Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-220257
The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 13, 2019
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated June 13, 2019)
$ % Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079
We are offering $ aggregate principal amount of our % Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079 (the notes). The notes will bear interest at the rate of % per year and mature on , 2079. Interest on the notes will accrue from , 2019 and will be payable quarterly in arrears on , , and of each year, beginning on , 2019.
So long as no event of default (as defined herein) with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing, we have the right to defer the payment of interest on the notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 40 consecutive quarterly interest periods each. During any deferral period, interest on the notes will continue to accrue at the rate of % per year and, in addition, interest on deferred interest will accrue, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at the rate of % per year, compounded quarterly. See Description of the NotesOption to Defer Interest Payments.
The notes will be issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.
At our option, we may redeem notes at the times and at the applicable redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein). The notes will rank equally in right of payment with any future unsecured indebtedness that we may incur from time to time if the terms of such indebtedness provide that it ranks equally with the notes in right of payment.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to apply to list the notes on the New York Stock Exchange. If the application is approved, we expect trading in the notes to begin within 30 days after the date that the notes are first issued.
Investing in the notes involves risks. See the Risk Factors section on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement.
Per Note | Total | |||||||
Public Offering Price(1) |
% | $ | ||||||
Underwriting Discount(2) |
% | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to Sempra Energy (before expenses)(1)(2) |
% | $ |
(1) | Plus accrued interest from , 2019, if settlement occurs after that date. |
(2) | An underwriting discount of $ per note sold in this offering (or up to $ for all notes assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional notes as described below) will be deducted from the proceeds paid to Sempra Energy by the underwriters. However, the discount will be $ per note for sales to institutional investors and, to the extent of such institutional sales, the total underwriting discount will be less than the amount set forth in the above table. As a result of sales to institutional investors, the total underwriting discount and the total proceeds to Sempra Energy (after deducting such discount) will equal $ and $ , respectively, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. See Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest). |
The underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional $ aggregate principal amount of notes from us. The underwriters may exercise this option for 11 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. Should the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to Sempra Energy will be $ , $ and $ , respectively, assuming that all such notes are sold to retail investors.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking S.A. and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, against payment in New York, New York on or about , 2019.
Joint Book-Running Managers
BofA Merrill Lynch | Morgan Stanley | Wells Fargo Securities |
Joint Lead Managers
J.P. Morgan | RBC Capital Markets |
, 2019
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the offering of the notes and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which does not apply to the notes. If the description of the notes or the offering of the notes varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus issued by us. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell the notes and seeking offers to buy the notes only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates and the information contained in documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents, in each case regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any such free writing prospectus or any sale of the notes. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
The distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and the offering of the notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus come should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any such free writing prospectus do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. See Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).
Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area Retail Investors. The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (EEA). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EC (as amended, the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
Restrictions on Sales in the European Economic Area. None of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, nor any related free writing prospectus is a prospectus for the purpose of the Prospectus Directive (as defined below). This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any Member State of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Directive (Qualified Investors). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of notes that are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized,
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nor do we or they authorize, the making of any offer of the notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.
Restriction on Sales in the United Kingdom. The communication of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the United Kingdoms Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the FSMA). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom falling within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the Financial Promotion Order)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or to any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). In the United Kingdom, the notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus relate will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any related free writing prospectus or any of their contents.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND MARKET DATA
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents they incorporate by reference contain, and any related free writing prospectus issued by us may contain, statements that are not historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions with respect to the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees of performance. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise expressly stated, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the respective dates of the documents in which such forward-looking statements appear. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other factors.
When we use words such as believes, expects, anticipates, plans, estimates, projects, forecasts, contemplates, assumes, depends, should, could, would, will, confident, may, can, potential, possible, proposed, target, pursue, outlook, maintain, or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, strategy, plans, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, initiatives, objectives or intentions, we are making forward-looking statements.
Factors, among others, that could cause our actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to:
| the greater degree and prevalence of wildfires in California in recent years and the risk that we may be found liable for damages regardless of fault, such as where inverse condemnation applies, and risk that we may not be able to recover any such costs in rates from customers in California; |
| actions and the timing of actions, including decisions, new regulations and issuances of authorizations by the California Public Utilities Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Public Utility Commission of Texas, states, cities and counties, and other regulatory and governmental bodies in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate; |
| the success of business development efforts, construction projects, major acquisitions, divestitures and internal structural changes, including risks in (i) obtaining or maintaining authorizations; (ii) completing construction projects on schedule and budget; (iii) obtaining the consent of partners; (iv) counterparties ability to fulfill contractual commitments; (v) winning competitively bid infrastructure projects; (vi) disruption caused by the announcement of contemplated acquisitions and/or divestitures or internal structural changes; (vii) the ability to complete contemplated acquisitions and/or divestitures; and (viii) the ability to realize anticipated benefits from any of these efforts once completed; |
| the resolution of civil and criminal litigation and regulatory investigations and proceedings; |
| actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or those of our subsidiaries or to place those ratings on negative outlook and our ability to borrow at favorable interest rates; |
| deviations from regulatory precedent or practice that result in a reallocation of benefits or burdens among shareholders and ratepayers; denial of approvals of proposed settlements; delays in, or denial of, regulatory agency authorizations to recover costs in rates from customers or regulatory agency approval for projects required to enhance safety and reliability; and moves to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas; |
| the availability of electric power and natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the transmission grid, limitations on the withdrawal or injection of natural gas from or into storage facilities, and equipment failures; |
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| risks posed by actions of third parties who control the operations of our investments; |
| weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, equipment failures, computer system outages, explosions, terrorist attacks and other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities and systems, cause the release of harmful materials, cause fires and subject us to third-party liability for property damage or personal injuries, fines and penalties, some of which may not be covered by insurance (including costs in excess of applicable policy limits), may be disputed by insurers or may otherwise not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; |
| cybersecurity threats to the energy grid, storage and pipeline infrastructure, the information and systems used to operate our businesses and the confidentiality of our proprietary information and the personal information of our customers and employees; |
| actions of activist shareholders, which could impact the market price of our securities and disrupt our operations as a result of, among other things, requiring significant time by management and our board of directors; |
| changes in capital markets, energy markets and economic conditions, including the availability of credit; and volatility in currency exchange, interest and inflation rates and commodity prices and our ability to effectively hedge the risk of such volatility; |
| the impact of federal or state tax reform and our ability to mitigate adverse impacts; |
| changes in foreign and domestic trade policies and laws, including border tariffs and revisions to or replacement of international trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement or the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (subject to congressional approval), that may increase our costs or impair our ability to resolve trade disputes; |
| expropriation of assets by foreign governments and title and other property disputes; |
| the impact at San Diego Gas & Electric Company on competitive customer rates and reliability of electric transmission and distribution systems due to the growth in distributed and local power generation and from possible departing retail load resulting from customers transferring to Direct Access and Community Choice Aggregation or other forms of distributed and local power generation and the potential risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets and contractual obligations; |
| the ability of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) to eliminate or reduce its quarterly dividends due to regulatory capital requirements and other regulatory and governance commitments, including the determination by a majority of Oncors independent directors or a minority member director to retain such amounts to meet future requirements; and |
| other uncertainties, some of which may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control. |
Investing in the notes involves risk. You should review and consider carefully the risks, uncertainties and other factors that affect our business as described herein and in the Business, Risk Factors, and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections and other sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in the Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections and other sections in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause you to suffer a loss of all or part of your investment in the notes. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these factors and risks as well as other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus issued by us. Risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations, financial results and the value of the notes.
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We caution you not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. You should review and consider carefully the risks, uncertainties and other factors that affect our business as described herein and in our reports and other documents on file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any related free writing prospectus issued by us. You may obtain copies of these reports and documents as described under Where You Can Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we provide you in connection with this offering may include or incorporate by reference market, demographic and industry data and forecasts that are based on or derived from sources such as independent industry publications, publicly available information, government data and other information from third parties or that have been compiled or prepared by our management or employees. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any of this information, and we have not independently verified any of the information provided by third party sources or regarding Oncor or its markets. In addition, market, demographic and industry data and forecasts involve estimates, assumptions and other uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement and under similar headings in documents that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. In that regard, any statement to the effect that Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas is based on the number of customers. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any of this information.
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The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents they incorporate by reference and any related free writing prospectus issued by us, before making an investment decision. Unless we state otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references appearing in this prospectus supplement to we, us and our should be read to refer to Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries.
Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy-services holding company whose businesses, which consist of five separately managed reportable segments, invest in, develop and operate energy infrastructure, and provide electric and gas services to their customers in North America. For additional information concerning us, you should refer to the information described under the caption Where You Can Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
Our principal executive offices are located at 488 8th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101, and our telephone number is (619) 696-2000.
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The Offering
The following summary contains basic information about this offering. It does not contain all the information that is important to you. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may provide you in connection with this offering carefully before making an investment decision.
As used in this section, references to Sempra Energy, we, us and our mean Sempra Energy excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Issuer |
Sempra Energy |
Amount of Notes Offered |
$ aggregate principal amount of % Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079 (or $ aggregate principal amount if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full) (the notes). |
Maturity |
, 2079. |
Interest Rate |
% per year, accruing from , 2019. |
Interest Payment Dates |
Subject to our right to defer interest payments as described under Interest Deferral below, interest on the notes will be payable quarterly in arrears on , , and of each year, beginning on , 2019. |
Interest Deferral |
So long as no event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing, we may, at our option, defer interest payments on the notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 40 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods each (each such deferral period, commencing on the interest payment date on which the first such deferred interest payment otherwise would have been made, an optional deferral period), except that no such optional deferral period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the notes. In other words, we may declare at our discretion up to a ten-year interest payment moratorium on the notes and may choose to do that on more than one occasion. No interest on the notes will be payable during any such optional deferral period unless we elect, at our option, to redeem notes during such optional deferral period, in which case accrued and unpaid interest will be paid on the notes, and only on the notes, being redeemed. We may elect, at our option, to extend the length of any optional deferral period that is shorter than 40 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods (but not beyond the final maturity date of the notes) and to shorten the length of any optional deferral period. Interest payments cannot be deferred, however, beyond the final maturity date of the notes, and we cannot begin a new optional deferral period until we have paid all accrued and unpaid interest on the notes from any previous optional deferral period. During any optional deferral period, interest on the notes will |
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continue to accrue at the rate of % per year. In addition, during any optional deferral period, interest on deferred interest will accrue at the rate of % per year, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law. |
If we defer payments of interest on the notes, the notes will be treated at that time, solely for purposes of the original issue discount rules, as having been retired and reissued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes. This means that if you are subject to United States federal income taxation on a net income basis, you would be required to include in your gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the deferred interest payments on your notes before you receive any cash, regardless of your regular method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. For more information about the tax consequences you may have if payments of interest are deferred, see Risk FactorsHolders of the notes subject to United States federal income taxation may have to pay taxes on interest before they receive payments from us and Material United States Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsConsequences to U.S. HoldersExercise of Deferral Option. We have no current intention of exercising our right to defer interest payments on the notes. |
Certain Restrictions during an Optional Deferral Period |
During an optional deferral period, we may not do any of the following (with certain limited exceptions): |
| declare or pay any dividends or distributions on Sempra Energy capital stock; |
| redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any Sempra Energy capital stock; |
| pay any interest, principal or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any of Sempra Energys indebtedness that ranks equally with or junior to the notes in right of payment; or |
| make any payments with respect to any guarantees by Sempra Energy of any indebtedness if such guarantees rank equal with or junior to the notes in right of payment. |
Ranking |
The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our existing and future Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness and obligations that are not equal or junior to the notes in right of payment. The term Senior Indebtedness is defined under the caption Description of the NotesSubordination in this prospectus supplement. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with any future unsecured indebtedness that we may incur from time to time if the terms of such indebtedness provide that it ranks equally with the notes in right of payment. The notes will be effectively subordinated |
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to any secured indebtedness we have or may incur (to the extent of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness) and will also be effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. For additional information, see Risk FactorsSempra Energys ability to pay dividends and to meet its debt obligations largely depends on the performance of its subsidiaries and the ability to utilize the cash flows from those subsidiaries, Risk FactorsThe notes are subordinated or effectively subordinated to all other indebtedness of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries (other than any unsecured indebtedness Sempra Energy may in the future incur that ranks pari passu with or junior to the notes), and the indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of indebtedness that Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries may incur and Description of the NotesRanking in this prospectus supplement. |
Optional Redemption |
At our option, we may redeem some or all of the notes before their maturity, as follows: |
| on or after , 2024, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to be redeemed to the redemption date; |
| before , 2024, in whole but not in part, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Tax Event (as defined in Description of the NotesRedemptionRedemption Following a Tax Event in this prospectus supplement), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the redemption date; or |
| before , 2024, in whole but not in part, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Rating Agency Event (as defined in Description of the NotesRedemptionRedemption Following a Rating Agency Event in this prospectus supplement), at a redemption price equal to 102% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the redemption date. |
Covenants |
The notes and the related indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that Sempra Energy may incur or the amount of other indebtedness or liabilities that Sempra Energy or any of its subsidiaries may incur, and do not contain any financial or other similar restrictive covenants. |
Use of Proceeds |
The net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full), in each case after deducting the underwriting discount but before deducting our estimated offering expenses, and will become part of our general |
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treasury funds. We intend to use a substantial portion of the net proceeds to repay the commercial paper of Sempra Energys subsidiary, Sempra Global, with any remaining net proceeds used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. |
Conflicts of Interest |
For information regarding certain conflicts of interest that may arise from the use of proceeds from the sale of the notes, see Use of Proceeds, Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)Other Relationships and Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)Conflicts of Interest. |
Denomination |
The notes will be issued in registered form and in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. |
Listing |
We intend to apply to list the notes on the New York Stock Exchange. If the application is approved, we expect trading in the notes to begin within 30 days after the date that the notes are first issued. |
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Investment in the notes involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the risk factors incorporated into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as any free writing prospectus we may provide you in connection with this offering, before acquiring any of the notes. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the notes. See also Forward-Looking Statements and Market Data.
