority of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered, other than the Corporation and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Corporation. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not
independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Corporation and public officials.
For purposes of this opinion, we have also assumed that:
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The York Water Company
November 26, 2024 Page 2
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(i)
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at or prior to the time of delivery of any Securities, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities
are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement;
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(ii)
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if applicable, one or more supplements to the Prospectus describing the Securities offered thereby (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) will be prepared and filed with the Commission and will comply with all applicable laws;
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(iii)
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all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement(s);
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(iv)
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the Board (or, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the governing documents of the Corporation, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof) will have taken all necessary corporate or limited liability company action to
authorize the issuance of the Securities and any other Securities issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise thereof, and to authorize the terms of the offering and the issuance and sale of such Securities and related
matters;
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(v)
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any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption or
exercise;
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(vi)
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a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to the Securities offered will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto other than the Corporation;
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(vii)
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all Securities, and any certificates in respect thereof, will be delivered either (a) in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Agreement approved by the Board upon payment of consideration therefor provided for
therein or (b) upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion, exchange, redemption or
exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board;
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(viii)
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in the case of shares of Common Stock, certificates representing such shares will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations will have been made in the share
register of the Corporation, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Charter Documents of the Corporation; there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock authorized under such Charter Documents and not otherwise issued or
reserved for issuance; and the purchase price therefor payable to the Corporation or, if such shares are issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of another Security, the consideration payable to the Corporation for
such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise will not be less than the par value of such shares, in the case of shares of Common Stock;
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(ix)
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in the case of Debt Securities, (a) the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to designate and establish the terms of such series of Debt Securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture under which such Debt
Securities will be issued, and such Debt Securities will be governed by New York law and will not include any provision that is unenforceable; (b) the indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued will have become qualified
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and (d) forms of Debt Securities complying with the terms of the indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued and evidencing such Debt Securities will have been duly
executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such indenture;
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(x)
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in the case of any series of senior Debt Securities, the Trustee is qualified to act as trustee under the indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued;
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(xi)
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all Securities and any related contracts, agreements, indentures and instruments will be duly executed and delivered in substantially the form reviewed by us prior to issuance of such Securities;
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(xii)
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the Corporation will have obtained any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities necessary to issue and sell the Securities being offered and to
execute and deliver each of the Purchase Agreements or similar agreements, as applicable;
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(xiii)
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the Securities offered, as well as the terms of each of the Purchase Agreements or similar agreements with respect to any Securities offered, as they will be executed and delivered, comply with all requirements and restrictions, if
any, applicable to the Corporation, whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Corporation; and We have further assumed that the Securities will be issued in compliance with an
appropriate securities certificate approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
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The York Water Company
November 26, 2024 Page 3
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Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. When, as and if (a) the shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold by the
Corporation have been duly authorized by appropriate corporate or organizational action of the Corporation and (b) such shares of Common Stock have been issued, sold and delivered against payment therefor (which shall be in an amount at
least equal to the par value of the shares being issued and sold) in accordance with such authorization, the applicable Purchase Agreement and applicable law, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
2. When, as and if (a) any Debt Securities have been duly authorized and duly
established in accordance with any indenture and applicable law, (b) appropriate corporate or organizational action has been taken to authorize the form, terms, execution and delivery of such Debt Securities (and any required amendment or
supplement to the indenture), and (c) the applicable Debt Securities have been duly executed, attested, issued and delivered by duly authorized officers against payment in accordance with such authorization, the indenture, the applicable
Purchase Agreement and applicable law, and duly authenticated by the trustee in accordance with the indenture, such Debt Securities (including any Debt Securities duly executed and delivered upon the exchange or conversion of Debt
Securities that are exchangeable or convertible into another series of Debt Securities, assuming that such Securities have been duly authorized, issued, paid for and delivered) will be validly issued and will constitute binding obligations
of the Corporation enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms.
Our opinions expressed above are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of (i) any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement
is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (iii) other commonly recognized statutory and judicial constraints as to enforceability, including statutes of limitations, and (iv) public policy considerations which may limit the rights
of parties to obtain certain remedies.
We express no opinion as to the law of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal law of the
United States, all as in effect on the date hereof. We express no opinion as to any other laws, statutes, regulations or ordinances, including federal and state securities (or “blue
sky”) laws.
The opinions set forth herein are given as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter if any applicable law
changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact or other circumstances that changes or may change our opinion set forth herein after the date hereof or for any other reason.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Corporation’s Registration Statement to be filed by the Corporation with the
Commission on the date hereof and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Reed Smith LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 5, 2024, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of The York Water
Company, which appears in The York Water Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
November 26, 2024