0001193125-16-691743.txt : 20160825 0001193125-16-691743.hdr.sgml : 20160825 20160825163123 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-16-691743 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 FILED AS OF DATE: 20160825 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20160825 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Green Plains Partners LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001635650 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC CHEMICALS [2860] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-213320 FILM NUMBER: 161851937 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 450 REGENCY PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: OMAHA STATE: NE ZIP: 68114 BUSINESS PHONE: (402) 884-8700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 450 REGENCY PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: OMAHA STATE: NE ZIP: 68114 S-3 1 d173484ds3.htm FORM S-3 FORM S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 2016

Registration No. 333-                     

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   47-3822258

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

(402) 884-8700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Todd A. Becker

President and Chief Executive Officer

Green Plains Holdings LLC

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

(402) 884-8700

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Michelle S. Mapes, Esq.

Green Plains Holdings LLC

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

(402) 884-8700

 

Jeffrey T. Haughey, Esq.

Husch Blackwell LLP

Wells Fargo Building

1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4700

Denver, CO 80203

Phone: (303) 749-7200

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Securities to be Registered   Amount to be
Registered
 

Proposed Maximum
Offering Price

Per Unit

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Primary Offering of Unallocated Securities (1)(2):

               

Common Units representing limited partner interests

       

Preferred Units

       

Debt Securities

       

Warrants

       

Total Unallocated Primary

  (1)   (2)   $500,000,250(3)   $50,350(4)

Primary Offering of Common Units held by Green Plains Inc.(5)

  13,513,500(6)   $18.50(7)   $249,999,750   $25,175(7)

Total

      $750,000,000   $75,525

 

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents
(1) There is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of common units representing limited partner interests, preferred units, debt securities and warrants that may be issued by the registrant at various times and at indeterminate prices, with a total offering price not to exceed $500,000,250. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the securities being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of common or preferred units as may be issuable by the registrant with respect to the units being registered hereunder as a result of splits, dividends or similar transactions.

 

(2) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance of securities and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.

 

(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the securities being registered hereunder also include:

 

  (a) such indeterminate number of units as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any common units, preferred units, debt securities or warrants issued under this Registration Statement;

 

  (b) such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any warrants issued under this Registration Statement. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount at maturity as shall result in aggregate gross proceeds to the registrant not to exceed $500,000,250, less the gross proceeds attributable to any securities previously issued pursuant to this Registration Statement; and

 

  (c) such indeterminate number of warrants as may be issuable by the registrant upon conversion or exchange of any common units or debt securities issued by the registrant under this Registration Statement.

In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued by the registrant from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed $500,000,250, excluding accrued interest, if any, on any debt securities issued under this Registration Statement. The securities registered by the registrant hereunder may be sold separately or with other securities registered hereunder.

 

(4) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to Rule 457(o) and General Instruction II D. to Form S-3, the table does not specify by each class information as to the amounts to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit or proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

 

(5) The 13,513,500 common units consist of 4,389,642 common units and 9,123,858 common units that may be issued upon conversion of the subordinated units, in each case, currently held by Green Plains Inc.

 

(6) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the number of common units being registered on behalf of the selling unitholder includes such indeterminate number of common or preferred units as may be issuable by the registrant with respect to the units being registered hereunder as a result of splits, dividends or similar transactions.

 

(7) Pursuant to 457(c) of the Securities Act, the registration fee is calculated on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices of our common units on August 19, 2016, as reported on The Nasdaq Global Market.

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 25, 2016

PROSPECTUS

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

COMMON UNITS

PREFERRED UNITS

WARRANTS

DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

Green Plains Partners LP (the “partnership,” “Green Plains Partners, “we” or “us”) may, from time to time, issue up to a $500,000,250 aggregate principal amount of common units representing limited partner interests in the partnership, preferred units representing preferred limited partner interests in the partnership, warrants to purchase common units, preferred units or debt securities, and/or debt securities. The securities may be offered separately or together, in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We will specify in an accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of the securities.

In addition, the selling unitholder named in this prospectus may from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to 13,513,500 common units. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of these common units by the selling unitholder. For a more detailed discussion of the selling unitholder, please read “Selling Unitholder.”

We or the selling unitholder may offer and sell these securities directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in the accompanying prospectus supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.” The prospectus supplement may describe the specific manner in which we or the selling unitholder will offer the securities and also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Because the selling unitholder owns a substantial amount of our limited partner interests and controls our general partner, it will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to any common units offered by it pursuant to this prospectus, and any such offering would be deemed to be a primary offering by us. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Our headquarters are located at 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Our common units are quoted under the symbol “GPP” on The Nasdaq Global Market. We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 4.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS                         , 2016.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD -LOOKING STATEMENTS

     1   

OUR BUSINESS

     2   

RISK FACTORS

     4   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     4   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     5   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     5   

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON UNITS

     6   

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED UNITS

     7   

OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

     9   

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND DUTIES

     23   

PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT RELATING TO CASH DISTRIBUTIONS

     32   

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     46   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     47   

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     54   

INVESTMENT IN GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     71   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     73   

SELLING UNITHOLDER

     75   

LEGAL MATTERS

     76   

EXPERTS

     76   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     76   

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     76   


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer common units, as well as preferred units, various series of debt securities and warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $500,000,250. In addition, the selling unitholder may over time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell up to 13,513,500 of our common units. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the selling unitholder may offer. Each time we or the selling unitholder offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of those securities. Because the selling unitholder will be deemed to be an “underwriter” under the Securities Act, each time the selling unitholder sells any common units offered by this prospectus, the selling unitholder is required to provide you with this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement containing specific information about it and the terms of the common units being offered in the manner required by the Securities Act. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with the information incorporated by reference herein as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference” before buying any of the securities being offered.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR SELL SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

You should rely only on the information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free-writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free-writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free-writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free-writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This prospectus contains such “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be made directly in this prospectus, and they may also be made a part of this prospectus by reference to other documents filed with the SEC, which is known as “incorporation by reference.”

 

1


Table of Contents

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather to plans and objectives for future operations based upon management’s reasonable estimates of future results or trends, and include statements preceded by, followed by, or that include words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “outlook,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and words and phrases of similar impact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future operating or financial performance, business strategy, business environment, key trends, and benefits of actual or planned acquisitions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions, any or all forward-looking statements in this prospectus may turn out to be incorrect. They may be based on inaccurate assumptions or may not account for known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement is guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially from the results expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements in this prospectus expressly qualify all of our forward-looking statements. In addition, we are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of our forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference. Specifically, we may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, such as changes in general economic, market or business conditions; foreign imports of ethanol; fluctuations in demand for ethanol and other fuels; risks of accidents or other unscheduled shutdowns affecting our assets, including mechanical breakdown of equipment or infrastructure; risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation; ability to comply with changing government usage mandates and regulations affecting the ethanol industry; price availability and acceptance of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, and laws mandating such fuels or vehicles; changes in operational costs at our facilities and for our railcars; failure to realize the benefits projected for capital projects; competition; inability to successfully implement growth strategies; the supply of corn and other feedstocks; unusual or severe weather conditions and natural disasters; ability and willingness of parties with whom we have material relationships, including Green Plains Trade, to fulfill their obligations; labor and material shortages; changes in the availability of unsecured credit and changes affecting the credit markets in general; and other risk factors detailed in our reports filed with the SEC. Actual results may differ from projected results due, but not limited, to unforeseen developments.

In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference might not occur. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OUR BUSINESS

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Green Plains Partners,” or the “partnership” in this prospectus refer to Green Plains Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and its subsidiaries. References to (i) “the general partner” and “Green Plains Holdings” refer to Green Plains Holdings LLC; (ii) “the parent,” “the sponsor” and “Green Plains” refer to Green Plains Inc.; and (iii) “Green Plains Trade” refers to Green Plains Trade Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Green Plains.

 

2


Table of Contents

General

Green Plains Partners is a Delaware limited partnership that provides fee-based fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. We were formed by Green Plains, a vertically integrated ethanol producer, to be its primary downstream logistics provider and completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) on July 1, 2015, at which time our parent contributed its ethanol storage and leased railcar assets in a transfer between entities under common control. We generate a substantial portion of our revenues under fee-based commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels, which are supported by minimum volume or take-or-pay capacity commitments. We do not take ownership or receive any payments based on the value of the ethanol or other fuels we handle; therefore, we do not have any direct exposure to fluctuating commodity prices.

Our parent owns a 62.5% limited partner interest in us, consisting of 4,389,642 common units and 15,889,642 subordinated units, all of our incentive distribution rights and a 2.0% general partner interest. The public owns the remaining 35.5% limited partner interest. The following diagram depicts our simplified organizational structure:

 

LOGO

Ethanol Storage. Our ethanol storage assets are the principal method of storing the ethanol produced at our parent’s ethanol production plants. Each of our parent’s ethanol production plants are located near major rail lines. Ethanol is distributed from our storage facilities to bulk terminals via truck or railcar.

We own 30 ethanol storage facilities and approximately 47 acres of land. Our storage tanks are located at our parent’s 14 ethanol production plants in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Our ethanol storage tanks have combined storage capacity of approximately 31.8 mmg and aggregate throughput capacity of approximately 1,677 mmgy.

Terminal and Distribution Services. We own and operate eight fuel terminals with access to major rail lines that have combined total storage capacity of approximately 7.4 mmg in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Oklahoma. We also own approximately five acres of land and lease approximately 19 acres of land where our fuel terminals are located.

 

3


Table of Contents

Ethanol is transported from our terminals to third-parties for blending with gasoline and transferred to a loading rack for delivery by truck to retail gas stations. Our Birmingham facility is one of 20 facilities in the United States capable of efficiently receiving and offloading ethanol and other fuels from unit trains.

Transportation and Delivery. Ethanol deliveries to distant markets are shipped using major U.S. rail carriers that can switch cars to other major railroads. Our leased railcar fleet consists of approximately 2,700 railcars with an aggregate capacity of approximately 81.0 mmg as of June 30, 2016. We expect our railcar volumetric capacity will fluctuate over the normal course of business as our existing railcar leases expire and we enter into or acquire new railcar leases. Our volumetric capacity is used to transport product primarily from our fuel terminals or third-party production facilities to international export terminals and refineries located throughout the United States.

We also own and operate a fleet of seven trucks to transport ethanol and other biofuels.

Our executive offices are located at 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and our telephone number is (402) 884-8700. Our website is www.greenplainspartners.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing our securities, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free-writing prospectus. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or unit price could be materially adversely affected. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently anticipate using the net proceeds from the sale of our securities hereby primarily for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to pay off outstanding indebtedness and/or acquire or invest in complementary businesses, products and technologies. Although we have no specific agreements, commitments or understandings with respect to any acquisition, we evaluate acquisition opportunities and engage in related discussions with other companies from time to time.

Pending the use of the net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholder.

 

4


Table of Contents

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated is as follows:

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30,
   Year Ended December 31,
         2016            2015            2014            2013    

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

       6.3            2.5            *            *    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

* The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was negative for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. To achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1:1, we would have had to generate an additional $20.6 million and $12.5 million of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For the purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consists of income before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest charges, amortization of debt issuance costs and an estimate of the interest component of rent expense. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no outstanding preferred units.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include information in the prospectus supplement, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

    common units representing limited partner interests;

 

    preferred units representing preferred limited partner interests;

 

    warrants to purchase common units, preferred units or debt securities of one or more series; and/or

 

    debt securities.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:

 

    designation or classification;

 

    aggregate offering price;

 

    rates and times of payment of dividends, if any;

 

    redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;

 

    ranking;

 

    liquidation rights;

 

    restrictive covenants, if any;

 

    voting or other rights, if any;

 

5


Table of Contents
    conversion prices, if any; and

 

    important United States federal income tax considerations.

The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON UNITS

The Units

The common units and the subordinated units are separate classes of limited partner interests in us. The holders of common units, along with the holders of subordinated units, are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and are entitled to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “Our Partnership Agreement.”

Number of Units

We currently have 15,910,658 common units outstanding, 11,521,016 of which are held by the public and 4,389,642 are held by our parent. The common units represent an aggregate 98.0% limited partner interest. Our general partner owns an aggregate 2.0% general partner interest in us. Our parent also owns 15,889,642 subordinated units, which may be converted into common units on a one-for-one basis upon termination of the subordination period under certain circumstances, as set forth in our partnership agreement.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Duties

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as the registrar and transfer agent for our common units and subordinated units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except the following that must be paid by our unitholders:

 

    surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, or to cover taxes and other governmental charges in connection therewith;

 

    special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and

 

    other similar fees or charges.

Unless our general partner determines otherwise in respect of some or all of any classes of our partnership interests, our partner interests will be evidenced by book entry notation on our partnership register and not by physical certificates.

There is no charge to our unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their respective stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.

 

6


Table of Contents

Resignation or Removal

The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.

Transfer of Common Units

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

 

    automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement;

 

    represents and warrants that the transferee has the right, power, authority and capacity to enter into our partnership agreement; and

 

    gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement.

A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records from time to time as necessary to accurately reflect transfers but no less frequently than quarterly.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Common units are securities and any transfers of common units are subject to the laws governing the transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.

Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or securities exchange regulations.

Exchange Listing

Our common units are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “GPP.”

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED UNITS

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities on the terms and conditions established by our general partner without the approval of any of our limited partners. In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may issue additional partnership interests that have special voting rights to which our common units are not entitled. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no preferred units outstanding.

 

7


Table of Contents

Should we offer preferred units under this prospectus, a prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of preferred units offered will include the specific terms of those preferred units, including, among other things, the following:

 

    the designation, stated value, and liquidation preference of the preferred units and the number of preferred units offered;

 

    the initial public offering price at which the preferred units will be issued;

 

    any conversion or exchange provisions of the preferred units;

 

    any redemption or sinking fund provisions of the preferred units;

 

    the voting rights, if any, of the preferred units;

 

    the distribution rights of the preferred units, if any;

 

    a discussion of any additional material federal income tax considerations regarding the preferred units; and

 

    any additional rights, preferences, privileges, limitations, and restrictions of the preferred units.

 

8


Table of Contents

OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. We will provide investors and prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement, when available, upon request at no charge.

We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

    with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions”;

 

    with regard to the duties of, and standard of care applicable to, our general partner, please read “Conflicts of Interest and Duties”;

 

    with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of the Common Units—Transfer of Common Units”; and

 

    with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Organization and Duration

Our partnership was organized on March 2, 2015 and will have a perpetual existence unless terminated pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement.

Purpose

Our purpose, as set forth under our partnership agreement, is limited to any business activity that is approved by our general partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided that our general partner shall not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.

Although our general partner has the ability to cause us and our subsidiaries to engage in activities other than those related to the midstream energy business, our general partner has no current plans to do so and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interests of our partnership or our limited partners. In general, our general partner is authorized to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.

Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement specifies the manner in which we will pay cash distributions to holders of our common units and other partnership securities as well as to our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights. For a description of these cash distribution provisions please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”

Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “—Limited Liability.”

 

9


Table of Contents

Voting Rights

The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for approval of the matters specified below. Matters that require the approval of a “unit majority” require:

 

    during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding those common units whose vote is controlled by our general partner or its affiliates, and a majority of the outstanding subordinated units, voting as separate classes; and

 

    after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units.

In voting their common units and subordinated units, our general partner and its affiliates have no duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interests of us or the limited partners. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to our parent or to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the specific prior approval of our general partner.

 

Issuance of additional partnership interests    No approval rights.
Amendment of our partnership agreement    Certain amendments may be made by the general partner without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “—Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement.”
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets    Unit majority. Please read “—Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement—Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
Dissolution of our partnership    Unit majority. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”
Continuation of our business upon dissolution    Unit majority. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”
Withdrawal of the general partner    Under most circumstances, the approval of unitholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of the general partner prior to June 30, 2025, in a manner which would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Removal of the general partner    Not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. In addition, any vote to remove our general partner during the subordination period must provide for the election of a successor general partner by the holders of a majority of the common units and a majority of the subordinated units. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Transfer of the general partner interest    Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or

 

10


Table of Contents
   another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person. The approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to June 30, 2025. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interest.”
Transfer of incentive distribution rights    No approval right. Please read “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Reset of incentive distribution levels    No approval right.
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner    No approval right. Please read “—Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner.”