Sempra Energys ability to pay dividends and to meet its debt obligations largely depends on the performance of its subsidiaries and the ability to utilize the cash flows from those subsidiaries.
The notes will be the obligations of Sempra Energy exclusively, and are not the obligations of any of its subsidiaries. Sempra Energy is a holding company substantially all of whose assets, which include equity method investments such as Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC (Oncor Holdings), are owned by its subsidiaries. Because Sempra Energy is a holding company, Sempra Energys ability to pay dividends and meet its debt and other obligations depends almost entirely on cash flows from its subsidiaries and joint ventures and other entities in which it has invested and, in the short term, its ability to raise capital from external sources. In the long term, cash flows from the subsidiaries and any joint ventures or other entities in which Sempra Energy has invested depend on their ability to generate operating cash flows in excess of their own expenditures, common and preferred stock dividends (if any), and debt or other obligations. In addition, the subsidiaries and any joint ventures or other entities accounted for as equity method investments are separate and distinct legal entities that are not obligated to pay dividends or make loans or distributions to Sempra Energy, whether to enable Sempra Energy to pay principal and interest on its debt securities (including the notes offered hereby), its other obligations or dividends on its common stock or preferred stock, and could be precluded from paying any such dividends or making any such loans or distributions under certain circumstances, including, without limitation, as a result of legislation, regulation, court order, contractual restrictions or in times of financial distress. The inability to access capital from its subsidiaries and entities accounted for as equity method investments as well from the capital markets could have a material adverse effect on Sempra Energys cash flows and financial condition and on Sempra Energys ability to pay principal or interest on the notes.
In that regard, we agreed to certain ring-fencing measures in connection with the March 2018 merger pursuant to which we acquired an 80.25% indirect interest in Oncor. These measures provide, among other things, that Oncor may not, unless allowed by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (the PUCT), pay dividends or make other distributions to its owners, including us (except for contractual tax payments), if those payments would cause its debt-to-equity ratio to exceed the ratio required by the PUCT or if the credit rating on Oncors senior secured debt securities by any of the three major rating agencies falls below BBB (or the equivalent). Moreover, we do not control Oncor and a majority of the directors on Oncors Board of Directors are independent and we therefore are not able to control the payment of dividends by Oncor, and we have further agreed that Oncor will not pay any dividends or make any other distributions to its owners, including us (except for contractual tax payments), if a majority of Oncors independent directors or a director of Texas Transmission Investment LLC, which owns the remaining 19.75% interest in Oncor, determines it is in the best interest of Oncor to retain such funds to meet expected future requirements. For additional information on these ring-fencing measures, see Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Interest in OncorCertain ring-fencing measures, governance mechanisms and commitments limit our ability to influence the management and policies of Oncor in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Additionally, a significant portion of our worldwide cash reserves are generated by, and therefore held in, foreign jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions impose taxes on cash transferred to the United States, and certain
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United States state and local jurisdictions may also require us to pay tax on any such transferred cash, which could reduce the cash available to us. To the extent we have excess cash in foreign locations that could be used in, or is needed by, our United States operations, we may incur significant U.S. and foreign taxes to repatriate these funds.
The notes are subordinated or effectively subordinated to all other indebtedness of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries (other than any unsecured indebtedness Sempra Energy may in the future incur that ranks pari passu with or junior to the notes), and the indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of indebtedness that Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries may incur.
Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the notes will be subordinated in right of payment to all of Sempra Energys existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined under Description of the NotesSubordination). This means that, in the event of (a) Sempra Energys dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, (b) Sempra Energys failure to pay any Senior Indebtedness when due (subject to any applicable grace period) or (c) acceleration of the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness, Sempra Energy will not be permitted to make any payments on the notes until, in the case of clause (a), all of its Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, or, in the case of clauses (b) and (c), all amounts then due on its Senior Indebtedness have been paid in full. For additional information concerning the subordination of the notes to Senior Indebtedness, see Description of the NotesSubordination in this prospectus supplement. At March 31, 2019, Sempra Energy had approximately $16 billion of Senior Indebtedness outstanding. Due to the subordination of the notes to the Senior Indebtedness of Sempra Energy, if Sempra Energys assets are distributed upon its dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, holders of its Senior Indebtedness will likely recover more, ratably, than the holders of the notes, and it is possible that no payments will be made to the holders of the notes.
In addition, as described above under Sempra Energys ability to pay dividends and to meet its debt obligations largely depends on the performance of its subsidiaries and the ability to utilize the cash flows from those subsidiaries, the notes are the obligations of Sempra Energy exclusively and are not the obligations of any of its subsidiaries. Because Sempra Energy conducts its operations primarily through its subsidiaries, and substantially all of Sempra Energys consolidated assets, which include equity method investments such as Oncor Holdings, are held by its subsidiaries, the notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of Sempra Energys subsidiaries. At March 31, 2019, Sempra Energys subsidiaries had total indebtedness and liabilities of approximately $30 billion owing to unaffiliated third parties, to which the notes would be effectively subordinated in right of payment.
In addition, the notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any secured indebtedness Sempra Energy may have or may in the future incur (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness). The indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness or secured indebtedness that may be incurred by Sempra Energy or the amount of other indebtedness or liabilities that may be incurred by Sempra Energy or any of its subsidiaries. The incurrence by Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries of additional indebtedness, including the incurrence of additional Senior Indebtedness by Sempra Energy, may have adverse consequences for you as a holder of the notes, including making it more difficult for Sempra Energy to satisfy its obligations with respect to the notes, a loss in the trading value of your notes and a risk that one or more of the credit ratings of the notes are lowered or withdrawn. Both Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries expect to incur substantial amounts of additional indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, in the future.
We can defer interest payments on the notes for one or more periods of up to 40 consecutive quarterly periods. This may affect the market price of the notes.
So long as no event of default (as defined below under Description of the NotesEvents of Default) with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing, we may, at our option, defer interest payments on the notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 40 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods each (each such deferral period, commencing on the interest payment date on which the first such deferred
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interest payment otherwise would have been made, an optional deferral period), except that no such optional deferral period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the notes. In other words, we may declare at our discretion up to a ten-year interest payment moratorium on the notes and may choose to do that on one or more occasions. At the end of an optional deferral period, if all amounts due are paid, we could start a new optional deferral period of up to 40 consecutive quarterly periods. During any optional deferral period, no interest will be paid on the notes. Instead, interest on the notes would be deferred but would continue to accrue at a rate per year equal to the interest rate on the notes, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No optional deferral period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the notes. If we exercise this interest deferral right, the notes may trade at a price that does not fully reflect the value of accrued and unpaid interest on the notes or that is otherwise less than the price at which the notes would have traded if we had not exercised such deferral right. In addition, as a result of our right to defer interest payments, the market price of the notes may be more volatile than other securities that do not have these rights.
Holders of the notes subject to United States federal income taxation may have to pay taxes on interest before they receive payments from us.
If we defer interest payments on the notes, a holder of the notes subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis will be required to accrue interest income for United States federal income tax purposes in respect of such holders proportionate share of the accrued but unpaid interest on the notes, even if such holder normally reports income when received. As a result, a holder will be required to include the accrued interest in such holders gross income for United States federal income tax purposes even though such holder will not have received any cash. A holders adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be increased by such amounts that it was required to include in gross income. In addition, unpaid interest accrued on the notes during an optional deferral period will be payable on the interest payment date immediately following the last day of such optional deferral period. If a holder sells its notes on or before the record date for such interest payment date, then all of the interest accrued on such notes during the deferral period will be paid to the person who is the registered owner of those notes at the close of business on such record date, and the holder who sold those notes will not receive from us any of the interest that accrued on those notes during the deferral period and that such holder reported as income for tax purposes. Holders should consult with their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the notes. For more information regarding the U.S. tax consequences of purchasing the notes, see Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Holders of the notes will have limited rights of acceleration.
The holders of notes and the trustee may accelerate payment of the principal and interest on the notes only upon the occurrence and continuation of certain events of default. Payment of principal and interest on the notes may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the indenture related to failure to pay interest within 30 days after it is due (other than interest deferred pursuant to one or more optional deferral periods), failure to pay principal and premium, if any, on the notes when due, and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization relating to Sempra Energy. Holders of the notes and the trustee will not have the right to accelerate payment of the principal or interest on the notes upon the breach of any other covenant in the indenture. See Description of the NotesEvents of Default and Description of the NotesLimitation on Remedies.
Certain credit rating agencies may downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook, and some of those actions may occur in the relatively near term.
Credit rating agencies routinely evaluate Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas and together with SDG&E, the California Utilities), and their ratings are based on a number of factors, including the increased risk of wildfires in California, perceived supportiveness of the regulatory environment affecting utility operations, including delays and difficulty in obtaining recovery, or the denial of recovery, for wildfire-related costs, ability to generate
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cash flows, level of indebtedness, overall financial strength, diversification beyond the regulated utility business (in the case of Sempra Energy), and the status of certain capital projects, as well as other factors beyond their control, such as tax reform, the state of the economy and our industry generally. Downgrades and factors causing downgrades of one or both of the California Utilities can have a material impact on Sempra Energys credit ratings.
The current Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys), S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch) (collectively, the Rating Agencies) issuer credit ratings for Sempra Energy are Baa1, BBB+ and BBB+, respectively, with Moodys and S&P having changed Sempra Energys outlook from stable to negative on December 20, 2017 and July 9, 2018, respectively. The changes in outlook were primarily the result of, in the case of Moodys, Sempra Energys planned long-term debt issuance to fund a portion of the cost of the Oncor acquisition, delays at the Cameron LNG project and the impact on financial credit metrics, and in the case of S&P, the lack of predictability in the California regulatory environment for electric utilities to consistently recover wildfire-related costs from ratepayers. On September 26, 2018, Moodys confirmed Sempra Energys ratings and negative outlook, reflecting challenges and execution risk that Sempra Energy may face in meeting certain of Moodys target financial metrics by 2020. On March 18, 2019, S&P affirmed Sempra Energys ratings and negative outlook, stating S&P could lower the ratings of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries within the next six months by one or more notches if it does not see explicit steps being taken by regulators or state officials to address wildfire-related risk applicable to the California electric utilities regulatory construct. On April 19, 2019, Fitch affirmed Sempra Energys ratings and stable outlook.
The Rating Agencies have also initiated credit ratings actions that have negatively impacted SDG&Es ratings, with such recent actions primarily the result of the Rating Agencies assessments of the increased risk of wildfires in California, the current California regulatory environment, recent wildfires in California and the possible inability to recover costs and expenses in cases where California investor-owned utilities, like SDG&E, are determined to have had their equipment be the cause of a fire.
Moodys issued a report on June 4, 2019 regarding potential legislative solutions that are being proposed to California Governor Newsom and the California legislature to manage the long-term costs and liabilities associated with utility-caused wildfires. While Moodys assessed the potential solutions under consideration and generally found that the solutions were credit positive if implemented, it gave some of these potential solutions a low likelihood of implementation, and has not changed its assessment regarding shortcomings in Californias regulatory environment in light of uncertainty surrounding the legislative process. Among other things, Moodys believes that lawmakers are not actively considering reforming the inverse condemnation doctrine this year and that the likelihood of that occurring this year is remote.
S&P issued a report on June 7, 2019 updating its views regarding credit risks, potential credit ratings ramifications faced by regulated electric utilities in California and potential legislative solutions. S&P noted that unless legislation passes in California that reduces the credit risk to electric utilities in California, they expect to downgrade these companies, to possibly below investment grade ratings, at or around July 12, 2019, which is when the California legislature breaks for summer recess, or sooner if a utility is found to be the cause of a catastrophic wildfire. Further, S&P specified that Sempra Energys credit ratings could be downgraded below investment grade if SDG&E is found to be the cause of a catastrophic wildfire and further noted that a downgrade of SDG&E could result in a downgrade to Sempra Energy.
