-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CskXSgj1EfVm4iIyUL7H00Z1FrHSpo4uhBToc3B9Km/QIMRi+s4fDJfPy6iGJ6ga ayM1LL4n5Ldl6LTWv+/S2w== 0000031224-95-000030.txt : 19950428 0000031224-95-000030.hdr.sgml : 19950428 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000031224-95-000030 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: U-1/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950427 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000031224 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 041271872 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: U-1/A SEC ACT: 1935 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 070-08523 FILM NUMBER: 95532046 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE LIBERTY SQ STREET 2: P O BOX 2333 CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02109 BUSINESS PHONE: 6173579590 U-1/A 1 HIGHLAND U-1 AMENDMENT NO. 3, 70-8523 File No. 70-8523 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO FORM U-1 APPLICATION-DECLARATION WITH RESPECT TO THE ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF AN ENERGY SERVICES BUSINESS UNDER THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935 EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 2333, Boston, Massachusetts 02107 EUA COGENEX CORPORATION P.O. Box 2333, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02107 (Name of companies filing this statement and address of principal executive office) EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES (Name of top registered holding company parent of applicant or declarant) CLIFFORD J. HEBERT, JR., TREASURER EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES P.O. Box 2333, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02107 (Name and address of agent for service) The Commission is requested to mail signed copies of all orders, notices and communications to: ARTHUR I. ANDERSON, P.C. McDermott, Will & Emery 75 State Street Boston, MA 02109 ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Paragraph III of Item 1 of the Application-Declaration is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: III. The Highland Energy Acquisition Plan. The Highland Energy acquisition will be a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code structured as a statutory merger of Highland Energy into Newco. At the time of merger, Newco will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of EUA in order to preserve the tax-free nature of the transaction. Immediately following the merger, EUA will transfer its ownership of Newco to Cogenex. By virtue of the merger, Newco shall change its name to EUA Highland Corporation. In the merger, common shares of EUA will be issued in exchange for the transfer to EUA of the outstanding common stock of Highland Energy, which will be cancelled by operation of law. The common shares to be issued by EUA have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "'33 Act") by a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 33- 50099) filed with the Commission on August 27, 1993 and made effective by order of the Commission dated November 22, 1993. Payment will be made to the stockholders of Highland Energy in common shares, taken at their average closing sale price over the 5 trading days before the relevant payment date. The Highland Energy stockholders will receive $4,200,000 at Closing plus a deferred earn-out amount ranging from zero up to $3,800,000 depending on the level of performance of the purchased business for a three year period from the Closing (the "Earn-Out Period"). The definitive agreement to be entered into by the parties shall provide for a calculation of net income during the Earn-Out Period which will determine the earn-out amount, if any. A credit shall be awarded toward the earn-out amount for the "income" impact of the net operating loss of the Highland Energy business as determined on an annual basis by a firm of independent auditors. Assuming an EUA common share price of $22.00 per share, up to 363,636 common shares of EUA could be issued in the acquisition. The actual number of shares to be issued will be determined in accordance with the formula to be included in the definitive agreement. Cogenex will pay cash in lieu of common shares for any fractional shares which otherwise would be issued by EUA. By operation of the merger, Cogenex will acquire all of the liabilities of Highland Energy. EUA's obligation to issue common shares under the earn-out is capped at the number of common shares issued at the initial Closing, regardless of whether the value of those shares equals the dollar earn-out amount. In the event that the dollar earn-out amount exceeds the value of the number of common shares EUA is able to issue, EUA shall pay the difference in cash. The acquisition of Highland Energy is beneficial to Cogenex in numerous respects. The acquisition will enable Cogenex to increase its market share, provide energy related services in a more efficient, cost effective manner, enhance its competitive position within the industry, and increase Cogenex's profitability. The acquisition price was arrived at through extensive negotiations between representatives of Cogenex and Highland Energy. During the negotiation process, and subsequently during the due diligence period, Cogenex considered a number of analyses, both formal and informal, which confirmed management's decision that the aggregate price was a reasonable, fair value to pay for Highland Energy. Moreover, the structure of the acquisition price, of which nearly 50% is contingent on future performance, further mitigates Cogenex's risk of overpayment for Highland Energy. The contingent payment is especially critical to the transaction's structure because much of Cogenex's valuation of Highland Energy lies in its future earnings potential as opposed to current earnings or book value. At Closing, Cogenex expects to record goodwill in the amount of approximately $1,700,000. A portion of the aggregate purchase price is directly attributable to quantitative considerations which include valuation of existing assets and projections of earnings contributions anticipated to be realized by Cogenex post acquisition. Highland Energy is directly a party to two recent demand-side management contracts with Texas Utilities and Duke Power which will be implemented over the 1995-1997 time frame. In addition, as a partner in the EUA/Highland Energy Partners, L.P., Highland Energy is indirectly a participant in a demand-side