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, or the Delaware Act, and that it otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, its liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital it is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus its share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right of, by the limited partners as a group:

 

    to remove or replace our general partner;

 

    to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or

 

    to take other action under our partnership agreement;

constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that a limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not pay a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their limited partner interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership, except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited is included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of its assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to it at the time it became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.

 

11


Table of Contents

We and our subsidiaries conduct business throughout the United States, except Hawaii and Alaska. Maintenance of our limited liability as a member of our operating companies may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which our operating companies conduct business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.

Limitations on the liability of members or limited partners for the obligations of a limited liability company or limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our ownership interests in our operating subsidiaries or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any jurisdiction without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.

Issuance of Additional Securities

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership interests for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders.

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership interests. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, as determined by our general partner, may have rights to distributions or special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity interests, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.

Our general partner has the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase from us common units, subordinated units or other partnership interests whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those interests to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner and its affiliates, including such interest represented by common units and subordinated units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The other holders of common units will not have preemptive rights under our partnership agreement to acquire additional common units or other partnership interests.

Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. However, our general partner has no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner is required to seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or to call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.

 

12


Table of Contents

Prohibited Amendments

No amendment may be made that would, among other actions:

 

    enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless such is deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or

 

    enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

The provisions of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates).

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner to reflect:

 

    a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

    the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

 

    a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

    an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees, from in any manner, being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, each as amended, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the U.S. Department of Labor;

 

    an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of additional partnership interests or the right to acquire partnership interests;

 

    any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

 

    an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement or plan of conversion that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;

 

    any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, in connection with our conduct of activities permitted by our partnership agreement;

 

    a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and any other changes that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of such change;

 

    mergers with, conveyances to or conversions into another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger, conveyance or conversion other than those it receives by way of the merger, conveyance or conversion; or

 

    any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above.

 

13


Table of Contents

In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner if our general partner determines that those amendments:

 

    do not adversely affect in any material respect the limited partners considered as a whole or any particular class of partnership interests as compared to other classes of partnership interests;

 

    are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;

 

    are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed or admitted to trading;

 

    are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or

 

    are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.

Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval

For any amendment of the type not requiring unitholder approval, our general partner is not required to obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any limited partner under Delaware law. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain such an opinion of counsel.

In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of partnership interests in relation to other classes of partnership interests requires the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of partnership interests so affected. Any amendment that would reduce the percentage of units required to take any action, other than to remove our general partner or call a meeting of unitholders, must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the percentage sought to be reduced. Any amendment that would increase the percentage of units required to remove our general partner must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than 90% of outstanding units. Any amendment that would increase the percentage of units required to call a meeting of unitholders must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute at least a majority of the outstanding units.

Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets

A merger, consolidation or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interest of us or the limited partners.

In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell any or all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without such approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger with another limited liability entity without

 

14


Table of Contents

the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, the transaction would not result in an amendment to our partnership agreement requiring unitholder approval, each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction and the partnership interests to be issued by us in such merger do not exceed 20% of our outstanding partnership interests (other than incentive distribution rights) immediately prior to the transaction.

If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, and our general partner determines that the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and our general partner with the same rights and obligations as contained in our partnership agreement. Our unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other similar transaction or event.

Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until dissolved and terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

    the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal followed by approval and admission of a successor;

 

    the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;

 

    the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or

 

    there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Upon a dissolution under the first clause above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

    the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and

 

    neither our partnership nor any of our subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue.

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless our business is continued, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate to, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions—Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.

 

15


Table of Contents

Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner

Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to June 30, 2025, without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after June 30, 2025, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ written notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than our general partner and its affiliates. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Upon voluntary withdrawal of our general partner by giving notice to the other partners, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree to continue our business by appointing a successor general partner. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”

Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of our outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, voting as a separate class, and subordinated units, voting as a separate class. The ownership of more than 33 1/3% of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal.

Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where “Cause,” as such term is defined in our partnership agreement, does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:

 

    the subordination period will end, and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;

 

    any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

    our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of those interests as of the effective date of its removal.

In the event of removal of our general partner under circumstances where Cause exists or withdrawal of our general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where our general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.

 

16


Table of Contents

If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner will become a limited partner and its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units pursuant to a valuation of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.

In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.

Transfer of General Partner Interest

Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest to (1) an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual), or (2) another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or into such entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such entity, our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest to another person prior to June 30, 2025, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume, among other things, the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.

Our general partner and its affiliates, including our parent, may at any time transfer units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval, except that they may not transfer subordinated units to us.

Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner

At any time, our parent and its affiliates may sell or transfer all or part of their membership interest in our general partner to an affiliate or third party without the approval of our unitholders.

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

At any time, our general partner may sell or transfer its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate or third party without the approval of the unitholders.

Change of Management Provisions

Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove Green Plains Holdings LLC as our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group who are notified by our general partner that they will not lose their voting rights or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”

Limited Call Right

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the limited partner interests of such class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least ten, but not more than 60, days’ written notice.

 

17


Table of Contents

The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:

 

    the highest cash price paid by either our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interests of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and

 

    the daily closing prices of the partnership securities of such class over the 20 trading days preceding the date that is three business days before the date the notice is mailed.

As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of limited partner interests may have his limited partner interests purchased at an undesirable time or at a price that may be lower than market prices at various times prior to such purchase or lower than a unitholder may anticipate the market price to be in the future. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Disposition of Common Units.”

Non-Taxpaying Holders; Redemption

To avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us or any of our future subsidiaries, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum rate, our partnership agreement provides our general partner the power to amend the agreement. If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners (or its owners, to the extent relevant), has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by our subsidiaries, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

    obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of our limited partners (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

    permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of such person’s federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption

If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines we are subject to U.S. federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner (or its owners, to the extent relevant), then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

    obtain proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of our limited partners (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

    permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose nationality, citizenship or other related status creates substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by the general partner to obtain proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

 

18


Table of Contents

Meetings; Voting

Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited.

Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of our unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or, if authorized by our general partner, without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting where all limited partners were present and voted. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage. Our general partner may postpone any meeting of unitholders one or more times for any reason by giving notice to the unitholders entitled to vote at such meeting. Our general partner may also adjourn any meeting of unitholders one or more times for any reason, including the absence of a quorum, without a vote of the unitholders.

Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to its percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “—Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, a direct transferee of our general partner and its affiliates or a transferee of such direct transferee who is notified by our general partner that it will not lose its voting rights, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise. Except as our partnership agreement otherwise provides, subordinated units will vote together with common units as a single class. Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Status as Limited Partner

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Except as described under “—Limited Liability,” the common units are fully paid, and unitholders are not required to make additional contributions.

Indemnification

Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:

 

    our general partner;

 

    any departing general partner;

 

    any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;

 

    any person who is or was a director, officer, managing member, manager, general partner, fiduciary or trustee of us or our subsidiaries, an affiliate of us or our subsidiaries or any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points;

 

19


Table of Contents
    any person who is or was serving as director, officer, managing member, manager, general partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person owing a fiduciary duty to us or any of our subsidiaries at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner or any of their affiliates, excluding any such person providing, on a fee-for-service basis, trustee, fiduciary of custodial services; and

 

    any person designated by our general partner because such person’s status, service or relationship expose such person to potential claims or suits relating to our or our subsidiaries’ business and affairs.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless our general partner otherwise agrees, it will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or lend funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against such liabilities under our partnership agreement.

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. The expenses for which we are required to reimburse our general partner are not subject to any caps or other limits.

Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both financial reporting and tax purposes on an accrual basis. For fiscal and tax reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.

We furnish or make available to record holders of common units, within 105 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we also furnish or make available summary financial information within 50 days after the close of each quarter. We are deemed to have made any such report available if we file such report with the SEC on EDGAR or make the report available on a publicly available website which we maintain.

We furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to our unitholders depends on the cooperation of our unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder receives information to assist him in determining its federal and state tax liability and filing its federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.

Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to its interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at its own expense, have furnished to such limited partner:

 

    a current list of the name and last known address of each record holder;

 

    copies of our partnership agreement and our certificate of limited partnership and all amendments thereto; and

 

    certain information regarding the status of our business and financial condition.

 

20


Table of Contents

Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner determines is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential. Our partnership agreement limits the right to information that a limited partner would otherwise have under Delaware law.

Under our partnership agreement, however, each of our limited partners and other persons who acquire interests in our partnership interests do not have rights to receive information from us or any of the persons we indemnify as described above under “—Indemnification” for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against us or those indemnified persons relating to our affairs, except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to the litigation commenced by the person seeking information.

Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units or other partnership interests proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates, other than individuals, or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.

Applicable Law; Exclusive Forum

Our partnership agreement is governed by Delaware law.

Our partnership agreement requires that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (1) arising out of or relating in any way to our partnership agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of our partnership agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among our partners, or obligations or liabilities of our partners to us, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, our partners or us), (2) brought in a derivative manner on our behalf, (3) asserting a claim of breach of a duty owed by any of our, or our general partner’s, directors, officers, or other employees, or owed by our general partner, to us or our partners, (4) asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (5) asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case, shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State or Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud, or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims. Additionally, any person who brings any of the aforementioned claims, suits, actions or proceedings irrevocably waives a right to trial by jury. By purchasing a common unit, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these limitations and provisions regarding claims, suits, actions or proceedings and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or such other Delaware court) in connection with any such claims, suits, actions or proceedings.

Although we believe this provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors and officers. The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation or similar governing documents have been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any action, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our partnership agreement to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action.

Reimbursement of Partnership Litigation Costs

Our partnership agreement provides that if a limited partner or any person holding a beneficial interest in us files a claim, suit, action or proceeding against us and does not obtain a judgment on the merits that substantially achieves, in substance and amount, the full remedy sought in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding, then

 

21


Table of Contents

such partner or person will be obligated to reimburse us and our affiliates for all fees, costs and expenses of every kind and description, including but not limited to all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation expenses, that the parties may incur in connection with such claim, suit, action or proceeding. For purposes of these provisions, “our affiliates” means any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with us, and “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person. Examples of “our affiliates,” as used in these provisions, include Green Plains, our general partner, and the directors and officers of our general partner, and, depending on the situation, other third parties that fit within the definition of “our affiliates” described above.

A limited partner or any person holding a beneficial interest in us (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise) will become subject to these provisions. By purchasing a common unit, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these reimbursement obligations as set forth in the partnership agreement. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us and our general partner’s directors and officers that might otherwise benefit us and our unitholders.

The reimbursement provision in our partnership agreement is not limited to specific types of unitholder action but is rather potentially applicable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Such reimbursement provisions are relatively new and untested. The case law and potential legislative action on these types of reimbursement provisions are evolving and there exists considerable uncertainty regarding the validity of, and potential judicial and legislative responses to, such provisions. For example, it is unclear whether our ability to invoke such reimbursement in connection with unitholder actions under the federal securities laws would be pre-empted by federal law. Similarly, it is unclear how courts might apply the standard that a claiming party must obtain a judgment that substantially achieves, in substance and amount, the full remedy sought. For example, in the event the claiming party were to allege multiple claims and does not receive a favorable judgment for the full remedy sought for each of its alleged claims, it is unclear how courts would apportion our fees, costs and expenses, and whether courts would require the claiming party to reimburse us and our affiliates in full for all fees, costs and expenses relating to each of the claims, including those for which the claiming party received the remedy it sought. The application of our reimbursement provision in connection with such unitholder actions, if any, will depend in part on future developments of the law. This uncertainty may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against us and our general partner’s directors and officers that might otherwise benefit us and our unitholders. In addition, given the unsettled state of the law related to reimbursement provisions, such as ours, we may incur significant additional costs associated with resolving disputes with respect to such provision, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

22


Table of Contents

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND DUTIES

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships between our general partner and its affiliates, including our parent and Green Plains Trade, on the one hand, and us and our unaffiliated limited partners, on the other hand. Conflicts of interest may arise as a result of the duties of our general partner and its directors and officers to act for the benefit of its owners, which may conflict with our interest and the interests of our public unitholders. We are managed and operated by the board of directors and officers of our general partner, which is owned by our parent. All of our initial officers and a majority of our initial directors will also be officers or directors of our parent. Although our general partner has a contractual duty to manage us in a manner that it believes is in our best interest, the directors and officers of our general partner who are also directors and officers of our parent have a fiduciary duty to manage our parent in a manner that is beneficial to our parent and its shareholders. Our partnership agreement specifically defines the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken that, without these defined liability standards, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under applicable Delaware law. The Delaware Act provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict or eliminate the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by the general partner to the limited partners and the partnership.

Whenever a conflict of interest arises between our general partner or its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or any other partner, on the other, our general partner will resolve that conflict. Our general partner may seek the approval of such resolution from the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner (“special approval”) or from our unitholders (“unitholder approval”), but our general partner is not required to do so. There is no requirement under our partnership agreement that our general partner seek special approval or unitholder approval for the resolution of any conflict of interest, and, under our partnership agreement, our general partner may decide to seek such approval or resolve a conflict of interest in any other way permitted by our partnership agreement, in its sole discretion. The board of directors of our general partner will decide whether to refer a matter to the conflicts committee or to our unitholders on a case-by-case basis. In determining whether to refer a matter to the conflicts committee or to our unitholders for approval, the board of directors of our general partner will consider a variety of factors, including the nature of the conflict, the size and dollar amount involved, the identity of the parties involved and any other factors the board of directors deems relevant in determining whether it will seek special approval or unitholder approval. Whenever the board of directors of our general partner makes a determination to seek special approval, to seek unitholder approval or to adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received special approval or unitholder approval, then the general partner is acting in its individual capacity, which means that it may act free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our unitholders and will not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard or duty imposed by our partnership agreement or under applicable law. For a more detailed discussion of the duties applicable to our general partner, as well as the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, please read “—Duties of the General Partner” below.

Our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under our partnership agreement or its duties to us or our unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:

 

    approved by special approval, which our partnership agreement defines as approval by a majority of the members of the conflicts committee; or

 

    approved by unitholder approval, which our partnership agreement defines as the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our general partner or any of its affiliates.

If our general partner seeks special approval or unitholder approval, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the conflicts committee acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership challenging such determination, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. If our general partner does not obtain special

 

23


Table of Contents

approval or unitholder approval, then our general partner, the board of directors of our general partner or any committee of the board of directors of our general partner, as applicable, will make such determination or take or decline to take any action in good faith, and none of our general partner, the board of directors of our general partner or any committee of the board of directors of our general partner (including the conflicts committee), as applicable, will be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard under our partnership agreement or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Under our partnership agreement, it will be presumed that, in making its decision, our general partner, the board of directors of our general partner or any committee of the board of directors of our general partner (including the conflicts committee), as applicable, acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership challenging such determination, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption and proving that such decision was not in good faith. Unless the resolution of a conflict is specifically provided for in our partnership agreement, the board of directors of our general partner or the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors may consider any factors it determines in good faith to consider when resolving a conflict. An independent third party is not required to evaluate such resolution. A determination or the taking or declining to take an action will be conclusively deemed to be in “good faith” for purposes of our partnership agreement if the person or persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such action subjectively believes (i) that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the partnership, or (ii) in the case of any provision of the partnership agreement that provides an express standard or required determination, that such express standard or required determination has been met. In taking such action, such person may take into account the totality of the circumstances or the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other relationships or transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us. If that person has the required subjective belief, then the decision or action will be conclusively deemed to be in good faith for all purposes under our partnership agreement.