On January 21, 2019, S&P downgraded SDG&Es long-term issuer credit rating to BBB+ from A- while maintaining its negative outlook. S&P affirmed this rating and maintained its negative outlook on March 18, 2019. On March 5, 2019, Moodys downgraded SDG&Es issuer rating to Baa1 from A2 while maintaining its negative outlook. On March 11, 2019, Fitch downgraded SDG&Es long-term issuer default rating to BBB+ from A-, while maintaining its negative outlook. Fitch affirmed this rating and maintained the negative outlook on April 19, 2019.
S&P affirmed SoCalGass issuer credit rating at A with a negative outlook on March 18, 2019, and Fitch also affirmed SoCalGass long-term issuer default rating at A with a stable outlook on April 19, 2019. On
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May 22, 2019, Moodys affirmed SoCalGass long-term rating at A1, but changed its outlook to negative, citing, among other things, deteriorating credit metrics over the past several years as well as heightened regulatory and political uncertainty for all utilities operating in California. Moodys noted that SoCalGass ratings could be downgraded if SoCalGass credit metrics do not improve materially after the completion of ongoing regulatory proceedings or if the political or regulatory environment deteriorates or becomes more uncertain for local distribution companies operating in California.
While Sempra Energys, SDG&Es and SoCalGass credit ratings are currently investment grade, each of the Rating Agencies reviews its ratings periodically, and there is no assurance that the current credit ratings and ratings outlooks assigned to Sempra Energy, SDG&E and SoCalGas will not be downgraded. As discussed above, S&P has indicated that, in the absence of a satisfactory legislative solution, they expect that downgrades may occur at or around July 12, 2019 or sooner if a utility is found to be the cause of a catastrophic wildfire.
A downgrade of Sempra Energys or either of its California Utilities credit ratings or rating outlooks may materially and adversely affect the market prices of Sempra Energys equity and debt securities (including the notes offered hereby), the interest rates at which their borrowings are made and their debt securities and commercial paper are issued, and the various fees on their credit facilities. This could make it significantly more costly for Sempra Energy, SDG&E, SoCalGas and Sempra Energys other subsidiaries to borrow money, to issue debt securities, to enter into new credit facilities and to raise certain other types of capital and/or complete additional financings. Such negative credit rating actions and the reasons for such actions could materially and adversely affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition and the market price of, and our ability to pay the principal of and interest on, our debt securities, including the notes offered hereby.
The foregoing discussion should be read in conjunction with the discussion appearing under the caption Risk FactorsRisks Related to Sempra EnergyCertain credit rating agencies may downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
Rating agencies may change their practices for rating the notes, which change may affect the market price of the notes. In addition, we may redeem the notes if a rating agency makes certain changes in the equity credit methodology for securities such as the notes.
The Rating Agencies that currently or may in the future publish a rating for Sempra Energy, including Moodys, S&P and Fitch, each of which is expected to initially publish a rating of the notes, may, from time to time in the future, change the way they analyze securities with features similar to the notes. This may include, for example, changes to the relationship between ratings assigned to an issuers senior securities and ratings assigned to subordinated securities with features similar to the notes. If the rating agencies change their practices for rating these types of securities in the future, and the ratings of the notes are subsequently lowered, that could have a negative impact on the trading price of the notes. In addition, we may redeem the notes before , 2024, at our option, in whole but not in part, if a rating agency makes certain changes in the equity credit methodology for securities such as the notes. See Description of the NotesRedemptionRedemption Following a Rating Agency Event.
An active trading market for the notes may not develop, and any such market may be illiquid.
The notes constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We intend to apply to list the notes on the New York Stock Exchange. If the application is approved, trading on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to commence within 30 days after the date that the notes are first issued. However, listing the notes on the New York Stock Exchange does not guarantee that a trading market will develop or, if a trading market does develop, the depth or liquidity of that market or the ability of holders to sell their notes easily. In addition, the liquidity of any trading market in the notes which may develop, and the market prices quoted therefor, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in
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our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure holders that an active after-market for the notes will develop or be sustained or that holders of the notes will be able to sell their notes at favorable prices or at all.
The notes are subject to early redemption.
As described under Description of the NotesRedemption, we may at our option redeem the notes in whole or from time to time in part at the times and the applicable redemption prices described thereunder. Consequently, we may choose to redeem your notes at a time when prevailing interest rates are lower than the effective interest rate paid on your notes and at times when the trading price of your notes is above the redemption price. We cannot assure you that you will be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in an investment with a return that is as high as the return you would have earned on the notes if they had not been redeemed and that has a similar level of investment risk.
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The net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $ million (or approximately $ if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full as described under Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) and all such additional notes are sold to retail investors), in each case after deducting the underwriting discount but before deducting our estimated offering expenses, and will become part of our general treasury funds. We intend to use a substantial portion of the net proceeds to repay Sempra Global commercial paper, with any remaining net proceeds used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which could include the repayment of indebtedness. We estimate that our expenses for this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1,000,000.
Pending application of the net proceeds from this offering for the foregoing purposes, we expect to invest such net proceeds in various instruments which may include, but would not be limited to, short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, including bank deposits and certificates of deposit with financial institutions having investment-grade ratings, U.S. government obligations or money market funds primarily invested in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies.
As described above, a substantial portion of the net proceeds from this offering will be used to repay commercial paper, with any remaining net proceeds used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which could include the repayment of indebtedness. One or more of the underwriters participating in this offering and/or their affiliates may hold positions in our commercial paper or other indebtedness, one or more of the underwriters act as dealers under our commercial paper programs, and affiliates of some or all of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facilities. To the extent that net proceeds from this offering are applied to repay any of our outstanding indebtedness (including commercial paper and loans) held by any of the underwriters or their affiliates, they will receive proceeds of this offering through the repayment of that indebtedness. If 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering (not including the underwriting discount) is used to repay any of our indebtedness held by at least one of the underwriters or their affiliates, this offering will be conducted in accordance with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) Rule 5121. In such event, such underwriter or underwriters will not confirm sales of the notes to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer. See Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)Other Relationships and Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)Conflicts of Interest.
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The notes will be a series of our junior subordinated debt securities issued under an indenture between Sempra Energy, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the trustee), to be dated as of the Original Issue Date (as defined below) of the notes (the indenture). In this section and under the caption Description of Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus, references to Sempra Energy, we, us and our mean Sempra Energy excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.
The indenture is the subordinated indenture referred to under Description of Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus and the notes are a series of our subordinated debt securities referred to under such caption. The summary of selected provisions of the notes and the indenture appearing below supplements, and to the extent inconsistent, supersedes and replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the subordinated debt securities and the subordinated indenture contained in the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and is qualified by reference to provisions of the notes and the indenture. Forms of the notes and the indenture have been or will be filed with the SEC and you may obtain copies as described under Where You Can Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
General
The notes will constitute a separate series of our subordinated debt securities under the indenture and will be issued in the aggregate principal amount of $ (plus up to an additional $ aggregate principal amount of notes if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full as described below under Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)). As described in the accompanying prospectus under the caption Description of Debt SecuritiesGeneral, we may, from time to time, without notice to or consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes and any such additional notes shall form a single series under the indenture with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement.
The notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.
Interest Rate and Maturity
The notes will bear interest at the rate of % per year computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the notes will accrue from , 2019 and will be payable quarterly in arrears on , , and of each year, beginning on , 2019, to the holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding , , and , respectively, subject to our right to defer interest payments as described below under Option to Defer Interest Payments.
The notes will mature on , 2079 (the final maturity date). The notes are subject to early redemption at our option as described under RedemptionOptional Redemption.
If any interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity date of the notes is not a business day at any place of payment, then payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest may be made on the next business day at that place of payment. In that case, no interest will accrue on the amount payable for the period from and after the applicable interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date, as the case may be.
Listing
We intend to apply to list the notes for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. If approved for listing, trading in the notes on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to commence within 30 days after the date that the notes are first issued.
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Ranking
The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), to the extent and in the manner set forth under the caption Subordination below. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with any future unsecured indebtedness that we may incur from time to time if the terms of such indebtedness provide that it ranks equally with the notes in right of payment. At March 31, 2019, we had outstanding approximately $16 billion of Senior Indebtedness. In addition, the notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any secured indebtedness we may have or may incur (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness).
The notes are our obligations exclusively and are not the obligations of any of our subsidiaries. Because we conduct our operations primarily through, and substantially all our consolidated assets are held by, our subsidiaries, the notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. At March 31, 2019, our subsidiaries had total indebtedness and liabilities of approximately $30 billion owing to unaffiliated third parties. In addition, at March 31, 2019, our subsidiaries had approximately $581 million of liabilities owed to us.
The indenture will not contain any restrictions on the amount of Senior Indebtedness or other indebtedness or liabilities that we may incur or the amount of indebtedness or other liabilities that may be incurred by our subsidiaries. For additional information, see Risk FactorsSempra Energys ability to pay dividends and to meet its debt obligations largely depends on the performance of its subsidiaries and the ability to utilize cash flow from those subsidiaries, and Risk FactorsThe notes are subordinated or effectively subordinated to all other indebtedness of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries (other than any unsecured indebtedness Sempra Energy may in the future incur that ranks pari passu with or junior to the notes), and the indenture does not limit the aggregate amount of indebtedness that Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries may incur in this prospectus supplement and Description of Debt SecuritiesRanking in the accompanying prospectus.
Agreement by Holders to Tax Treatment
Each holder (and beneficial owner) of the notes will, by accepting any notes (or a beneficial interest therein), be deemed to have agreed that such holder (or beneficial owner) intends that the notes constitute indebtedness of Sempra Energy, and will treat the notes as indebtedness of Sempra Energy, for United States federal, state and local tax purposes.
Subordination
The notes will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our Senior Indebtedness. This means that upon:
(a) any payment by, or distribution of the assets of, Sempra Energy upon its dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings; or
(b) a failure to pay any interest, principal or other monetary amounts due on any of Sempra Energys Senior Indebtedness when due and continuance of that default beyond any applicable grace period; or
(c) acceleration of the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of Sempra Energy as a result of a default;
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the holders of all of Sempra Energys Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive:
| in the case of clause (a) above, payment of all amounts due or to become due on all Senior Indebtedness; or |
| in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, payment of all amounts due on all Senior Indebtedness, |
before the holders of the notes are entitled to receive any payment. So long as any of the events in clauses (a), (b), or (c) above has occurred and is continuing, any amounts payable or assets distributable on the notes will instead be paid or distributed, as the case may be, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent necessary to pay, in the case of clause (a) above, all amounts due or to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, or, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, all amounts due on all such Senior Indebtedness, and, if any such payment or distribution is received by the trustee under the indenture or the holders of any of the notes before all Senior Indebtedness due and to become due or due, as applicable, is paid, such payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of the unpaid Senior Indebtedness. Subject to paying the Senior Indebtedness due and to become due in the case of clause (a) or the Senior Indebtedness due in the case of clauses (b) and (c), the holders of the notes will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to receive payments applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the notes are paid in full.
Lien means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, hypothecation, pledge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind.
Senior Indebtedness means, with respect to the notes, (i) indebtedness of Sempra Energy, whether outstanding at the date of the indenture or incurred, created or assumed after such date, (a) in respect of money borrowed by Sempra Energy (including any financial derivative, hedging or futures contract or similar instrument, to the extent any such item is primarily a financing transaction) and (b) evidenced by debentures, bonds, notes, credit or loan agreements or other similar instruments or agreements issued or entered into by Sempra Energy; (ii) all finance lease obligations of Sempra Energy; (iii) all obligations of Sempra Energy issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of Sempra Energy and all obligations of Sempra Energy under any title retention agreement (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and long-term purchase obligations); (iv) all obligations of Sempra Energy for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, bankers acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which Sempra Energy is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, except for any obligations, instruments or agreements of the type referred to in any of clauses (i) through (v) above that, by the terms of the instruments or agreements creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, are subordinated or equal in right of payment to the notes.
Due to the subordination of the notes, if assets of Sempra Energy are distributed upon its dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, holders of its Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness and obligations that are not equal or junior to the notes in right of payment will likely recover more, ratably, than holders of the notes, and it is possible that no payments will be made to the holders of the notes. The subordination provisions described above will cease to apply in the event of defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the notes as described under Description of Debt SecuritiesDefeasance and Description of Debt SecuritiesSatisfaction and Discharge, respectively, in the accompanying prospectus.
The notes and the indenture do not limit our ability to incur Senior Indebtedness or our or any of our subsidiaries ability to incur other secured and unsecured indebtedness or liabilities. We expect that we and our subsidiaries will incur substantial additional amounts of indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, in the future.
The information set forth under this caption Subordination, including the definition of Senior Indebtedness, supersedes and replaces, insofar as it relates to the notes, the information appearing under the caption Description of Debt SecuritiesSubordination in the accompanying prospectus.
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Redemption
Optional Redemption
On and after , 2024, we may, at our option, redeem the notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under Redemption Procedures below, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to be redeemed to the redemption date.
