0001193125-17-034624.txt : 20170208 0001193125-17-034624.hdr.sgml : 20170208 20170208161120 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-17-034624 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20170208 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20170208 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CNX Coal Resources LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001637558 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BITUMINOUS COAL & LIGNITE MINING [1220] IRS NUMBER: 473445032 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-215962 FILM NUMBER: 17582650 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 BUSINESS PHONE: 724-485-4009 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CNX Thermal Holdings LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001697476 IRS NUMBER: 473744238 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-215962-01 FILM NUMBER: 17582651 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 BUSINESS PHONE: 724-485-4000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CNX Operating LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001697475 IRS NUMBER: 473744108 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-215962-02 FILM NUMBER: 17582652 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 BUSINESS PHONE: 724-485-4000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CNX Coal Finance Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001697473 IRS NUMBER: 815232249 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-215962-03 FILM NUMBER: 17582653 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 BUSINESS PHONE: 724-485-4000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1000 CONSOL ENERGY DRIVE CITY: CANONSBURG STATE: PA ZIP: 15317 S-3 1 d340532ds3.htm FORM S-3 Form S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2017

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

CNX Coal Resources LP*

CNX Coal Finance Corp.

and certain subsidiaries identified in the “Table of Additional Registrants” below

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

Delaware

 

47-3445032

81-5232249

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 485-4000

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

 

 

Lorraine L. Ritter

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 485-4000

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

 

 

Copy to:

 

Martha A. Wiegand

General Counsel and Secretary, CNX Coal Resources LP

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 485-4000

 

Hannah T. Frank

McGuireWoods LLP

625 Liberty Avenue, 23rd Floor

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

(412) 667-7936

 

 

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

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


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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 426(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      Smaller reporting company  

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title Of Each Class 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

               

Common units

  (1)       (1)    

Preferred units

  (1)       (1)    

Senior debt securities

  (1)(2)       (1)(2)    

Subordinated debt securities

  (1)(2)       (1)(2)    

Guarantees of debt securities

  (1)(2)       (1)(2)   (3)

Total

          $750,000,000(3)(4)   $86,925.00(3)(4)

Secondary Offering

               

Common units

  10,494,934(5)   $18.33(6)(7)   $119,849,568.50(6)(7)   $13,890.56(6)(7)

Class A Preferred Units

  3,956,496   $17.01(8)   $67,299,996.96(8)   $7,800.07(8)

Total primary and secondary

              $108,615.63

 

 

(1) An unspecified aggregate number or principal amount of securities are being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices, along with an indeterminate number of securities that may be issued upon exercise, settlement, exchange or conversion of securities offered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for common units that are issuable upon exercise, settlement, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units.
(2) Debt securities (senior or subordinated) will be issued by CNX Coal Resources LP and may be co-issued by CNX Coal Finance Corp. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of those debt securities shall be in an amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed the proposed maximum aggregate offering price set forth above, less the dollar amount of any registered securities previously issued.
(3) One or more subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP may guarantee the debt securities. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.
(4) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities offered from time to time, in a primary offering, pursuant to the prospectus included as part of this registration statement exceed the proposed maximum aggregate offering price set forth above. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price for each class of securities to be registered is not specified pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.
(5) Includes 6,538,438 outstanding common units held by the selling unitholders named in the prospectus included as part of this registration statement. Also includes 3,956,496 common units issuable upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Units held by a selling unitholder named in the prospectus included as part of this registration statement. The Class A Preferred Units convert into common units, on a one-for-one basis, at the election of the holder thereof (i) at any time after September 30, 2017, (ii) with respect to any dissolution or liquidation of CNX Coal Resources LP pursuant to the partnership agreement occurring prior to September 30, 2017, and (iii) with respect to a “Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control” (as defined in the partnership agreement).
(6)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, with respect to the common units to be sold by the selling unitholders named in the prospectus included as part of


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  this registration statement, based on the average of the high and low prices of the common units as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on February 3, 2017.
(7) The common units issuable upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Units will be issued for no additional consideration and, therefore, no additional registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(8) Calculated based on the price of the Class A Preferred Units of $17.01 at the time of original issuance on September 30, 2016.

 

* Includes subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP identified on the following page that may guarantee the debt securities.

 

 

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 Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter

   State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
     IRS Employer
Identification
Number
 

CNX Operating LLC

     Delaware         47-3744108   

CNX Thermal Holdings LLC

     Delaware         47-3744238   

The address for each additional registrant guarantor’s principal executive offices is c/o CNX Coal Resources LP, 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317 and the telephone number for each additional registrant guarantor is (724) 485-4000.


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

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY     , 2017

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

Preferred Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

Class A Preferred Units

Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series, the following securities under this prospectus:

 

    common units representing limited partnership interests in CNX Coal Resources LP;

 

    preferred units representing limited partnership interests in CNX Coal Resources LP; and

 

    debt securities.

The debt securities may be issued by us or co-issued by us with CNX Coal Finance Corp. Subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP may guarantee the debt securities.

Further, the selling unitholders identified in this prospectus may offer and sell from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to 6,538,438 outstanding common units representing partnership interests and up to 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units or any common units into which such Class A Preferred Units may be converted.

CONSOL Energy Inc., a selling unitholder, who is an affiliate of CNX Coal Resources LP, is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and, as a result, may be deemed to be making a primary offering of securities, indirectly, on our behalf. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any sale by a selling unitholder. For a detailed discussion of the selling unitholders, including CONSOL Energy Inc., please read the section captioned “The Selling Unitholders” in this prospectus.

We or the selling unitholders may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we or the selling unitholders will offer the securities. The specific terms of any securities we or the selling unitholders offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we or the selling unitholders will offer the securities.

You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we refer to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements. Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNXC.” The Class A Preferred Units have not been, and will not be, listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange. We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.

We will provide information in the prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities we may offer.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider each of the factors referred to under “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus and contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before you make an investment in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2017.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     1   

Where You Can Find More Information

     1   

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     2   

About CNX Coal Resources LP

     3   

About CNX Coal Finance Corp.

     5   

Risk Factors

     5   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     5   

Use of Proceeds

     6   

Description of the Common Units

     7   

Description of the Preferred Units

     8   

Description of the Class A Preferred Units

     9   

The Partnership Agreement

     13   

Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Distributions

     27   

Description of Debt Securities

     41   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     50   

Investment in CNX Coal Resources LP by Employee Benefit Plans

     70   

Plan of Distribution

     72   

The Selling Unitholders

     74   

Legal Matters

     77   

Experts

     77   

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process or continuous offering process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell up to $750,000,000 of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, each selling unitholder may sell from time to time, the units registered under this registration statement in their respective names. Each time we or any selling unitholder offer securities with this prospectus, we will provide this prospectus and a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, who is selling (the partnership or a selling unitholder or both), the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including, in the case of debt securities, the specific terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update, or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement.

The information in this prospectus is accurate as of its date. Therefore, before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

References in this prospectus to “CNX Coal Resources LP,” “we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to CNX Coal Resources LP and its subsidiaries.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to another document filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically supersede information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference. Therefore, before you decide to invest in a particular offering under this prospectus, you should always check for reports we may have filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:

 

    Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016;

 

    Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 30, 2017 (excluding any information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K); and

 

    The description of our common units contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 333-203165), filed with the SEC on June 17, 2015.

In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by CNX Coal Resources LP with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated.

You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained from the SEC’s web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. Please call the SEC at 1 (800) SEC-0330 for further information on public

 

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reference rooms. Additionally, you can obtain information about us through the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common units are listed. We also make available free of charge on our website at http:// http://www.cnxlp.com all materials that we file electronically with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this prospectus.

You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any exhibit specifically incorporated by reference in those documents, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following:

Martha A. Wiegand

General Counsel and Secretary, CNX Coal Resources LP

CNX Center

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506

(724) 485-4000

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Examples include statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or that include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate” and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters. Our forward-looking statements include statements about our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, our expected capital expenditures and the impact of such expenditures on our performance, the costs of being a publicly traded partnership and our capital programs.

A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement. We believe that we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

 

    changes in coal prices or the costs of mining or transporting coal;

 

    uncertainty in estimating economically recoverable coal reserves and replacement of reserves;

 

    our ability to develop our existing coal reserves and successfully execute our mining plans;

 

    changes in general economic conditions, both domestically and globally;

 

    competitive conditions within the coal industry;

 

    changes in the consumption patterns of coal-fired power plants and steelmakers and other factors affecting the demand for coal by coal-fired power plants and steelmakers;

 

    the availability and price of coal to the consumer compared to the price of alternative and competing fuels;

 

    competition from the same and alternative energy sources;

 

    energy efficiency and technology trends;

 

    our ability to successfully implement our business plan;

 

    the price and availability of debt and equity financing;

 

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    operating hazards and other risks incidental to coal mining;

 

    major equipment failures and difficulties in obtaining equipment, parts and raw materials;

 

    availability, reliability and costs of transporting coal;

 

    adverse or abnormal geologic conditions, which may be unforeseen;

 

    natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control;

 

    interest rates;

 

    labor availability, relations and other workforce factors;

 

    defaults by our sponsor under our operating agreement and employee services agreement;

 

    changes in availability and cost of capital;

 

    changes in our tax status;

 

    delays in the receipt of, failure to receive or revocation of necessary governmental permits;

 

    defects in title or loss of any leasehold interests with respect to our properties;

 

    the effect of existing and future laws and government regulations, including the enforcement and interpretation thereof;

 

    the effects of litigation; and

 

    certain factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus.

You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs at the time they are made, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors,” which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

All forward-looking statements included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference and all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of forward-looking statements contained in any document incorporated by reference, the date of such document. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update these statements to reflect any change in our expectations or beliefs or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

ABOUT CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

We are a growth-oriented master limited partnership formed on March 16, 2015 by CONSOL Energy Inc. (“CONSOL Energy” or our “sponsor”) to manage and further develop all of its thermal coal operations in Pennsylvania. Our assets include a 25% undivided interest in, and operational control over, CONSOL Energy’s Pennsylvania mining complex, which consists of three underground mines and related infrastructure that produce high-Btu bituminous thermal coal that is sold primarily to electric utilities in the eastern United States, our core market. We are a leading producer of high-Btu thermal coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines, the industry experience of our management team and our relationship with CONSOL Energy.

 

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The Pennsylvania mining complex, which includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine and the Harvey Mine, has extensive high-quality coal reserves. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of uniform, high-Btu thermal coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall operations. As of December 31, 2016, our portion of the Pennsylvania mining complex included 191.7 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves with an average gross heat content of approximately 12,970 Btus per pound and approximately 3.7 pounds sulfur dioxide per million British thermal units (“lbs. SO2/MMBTU”). Based on our current production capacity, these reserves are sufficient to support approximately 27 years of production. In addition, our reserves currently exhibit thermoplastic behavior suitable for cokemaking and contain an average of approximately 39-40% volatile matter (on a dry basis), which enables us, if market dynamics are favorable, to capture greater margins from selling our coal in the metallurgical market to cokemakers and steel manufacturers who utilize modern cokemaking technologies.

The design of the Pennsylvania mining complex is optimized to produce large quantities of coal on a cost-efficient basis. We are able to sustain high production volumes at comparatively low operating costs due to, among other things, the technologically advanced longwall mining systems, logistics infrastructure and safety. All of our mines utilize longwall mining, which is a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to other underground mining methods. Generally, we operate five longwalls and 16 continuous mining sections at the Pennsylvania mining complex. The current production capacity of our portion of the Pennsylvania mining complex’s five longwalls is 7.1 million tons of coal per year. The preparation plant is connected via conveyor belts to each of our mines, to clean and process up to 8,200 tons of coal per hour. Our onsite logistics infrastructure at the preparation plant includes a dual-batch train loadout facility capable of loading up to 9,000 tons of coal per hour and 19.3 miles of track linked to separate Class I rail lines owned by Norfolk Southern Corporation and CONSOL Energy, which enables us to simultaneously accommodate multiple unit trains and significantly increases our efficiency in meeting our customers’ transportation needs. Our ability to accommodate multiple unit trains allows for the seamless transition of locomotives from empty inbound trains to fully loaded outbound trains at our facility.

On July 1, 2015, our common units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CNXC”. On July 7, 2015, we completed the issuance of common units under the initial public offering, a private placement with Greenlight Capital, and entered into a $400,000,000 senior secure revolving credit facility. In connection with that offering, CONSOL Energy contributed a 20% undivided interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses comprising the Pennsylvania mining complex.

On September 30, 2016, we acquired an additional 5% of the Pennsylvania mining complex, from CONSOL Energy and its affiliates, for $21,500,000 in cash and the issuance of 3,956,496 convertible preferred units (the “Class A Preferred Units”) with a value of $67,300,000. All information (except distributable cash flow, which reflects the ownership percentage at the time) included within this filing has been recast to reflect our current 25% interest in the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses comprising the Pennsylvania mining complex.

Our primary strategy for growing our business and increasing distributions to our unitholders is to make acquisitions that increase our distributable cash flow. The primary component of our growth strategy is based upon our expectation of future divestitures by our sponsor to us of portions of its retained 75% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex. We have a right of first offer pursuant to our omnibus agreement to purchase part or all of the undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex retained by our sponsor for so long as our sponsor controls our general partner. CONSOL Energy has stated its desire to divest its retained interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex, however the timing and magnitude of such divestitures are dependent upon many market factors.

CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and our general partner, manages our operations and activities. Our sponsor owns and controls our general partner and appoints all of the directors of our general partner.

 

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Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317-6506, and our telephone number is (724) 485-4000. Our website is located at http://www.cnxlp.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

ABOUT CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

CNX Coal Finance Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in February 2017, is wholly owned by CNX Coal Resources LP, and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in evaluating an investment in our securities.

If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we may be unable to pay distributions to our unitholders, or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities. In that event, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

RATIO OF EARNINGS AND PREFERENCE DIVIDENDS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of combined earnings and preference dividends to fixed charges for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
   2016      2015      2014      2013      2012

Ratio of combined earnings and preference dividends to fixed charges(a)

     2.9x         5.8x         9.1x         12.1x       N/A

 

(a) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” are defined as income before taxes plus fixed charges less capitalized interest. “Fixed charges” consist of interest expensed and capitalized, preferred unit distributions and an estimate of interest within rent expense.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, including repayment of debt, acquisitions and capital expenditures.

The actual application of proceeds we receive from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering.

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS

General

The common units represent limited partner interests in us. As of the date of this prospectus, we had outstanding 11,717,235 common units. The holders of the common units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and are entitled to exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”

Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol “CNXC.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Duties

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will serve as the transfer agent and registrar for our common units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except for 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 partnership interests will be evidenced by book-entry notation on our partnership register and not by physical certificates.

There will be no charge to our unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will 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 intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.

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 a successor has not been appointed or has not accepted its 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 and in the records of our transfer agent. Each transferee:

 

    represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

 

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

 

    gives the consents and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements entered into in connection with our formation and this offering.

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 and in the records of our transfer agent. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records from time to time as necessary to accurately reflect the 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 are transferable according 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.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED UNITS

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities for the consideration and with the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties 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, as determined by our general partner, have special voting rights to which our common units are not entitled.

As of the date of this prospectus, we have outstanding 3,956,496 preferred units designated as “Class A Preferred Units.” For a description of the relative rights and preferences, please read the section captioned “Description of the Class A Preferred Units.”

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;

 

    the conversion or exchange provisions of the preferred units;

 

    any redemption or sinking fund provisions 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.

The transfer agent and registrar for any preferred units will be designated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE CLASS A PREFERRED UNITS

General

On September 30, 2016, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the partnership to provide for the creation and issuance of the Class A Preferred Units and issued 3,596,496 Class A Preferred Units to our sponsor CONSOL Energy in a private placement. The following is a description of the terms, rights and preferences of the Class A Preferred Units. In addition, please read the sections captioned “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Distributions” and “The Partnership Agreement”.

Distributions

Distributions on each outstanding Class A Preferred Unit will be cumulative, and will accumulate at 11.0% per annum (the “Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate”) for each calendar quarter beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2016 until such time as we pay the full cumulative Class A Preferred Unit distribution in respect of such Class A Preferred Unit with respect to such calendar quarter or such Class A Preferred Unit is converted in accordance with the partnership agreement, whether or not such Class A Preferred Unit distributions have been declared.