It is possible, but we believe it is unlikely, that our general partner would approve a matter that the conflicts committee has previously declined to approve or declined to recommend that the full board of directors approve. If the conflicts committee does not approve or does not recommend that the full board of directors approve a matter that has been presented to it, then, unless the board of directors of our general partner has delegated exclusive authority to the conflicts committee, the board of directors of our general partner may subsequently approve the matter. In such a case, although the matter will not have received “special approval” under our partnership agreement, the board of directors of our general partner could still determine to resolve the conflict of interest solely under the good faith standard. In making any such determination, the board of directors of our general partner may take into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.

Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.

Except as provided in our omnibus agreement, affiliates of our general partner, including our parent and Green Plains Trade, may compete with us, and neither our general partner nor its affiliates have any obligation to present business opportunities to us.

Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will be restricted from engaging in any business activities other than acting as our general partner (or as general partner of another company of which we are a partner or member) or those activities incidental to its ownership of interests in us. Except as set forth in our omnibus agreement, affiliates of our general partner, including our parent and Green Plains Trade, are not prohibited from engaging in other businesses or activities, including those that might compete with us.

Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, will not apply to our general partner or any of its affiliates, including its executive officers and directors and our parent and Green Plains Trade. Any such person or entity that becomes aware of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for us will not have any duty to communicate

 

24


Table of Contents

or offer such opportunity to us. Any such person or entity will not be liable to us or to any limited partner for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty by reason of the fact that such person or entity pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another person or entity or does not communicate such opportunity or information to us. Our parent and Green Plains Trade may compete with us for acquisition opportunities, may own an interest in entities that compete with us and will have no obligation to provide us with any acquisition opportunity.

Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as our parent, in resolving conflicts of interest.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce and modify the standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, free of any duty or obligation to us and our unitholders. When acting in its individual capacity, our general partner is entitled to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and relieves it of any duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us or any limited partner. Examples of decisions that our general partner may make in its individual capacity include the allocation of corporate opportunities among us and our affiliates, whether to exercise its limited call right and registration rights, how to exercise its voting rights with respect to the units it owns, whether or not to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the partnership or amendment to our partnership agreement, whether to elect to reset target distribution levels, and whether to refer or not refer any potential conflict of interest to the conflicts committee for special approval or to seek or not to seek unitholder approval.

Our partnership agreement replaces the fiduciary duties that would otherwise be owed by our general partner with contractual standards governing its duties, and limits our general partner’s liabilities and the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under applicable Delaware law.

In addition to the provisions described above, our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the remedies available to our limited partners for actions that might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty under applicable Delaware law. For example, our partnership agreement:

 

    permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. When acting in its individual capacity, our general partner is entitled to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us or any limited partner;

 

    provides that the general partner will have no liability to us or our limited partners for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as such decisions are made in good faith reliance on the provisions of our partnership agreement;

 

    generally provides that in a situation involving a transaction with an affiliate or other conflict of interest, any determination by our general partner must be made in good faith. If an affiliate transaction or the resolution of another conflict of interest does not receive special approval or unitholder approval then our general partner will make such determination or take or decline to take any action in good faith, and neither our general partner nor the board of directors of our general partner will be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard under our partnership agreement or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Under our partnership agreement, it will be presumed that in making its decision, our general partner (including the board of directors of our general partner) acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us challenging such decision, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption; and

 

25


Table of Contents
    provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners resulting from any act or omission unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or its officers or directors, as the case may be, acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was unlawful.

By purchasing a common unit, a common unitholder will be deemed to have agreed to become bound by the provisions in our partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.

Except in limited circumstances, our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval.

Under our partnership agreement, our general partner has full power and authority to do all things, other than those items that require unitholder approval, on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct our business including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into our securities, and the incurring of any other obligations;

 

    the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of our securities, or the issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our securities;

 

    the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of our assets;

 

    the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments;

 

    the distribution of our cash;

 

    the selection and dismissal of employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

 

    the maintenance of insurance for our benefit and the benefit of our partners;

 

    the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, the contribution of property to, and the making of loans to, any limited or general partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company or other entity;

 

    the control of any matters affecting our rights and obligations, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity, otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense, the settlement of claims and litigation;

 

    the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

 

    the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or the rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over our business or assets; and

 

    the entry into agreements with any of its affiliates to render services to us or to itself in the discharge of its duties as our general partner.

Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner must act in good faith when making decisions on our behalf in its capacity as our general partner, and our partnership agreement further provides that in order for a determination to be made in good faith, our general partner must subjectively believe that the determination is in the best interests of our partnership. In making such determination, our general partner may take into account the totality of the circumstances or the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other relationships or transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us. When our general partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, it may act free of any duty or obligation to us or our limited partners. Please read “Our Partnership Agreement—Voting Rights” for information regarding matters that require unitholder approval.

 

26


Table of Contents

Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders or accelerate the right to convert subordinated units.

The amount of cash that is available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions of our general partner regarding such matters as the amount and timing of:

 

    asset purchases and sales;

 

    cash expenditures;

 

    borrowings and repayments of indebtedness;

 

    the issuance of additional partnership interests; and

 

    the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter.

Our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditures and whether a capital expenditure is classified as a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating surplus, or an expansion capital expenditure, which does not reduce operating surplus. This determination can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders and to our general partner, the amount of adjusted operating surplus generated in any given period and the ability of the subordinated units to convert into common units.

In addition, our general partner may use an amount, initially equal to $40.0 million, which would not otherwise constitute available cash from operating surplus, in order to permit the payment of cash distributions on its units, general partner interest and incentive distribution rights. All of these actions may affect the amount of cash distributed to our unitholders and our general partner and may facilitate the conversion of subordinated units into common units. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions.”

In addition, borrowings by us and our affiliates do not constitute a breach of any duty owed by our general partner to our unitholders, including borrowings that have the purpose or effect of:

 

    enabling our general partner or its affiliates, including our parent, to receive distributions on any subordinated units held by them or the incentive distribution rights; or

 

    accelerating the expiration of the subordination period.

For example, in the event we have not generated sufficient cash from our operations to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units and our subordinated units, our partnership agreement permits us to borrow working capital funds, which would enable us to make such distribution on all outstanding units. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions—Subordinated Units and Subordination Period.”

Our partnership agreement provides that we and our subsidiaries may borrow funds from our general partner and its affiliates. Our general partner and its affiliates may not borrow funds from us, or our operating companies.

We reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for expenses.

We reimburse our general partner and its affiliates, including our parent, for costs incurred in managing and operating us. Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner determines the expenses that are allocable to us in good faith, and it will charge on a fully allocated cost basis for services provided to us. Our operational services and secondment agreement and omnibus agreement also each address our payment of monthly amounts to, and our reimbursement of, our general partner and its affiliates for these costs and services.

Contracts between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, are not and will not be the result of arm’s-length negotiations.

Our partnership agreement allows our general partner to determine, in good faith, any amounts to pay itself or its affiliates for any services rendered to us. Our general partner may also enter into additional contractual

 

27


Table of Contents

arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf. Our general partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any arrangements or transactions. While neither our partnership agreement nor any of the other agreements, contracts, and arrangements between us and our general partner and its affiliates are or will be the result of arm’s- length negotiations, we believe the terms of all of our current agreements with our general partner and its affiliates are, and specifically intend the rates to be, generally no less favorable to either party than those that could have been negotiated with unaffiliated parties with respect to similar services. Similarly, agreements, contracts or arrangements between us and our general partner and its affiliates that are entered into in the future will not be required to be negotiated on an arm’s-length basis, although, in some circumstances, our general partner may determine that the conflicts committee may make a determination on our behalf with respect to such arrangements.

Our general partner and its affiliates have no obligation to permit us to use any facilities or assets of our general partner and its affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into specifically for such use. There is no obligation of our general partner and its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind.

Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations.

Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements and other obligations so that counterparties to such agreements have recourse only against our assets and not against our general partner or its assets or any affiliate of our general partner or its assets. Our partnership agreement provides that any action taken by our general partner to limit its liability is not a breach of our general partner’s fiduciary duties, even if we could have obtained terms that are more favorable without the limitation on liability.

Common units are subject to our general partner’s limited call right.

Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase common units, as provided in our partnership agreement, or may assign this right to one of its affiliates or to us. Our general partner may use its own discretion, free of any duty or liability to us or our unitholders, in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a common unitholder may have to sell its common units at an undesirable time or price. Please read “Our Partnership Agreement—Limited Call Right.”

Common unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our general partner and its affiliates under agreements with us.

Any agreements between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the obligations of our general partner and its affiliates in our favor.

Our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.

The attorneys, independent accountants and others who perform services for us have been retained by our general partner. Attorneys, independent accountants and others who perform services for us are selected by our general partner or the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner and may perform services for our general partner and its affiliates. We may retain separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of common units in the event of a conflict of interest between our general partner and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of common units, on the other, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.

 

28


Table of Contents

Our general partner may elect to cause us to issue common units and general partner interests to it in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels related to our general partner’s incentive distribution rights without the approval of our conflicts committee or our unitholders. This election may result in lower distributions to our common unitholders in certain situations.

Our general partner has the right, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and it has received incentive distributions at the highest level to which it is entitled (48%) for each of the prior four consecutive calendar quarters, to reset the initial target distribution levels at higher levels based on our cash distribution level at the time of the exercise of the reset election. Furthermore, our general partner has the right to transfer all or any portion of the incentive distribution rights at any time, and such transferee shall have the same rights as our general partner relative to resetting target distributions if our general partner concurs that the tests for resetting target distributions have been fulfilled. Following a reset election by our general partner, the minimum quarterly distribution will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution per common unit for the two calendar quarters immediately preceding the reset election (such amount is referred to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”), and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases above the reset minimum quarterly distribution.

We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit without such conversion; however, it is possible that our general partner or a transferee could exercise this reset election at a time when we are experiencing declines in our aggregate cash distributions or at a time when our general partner expects that we will experience declines in our aggregate cash distributions in the foreseeable future. In such situations, our general partner may be experiencing, or may expect to experience, declines in the cash distributions it receives related to its incentive distribution rights and may therefore desire to be issued common units, which are entitled to specified priorities with respect to our distributions and which therefore may be more advantageous for the general partner to own in lieu of the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on target distribution levels that are less certain to be achieved in the then current business environment. As a result, a reset election may cause our common unitholders to experience dilution in the amount of cash distributions that they would have otherwise received had we not issued common units to our general partner in connection with resetting the target distribution levels related to our general partner’s incentive distribution rights. Please read “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions—General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Duties of the General Partner

Duties owed to unitholders by our general partner are prescribed by law and in our partnership agreement. The Delaware Act provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict or eliminate the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by the general partner to limited partners and the partnership, provided that partnership agreements may not eliminate the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This implied covenant is a judicial doctrine utilized by Delaware courts in connection with interpreting ambiguities in partnership agreements and other contracts and does not form the basis of any separate or independent fiduciary duty in addition to the express contractual duties set forth in our partnership agreement. Under the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, a court will enforce the reasonable expectations of the partners where the language in our partnership agreement does not provide for a clear course of action.

As permitted by the Delaware Act, our partnership agreement contains various provisions eliminating and replacing the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner with contractual standards governing the duties of our general partner and contractual methods of resolving conflicts of interest. We have adopted these provisions to allow our general partner or its affiliates to engage in transactions with us that might otherwise be prohibited by state-law fiduciary standards and to take into account the interests of other parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is appropriate and necessary

 

29


Table of Contents

because the board of directors of our general partner has duties to manage our general partner in a manner that is in the best interests of its owners in addition to the best interests of our partnership. Without these provisions, our general partner’s ability to make decisions involving conflicts of interest would be restricted. These provisions enable our general partner to take into consideration the interests of all parties involved in the proposed action. These provisions also strengthen the ability of our general partner to attract and retain experienced and capable directors. These provisions disadvantage the common unitholders because they restrict the rights and remedies that would otherwise be available to such unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below, and permit our general partner to take into account the interests of third parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. The following is a summary of the fiduciary duties imposed on general partners of a limited partnership by the Delaware Act in the absence of partnership agreement provisions to the contrary, the contractual duties of our general partner contained in our partnership agreement that replace the fiduciary duties that would otherwise be imposed by Delaware laws on our general partner and the rights and remedies of our unitholders with respect to these contractual duties:

 

State law fiduciary duty standards    Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include an obligation to act in good faith and with due care and loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to act for the partnership in the same manner as a prudent person would act on his own behalf. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally prohibit a general partner of a Delaware limited partnership from taking any action or engaging in any transaction where a conflict of interest is present unless such transactions were entirely fair to the partnership.
Partnership agreement modified standards    Our partnership agreement contains provisions that waive or consent to conduct by our general partner and its affiliates that might otherwise raise issues as to compliance with fiduciary duties or applicable law. For example, our partnership agreement provides that when our general partner is acting in its capacity as our general partner, as opposed to in its individual capacity, it must act in good faith, meaning that it subjectively believed that the decision was in the best interests of our partnership, and our general partner will not be subject to any higher standard under our partnership agreement or applicable law. If our general partner has the required subjective belief, then the decision or action will be conclusively deemed to be in good faith for all purposes under our partnership agreement. In taking such action, our general partner may take into account the totality of the circumstances or the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other relationships or transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us. In addition, when our general partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, it may act free of any duty or obligation to us or our limited partners. These contractual standards replace the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held. If our general partner seeks approval from the conflicts committee, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the conflicts committee acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership challenging such determination, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. If our general partner does not seek special approval from our conflicts committee or unitholder approval,

 

30


Table of Contents
   then our general partner will make such determination or take or decline to take any action in good faith, and neither our general partner nor the board of directors of our general partner will be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard under our partnership agreement or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Under our partnership agreement, it will be presumed that, in making its decision, our general partner (including the board of directors of our general partner) acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or us challenging such approval, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
   In addition to the other more specific provisions limiting the obligations of our general partner, our partnership agreement further provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners for errors of judgment or for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or its officers and directors acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was unlawful.
Rights and remedies of unitholders    The Delaware Act generally provides that a limited partner may institute legal action on behalf of the partnership to recover damages from a third party where a general partner has refused to institute the action or where an effort to cause a general partner to do so is not likely to succeed. These actions include actions against a general partner for breach of its fiduciary duties, if any, or of the partnership agreement. In addition, the statutory or case law of some jurisdictions may permit a limited partner to institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated limited partners to recover damages from a general partner for violations of its fiduciary duties to the limited partners.

By purchasing our common units, each common unitholder automatically agrees to be bound by the provisions in our partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. This is in accordance with the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner to sign a partnership agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.

Under our partnership agreement, we must indemnify our general partner and its officers, directors and managers, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our general partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that these persons acted in bad faith or engaged in actual fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was unlawful. Thus, our general partner could be indemnified for its negligent acts if it met the requirements set forth above. To the extent that these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and therefore unenforceable. Please read “Our Partnership Agreement—Indemnification.”

 

31


Table of Contents

PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT RELATING TO CASH DISTRIBUTIONS

Set forth below is a summary of the significant provisions of our partnership agreement that relate to cash distributions.

Distributions of Available Cash

General

Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

Definition of Available Cash

Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:

 

    less, the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to:

 

    provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for our future capital expenditures, future acquisitions and anticipated future debt service requirements);

 

    comply with applicable law, any of our or our subsidiaries’ debt instruments or other agreements or any other obligation; or

 

    provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that our general partner may not establish cash reserves for distributions if the effect of the establishment of such reserves will prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter);

 

    plus, if our general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.

The purpose and effect of the last bullet point above is to allow our general partner, if it so decides, to use cash from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to pay distributions to unitholders. Under our partnership agreement, working capital borrowings are generally borrowings incurred under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to our partners and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within twelve months with funds other than from additional working capital borrowings.