Redemption Following a Tax Event
Before , 2024, we may at our option redeem the notes, in whole but not in part, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Tax Event (as defined below), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under Redemption Procedures below, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the redemption date.
A Tax Event means that we have received an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of:
| any amendment to, clarification of, or change, including any announced prospective change, in the laws or treaties of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, or any regulations under those laws or treaties; |
| an administrative action, which means any judicial decision or any official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement including any notice or announcement of intent to issue or adopt any administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation; |
| any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of any administrative action or judicial decision or any interpretation or pronouncement that provides for a position with respect to an administrative action or judicial decision that differs from the previously generally accepted position, in each case by any legislative body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, regardless of the time or manner in which that amendment, clarification or change is introduced or made known; or |
| a threatened challenge asserted in writing in connection with a tax audit of us or any of our subsidiaries, or a publicly-known threatened challenge asserted in writing against any other taxpayer that has raised capital through the issuance of securities that are substantially similar to the notes, |
which amendment, clarification or change is effective or the administrative action is taken or judicial decision, interpretation or pronouncement is issued or threatened challenge is asserted or becomes publicly-known after the date of this prospectus supplement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by us on the notes is not deductible, or within 90 days would not be deductible, in whole or in part, by us for United States federal income tax purposes.
Redemption Following a Rating Agency Event
Before , 2024, we may, at our option, redeem the notes, in whole but not in part, following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Rating Agency Event (as defined below), at a redemption price equal to 102% of the principal amount of the notes, plus, subject to the terms described in the first paragraph under Redemption Procedures below, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the redemption date.
Rating Agency Event means a change in the methodology published by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that publishes a rating for Sempra Energy as of the date of this prospectus supplement (a rating
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agency) in assigning equity credit to securities such as the notes, as such methodology is in effect on the date of this prospectus supplement (the current methodology) that results in (i) any shortening of the length of time for which equity credit pertaining to the notes by such rating agency would have been in effect had the current methodology not been changed or (ii) a lower equity credit being assigned by such rating agency to the notes as of the date of such change than the equity credit that would have been assigned to the notes by such rating agency had the current methodology not been changed.
Redemption Procedures
Notwithstanding any statement under this caption Redemption to the contrary, installments of interest on the notes that are due and payable on any interest payment date falling on or prior to a redemption date for the notes will be payable on that interest payment date to the registered holders thereof as of the close of business on the relevant record date according to the terms of the notes and the indenture, except that, if the redemption date for any notes falls on any day during an Optional Deferral Period (as defined below), accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest (as defined below)) on such notes will be paid on such redemption date to the persons entitled to receive the redemption price of such notes. For the avoidance of doubt, the interest payment date falling immediately after the last day of an Optional Deferral Period shall not be deemed to fall on a day during such Optional Deferral Period.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each registered holder of the notes to be redeemed. If only part of a note is redeemed, the trustee will deliver a new note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the principal of the note surrendered for redemption.
If we elect to redeem all or a portion of the notes, the redemption will not be conditional upon receipt by the paying agent or the trustee of monies sufficient to pay the redemption price.
Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
Option to Defer Interest Payments
So long as no event of default under the indenture with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing, we may, at our option, defer interest payments on the notes, from time to time, for one or more deferral periods of up to 40 consecutive Interest Payment Periods (as defined below) each (each such deferral period, commencing on the interest payment date on which the first such deferred interest payment otherwise would have been payable, an Optional Deferral Period), except that no such Optional Deferral Period may extend beyond the final maturity date of the notes or end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an interest payment date. During any Optional Deferral Period, interest on the notes will continue to accrue at a rate of % per year. In addition, during any Optional Deferral Period interest on the deferred interest (compound interest) will accrue at the rate of % per year, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law. No interest will be due and payable on the notes until the end of an Optional Deferral Period, except upon a redemption of any notes on any redemption date during such Optional Deferral Period (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest) on the notes to be redeemed will be due and payable on such redemption date), or unless the principal of and interest on the notes shall have been declared due and payable as the result of an event of default (as defined below under Events of Default) with respect to the notes (in which case all accrued and unpaid interest on the notes, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest, on the notes shall become due and payable). All references in the notes and, insofar as relates to the notes, the indenture, to interest on the notes shall be deemed to include any such deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.
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Before the end of any Optional Deferral Period that is shorter than 40 consecutive quarterly Interest Payment Periods, we may extend such Optional Deferral Period, so long as the entire Optional Deferral Period does not exceed 40 consecutive quarterly Interest Payment Periods or extend beyond the final maturity date of the notes. We may also elect to shorten the length of any Optional Deferral Period. No Optional Deferral Period (including as extended or shortened) may end on a day other than the day immediately preceding an interest payment date. At the end of any Optional Deferral Period, if all amounts then due on the notes, including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, without limitation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest), we may elect to begin a new Optional Deferral Period.
During any Optional Deferral Period, we shall not do any of the following:
| declare or pay any dividends or distributions on Capital Stock (as defined below) of Sempra Energy; |
| redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to any Capital Stock of Sempra Energy; |
| pay any principal, interest or premium on, or repay, repurchase or redeem, any indebtedness of Sempra Energy that ranks equal with or junior to the notes in right of payment; or |
| make any payments with respect to any guarantees by Sempra Energy of any indebtedness if such guarantees rank equal with or junior to the notes in right of payment. |
However, during an Optional Deferral Period, we may (a) declare and pay dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of our common stock or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of our common stock, (b) declare and pay any dividend in connection with the implementation of a plan (a Rights Plan) providing for the issuance by us to all holders of our common stock of rights entitling them to subscribe for or purchase common stock or any class or series of our preferred stock, which rights (1) are deemed to be transferred with such common stock, (2) are not exercisable and (3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of our common stock, in each case until the occurrence of a specified event or events, (c) issue any of shares of our Capital Stock under any Rights Plan or redeem or repurchase any rights distributed pursuant to a Rights Plan, (d) reclassify our Capital Stock or exchange or convert one class or series of our Capital Stock for another class or series of our Capital Stock, (e) purchase fractional interests in shares of our Capital Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Capital Stock or the security being converted or exchanged, (f) purchase, acquire or withhold shares of our common stock related to the issuance of our common stock or rights under any dividend reinvestment plan or related to any of our benefit plans for our directors, officers, employees, consultants or advisors and (g) for the avoidance of doubt, convert convertible Capital Stock of Sempra Energy into other Capital Stock of Sempra Energy in accordance with the terms of such convertible Capital Stock.
We will give the holders of the notes and the trustee notice of our election of, or any shortening or extension of, an Optional Deferral Period at least 10 business days prior to the earlier of (1) the next succeeding interest payment date or (2) the date upon which we are required to give notice to the New York Stock Exchange or any applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the notes of the next succeeding interest payment date or the record date therefor. The record date for the payment of deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest payable on the interest payment date immediately following the last day of an Optional Deferral Period will be the regular record date with respect to such interest payment date.
Capital Stock means (i) in the case of a corporation or a company, corporate stock or shares; (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.
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Interest Payment Period means the quarterly period from and including an interest payment date to but excluding the next succeeding interest payment date, except for the first Interest Payment Period which shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to but excluding , 2019.
Original Issue Date means , 2019.
The term business day, as used under this caption Option to Defer Interest Payments, means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions in The City of New York are not authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed.
Events of Default
An event of default occurs with respect to the notes if:
(a) we do not pay any interest on any note when it becomes due and payable and such default continues for 30 days (whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to the notes), except as the result of a deferral of interest payments in accordance with the provisions discussed above under Option to Defer Interest Payments;
(b) we do not pay any principal of or premium, if any, on any note when it becomes due and payable (whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to the notes);
(c) we remain in breach of any other covenant or warranty (excluding covenants and warranties solely applicable to one or more other series of subordinated debt securities issued under the indenture) in the indenture or the notes for 60 days after there has been given to us, by registered or certified mail, a written notice of default specifying such default or breach and requiring remedy of the default or breach; the notice must be sent by either the trustee or registered holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding notes; or
(d) Sempra Energy files for bankruptcy or other specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization occur with respect to Sempra Energy.
However, as discussed below under Limitation of Remedies, neither the trustee nor the holders of the notes will be entitled to declare the notes to be due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of an event of default described in clause (c) above.
No event of default with respect to the notes will necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any other series issued under the indenture, and no event of default with respect to any such other series of subordinated debt securities issued under the indenture will necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to the notes.
The description set forth under this caption Events of Default supersedes and replaces, insofar as it relates to the notes, the description set forth under the caption Description of Debt SecuritiesEvents of Default (other than the last paragraph under such caption) in the accompanying prospectus.
Limitation on Remedies
If an event of default, other than an event of default described in clause (c) under Events of Default above, occurs and is continuing, then either the trustee or the registered holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may declare the principal amount of all of the notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, without limitation, any deferred interest and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, compound interest), to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the notes shall become immediately due and payable (notwithstanding any deferral of interest payments in accordance with the provisions discussed above under Option to Defer Interest Payments).
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However, if an event of default described in clause (c) under Events of Default above occurs and is continuing, neither the trustee nor the registered holders of the notes will be entitled to declare the principal of the notes, or accrued or unpaid interest thereon, to be due and payable immediately. See Risk FactorsHolders of the notes will have limited rights of acceleration above. However, they may exercise the other rights and remedies available under the indenture upon the occurrence of an event of default.
The description set forth under this caption Limitation on Remedies supersedes and replaces, insofar as it relates to the notes, the description set forth under the caption Description of Debt SecuritiesRemediesAcceleration in the accompanying prospectus.
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MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, each as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. We have not sought any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.
This summary is limited to holders who purchase the notes upon their initial issuance at their initial issue price within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of notes is sold to the public for cash) and who hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not address United States federal tax laws other than income tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and it does not address tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction. In addition, this discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be applicable to a holders particular circumstances, including the impact of the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare contribution tax on net income, or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:
| banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions; |
| tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations; |
| regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; |
| brokers, dealers or traders in securities or commodities; |
| traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings; |
| foreign persons or entities (except to the extent specifically set forth below); |
| S-corporations, partnerships or other pass-through entities; |
| U.S. expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the United States dollar; |
| certain accrual method taxpayers subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of their use of financial statements under Section 451(b) of the Code |
| persons who hold the notes as a position in a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction or other risk reduction transaction; or |
| persons deemed to sell the notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. |
If a partnership (or other entity taxable as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership, and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our notes, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes.
THIS SUMMARY OF CERTAIN MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE
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APPLICATION OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES ARISING UNDER OTHER UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX RULES OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
Classification of the Notes
The determination of whether a security should be classified as indebtedness or equity for United States federal income tax purposes requires a judgment based on all relevant facts and circumstances. There is no statutory, judicial or administrative authority that directly addresses the United States federal income tax treatment of securities similar to the notes. In the opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, under current law and based on the facts contained in this preliminary prospectus supplement, the terms of the indenture and the notes, and certain assumptions stated in the opinion and representations relied upon in rendering the opinion, the notes will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of Sempra Energy (although there is no controlling authority directly on point). The opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP is not binding on the IRS or the courts. Moreover, no rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the transactions described in this preliminary prospectus supplement. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the IRS will not challenge the opinion described herein or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS were successfully to challenge the classification of the notes as indebtedness, interest payments on the notes would be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as dividends to the extent of Sempra Energys current or accumulated earnings and profits. In the case of non-U.S. holders, interest payments treated as dividends would be subject to withholding of United States income tax, except to the extent provided by an applicable income tax treaty. In addition, such a determination would constitute a Tax Event that would entitle us to redeem the notes as described under Description of the NotesRedemptionRedemption Following a Tax Event. We agree, and by acquiring an interest in a note, each beneficial owner of a note will agree, to treat the notes as indebtedness of Sempra Energy for United States federal income tax purposes, and the remainder of this discussion assumes this treatment. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences that will arise if the notes are not treated as indebtedness of Sempra Energy for United States federal income tax purposes.
Consequences to U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below) of the notes. Certain consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the notes are described under Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders below. The term U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a note that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as:
| an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| a trust that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and the control of one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes. |
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Payments of Interest
We have the option under certain circumstances to defer payments of stated interest on the notes. Under the Treasury regulations relating to original issue discount (OID), a debt instrument is deemed to be issued with OID if there is more than a remote contingency that periodic stated interest payments due on the instrument will not be timely paid. We believe the likelihood of our exercising the option to defer payment of stated interest on the notes is remote within the meaning of the Treasury regulations in part because our exercise of the option to defer payments of stated interest on the notes would generally prevent us from:
| declaring or paying any dividend or distribution on Capital Stock of Sempra Energy; |
| redeeming, purchasing, acquiring or making a liquidation payment with respect to the Capital Stock of Sempra Energy; |
| making any payment of principal of or interest or premium, if any, on or repaying, repurchasing or redeeming any indebtedness of Sempra Energy that is equal in right of payment with or junior in right of payment to the notes; or |
| making any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee of indebtedness by Sempra Energy that is equal in right of payment with or junior in right of payment to the notes. |
Similarly, if certain circumstances occur (see Description of the NotesRedemptionRedemption Following a Rating Agency Event), we will be obligated to pay amounts in excess of stated principal of the notes. Such excess payments will not affect the amount of interest income that a U.S. holder recognizes if there is only a remote likelihood that such payments will be made. We believe the likelihood that we will make any such payments is remote.