Subject to certain exceptions, a holder of Class A Preferred Units will be entitled to receive Class A Preferred Unit distributions in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit held by such holder as of the applicable record date from time to time out of any of our assets legally available for the payment of distributions at the Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate when, as, and if declared by the board of directors of our general partner. Class A Preferred Unit distributions, to the extent declared by the board of directors of our general partner to be paid by us in accordance with the partnership agreement, will be paid quarterly, in arrears, at the election of the partnership either in additional Class A Preferred Units or in cash. If we fail to pay in full any Class A Preferred Unit distribution (a “Class A Preferred Unit Payment Default”), then the amount of such Class A Preferred Unit arrearage will be increased at an annual rate of 11.0%, compounded quarterly, from the first day of the quarter immediately following the quarter in respect of which such Class A Preferred Unit distribution was to be paid until the Class A Preferred Unit cumulative arrearage has been paid in full.

Until such time as all Class A Preferred Unit cumulative arrearages are paid in full in cash, we will not be permitted to, and will not, declare or make (i) any distributions in respect of any securities of our ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Units (including common units) or (ii) any distributions in respect of any security of us ranking pari passu (a “Parity Security”) with Class A Preferred Units, other than the Class A Preferred Unit distribution; provided, however, that distributions may be declared and paid in respect of the Class A Preferred Units and any Parity Securities, as long as such distributions are declared and paid pro rata such that the amounts of distributions declared per Class A Preferred Unit and per unit of such Parity Security shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued but unpaid and accumulated distributions per Class A Preferred Unit and per unit of such Parity Security bear to each other.

Dissolution

The partnership agreement also provides that in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (voluntary or involuntary), (i) the holders of the Class A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to unitholders, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership to the holders of any class or series of Units, the positive value in each such holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Class A Preferred Units and (ii) items of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated to the Class A Preferred Units so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit to equal the Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price (which was initial $17.01 and is subject to certain adjustments under the partnership agreement) plus any cumulative arrearages on the Class A Preferred Units.

 

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Voting

Holders of Class A Preferred Units will have such voting rights pursuant to the partnership agreement as such holders of Class A Preferred Units would have if all such Class A Preferred Units held by such persons were converted, on a one-for-one basis, into common units that were outstanding as of the relevant record date and will vote together with the holders of common units as a single class on an “as if” converted on the relevant record date basis. Holders of Class A Preferred Units will be entitled to vote as a separate class on any matter that adversely affects the rights, privileges or preferences of the Class A Preferred Units in any material respect or as required by applicable law or regulation.

Conversion at the Election of the Holder

Class A Preferred Units are convertible, at the election of the holder thereof, into common units on a one-for-one basis (i) at any time after September 30, 2017, (ii) with respect to any dissolution or liquidation of us pursuant to the partnership agreement occurring prior to September 30, 2017, as of the business day immediately prior to the effective date of such dissolution or liquidation and (iii) with respect to a Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control (as defined below), as of the business day immediately prior to the record date or effective date, as applicable, of such Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control.

“Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) CONSOL has ceased to directly or indirectly own at least 50% of the voting securities of our general partner, measured by voting power rather than number of units (other than in connection with a qualified initial public offering of our general partner); (ii) the common units are no longer listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange; (iii) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (including by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets taken as a whole to any person individually or two or more persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of the issuer; (iv) our general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners pursuant to the partnership agreement; (v) the dissolution or liquidation of us or our general partner (other than in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding or statutory winding up), (vi) any transaction pursuant to which our general partner or any of its affiliates exercises its rights to purchase all of the common units pursuant to the partnership agreement and (vii) any transaction or event that constitutes a change of control under any of our Funded Indebtedness (as defined below) in excess of $20 million in the aggregate for such indebtedness that permits or causes the acceleration of such indebtedness or the termination of any commitment to lend. “Funded Indebtedness” means all indebtedness for borrowed money that by its terms or by the terms of any instrument or agreement relating thereto matures, or which is otherwise payable or unpaid, one year or more from, or is directly or indirectly renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor in respect thereof to a date one year or more (including, without limitation, an option of such obligor under a revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a period of one year or more) from, the date of the creation thereof.

Conversion at Our Election

All, but not less than all, of the outstanding Class A Preferred Units are convertible, at our election, into common units on a one-for-one basis, on or after September 30, 2019; provided, that (i) no Class A Preferred Unit Payment Default has occurred and is continuing; (ii) the volume-weighted average trading price of the common units on the national securities exchange on which the common units are then listed, quoted or admitted to trading over the 15-day trading period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date of the Class A Preferred Unit conversion notice is equal to or greater than 140% of the Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price; and (iii) the average daily trading volume of the common units on the national securities exchange on which the common units are then listed, quoted or admitted to trading is at least 35,000 common units (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments) with respect to any 20 trading days within the 30-trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date of the Class A Preferred Unit conversion notice.

 

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We shall make a cash payment to any holder of Class A Preferred Units with respect to any Class A Preferred Units converted to account for any accrued but unpaid distributions on such Class A Preferred Units up to, but excluding, the date of such conversion. Instead of issuing any fractional common units, we shall, after aggregating all common units to be issued to such holder of Class A Preferred Units at that time, round down the number of common units issued to each holder of Class A Preferred Units to the next lower whole common unit and, subject to the Delaware Act, pay cash in lieu of any such fractional unit based on the then-applicable issue price of Class A Preferred Units.

With respect to Class A Preferred Units that are converted into common units, the holder thereof will not be entitled to a Class A Preferred Unit distribution and a common unit distribution with respect to the same period, but will be entitled only to the distribution to be paid based upon the class of units held as of the close of business on the applicable record date, together with all accrued but unpaid distributions on the converted Class A Preferred Units.

Upon conversion, the rights of a holder of converted Class A Preferred Units as a holder of Class A Preferred Units shall cease with respect to such converted Class A Preferred Units, including any rights under our partnership agreement with respect to holders of Class A Preferred Units, and such person shall continue to be a limited partner and have the rights of a holder of common units under our partnership agreement. Each Class A Preferred Unit shall, upon its conversion be deemed to be transferred to, and cancelled by, us in exchange for the issuance of the common units(s) into which such Class A Preferred Unit is converted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as a result of a conversion, a holder shall not lose or relinquish any claims or rights of action such holder may then or thereafter have as a result of such holder’s previous ownership of Class A Preferred Units.

We will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of common units upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Units. However, the holder shall pay any tax or duty which may be payable relating to any transfer involving the issuance or delivery of common units in a name other than the holder’s name. The transfer agent may refuse to deliver the certificate representing common units (or notation of book entry) being issued in a name other than the holder’s name until the transfer agent receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax or duties due because the units are to be issued in a name other than the holder’s name. Nothing herein shall preclude any tax withholding required by law or regulation.

We must keep free from preemptive rights a sufficient number of common units to permit the conversion of all outstanding Class A Preferred Units into common units to the extent provided in, and in accordance with our partnership agreement. All common units delivered upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Units shall be (1) newly issued or (2) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable limited partner interests in us, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien, claim, rights or encumbrances, other than those arising under the Delaware Act or our partnership agreement. We will comply with all applicable securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of any common units upon conversion of Class A Preferred Units and, if the common units are then listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or other market shall list or cause to have quoted and keep listed and quoted the common units issuable upon conversion of the Class A Preferred Units to the extent permitted or required by the rules of such exchange or market.

Restrictions on Transfers

Prior to September 30, 2017, other than transfers to affiliates, CONSOL may not transfer any Class A Preferred Units without our approval (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld).

Registration Rights

So long as the Class A Preferred Units are held by CONSOL Energy or its subsidiaries, the Class A Preferred Units will also be subject to the registration rights provisions in the partnership agreement.

 

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On September 30, 2016, in connection with the issuance of Class A Preferred Units, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with CONSOL Energy. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to prepare and file, within 180 days of the date that the first Holder (as defined below) executes and delivers a joinder agreement to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Trigger Date”), a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, to permit the public resale of the common units issued or to be issued upon a conversion of Class A Preferred Units and any common units issued as liquidated damages pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. We will use our reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective within 360 days after the Trigger Date (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). If the registration statement is not declared effective by the Effectiveness Deadline, then each Holder will be entitled to liquidated damages as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides Holders with rights that allow Holders to include their registrable securities in certain of registered offerings for our own account. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, “Holder” means the record holder of any registrable securities other than CONSOL Energy or its affiliates.

No Sinking Fund

The Class A Preferred Units will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will serve as the transfer agent and registrar for the Class A Preferred Units.

Book-Entry System

The Class A Preferred Units have been directly registered with the transfer agent and are expected to continue to be held in direct registration unless sold pursuant to this prospectus or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. Otherwise, all Class A Preferred Units offered and sold hereby will be represented by a single certificate issued to The Depository Trust Company (and its successors or assigns or any other securities depositary selected by us) (the “Depositary”), and registered in the name of its nominee (initially, Cede & Co.). The Class A Preferred Units offered and sold hereby will be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, and no holder of the Class A Preferred Units offered and sold hereby will be entitled to receive a certificate evidencing such units unless otherwise required by law or the Depositary gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such and we have not selected a substitute Depositary within 60 calendar days thereafter. Payments and communications made by us to holders of the Class A Preferred Units will be duly made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Depositary. Accordingly, unless certificates or direct registration is available to holders of those Class A Preferred Units, each purchaser of Class A Preferred Units must rely on (i) the procedures of the Depositary and its participants to receive distributions, any redemption price, liquidation preference and notices, and to direct the exercise of any voting or nominating rights, with respect to such Series A Preferred Units and (ii) the records of the Depositary and its participants to evidence its ownership of such Class A Preferred Units.

So long as the Depositary (or its nominee) is the holder of Class Preferred Units, no beneficial holder of such Class A Preferred Units through the Depositary will be deemed to be a registered unitholder of us. The Depository Trust Company, the initial Depositary, is a New York chartered limited purpose trust company that performs services for its participants, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own The Depository Trust Company. The Depositary maintains lists of its participants and will maintain the positions (i.e., ownership interests) held by its participants in the Class A Preferred Units, whether as a holder of the Class A Preferred Units for its own account or as a nominee for another holder of the Class A Preferred Units.

 

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THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of certain of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of this agreement 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 Distributions”;

 

    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 16, 2015 under the Delaware Act and will have a perpetual existence unless terminated pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement.

Purpose

Under our partnership agreement, the purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by us shall be to engage directly or indirectly in any business activity that is approved by our general partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act; provided, however, 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 U.S. 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 coal business, our general partner currently has no 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 us or our limited partners, other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 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.

Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “—Limited Liability.” For a discussion of our general partner’s right to contribute capital to maintain its general partner interest if we issue additional partnership interests, please read “—Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests.”

Voting Rights

The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for 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 held by our general partner and 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.

 

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Holders of Class A Preferred Units have such voting rights pursuant to our partnership agreement as such holders of Class A Preferred Units would have if such Class A Preferred Units were converted, on a one-for-one basis, into common units that were outstanding as of the relevant record date and will vote together with the holders of common units as a single class as if they were converted on the relevant record date. Holders of Class A Preferred Units will be entitled to vote as a separate class on any matter that adversely affects the rights, privileges or preferences of the Class A Preferred Units in any material respect or as required by applicable law or regulation.

Our sponsor has the ability to ensure passage of, as well as the ability to ensure the defeat of, any amendment that requires a unit majority by virtue of its ownership of 1,050,000 common units, 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units (which vote together with the common units on a one-for-one basis) and 11,611,067 subordinated units, representing a 60.9% limited partner interest.

 

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In voting their common, preferred 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, other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

Issuance of additional units    No approval right.
Amendment of our partnership agreement    Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the limited partners. 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 in certain circumstances. Please read “—Merger, 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 our 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, for cause. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Transfer of our 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 limited partners to an affiliate or to 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    Our general partner may transfer any or all of its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate or another person without a vote of our unitholders. 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 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 for cause;

 

    approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or

 

    take other action under our partnership agreement;

 

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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 make 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.

Our operating subsidiaries conduct business in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. We may have subsidiaries that conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a partner or member of our subsidiaries may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which such subsidiaries conduct business, including qualifying such entities 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 state 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 for cause, 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 will 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 Partnership Interests

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the partnership interests for any partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as our general partner shall determine in its sole discretion, all without the approval of any partners.

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.

 

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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 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 currently has a 1.71% general partner interest in us.

Upon issuance of additional limited partner interests (other than the issuance of common units in connection with a reset of the incentive distribution target levels or the issuance of common units upon conversion of outstanding partnership interests), our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 1.71% general partner interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional partnership interests in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase 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 represented by common units, subordinated units and other partnership interests that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The other holders of common units will not have preemptive rights 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 will have no duty or obligation to propose 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, other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 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 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.

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 office, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

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    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 a partnership 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 Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“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 (i) sets forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any class or series of partnership interests or (ii) our general partner determines to be necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with the authorization or issuance of additional 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.

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.

 

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Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval

For amendments that do not require unitholder approval, our general partner is not required to obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that an 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 for cause or call a meeting of unitholders, must be approved by the written consent or 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 for cause must be approved by the written consent or 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 written consent or 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 our partnership 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, other than the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

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. 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 that approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger with another limited liability entity without 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 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. The 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.

 

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Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until 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 (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a new limited partnership, 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 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.

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 by giving 90 days’ written notice 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.”

 

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Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is both (i) for cause and (ii) approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 23% 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. “Cause” is narrowly defined under our partnership agreement to mean that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the general partner liable to our partnership or any limited partner for intentional fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as our general partner. Cause does not include most cases of charges of poor management of the business. The ownership of more than 33 13% of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal.

In the event of removal of our general partner 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, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights 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.

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 (i) an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual), or (ii) 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 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 sponsor 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.

 

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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 CNX Coal Resources GP 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 10, but not more than 60, days’ written notice.

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 current market price calculated in accordance with our partnership agreement as of the date 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 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 limited call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market.

Possible Redemption of Ineligible Holders

If at any time our general partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that:

(i) the U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof of the U.S. federal income tax status) of one or more limited partners or their owners has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates that can be charged to customers by us or our subsidiaries (a “rate eligibility trigger”), or

(ii) we or our subsidiaries are subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we have an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of one or more limited partners or their owners (a “citizenship eligibility trigger”),

 

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then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to:

(a) in the case of a rate eligibility trigger, obtain such proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of such limited partners and, to the extent relevant, their owners, as our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce the risk of occurrence of a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by us or our subsidiaries, or

(b) in the case of a citizenship eligibility trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such limited partners and, to the extent relevant, their owners, as our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to eliminate or mitigate the risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any properties or interests therein.

Amendments adopted by our general partner may include provisions requiring all limited partners to certify as to their (and their owners’) status as eligible holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by our general partner, and may require transferees of units to so certify prior to being admitted to our partnership as limited partners.

“Eligible holders” are limited partners whose (or whose owners’) (i) U.S. federal income tax status or lack of proof of U.S. federal income tax status does not have and is not reasonably likely to have, as determined by our general partner, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates that can be charged to customers by us or our subsidiaries and (ii) nationality, citizenship or other related status does not create and is not reasonably likely to create, as determined by our general partner, a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we have an interest.

Amendments adopted by our general partner may provide that (i) any limited partner who fails to furnish, within a reasonable period, requested proof of its (and its owners’) status as an eligible holder or (ii) if upon receipt of such eligibility certificate or other requested information our general partner determines that a limited partner (or its owner) is not an eligible holder, the limited partner interests owned by such limited partner will be subject to redemption. In addition, our general partner will be substituted and treated as the owner of all limited partner interests owned by an ineligible holder.

The aggregate redemption price for redeemable interests will be an amount equal to the current market price (the date of determination of which will be the date fixed for redemption) of limited partner interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of limited partner interests of each such class included among the redeemable interests. For these purposes, the “current market price” means, as of any date for any class of limited partner interests, the average of the daily closing prices per limited partner interest of such class for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 5% annually and be payable in three equal annual installments of principal and accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date. Further, the units will not be entitled to any allocations of income or loss, distributions or voting rights while held by such unitholder.