management contract with Public Service of Colorado (10 MW) and numerous energy management and cogeneration contracts with host customers. These contracts form the basis for the economic evaluation of Highland Energy. Cogenex's projections reveal that the earnings potential from Highland Energy exceeds its historical and marginal cost of capital. In addition, Highland Energy has substantial net operating loss carry forwards which can be utilized to reduce Cogenex's income tax obligations. The Highland Energy acquisition affords substantial qualitative factors to Cogenex, which in the aggregate are of equal importance to Cogenex's acquisition decisions. These factors expect to yield substantial benefit enabling Cogenex to increase market share and improve profitability. Accordingly, the purchase price also reflects Cogenex's qualitative valuation of the benefits. The Highland Energy acquisition brings with it its incremental market share. As noted earlier, Highland Energy has several demand-side management contracts. These contracts, along with existing host relationships, customer prospects, and supplier/vendor relationships will enable Cogenex to expand its market share quickly and cost effectively. Highland Energy's principal market is in the mid-west where Cogenex has limited presence, but it intends to aggressively expand its business activity in this region following the Commission's recent decision to lift the so-called 50% revenue restriction previously imposed on Cogenex. The Highland Energy acquisition allows Cogenex to penetrate this market by acquiring an existing infrastructure of people, customers, and suppliers. The acquisition price reflects, in part, the purchase of this market-entry strategy as opposed to a riskier, longer- term outlet for EUA Day and EUA Nova products, and existing energy efficiency services offered by Cogenex. Highland Energy brings to Cogenex a staff of approximately twenty individuals, about half of which are degreed engineers. The Highland Energy staff has a solid reputation within the industry which Cogenex has experienced first hand. The experience of these individuals will broaden Cogenex's existing engineering and technical base, thereby enabling Cogenex to better serve its existing and future customers. The engineering and technical staff of the consolidated entity will help foster a competitive advantage of Cogenex within the market. The combination of Cogenex and Highland Energy should result in synergy's in many areas including marketing, finance and administration, engineering, and customer service. Immediately, Cogenex should realize pre-tax savings annually through the closure of its Texas office. Cogenex and Highland Energy have executed a letter agreement (Exhibit B-1), the terms of which are more fully set forth in a Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger (Exhibit B-2), both of which are Exhibits to this application-declaration. The obligation of EUA and Cogenex to effect the acquisition will be subject to various closing conditions, including the approval of the Commission under the Act. ITEM 2. FEES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES. The estimated fees, commissions and expenses to be paid or incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the proposed transaction are as follows: Securities and Exchange Commission Fee $ 2,000* EUA Service Corporation Expenses 2,000 Fees and Expenses of Company Counsel 130,000 TOTAL $ 134,000 (*actual) ITEM 5. PROCEDURE. Item 5 is hereby amended by adding the following: (c) Because Newco will be a subsidiary of Cogenex, Cogenex proposes to file reports with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 24 on a quarterly basis, 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter, beginning the first calendar quarter after this application-declaration is granted and permitted to become effective. Such reports will consist of Newco's balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (*filed herewith) Item 6 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows: (a) Exhibits. Exhibit A-1 Declaration of Trust of EUA, dated April 2, 1928, as amended (Exhibit A-3, File No. 70-3188; Exhibit 1 to EUA's 8-K reports for April in each of the years 1957, 1962, 1966, 1968, 1972, and 1973, File No. 1-5366; Exhibit A-1(a), Amendment No. 2 to Form U-1, File No. 70-5997, Exhibit 4-3, Registration No. 2-72589; Exhibit 1 to Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-6713; Exhibit 1 to Certificate of Notification, File No. 70-7084; Exhibit 3-2, Form 10-K of EUA for 1987, File No. 1-5366). Exhibit A-2 Form of Articles of Organization of Newco. Exhibit A-3 Form of By-laws of Newco. Exhibit B-1 Letter Agreement with Highland Energy, Inc. dated September 20, 1994. Exhibit B-2 Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger. *Exhibit F Opinion of counsel. Exhibit G Proposed Form of Notice. Exhibit H Bank Lines of Credit. (b) Financial Statements (confidential treatment requested). Exhibit b-1 Pro forma Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Statements of Capitalization for EUA Cogenex Corporation and the EUA System, all as of December 31, 1994. Exhibit b-2 Analysis of Purchase Price. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the undersigned Applicants have duly caused this statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned duly authorized individuals. EASTERN UTILITIES ASSOCIATES By: /s/ Clifford J. Hebert, Jr. Clifford J. Hebert, Jr. Treasurer EUA COGENEX CORPORATION By: /s/ Basil G. Pallone Basil G. Pallone Executive Vice President Dated April 27, 1995 EX-5 2 EXHIBIT F-OPINION OF COUNSEL April 27, 1995 Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Re:File No. 70-8523: Eastern Utilities Associates and EUA Cogenex Corporation-- Issuance of Common Shares in Connection With the Acquisition of an Energy Services Business Ladies and Gentlemen: As counsel for Eastern Utilities Associates ("EUA") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, EUA Cogenex Corporation ("Cogenex"), we are furnishing this opinion to be used in connection with the application-declaration on Form U-1 dated November 14, 1994 under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 filed on behalf of EUA and Cogenex with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), File No. 70-8523, as amended (the "Application- Declaration"), concerning the issuance by EUA of up to 363,636 of its common shares to fund the acquisition of Highland Energy Group, Inc. ("Highland") through