Based on these positions, you generally will be required to recognize any stated interest as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued on the notes in accordance with your regular method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on you unless you disclose your contrary position in the manner required by applicable Treasury regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS. There can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with these positions. The meaning of the term remote in the Treasury regulations has not yet been addressed in any rulings or other guidance by the IRS or any court. If the possibility of interest deferral were determined not to be remote, the notes would be treated as issued with OID and all stated interest would be treated as OID as long as the notes are outstanding. In that case, you would be required to accrue interest income on the notes using a constant yield method whether or not you receive any cash payment attributable to that interest, regardless of your regular method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. If the possibility of excess payments following a Rating Agency Event were determined not to be remote, the notes could be treated as contingent payment debt instruments, in which case you could be required to accrue interest income on the notes in excess of stated interest and would be required to treat as ordinary income rather than as capital gain any income realized on a taxable disposition of the notes. The remainder of this discussion assumes the notes will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments.
Exercise of Deferral Option
Under the Treasury regulations, if we exercise our option to defer the payment of interest on the notes, the notes will be treated as if they had been redeemed and reissued solely for OID purposes. Accordingly, all remaining interest payments on the notes (including interest on deferred interest) could be treated as OID, which you would be required to accrue and include in taxable income on a constant accrual basis over the remaining term of the notes, without regard to the time interest is actually paid on the notes and without regard to your regular method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The amount of OID income includible in your taxable income would be determined on the basis of a constant yield method over the remaining term of the notes, and the actual receipt of future payments of stated interest on the notes would no
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longer be separately reported as taxable income. The total amount of OID that would accrue during the deferred interest payment period would be approximately equal to the amount of the cash payment due at the end of that period. Any OID included in income would increase your adjusted tax basis in your notes, and your actual receipt of cash interest payments would reduce that adjusted tax basis.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
You generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of cash plus the fair market value of all other property received on such disposition (except to the extent such cash or property is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not previously included in income, which generally will be taxable as ordinary income) and (ii) your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the amount you paid for the note plus any amount that you were required to include in gross income as OID, minus any cash payments you received in respect of accrued OID. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, including an individual, and have held the note for more than one year at the time of disposition, such capital gain generally will be taxable at a reduced rate. Your ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments of interest (including accrued OID) and principal on notes held by U.S. holders and the proceeds received upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of such notes may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. Payments to certain holders (including corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to backup withholding. If you are a U.S. holder and you are not otherwise exempt, payments to you will be subject to backup withholding if:
| you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number (TIN), which, for an individual, is ordinarily his or her social security number, in the manner required by the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations; |
| you furnish an incorrect TIN; |
| there has been a notified payee underreporting with respect to interest or dividends paid to you, as described in the Code; or |
| you have failed to certify under penalty of perjury that you have furnished a correct TIN and that you are not subject to backup withholding under the Code. |
You should consult your tax advisor regarding your qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and information reporting and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and you generally may use amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability or may claim a refund as long as you provide the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain material United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a non-U.S. holder of the notes. The term non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a note that is not a partnership (or other entity taxable as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) or a U.S. holder.
Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders such as controlled foreign corporations and passive foreign investment companies. Such entities should consult their tax advisors to determine the United States federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.
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Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and information reporting and FATCA below, United States federal withholding tax will not apply to any payment to you of interest on a note (including any OID) provided that such interest is not effectively connected with your conduct of a United States trade or business and:
| you do not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; |
| you are not a controlled foreign corporation with respect to which we are, directly or indirectly, a related person; and |
| (a) you provide your name and address, and certify, under penalties of perjury, that you are not a United States person (which certification may be made on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or substitute Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, or the appropriate successor form for either form)) or (b) a securities clearing organization, bank, or other financial institution that holds customers securities in the ordinary course of its business holds the note on your behalf and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it has received IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or substitute Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, or the appropriate successor form for either form), from you or from another qualifying financial institution intermediary, and, in certain circumstances, provides a copy of the IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or substitute Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, or the appropriate successor form for either form). If you hold your notes through certain foreign intermediaries or certain foreign partnerships, such foreign intermediaries or partnerships must also satisfy the certification requirements of applicable Treasury Regulations. |
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, you will be subject to a 30% United States federal withholding tax with respect to payments of interest on the notes, unless you provide us with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or substitute Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, or the appropriate successor form for either form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable United States income tax treaty or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) stating that the interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on a note is effectively connected with your conduct of that trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such interest is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), you will be subject to United States federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis (although you will be exempt from the 30% withholding tax, provided the certification requirements described above are satisfied) in the same manner as if you were a United States person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of your effectively connected interest income.
The certifications described above generally must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of interest and must be updated periodically. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.
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Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and information reporting and FATCA below, any gain realized upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note (other than any amount allocable to accrued and unpaid interest, which will be taxable as interest and may be subject to the rules discussed above in Consequences to Non-U.S. HoldersPayments of Interest) generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:
| that gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States); or |
| you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met. |
If your gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), you generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on the net gain derived from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition in the same manner as if you were a United States person (as defined under the Code). If you are a corporation, any such effectively connected gain received by you may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be prescribed under an applicable United States income tax treaty). If you are described in the second bullet point above, you will be subject to United States federal income tax on the gain derived from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be prescribed under an applicable United States income tax treaty), which gain may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though you are not considered a resident of the United States, provided you have timely filed United States federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a non-U.S. holder, you will generally not be subject to backup withholding and information reporting with respect to interest payments, or with respect to the proceeds of the sale of a note within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, if the payor receives the statement described above under Consequences to Non-U.S. HoldersPayments of Interest and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person, as defined under the Code, or you otherwise establish an exemption. However, the amount of, and the tax withheld with respect to, any interest and OID paid to you, may be required to be reported annually to the IRS and to you regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which you reside. Proceeds of a disposition of a note paid outside the United States and conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. You generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against your United States federal income tax liability provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Pursuant to legislation commonly referred to as FATCA and regulations promulgated thereunder, payments to foreign entities of interest on, or (subject to the proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other dispositions of, debt obligations of a U.S. issuer will be subject to a withholding tax (separate and apart from, but without duplication of, the withholding tax described above) at a
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rate of 30%, unless (1) a foreign financial institution that is a payee undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) a non-financial foreign entity that is a payee either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity that is a payee otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain specified United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of interest on a note. While withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of notes on or after January 1, 2019, recently proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations until final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the possible effect of FATCA on your investment in the notes.
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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
BofA Securities, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as representatives of the underwriters named below.
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to that underwriter, the principal amount of notes set forth below opposite the underwriters name.
Name |
Principal Amount of Notes |
|||
BofA Securities, Inc. |
$ | |||
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
||||
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC |
||||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC |
||||
RBC Capital Markets, LLC |
||||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | |||
|
|
The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the notes if they purchase any of the notes. The offering of the notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and to the underwriters right to reject any order in whole or in part.
The underwriters propose to offer the notes directly to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. Notes sold by the underwriters to dealers may be sold at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed % of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed % of the principal amount of the notes on sales to other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes to the public, the representatives may change the public offering price and concessions.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. There can be no assurance of a secondary market for the notes or the continued liquidity of such market if one develops. We intend to apply to list the notes on the New York Stock Exchange. If the application is approved, we expect trading in the notes to begin within 30 days after the date that the notes are first issued. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice.
We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to an additional $ aggregate principal amount of notes at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 11 days from the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase an additional principal amount of the notes proportionate to that underwriters initial purchase amount reflected in the above table. The amounts in the following table reflect either no exercise or full exercise of such option to purchase additional shares,
Without Option(2) |
With Option(3) |
|||||||
Public Offering Price(1) |
$ | $ | ||||||
Underwriting Discount |
$ | $ | ||||||
Proceeds to Sempra Energy (before expenses) |
$ | $ |
(1) | Plus accrued interest from , 2019, if settlement occurs after that date. |
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(2) | Reflects $ aggregate principal amount of notes sold to institutional investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $ per note, and $ aggregate principal amount of notes sold to retail investors, for which the underwriters received an underwriting discount of $ per note. |
(3) | Assumes the sale of all additional notes to retail investors, for which the underwriters would receive an underwriting discount of $ per note. The underwriters will receive an underwriting discount of $ per note on any additional notes sold to institutional investors. If any of the additional notes are sold to institutional investors, the total underwriting discount assuming full exercise of the option would be lower, and the total proceeds to Sempra Energy (before expenses) assuming full exercise of the option would be higher, than the amounts reflected in the above table. |
It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the ninth business day following the date of the pricing of the notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes prior to the second business day prior to the closing of this offering will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+9, to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
In connection with the offering, the representatives, on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of the principal amount of notes to be purchased from us by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes while the offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the representatives, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchase notes originally sold by that syndicate member.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes. They may also cause the market prices of the notes to be higher than the prices that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time without notice.
We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1,000,000. We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
No Sales of Similar Securities
We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the representatives, we will not, during the period from and including the date of this prospectus supplement through and including the 13th day after the date of this prospectus supplement, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any notes, any debt securities of Sempra Energy which are substantially similar to the notes (Similar Securities) or any securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for any notes or Similar Securities, without the prior written consent of the representatives, provided that this agreement shall not apply to
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the offer, issuance or sale of, or any contract to sell, (i) the notes to the underwriters pursuant to the underwriting agreement, (ii) commercial paper or other debt securities with scheduled maturities of less than one year or (iii) any Senior Indebtedness (as defined above under Description of the NotesSubordination). For purposes of clarity, it is understood and agreed that the term Similar Securities, as used in this paragraph, excludes (i) commercial paper or other debt securities with scheduled maturities of less than one year or (ii) any Senior Indebtedness (as defined above under Description of the NotesSubordination).
Other Relationships
The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing, trustee and brokerage activities. Some or all of the underwriters and/or their affiliates have acted and/or are acting as lenders to, and/or have from time to time performed and/or are performing certain investment banking, advisory, general financing, trustee and commercial banking and other commercial transactions and services for, us and/or our affiliates for which they have received and in the future may receive customary fees and expenses. The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in other transactions with or perform other services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business for which they receive customary fees and expenses.
In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which may consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Conflicts of Interest
As described in this prospectus supplement under Use of Proceeds, a substantial portion of the net proceeds of this offering will be used to repay commercial paper, with any remaining net proceeds used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, which could include the repayment of indebtedness. One or more of the underwriters participating in this offering and/or their affiliates may hold positions in our commercial paper or other indebtedness, one or more of the underwriters act as dealers under our commercial paper programs, and affiliates of some or all of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facilities. To the extent that net proceeds from this offering are applied to repay any of our outstanding indebtedness (including commercial paper and loans) held by any of the underwriters or their affiliates, they will receive proceeds of this offering through the repayment of that indebtedness. If 5% or more of the net proceeds of this offering (not including the underwriting discount) is used to repay any of our indebtedness held by at least one of the underwriters or their affiliates, this offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121. In such event, such underwriter or underwriters will not confirm sales of the notes to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer.
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Selling Restrictions
Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area Retail Investors
The notes may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
(a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II); or
(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EC (as amended, the Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, the Prospectus Directive) (the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State of the EEA); and
(b) the expression offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase, or subscribe for, the notes.
United Kingdom
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (FSMA)) in connection with the issue or sale of the notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us.
All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
Canada
The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment hereto or thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchasers province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.
Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.
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Hong Kong
The notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (i) to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the SFO) and any rules made thereunder or (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a prospectus as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the C(WUMP)O) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors within the meaning of the SFO and any rules made thereunder.
Japan
The notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law), and the notes have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and guidelines promulgated by the relevant Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities and in effect at the relevant time.
Korea
The notes may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the Korea Securities and Exchange Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law (the FIEA) and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea for public offering in Korea. Furthermore, the notes may not be resold to Korean residents unless the purchaser of the notes complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the FIEA and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with the purchase of the notes.
Singapore
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (SFA) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and the offer of the notes in Singapore is made primarily pursuant to the exemptions under Sections 274 and 275 of the SFA. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an Institutional Investor) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA (an Accredited Investor) or other relevant person as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA (a Relevant Person) and pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with, the conditions of any other applicable exemption or provision of the SFA.
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It is a condition of the offer that where the notes are subscribed for or acquired pursuant to an offer made in reliance on Section 275 of the SFA by a Relevant Person which is:
(a) | a corporation (which is not an Accredited Investor), the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an Accredited Investor; or |
(b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an Accredited Investor), the sole purpose of which is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an Accredited Investor, |
the securities and securities-based derivatives contracts (each as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation, and the beneficiaries rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust, shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has subscribed for or acquired the notes except:
(1) | to an Institutional Investor, or an Accredited Investor or other Relevant Person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) of the SFA (in the case of that corporation) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA (in the case of that trust); |
(2) | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or |
(3) | where the transfer occurs by operation of law. |
Singapores Securities and Futures Act Product ClassificationSolely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, Sempra Energy has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the notes are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
Switzerland
The notes may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of and have been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.