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.

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

 

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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 in voting power 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. For all matters presented to the limited partners at a meeting at which a quorum is present for which no minimum or other vote of the limited partners is specifically required pursuant to our partnership agreement, the rules and regulations of any national securities exchange on which the common units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to us or our partnership interests, a majority of the votes cast by the limited partners holding outstanding units will be deemed to constitute the act of all limited partners (with abstentions and broker non-votes being deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter). On any matter where a minimum or other vote of limited partners is provided by any provision of our partnership agreement or required by the rules or regulations of any national securities exchange on which the common units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to us or our partners interests, such minimum or other vote will be the vote of the limited partners required to approve such matter (with the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes to be determined based on the vote of the limited partners required to approve such matter, provided that if the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes is not specified by the applicable rule, regulation or law, and there is no prevailing interpretation of such effect, then abstentions and broker non-votes will be deemed not to have been cast with respect to such matter). The general partner interest does not entitle our general partner to any vote other than its rights as general partner under our partnership agreement, will not be entitled to vote on any action required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders and will not count toward or be considered outstanding when calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for similar purposes.

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 Partnership Interests.” 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 is reflected in our register. Except as described under “—Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be 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;

 

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    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;

 

    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 it otherwise agrees, our general partner 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 will 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.

Any expenses incurred by an indemnified person in connection with any indemnification will be advanced by us.

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner and its affiliates 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 and its affiliates in connection with managing and operating our business and affairs. These expenses may include reimbursements for salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to CONSOL Energy or other affiliates of our general partner for the costs incurred in providing services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by CONSOL Energy and other 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 financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For fiscal and tax reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.

We will mail or make available to record holders of common units, within 90 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 registered public accounting firm. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also mail or make available summary financial information within 45 days after the close of each quarter (or such shorter period as required by the SEC).

We will 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 unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist such unitholder in determining its federal and state tax liability and filing its federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether such unitholder supplies us with information.

 

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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.

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.

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.

Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any partnership interest, other than the general partner interest. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to the selling unitholders.

Applicable Law; Exclusive Forum

Our partnership agreement is governed by Delaware law.

Our partnership agreement provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of 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) shall be the exclusive forum for any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (i) 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), (ii) brought in a derivative manner on our behalf, (iii) 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, (iv) asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (v) asserting a claim against us governed by the internal affairs doctrine. 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. In addition, our partnership agreement provides that each limited partner irrevocably waives the right to trial by jury in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding. 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, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claims, suits, actions or proceedings.

 

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PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

RELATING TO DISTRIBUTIONS

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

Distributions on Class A Preferred Units

On September 30, 2016, we issued 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units to our sponsor and its affiliates. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, distributions on each outstanding Class A Preferred Unit will be cumulative, and will accumulate at 11.0% per annum (the “Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate”) for each calendar quarter until we pay the full cumulative Class A Preferred Unit distribution in respect of such Class A Preferred Unit with respect to such calendar quarter or such Class A Preferred Unit is converted in accordance with the partnership agreement, whether or not such Class A Preferred Unit distributions have been declared.

A holder of Class A Preferred Units will be entitled to receive Class A Preferred Unit distributions in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit it holds from time to time out of any of our assets legally available for the payment of distributions at the Class A Preferred Unit Distribution Rate when, as, and if declared by the Board. Class A Preferred Unit distributions, to the extent declared by the Board to be paid in accordance with the partnership agreement, will be paid quarterly, in arrears, at our election, either in additional Class A Preferred Units or in cash.

If we fail to pay in full any Class A Preferred Unit distribution (a “Class A Preferred Unit Payment Default”), then the amount of such Class A Preferred Unit arrearage will be increased at an annual rate of 11.0%, compounded quarterly, from the first day of the quarter immediately following the quarter in respect of which such Class A Preferred Unit distribution was to be paid until the Class A Preferred Unit cumulative arrearage has been paid in full.

Until such time as all Class A Preferred Unit cumulative arrearages are paid in full in cash, we will not be permitted to, and will not, declare or make (i) any distributions in respect of any of our securities ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Units (including common units) or (ii) any distributions in respect of our securities ranking pari passu (a “Parity Security”) with Class A Preferred Units, other than the Class A Preferred Unit distribution; provided, however, that distributions may be declared and paid in respect of the Class A Preferred Units and any Parity Securities, as long as such distributions are declared and paid pro rata such that the amounts of distributions declared per Class A Preferred Unit and per unit of such Parity Security shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued but unpaid and accumulated distributions per Class A Preferred Unit and per unit of such Parity Security bear to each other.

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 holders of record of common units 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 any cash reserves established by our general partner to:

 

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

 

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    comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or by which we or such subsidiary is bound or we or such subsidiary’s assets are subject; 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 pursuant to this bullet point if the effect 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 additional cash and cash equivalents (i) on hand on the date of determination of available cash with respect to such quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter or (ii) available to be borrowed as a working capital borrowing as of the date of determination of available cash with respect to 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 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.

Current Cash Distribution Policy

The board of directors of our general partner has adopted a cash distribution policy that we intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units of $0.5125 per unit, or $2.05 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 the payment of expenses to our general partner. However, other than the requirement in our partnership agreement described above to distribute all of our available cash each quarter, we have no legal obligation to make quarterly cash distributions in this or any other amount, and the board of directors of our general partner has considerable discretion to determine the amount of our available cash each quarter. In addition, the board of directors of our general partner may change our cash distribution policy at any time, subject to the requirement in our partnership agreement to distribute all of our available cash quarterly.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Our general partner is currently entitled to 1.71% 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 capital to us to maintain its current general partner interest. The general partner’s 1.71% 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 general partner interest.

Our general partner also currently 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 in excess of $0.58938 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 48% does not include any distributions that our general partner or its affiliates may receive on common units, subordinated units or the general partner interest that they own.

 

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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:

 

    $50.0 million (as described below); plus

 

    all of our cash receipts after the closing of this offering, excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined below) and the termination of hedge contracts, provided that cash receipts from the termination of a hedge contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such hedge contract; 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 in this offering, 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, replacement, improvement or expansion of a capital asset and ending on 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 this offering; 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 twelve-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 operations. Our definition of operating surplus includes a provision that enables us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $50.0 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.

Interim Capital Transactions

We define interim capital transactions as (i) 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

 

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course of business) and sales of debt securities, (ii) issuances of equity interests, (iii) 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 (iv) capital contributions received by us and our subsidiaries.

Operating Expenditures

We define operating expenditures as all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, compensation of employees, officers and directors of our general partner, reimbursements of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates, debt service payments, estimated maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), repayment of working capital borrowings and payments made in the ordinary course of business under any hedge contracts, subject to the following:

 

    repayments of working capital borrowings where such borrowings have previously been deemed to have been repaid (as described above) will not constitute operating expenditures when actually repaid;

 

    payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than working capital borrowings will not constitute operating expenditures;

 

    operating expenditures will not include (i) expansion capital expenditures, (ii) actual maintenance capital expenditures, (iii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to interim capital transactions, (iv) distributions to our partners, (v) repurchases of partnership interests (excluding repurchases we make to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans) or (vi) any other expenditures or payments using the proceeds from this offering that are described in “Use of Proceeds;” and

 

    (i) amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a hedge contract will be amortized over the life of such hedge contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any hedge contract prior to the expiration of its scheduled settlement or termination date will be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such hedge contract.

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:

 

    borrowings other than working capital borrowings;

 

    sales of our equity and debt securities;

 

    sales or other dispositions of assets, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of ordinary course retirement or replacement of assets; and

 

    capital contributions received.

Characterization of Cash Distributions

All available cash distributed by us on any date from any source will generally be treated as distributed from operating surplus. We anticipate that distributions from operating surplus generally will not represent a return of capital. However, the definition of operating surplus includes certain components, including a $50.0 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 a return of capital. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

 

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Capital Expenditures

We distinguish between maintenance capital expenditures and expansion capital expenditures. In general, maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures made to maintain, over the long term, our operating capacity or capital asset base, and expansion capital expenditures are cash expenditures made to increase, over the long term, our operating capacity or capital asset base. Because our maintenance capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual maintenance capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of distributable cash flow, operating surplus and adjusted operating surplus if we were to subtract actual maintenance capital expenditures.

To help mitigate these fluctuations, our partnership agreement requires that each quarter we subtract from operating surplus an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance capital expenditures necessary to maintain our operating capacity or capital asset base over the long term, as opposed to subtracting the actual amount we spend on maintenance capital expenditures in that quarter. As a result, estimated maintenance capital expenditures will reduce operating surplus and distributable cash flow, but expansion capital expenditures and actual maintenance capital expenditures will not reduce operating surplus and distributable cash flow.

Our general partner reviews all capital expenditures on an annual basis in connection with the budget process and on a quarterly basis at the time expenditures are made to determine which expenditures increase current operating capacity or capital asset base over the long term. Factors our general partner will consider include an assessment of current operating capacity or capital asset base of a mine at the time of the expenditure and an evaluation of whether the expenditure will increase such mine’s operating capacity or capital asset base or whether the expenditure will replace or maintain such mine’s current operating capacity or capital asset base. To the extent a capital expenditure increases operating capacity or capital asset base in a sustainable way, it will be classified as an expansion capital expenditure in the period in which the capital expenditure was made. Otherwise, it will be considered a maintenance capital expenditure. 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.

Maintenance Capital Expenditures

Under our partnership agreement, maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the construction 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 capital asset base. Examples of maintenance capital expenditures include expenditures associated with the replacement of equipment and coal reserves, whether through the expansion of an existing mine or the acquisition or development of new reserves, to the extent such expenditures are made to maintain, over the long term, our operating capacity or capital asset base as they exist at such time as the capital expenditures are made. In addition, the rebuild of a continuous mining unit is considered a maintenance capital expenditure as it will not result in a sustainable, long-term increase to a mine’s operating capacity or capital asset base but rather will maintain such mine’s current operating capacity or capital asset base.

Our partnership agreement requires that each quarter we subtract from operating surplus an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance capital expenditures necessary to maintain our operating capacity or capital asset base over the long term, as opposed to subtracting the actual amount we spend on maintenance capital expenditures in that quarter. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus for those periods is subject to review and revision by our general partner at least once a year. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition or the introduction of new governmental regulations that will impact our business. Our partnership agreement does not set a limit on the amount of maintenance capital expenditures that our general partner may estimate. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate is prospective only.

 

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Expansion Capital Expenditures

Under our partnership agreement, expansion capital expenditures are cash expenditures for acquisitions, the construction of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets that are made to increase, over the long term, our operating capacity or capital asset base. Expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including incremental distributions on incentive distribution rights) 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, 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. Examples of expansion capital expenditures include the acquisition or the construction, development or expansion of additional mines, longwall mining systems, processing facilities, transload facilities or storage capacity, to the extent such capital expenditures are expected to expand our long-term operating capacity or capital asset base. For example, should we determine to develop an additional longwall mining system at the Harvey mine, the capital expenditures related to the development of the second longwall mining system would be considered expansion capital expenditures since they would increase the current operating capacity or capital asset base of the Harvey mine over the long term. Because expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance all or a portion of the construction of a capital asset in respect of a period that (i) begins when we enter into a binding obligation to commence construction of a capital improvement and (ii) ends on the earlier to occur of the date any such capital asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of, such interest payments also do not reduce operating surplus.

Subordinated Units and Subordination Period

General

Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (which we define below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to 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 from operating surplus until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution from operating surplus plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from operating surplus on the common units from prior quarters. Furthermore, no 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 available cash to be distributed on the common units.

Subordination Period

The subordination period began on the closing of our initial public offering. The subordination period was suspended during the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016 so it will extend until the first business day following the distribution of available cash in respect of any quarter beginning no earlier than June 30, 2019, 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 1.71% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $2.05 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;

 

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    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 $2.05 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 1.71% general partner interest during those periods on a fully diluted 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 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 1.71% general partner interest equaled or exceeded $3.08 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), plus the related distributions on the incentive distribution rights, 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 (i) $3.08 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on the 1.71% general partner interest during that period on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the corresponding distributions on the incentive distribution rights; and

 

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

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 increases in working capital borrowings and 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 expenditures that are not operating expenditures solely because of the provision described in clause (vi) of the third bullet under the caption “—Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus—Operating Expenditures” above; 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.

 

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Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:

 

    first, 98.29% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

    second, 98.29% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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, 98.29% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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 current 1.71% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus After the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:

 

    first, 98.29% to all common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common 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 current 1.71% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Initially, our general partner was entitled to 2% of all quarterly distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. The general partner’s initial 2% general partner interest in these distributions was reduced as a result of issuing additional limited partner interests in the form of Class A Preferred Units, and our general partner did not contribute a proportionate amount of capital. The general partner now has a 1.71% general partner interest and is entitled to 1.71% 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 general partner interest if we issue additional limited partner interests. Our general partner’s current 1.71% general partner interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled from such 1.71% 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 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 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.

 

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Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13%, 23% and 48%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest.

The following discussion assumes that our general partner maintains its current general partner interest, our general partner continues to own the incentive distribution rights and we do not issue any additional classes of equity securities.

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, 98.29% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.58938 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);

 

    second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.64063 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);

 

    third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.76875 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and

 

    thereafter, 50% to all 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 initial 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 percentage interests of our unitholders and our general partner 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” until available cash we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. 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 1.71% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 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
     Unitholders     General
Partner
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

        $0.5125         98.29     1.71

First Target Distribution

   above $ 0.5125      up to $0.58938         98.29     1.71

Second Target Distribution

   above $ 0.58938      up to $0.64063         85     15

Third Target Distribution

   above $ 0.64063      up to $0.76875         75     25

Thereafter

   above $ 0.76875         50     50

 

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General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels

Our general partner, as the current 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.

Our general partner’s right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to our general partner are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the conflicts committee, 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 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. In addition, our general partner will be issued a general partner interest necessary to maintain our general partner’s interest in us immediately prior to the reset election.

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, 98.29% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 115% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

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    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.

Our general partner 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

We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

    first, 98.29% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit that was issued in this offering, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price in this offering;

 

    second, 98.29% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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, as if they were from operating surplus.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its current 1.71% 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 a return of capital. The 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 issued in any offering in an amount equal to the 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 make 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 of our incentive distribution rights, to the extent outstanding.

 

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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 or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:

 

    the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

    target distribution levels;

 

    the unrecovered initial unit price; and

 

    the arrearages per common unit 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 and 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.

The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units upon our liquidation, 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. 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 distributed 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.

 

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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, 98.29% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% to our general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of:

(1) the unrecovered initial unit price;

(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, 98.29% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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, 98.29% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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 98.29% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 1.71% 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 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 clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the fourth bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

 

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The partnership agreement also provides that in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Partnership (voluntary or involuntary), (i) the holders of the Class A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to unitholders, prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership to the holders of any class or series of Units, the positive value in each such holder’s Capital Account in respect of such Class A Preferred Units and (ii) items of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated to the Class A Preferred Units so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Class A Preferred Unit to equal the Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price (which was initial $17.01 and is subject to certain adjustments under the partnership agreement) plus any cumulative arrearages on the Class A Preferred Units.

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, 98.29% to the holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 1.71% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;

 

    second, 98.29% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 1.71% 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 current 1.71% 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 units. 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 units, our partnership agreement requires that we generally allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units 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 units 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 units 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.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

General

The debt securities will be:

 

    our direct general obligations;

 

    either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and

 

    issued under separate indentures among us, any subsidiary guarantors and a trustee.

CNX Coal Resources LP may issue debt securities in one or more series, and CNX Coal Finance Corp. may be a co-issuer of one or more series of debt securities. CNX Coal Finance Corp. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in February 2017, is wholly owned by CNX Coal Resources LP and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto. When used in this section “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “issuers” refer jointly to CNX Coal Resources LP and CNX Coal Finance Corp., and the terms “CNX Coal Resources LP” and “CNX Finance” refer strictly to CNX Coal Resources LP and CNX Coal Finance Corp., respectively.