Intent to Distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

Under our current cash distribution policy, we intend to pay a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units of $0.40 per unit, or $1.60 per unit on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient available cash after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to our general partner and its affiliates. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our units in any quarter. The amount of distributions paid under our cash distribution policy and the decision to pay any distribution will be determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Our general partner is entitled to 2% of all quarterly distributions from inception that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of

 

32


Table of Contents

capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest. The general partner’s initial 2% general partner interest in these distributions will be reduced if we issue additional limited partner interests in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2% general partner interest.

Our general partner also holds incentive distribution rights that entitle it to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 48%, of the available cash we distribute from operating surplus (as defined below) in excess of $0.46 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 48% does not include any distributions that our general partner or its affiliates may receive on the general partner interest, common units or subordinated units that they may own. Please read “—General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” for additional information.

Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

General

All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either being paid from “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.

Operating Surplus

We define operating surplus as:

 

    $40.0 million (as described below); plus

 

    all of our cash receipts after the closing of our IPO, excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined below), provided that cash receipts from the termination of a commodity hedge or interest rate hedge prior to its specified settlement or termination date will be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such commodity hedge or interest rate hedge had it not been terminated; plus

 

    working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for that quarter; plus

 

    cash distributions (including incremental distributions on incentive distribution rights) paid in respect of equity issued, other than equity issued on the closing date of our IPO, to finance all or a portion of expansion capital expenditures in respect of the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date the capital asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; plus

 

    cash distributions (including incremental distributions on incentive distribution rights) paid in respect of equity issued to pay the construction period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance all or a portion of expansion capital expenditures in respect of the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date the capital asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; less

 

    all of our operating expenditures (as defined below) after the closing of our IPO; less

 

    the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

 

    all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings.

As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders and is not limited to cash generated by our operations. For example, it includes a provision that

 

33


Table of Contents

will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $40.0 million of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, the effect of including, as described above, certain cash distributions on equity interests in operating surplus will be to increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash distributions. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash that we receive from non-operating sources.

The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus and repayments of working capital borrowings are generally operating expenditures (as described below) and thus reduce operating surplus when repayments are made. However, if working capital borrowings, which increase operating surplus, are not repaid during the twelve-month period following the borrowing, they will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowings are in fact repaid, they will not be treated as a further reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.

We define interim capital transactions as (1) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than working capital borrowings and items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) and sales of debt securities, (2) sales of equity securities, (3) sales or other dispositions of assets, other than sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal asset retirements or replacements and (4) capital contributions received by us.

We define operating expenditures as all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates, officer, director and employee compensation, debt service payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate hedge contracts and commodity hedge contracts (provided that payments made in connection with the termination of any interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date will be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract and amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of an interest rate hedge contract or a commodity hedge contract will be amortized over the life of such interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract), maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), and repayment of working capital borrowings; provided, however, that operating expenditures will not include:

 

    repayments of working capital borrowings where such borrowings have previously been deemed to have been repaid (as described above);

 

    payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties and the purchase price of indebtedness that is repurchased and cancelled) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than working capital borrowings;

 

    expansion capital expenditures;

 

    payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to interim capital transactions;

 

    distributions to our partners (including distributions in respect of our incentive distribution rights);

 

    repurchases of our equity interests (excluding repurchases we make to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans); or

 

    any other expenditures or payments using the proceeds of our IPO.

Capital Surplus

Capital surplus is defined in our partnership agreement as any distribution of available cash in excess of our cumulative operating surplus. Accordingly, except as described above, capital surplus would generally be generated by interim capital transactions.

 

34


Table of Contents

Characterization of Cash Distributions

All available cash distributed by us on any date from any source will be treated as distributed from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed by us since the closing of our IPO equals the operating surplus from the closing of our IPO through the end of the quarter immediately preceding that distribution. We anticipate that distributions from operating surplus generally will not represent a return of capital. However, operating surplus, as defined in our partnership agreement, includes certain components, including a $40.0 million cash basket, that represent non-operating sources of cash. Consequently, it is possible that all or a portion of specific distributions from operating surplus may represent a return of capital. Any available cash distributed by us in excess of our cumulative operating surplus will be deemed to be capital surplus under our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from this initial public offering and as a return of capital. We do not anticipate that we will pay any distributions from capital surplus.

Capital Expenditures

Maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) made to maintain, over the long term, our operating capacity or operating income. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures are expenditures to repair, refurbish and replace unloading equipment or other equipment at our facilities, to maintain equipment reliability, integrity and safety and to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

Expansion capital expenditures are cash expenditures incurred for acquisitions or capital improvements that we expect will increase our operating capacity or operating income over the long term. Examples of expansion capital expenditures include the acquisition of equipment, or the construction, development or acquisition of additional unloading equipment or other equipment at our facilities, to the extent such capital expenditures are expected to expand our long-term operating capacity or operating income. Expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance all or a portion of expansion capital expenditures in respect of the period from the date that we enter into a binding obligation to commence the construction, development, replacement, improvement or expansion of a capital asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such capital improvement commences commercial service and the date that such capital improvement is abandoned or disposed of.

Capital expenditures that are made in part for maintenance capital purposes and in part for expansion capital purposes will be allocated as maintenance capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditures by our general partner.

Subordinated Units and Subordination Period

General

Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (as described below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.40 per common unit, which amount is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Subordinated units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period of time, referred to as the “subordination period,” the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions of available cash from operating surplus until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will accrue or be payable on the subordinated units. Furthermore, no

 

35


Table of Contents

arrearages will accrue or be payable on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that, during the subordination period, there will be sufficient available cash from operating surplus to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

Subordination Period

Except as described below, the subordination period began on the closing date of our IPO and will extend until the first business day following the distribution of available cash in respect of any quarter beginning after June 30, 2018, that each of the following tests are met:

 

    distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $1.60 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;

 

    the “adjusted operating surplus” (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of $1.60 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest during those periods on a fully diluted weighted average basis; and

 

    there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

Early Termination of the Subordination Period

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subordination period will automatically terminate, and all of the subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, on the first business day following the distribution of available cash in respect of any quarter, beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2016, that each of the following tests are met:

 

    distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $2.40 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) for the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date;

 

    the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of (1) $2.40 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 2% general partner interest during that period on a fully diluted weighted average basis and (2) the corresponding distributions on the incentive distribution rights; and

 

    there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distributions on the common units.

Expiration Upon Removal of the General Partner

In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause:

 

    the subordinated units held by any person will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis, provided (1) neither such person nor any of its affiliates voted any of its units in favor of the removal and (2) such person is not an affiliate of the successor general partner;

 

    if all of the subordinated units convert pursuant to the foregoing, all cumulative common unit arrearages on the common units will be extinguished and the subordination period will end; and

 

    our general partner will have the right to convert its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.

 

36


Table of Contents

Expiration of the Subordination Period

When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will thereafter participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash.

Adjusted Operating Surplus

Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net drawdowns of reserves of cash established in prior periods. Adjusted operating surplus for a period consists of:

 

    operating surplus generated with respect to that period (excluding any amounts attributable to the item described in the first bullet under the caption “—Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus—Operating Surplus” above); less

 

    any net increase in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; less

 

    any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus

 

    any net decrease in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; plus

 

    any net decrease made in subsequent periods to cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to that period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods; plus

 

    any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period

If we pay a distribution of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period, our partnership agreement requires that we pay the distribution in the following manner:

 

    first, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

    second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period;

 

    third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

    thereafter, in the manner described in “—General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus After the Subordination Period

If we pay a distribution of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period, our partnership agreement requires that we pay the distribution in the following manner:

 

    first, 98% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

    thereafter, in the manner described in “—General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

 

37


Table of Contents

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner initially will be entitled to 2% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest if we issue additional limited partner interests. Our general partner’s 2% general partner interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled from such 2% general partner interest, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional limited partner interests in the future (other than the issuance of common units upon the issuance of common units upon conversion of outstanding subordinated units or the issuance of common units upon a reset of the incentive distribution rights) and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2% general partner interest. Our partnership agreement does not require that our general partner fund its capital contribution with cash. Our general partner may instead fund its capital contribution by the contribution to us of common units or other property.

Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13%, 23% and 48%, in addition to distributions paid on the general partner’s 2% general partner interest) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved for certain specified time periods. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights at any time separately from its general partner interest.

The following discussion assumes that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that our general partner continues to own the incentive distribution rights.

If for any quarter:

 

    we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common unitholders and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and

 

    we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:

 

    first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.46 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);

 

    second, 85% to all common unitholders and subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.50 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);

 

    third, 75% to all common unitholders and subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.60 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and

 

    thereafter, 50% to all common unitholders and subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner.

Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights) based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the

 

38


Table of Contents

percentage interests of our general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights) and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit Target Amount.” The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 2% general partner interest, our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that there are no arrearages on common units.

 

                   Marginal Percentage Interest in
Distributions
 
     Total Quarterly
Distribution Per Unit
Target Amount
     Common
Unitholders
    Subordinated
Unitholders
    General
Partner (as
Holder of
Our

Incentive
Distribution

Rights)
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

   $ 0.40            49.0     49.0     2.0

First Target Distribution

   above $ 0.40       up to $ 0.46         49.0     49.0     2.0

Second Target Distribution

   above $ 0.46       up to $ 0.50         42.5     42.5     15.0

Third Target Distribution

   above $ 0.50       up to $ 0.60         37.5     37.5     25.0

Thereafter

   above $ 0.60            25.0     25.0     50.0

General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels

Our general partner, as the initial holder of our incentive distribution rights, has the right under our partnership agreement, subject to certain conditions, to elect to relinquish the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on the initial target distribution levels and to reset, at higher levels, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to our general partner would be set. If our general partner transfers all or a portion of the incentive distribution rights in the future, then the holder or holders of a majority of our incentive distribution rights will be entitled to exercise this right. The following discussion assumes that our general partner holds all of the incentive distribution rights at the time that a reset election is made. The right of the holder of the incentive distribution rights to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to the holder of the incentive distribution rights are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the conflicts committee of our general partner, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding, we have made cash distributions to the holders of the incentive distribution rights at the highest level of incentive distributions for each of the four consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding such time and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed adjusted operating surplus for such quarter. If our general partner and its affiliates are not the holders of a majority of the incentive distribution rights at the time an election is made to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels, then the proposed reset will be subject to the prior written concurrence of the general partner that the conditions described above have been satisfied. The reset minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels will be higher than the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that the holder of the incentive distribution rights will not receive any incentive distributions under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to our general partner.

In connection with the resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment by our general partner of incentive distribution payments based on the target distributions prior to the reset, our general partner will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued common units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the “cash parity” value

 

39


Table of Contents

of the average cash distributions related to the incentive distribution rights received by our general partner for the two quarters immediately preceding the reset event as compared to the average cash distributions per common unit during that two-quarter period.

The number of common units that our general partner (or the then-holder of the incentive distribution rights, if other than our general partner) would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election by (y) the average of the aggregate amount of cash distributed per common unit during each of these two quarters.

Following a reset election, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per common unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (which amount we refer to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:

 

    first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 115% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

    second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 125% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter;

 

    third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 150% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter; and

 

    thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner.

Because a reset election can only occur after the subordination period expires, the reset minimum quarterly distribution will have no significance except as a baseline for the target distribution levels.

The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights) at various cash distribution levels (1) pursuant to the cash distribution provisions of our partnership agreement, as well as (2) following a hypothetical reset of the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels based on the assumption that the average quarterly cash distribution amount per common unit during the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election was $0.65.

 

    

Quarterly

Distribution

Per Unit

Prior to Reset

   Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
 

Quarterly

Distribution

Per Unit

Following

Hypothetical

Reset

      Common
Unitholders
  2%
General

Partner
Interest
  Incentive
Distribution
Rights
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

   $0.40    98.0%   2.0%   0.0%   $0.65

First Target Distribution

   above $0.40 up to $0.46    98.0%   2.0%   0.0%   above $0.65 up to $0.7475(1)

Second Target Distribution

   above $0.46 up to $0.50    85.0%   2.0%   13.0%   above $0.7475 up to $0.8125(2)

Third Target Distribution

   above $0.50 up to $0.60    75.0%   2.0%   23.0%   above $0.8125 up to $0.9750(3)

Thereafter

   above $0.60    50.0%   2.0%   48.0%   above $0.9750(3)

 

(1) This amount is 115% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.
(2) This amount is 125% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.
(3) This amount is 150% of the hypothetical reset minimum quarterly distribution.

 

40


Table of Contents

The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and our general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights), including in respect of incentive distribution rights, based on an average of the amounts distributed for the two quarters immediately prior to the reset. The table assumes that immediately prior to the reset there would be 31,800,300 common units outstanding, our general partner’s 2% general partner interest has been maintained and the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65 per quarter for the two consecutive, non-overlapping quarters prior to the reset.

 

    

Quarterly

Distribution

Per Unit

Prior to
Reset

   Cash
Distributions
to Common

Unitholders
Prior to
Reset
     Cash Distributions to General
Partner Prior to Reset
     Total
Distributions
 
           Common
Units
     2%
General

Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution
Rights
     Total     
Minimum Quarterly Distribution    $0.40    $ 12,720,120       $ —         $ 259,594       $ —         $ 259,594       $ 12,979,714   
First Target Distribution    above $0.40 up to $0.46      1,908,018         —           38,939         —           38,939         1,946,957   
Second Target Distribution    above $0.46 up to $0.50      1,272,012         —           29,930         194,543         224,473         1,496,485   
Third Target Distribution    above $0.50 up to $0.60      3,180,030         —           84,801         975,209         1,060,010         4,240,040   
Thereafter    above $0.60      1,590,015         —           63,601         1,526,414         1,590,015         3,180,030   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 20,670,195       $ —         $ 476,865       $ 2,696,166       $ 3,173,031       $ 23,843,226   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and the general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights), including in respect of incentive distribution rights, with respect to the quarter after the reset occurs. The table reflects that, as a result of the reset, there would be 35,948,248 common units outstanding, our general partner has maintained its 2% general partner interest and that the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65. The number of common units issued as a result of the reset was calculated by dividing (x) $2,696,166 as the average of the amounts received by the general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights for the two consecutive, non-overlapping quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, by (y) the average of the cash distributions made on each common unit per quarter for the two consecutive, non-overlapping quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, or $0.65.

 

    

Quarterly

Distribution

Per Unit

After Reset

   Cash
Distributions
to Common

Unitholders
After Reset
     Cash Distributions to General
Partner After Reset
     Total
Distributions
 
         Common
Units
     2%
General

Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution
Rights
     Total     
Minimum Quarterly Distribution    $0.65    $ 20,670,195       $ 2,696,166       $ 476,865       $ —         $ 3,173,031       $ 23,843,226   
First Target Distribution    above $0.65 up to $0.7475      —           —           —           —           —           —     
Second Target Distribution    above $0.7475 up to $0.8125      —           —           —           —           —           —     
Third Target Distribution    above $0.8125 up to $0.9750      —           —           —           —           —           —     
Thereafter    above $0.9750      —           —           —           —           —           —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 20,670,195       $ 2,696,166       $ 476,865       $     —         $ 3,173,031       $ 23,843,226   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

41


Table of Contents

Our general partner (as the holder of our incentive distribution rights) will be entitled to cause the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels to be reset on more than one occasion, provided that it may not make a reset election except at a time when it has received incentive distributions for the immediately preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters based on the highest level of incentive distributions that it is entitled to receive under our partnership agreement.

Distributions from Capital Surplus

How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made

Our partnership agreement requires that we pay distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

    first, 98% to our common unitholders and subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until the minimum quarterly distribution is reduced to zero, as described below;

 

    second, to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the outstanding common units; and

 

    thereafter, we will pay all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus

Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from this initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution after any of these distributions are made, the effects of distributions of capital surplus may make it easier for our general partner to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.

Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero. Then, after distributing an amount of capital surplus for each common unit equal to any unpaid arrearages of the minimum quarterly distributions on outstanding common units, we will then pay all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50% being paid to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner and 48% to the holder(s) of the incentive distribution rights.

Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units (commonly referred to as a “reverse split”) or subdivide our units into a greater number of units (commonly referred to as a “split”), our partnership agreement specifies that the following items will be proportionately adjusted:

 

    the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

    the target distribution levels;

 

42


Table of Contents
    the unrecovered initial unit price; and

 

    the per unit amount of any outstanding arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level, and each subordinated unit would be split into two subordinated units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property (including additional common units issued under any compensation or benefit plans).

In addition, if legislation is enacted or if the official interpretation of existing law is modified by a governmental authority, so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, our partnership agreement specifies that the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter may be reduced by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter (reduced by the amount of the estimated tax liability for such quarter payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation) and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter (reduced by the amount of the estimated tax liability for such quarter payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation) plus our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference may be accounted for in subsequent quarters.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

General

If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders, the holders of our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation (as described below).

The allocations of gain and loss upon our liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a liquidation preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their unrecovered initial unit price plus the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units plus, along with the subordinated units, a portion of any remaining funds, as described below. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts, even though there may be cash available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units. Any further net gain recognized upon liquidation will be allocated in a manner that takes into account the incentive distribution rights of our general partner.

Manner of Adjustments for Gain

The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in our partnership agreement. If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will allocate any gain to our partners in the following manner:

 

    first, to our general partner to the extent of any negative balance in its capital account;

 

    second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of:

 

  (1) the unrecovered initial unit price;

 

43


Table of Contents
  (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; and

 

  (3) any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

    third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until the capital account for each subordinated unit is equal to the sum of:

 

  (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; and

 

  (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs;

 

    fourth, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:

 

  (1) the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less

 

  (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 98% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, for each quarter of our existence;

 

    fifth, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:

 

  (1) the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less

 

  (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the first target distribution per unit that we distributed 85% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;

 

    sixth, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to:

 

  (1) the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less

 

  (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the second target distribution per unit that we distributed 75% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence; and

 

    thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50% to our general partner.

The percentages set forth above are based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the third bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

 

44


Table of Contents

Manner of Adjustments for Losses

If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, after making allocations of loss to the general partner and the unitholders in a manner intended to offset in reverse order the allocations of gains that have previously been allocated, we will generally allocate any loss to our general partner and unitholders in the following manner:

 

    first, 98% to the holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;

 

    second, 98% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and

 

    thereafter, 100% to our general partner.

The percentages set forth above are based on the assumption that our general partner maintains its 2% general partner interest and has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that all of the first bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

Adjustments to Capital Accounts

Our partnership agreement requires that we make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional partnership interests. In this regard, our partnership agreement specifies that we allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional partnership interests, our partnership agreement requires that we generally allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional partnership interests or upon our liquidation in a manner that results, to the extent possible, in the partners’ capital account balances equaling the amount that they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made. In contrast to the allocations of gain, and except as provided above, we generally will allocate any unrealized and unrecognized loss resulting from the adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional partnership interests to the unitholders and our general partner based on their respective percentage ownership of us. In this manner, prior to the end of the subordination period, we generally will allocate any such loss equally with respect to our common units and subordinated units. If we make negative adjustments to the capital accounts as a result of such loss, future positive adjustments resulting from the issuance of additional partnership interests will be allocated in a manner designed to reverse the prior negative adjustments, and special allocations will be made upon liquidation in a manner that results, to the extent possible, in our unitholders’ capital account balances equaling the amounts they would have been if no earlier adjustments for loss had been made.

 

45


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and the related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

General

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common units, preferred units and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common units, preferred units and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. Each warrant agent will be a bank that we select that has its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus in an amount as required by applicable law. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

 

    the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

    the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;

 

    if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase common or preferred units, the number of units purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these units may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

    the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;

 

    the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

    any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

    the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

    the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;

 

    federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;

 

    the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

    any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

46


Table of Contents

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

 

    in the case of warrants to purchase common or preferred units, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 p.m. EST on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent upon exercise of the warrants.

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants

Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. Accordingly, the terms of any debt securities we offer under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

We will issue the senior debt securities under a senior indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We use the term “indentures”

 

47


Table of Contents

to refer to both senior indentures and the subordinated indentures. The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term “debenture trustee” to refer to either a senior trustee or a subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summaries of material provisions of senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities and indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. Except as we may otherwise indicate, the terms of senior indentures and subordinated indentures are identical.

General

We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities, as applicable:

 

    the title;

 

    the principal amount being offered, and, if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;

 

    any limit on the amount that may be issued;

 

    whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms and who the depository will be;

 

    the maturity date;

 

    the principal amount due at maturity, and whether the debt securities will be issued with any original issue discount;

 

    whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;

 

    the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;

 

    whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;

 

    the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;

 

    the aggregate amount of indebtedness that would be senior to the subordinated debt and a description of any limitation on the issuance of such additional senior indebtedness (or a statement that there is no such limitation);

 

    the place where payments will be made;

 

    restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;

 

    our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;

 

    the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional redemption provisions;

 

    provisions for a sinking fund, purchase or other analogous fund, if any;

 

    the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities;

 

48


Table of Contents
    whether the indenture will restrict our ability to: incur additional indebtedness, issue additional securities, create liens, pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our securities, redeem our securities, make investments or other restricted payments, sell or otherwise dispose of assets, engage in transactions with unitholders and affiliates, or effect a consolidation or merger;

 

    whether the indenture will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;

 

    a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;

 

    the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;

 

    the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

    if other than dollars, the currency in which the series of debt securities will be denominated;

 

    the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange;

 

    any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities; and

 

    the name of any trustee(s) and the nature of any material relationships with the trustee, the percentage of securities of the class necessary to require the trustee to take action and what indemnification the trustee may require before proceeding to enforce any liens.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common units or other securities of ours. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of common units or other securities of ours that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the indentures will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.

Events of Default Under an Indenture

The following will be events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:

 

    if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred;

 

    if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed;

 

    if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

    if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us.

 

49


Table of Contents

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the debenture trustee or any holder.

The holders of a majority-in-principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any such waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority-in-principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

 

    the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and

 

    subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

 

    the holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

    the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and

 

    the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority-in-aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

 

    to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;

 

    to comply with the provisions described above under “Consolidation, Merger or Sale”;

 

50


Table of Contents
    to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;

 

    to provide for uncertificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;

 

    to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issuance, authorization and delivery of debt securities of any series;

 

    to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the security holders, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default, or to surrender any of our rights or powers under the indenture; or

 

    to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series.

In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority-in-aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, we and the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

 

    extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

 

    reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities; or

 

    reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment.

Discharge

Each indenture will provide that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations to:

 

    register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series;

 

    replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series;

 

    maintain paying agencies;

 

    hold monies for payment in trust;

 

    compensate and indemnify the trustee; and

 

    appoint any successor trustee.

In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures will provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or another depository named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.

 

51


Table of Contents

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.

We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

    issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

 

    register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.

Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee

The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.

We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check, which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the State of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

 

52


Table of Contents

All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indentures will not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also will not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

 

53


Table of Contents

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

This section is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP, counsel to our general partner and us, insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to Green Plains Partners LP and our operating subsidiaries. In addition, unless explicitly stated otherwise, references in this discussion to “units” and “unitholders” refer to common units and holders of common units, respectively. A description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred units, warrants or debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of any such securities, as applicable.

The following discussion does not comment on all federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders and does not describe the application of the alternative minimum tax that may be applicable to certain unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and has only limited application to corporations, estates, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, trusts, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and non-U.S. persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the discussion only comments to a limited extent on state, local and foreign tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units and potential changes in applicable tax laws.

No ruling has been requested from the IRS regarding our characterization as a partnership for tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Husch Blackwell LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.

All statements as to matters of federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect thereto, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.

For the reasons described below, Husch Blackwell LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—

 

54


Table of Contents

Treatment of Short Sales”); (ii) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”) and (iii) whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” and “—Uniformity of Units”).

Partnership Status

A partnership is not a taxable entity and generally incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partnership or the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest. Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly-traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly-traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, processing, storage and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Qualifying income also includes the transportation or storage of ethanol and certain specific alternative fuels. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 2% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Husch Blackwell LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.

The IRS has made no determination as to our status or the status of our operating subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:

 

    We will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and

 

    Each of our operating subsidiaries will be treated as a partnership or will be disregarded as an entity separate from us for federal income tax purposes.

In rendering its opinion, Husch Blackwell LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Husch Blackwell LLP has relied include:

 

    Neither we nor any of the operating subsidiaries has elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation; and

 

    For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that Husch Blackwell LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had

 

55


Table of Contents

transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.

If we were treated as an association taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.

The discussion below is based on Husch Blackwell LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders of Green Plains Partners LP will be treated as partners of Green Plains Partners LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of Green Plains Partners LP for federal income tax purposes.

A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales.”

Income, gains, losses or deductions would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of holding common units in Green Plains Partners LP. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Green Plains Partners LP for federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussion below under “—Entity-Level Collections” we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.

 

56


Table of Contents

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “—Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at-risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”

A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis (often zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.

Basis of Common Units

A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner to the extent of the general partner’s “net value” as defined in Treasury Regulations under Section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A common unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such common unitholder’s tax basis in his common units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.

 

57


Table of Contents

In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.

In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely held C corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly-traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly-traded partnerships, or the unitholder’s salary, active business or other income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.

A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly-traded partnerships.

Limitations on Interest Deductions

The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

 

    interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;

 

    our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and

 

    the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.

The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that the net passive income earned by a publicly-traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.

Entity-Level Collections

If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we

 

58


Table of Contents

are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.

Entry-level Audits and Adjustments

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns for tax years beginning after 2017, it may collect any resulting taxes (include any applicable penalties and interest) directly from us. These types of taxes, interest and penalties may relate to prior partner and tax years prior to the date a particular partner has become a partner. We may have the ability to shift any such tax liability to our general partner and our unitholders in accordance with their interests in us during the year under audit, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so under all circumstances. If we are required to make payments of taxes, penalties and interest resulting from audit adjustments, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders might be substantially reduced.

Pursuant to this new legislation, we will designate a person (our general partner) to act as the partnership representative who shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of the partnership with respect to dealings with the IRS under these new audit procedures.

Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction

In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts, as adjusted to take into account the unitholders’ share of nonrecourse debt, and, second, to our general partner.

Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for (i) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time of any subsequent offering and (ii) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property contributed to us by the general partner and its affiliates (or by a third party) that exists at the time of such contribution, together referred to in this discussion as the “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as “Section 704(c) Allocations,” to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in such offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of such offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, will be made to the general partner and all of our unitholders immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.

 

59


Table of Contents

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:

 

    his relative contributions to us;

 

    the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;

 

    the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and

 

    the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

Husch Blackwell LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.

Treatment of Short Sales

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:

 

    any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;

 

    any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and

 

    while not entirely free from doubt, all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.

Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Husch Blackwell LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult a tax advisor to discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax Rates

Under current law, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 39.6% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than twelve months) of individuals is 20%. Such rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

In addition, a 3.8% Medicare tax (“NIIT”) is imposed on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income and (ii) the amount by which

 

60


Table of Contents

the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income and (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.

Section 754 Election

We will make the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Constructive Termination.” The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.

We will adopt the remedial allocation method as to all our properties. Where the remedial allocation method is adopted, the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.”

We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly-traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.” Husch Blackwell LLP is unable to opine as to whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable for property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code or if we use an aggregate approach as described above, as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the validity of these positions. Moreover, the IRS may challenge our position with respect to

 

61


Table of Contents

depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally, a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.

The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally non-amortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year

We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization

The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to any offering will be borne by our general partner and all of our unitholders as of that time. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”

To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.

 

62


Table of Contents

If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

Disposition of Common Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss

Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.

Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.

Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations. Both ordinary income and capital gain recognized on a sale of units may be subject to the NIIT in certain circumstances. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Tax Rates.”

 

63


Table of Contents

The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:

 

    a short sale;

 

    an offsetting notional principal contract; or

 

    a futures or forward contract;

in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.

Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.

Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees

In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.

Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly-traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly-traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Existing

 

64


Table of Contents

publicly-traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Husch Blackwell LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders because the issue has not been finally resolved by the IRS or the courts. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations. A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter through the month of disposition but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.

Notification Requirements

A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the U.S. and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.

Constructive Termination

We will be considered to have technically terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of determining whether the 50% threshold has been met, multiple sales of the same interest will be counted only once. Our technical termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders, which would result in us filing two tax returns (and our unitholders could receive two schedules K-1 if relief was not available, as described below) for one fiscal year and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, but instead we would be treated as a new partnership for federal income tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, we must make new tax elections, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and could be subject to penalties if we are unable to determine that a termination occurred. The IRS has announced a publicly-traded partnership technical termination relief program whereby, if a publicly-traded partnership that technically terminated requests publicly-traded partnership technical termination relief and such relief is granted by the IRS, among other things, the partnership will only have to provide one Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the year notwithstanding two partnership tax years.

Uniformity of Units

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized

 

65


Table of Contents

Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets.

Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. In either case, and as stated above under “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election,” Husch Blackwell LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to these methods. Moreover, the IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors

Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.

Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the U.S. because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly-traded partnerships, our quarterly distribution to foreign unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.

In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our earnings and profits, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be

 

66


Table of Contents

reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.

A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS, interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” a foreign unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder’s gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a foreign unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. More than 50% of our assets may consist of U.S. real property interests. Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.

Administrative Matters

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Husch Blackwell LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.

The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.

Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.

The Tax Matters Partner will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.

 

67


Table of Contents

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.

Due to the recent enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the audit procedures discussed above will change for partnership taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-level Audits and Adjustments.”

Nominee Reporting

Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:

 

    the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;

 

    whether the beneficial owner is:

 

    a person that is not a U.S. person;

 

    a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or

 

    a tax-exempt entity;

 

    the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and

 

    specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from dispositions.

Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $250 per failure, up to a maximum of $3,000,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.

Accuracy-Related Penalties

An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.

For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:

 

    for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or

 

    as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.

If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.

 

68


Table of Contents

A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation or certain other thresholds are met, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.

In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.

Reportable Transactions

If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “—Administrative Matters—Information Returns and Audit Procedures” and “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-level Audits and Adjustments.”

Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following additional consequences:

 

    accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “—Administrative Matters—Accuracy-Related Penalties”;

 

    for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability; and

 

    in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.

We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”

Recent Legal Developments

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly-traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. President propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly-traded partnerships, including the elimination of partnership tax treatment for publicly-traded partnerships. Additionally, on May 6, 2015, the IRS and U.S. Department of Treasury published proposed regulations that provide industry-specific guidance regarding whether income earned from certain activities will constitute qualifying income. Any modification to the federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be retroactively applied and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax

 

69


Table of Contents

purposes. Please read “—Partnership Status.” We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us, and any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.

Due to the recent enactment of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the audit procedures for large partnerships will change for partnership years beginning after December 31, 2017. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-level Audits and Adjustments.”

State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to federal income taxes, unitholders may be subject to other taxes, including state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangibles taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future or in which the unitholder is a resident. We currently own property or do business in a substantial number of states, virtually all of which impose a personal income tax and many impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. We may also own property or do business in other states in the future. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us.

Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of the jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Collections.”

It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of its investment in us. We urge each prospective unitholder to consult, and depend on, its own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of it. Husch Blackwell LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, alternative minimum tax or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us.

 

70


Table of Contents

INVESTMENT IN GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code and provisions under any federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA, collectively, “Similar Laws.” For these purposes the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or IRAs or annuities established or maintained by an employer or employee organization, and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements, collectively, “Employee Benefit Plans.” Among other things, consideration should be given to:

 

    whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;

 

    whether in making the investment, the plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;

 

    whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”; and

 

    whether making such an investment will comply with the delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an Employee Benefit Plan, often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the plan.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit Employee Benefit Plans from engaging, either directly or indirectly, in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that, with respect to the Employee Benefit Plan, are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

In addition to considering whether the purchase of common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary should consider whether the Employee Benefit Plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our general partner would also be a fiduciary of such Employee Benefit Plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws.