the merger of Highland with and into a to-be-acquired subsidiary of EUA, EUA Acquisition Corp. ("Newco"), the ownership of which shall be transferred post- acquisition from EUA to Cogenex (the "Proposed Transaction"), all as more fully described in the Application-Declaration. A Registration Statement of Form S-4 relating to EUA's common shares was filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Registration Statement became effective on February 22, 1993. In the Application-Declaration, Cogenex has further requested authorization for the period ending December 31, 1997 to make investments in Newco in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for working capital, repayment of short-term loans, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. Such investments in Newco by Cogenex would take the form of any combination of capital contributions and short-term loans which loans would be effected upon the same terms as Cogenex borrows funds under the EUA system credit lines. If it becomes necessary in order to obtain more favorable terms, Cogenex has also requested authorization to guaranty performance obligations of Newco in connection with ongoing operations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000. It is our opinion, subject to the additional assumptions, exceptions and qualifications hereinafter stated, that in the event that the Proposed Transaction is consummated in accordance with the Application-Declaration: all State laws applicable to the Proposed Transaction will have been complied with by EUA, Cogenex and Newco; EUA, the issuer of the common shares, is a validly organized and duly existing voluntary association under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the common shares in connection with the Proposed Transaction will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the holders thereof will be entitled to the rights and privileges appertaining thereto set forth in the Declaration of Trust of EUA, as amended, which is the document defining such rights and privileges; Newco will legally acquire the assets of Highland through a statutory merger; Cogenex will legally acquire from EUA all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Newco; (e) Newco, the issuer of notes to evidence borrowings from Cogenex, in accordance with the Application-Declaration, is a validly organized and duly existing corporation organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and any notes issued by Newco will be valid and binding obligations of Newco in accordance with their terms; (g) Cogenex will legally acquire any notes issued to it by Newco in accordance with the Application-Declaration; and (h) The consummation of the Proposed Transactions will not violate the legal rights of the holders of any of the securities issued by EUA, Cogenex or Newco or by Eastern Edison Company ("Eastern Edison"), Blackstone Valley Electric Company ("Blackstone"), Newport Electric Corporation ("Newport"), Montaup Electric Company ("Montaup"), EUA Service Corporation ("EUA Service"), EUA Energy Investment Corporation ("EUA Energy"), EUA Ocean State Corporation ("EUA Ocean State"), Ocean State Power ("OSP I"), Ocean State Power II ("OSP II"), OSP Finance Company ("OSP Finance"), EUA Transcapacity, Inc. ("EUA Transcapacity"), Northeast Energy Management, Inc. ("NEM"), EUA Cogenex-Canada Inc. ("Cogenex-Canada") and EUA Citizens Conservation Services, Inc. ("CCS"), all associate companies of EUA, Cogenex and Newco. This opinion in addition to being subject to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction in accordance with the Application-Declaration is also subject to the following additional assumptions, exceptions and qualifications: compliance with such order or orders as the Commission may issue from time to time upon the Application-Declaration and the continued effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the EUA common shares; the accuracy of information furnished to us (a) as to the outstanding securities of EUA, Cogenex, Newco, Eastern Edison, Blackstone, Newport, Montaup, EUA Service, EUA Energy, EUA Ocean State, OSP I, OSP II, OSP Finance, EUA TransCapacity, NEM, Cogenex-Canada and CCS and (b) that there is no provision or condition in any note or other document in connection with outstanding short-term borrowings of any of those companies limiting the transactions which are the subject of the Application-Declaration; that requirements of applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws will have been complied with; that the common shares are properly listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange; that the enforceability of the Proposed Transaction may be subject to and affected by applicable bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting the enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors generally (including, without limitation, such as may deny giving effect to waivers of rights to debtors or guarantors); and such duties and standards as are or may be imposed on creditors, including, without limitation, good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing under any applicable statute, rule, regulation or judicial decision; and that the enforceability of the Proposed Transaction may be subject to and affected by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and the exercise of equitable powers by a court of competent jurisdiction (and no opinion is given herein as to specific performance or as to the availability of other equitable remedies or equitable relief of any kind). This opinion relates only to federal law and the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and we express no opinion with respect to any other jurisdiction. To the extent that certain matters addressed may involve the laws of other states, we have assumed that such laws are not materially different from the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We consent to the use of this opinion in connection with the Application-Declaration filed with the Commission. Very truly yours, McDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY EX-99 3 EXHIBIT B-1 CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT EXHIBIT B-1 Financial Statements filed with confidential treatment requested EX-99 4 EXHIBIT B-2 CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT EXHIBIT B-2 Analysis of Purchase Price filed with confidential treatment requested -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----