Neither this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, Sempra Energy or the notes has been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of notes will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, and the offer of notes has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (the CISA). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of the notes.
Taiwan
The notes have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authority of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which could constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of
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Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that require a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or other regulatory authority of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the notes in Taiwan.
United Arab Emirates
The notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and are not intended to be a public offer. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
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Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon the validity of the notes and various other legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the notes on behalf of Sempra Energy. Kimberly A. McDonnell, Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Environmental of Sempra Energy, will pass upon certain other legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the notes on behalf of Sempra Energy. Sidley Austin LLP, San Francisco, California will act as counsel for the underwriters. Sidley Austin LLP from time to time represents Sempra Energy and certain of its subsidiaries in connection with certain legal matters.
The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus from Sempra Energys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the effectiveness of Sempra Energys internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Oncor Holdings and its subsidiary, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus from Exhibit 99.1 in Sempra Energys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PROSPECTUS
SEMPRA ENERGY
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Purchase Contracts
Units
We may offer and sell our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, purchase contracts and units from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.
Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled About this Prospectus and Plan of Distribution for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
Sempra Energys common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SRE. On June 12, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $135.69 per share. Sempra Energys 6% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (series A preferred stock) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRA. On June 12, 2019, the last reported sale price of our series A preferred stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $111.76 per share. Sempra Energys 6.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B (series B preferred stock) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRB. On June 12, 2019, the last reported sale price of our series B preferred stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $112.00 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See the information under the heading Risk Factors on page 5 of this prospectus, and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, concerning factors you should consider before investing in our securities.
Neither the U.S. 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 June 13, 2019.
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i
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, using a shelf registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described herein. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to that offering. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectus), together with the additional information described under the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market and industry data and forecasts that are based on or derived from independent industry publications, publicly available information and other information from third parties or that have been compiled or prepared by our management or employees. Although we believe that these third party sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information provided by or derived from these third party sources, and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, market, demographic and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading Risk Factors contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
When we refer to Sempra, we, our and us in this prospectus, we mean Sempra Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires. When we refer to you, we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Available Information
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.
Sempra Energys common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SRE, Sempra Energys series A preferred stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRA, Sempra Energys series B preferred stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRB, and reports, proxy statements and other information concerning Sempra Energy can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Our web site address is http://www.sempra.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are not complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SECs website, as provided above.
Incorporation by Reference
The SECs rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act in this prospectus, between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed filed with the SEC, including our Compensation Committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019. |
| Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2019. |
| Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2019, May 13, 2019, May 20, 2019 (both reports), May 31, 2019 and June 4, 2019. |
| Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2019. |
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You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Sempra Energy
488 8th Avenue
San Diego, California 92101
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (619) 696-2000
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
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Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy-services holding company whose businesses, which consist of five separately managed reportable segments, invest in, develop and operate energy infrastructure, and provide electric and gas services to their customers in North America.
We originally filed our articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of California on October 11, 1996.
Our principal executive offices are located at 488 8th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101, and our telephone number is (619) 696-2000.
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Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.
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Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, this section describes some of the terms of our common stock and preferred stock, articles of incorporation and bylaws. The following description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation (including the certificates of determination for our outstanding series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock and the certificates of determination for any other series of our preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding in the future) and bylaws. Therefore, you should read carefully the more detailed provisions of our articles of incorporation (including the certificates of determination for our outstanding series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock and the certificates of determination for any other series of our preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding in the future) and bylaws, which are incorporated by reference herein and are filed or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and may be obtained as described under Where You Can Find More Information. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or the context otherwise requires, references to we, us, our, Sempra Energy and similar references under this caption Description of Capital Stock mean Sempra Energy, excluding its subsidiaries.
The authorized capital stock of Sempra Energy consists of (i) 750,000,000 shares of Sempra Energy common stock, without par value, and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of June 10, 2019, there were 274,413,366 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock and 23,000,000 issued and outstanding shares of our preferred stock. No other classes of capital stock are authorized under our articles of incorporation.
Common Stock
The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive, ratably, such dividends as our board of directors may from time to time declare, subject to any rights of holders of outstanding shares of our preferred stock to receive dividends before dividends may be paid on our common stock. Except as otherwise provided by law, each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of our shareholders, subject to the voting rights, if any, of holders of outstanding shares of any series of our preferred stock, which could include the right to vote separately as a class or series, or the right to vote together with the common stock as a single class.
At each annual meeting of our shareholders, directors shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Pursuant to our bylaws, directors standing for election in an uncontested election (as defined below) shall be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote for them represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (and such affirmative votes must also represent more than 25% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of such directors). In any election of directors that is not an uncontested election, the candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to vote for them, up to the number of directors to be elected by those shares, shall be elected and votes against a director and votes withheld shall have no effect. The rights of holders of our common stock to elect directors are subject to the voting rights, if any, of holders of outstanding shares of any series of our preferred stock, which could include: (1) voting as a separate class or series, the right to elect one or more directors, or (ii) voting together with our common stock as a single class, the right to vote in the election of directors generally. Our bylaws define an uncontested election as, in general, an election of directors in which the number of candidates for election does not exceed the number of directors to be elected by our shareholders at that election, determined at the times specified in our bylaws. Our articles of incorporation provide that none of our shareholders may cumulate votes in the election of directors.
Our bylaws require us to include in our proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders the name of any person nominated for election to our board of directors by a shareholder or group of up to 20 shareholders who owned and have owned, or are acting on behalf of up to 20 beneficial owners who owned and have owned, in each case continuously for at least three years, at least 3% (determined as provided in our bylaws) of the aggregate voting power of our outstanding common stock and any other capital stock entitled to vote generally in
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the election of directors; provided that such shareholders give us written notice of such request within the time period set forth in our bylaws and such shareholders and their nominees satisfy the other requirements specified in our bylaws; and provided, further, that the number of such nominees whose names appear in our proxy materials shall not exceed the greater of (x) two nominees and (y) the largest whole number of nominees that does not exceed 20% of the number of our directors then in office, subject to possible reduction as provided in our bylaws.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Sempra Energy, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of our common stock are entitled, subject to any rights of the holders of outstanding shares of our preferred stock to receive distributions in such event before any distributions are made to holders of our common stock, to receive, ratably, any of our remaining assets after the discharge of our liabilities.
Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights to subscribe for or purchase any part of any new or additional issue of stock or securities convertible into stock. Our common stock does not contain any redemption provisions, sinking fund provisions or conversion rights.
Preferred Stock
The board of directors of Sempra Energy is authorized, without the need for a vote or other action of our shareholders, to cause the issuance of shares of our preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to determine the number of shares and designation of the preferred stock of any series, to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, and to determine or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon such series, which may include, among other things, dividend and liquidation rights and preferences, rights to convert such shares into common stock, voting rights and other rights. Accordingly, our board of directors could cause the issuance of one or more series of our preferred stock ranking senior to the common stock with respect to dividends or distributions in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or with voting or other rights that could dilute or otherwise adversely affect the voting or other rights and economic interests of holders of our common stock. Likewise, our board of directors could cause the issuance of one or more series of our preferred stock ranking on a parity with or senior to one or more other series of our preferred stock (subject to the terms of any one or more other series of our preferred stock, if any, then outstanding) with respect to dividends or distributions in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or with voting or other rights that could dilute or otherwise adversely affect the voting rights (if any) and other rights and economic interests of the holders of any such other series of preferred stock.
The series A preferred stock and the series B preferred stock are series of our preferred stock, no par value. As of June 10, 2019, a total of 17,250,000 shares of our series A preferred stock and 5,750,000 shares of our series B preferred stock were outstanding. Copies of the certificates of determination setting forth the terms of the series A preferred stock and the series B preferred stock have been filed as Exhibits 4.3 and 4.4, respectively, to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and are incorporated by reference herein.
In the event that we issue any series of preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the terms of such series of preferred stock in a supplement to this prospectus and, if applicable, a free writing prospectus.
Anti-Takeover Effects of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing another party from acquiring or seeking to acquire control of us. These provisions are intended to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. However, these provisions could also delay, deter or prevent a change of control or other takeover of our company that our shareholders might consider to be in their best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium being paid over the
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market prices of our common stock and any outstanding preferred stock, and may also limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for our common stock and any outstanding preferred stock. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include anti-takeover provisions that:
| authorize our board of directors, without a vote or other action by our shareholders, to cause the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each series, to fix the number of shares constituting that series and to establish the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of that series, which may include, among other things, dividend and liquidation rights and preferences, rights to convert such shares into common stock, voting rights and other rights which may dilute or otherwise adversely affect the voting or other rights and the economic interests of holders of our common stock or one or more other series of our preferred stock, if any, then outstanding; |
| establish advance notice requirements and procedures for shareholders to submit nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors and to propose other business to be brought before a shareholders meeting; |
| provide that vacancies in our board of directors, including vacancies created by the removal of any director, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office or by the sole remaining director; |
| provide that no shareholder may cumulate votes in the election of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock can elect all directors standing for election by our common shareholders; |
| require that any action to be taken by our shareholders must be taken either (1) at a duly called annual or special meeting of shareholders or (2) by the unanimous written consent of all of our shareholders, unless our board of directors, by resolution adopted by two-thirds of the authorized number of directors, waives the foregoing provision in any particular circumstance; and |
| require action by shareholders holding not less than 1/10th of the voting power of our capital stock in order for our shareholders to call a special meeting of shareholders. |
Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our articles of incorporation provide that the liability of our directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law. Section 317 of the Corporations Code of the State of California permits a corporation to provide indemnification to its directors, officers and agents under certain circumstances. Our bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification of our directors and officers, subject to the limitations set forth therein. In addition, our articles of incorporation provide us with the power, by bylaw, agreement or otherwise, to indemnify our directors, officers and other agents to the fullest extent permissible under California law and, subject to certain limitations, in excess of the indemnification otherwise expressly permitted by Section 317 of the Corporations Code. We believe that this limitation of liability and these indemnification provisions are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.
Listing of our Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SRE.
Listing of our Preferred Stock
Our series A preferred stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRA and our series B preferred stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SREPRB.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for our common stock, series A preferred stock and series B preferred stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus, the following description sets forth some of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that Sempra Energy may offer by this prospectus. The debt securities may be issued as senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities (which may include junior subordinated debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities and subordinated debt securities of any other relative ranking). Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, references to we, us, our, Sempra Energy and similar references under this caption Description of Debt Securities mean Sempra Energy excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates.
The senior debt securities will be governed by an indenture (the senior indenture) between us and the trustee named therein and the subordinated debt securities will be governed by an indenture (the subordinated indenture) between us and the trustee named therein. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are hereinafter sometimes called, collectively, the indentures and individually, an indenture. Each indenture gives us broad authority to set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, including the right to modify certain of the terms contained in the indenture. The particular terms of a series of debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the particular terms of the series modify the terms of the applicable indenture will be described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, or a free writing prospectus, relating to such series of debt securities.
Each indenture contains the full legal text of the matters described in this section. The following description of certain provisions of the indentures and our debt securities is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the applicable indenture, including definitions of terms used in such indenture, and by the certificates evidencing the debt securities of each series, copies of which have been or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or to a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and which may be obtained as described under Where You Can Find More Information. We also include references in parentheses to certain sections of the indenture. Whenever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indentures in this prospectus or in a prospectus supplement, these sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. This summary also is subject to and qualified by reference to the description of the particular terms of a particular series of debt securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
General
Sempra Energy may issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indentures in one or more series. Sempra Energy is not required to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, Sempra Energy may, without notice to or consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, increase the principal amount of the debt securities of any series and issue such increased principal amount (or any portion thereof) from time to time. Any additional debt securities so issued shall have the same form and terms (other than offering price, the date of issuance and, under certain circumstances, the date from which interest thereon shall begin to accrue and the first interest payment date) and shall carry the same right to receive accrued and unpaid interest as the debt securities previously issued, and such additional debt securities shall form a single series with the debt securities previously issued under the applicable indenture, provided that such additional debt securities of such series shall be fungible with the debt securities of such series previously issued for United States federal income tax purposes.
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities of Sempra Energy will not be subject to a sinking fund or entitled to any guarantees and you will not be permitted to require Sempra Energy to redeem or repurchase the debt securities at your option.
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the relevant trustee shall serve as initial paying agent and security registrar for the debt securities of Sempra Energy.
The debt securities of Sempra Energy will be its unsecured obligations.