The U.S. Department of Labor regulations and Section 3(42) of ERISA provide guidance with respect to whether, in certain circumstances, the assets of an entity in which Employee Benefit Plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets.” Under these rules, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

 

  (a) the equity interests acquired by the Employee Benefit Plan are publicly-offered securities—i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, are freely transferable and are registered under certain provisions of the federal securities laws;

 

71


Table of Contents
  (b) the entity is an “operating company,”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service, other than the investment of capital, either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or

 

  (c) there is no significant investment by “benefit plan investors,” which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding any such interests held by our general partner, its affiliates and certain other persons, is held generally by Employee Benefit Plans.

Our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in (a) and (b) above. The foregoing discussion of issues arising for employee benefit plan investments under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as legal advice. In light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations, plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other Similar Laws.

 

72


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling unitholder may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways, separately or together, from time to time:

 

    through dealers or agents to the public or to investors;

 

    to underwriters for resale to the public or to investors;

 

    directly to investors; or

 

    through a combination of such methods.

In addition, we or the selling unitholder may from time to time sell securities in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus. In such event, we and the selling unitholder, if applicable, may be required by the securities laws of certain states to offer and sell the common units only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

We or the selling unitholder will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of securities, including:

 

    the name or names of any agents, dealers or underwriters;

 

    the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

    any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

    any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

    any initial public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

We or the selling unitholder will describe the method of distribution of the securities and terms of the offering in the prospectus supplement.

Any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

The selling unitholder may act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each of its sales. The selling unitholder may make sales of the common units on The Nasdaq Global Market or otherwise at prices and under terms prevailing at the time of the sale, or at prices related to the then-current market price, at fixed prices, or in privately negotiated transactions.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions described above. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

We or the selling unitholder may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.

 

73


Table of Contents

We or the selling unitholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of units, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of units. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us or the selling unitholder against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.

We or the selling unitholder may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, in connection with the distribution.

Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us, the selling unitholder or our purchasers, as their agents in connection with the sale of securities. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act. As a result, discounts, commissions or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent and describe any compensation received by them from us or the selling unitholder. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, all securities we offer, other than common units, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Any common units sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed for trading on The Nasdaq Global Market or other principal market for our common units. We may apply to list preferred units, warrants or debt securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Therefore, there may not be liquidity or a trading market for any series of securities.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that such transactions may have on the price of the securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” or “Plan of Distribution” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who may become involved in the sale of the common units may engage in transactions with and perform other services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they receive compensation.

 

74


Table of Contents

SELLING UNITHOLDER

This prospectus covers the offering for resale from time to time, in one or more offerings, of up to 13,513,500 common units, including 4,389,642 common units and 9,123,858 common units issuable upon conversion of subordinated units, owned by the selling unitholder. These subordinated units and common units were issued to our sponsor in connection with our IPO on June 26, 2015.

As of August 19, 2016, the selling unitholder owns all of our subordinated units. The subordinated units may be converted into common units on a one-for-one basis upon termination of the subordination period under certain circumstances, as set forth in our partnership agreement. In addition to holding the common units and subordinated units in us, the selling unitholder also owns all of our incentive distribution rights and all of the ownership interests in our general partner.

Because the selling unitholder owns a substantial amount of our limited partner interests and controls our general partner, it will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any common units offered by it under this prospectus, and any such offering would be deemed to be a primary offering by us.

Please read “Our Business” for additional information regarding our relationship with the selling unitholder.

The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholder as of August 19, 2016 based on information supplied to us by the selling unitholder on or prior to that date. We have not sought to verify such information. Information concerning the selling unitholder may change over time, and if necessary, we will supplement this prospectus accordingly. The selling unitholder is offering all of the common units it currently owns and a portion of the common units issuable upon conversion of its subordinated units through this prospectus. The selling unitholder may hold or acquire at any time common units in addition to those offered by this prospectus and may have acquired additional common units since the date on which the information reflected herein was provided to us. In addition, the selling unitholder may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of its common units since the date on which the information reflected herein was provided to us and may in the future sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of its common units in private placement transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Selling Unitholder

   Number of Common Units
Beneficially Owned Prior
to the Offering
    Number of
Units
Offered
     Number of
Common
Units
Beneficially
Owned
After the
Offering
 
   Number      Percentage       

Green Plains Inc.(1)

     20,279,284         63.8 %(2)      13,513,500         21.3 %(3) 

 

(1) This table assumes the conversion of all subordinated units into common units prior to the offering contemplated hereby. The selling unitholder is not a registered broker dealer and is not an affiliate of a registered broker dealer. The address for Green Plains is 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha Nebraska 68114.

 

(2) Does not include Green Plains Inc.’s General Partner interest of 2%.

 

(3) Assuming all of the selling unitholder’s common units offered hereby are sold.

 

75


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

Husch Blackwell LLP, Omaha, Nebraska, will provide us with an opinion as to the legal matters in connection with the securities we are offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Green Plains Partners LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, have been incorporated by reference from the partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 12, 2016 in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report covering the December 31, 2015 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the partnership recognized the assets and liabilities transferred on July 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016, at the parent’s historical cost basis. Such assets and liabilities and the associated expenses are reflected retroactively.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a public company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Station Place, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and on our website at www.greenplainspartners.com. The information contained on our website is not included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. In addition, our common units are listed for trading on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “GPP.”

This prospectus is only part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore omits certain information contained in the Registration Statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the Registration Statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may:

 

    inspect a copy of the Registration Statement, including the exhibits and schedules, without charge at the public reference room;

 

    obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC; or

 

    obtain a copy from the SEC’s website or our website.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the 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,

 

76


Table of Contents

as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The documents we are incorporating by reference as of their respective dates of filing are:

 

1. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 18, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 2015 (except for Items 1, 6, 7 and 15 and Exhibit 23.1, which have been superseded by the Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 12, 2016).

 

2. Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on August 3, 2016, for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

 

3. Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 5, 2016, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

 

4. Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 5, 2016; January 21, 2016; March 25, 2016; April 19, 2016; April 22, 2016; May 12, 2016; June 30, 2016; and July 20, 2016.

 

5. The description of the registrant’s common units set forth in the registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act on June 23, 2015, including any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of updating this description.

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of these filings, which will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting our investor relations department at our principal executive offices, which are located at 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, Attention: Investor Relations; Telephone: (402) 884-8700.

To the extent that any statements contained in a document incorporated by reference are modified or superseded by any statements contained in this prospectus, such statements shall not be deemed incorporated in this prospectus except as so modified or superseded.

We also incorporate any filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities hereby (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules). Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference is modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequent filed document modifies or supersedes such statement.

 

77


Table of Contents

 

 

This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should only rely on the information or representations contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide information other than that provided in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.

Common Units

Preferred Units

Warrants

Debt Securities

Green Plains Partners LP

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2016.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the Company’s estimates (other than the SEC registration fee) of the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Item

   Amount  

SEC registration fee

   $ 75,525   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Printing fees

     *   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     *   

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

* These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The section of the prospectus entitled “Our Partnership Agreement—Indemnification” discloses that we will generally indemnify officers, directors and affiliates of the general partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar events and is incorporated herein by this reference. Reference is also made to the underwriting agreement to be filed as an exhibit to this registration statement in which Green Plains Partners LP and certain of its affiliates will agree to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.

Item 16. Exhibits.

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Document

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of Green Plains Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-204279) filed with the SEC on May 18, 2015)
  3.2    First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Green Plains Partners LP, dated as of July 1, 2015, between Green Plains Holdings LLC and Green Plains Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 1, 2015)
  4.1*    Form of Common or Preferred Unit Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
  4.2*    Form of Senior Note

 

II-1


Table of Contents
  4.3*    Form of Subordinated Note
  4.4    Form of Senior Indenture
  4.5    Form of Subordinated Indenture
  4.6*    Form of Warrant Agreement for Debt Securities and Warrant Certificate
  5.1    Opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP regarding legality of the securities being registered
  8.1    Opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP regarding certain tax matters
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2    Consent of Husch Blackwell LLP (included in Ex. 5.1 and 8.1 to this Registration Statement)
24.1    Power of Attorney (on signature page of this Registration Statement)
25.1**    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended

 

* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.
** To be filed separately under the electronic form type “305B2” pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 % change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free-writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free-writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance under Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Omaha, State of Nebraska on August 25, 2016.

 

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
By:   Green Plains Holdings LLC, its General Partner
By:   /s/ Todd A. Becker
 

Todd A. Becker

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Todd A. Becker and Jerry L. Peters as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms said attorneys-in-fact and agents or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Todd A. Becker

Todd A. Becker

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

  August 25, 2016

/s/ Jerry L. Peters

Jerry L. Peters

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) and Director   August 25, 2016

/s/ Jeffrey S. Briggs

Jeffrey S. Briggs

   Chief Operating Officer and Director   August 25, 2016

/s/ George P. Simpkins

George P. Simpkins

   Chief Development Officer and Director   August 25, 2016

/s/ Brett C. Riley

Brett C. Riley

   Director   August 25, 2016

/s/ Clayton E. Killinger

Clayton E. Killinger

   Director   August 25, 2016

/s/ John D. Chandler

John D. Chandler

   Director   August 25, 2016

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Document

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of Green Plains Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-204279) filed with the SEC on May 18, 2015)
  3.2    First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Green Plains Partners LP, dated as of July 1, 2015, between Green Plains Holdings LLC and Green Plains Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 1, 2015)
  4.1*    Form of Common or Preferred Unit Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate
  4.2*    Form of Senior Note
  4.3*    Form of Subordinated Note
  4.4    Form of Senior Indenture
  4.5    Form of Subordinated Indenture
  4.6*    Form of Warrant Agreement for Debt Securities and Warrant Certificate
  5.1    Opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP regarding legality of the securities being registered
  8.1    Opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP regarding certain tax matters
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1    Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2    Consent of Husch Blackwell LLP (included in Ex. 5.1 and 8.1 to this Registration Statement)
24.1    Power of Attorney (on signature page of this Registration Statement)
25.1**    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended

 

* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference.
** To be filed separately under the electronic form type “305B2” pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
EX-4.4 2 d173484dex44.htm EX-4.4 EX-4.4

Form of Senior Indenture

EXHIBIT 4.4

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

Issuer

AND

[                         ]

Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of                         , 20    

Senior Debt Securities


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1   
 

SECTION 1.1

 

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

     1   

ARTICLE II ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

     5   
 

SECTION 2.1

 

DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.

     5   
 

SECTION 2.2

 

FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.

     7   
 

SECTION 2.3

 

DENOMINATIONS: PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.

     7   
 

SECTION 2.4

 

EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATIONS.

     9   
 

SECTION 2.5

 

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

     10   
 

SECTION 2.6

 

TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

     11   
 

SECTION 2.7

 

MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.

     11   
 

SECTION 2.8

 

CANCELLATION.

     12   
 

SECTION 2.9

 

BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.

     12   
 

SECTION 2.10

 

AUTHENTICATING AGENT.

     12   
 

SECTION 2.11

 

GLOBAL SECURITIES.

     13   

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

     14   
 

SECTION 3.1

 

REDEMPTION.

     14   
 

SECTION 3.2

 

NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

     14   
 

SECTION 3.3

 

PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

     15   
 

SECTION 3.4

 

SINKING FUND.

     16   
 

SECTION 3.5

 

SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.

     16   
 

SECTION 3.6

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.

     16   

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

     17   
 

SECTION 4.1

 

PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.

     17   
 

SECTION 4.2

 

MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

     17   
 

SECTION 4.3

 

PAYING AGENTS.

     18   
 

SECTION 4.4

 

APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

     19   
 

SECTION 4.5

 

COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

     19   

ARTICLE V SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

     19   
 

SECTION 5.1

 

COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

     19   

 

i


 

SECTION 5.2

 

PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.

     19   
 

SECTION 5.3

 

REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

     20   
 

SECTION 5.4

 

REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

     20   

ARTICLE VI REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

     20   
 

SECTION 6.1

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

     20   
 

SECTION 6.2

 

COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.

     22   
 

SECTION 6.3

 

APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

     24   
 

SECTION 6.4

 

LIMITATION ON SUITS.

     24   
 

SECTION 6.5

 

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.

     25   
 

SECTION 6.6

 

CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

     25   
 

SECTION 6.7

 

UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

     26   

ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     26   
 

SECTION 7.1

 

CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.

     26   
 

SECTION 7.2

 

CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

     27   
 

SECTION 7.3

 

TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.

     28   
 

SECTION 7.4

 

MAY HOLD SECURITIES.

     29   
 

SECTION 7.5

 

MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

     29   
 

SECTION 7.6

 

COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

     29   
 

SECTION 7.7

 

RELIANCE ON OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE.

     29   
 

SECTION 7.8

 

DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

     30   
 

SECTION 7.9

 

CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

     30   
 

SECTION 7.10

 

RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

     30   
 

SECTION 7.11

 

ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

     31   
 

SECTION 7.12

 

MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.

     33   
 

SECTION 7.13

 

PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

     33   
 

SECTION 7.14

 

NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

     33   

ARTICLE VIII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

     33   
 

SECTION 8.1

 

EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

     33   
 

SECTION 8.2

 

PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

     34   
 

SECTION 8.3

 

WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

     34   
 

SECTION 8.4

 

CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

     35   
 

SECTION 8.5

 

ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.

     35   

 

ii


ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     35   
 

SECTION 9.1

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

     35   
 

SECTION 9.2

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

     37   
 

SECTION 9.3

 

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

     37   
 

SECTION 9.4

 

SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

     37   
 

SECTION 9.5

 

EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

     38   

ARTICLE X SUCCESSOR ENTITY

     38   
 

SECTION 10.1

 

COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

     38   
 

SECTION 10.2

 

SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

     39   
 

SECTION 10.3

 

EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.

     39   

ARTICLE XI SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     39   
 

SECTION 11.1

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

     39   
 

SECTION 11.2

 

DISCHARGE OF OBLIGATIONS.

     40   
 

SECTION 11.3

 

DEPOSITED MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.

     40   
 

SECTION 11.4

 

PAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENTS.

     41   
 

SECTION 11.5

 

REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

     41   

ARTICLE XII IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     41   
 

SECTION 12.1

 

NO RECOURSE.

     41   

ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     42   
 

SECTION 13.1

 

EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

     42   
 

SECTION 13.2

 

ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

     42   
 

SECTION 13.3

 

SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

     42   
 

SECTION 13.4

 

NOTICES.

     42   
 

SECTION 13.5

 

GOVERNING LAW.

     42   
 

SECTION 13.6

 

TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.

     43   
 

SECTION 13.7

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

     43   
 

SECTION 13.8

 

PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

     43   
 

SECTION 13.9

 

CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

     43   
 

SECTION 13.10

 

COUNTERPARTS.

     43   
 

SECTION 13.11

 

SEPARABILITY.

     44   
 

SECTION 13.12

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

     44   

 

iii


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of                     , 20    , among GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and                                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”):

WHEREAS, for its lawful partnership purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee;

WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.

“Authenticating Agent” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the General Partner of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.

 

1


“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

“Business Day” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the City of                 , are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

“Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors, any principal executive officer, any chief executive officer, any president, any senior vice president, any vice president, any principal financial officer or any principal accounting officer, any treasurer or any assistant treasurer, any controller or any assistant controller, any secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company. The Certificate need not comply with the provisions of Section 13.7.

“Company” means GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article Ten, shall also include its successors and assigns.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at                         ,             ; Attention:                 , except that whenever a provision herein refers to an office or agency of the Trustee in the City of                 , such office is located, at the date hereof, at                 , Attn: Corporate Trust Services.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Sections 2.1 or 2.11.