If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we issue subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. A form of each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have not restated either indenture in its entirety in this description. You should read the relevant indenture because it, and not this description, controls your rights as holders of the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indentures.

Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities in the Prospectus Supplement

A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

    whether CNX Finance will be a co-issuer of the debt securities;

 

    the guarantors of the debt securities, if any;

 

    whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities;

 

    the title of the debt securities;

 

    the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

    the assets, if any, that are pledged as security for the payment of the debt securities;

 

    whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder in registered form, or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depository on behalf of holders;

 

    the prices at which we will issue the debt securities;

 

    the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;

 

    the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities will be payable, if not U.S. dollars;

 

    the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;

 

    the interest rate that the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;

 

    any conversion or exchange provisions;

 

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    any optional redemption provisions;

 

    any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;

 

    any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; and

 

    any other terms of the debt securities.

We may offer and sell debt securities, including original issue discount debt securities, at a substantial discount below their principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe special U.S. federal income tax and any other considerations applicable to those securities. In addition, the prospectus supplement may describe certain special U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars.

Guarantees

If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, the subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP specified in the prospectus supplement will unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the trustee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by substantially all of the domestic subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP. The prospectus supplement will describe any limitation on the maximum amount of any particular guarantee and the conditions under which guarantees may be released.

The guarantees will be general obligations of the guarantors. Guarantees of subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the guarantors on the same basis as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of CNX Coal Resources LP.

Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale

Each indenture will, in general, allow us to consolidate or merge with or into another domestic entity. It will also allow each issuer to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to another domestic entity. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring entity must assume all of the issuer’s responsibilities and liabilities under the applicable indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the issuer’s covenants in the applicable indenture.

However, each indenture will impose certain requirements with respect to any consolidation or merger with or into an entity, or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of an issuer’s assets, including:

 

    the remaining or acquiring entity must be organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; provided that CNX Finance may not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into another entity other than a corporation satisfying such requirement for so long as CNX Coal Resources LP is not a corporation;

 

    the remaining or acquiring entity must assume the issuer’s obligations under the applicable indenture; and

 

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default (as defined under “—Events of Default and Remedies” below) may exist.

The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for the issuer in the applicable indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and the issuer will be relieved from any further obligations under the applicable indenture.

 

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No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of control of us or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change of control of us.

Modification of Indentures

We may supplement or amend an indenture if the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under the indenture affected by the supplement or amendment consent to it. Further, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive past defaults under the applicable indenture and compliance by us with our covenants with respect to the debt securities of that series only. Those holders may not, however, waive any default in any payment on any debt security of that series or compliance with a provision that cannot be supplemented or amended without the consent of each holder affected. Without the consent of each outstanding debt security affected, no modification of the indenture or waiver may:

 

    reduce the principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

    reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security;

 

    reduce or waive the premium payable upon redemption or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of the debt securities (except as may be permitted in the case of a particular series of debt securities);

 

    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any debt security;

 

    waive a Default or an Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

    except as otherwise permitted under the applicable indenture, release any security that may have been granted with respect to the debt securities;

 

    make any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt securities;

 

    in the case of any subordinated debt security, make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely affects the rights of any holder under those provisions;

 

    make any change in the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of debt securities to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities;

 

    waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security (except as may be permitted in the case of a particular series of debt securities);

 

    except as otherwise permitted in the applicable indenture, release any guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture or change any guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of holders; or

 

    make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions (except to increase any percentage set forth therein).

We may supplement or amend an indenture without the consent of any holders of the debt securities in certain circumstances, including:

 

    to establish the form of terms of any series of debt securities;

 

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

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    to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certified notes;

 

    to provide for the assumption of an issuer’s or guarantor’s obligations to holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of such issuer’s or guarantor’s assets;

 

    in the case of any subordinated debt security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of CNX Coal Resources LP;

 

    to add or release guarantors pursuant to the terms of the applicable indenture;

 

    to make any changes that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities or that do not, taken as a whole, adversely affect the rights under the applicable indenture of any holder of debt securities;

 

    to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“Trust Indenture Act”);

 

    to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the applicable indenture of a successor trustee;

 

    to add any additional Events of Default; or

 

    to secure the debt securities and/or the guarantees.

Events of Default and Remedies

“Event of Default,” when used in an indenture, will mean any of the following with respect to the debt securities of any series:

 

    failure to pay when due the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series;

 

    failure to pay, within 30 days of the due date, interest on any debt security of that series;

 

    failure to pay when due any sinking fund payment with respect to any debt securities of that series;

 

    failure on the part of the issuers to comply with the covenant described under “—Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale”;

 

    failure to perform any other covenant in the applicable indenture that continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the issuers;

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of an issuer; or

 

    any other Event of Default provided under the terms of the debt securities of that series.

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

If an Event of Default described in the sixth bullet point above occurs, the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, all debt securities then outstanding will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. If any other Event of Default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority in the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can rescind the declaration.

 

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Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under either indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for that series of debt securities.

No Limit on Amount of Debt Securities

Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue, unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement. Each indenture will allow us to issue debt securities of any series up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize.

Registration of Notes

We will issue debt securities of a series only in registered form, without coupons, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.

Minimum Denominations

Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt securities will be issued only in principal amounts of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.

No Personal Liability

None of the past, present or future partners, incorporators, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, unitholders or stockholders of either issuer, the general partners CNX Coal Resources LP or any guarantor will have any liability for the obligations of the issuers or any guarantors under either indenture or the debt securities or for any claim based on such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective under federal securities laws, however, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Payment and Transfer

The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar under each indenture. The issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of debt securities, and the issuers or any of their subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

If a holder of debt securities has given wire transfer instructions to the issuers, the issuers will make all payments on the debt securities in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the debt securities will be made at the corporate trust office of the trustee, unless the issuers elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the debt security register.

The trustee and any paying agent will repay to us upon request any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment as general creditors.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the indenture.

 

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Holders may present debt securities for exchange or registration of transfer at the office of the registrar. The registrar will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that registration.

We will not be required to:

 

    issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of a series either during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the selection of debt securities of that series for redemption and ending on the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or repurchase, or between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date; or

 

    register the transfer of or exchange any debt security called for redemption or repurchase, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security we are redeeming or repurchasing in part.

Provisions Relating only to the Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.

Provisions Relating only to the Subordinated Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness

The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Indebtedness. “Senior Indebtedness” will be defined in a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions respecting any issuance of a series of subordinated debt securities, and the definition will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. If the subordinated debt securities are guaranteed by any of the subsidiaries of CNX Coal Resources LP, then the guarantees will be subordinated on like terms.

Payment Blockages

The subordinated indenture will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

 

    we or our property (or any guarantor or its property) is involved in any liquidation, bankruptcy or similar proceeding;

 

    we fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or any other amounts on any of our Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period or the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated following any other default, subject to certain limited exceptions set forth in the subordinated indenture; or

 

    any other default on any of our Senior Indebtedness occurs that permits immediate acceleration of its maturity, in which case a payment blockage on the subordinated debt securities will be imposed for a maximum of 179 days at any one time.

No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt

The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we or any guarantor may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.

 

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Book Entry, Delivery and Form

The debt securities of a particular series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”). This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder, except in the limited circumstances described below. Instead, one or more global debt securities will be issued to DTC, who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated debt security, a global debt security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global debt security as a whole to one another.

Beneficial interests in global debt securities will be shown on, and transfers of global debt securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

DTC has provided us the following information: DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has Standard & Poor’s highest rating: AAA. The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We will wire all payments on the global debt securities to DTC’s nominee. We and the trustee will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global debt securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global debt securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities.

It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment on the global debt securities, to credit Direct Participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global debt securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to Direct Participants whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.” However, payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.

Debt securities represented by a global debt security will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

 

    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and in either event a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

 

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    an Event of Default occurs and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange the global debt security for certificated debt securities.

Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance

Each indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when:

 

  (a) either:

(1) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness of such debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities that have been due and payable) or the stated maturity or redemption date;

 

  (b) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture; and

 

  (c) we have delivered an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

The debt securities of a particular series will be subject to legal or covenant defeasance to the extent, and upon the terms and conditions, set forth in the prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

Each indenture and all of the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

We will enter into the indentures with a trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act and with any other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our trustee and one or more of its affiliates.

Resignation or Removal of Trustee

If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such indenture.

The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.

 

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Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor

Each indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the trustee, in the event that it becomes a creditor of an issuer or a guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.

Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee

Each indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of an indenture, every application by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.

 

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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 holders of common units (“Common Unitholders” or “Unitholders”) who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of McGuireWoods 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 “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the 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 and neither we nor McGuireWoods LLP are undertaking to supplement or revise this section to reflect any changes (including changes that have retroactive effect) in applicable authorities or in any fact, information, document, record, representation, or assumption mentioned herein that becomes untrue or incorrect. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to CNX Coal Resources LP and our operating subsidiaries.

The following discussion does not comment on all U.S. 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., who use the calendar year as their taxable year, and who hold units as capital assets (generally, property that is held for investment). This discussion 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 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 its own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to such unitholder of the ownership or disposition of our units and potential changes in applicable tax laws.

No ruling has been requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding our characterization as a partnership for tax purposes. Instead, we will rely on an opinion of McGuireWoods LLP rendered in connection with this registration statement and other opinions of counsel. 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 units and the prices at which the units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in our distributable cash flow 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 U.S. 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 McGuireWoods LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.

For the reasons described below, McGuireWoods LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific U.S. federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to

 

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cover a short sale of units (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—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 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 incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability, unless tax liability is imposed on a partnership following conclusion of an audit by the IRS. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments.” Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account its share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing its U.S. federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to the unitholder 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 the partner is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in its partnership interest. Section 7704 of the 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 (i) income and gains derived from the mining or production, processing, transportation, and marketing of any mineral or natural resource, including coal, (ii) interest (other than from a financial business), (iii) dividends, (iv) gains from the sale of real property (v) and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of 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, McGuireWoods 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 issued final regulations regarding qualifying income under Section 7704(d)(1)(E) of the Code (the “Final Regulations”). The Final Regulations were published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2017 despite a temporary regulatory freeze on the approval of new federal regulations put in place by President Trump on January 20, 2017. We do not believe the Final Regulations affect our ability to qualify as a publicly traded partnership. However, there are no assurances that the Final Regulations will not be withdrawn in compliance with the temporary regulatory freeze. Also, it is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units. See “—Recent Legislative Developments.”

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

 

    We will be classified as a partnership for U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes.

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

 

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

 

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    For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that McGuireWoods LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the 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 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 U.S. 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 its units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in its 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 McGuireWoods LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders of CNX Coal Resources LP will be treated as partners of CNX Coal Resources LP for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose 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 units will be treated as partners of CNX Coal Resources LP for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A beneficial owner of units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose its status as a partner with respect to those units for U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for U.S. 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 units in CNX Coal Resources LP. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in CNX Coal Resources LP for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussions below under “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Collections” and “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments,” we will not pay any U.S.

 

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federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on its income tax return its share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to such unitholder. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if such unitholder has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income its allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within its taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds its tax basis in its 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 units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “—Disposition of 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, it 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 units will decrease its 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 its tax basis in its 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 Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed its 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 such unitholder. 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 Units

A unitholder’s initial tax basis for its units will be the amount it paid for the units plus its share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be (i) increased by its share of our income and by any increases in its share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and (ii) decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in its share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by its 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 Code, but will have a share, generally based on its share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. 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 of those interests. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

The deduction by a unitholder of its share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in its 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 its tax basis. A unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause its at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year.

 

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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 its at risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such unitholder’s tax basis in its 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.

In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of its units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to its share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (1) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (2) any amount of money it borrows to acquire or hold its 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 its 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 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 it disposes of its 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.

 

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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 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 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.

Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Pub. L. 114-74) and related Treasury Regulations, which as of the date of this prospectus consist of proposed Treasury Regulations released by the IRS but not yet published in the Federal Register (the “Bipartisan Budget Act”), if the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, it may collect any resulting taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) directly from us. We will generally 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. In addition, because payment would be due for the taxable year in which the audit is completed, unitholders during that taxable year would bear the expense of the adjustment even if they were not unitholders during the audited tax year.

Pursuant to this new legislation, we will designate a person (our general partner or its designee) 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 any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time such assets are contributed to us and at the time of any subsequent offering of our units, 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 units from us in any subsequent 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 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

 

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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.

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the 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 U.S. 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 its interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including (i) its relative contributions to us, (ii) the interests of all the partners in profits and losses, (iii) the interest of all the partners in cash flow, and (iv) the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

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, it 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, McGuireWoods LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of 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 also read “—Disposition of 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, or 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 (1) the unitholder’s net investment income and (2) the amount by which 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 (1) undistributed net investment income and (2) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued Treasury Regulations that

 

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provide guidance regarding the NIIT. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of the NIIT on an investment in our units.

Section 754 Election

We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Constructive Termination.” The election generally permits us to adjust a unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Code to reflect its purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases 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) its share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) its 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 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 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 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 its units is reduced by its 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 unitholder’s basis in its units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.” McGuireWoods 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 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 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 its 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 its share of any gain

 

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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 its 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 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 nonamortizable 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 it 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income its share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with its 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 its units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of its taxable year must include its share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for its taxable year, with the result that it will be required to include in income for its taxable year its share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “—Disposition of 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 U.S. federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis 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 Code.

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 its interest in us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

 

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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. Any underwriting discounts and commissions we may incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The U.S. 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 deduction 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.

Coal Depletion

In general, we are entitled to depletion deductions with respect to coal mined from the underlying mineral property. We generally are entitled to the greater of cost depletion limited to the basis of the property or percentage depletion. The percentage depletion rate for coal is 10%.

Depletion deductions we claim generally will reduce the tax basis of the underlying mineral property. Depletion deductions can, however, exceed the total tax basis of the mineral property. The excess of our percentage depletion deductions over the adjusted tax basis of the property at the end of the taxable year is subject to tax preference treatment in computing the alternative minimum tax. Upon the disposition of the mineral property, a portion of the gain, if any, equal to the lesser of the deductions for depletion which reduce the adjusted tax basis of the mineral property plus deductible development and mining exploration expenses (discussed below), or the amount of gain recognized upon the disposition, will be treated as ordinary income to us. In addition, a corporate unitholder’s allocable share of the amount allowable as a percentage depletion deduction for any property will be reduced by 20% of the excess, if any, of that partner’s allocable share of the amount of the percentage depletion deductions for the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of the mineral property as of the close of the taxable year.

Mining Exploration and Development Expenditures

We will elect to currently deduct mining exploration expenditures that we pay or incur to determine the existence, location, extent or quality of coal deposits prior to the time the existence of coal in commercially marketable quantities has been disclosed.

Amounts we deduct for mine exploration expenditures must be recaptured and included in our taxable income at the time a mine reaches the production stage, unless we elect to reduce future depletion deductions by the amount of the recapture. A mine reaches the production stage when the major part of the coal production is obtained from working mines other than those opened for the purpose of development or the principal activity of the mine is the production of developed coal rather than the development of additional coal for mining. This recapture is accomplished through the disallowance of both cost and percentage depletion deductions on the particular mine reaching the producing stage. This disallowance of depletion deductions continues until the amount of adjusted exploration expenditures with respect to the mine have been fully recaptured. This recapture is not applied to the full amount of the previously deducted exploration expenditures. Instead, these expenditures are reduced by the amount of percentage depletion, if any, that was lost as a result of deducting these exploration expenditures.

 

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We generally elect to defer mine development expenses, consisting of expenditures incurred in making coal accessible for extraction, after the exploration process has disclosed the existence of coal in commercially marketable quantities, and deduct them on a ratable basis as the coal benefited by the expenses is sold.

Mine exploration and development expenditures are subject to recapture as ordinary income to the extent of any gain upon a sale or other disposition of our property or of your units. See “—Disposition of Units.” Corporate unitholders are subject to an additional rule that requires them to capitalize a portion of their otherwise deductible mine exploration and development expenditures. Corporate unitholders, other than some S corporations, are required to reduce their otherwise deductible exploration expenditures by 30%. These capitalized mine exploration and development expenditures must be amortized over a 60-month period, beginning in the month paid or incurred, using a straight-line method and may not be treated as part of the basis of the property for purposes of computing depletion.