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Before the issuance of each series of debt securities, the terms of the debt securities of the applicable series will be specified in either a supplemental indenture or in one or more officers certificates of Sempra Energy. We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement for a description of the following terms of each series of debt securities:
(a) | the title of the debt securities; |
(b) | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
(c) | the person to whom any interest on a security of the series shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name that security is registered; |
(d) | the date or dates on which principal will be payable or how to determine the dates; |
(e) | the rate or rates or method of determination of interest; the date or dates from which interest will accrue; the dates on which interest will be payable, which we refer to as the interest payment dates; and any record dates for the interest payable on the interest payment dates; |
(f) | the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods or to defer the payment of interest, and the terms of any such extension or deferral; |
(g) | the place or places where principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable and whether, if acceptable to the trustee, any principal of such debt securities will be payable without presentation or surrender thereof; |
(h) | the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Sempra Energy may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, and the manner in which any election by Sempra Energy to redeem the debt securities shall be evidenced; |
(i) | any obligation of Sempra Energy to redeem or purchase debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund, purchase fund or similar provision, or any option of the registered holder to require Sempra Energy to redeem or purchase debt securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part; |
(j) | the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable (if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof); |
(k) | if the amount of principal or any premium or interest on any debt securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula and the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
(l) | the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities will be payable, if other than United States dollars, and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in United States dollars; |
(m) | if at the election of Sempra Energy or the holder, the payments of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities will be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; |
(n) | the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the entire principal amount; |
(o) | the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of the debt securities as of any date or dates before the stated maturity date, if the principal amount will not be determinable as of any such date or dates prior to the stated maturity date, including the amount which will be due and payable or outstanding as of any such date; |
(p) | if the sections of the indenture providing for defeasance do not apply to the debt securities; |
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(q) | whether the debt securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global debt securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global debt securities; |
(r) | any addition, modification or deletion of any Events of Default or covenants provided in the indenture and any change in the acceleration provisions; |
(s) | any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in the indenture; |
(t) | in the case of subordinated debt securities, the definition of Senior Indebtedness and the subordination provisions applicable thereto (if other than those described below under the caption Subordination) or, if the definition of Senior Indebtedness or the subordination provisions described below under the caption Subordination shall be applicable to the subordinated debt securities of such series, any additions to, changes in or deletions from the definition of Senior Indebtedness and the subordination provisions described below under the caption Subordination with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series; and |
(u) | any other terms of the debt securities, including, if the debt securities are subordinated debt securities, any other additions to, modifications of or deletions from the subordinated indenture with respect to the subordinated debt securities. |
(See Section 301.)
Ranking
The senior debt securities will be the unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Sempra Energy. The indebtedness represented by the senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Sempra Energy. The indebtedness represented by the subordinated debt securities of each series will rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined with respect to such series) of Sempra Energy, to the extent and in the manner set forth under the caption Subordination below or as may be set forth in a prospectus supplement. In addition, the subordinated debt securities will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any secured indebtedness Sempra Energy may have or may incur (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such secured indebtedness). The term Senior Indebtedness, when used with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series, has the meaning set forth below under the caption Subordination unless a different definition shall be set forth in the prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus relating to the subordinated debt securities of such series. The debt securities are obligations of Sempra Energy exclusively, and are not the obligations of any of its subsidiaries. Sempra Energy conducts its operations primarily through its subsidiaries and substantially all of its consolidated assets are held by its subsidiaries. The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of Sempra Energys subsidiaries.
Holding Company Structure
Sempra Energy conducts its operations primarily through its subsidiaries and substantially all of its consolidated assets are held by its subsidiaries. Accordingly, Sempra Energys cash flow and its ability to meet its obligations under its debt securities are dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of these earnings to Sempra Energy in the form of dividends or loans or advances and repayment of loans and advances from Sempra Energy. The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the Sempra Energy debt securities or to make any funds available for payment of amounts due on these debt securities.
Because Sempra Energy is a holding company, its obligations under the debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of its subsidiaries. Therefore, Sempra Energys rights and the rights of its creditors, including the rights of the holders of the debt securities issued by
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Sempra Energy, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the liquidation or reorganization of the subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiarys creditors. To the extent that Sempra Energy may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against any of its subsidiaries, Sempra Energys claims would still be effectively subordinated to any security interest in, or mortgages or other liens on, the assets of the subsidiary and would be subordinated to any indebtedness or other liabilities of the subsidiary that are senior to the claims held by Sempra Energy. Sempra Energy expects to incur, and expects that its subsidiaries will incur, substantial additional amounts of indebtedness.
Payment of Debt SecuritiesInterest
Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement, Sempra Energy will pay interest on the debt securities on each interest payment date to the persons in whose name the debt securities are registered as of the close of business on the regular record date relating to the interest payment date.
However, if we default in paying interest on a debt security, we will pay defaulted interest in either of the two following ways:
(a) | We will first propose to the trustee a payment date for the defaulted interest. Next, the trustee will choose a special record date for determining which registered holders are entitled to the payment. The special record date will be between ten and 15 days before the proposed payment date. Finally, the defaulted interest will be payable on the payment date to the registered holder of the debt security as of the close of business on the special record date. |
(b) | Alternatively, we can propose to the trustee any other lawful manner of payment that is consistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the debt securities are listed for trading. If the trustee thinks the proposal is practicable, payment will be made as proposed. |
(See Section 307.)
Payment of Debt SecuritiesPrincipal
Sempra Energy will pay principal of and any premium on the debt securities at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, upon presentation of the debt securities at the office of the paying agent, which initially will be the trustee or such other paying agent designated in accordance with the applicable indenture. Any other paying agent initially designated for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If any interest payment date, redemption date or the maturity date of the debt securities is not a business day at any place of payment, then payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest may be made on the next business day at that place of payment. In that case, no interest will accrue on the amount payable for the period from and after the applicable interest payment date, redemption date or maturity date, as the case may be.
In its discretion, Sempra Energy may appoint one or more additional paying agents and security registrars and designate one or more additional places for payment and for registration of transfer, but must at all times maintain a place of payment of the debt securities and a place for registration of transfer of the debt securities in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. (See Section 1002.)
Form; Transfers; Exchanges
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the debt securities will be issued:
(a) | only in fully registered form; |
(b) | without interest coupons; and |
(c) | in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. |
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You may have your debt securities divided into debt securities of smaller authorized denominations or combined into debt securities of larger authorized denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. This is called an exchange. (See Section 305.)
You may exchange or transfer debt securities at the office of the trustee. The trustee acts as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring debt securities. Sempra Energy may appoint another agent or act as its own agent for this purpose. The entity performing the role of maintaining the list of registered holders is called the security registrar. It will also perform transfers. (See Section 305.)
In our discretion, we may change the place for registration of transfer of the debt securities and may remove and/or appoint one or more additional security registrars. (See Sections 305 and 1002.)
There will be no service charge for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but you may be required to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange.
We may block the transfer or exchange of (a) debt securities during a period of 15 days before giving any notice of redemption or (b) any debt security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part. (See Section 305.)
Events of Default
Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement, an event of default occurs with respect to the debt securities of any series if:
(a) | Sempra Energy does not pay any interest on any debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable and such default continues for 30 days (whether or not, if the debt securities of such series are subordinated debt securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities of such series); provided, however, that, if Sempra Energy is permitted by the terms of the debt securities of such series to extend or defer the payment of interest on such debt securities and if it has elected such an extension or deferral in accordance with the terms of such debt securities, then a failure to pay interest prior to the end of such extension period or deferral period, as the case may be, shall not constitute an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series unless Sempra Energy is required, by the terms of the debt securities of such series, to make a payment of interest on a redemption date or other date during such extension or deferral period and fails to make such payment within 30 days of the due date, in which case such failure shall be an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series; |
(b) | Sempra Energy does not pay any principal of or premium on any debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable (whether or not, if such debt securities are subordinated debt securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to such subordinated debt securities); |
(c) | Sempra Energy does not make a sinking fund payment with respect to any debt securities of such series when due (whether or not, if such debt securities are subordinated debt securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions applicable to such subordinated debt securities) and, in the case of subordinated debt securities, such failure to pay continues for a period of 60 days; |
(d) | Sempra Energy remains in breach of any other covenant or warranty (excluding covenants and warranties solely applicable to one or more other series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture) in the applicable indenture or the debt securities of such series for 60 days after there has been given to Sempra Energy, by registered or certified mail, a written notice of default specifying such default or breach and requiring remedy of the default or breach; the notice must be sent by either the trustee or registered holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series; |
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(e) | if the debt securities of such series are senior debt securities, default occurs under any bond, note, debenture or other instrument evidencing any indebtedness for money borrowed by Sempra Energy (including a default with respect to any other series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture), or under any mortgage, indenture or other instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by Sempra Energy (or the payment of which is guaranteed by Sempra Energy), whether such indebtedness or guarantee exists on the date of the applicable indenture or is issued or entered into following the date of the applicable indenture, if: |
(1) | either: |
| such default results from the failure to pay any such indebtedness when due; or |
| as a result of such default the maturity of such indebtedness has been accelerated prior to its expressed maturity; and |
(2) | the principal amount of such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness in default for failure to pay any such indebtedness when due or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates at least $25 million; |
(f) | Sempra Energy files for bankruptcy, or other specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization occur with respect to Sempra Energy; or |
(g) | any other event of default specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for such series occurs. |
(See Section 501.)
No event of default with respect to a series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any other series issued under the applicable indenture.
As of March 31, 2019, the terms of approximately $750 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding senior debt securities that we previously issued under the senior indenture (the prior senior debt securities) included the event of default described in clause (e) of the first paragraph under the above heading Events of Default (a so-called cross-default event of default), with a threshold amount of at least $25 million. However, Sempra Energy anticipates that future senior debt securities offered by Sempra Energy will not include the event of default described in clause (e) of the first paragraph under the above heading Events of Default or any other cross-default event of default. Accordingly, if a series of debt securities offered hereby does not include a cross-default event of default, then the principal of and interest on the prior senior debt securities may be declared due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of a cross-default event of default, while the holders of the senior debt securities of such series offered hereby will not be entitled to accelerate such debt securities as a result of such event.
Remedies
Acceleration
If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, then either the trustee or the registered holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all of the debt securities of that series, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the debt securities of that series shall become immediately due and payable (notwithstanding, if the terms of the debt securities of such series permit Sempra Energy to defer or extend the payment of interest thereon, any such extension or deferral). (See Section 502.)
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Rescission of Acceleration
After the declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to any series of debt securities and before the trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for payment of the money due, the declaration and its consequences will be rescinded and annulled, if:
(a) | Sempra Energy pays or deposits with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay: |
(1) | all overdue interest on the debt securities of that series, other than interest which has become due by declaration of acceleration; |
(2) | the principal of and any premium on the debt securities of that series which have become due, otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration, and overdue interest on these amounts; |
(3) | interest on overdue interest, other than interest which has become due by declaration of acceleration, on the debt securities of that series to the extent lawful; and |
(4) | all amounts due to the trustee under the applicable indenture; and |
(b) | all events of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal and interest which has become due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture. |
(See Section 502.)
For more information as to waiver of defaults, see Waiver of Default and of Compliance below.
Control by Registered Holders; Limitations
The registered holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series, voting as a single class, without regard to the holders of outstanding debt securities of any other series that may also be in default, will have the right to direct the time, method and place of:
(a) | conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series; and |
(b) | exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. |
These rights of registered holders to give directions are subject to the following limitations:
(a) | the registered holders directions do not conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
(b) | the direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of the debt securities of that series who do not join in that action. |
The trustee may also take any other action it deems proper which is consistent with the registered holders direction. (See Sections 512 and 603.)
In addition, each indenture provides that no registered holder of debt securities of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the applicable indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy thereunder unless:
(a) | that registered holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series; |
(b) | the registered holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of that event of default and have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity against costs and liabilities incurred in complying with the request; and |
16
(c) | for 60 days after receipt of the notice, the trustee has failed to institute a proceeding and no direction inconsistent with the request has been given to the trustee during the 60-day period by the registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series. |
Furthermore, no registered holder will be entitled to institute any action if and to the extent that the action would disturb or prejudice the rights of other registered holders of debt securities under the applicable indenture. (See Section 507.)
However, each registered holder has an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment when due and to bring a suit to enforce that right. (See Section 508.)
Notice of Default
The trustee is required to give the registered holders of debt securities of the affected series notice of any default with respect to the debt securities of that series under the applicable indenture to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act, unless the default has been cured or waived; except that, in the case of an event of default of the character specified above in clause (d) under Events of Default, no notice shall be given to such registered holders until at least 30 days after the occurrence of the default. The Trust Indenture Act currently permits the trustee to withhold notices of default (except for certain payment defaults) if the trustee in good faith determines the withholding of the notice to be in the interests of the registered holders. (See Section 602.)
We will furnish the trustee with an annual statement as to our compliance with the conditions and covenants in the applicable indenture.
Waiver of Default and of Compliance
The registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series, voting as a single class, without regard to the holders of outstanding debt securities of any other series, may waive, on behalf of all registered holders of the debt securities of that series, any past default under the applicable indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest, or with respect to compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of the registered holder of each outstanding debt security of that series. (See Section 513.)
Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement, compliance with certain covenants in the applicable indenture or otherwise provided with respect to debt securities of any series may be waived before the time specified for compliance by the registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series. (See Section 1006.)
Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance of Assets as an Entirety; No Financial Covenants
Sempra Energy has agreed not to consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, or to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise convey its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:
(a) | (i) it is the continuing entity (in the case of a merger), or (ii) the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which it is merged or which acquires by sale, transfer, lease or other conveyance its properties and assets, as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium and interest on all the debt securities outstanding under the applicable indenture and the performance of all of the covenants under that indenture; and |
(b) | immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default under the applicable indenture, has or will have occurred and be continuing. |
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Neither the applicable indenture nor the debt securities contain any financial or other similar restrictive covenants.
(See Section 801.)
Modification of Indenture
Without Registered Holder Consent. Without the consent of any registered holders of debt securities outstanding under an indenture, Sempra Energy and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures to such indenture for any of the following purposes:
(a) | to evidence the succession of another entity to Sempra Energy; or |
(b) | to add one or more covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under such indenture or to surrender any right or power conferred upon Sempra Energy; or |
(c) | to add any additional events of default for all or any series of debt securities issued under such indenture; or |
(d) | to add or change any of the provisions of such indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form or to facilitate the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; or |
(e) | to change or eliminate any provision of such indenture so long as the change or elimination does not apply to any debt securities entitled to the benefit of such provision or to add any new provision to such indenture provided that any such addition does not apply to any outstanding debt securities issued under such indenture; or |
(f) | to provide security for the debt securities of any series issued under such indenture; or |
(g) | to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series issued under such indenture, as permitted by such indenture; or |
(h) | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a separate or successor trustee; or |
(i) | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make any other changes that do not adversely affect the interests of the holders of debt securities of any series under such indenture in any material respect; or |
(j) | in the case of subordinated debt of any series, to conform the terms of such debt securities, any officers certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the form or terms of such debt securities or, insofar as relates to such debt securities, the subordinated indenture to any terms set forth in the description of such debt securities appearing under the caption Description of Debt Securities, Description of Notes or other similar captions in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other like offering document relating to the initial offering of such debt securities. |
(See Section 901.)
With Registered Holder Consent. Subject to the following sentence, Sempra Energy and the trustee may, with some exceptions, amend or modify the applicable indenture with the consent of the registered holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series affected by the amendment or modification. However, no amendment or modification may, without the consent of the registered holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:
(a) | change the stated maturity of the principal or interest on any debt security or reduce the principal amount, interest or premium payable or change any place of payment where or the currency in which any debt security is payable, or impair the right to bring suit to enforce any payment, or, if Sempra Energy has the right to extend or defer the payment of interest on such debt security, to increase the maximum time period of any such extension or deferral or increase the maximum number of times Sempra Energy may extend or defer any such interest payment; or |
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(b) | reduce the percentages of registered holders whose consent is required for any supplemental indenture or waiver; or |
(c) | modify certain provisions in the applicable indenture relating to supplemental indentures and waivers of certain covenants and past defaults; or |
(d) | in the case of the subordinated indenture, modify, delete or supplement any of the subordination provisions or the definition of Senior Indebtedness applicable to the subordinated debt securities of any series then outstanding in a manner adverse to the holders of such subordinated debt securities. |
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any provision of the applicable indenture expressly included solely for the benefit of holders of debt securities of one or more particular series will be deemed not to affect the interests under the applicable indenture of the holders of debt securities of any other series.
(See Section 902.)
Defeasance
Each indenture provides, unless the terms of the particular series of debt securities provide otherwise, that Sempra Energy may, upon satisfying several conditions, cause itself to be discharged from its obligations, with some exceptions, with respect to any series of debt securities outstanding under such indenture, which we refer to as defeasance.
One condition Sempra Energy must satisfy is the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or government obligations which, through the scheduled payment of principal and interest on those obligations, would provide sufficient moneys to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of the applicable series on the maturity dates of the payments or upon redemption.
In addition, Sempra Energy will be required to deliver an opinion of counsel to the effect that a holder of debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, at the same times and in the same manner as if that defeasance had not occurred. The opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in law after the date of the applicable indenture.
(See Article XIII.)
Satisfaction and Discharge
The applicable indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of debt securities, and we will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged all of our obligations under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series, except as noted below, when:
| all outstanding debt securities of such series have become due or will become due within one year at their stated maturity or on a redemption date; and |
| Sempra Energy deposits with the trustee, in trust, funds that are sufficient to pay and discharge all remaining indebtedness on the outstanding debt securities of such series. |
Sempra Energy will remain obligated to pay all other amounts due under the applicable indenture and to perform certain ministerial tasks as described in the applicable indenture.
(See Section 401.)
Resignation and Removal of the Trustee; Deemed Resignation
The trustee with respect to any series of debt securities may resign at any time by giving written notice to us. The trustee may also be removed with respect to the debt securities of any series by act of the registered
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holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of such series. No resignation or removal of the trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee will become effective until the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the requirements of the applicable indenture. Under certain circumstances, Sempra Energy may appoint a successor trustee with respect to such series of debt securities, and if the successor trustee accepts, the trustee will be deemed to have resigned. (See Section 610.)
Subordination
Unless indicated differently in a prospectus supplement, Sempra Energys subordinated debt securities of each series will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all its Senior Indebtedness (as defined with respect to such series). This means that, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series, upon:
(a) | any payment by, or distribution of the assets of, Sempra Energy upon its dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings; or |
(b) | a failure to pay any interest, principal or other monetary amounts due on any Senior Indebtedness (as defined with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series) of Sempra Energy when due and continuance of that default beyond any applicable grace period; or |
(c) | acceleration of the maturity of any such Senior Indebtedness as a result of a default; |
the holders of all of Sempra Energys Senior Indebtedness (as defined with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series) will be entitled to receive:
| in the case of clause (a) above, payment of all amounts due or to become due on all such Senior Indebtedness; or |
| in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, payment of all amounts due on all such Senior Indebtedness, |
before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities of such series are entitled to receive any payment. So long as any of the events in clauses (a), (b), or (c) above has occurred and is continuing, any amounts payable or assets distributable on the subordinated debt securities of such series will instead be paid or distributed, as the case may be, directly to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (as defined with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series) to the extent necessary to pay, in the case of clause (a) above, all amounts due or to become due upon all such Senior Indebtedness, or, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, all amounts due on all such Senior Indebtedness, and, if any such payment or distribution is received by the trustee under the subordinated indenture in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series or by the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities of such series before all such Senior Indebtedness due and to become due or due, as applicable, is paid, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the holders of such unpaid Senior Indebtedness. Subject to paying the applicable Senior Indebtedness due and to become due in the case of clause (a) or the Senior Indebtedness due in the case of clauses (b) and (c), the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the subordinated debt securities of such series are paid in full. (See Sections 1401 and 1403.)
Unless otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, Senior Indebtedness means, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series, (i) indebtedness of Sempra Energy, whether outstanding at the date of the subordinated debt indenture or incurred, created or assumed after such date, (a) in respect of money borrowed by Sempra Energy (including any financial derivative, hedging or futures contract or similar instrument, to the extent any such item is primarily a financing transaction) and (b) evidenced by debentures, bonds, notes, credit or loan agreements or other similar instruments or agreements issued or entered into by Sempra Energy; (ii) all finance lease obligations of Sempra Energy; (iii) all obligations of Sempra Energy issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of Sempra Energy and all obligations of Sempra Energy under any title retention agreement (but excluding, for
20
the avoidance of doubt, trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business and long-term purchase obligations); (iv) all obligations of Sempra Energy for the reimbursement of any letter of credit, bankers acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; and (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which Sempra Energy is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, except for any obligations, instruments or agreements of the type referred to in any of clauses (i) through (v) above that, by the terms of the instruments or agreements creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, are subordinated or equal in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities of such series. (See Section 101.)
Due to the subordination, if assets of Sempra Energy are distributed upon its dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, holders of its Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness and obligations that are not equal or junior to subordinated debt securities in right of payment will likely recover more, ratably, than holders of subordinated debt securities and it is possible that no payments will be made to the holders of subordinated debt securities. The subordination provisions applicable to the subordinated debt securities of any series will cease to apply in the event of defeasance or satisfaction and discharge with respect to the subordinated debt securities of such series. (See Section 1307.)
The subordinated debt securities and the subordinated indenture do not limit Sempra Energy or any of its subsidiaries ability to incur additional indebtedness, including, in the case of Sempra Energy, Senior Indebtedness. Sempra Energy expects that it will incur, and that its subsidiaries will incur, substantial additional amounts of indebtedness, including, in the case of Sempra Energy, Senior Indebtedness, in the future. The subordinated debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of Sempra Energys subsidiaries. (See Section 301.)
Conversion Rights
The terms and conditions of any series of debt securities being offered that are convertible into common stock of Sempra Energy will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. These terms will include the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holder or Sempra Energy, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion if such series of debt securities are redeemed.
Miscellaneous Provisions
Each indenture provides that certain debt securities, including those for which payment or redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust as described under Satisfaction and Discharge above, will not be deemed to be outstanding in determining whether the registered holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have given or taken any demand, direction, consent or other action under the indenture as of any date, or are present at a meeting of registered holders for quorum purposes. (See Section 101.)
Sempra Energy will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the registered holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give or take any demand, direction, consent or other action under the applicable indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the applicable indenture. In certain circumstances, the trustee also will be entitled to set a record date for action by registered holders of any series of outstanding debt securities. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by registered holders of particular debt securities, the action may be taken only by persons who are registered holders of the respective debt securities on the record date. (See Section 104.)
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, Sempra Energy will issue each series of debt securities in book-entry form and each series will be represented by one or more global debt securities deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., its nominee. This means that you will not be entitled to receive a certificate for the debt securities that you purchase except in limited circumstances described under the caption Global Securities. Sempra
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Energy expects that payments due on its debt securities in book-entry form will be paid by wire transfer of funds to the Depositary or its nominee. For additional information regarding debt securities in global form and the book-entry system, see Global Securities.
Governing Law
Each indenture and the related debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. (See Section 112.)
22
Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, under this caption Global Securities, references to we, us, our, Sempra Energy and similar references mean Sempra Energy excluding its subsidiaries and references to the securities mean the debt securities offered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
Unless we indicate differently in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the debt securities of each series initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global debt securities (global securities). The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary (DTC or the depositary), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for definitive debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of persons other than the depositary or its nominee (certificated securities) under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.
DTC has advised us that it is:
| a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law; |
| a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law; |
| a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
| a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and |
| a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTCs records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants (collectively, participants) through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTCs partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTCs records reflect only the identity of the direct
24
participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency for the applicable series of securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTCs practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If certificated securities are issued under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment as such addresses shall appear in the security register or by wire transfer at such places and to such accounts at such banking institutions in the United States as may be designated in writing to the applicable trustee at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment.
DTCs practice is to credit direct participants accounts upon DTCs receipt of funds from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in street name. Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the securities to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.
As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:
| DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered |
25
under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTCs ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be; |
| we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such series of securities represented by one or more global securities; or |
| an event of default (as defined) has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities, |
we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.
Euroclear and Clearstream
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may hold interests in a global security through Clearstream Banking S.A., which we refer to as Clearstream, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as Euroclear, either directly if you are a participant in Clearstream or Euroclear or indirectly through organizations which are participants in Clearstream or Euroclear. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their respective participants through customers securities accounts in the names of Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers securities accounts in such depositaries names on DTCs books.
Clearstream and Euroclear are securities clearance systems in Europe. Clearstream and Euroclear hold securities for their respective participating organizations and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between those participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.
Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global securities owned through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, are also subject to DTCs rules and procedures.
Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers and other transactions involving any beneficial interests in global securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.
Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTCs rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC.
26
Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTCs settlement date.
Other
The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their respective book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information. This information has been provided solely as a matter of convenience. The rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear are solely within the control of those organizations and could change at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any agent of ours or of the trustee, nor any broker, dealer, underwriter or agent of ours involved in the offer or sale of any securities, has any control over those entities and none of us or them takes any responsibility for their activities. You are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants directly to discuss those matters. In addition, although we expect that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will perform the foregoing procedures, none of them is under any obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any agent of ours or of the trustee, nor any broker, dealer, underwriter or agent of ours involved in the offer or sale of any securities, will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants of these or any other rules or procedures governing their respective operations.
27
We may sell the offered securities from time to time:
| through agents; |
| through underwriters or dealers; |
| directly to one or more purchasers; or |
| through a combination of any of the foregoing methods of sale. |
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.
28
Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Sempra Energy. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Sempra Energys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the effectiveness of Sempra Energys internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its subsidiary, incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Exhibit 99.1 in Sempra Energys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
29
$ % Junior Subordinated Notes due 2079
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Joint Book-Running Managers
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Joint Lead Managers
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