“Event of Default” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.1, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.

“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations

 

2


of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

“Herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by a chief executive officer, a president, a senior vice president or a vice president and by the chief financial officer or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the controller or an assistant controller or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

“Outstanding,” when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying a agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have

 

3


been given as in Article Three provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.7 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Securities” means the debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securityholder,” “holder of Securities,” “registered holder,” or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the books of the Company kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding voting power shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.

“Trustee” means                 , and, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

4


ARTICLE II

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION

AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

(i) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that series from all other Securities);

(ii) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);

(iii) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable, any original issue discount that may apply to the Securities of that series upon their issuance, the principal amount due at maturity, and the place(s) of payment;

(iv) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;

(v) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;

(vi) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

(vii) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(viii) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

5


(ix) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the Certificate of Authentication for such series;

(x) if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(xi) any and all other terms (including terms, to the extent applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of that series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities) with respect to such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any supplemental indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;

(xii) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the terms and the identity of the Depositary for such series;

(xiii) whether the Securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for common units or other securities of the Company or any other Person and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Company’s option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;

(xiv) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1;

(xv) any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants (which may include, among other restrictions, restrictions on the Company’s ability or the ability of the Company’s Subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue additional securities; create liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of their securities; redeem securities; place restrictions on such Subsidiaries placing restrictions on their ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; engage in transactions with unitholders and affiliates; issue or sell units of their Subsidiaries; or effect a consolidation or merger) or financial covenants (which may include, among other financial covenants, financial covenants that require the Company and its Subsidiaries to maintain specified interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based or asset-based ratios) provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

(xvi) if other than dollars, the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated (including, but not limited to, foreign currency);

 

6


(xvii) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes; and

(xviii) any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.

Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.

The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.

SECTION 2.3 DENOMINATIONS: PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.

The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 2.1(10). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption thereof prior to maturity, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the State of                 . Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.

The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the

 

7


Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.3.

Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:

(i) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefore to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefore having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the term “regular record date” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest

 

8


Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 2.4 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATIONS.

The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its chief executive officer, or one of its presidents, or one of its senior vice presidents, or one of its vice presidents, or its chief financial officer, or its chief legal officer, or its treasurer, or one of its assistant treasurers, or its controller or one of its assistant controllers, or its secretary, or one of its assistant secretaries, under its corporate seal attested by its secretary or one of its assistant secretaries. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.

The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a chief executive officer, president, senior vice president or vice president thereof, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, controller or assistant controller, secretary or assistant secretary thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by a chief executive officer, president, senior vice president or any vice president, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, controller or assistant controller, and its secretary or any assistant secretary, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

9


The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.5 REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefore the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, a register or registers (herein referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution (the “Security Registrar”).

Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.

All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.

(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.6, Section 3.3(b) and Section 9.4 not involving any transfer.

(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of

 

10


the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part. The provisions of this Section 2.5 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.

SECTION 2.6 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefore (without charge to the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.7 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.

In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company’s request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or

 

11


authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.8 CANCELLATION.

All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.9 BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities.

SECTION 2.10 AUTHENTICATING AGENT.

So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All

 

12


references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.

SECTION 2.11 GLOBAL SECURITIES.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.4, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.5, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.5, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary, this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in

 

13


definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1 REDEMPTION.

The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

SECTION 3.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

 

14


Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.

In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by its chief executive officer, president or any senior vice president or vice president, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 3.3 PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption

 

15


price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.3).

(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

SECTION 3.4 SINKING FUND.

The provisions of Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.5. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 3.5 SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.

The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 3.6 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.

Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.5 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officers’ Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such

 

16


sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.2. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3.

ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.

The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of two million U.S. dollars ($2,000,000) and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date). Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of two million U.S. dollars ($2,000,000) and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date).

SECTION 4.2 MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency in the City of                  and State of                 , with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 4.2, where (i) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (ii) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and exchange, and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by any officer authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. The Company initially appoints the corporate trust office of [  ], an affiliate of the Trustee, located in the City of                  as its paying agent with respect to the Securities.

 

17


SECTION 4.3 PAYING AGENTS.

(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:

(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;

(ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;

(iii) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and

(iv) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (i) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, and (ii) the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

18


SECTION 4.4 APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 4.5 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

The Company will not, while any of the Securities remain Outstanding, consolidate with or merge into any other Person, in either case where the Company is not the survivor of such transaction, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article Ten hereof are complied with.

ARTICLE V

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY

THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 5.1 COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.3) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.

SECTION 5.2 PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.1 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).

(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and, in connection with any such communications, the Trustee shall satisfy its obligations under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the provisions of Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

19


SECTION 5.3 REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

The Company covenants and agrees to provide a copy to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Securities and Exchange Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

SECTION 5.4 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

(a) On or before May 1 in each year in which any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 1, if and to the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON

EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:

(i) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

(ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and

 

20


payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

(iii) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;

(iv) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

(b) In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.

(c) At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has

 

21


paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.6.

No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

SECTION 6.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.

(a) The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, and such default shall have continued for a period of 90 Business Days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6.

(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.

 

22


(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under the Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.6.

(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.6, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

 

23


SECTION 6.3 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

SECTION 6.4 LIMITATION ON SUITS.

No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the Trustee for 90 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v) during such 90 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

 

24


SECTION 6.5 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.

(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

SECTION 6.6 CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.1 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.1(c)). Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

25


SECTION 6.7 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.1 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

26


(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirement of this Indenture;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(iv) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 7.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);

(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the

 

27


Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.4); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and

(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

SECTION 7.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.

(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.

(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.

(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.1, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.

 

28


SECTION 7.4 MAY HOLD SECURITIES.

The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.

SECTION 7.5 MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

Subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.

SECTION 7.6 COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith and except as the Company and Trustee may from time to time agree in writing. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.

SECTION 7.7 RELIANCE ON OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

29


SECTION 7.8 DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 7.9 CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Securities and Exchange Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its bank holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.

If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.

SECTION 7.10 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

 

30


(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.

SECTION 7.11 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such

 

31


successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (ii) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail,

 

32


first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 7.12 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 7.13 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

SECTION 7.14 NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act notice of the Default or Event of Default within 45 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 8.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any

 

33


action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

SECTION 8.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.

(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.

The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

SECTION 8.3 WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.3) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

34


SECTION 8.4 CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

SECTION 8.5 ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 9.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;

 

35


(b) to comply with Article Ten;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(d) to add to the covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication, and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;

(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect;

(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 2.1, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee; or

(i) to comply with any requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

 

36


SECTION 9.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.1 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (a) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.1, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 9.4 SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.1, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.

 

37


SECTION 9.5 EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, may receive an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof; provided, however, that such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE X

SUCCESSOR ENTITY

SECTION 10.1 COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other partnership (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.1 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the

 

38


Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property and (b) in the event that the Securities of any series then Outstanding are convertible into or exchangeable for common units or other securities of the Company, such entity shall, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the Securityholders of Securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such Securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of common units or other securities of the Company deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those Securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition.

SECTION 10.2 SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the obligations set forth under Section 10.1 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor partnership shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).

SECTION 10.3 EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, may receive an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated and not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as

 

39


provided in Section 11.5); or (b) all such Securities of a particular series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 7.10, that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 7.6 and 11.5, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.

SECTION 11.2 DISCHARGE OF OBLIGATIONS.

If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 11.1 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 7.6, 7.10 and 11.5 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid.

Thereafter, Sections 7.6 and 11.5 shall survive.

SECTION 11.3 DEPOSITED MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.

All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.

 

40


SECTION 11.4 PAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENTS.

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.

SECTION 11.5 REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, or such other shorter period set forth in applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, shall be repaid to the Company on May 31 of each year or upon the Company’s request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as a general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.

ARTICLE XII

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, UNITHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 12.1 NO RECOURSE.

The General Partner and its directors, officers, employees and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, unitholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor partnership, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor partnership, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor partnership, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

 

41


ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 13.1 EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 13.2 ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

SECTION 13.3 SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor corporation.

SECTION 13.4 NOTICES.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: Green Plains Partners LP, 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha, NE 68114, Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

SECTION 13.5 GOVERNING LAW.

This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

 

42


SECTION 13.6 TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.

It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention.

SECTION 13.7 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 13.8 PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.

SECTION 13.9 CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 13.10 COUNTERPARTS.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

43


SECTION 13.11 SEPARABILITY.

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 13.12 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Company’s performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 13.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If any of the officers of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
 

[                        ]

as Trustee

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

44

EX-4.5 3 d173484dex45.htm EX-4.5 EX-4.5

Form of Subordinated Indenture

EXHIBIT 4.5

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

Issuer

AND

[                         ]

Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of                         , 20    

Subordinated Debt Securities


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INDENTURE

     1   

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

     1   
  SECTION 1.1   DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.      1   

ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

     5   
  SECTION 2.1   DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.      5   
  SECTION 2.2   FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.      7   
  SECTION 2.3   DENOMINATIONS: PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.      7   
  SECTION 2.4   EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATIONS.      9   
  SECTION 2.5   REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.      10   
  SECTION 2.6   TEMPORARY SECURITIES.      11   
  SECTION 2.7   MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.      11   
  SECTION 2.8   CANCELLATION.      12   
  SECTION 2.9   BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.      12   
  SECTION 2.10   AUTHENTICATING AGENT.      13   
  SECTION 2.11   GLOBAL SECURITIES.      13   

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

     14   
  SECTION 3.1   REDEMPTION.      14   
  SECTION 3.2   NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.      14   
  SECTION 3.3   PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.      16   
  SECTION 3.4   SINKING FUND.      16   
  SECTION 3.5   SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.      16   
  SECTION 3.6   REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.      17   

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

     17   
  SECTION 4.1   PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.      17   
  SECTION 4.2   MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.      17   
  SECTION 4.3   PAYING AGENTS.      18   

 

i


  SECTION 4.4   APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.      19   
  SECTION 4.5   COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.      19   

ARTICLE 5 SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

     19   
  SECTION 5.1   COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.      19   
  SECTION 5.2   PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.      20   
  SECTION 5.3   REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.      20   
  SECTION 5.4   REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.      20   

ARTICLE 6 REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

     21   
  SECTION 6.1   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.      21   
  SECTION 6.2   COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.      22   
  SECTION 6.3   APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.      24   
  SECTION 6.4   LIMITATION ON SUITS.      24   
  SECTION 6.5   RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.      25   
  SECTION 6.6   CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.      25   
  SECTION 6.7   UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.      26   

ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     26   
  SECTION 7.1   CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.      26   
  SECTION 7.2   CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.      28   
  SECTION 7.3   TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.      29   
  SECTION 7.4   MAY HOLD SECURITIES.      29   
  SECTION 7.5   MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.      29   
  SECTION 7.6   COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.      29   
  SECTION 7.7   RELIANCE ON OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE.      30   
  SECTION 7.8   DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.      30   
  SECTION 7.9   CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.      30   

 

ii


  SECTION 7.10   RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.      31   
  SECTION 7.11   ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.      32   
  SECTION 7.12   MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.      33   
  SECTION 7.13   PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.      33   
  SECTION 7.14   NOTICE OF DEFAULT.      34   

ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

     34   
  SECTION 8.1   EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.      34   
  SECTION 8.2   PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.      35   
  SECTION 8.3   WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.      35   
  SECTION 8.4   CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.      35   
  SECTION 8.5   ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.      35   

ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     36   
  SECTION 9.1   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.      36   
  SECTION 9.2   SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.      37   
  SECTION 9.3   EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.      38   
  SECTION 9.4   SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.      38   
  SECTION 9.5   EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.      38   

ARTICLE 10 SUCCESSOR ENTITY

     39   
  SECTION 10.1   COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.      39   
  SECTION 10.2   SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.      39   
  SECTION 10.3   EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.      40   

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     40   
  SECTION 11.1   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.      40   
  SECTION 11.2   DISCHARGE OF OBLIGATIONS.      41   
  SECTION 11.3   DEPOSITED MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.      41   
  SECTION 11.4   PAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENTS.      41   
  SECTION 11.5   REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.      41   

 

iii


ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, UNITHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     42   
  SECTION 12.1   NO RECOURSE.      42   

ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     42   
  SECTION 13.1   EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.      42   
  SECTION 13.2   ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.      42   
  SECTION 13.3   SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.      43   
  SECTION 13.4   NOTICES.      43   
  SECTION 13.5   GOVERNING LAW.      43   
  SECTION 13.6   TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.      43   
  SECTION 13.7   COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.      43   
  SECTION 13.8   PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.      44   
  SECTION 13.9   CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.      44   
  SECTION 13.10   COUNTERPARTS.      44   
  SECTION 13.11   SEPARABILITY.      44   
  SECTION 13.12   COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.      44   

ARTICLE 14

     45   
  SECTION 14.1   SUBORDINATION TERMS.      45   

 

iv


INDENTURE

INDENTURE, dated as of                         , 20    , among GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and                         , as trustee (the “Trustee”):

WHEREAS, for its lawful partnership purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of subordinated debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee;

WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.

“Authenticating Agent” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the General Partner of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.

 

1


“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

“Business Day” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the City of                 , are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

“Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors, any principal executive officer, any chief executive officer, any president, any senior vice president, any vice president, any principal financial officer or any principal accounting officer, any treasurer or any assistant treasurer, any controller or any assistant controller, any secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company. The Certificate need not comply with the provisions of Section 13.7.

“Company” means GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and, subject to the provisions of Article Ten, shall also include its successors and assigns.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at                 ,                 ; Attention:                 , except that whenever a provision herein refers to an office or agency of the Trustee in the City of                 , such office is located, at the date hereof, at                 , Attn: Corporate Trust Services.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.1 or 2.11.

“Event of Default” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.1, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.

“General Partner” means Green Plains Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Company or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Company.

“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

2


“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

“Herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by a chief executive officer, a president, a senior vice president or a vice president and by the chief financial officer or the treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the controller or an assistant controller or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the

 

3


payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as in Article Three provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.7.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.7 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Securities” means the debt Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securityholder”, “holder of Securities”, “registered holder”, or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security shall be registered on the books of the Company kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at least a majority of whose outstanding voting power shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.

“Trustee” means                 , and, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

4


ARTICLE 2

ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION

AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES

SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AND TERMS OF SECURITIES.

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that series from all other Securities);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable, any original issue discount that may apply to the Securities of that series upon their issuance, the principal amount due at maturity, and the place(s) of payment;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;

(5) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;

(6) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

(7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

5


(9) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the Certificate of Authentication for such series;

(10) if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(11) any and all other terms (including terms, to the extent applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of that series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities) with respect to such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any supplemental indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;

(12) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the terms and the identity of the Depositary for such series;

(13) whether the Securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for common units of the Company or any other Person and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Company’s option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;

(14) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.1;

(15) any additional or different Events of Default or restrictive covenants (which may include, among other restrictions, restrictions on the Company’s ability or the ability of the Company’s Subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue additional securities; create liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of their securities; redeem securities; place restrictions on such Subsidiaries placing restrictions on their ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; engage in transactions with unitholders and affiliates; issue or sell units of their Subsidiaries; or effect a consolidation or merger) or financial covenants (which may include, among other financial covenants, financial covenants that require the Company and its Subsidiaries to maintain specified interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based or asset-based ratios) provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

(16) if other than dollars, the coin or currency in which the Securities of the series are denominated (including, but not limited to, foreign currency);

 

6


(17) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;

(18) any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series; and

(19) the subordination terms of the Securities of the series.

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.

Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF SECURITIES AND TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE.

The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.

SECTION 2.3 DENOMINATIONS: PROVISIONS FOR PAYMENT.

The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 2.1(10). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption thereof prior to maturity, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the State of                 . Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.

 

7


The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.3.

Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:

(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefore to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register (as hereinafter defined), not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefore having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

8


Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the term “regular record date” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 2.4 EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATIONS.