Sales of Coal Reserves

If any coal reserves are sold or otherwise disposed of in a taxable transaction, we will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount realized (including the amount of any indebtedness assumed by the purchaser upon such disposition or to which such property is subject) and the adjusted tax basis of the property sold. Generally, the character of any gain or loss recognized upon that disposition will depend upon whether our coal reserves or the mined coal sold are held by us:

 

    for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business (i.e., we are a “dealer” with respect to that property);

 

    for use in a trade or business within the meaning of Section 1231 of the Code; or

 

    as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

In determining dealer status with respect to coal reserves and other types of real estate, the courts have identified a number of factors for distinguishing between a particular property held for sale in the ordinary course of business and one held for investment. Any determination must be based on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular property and sale in question.

We intend to hold our coal reserves for use in a trade or business and achieving long-term capital appreciation. Although our general partner may consider strategic sales of coal reserves consistent with achieving long-term capital appreciation, our general partner does not anticipate frequent sales of coal reserves. Thus, the general partner does not believe we will be viewed as a dealer. In light of the factual nature of this question, however, there is no assurance that our purposes for holding our properties will not change and that our future activities will not cause us to be a “dealer” in coal reserves.

If we are not a dealer with respect to our coal reserves and we have held the disposed property for more than a one-year period primarily for use in our trade or business, the character of any gain or loss realized from a disposition of the property will be determined under Section 1231 of the Code. If we have not held the property for more than one year at the time of the sale, gain or loss from the sale will be taxable as ordinary income.

A unitholder’s distributive share of any Section 1231 gain or loss generated by us will be aggregated with any other gains and losses realized by that unitholder from the disposition of property used in the trade or business, as defined in Section 1231(b) of the, and from the involuntary conversion of such properties and of capital assets held in connection with a trade or business or a transaction entered into for profit for the requisite holding period. If a net gain results, all such gains and losses will be long-term capital gains and losses; if a net loss results, all such gains and losses will be ordinary income and losses. Net Section 1231 gains will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of prior net Section 1231 losses of the taxpayer or predecessor taxpayer for the five most recent prior taxable years to the extent such losses have not previously been offset against Section 1231 gains. Losses are deemed recaptured in the chronological order in which they arose.

 

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If we are not a dealer with respect to our coal reserves and that property is not used in a trade or business, the property will be a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Gain or loss recognized from the disposition of that property will be taxable as capital gain or loss, and the character of such capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term will be based upon our holding period of such property at the time of its sale. The requisite holding period for long-term capital gain is more than one year.

Upon a disposition of coal reserves, a portion of the gain, if any, equal to the lesser of (1) the depletion deductions that reduced the tax basis of the disposed mineral property plus deductible development and mining exploration expenses or (2) the amount of gain recognized on the disposition, will be treated as ordinary income to us.

Deduction for U.S. Production Activities

Subject to the limitations on the deductibility of losses discussed above and the limitation discussed below, unitholders will be entitled to a deduction, herein referred to as the Section 199 deduction, equal to a specified percentage of our qualified production activities income that is allocated to such unitholder. The percentage is currently 9% for qualified production activities income.

Qualified production activities income is generally equal to gross receipts from domestic production activities reduced by cost of goods sold allocable to those receipts, other expenses directly associated with those receipts, and a share of other deductions, expenses and losses that are not directly allocable to those receipts or another class of income. The products produced must be manufactured, produced, grown or extracted in whole or in significant part by the taxpayer in the United States.

For a partnership, the Section 199 deduction is determined at the partner level. To determine its Section 199 deduction, each unitholder will aggregate its share of the qualified production activities income allocated to it from us with the unitholder’s qualified production activities income from other sources. Each unitholder must take into account its distributive share of the expenses allocated to it from our qualified production activities regardless of whether we otherwise have taxable income. However, our expenses that otherwise would be taken into account for purposes of computing the Section 199 deduction are only taken into account if and to the extent the unitholder’s share of losses and deductions from all of our activities is not disallowed by the basis rules, the at-risk rules or the passive activity loss rules. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”

The amount of a unitholder’s Section 199 deduction for each year is limited to 50% of the IRS Form W-2 wages actually or deemed paid by the unitholder during the calendar year that are deducted in arriving at qualified production activities income. Each unitholder is treated as having been allocated IRS Form W-2 wages from us equal to the unitholder’s allocable share of our wages that are deducted in arriving at qualified production activities income for that taxable year.

It is not anticipated that we or our subsidiaries will pay material wages that will be allocated to our unitholders, and thus a unitholder’s ability to claim the Section 199 deduction may be limited.

Disposition of 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 such unitholder plus its 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.

 

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Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that unit, even if the price received is less than its 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 one year 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 Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other Section 751 Assets. Ordinary income attributable to Section 751 Assets 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.”

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 its 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 Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, it may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the 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.

 

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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 Treasury Regulations allow publicly traded partnerships to use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, these regulations do not specifically authorize all aspects of the proration method we have adopted. Accordingly, McGuireWoods LLP is unable to opine on the validity of our method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our proration method, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our 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 these 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 its 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 U.S. 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 its taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but instead we would be treated as a new partnership for U.S. 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 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.

 

 

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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 U.S. federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to take positions in filing our tax returns that preserve the uniformity of our units. These positions may include reducing the depreciation, amortization or loss deductions to which a unitholder would otherwise be entitled or reporting a slower amortization of Section 743(b) adjustments for some unitholders than that to which they would otherwise be entitled. McGuireWoods LLP is unable to opine as to the validity of such filing positions.

A unitholder’s basis in units is reduced by its share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual income tax return) so that any position that we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in its units, and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss” above and “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” above. The IRS may challenge one or more of any positions we take to preserve the uniformity of units. If such a 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.

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 units. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to U.S. 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, W-8ECI 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 U.S. 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 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 Code.

A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a 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

 

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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 unit if (1) it owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (2) 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 units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to U.S. 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 its 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 Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor McGuireWoods 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 U.S. 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 its 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 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.

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on its U.S. 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.

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, we are required to designate an eligible person to act as the “Partnership Representative” with exclusive authority to act on our behalf in connection with U.S. federal income tax audits, requests by us for administrative adjustments, and any judicial proceedings arising in connection with those matters. As a result, the audit procedures discussed above

 

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will change for partnership taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments.”

Actions taken by the Partnership Representative will be binding on us and all of our unitholders. We anticipate that our general partner or its designee will act as the Partnership Representative.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined in the Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income from sources within the United States (“FDAP Income”), or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States (“Gross Proceeds”) paid to a foreign financial institution or to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to noncompliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.

These rules generally will apply to payments of FDAP Income and will apply to payments of relevant Gross Proceeds made on or after January 1, 2019. Thus, to the extent we have FDAP Income or Gross Proceeds that are not treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (please read “—Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors”), unitholders who are foreign financial institutions or certain other non-U.S. entities may be subject to withholding on distributions they receive from us, or their distributive share of our income, pursuant to the rules described above.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of these withholding provisions to their investment in our units.

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 $260 per failure, up to a maximum of $3,193,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the 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.

 

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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 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.

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 Section 482 of the Code 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 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 U.S. 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.”

 

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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 Legislative Developments

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of Congress and the President propose and consider substantive changes to the existing U.S. federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships, including the elimination of the Qualifying Income Exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any modification to the U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax 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 units.

State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state, local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on its investment in us. We currently own property and do business in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Both Pennsylvania and West Virginia impose an income tax on individuals, corporations and other entities. We may also own property or do business in other jurisdictions in the future. 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 these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. In addition, jurisdictions may implement audit rules and procedures that are similar to the Bipartisan Budget Act (discussed above in “—Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments”), which might result in those jurisdictions imposing and collecting any resulting state or local taxes (including applicable penalties and interest) directly from us. In such cases, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders might be substantially reduced. Some of the jurisdictions, including West Virginia, 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” and “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Entity-Level Audits and Adjustments.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.

 

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It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states, localities and foreign jurisdictions, of its investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult 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. McGuireWoods LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, alternative minimum or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.

Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities and Preferred Units (including Class A Preferred Units)

A description of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities and Preferred Units, including Class A Preferred Units, will be set forth on the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities or Preferred Units, including Class A Preferred Units.

 

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INVESTMENT IN CNX COAL RESOURCES LP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

An investment in our common units or our debt securities 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, restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Code and/or provisions under certain other federal, state, local and non-U.S. laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”). For these purposes, the term “employee benefit plan” may include, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans, and tax-deferred annuities or individual retirement accounts or annuities and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts or arrangements. 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 employee benefit plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws; and

 

    whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the employee benefit 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.”

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 our common units or our debt securities is authorized by the appropriate governing instruments and is a proper investment for the employee benefit plan.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit employee benefit plans from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code with respect to the employee benefit plan. Certain statutory or administrative exemptions from the prohibited transaction rules under ERISA and the Code may be available to an employee benefit plan that is directly or indirectly purchasing our common units or our debt securities.

In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from an investment in our common units or our debt securities. Included, without limitation, among such exemptions are PTCE 75-1, respecting specified transactions involving employee benefit plans and broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks, PTCE 84-14, respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1, respecting investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38, respecting investments by bank collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60, respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23, respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide relief from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for certain transactions that may relate to an investment, provided that neither the issuer nor any of its affiliates (directly or indirectly) have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any employee benefit plan involved in the transaction and provided further that the employee benefit plan pays no more than adequate consideration in connection with the transaction. Each of these exemptions contains certain conditions and limitations on its application, and these exemptions do not provide relief from the self-dealing prohibitions under ERISA and the Code. It should also be noted that even if the conditions specified in one or more of these exemptions are met, the scope of relief provided by these exemptions may not necessarily cover all acts that might be construed as prohibited transactions. Thus, the fiduciaries of an employee benefit plan that is considering an investment in our common units or our debt securities in reliance on any of these, or any other, PTCEs should carefully review the PTCE and consult with their counsel to confirm that it is applicable. There can be no, and we do not provide any, assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

 

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In addition to considering whether the purchase of our common units or our debt securities is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the employee benefit plan will, by investing in our common units or our debt securities, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our general partner may also be a fiduciary of the employee benefit plan and our operations may be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under certain circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s underlying assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

(a) the equity interests acquired by the employee benefit plans 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” (as defined in the applicable Department of Labor regulations), and are either registered pursuant to certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the employee benefit plans as part of a public offering under certain conditions;

(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 person or entity who has discretionary authority or control over our assets or who provides investment advice for any direct or indirect fee with respect to our assets, is held by the employee benefit plans referred to above (but not including governmental plans, foreign plans and certain church plans, in each case, as defined under ERISA).

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as legal advice. Employee benefit plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common units or our debt securities should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or any selling unitholder may sell securities described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement through underwriters, through broker-dealers, through agents or directly to one or more investors.

We will prepare a prospectus supplement for each offering that will disclose the terms of the offering, including describing who is selling (the company or a selling unitholder or both), the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us or any selling unitholder from the sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents.

We or any selling unitholder will fix a price or prices of our securities at:

 

    market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement;

 

    prices related to market prices; or

 

    negotiated prices.

We or any selling unitholder may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.

If we or any selling unitholder use underwriters or dealers in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account, and they may resell these securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise disclosed in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement if any of the securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We or any selling unitholder may sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. We or such selling unitholder will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered, and disclose any commissions payable by us to the agent or the method by which the commissions can be determined, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or any selling unitholder and the sale thereof may be made by us or such selling unitholder directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. We or any selling unitholder may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

We or any selling unitholder may offer our common units into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the securities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with and may perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the web sites maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to

 

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their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.

The aggregate maximum compensation the underwriters will receive in connection with the sale of any securities under this prospectus and the registration statement of which it forms a part will not exceed 10% of the gross proceeds from the sale.

Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) views our common units as interests in a direct participation program, any offering of common units under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be made in compliance with FINRA Rule 2310.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

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THE SELLING UNITHOLDERS

This prospectus covers the offering for resale from time to time, in one or more offerings, of up to 6,538,438 common units outstanding and up to 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units outstanding or any common units into which such Class A Preferred Units may be converted. The outstanding common units and Class A Preferred Units were issued as follows.

 

    On July 7, 2016, we completed our initial public offering of 5,000,000 common units at which time our sponsor received a total of 1,050,000 common units and 11,611,067 subordinated units, which are all subject to the registration rights provisions included in our partnership agreement.

 

    Concurrently with the initial public offering, we completed a private placement of 5,000,000 common units purchased by certain funds managed by Greenlight Capital, Inc. and/or its affiliates. In connection with the closing of the private placement, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the purchasers of the common units issued in the private placement. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we agreed to allow the purchasers of the common units in the private placement to include their registrable securities in certain of our registered offerings.

 

    On September 30, 2016, we issued 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units to CONSOL Energy in a private placement. Prior to September 30, 2017, other than transfers to affiliates, CONSOL Energy may not transfer any Class A Preferred Units without our approval. For so long as the Class A Preferred Units are held by CONSOL Energy Inc., they are subject to the registration rights described in our partnership agreement. Class A Preferred Units are convertible, at the election of the holder thereof, into common units on a one-for-one basis (i) at any time after September 30, 2017, (ii) with respect to any dissolution or liquidation of CNX Coal Resources LP pursuant to the partnership agreement occurring prior to September 30, 2017 and (iii) with respect to a Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control (as defined in the partnership agreement). All, but not less than all, of the outstanding Class A Preferred Units are convertible, at our election, into common units on a one-for-one basis, on or after September 30, 2019, subject to limitations under the partnership agreement.

No offer or sale may occur unless this prospectus is effective at the time the selling unitholders offer or sell such units. Information concerning the selling unitholders may change over time.

All expenses incurred with the registration and offering of the units owned by the selling unitholders will be borne by us, except that the selling unitholders will be responsible for any fees, discounts or selling commissions due to underwriters or dealers and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to the selling unitholders. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any sale of any of the units sold by selling unitholders pursuant to this prospectus.

The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholders as of February 8, 2017, based on information supplied to us by the selling unitholders on or prior to that date. We have not sought to verify such information. Information concerning the selling unitholders may change over time and selling unitholders may be added; if necessary, we will amend or supplement this prospectus accordingly. Subject to certain exceptions described in our partnership agreement, the selling unitholders may hold or acquire at any time units in addition to those offered by this prospectus and may have acquired additional units since the date on which the information reflected herein was provided to us. In addition, subject to certain exceptions described in our partnership agreement, the selling unitholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of their 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 their units in private placement transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

We do not know when or in what amounts the selling unitholders may offer their units for sale, if at all. Because the selling unitholders may offer all, some or none of their units pursuant to this prospectus and because we are

 

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unaware of any agreements, arrangements or understanding with respect to the sale of any such units, no definitive estimate can be provided as to the number of units that will be held, or the percentage of units beneficially owned, by each selling unitholder after completion of any offerings pursuant to this prospectus.

CONSOL Energy Inc., which is an affiliate of ours, is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and, as a result, may be deemed to be offering securities, indirectly, on our behalf.

The following table sets forth, with respect to each selling unitholder, the type and number of units beneficially owned by the selling unitholder and the number of units to be offered by the selling unitholder pursuant to this prospectus.