The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its chief executive officer, or one of its presidents, or one of its senior vice presidents, or one of its vice presidents, or its chief financial officer, or its chief legal officer, or its treasurer, or one of its assistant treasurers, or its controller or one of its assistant controllers, or its secretary, or one of its assistant secretaries, under its corporate seal attested by its secretary or one of its assistant secretaries. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.

The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a chief executive officer, president, senior vice president or vice president thereof, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, controller or assistant controller, secretary or assistant secretary thereof, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by a chief executive officer, president, senior vice president or any vice president, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, controller or assistant controller, and its secretary or any assistant secretary, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

 

9


In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.5 REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefore the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, a register or registers (herein referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution (the “Security Registrar”).

Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.

All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.

(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.6, Section 3.3(b) and Section 9.4 not involving any transfer.

 

10


(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part. The provisions of this Section 2.5 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.

SECTION 2.6 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefore (without charge to the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.

SECTION 2.7 MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN SECURITIES.

In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company’s request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

11


In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.8 CANCELLATION.

All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.9 BENEFITS OF INDENTURE.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities (and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fourteen, the holders of any indebtedness of the Company to which the Securities of any series are subordinated) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities (and, with respect to the provisions of Article Fourteen, the holders of any indebtedness of the Company to which the Securities of any series are subordinated).

 

12


SECTION 2.10 AUTHENTICATING AGENT.

So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.

Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.

SECTION 2.11 GLOBAL SECURITIES.

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.1 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.4, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.5, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.5, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

13


(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary, this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.4, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1 REDEMPTION.

The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

SECTION 3.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such holders at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the Security Register, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the

 

14


registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company in the City of                  and State of                 , or such other location designated by the Company, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.

In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by its chief executive officer, president or any senior vice president or vice president, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.

 

15


SECTION 3.3 PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an interest payment date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.3).

(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

SECTION 3.4 SINKING FUND.

The provisions of Sections 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.1 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.5. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 3.5 SATISFACTION OF SINKING FUND PAYMENTS WITH SECURITIES.

The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

16


SECTION 3.6 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND.

Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.5 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officers’ Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.2 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.2. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.3.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST.

The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of two million U.S. dollars ($2,000,000) and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date). Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account (such a wire transfer to be made only to a Securityholder of an aggregate principal amount of Securities of the applicable series in excess of two million U.S. dollars ($2,000,000) and only if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date).

SECTION 4.2 MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency in the City of                  and State of                 , with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 4.2, where (i) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (ii) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and

 

17


exchange, and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by any officer authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. The Company initially appoints the corporate trust office of [                ], an affiliate of the Trustee, located in the City of                  as its paying agent with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 4.3 PAYING AGENTS.

(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:

(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;

(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;

(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and

(4) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.

(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

 

18


(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (i) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, and (ii) the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

SECTION 4.4 APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 4.5 COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

The Company will not, while any of the Securities remain Outstanding, consolidate with or merge into any other Person, in either case where the Company is not the survivor of such transaction, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of Article Ten hereof are complied with.

ARTICLE 5

SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS

BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 5.1 COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) on each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.3) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.

 

19


SECTION 5.2 PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION; COMMUNICATIONS WITH SECURITYHOLDERS.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.1 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).

(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and, in connection with any such communications, the Trustee shall satisfy its obligations under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the provisions of Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 5.3 REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

The Company covenants and agrees to provide a copy to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Securities and Exchange Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

SECTION 5.4 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

(a) On or before May 1 in each year in which any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 1, if and to the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

 

20


ARTICLE 6

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS

ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 6.1 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:

(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;

(3) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;

(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.

(b) In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to

 

21


be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.

(c) At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.6.

No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

SECTION 6.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE.

(a) The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, and such default shall have continued for a period of 90 Business Days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due

 

22


and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6.

(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.

(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under the Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.6.

(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.6, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.

In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

 

23


Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.3 APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.6;

SECOND: To the payment of all indebtedness of the Company to which such series of Securities is subordinated to the extent required by Article Fourteen;

THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

SECTION 6.4 LIMITATION ON SUITS.

No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the Trustee for 90 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v) during such 90 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

24


Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

SECTION 6.5 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.

(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.4, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.

SECTION 6.6 CONTROL BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in

 

25


aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.4, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.1 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.1(c)). Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.7 UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.

ARTICLE 7

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.1 CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEE.

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

26


(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:

(A) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirement of this Indenture;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series; and

(iv) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

 

27


SECTION 7.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1:

(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);

(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.4); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and

 

28


(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

SECTION 7.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OR SECURITIES.

(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.

(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.

(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.1, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 7.4 MAY HOLD SECURITIES.

The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.

SECTION 7.5 MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

Subject to the provisions of Section 11.5, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.

SECTION 7.6 COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith and except as the Company and Trustee may from time to time agree in writing. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its

 

29


officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises.

(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute indebtedness of the Company to which the Securities are subordinated. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.

SECTION 7.7 RELIANCE ON OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.1, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 7.8 DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 7.9 CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Securities and Exchange Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its bank holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.

If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.

 

30


SECTION 7.10 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting notice of resignation by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders of such series, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

31


(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.

(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.

(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.

SECTION 7.11 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (ii) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have

 

32


no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 7.12 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS.

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 7.13 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

 

33


SECTION 7.14 NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act notice of the Default or Event of Default within 45 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.

ARTICLE 8

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

SECTION 8.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.

If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

34


SECTION 8.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION BY SECURITYHOLDERS.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:

(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.

(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.

The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.

SECTION 8.3 WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.3) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

SECTION 8.4 CERTAIN SECURITIES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.

SECTION 8.5 ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS.

At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate

 

35


principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 9.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;

(b) to comply with Article Ten;

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

(d) to add to the covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication, and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;

 

36


(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect;

(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 2.1, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee; or

(i) to comply with any requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

SECTION 9.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.1) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.1 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (a) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

 

37


SECTION 9.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.1, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 9.4 SECURITIES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.1, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.

SECTION 9.5 EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, may receive an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof; provided, however, that such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 

38


ARTICLE 10

SUCCESSOR ENTITY

SECTION 10.1 COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other partnership (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.1 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property and (b) in the event that the Securities of any series then Outstanding are convertible into or exchangeable for common units or other securities of the Company, such entity shall, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the Securityholders of Securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such Securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of common units or other securities of the Company deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those Securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition.

SECTION 10.2 SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the obligations set forth under Section 10.1 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor partnership shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

39


(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).

SECTION 10.3 EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC. TO TRUSTEE.

(a) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, may receive an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply with the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 11.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated and not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.7 and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 11.5); or (b) all such Securities of a particular series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 7.10, that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 7.6 and 11.5, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.

 

40


SECTION 11.2 DISCHARGE OF OBLIGATIONS.

If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 11.1 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 7.6, 7.10 and 11.5 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid.

Thereafter, Sections 7.6 and 11.5 shall survive.

SECTION 11.3 DEPOSITED MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.

All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.

SECTION 11.4 PAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENTS.

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.

SECTION 11.5 REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, or such other shorter period set forth in applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, shall be repaid to the Company on May 31 of each year or upon the Company’s request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as a general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.

 

41


ARTICLE 12

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, UNITHOLDERS,

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 12.1 NO RECOURSE.

The General Partner and its directors, officers, employees and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, unitholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor partnership, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor partnership, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, unitholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor partnership, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, unitholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 13.1 EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 13.2 ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any partnership that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.

 

42


SECTION 13.3 SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor partnership.

SECTION 13.4 NOTICES.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: Green Plains Partners LP, 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400, Omaha, NE 68114, Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

SECTION 13.5 GOVERNING LAW.

This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.

SECTION 13.6 TREATMENT OF SECURITIES AS DEBT.

It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention.

SECTION 13.7 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

43


SECTION 13.8 PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.1 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.

SECTION 13.9 CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 13.10 COUNTERPARTS.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 13.11 SEPARABILITY.

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 13.12 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Company’s performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 13.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If any of the officers of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status.

 

44


ARTICLE 14

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 14.1 SUBORDINATION TERMS.

The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any series of Securities issued hereunder shall be subordinated to the extent set forth in an indenture supplemental hereto relating to such Securities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
 

[                        ],

as Trustee

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

45

EX-5.1 4 d173484dex51.htm EX-5.1 EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

August 25, 2016

Green Plains Partners LP

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

 

Re: Green Plains Partners LP

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are legal counsel to Green Plains Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and have represented the Partnership in connection with the preparation and filing of its registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by:

1. the Partnership of (a) common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Common Units”), (b) preferred units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Preferred Units”), (c) warrants to purchase Common Units or Preferred Units (“Warrants”), and (d) one or more series of debt securities (the “Debt Securities,” and together with the Common Units, the Preferred Units, and Warrants, the “Securities”), to be issued pursuant to an indenture (forms of which are attached as Exhibits 4.4 and 4.5 to the Registration Statement) and one or more supplemental indentures thereto (collectively, the “Indenture”), in an amount not to exceed $500,000,250; and

2. the selling unitholder identified in the Registration Statement (the “Selling Unitholder”), of up to 13,513,500 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Selling Unitholder Units”).

The Securities and Selling Unitholder Units may be issued from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

In connection with the foregoing, we have examined such documents, partnership records and matters of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with these opinions.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or facsimile copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Partnership, its directors and officers, had the power, corporate or otherwise, to enter


LOGO

August 25, 2016

Page 2

 

into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or otherwise, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Partnership and others. With respect to the actions to be taken subsequent to the date hereof by the Board of Directors of Green Plains Holdings LLC (the “Board”), its General Partner, or an authorized committee thereof, we have assumed that such actions will be taken at duly called meetings with a quorum of directors or committee members, as the case may be, present and acting throughout, or by unanimous written consent of all directors or committee members, as the case may be. We have assumed that the form of certificate or other instrument or document to be issued after the date hereof representing the Securities and Selling Unitholder Units to be issued under the Registration Statement will conform in all respects to the requirements applicable under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”). We have also assumed that a prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities and Selling Unitholder Units offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws.

The opinions expressed below are limited to matters governed by Federal securities laws, the Delaware Act and, as to the Debt Securities constituting valid and legally binding obligations of the Partnership, solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. The Securities and Selling Unitholder Units may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to the other qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Common Units, when (a) the Partnership has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance of such Common Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (b) the Common Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Partnership upon payment of the consideration thereof or provided for therein, then the Common Units will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act).

2. With respect to the Preferred Units, when (a) the Partnership has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such Preferred Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (b) the Preferred Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Partnership upon payment of the consideration thereof or provided for therein, then the Preferred Units will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act).


LOGO

August 25, 2016

Page 3

 

3. With respect to the Warrants, when (a) the Partnership has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such Warrants, the terms of the offering and related matters and (b) the Warrants have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable warrant agreement or similar agreement approved by the Partnership, and upon payment of any consideration therefor provided for therein and in any applicable definitive warrant or similar agreement approved by the Partnership, then the Warrants will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Partnership, in accordance with their terms.

4. When the Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary partnership action, and duly executed and delivered, and when the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and authorized by all necessary partnership action, and such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus and by such partnership action, such Debt Securities will be the legally valid and binding obligation of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with their terms.

5. The Selling Unitholder Units have been validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non- assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act and as described in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus).

To the extent that the obligations of the Partnership under the Indenture may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of the opinion set forth in paragraph 4 above that the trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the trustee is duly qualified to engage in the activities contemplated by the Indenture; that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee and constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of the trustee enforceable against the trustee in accordance with its terms; that the trustee is in compliance, with respect to acting as a trustee under the Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that the trustee has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under the Indenture. We further assume that the status of the Debt Securities as binding obligations of the Partnership will not be affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.


LOGO

August 25, 2016

Page 4

 

The opinions expressed in paragraph 4 above shall be understood to mean only that if (i) there is a default in performance of an obligation, (ii) failure to pay or other damage can be shown and (iii) the defaulting party can be brought into a court which will hear the case and apply the governing law, then, subject to the availability of defenses and to the exceptions set forth in the opinion, the court will provide a money damage (or perhaps injunctive or specific performance) remedy.

The opinions expressed above are further subject to the following limitations, qualifications and exceptions (the “Exceptions”):

(a) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights or remedies of creditors;

(b) the effects of general principles of equity, whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought; and

(c) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy.

We express no opinion with respect to (i) whether acceleration of the Debt Securities may affect the collectibility of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof that might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon, (ii) compliance with laws relating to permissible rates of interest, (iii) the creation, validity, perfection or priority of any security interest, mortgage, or lien, or (iv) any provision to the extent it requires any party to indemnify any other person against loss in obtaining the currency due following a court judgment in another currency.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Husch Blackwell LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or under the rules and regulations of the Commission relating thereto.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/Husch Blackwell LLP
EX-8.1 5 d173484dex81.htm EX-8.1 EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

 

LOGO

August 25, 2016

Green Plains Partners LP

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400

Omaha, Nebraska 68114

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Green Plains Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the Partnership under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on August 25, 2016 (the “Registration Statement”), for the purpose of registering under the Act, among other securities, common units of the Partnership.

This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the Partnership as to factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Partnership (the “Representation Letter”). In addition, this opinion is based upon the factual representations of the Partnership concerning its business, properties and governing documents as set forth in the Partnership’s Registration Statement and the Partnership’s responses to our examinations and inquiries.

In our capacity as counsel to the Partnership, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. For the purpose of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above-referenced documents or in the Representation Letter. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us which are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification.

We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of the federal income tax laws of the United States and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of other federal laws, foreign laws, the laws of any state or any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state. No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed herein.

Based on such facts, assumptions and representations and subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Registration Statement and the Representation Letter, the statements in the Registration Statement under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences,”

 

Husch Blackwell LLP


LOGO

 

insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute the opinion of Husch Blackwell LLP as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the matters described therein.

This opinion is rendered to you as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the representations described above, including in the Registration Statement and the Representation Letter may affect the conclusions stated herein.

This opinion is furnished to you, and is for your use in connection with the transactions set forth in the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity, for any purpose, without our prior written consent, except that this opinion may be relied upon by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Husch Blackwell LLP

 

Husch Blackwell LLP

EX-12.1 6 d173484dex121.htm EX-12.1 EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Green Plains Partners LP

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months
Ended

June 30,
2016
     Year Ended December 31,  
        2015      2014     2013  

Earnings:

          

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 26,416       $ 12,099       $ (20,591   $ (12,515

Fixed charges

     5,010         7,836         7,196        5,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings (loss)

   $ 31,426       $ 19,935       $ (13,395   $ (7,355
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

          

Interest expense

   $ 794       $ 381       $ 138      $ 768   

Interest component of rent expense

     4,216         7,455         7,058        4,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

   $ 5,010       $ 7,836       $ 7,196      $ 5,160   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     6.3         2.5         *        *   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was negative for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. To achieve a ratio of earnings to fixed charges of 1:1, we would have had to generate an additional $20.6 million and $12.5 million of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
EX-23.1 7 d173484dex231.htm EX-23.1 EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

KPMG LLP

Suite 300

1212 N. 96th Street

Omaha, NE 68114-2274

Suite 1600

233 South 13th Street

Lincoln, NE 68508-2041

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors of Green Plains Holdings LLC,

the general partner of Green Plains Partners LP and

Unitholders of Green Plains Partners LP:

We consent to the use of our report dated May 12, 2016, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Green Plains Partners LP and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the related consolidated statements of operations, partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Green Plains Partners LP and subsidiaries dated May 12, 2016, incorporated herein by reference, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the registration statement.

Our report dated May 12, 2016 contains an explanatory paragraph that states that as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the partnership recognized the assets and liabilities transferred on July 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016, at the parent’s historical cost basis. Such assets and liabilities and the associated expenses are reflected retroactively.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

Omaha, Nebraska

August 25, 2016

GRAPHIC 8 g173484g20g33.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g173484g20g33.jpg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end GRAPHIC 9 g173484g23i34.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g173484g23i34.jpg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end