 

    Number of
Class A
Preferred
Units
Beneficially
Owned
Before
Completion
of the
Offering
    Number of
Common
Units
Beneficially
Owned
Before
Completion
of the
Offering
    Number of
Class A
Preferred
Units
Offered
Hereby
    Number of
Common
Units
Offered
Hereby
    Number of
Common
Units
Beneficially
Owned
After
Completion
of the
Offering
    Percentage
of Class A
Preferred
Units
Owned
After
Completion
of the
Offering
    Percentage of
Common
Units Owned
After
Completion
of the
Offering
 

CONSOL Energy Inc.(a)

    3,956,496 (b)      16,617,563 (c)(d)      3,956,496 (b)      5,006,496 (c)      11,611,067 (c)(d)      —          —     

Greenlight Capital, Inc.(e)

    —          5,488,438        —          5,488,438        —          —          —     

 

(a) Our sponsor CONSOL Energy Inc. holds 1,050,000 common units, 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units and 11,611,067 subordinated units as well as all of our incentive distribution rights. Please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a description of our relationship with our sponsor and its affiliates.
(b) The Class A Preferred Units convert, at the election of the holder, into common units on a one-for-one basis, (i) at any time after September 30, 2017, (ii) with respect to any dissolution or liquidation of CNX Coal Resources LP pursuant to the partnership agreement occurring prior to September 30, 2017, and (iii) with respect to a “Class A Preferred Unit Change of Control” (as defined in the partnership agreement).
(c) Common units offered by CONSOL Energy Inc. include 3,956,496 common units issuable on conversion of the Class A Preferred Units but exclude any future issuances of Class A Preferred Units as payment in kind in additional Class A Preferred Units at the election of the general partner, with respect to future distributions on the outstanding Class A Preferred Units.
(d) Includes 1,050,000 currently outstanding common units and 3,956,496 common units issuable on conversion of Class A Preferred Units. Also includes 11,611,067 subordinated units that will convert on a one-for-one basis at the end of a subordination period, which subordination period will end on the first business day after the date that CNX Coal Resources LP earns and pays distributions of at least (i) $2.05 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on its general partner’s general partner interest for each of three consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter periods ending on or after June 30, 2019 or (ii) $3.08 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units and the corresponding distributions on its general partner’s general partner interest and the related distributions on the incentive distribution rights for any four-quarter period ending on or after June 30, 2016, in each case provided there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distributions on the common units at that time.
(e)

Greenlight Capital, Inc. (“Greenlight Inc.”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., Greenlight Capital, L.P. and Greenlight Coal (GCOP), LLC, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 1,072,400 common units held by Greenlight Capital Qualified, L.P., 186,300 common units held by Greenlight Capital, L.P., and 1,989,938 common units held by Greenlight Coal (GCOP), LLC. DME Advisors, LP (“DME Advisors”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Coal (GLRE), LLC, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 719,300 common units held by Greenlight Coal (GLRE), LLC. DME Capital Management, LP (“DME Management”) is the investment manager for Greenlight Capital (Gold),

 

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  LP, and Greenlight Coal (GGOM), LLC, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 752,900 common units held by Greenlight Capital (Gold), LP and 767,600 common units held by Greenlight Coal (GGOM), LLC. DME Advisors GP, LLC (“DME GP”) is the general partner of DME Advisors and DME Management, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 2,239,800 common units. David Einhorn is the principal of Greenlight Inc., DME Advisors, DME Management and DME GP, and as such has voting and dispositive power over 5,488,438 common units held by these affiliates of Greenlight, Inc. Mr. Einhorn disclaims beneficial ownership of these common units, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.

No offer or sale may occur unless the registration statement that includes this prospectus has been declared effective by the SEC and remains effective at the time the selling unitholder offers or sells common units. We are required, under certain circumstances, to update, supplement or amend this prospectus to reflect material developments in our business, financial position and results of operations and may do so by an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus supplement or a future filing with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon for us by McGuireWoods LLP. Any underwriter or agent will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CNX Coal Resources LP appearing in CNX Coal Resources LP’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016 (including the schedule appearing therein) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates:

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 108,615.63   
  

 

 

 

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Printing and engraving expenses

     *   

Trustee fees

     *   

Transfer agent and registrar fees

  
  

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

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

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

CNX Coal Resources LP

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 CNX Coal Resources LP and certain of its affiliates will agree to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.

CNX Coal Finance Corp.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or

 

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was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith; provided that indemnification provided for by Section 145 or granted pursuant thereto shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; and a corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

In addition, Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits Delaware corporations to include a provision in their certificates of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provisions shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or (iv) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The Certificate of Incorporation of CNX Coal Finance Corp. currently provides that each director shall not be personally liable to such corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Delaware LLC Subsidiary Guarantors

Each of CNX Operating LLC and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC is a Delaware limited liability company. Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a limited liability company may, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, and has the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

Each of the limited liability company agreements of CNX Operating LLC and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC provides for the indemnification, in most circumstances, of its members, any person who is or was a member, manager, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee or any affiliate, any person who is or was serving at its request or any affiliate as a member, manager, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of another person, or any person its members designate, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals).

 

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration:

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

  1.1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1   Certificate of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1A to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 1, 2015)
  3.2*   Certificate of Incorporation of CNX Coal Finance Corp.
  3.3   Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP dated as of September 30, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 4, 2016)
  3.4*   Bylaws of CNX Coal Finance Corp.
  4.1   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources and the purchaser parties thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2015)
  4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources and CONSOL Energy Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2016)
  4.3*   Form of Senior Indenture
  4.4*   Form of Subordinated Indenture
  5.1***   Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered
  8.1***   Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP as to tax matters
12.1*   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1*   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2*   Consent of McGuireWoods LLP (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
24.1*   Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this registration statement)
25.1****   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Senior Indenture
25.2****   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
*** To be filed in a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement.
**** To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

Item 17. Undertakings

Each 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:

 

  (a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (b)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the

 

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  aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this 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 a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

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

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a), (1)(b) and (1)(c) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 of 1933, 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.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (a) Each prospectus filed by the registrants 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 any registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, such registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus or any prospectus supplement filed as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus or prospectus supplement filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 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 of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus or prospectus supplement 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.

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

 

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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 Canonsburg, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 8, 2017.

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
By:   CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:      James A. Brock
Title:        Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints James A. Brock, Lorraine L. Ritter and Martha A. Wiegand, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 8, 2017.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    James A. Brock        

James A. Brock

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Lorraine L. Ritter        

Lorraine L. Ritter

  

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Nicholas J. DeIuliis        

Nicholas J. DeIuliis

   Chairman, Director

/s/    James E. Altmeyer, Sr.        

James E. Altmeyer, Sr.

   Director

/s/    Michael L. Greenwood        

Michael L. Greenwood

   Director

/s/    Stephen W. Johnson        

Stephen W. Johnson

   Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/s/    David M. Khani        

David M. Khani

   Director

/s/    Jeffrey L. Wallace        

Jeffrey L. Wallace

   Director

 

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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 Canonsburg, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 8, 2017.

 

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:    James A. Brock
Title:      Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints James A. Brock, Lorraine L. Ritter and Martha A. Wiegand, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 8, 2017.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    James A. Brock        

James A. Brock

  

President and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Lorraine L. Ritter        

Lorraine L. Ritter

  

Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    Nicholas J. DeIuliis        

Nicholas J. DeIuliis

   Director

/s/    Stephen W. Johnson        

Stephen W. Johnson

   Director

/s/    David M. Khani        

David M. Khani

   Director

 

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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 Canonsburg, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 8, 2017.

 

CNX OPERATING LLC
By: CNX Coal Resources LP, its sole member
By: CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:  James A. Brock
Title:    Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints James A. Brock, Lorraine L. Ritter and Martha A. Wiegand, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 8, 2017.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    James A. Brock        

James A. Brock

  

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Lorraine L. Ritter        

Lorraine L. Ritter

  

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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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 Canonsburg, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on February 8, 2017.

 

CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC
By:   CNX Operating LLC, its sole member
By:   CNX Coal Resources LP, its sole member
By:   CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
By:    

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:  James A. Brock
Title:    Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints James A. Brock, Lorraine L. Ritter and Martha A. Wiegand, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 8, 2017.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    James A. Brock        

James A. Brock

  

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    Lorraine L. Ritter        

Lorraine L. Ritter

  

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

  1.1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1   Certificate of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1A to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 1, 2015)
  3.2*   Certificate of Incorporation of CNX Coal Finance Corp.
  3.3   Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP dated as of September 30, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 4, 2016)
  3.4*   Bylaws of CNX Coal Finance Corp.
  4.1   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources and the purchaser parties thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 13, 2015)
  4.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources and CONSOL Energy Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2016)
  4.3*   Form of Senior Indenture
  4.4*   Form of Subordinated Indenture
  5.1***   Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered
  8.1***   Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP as to tax matters
12.1*   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
23.1*   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2*   Consent of McGuireWoods LLP (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1)
24.1*   Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this registration statement)
25.1****   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Senior Indenture
25.2****   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.
*** To be filed in a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement.
**** To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

 

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EX-3.2 2 d340532dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

I, the undersigned, for the purpose of creating and organizing a corporation under the provisions of and subject to the requirements of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), certify as follows:

1. The name of the corporation is CNX Coal Finance Corp. (the “Corporation”).

2. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street – Corporation Trust Center, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

3. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

4. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

5. The name and mailing address of the incorporator of the Corporation is:

 

Name

 

Hannah T. Frank

  

Mailing Address

 

McGuireWoods LLP

EQT Plaza

625 Liberty Avenue

23rd Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3142

6. Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

7. Limitation of Personal Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of this section by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Certificate (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) inconsistent with this section will, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors) and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.


8. The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses, and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, and in accordance with any Bylaw provision, agreement with such person, votes of stockholder or disinterested directors or otherwise, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for claims for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses not paid in full, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the board of directors of the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this paragraph 8 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

9. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided that any Bylaw adopted or amended by the board of directors, and any powers thereby conferred, may be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders.

10. The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the Bylaws, from time to time, to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are conferred subject to such right.

[Signature page follows.]


I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this Certificate of Incorporation, hereby acknowledging, declaring, and certifying that the foregoing Certificate of Incorporation is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true, and have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of February, 2017.

 

Incorporator

/s/ Hannah T. Frank

Hannah T. Frank
EX-3.4 3 d340532dex34.htm EX-3.4 EX-3.4

Exhibit 3.4

BYLAWS OF CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.01 Offices. The address of the registered office of CNX Coal Finance Corp. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be at 1209 Orange Street – Corporation Trust Center, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the Corporation’s registered agent at such address shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The Corporation may have other offices, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) from time to time shall determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

Section 1.02 Books and Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device or method; provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of meeting.

Section 2.02 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.03 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes shall be called pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors and may not be called by any other person or persons. The only business which may be conducted at a special meeting shall be the matter or matters set forth in the notice of such meeting.

Section 2.04 Adjournments. Any meeting of the stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and notice


need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of the adjourned meeting and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of the adjourned meeting.

Section 2.05 Notice of Meetings. Notice of the place, if any, date, hour, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and means of remote communication, if any, of every meeting of stockholders shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before the meeting (unless a different time is specified by law) to every stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Notices of special meetings shall also specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting has been called. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notice to stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the stockholders at their address appearing on the books of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, notice of meetings may be given to stockholders by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any stockholder who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of the meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of the meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

Section 2.06 List of Stockholders. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation registered in the name of each stockholder at least ten days before any meeting of the stockholders. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, on a reasonably accessible electronic network if the information required to gain access to such list was provided with the notice of the meeting or during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation for a period of at least ten days before the meeting. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be

 

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produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open for inspection by any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting as provided by applicable law. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger and the list of stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.07 Quorum. Unless otherwise required by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these bylaws, at each meeting of the stockholders, a majority in voting power of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power, by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power thereof, to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 2.04, until a quorum shall be present or represented. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. At any such adjourned meeting at which there is a quorum, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting originally called.

Section 2.08 Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of the stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. At every meeting of the stockholders, the President, or, in his or her absence or inability to act, the person whom the President shall appoint, shall act as chairman of, and preside at, the meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence or inability to act, the person whom the chairman of the meeting shall appoint secretary of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of the stockholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.

 

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Section 2.09 Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation the election of directors may be by written ballot and shall be decided by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote in the election. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any matter, other than the election of directors, brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

Section 2.10 Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders. The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof. The Board of Directors may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall (a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (b) determine the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxies, votes or any revocation thereof or change thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware upon application by a stockholder shall determine otherwise. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

 

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Section 2.11 Written Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting. Any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 2.11, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation as aforesaid. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall, to the extent required by applicable law, be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing, and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation.

Section 2.12 Fixing the Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote therewith at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is

 

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adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting: (i) when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery (by hand, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.

Section 3.02 Number; Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than one nor more than five members, as determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Each director shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

Section 3.03 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Any newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors, shall be filled by the affirmative votes of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director so elected shall be elected to hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced, a successor is duly elected and qualified or the earlier of such director’s death, resignation or removal.

 

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Section 3.04 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice by the Corporation or at such later time as is therein specified.

Section 3.05 Removal. Except as prohibited by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders entitled to vote in an election of directors may remove any director from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power thereof.

Section 3.06 Fees and Expenses. Directors shall receive such fees and expenses as the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.

Section 3.07 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such times and at such places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or its chairman.

Section 3.08 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and at such places as may be determined by the chairman or the President on at least 24 hours’ notice to each director given by one of the means specified in Section 3.11 hereof other than by mail or on at least three days’ notice if given by mail. Special meetings shall be called by the chairman or the President in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any two or more directors.

Section 3.09 Telephone Meetings. Board of Directors or Board of Directors committee meetings may be held by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and be heard. Participation by a director in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.10 Adjourned Meetings. A majority of the directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, including an adjourned meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn and reconvene such meeting to another time and place. At least 24 hours’ notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director whether or not present at the time of the adjournment, if such notice shall be given by one of the means specified in Section 3.11 hereof other than by mail, or at least three days’ notice if by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

 

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Section 3.11 Notices. Subject to Section 3.08, Section 3.10 and Section 3.12 hereof, whenever notice is required to be given to any director by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, such notice shall be deemed given effectively if given in person or by telephone, mail addressed to such director at such director’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, facsimile, e-mail or by other means of electronic transmission.

Section 3.12 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice to directors is required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a waiver thereof, in writing signed by, or by electronic transmission by, the director entitled to the notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board of Directors or committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

Section 3.13 Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman or, in his or her absence, another director selected by the Board of Directors shall preside. The Secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board of Directors. If the Secretary is absent from any meeting of the Board of Directors, and in the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the person presiding at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 3.14 Quorum of Directors. The presence of a majority of the Board of Directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.15 Action By Majority Vote. Except as otherwise expressly required by these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.16 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all directors or members of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in accordance with applicable law.

Section 3.17 Committees of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of

 

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the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. If a member of a committee shall be absent from any meeting, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise, at all meetings of such committee, a majority of the then authorized members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules and procedures for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules and procedures each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to this Article III.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.01 Positions and Election. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall include a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect a chairman (who must be a director), one or more vice chairmen (who must be directors) and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Secretaries and other officers that the Board of Directors deem necessary from time to time. The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices and any other duties specifically enumerated below or otherwise assigned to such offices by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.02 Term. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors at any time with or without cause by the majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his or her contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer shall not of itself create contract rights. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the president or the secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Should any vacancy occur among the officers, the position shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment made by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 4.03 The President. The President shall have general supervision over the business of the Corporation and other duties incident to the office of president, and any other duties as may be from time to time assigned to the President by the Board of Directors and subject to the control of the Board of Directors in each case.

Section 4.04 The Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 4.05 The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities, except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and the directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 4.06 Duties of Officers May be Delegated. In case any officer is absent, or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may deem sufficient, the President or the Board of Directors may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director.

ARTICLE V

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND THEIR TRANSFER

Section 5.01 Certificates Representing Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any class or series shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock. If shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form, other than bearer form, approved by the Board of Directors. The certificates representing shares of stock of each class shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman, any Vice Chairman, the President or any Vice President, and by the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or

 

10


any Assistant Treasurer. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of its issue.

Section 5.02 Transfers of Stock. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof, by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and, in the case of certificated shares, upon the surrender of the certificate thereof, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate or uncertificated shares shall be issued. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred. To the extent designated by the President or any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Corporation, the Corporation may recognize the transfer of fractional uncertificated shares, but shall not otherwise be required to recognize the transfer of fractional shares.

Section 5.03 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board of Directors may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.

Section 5.04 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of the allegedly lost, stolen or destroyed certificate. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.01 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.02 Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc. All checks, notes, drafts or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed, endorsed or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board of Directors or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board of Directors to make such designation.

 

11


Section 6.03 Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, unless otherwise provided by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 6.04 Conflict With Applicable Law or Certificate of Incorporation. These bylaws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Whenever these bylaws may conflict with any applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, altered, changed, adopted and repealed or new bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors. The stockholders may make additional bylaws and may alter and repeal any bylaws whether such bylaws were originally adopted by them or otherwise.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

12

EX-4.3 4 d340532dex43.htm EX-4.3 EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

and

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

as Issuers,

any Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto,

and

            ,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of                  , 20    

Debt Securities

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

 

Indenture Section

310   (a)   7.10
  (b)   7.10
  (c)   N.A
311   (a)   7.11
  (b)   7.11
  (c)   N.A
312   (a)   5.01
  (b)   5.02
  (c)   5.02
313   (a)   5.03
  (b)   5.03
  (c)   13.03
  (d)   5.03
314   (a)   4.05
  (b)   N.A.
  (c)(1)   13.05
  (c)(2)   13.05
  (c)(3)   N.A.
  (d)   N.A.
  (e)   13.05
  (f)   N.A.
315   (a)   7.01
  (b)   6.07 & 13.03
  (c)   7.01
  (d)   7.01
  (e)   6.08
316   (a) (last sentence)   1.01
  (a)(1)(A)   6.06
  (a)(1)(B)   6.06
  (a)(2)   9.01(d)

 

i


TIA Section

 

Indenture Section

  (b)   6.04
  (c)   5.04
317   (a)(1)   6.02
  (a)(2)   6.02
  (b)   4.03
318   (a)   13.07

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
Section 1.01  

Definitions

     1   
Section 1.02  

Other Definitions

     6   
Section 1.03  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     7   
Section 1.04  

Rules of Construction

     7   
ARTICLE II   
DEBT SECURITIES   
Section 2.01  

Forms Generally

     7   
Section 2.02  

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     8   
Section 2.03  

Principal Amount; Issuable in Series

     8   
Section 2.04  

Execution of Debt Securities

     10   
Section 2.05  

Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities

     11   
Section 2.06  

Denomination of Debt Securities

     12   
Section 2.07  

Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     12   
Section 2.08  

Temporary Debt Securities

     14   
Section 2.09  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities

     14   
Section 2.10  

Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities

     15   
Section 2.11  

Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders

     15   
Section 2.12  

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     15   
Section 2.13  

Securities Denominated in Dollars

     16   
Section 2.14  

Wire Transfers

     16   
Section 2.15  

Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security

     16   
Section 2.16  

Medium Term Securities

     19   
Section 2.17  

Defaulted Interest

     19   
Section 2.18  

CUSIP Numbers

     20   
ARTICLE III   
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES   
Section 3.01  

Applicability of Article

     20   
Section 3.02  

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities

     20   

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 3.03  

Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption

     22   
Section 3.04  

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

     22   
Section 3.05  

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

     23   
ARTICLE IV   
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS   
Section 4.01  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     24   
Section 4.02  

Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities

     24   
Section 4.03  

Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

     25   
Section 4.04  

Existence

     25   
Section 4.05  

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     25   
ARTICLE V   
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE   
Section 5.01  

Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information

     26   
Section 5.02  

Communications to Holders

     26   
Section 5.03  

Reports by Trustee

     26   
Section 5.04  

Record Dates for Action by Holders

     27   
ARTICLE VI   
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT   
Section 6.01  

Events of Default

     27   
Section 6.02  

Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.

     29   
Section 6.03  

Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

     30   
Section 6.04  

Limitation on Suits by Holders

     31   
Section 6.05  

Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default

     32   
Section 6.06  

Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default

     32   
Section 6.07  

Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances

     33   
Section 6.08  

Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee

     33   

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE VII   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01  

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     33   
Section 7.02  

Certain Rights of Trustee

     34   
Section 7.03  

Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities

     36   
Section 7.04  

Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities

     36   
Section 7.05  

Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust

     36   
Section 7.06  

Compensation and Reimbursement

     36   
Section 7.07  

Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed

     37   
Section 7.08  

Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee

     37   
Section 7.09  

Successor Trustee by Merger

     38   
Section 7.10  

Eligibility; Disqualification

     38   
Section 7.11  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers

     39   
Section 7.12  

Compliance with Tax Laws

     39   
ARTICLE VIII   
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS   
Section 8.01  

Evidence of Action by Holders

     39   
Section 8.02  

Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities

     39   
Section 8.03  

Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities

     39   
Section 8.04  

Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders

     40   
ARTICLE IX   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   
Section 9.01  

Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders

     40   
Section 9.02  

Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities

     42   
Section 9.03  

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     43   
Section 9.04  

Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures

     43   
ARTICLE X   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE   
Section 10.01  

Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers

     44   
Section 10.02  

Rights and Duties of Successor Company

     44   

 

v


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE XI   

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

  

  

Section 11.01  

Applicability of Article

     45   
Section 11.02  

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

     45   
Section 11.03  

Conditions of Defeasance

     46   
Section 11.04  

Application of Trust Money

     47   
Section 11.05  

Repayment to Issuers

     47   
Section 11.06  

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

     47   
Section 11.07  

Reinstatement

     47   
ARTICLE XII   
[RESERVED]   
ARTICLE XIII   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   
Section 13.01  

Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture

     48   
Section 13.02  

Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid

     48   
Section 13.03  

Required Notices or Demands

     48   
Section 13.04  

Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York

     49   
Section 13.05  

Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers

     49   
Section 13.06  

Payments Due on Legal Holidays

     50   
Section 13.07  

Provisions Required by TIA to Control

     50   
Section 13.08  

Computation of Interest on Debt Securities

     50   
Section 13.09  

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

     50   
Section 13.10  

No Recourse Against Others

     50   
Section 13.11  

Severability

     50   
Section 13.12  

Effect of Headings

     50   
Section 13.13  

Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts

     50   

 

vi


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE XIV   
GUARANTEE   
Section 14.01  

Unconditional Guarantee

     51   
Section 14.02  

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     53   
Section 14.03  

Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability

     53   
Section 14.04  

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee

     53   
Section 14.05  

Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution

     54   

 

vii


THIS INDENTURE dated as of              , 20     is by and among CNX COAL RESOURCES LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), CNX COAL FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”), any Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto and                     , a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS AND ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

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

“Board of Directors” means, (i) with respect to Finance Corp., the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (ii) with respect to the Partnership, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any directors and/or officers of the

 

1


General Partner to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder. If the Partnership shall change its form of entity to other than a limited partnership, the references to the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall mean the Board of Directors (or other comparable governing body) of the Partnership.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“capital stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).

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

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuers pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Finance Corp.” means the Person named as “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable terms of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor Person.

“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

 

2


“General Partner” means CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as managing general partner of the Partnership or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Partnership.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Issuers” means the Partnership and Finance Corp.

“Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by one of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

3


“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice President of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person, except it shall be the General Partner in the case of the Partnership so long as it is a limited partnership).

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of each Issuer by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Issuer, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Partnership or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than an Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuers (if an Issuer shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by either of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,

 

4


direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Partnership” means the Person named as the “Partnership” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Partnership” shall mean such successor Person.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” of any Person means:

(a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; or

(b) in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.

 

5


“Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Partnership (except Finance Corp.) who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Debt Security Register”

  2.07

“Defaulted Interest”

  2.17

“Event of Default”

  6.01

“Funding Guarantor”

  14.05

“Guarantee”

  14.01

“Place of Payment”

  2.03

“Registrar”

  2.07

“Successor Company”

  10.01

 

6


Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(f) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Issuers may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

 

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Section 2.02 Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

            ,
As Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

 

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(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

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

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of either of the Issuers or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;

(o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;

 

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(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuers and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);

(t) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and

(u) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer of either Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuers, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be

 

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authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of either Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of such Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuers, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

(b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;

(c) an Officers’ Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;

(iv) that the Issuers have the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuers or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Issuers are bound;

 

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(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.05 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Issuers shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

 

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Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuers by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuers, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuers’ own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Issuers shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

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Section 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuers with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuers and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuers nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuers shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuers or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuers may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the

 

14


payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuers and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuers and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt 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 Debt Securities, and shall preclude 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 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to an Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Issuers, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuers canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If either of the Issuers shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuers may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, 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 its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate

 

15


trust office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuers, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuers may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Issuers shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuers shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

16


TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuers, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuers receive such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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(iii) If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions

 

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from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for each of the Issuers to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of each such Issuer’s Board of Directors, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuers to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuers that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series 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 Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers 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

 

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Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, 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 therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

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

Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuers shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or a supplemental Indenture, the Issuers shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

 

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Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Issuers default in making such redemption payment the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Issuers shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Issuers to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuers and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities

 

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selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuers. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuers at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuers, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

 

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In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuers may at their option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuers or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuers intend to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuers shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuers to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuers shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

 

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The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuers shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.

The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuers will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the office of the Trustee where its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

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The Issuers may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

Section 4.03 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) If either of the Issuers shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by either of the Issuers to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

(b) Anything in this Section 4.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.03 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.

Section 4.04 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof, the Partnership shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Partnership, provided that the Partnership shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise, if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Partnership.

Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) The Partnership shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Partnership is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Partnership is not subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15(d), the Partnership shall file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it would have been required to file the same with the SEC, financial statements, including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an auditors’ report by a firm of established national reputation), and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” both comparable to that which the Partnership would have been required to include in such annual reports, information, documents or other reports if the Partnership had been subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15 (d). The Issuers shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

(b) The Partnership shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section.

 

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ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuers covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and

(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuers agree to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Issuers may, at their option, by resolution of their respective Boards of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuers’ discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days after the date on which

 

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written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, 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;

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

(ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or

 

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the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt 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, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to either of the Issuers, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, 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 or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file

 

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and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

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 this 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.

Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest,

 

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with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, as applicable, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuers shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, 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 such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, 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

 

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provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any 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 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that 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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his 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 in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, 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 6.08 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;

 

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(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may 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 which 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 requirements of this Indenture;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series 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 Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(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, direction,

 

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consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) 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 either of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently; evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of an Issuer may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

(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 Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; 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 not, in the opinion of the Trustee, 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, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuers or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuers upon demand;

(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 by it with due care hereunder; and

(h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

 

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Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuers are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, 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. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Issuers upon an Issuer Order.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuers covenant and agree to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuers will pay or reimburse in Dollars 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 agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Issuers also covenant to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Issuers and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

 

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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting 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 by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuers may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (a) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (b) that shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor 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.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

 

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Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, 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 specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Issuers as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice

 

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to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to either of the Issuers, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of its predecessor Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

 

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(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV

(g) to add Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt

 

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Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

(j) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to 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; and

(k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, 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 TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) 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 the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the Dollar; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make

 

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any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02; or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Subsidiary Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Issuers, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors 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.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.

Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall 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 Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders 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.

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture

 

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contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers. Neither of the Issuers may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) such Issuer shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than such Issuer (the “Successor Company”), shall be a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of such Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if such Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where such Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for such Issuer with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of such Issuer, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of such Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of such Issuer, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of such Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

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In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such 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 Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuers shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuers at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (w) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (x) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (y) as they relate to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuers exercise either their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

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If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.

Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuers occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuers;

(f) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

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(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuers have received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.

Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuers. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors.

Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as

 

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though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII

[RESERVED]

This Article XII has been intentionally omitted.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid. 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 either of the Issuers shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.

Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

CNX Coal Resources LP

1000 Consol Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Attention: [                    ]

Telecopy No.: (724) 485-4000

If to the Trustee:

The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

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Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.05 Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers. Upon any application or demand by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, each of the Issuers 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 document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation

 

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upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The General Partner and its directors, officers, employees and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.

Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in 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.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.01 Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 14.03.

(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.04, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (A) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (B) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of

 

51


their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (C) the assertion or exercise by any of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (D) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (E) the extension of the time for payment by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (F) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (G) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (H) the release or discharge of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (I) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (J) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (A) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (B) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (C) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

 

52


Section 14.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

Section 14.03 Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 14.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.02(b) and in this Section 14.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Partnership, of all of the Partnership’s direct or indirect limited partnership or other equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) upon the Issuers’ delivery of a written notice to the Trustee of the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Issuers other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.03.

 

53


Section 14.05 Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

54


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
By:   CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC,
  its General Partner
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]


                    , as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

A-1

EX-4.4 5 d340532dex44.htm EX-4.4 EX-4.4

Exhibit 4.4

 

 

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

and

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.

as Issuers,

any Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto,

and

            ,

as Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of              , 20    

Debt Securities

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section

 

Indenture Section

310

  (a)   7.10
  (b)   7.10
  (c)   N.A

311

  (a)   7.11
  (b)   7.11
  (c)   N.A

312

  (a)   5.01
  (b)   5.02
  (c)   5.02

313

  (a)   5.03
  (b)   5.03
  (c)   13.03
  (d)   5.03

314

  (a)   4.05
  (b)   N.A.
  (c)(1)   13.05
  (c)(2)   13.05
  (c)(3)   N.A.
  (d)   N.A.
  (e)   13.05
  (f)   N.A.

315

  (a)   7.01
  (b)   6.07 & 13.03
  (c)   7.01
  (d)   7.01
  (e)   6.08

316

  (a) (last sentence)   1.01
  (a)(1)(A)   6.06
  (a)(1)(B)   6.06
  (a)(2)   9.01(d)

 

i


TIA Section

 

Indenture Section

  (b)   6.04
  (c)   5.04

317

  (a)(1)   6.02
  (a)(2)   6.02
  (b)   4.03

318

  (a)   13.07

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01

  

Definitions

     1   

Section 1.02

  

Other Definitions

     7   

Section 1.03

  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     7   

Section 1.04

  

Rules of Construction

     7   
ARTICLE II   
DEBT SECURITIES   

Section 2.01

  

Forms Generally

     8   

Section 2.02

  

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     8   

Section 2.03

  

Principal Amount; Issuable in Series

     9   

Section 2.04

  

Execution of Debt Securities

     11   

Section 2.05

  

Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities

     11   

Section 2.06

  

Denomination of Debt Securities

     13   

Section 2.07

  

Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     13   

Section 2.08

  

Temporary Debt Securities

     14   

Section 2.09

  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities

     15   

Section 2.10

  

Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities

     16   

Section 2.11

  

Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders

     16   

Section 2.12

  

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     16   

Section 2.13

  

Securities Denominated in Dollars

     17   

Section 2.14

  

Wire Transfers

     17   

Section 2.15

  

Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security

     17   

Section 2.16

  

Medium Term Securities

     19   

Section 2.17

  

Defaulted Interest

     20   

Section 2.18

  

CUSIP Numbers

     21   
ARTICLE III   
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES   

Section 3.01

  

Applicability of Article

     21   

Section 3.02

  

Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities

     21   

Section 3.03

  

Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption

     23   

Section 3.04

  

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

     23   

Section 3.05

  

Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund

     24   

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  
ARTICLE IV   
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS   

Section 4.01

  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     25   

Section 4.02

  

Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities

     25   

Section 4.03

  

Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

     26   

Section 4.04

  

Existence

     26   

Section 4.05

  

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

     26   
ARTICLE V   
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE   

Section 5.01

  

Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information

     26   

Section 5.02

  

Communications to Holders

     27   

Section 5.03

  

Reports by Trustee

     27   

Section 5.04

  

Record Dates for Action by Holders

     27   
ARTICLE VI   
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT   

Section 6.01

  

Events of Default

     28   

Section 6.02

  

Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc

     30   

Section 6.03

  

Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee

     31   

Section 6.04

  

Limitation on Suits by Holders

     32   

Section 6.05

  

Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default

     33   

Section 6.06

  

Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default

     33   

Section 6.07

  

Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances

     33   

Section 6.08

  

Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee

     34   

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  
ARTICLE VII   
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01

  

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     34   

Section 7.02

  

Certain Rights of Trustee

     35   

Section 7.03

  

Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities

     36   

Section 7.04

  

Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities

     37   

Section 7.05

  

Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust

     37   

Section 7.06

  

Compensation and Reimbursement

     37   

Section 7.07

  

Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed

     37   

Section 7.08

  

Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee

     38   

Section 7.09

  

Successor Trustee by Merger

     39   

Section 7.10

  

Eligibility; Disqualification

     39   

Section 7.11

  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers

     39   

Section 7.12

  

Compliance with Tax Laws

     39   
ARTICLE VIII   
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS   

Section 8.01

  

Evidence of Action by Holders

     40   

Section 8.02

  

Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities

     40   

Section 8.03

  

Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities

     40   

Section 8.04

  

Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders

     41   
ARTICLE IX   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

Section 9.01

  

Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders

     41   

Section 9.02

  

Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities

     43   

Section 9.03

  

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     44   

Section 9.04

  

Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures

     45   
ARTICLE X   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE   

Section 10.01

  

Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers

     45   

Section 10.02

  

Rights and Duties of Successor Company

     45   

 

v


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  
ARTICLE XI   

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

  

  

Section 11.01

  

Applicability of Article

     46   

Section 11.02

  

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

     46   

Section 11.03

  

Conditions of Defeasance

     47   

Section 11.04

  

Application of Trust Money

     48   

Section 11.05

  

Repayment to Issuers

     48   

Section 11.06

  

Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations

     49   

Section 11.07

  

Reinstatement

     49   
ARTICLE XII   
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE   

Section 12.01

  

Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate

     49   

Section 12.02

  

Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

     49   

Section 12.03

  

Default on Senior Indebtedness

     50   

Section 12.04

  

Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities

     51   

Section 12.05

  

When Distribution Must Be Paid Over

     51   

Section 12.06

  

Subrogation

     51   

Section 12.07

  

Relative Rights

     51   

Section 12.08

  

Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Issuers

     51   

Section 12.09

  

Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent

     52   

Section 12.10

  

Distribution or Notice to Representative

     52   

Section 12.11

  

Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate

     52   

Section 12.12

  

Trust Moneys Not Subordinated

     52   

Section 12.13

  

Trustee Entitled to Rely

     52   

Section 12.14

  

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination

     53   

Section 12.15

  

Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness

     53   

Section 12.16

  

Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions

     53   

 

vi


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  
ARTICLE XIII   
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS   

Section 13.01

  

Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture

     53   

Section 13.02

  

Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid

     53   

Section 13.03

  

Required Notices or Demands

     54   

Section 13.04

  

Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York

     55   

Section 13.05

  

Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers

     55   

Section 13.06

  

Payments Due on Legal Holidays

     55   

Section 13.07

  

Provisions Required by TIA to Control

     55   

Section 13.08

  

Computation of Interest on Debt Securities

     56   

Section 13.09

  

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

     56   

Section 13.10

  

No Recourse Against Others

     56   

Section 13.11

  

Severability

     56   

Section 13.12

  

Effect of Headings

     56   

Section 13.13

  

Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts

     56   
ARTICLE XIV   
GUARANTEE   

Section 14.01

  

Unconditional Guarantee

     56   

Section 14.02

  

Execution and Delivery of Guarantee

     58   

Section 14.03

  

Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability

     59   

Section 14.04

  

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee

     59   

Section 14.05

  

Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution

     59   

 

vii


THIS INDENTURE dated as of              , 20     is by and among CNX COAL RESOURCES LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), CNX COAL FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”), any Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto and                     , a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS AND ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and may be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness, as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.

“Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.

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

“Board of Directors” means, (i) with respect to Finance Corp., the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (ii) with respect to the Partnership, the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any authorized

 

1


committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or any directors and/or officers of the General Partner to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder. If the Partnership shall change its form of entity to other than a limited partnership, the references to the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall mean the Board of Directors (or other comparable governing body) of the Partnership.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“capital stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).

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

“Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuers pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Designated Senior Indebtedness” means (i) any Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $100 million and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness designated, as provided in Section 2.03, in respect of any series of Debt Securities.

“Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Finance Corp.” means the Person named as “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable terms of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor Person.

 

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“Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

“General Partner” means CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as managing general partner of the Partnership or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Partnership.

“Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.

“guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

“Issuers” means the Partnership and Finance Corp.

“Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by one of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice President of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person, except it shall be the General Partner in the case of the Partnership so long as it is a limited partnership).

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of each Issuer by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Issuer, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Partnership or the Trustee.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Debt Securities of that series for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any paying agent (other than an Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuers (if an Issuer shall act as its own paying agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;

 

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provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by either of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Partnership or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Partnership” means the Person named as the “Partnership” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Partnership” shall mean such successor Person.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Debt.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

“Senior Indebtedness,” unless otherwise provided with respect to the Debt Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.03, means (1) all Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is subordinate or not superior in right of payment to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Issuers, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Issuers, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and (2) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals, or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no

 

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event shall “Senior Indebtedness” include (a) Debt evidenced by the Debt Securities or any Guarantee, (b) Debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Partnership, (c) Debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors owed or owing to the Issuers, (d) Debt to trade creditors, (e) any liability for taxes owed or owing by any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or (f) Debt of any Subsidiary Guarantor in the event there is no series of Debt Securities Outstanding that is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

“Subsidiary” of any Person means:

(a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; or

(b) in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.

“Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Partnership (except Finance Corp.) who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.

“Trustee” initially means and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

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“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Debt Security Register”

  2.07

“Defaulted Interest”

  2.17

“Event of Default”

  6.01

“Funding Guarantor”

  14.05

“Guarantee”

  14.01

“Place of Payment”

  2.03

“Registrar”

  2.07

“Successor Company”

  10.01

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

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(f) if the applicable series of Debt Securities are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, unsecured Debt shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Debt; and

(g) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

DEBT SECURITIES

Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Issuers may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.

The definitive Debt Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.

Section 2.02 Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

                    ,
As Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;

(d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;

(e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);

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

(g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

(i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of either of the

 

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Issuers or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

(m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);

(n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;

(o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;

(p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

(q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);

(r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;

(s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuers and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);

 

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(t) the subordination, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Article XII and any changes or additions to Article XII or designation of any Designated Senior Indebtedness;

(u) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and

(v) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.

Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.

Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer of either Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuers, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of either Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of such Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuers, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;

 

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(b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;

(c) an Officers’ Certificate; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:

(i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;

(iv) that the Issuers have the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;

(v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuers or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Issuers are bound;

(vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.05 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.

An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Issuers shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.

Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuers by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”

Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.

(b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuers, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.

No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuers’ own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.

The Issuers shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuers with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuers and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

 

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If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.

Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.

Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuers nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuers shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuers or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuers may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuers and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuers and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.

Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express

 

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condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude 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 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to an Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Issuers, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuers canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If either of the Issuers shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuers may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, 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 its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.

Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(a) Interest on any Debt Security that is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuers, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, if provided pursuant to Section 2.03 and in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

 

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Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.

Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuers may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.

(a) If the Issuers shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuers shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”

or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuers, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuers receive such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

(iii) If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global

 

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Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.

(iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.

(v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).

Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for each of the Issuers to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of each such Issuer’s Board of Directors, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the

 

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first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuers to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuers that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.

An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.

Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant record date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series 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 Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Debt Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt Security Register, 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 therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

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

 

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Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuers shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or a supplemental Indenture, the Issuers shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.

Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Issuers default in making such redemption payment or if the Debt Securities of that series are subordinated pursuant to the terms of Article XII, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest

 

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thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.

At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Issuers shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Issuers to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuers and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.

By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.

If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuers. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuers at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuers, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.

Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuers may at their option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuers or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

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Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuers intend to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuers shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuers to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuers shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.

The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuers shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.

 

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The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS

Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuers will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the office of the Trustee where its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. The Issuers may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.

 

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Section 4.03 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.

(a) If either of the Issuers shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by either of the Issuers to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

(b) Anything in this Section 4.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.03 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.]

Section 4.04 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof, the Partnership shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Partnership, provided that the Partnership shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise, if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Partnership.

Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

(a) The Partnership shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Partnership is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Partnership is not subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15(d), the Partnership shall file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it would have been required to file the same with the SEC, financial statements, including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an auditors’ report by a firm of established national reputation), and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” both comparable to that which the Partnership would have been required to include in such annual reports, information, documents or other reports if the Partnership had been subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15 (d). The Issuers shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

(b) The Partnership shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section.

ARTICLE V

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuers covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:

(a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such record date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

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provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.

The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:

(a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and

(b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuers agree to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action),

 

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the Issuers may, at their option, by resolution of their respective Boards of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuers’ discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT

Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable; or

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or

(d) failure on the part of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or

(e) either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,

(i) commences a voluntary case,

 

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(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;

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,

(ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or

(iii) orders the liquidation of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

(h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;

then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt 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 Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt 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, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to either of the Issuers, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and

 

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payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, 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 or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).

In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any

 

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moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

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 this 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.

Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, after giving effect to the provisions of Article XII, if applicable, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;

SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any,

 

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and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and

FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, as applicable, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuers shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, 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 such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, 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 such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any 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 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that 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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such

 

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series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.

Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his 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 in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, 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 6.08 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;

(b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;

 

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(ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may 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 which 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 requirements of this Indenture;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series 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 Debt Securities of such series.

None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

(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, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) 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 either of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently; evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of an Issuer may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;

(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

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(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 Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;

(e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; 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 not, in the opinion of the Trustee, 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, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuers or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuers upon demand;

(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 by it with due care hereunder; and

(h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.

Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuers are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

 

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Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.

Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, 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. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Issuers upon an Issuer Order.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuers covenant and agree to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuers will pay or reimburse in Dollars 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 agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Issuers also covenant to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Issuers and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting 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

 

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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 by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuers may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (a) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (b) that shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such separate, retiring or successor 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.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, 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 specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.

Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Issuers as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.

None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

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Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

ARTICLE IX

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to either of the Issuers, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of its predecessor Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;

(b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or

 

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any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Debt Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental Indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;

(c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

(d) to permit the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;

(e) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, Debt Securities; provided, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series in any material respect or permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;

(f) to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Article X

(g) in the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, to make any change in Article XII that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article XII;

(h) to add Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;

(i) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;

(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;

 

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(k) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series and to 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; and

(l) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

In the case of Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.01 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, when authorized by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, 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 TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) 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 the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than the Dollar; impair the right of any

 

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Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; in the case of any Debt Security subordinated pursuant to Article XII, make any change in Article XII that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under Article XII; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02; or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Subsidiary Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner adverse to the Holders.

A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

Upon the request of the Issuers, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors 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.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

In the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.02 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.

Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall 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 Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders 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.

 

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The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers. Neither of the Issuers may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) such Issuer shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than such Issuer (the “Successor Company”), shall be a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of such Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if such Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where such Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for such Issuer with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be

 

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released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of such Issuer, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of such Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of such Issuer, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of such Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF

INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.

Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.

(a) If at any time the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such 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 Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuers shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

(b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuers at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (w) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (x) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (y) as they relate to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuers exercise either their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

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If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.

Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuers occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

 

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(d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;

(e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuers and, if the Debt Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, is not prohibited by Article XII;

(f) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuers have received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

(h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.

Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series. In the event the Debt Securities of the defeased series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, money and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article XII.

Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuers. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors.

 

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Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII

SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE

Section 12.01 Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate. The provisions of this Article XII shall only be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series (Debt Securities of such series referred to in this Article XII as “Subordinated Debt Securities”) designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as subordinated to Senior Indebtedness and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Securities. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security agrees that the Debt evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Security and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Security is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article XII, to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness. All provisions of this Article XII shall be subject to Section 12.12.

Section 12.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors to creditors (i) upon a liquidation or a dissolution of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or (ii) in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or its property:

(a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness of such Person (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities from the Issuers, or any payment in respect of the Guarantee from the Subsidiary Guarantors; and

(b) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is paid in full, any distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee would be entitled but for this Article XII shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive capital stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Issuers or the related Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor, respectively.

 

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Section 12.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may not pay the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee or make any deposit pursuant to Article XI and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.05, by the delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities by the Issuers to the Trustee pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 3.05) any Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, “pay the Subordinated Debt Securities”) if any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of such Person is not paid within any applicable grace period (including at maturity) or any other default on Senior Indebtedness of such Person occurs and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless and until the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided, however, that the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if the Issuers and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness. During the continuance of any other default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may not make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Issuers and the Trustee (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantor) of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “Blockage Notice”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuers (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantor) from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in Section 12.02 and the first sentence of this Section 12.03), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities and related Guarantees after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for the Subordinated Debt Securities

 

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of a series; provided, however, that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 12.03, no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

Section 12.04 Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities. If payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Issuers shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.

Section 12.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a distribution is made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or a related Guarantee that because of this Article XII should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive such distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 12.06 Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders thereof shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article XII to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities is not, as between the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and such Holders, a payment by the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, on Senior Indebtedness.

Section 12.07 Relative Rights. This Article XII defines the relative rights of Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(a) impair, as between the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, the obligation of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities in accordance with their terms; or

(b) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities from exercising its available remedies upon an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.

Section 12.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Issuers. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the Debt evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

 

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Section 12.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Sections 12.02 and 12.03, the Trustee or any paying agent may continue to make payments on Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a responsible officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article XII. The Issuers, the Registrar, any paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness of that issue.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and any paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article VII shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.

Section 12.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 12.11 Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether directly or pursuant to the Guarantee, by reason of any provision in this Article XII shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article XII shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of either the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities, as the case may be.

Section 12.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article XI by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article XII, and none of the Holders thereof shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any other creditor of the Issuers or the Guarantor.

Section 12.13 Trustee Entitled to Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.02 are pending, upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders or upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior

Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Debt of any of the

 

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Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XII, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article XII.

Section 12.14 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 12.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.

Section 12.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Issuer Valid. 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 either of the Issuers shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.

 

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Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

CNX Coal Resources LP

1000 Consol Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Attention: [                    ]

Telecopy No.: (724) 485-4000

If to the Trustee:

The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.

In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.

 

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Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.

Section 13.05 Officers Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers. Upon any application or demand by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, each of the Issuers 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 document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

 

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Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The General Partner and its directors, officers, employees and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.

Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in 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.

ARTICLE XIV

GUARANTEE

Section 14.01 Unconditional Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

(b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to (i) the limitations set forth in Section 14.03 and (ii) in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII.

 

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(c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately, subject, in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII. The Guarantee hereunder (other than the Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities) is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.04, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (A) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (B) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (C) the assertion or exercise by any of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (D) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (E) the extension of the time for payment by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (F) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (G) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other

 

57


similar proceeding affecting, any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (H) the release or discharge of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (I) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (J) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (A) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (B) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (C) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.

(f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.

Section 14.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.

 

58


Section 14.03 Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

Section 14.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.02(b) and in this Section 14.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Partnership, of all of the Partnership’s direct or indirect limited partnership or other equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) upon the Issuers’ delivery of a written notice to the Trustee of the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Issuers other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.

(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.03.

Section 14.05 Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

 

59


[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

60


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
By:   CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC,
  its General Partner
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

CNX COAL FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]


  , as Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]


ANNEX A

NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers.

The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

 

 

A-1

EX-12.1 6 d340532dex121.htm EX-12.1 EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2016      2015      2014      2013  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS:

   (Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)  

Coal revenue

     266,395         322,261         404,247         339,334   

Freight revenue

     11,603         3,809         4,192         4,445   

Other revenues and income

     3,119         940         9,660         1,515   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     281,117         327,010         418,099         345,294   

Operating and Other Costs

     183,001         193,960         239,863         209,776   

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     41,994         44,136         43,337         32,291   

Freight Expense

     11,603         3,809         4,192         4,445   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     9,949         10,931         17,149         15,778   

Interest Expense

     8,719         9,636         8,683         2,616   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Costs

     255,266         262,472         313,224         264,906   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income

     25,851         64,538         104,875         80,388   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest

     8,719         9,636         8,683         2,616   

Preferred Units Distribution

     1,851         —           —           —     

Imputed Interest on rental payments Rate

     3,183         3,770         4,268         4,620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Earnings

     39,604         77,944         117,826         87,624   

Interest

     8,719         9,636         8,683         2,616   

Preferred Unit Distribution

     1,851         —           —           —     

Imputed Interest on rental payments Rate

     3,183         3,770         4,268         4,620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fixed Charges

     13,753         13,406         12,951         7,236   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     2.9         5.8         9.1         12.1   
EX-23.1 7 d340532dex231.htm EX-23.1 EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of CNX Coal Resources LP for the registration of Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests, Preferred Units Representing Limited Partner Interests, Senior Debt Securities, and Subordinated Debt Securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 8, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of CNX Coal Resources LP included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

February 8, 2017

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