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UNITED STATES FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Date of Report (Date earliest event reported): December 7, 2005 Commission Registrant, State of Incorporation, I.R.S. Employer 1-11299 ENTERGY CORPORATION 72-1229752 1-27031 ENTERGY GULF STATES, INC. 74-0662730 0-5807 ENTERGY NEW ORLEANS, INC. 72-0273040
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
File Number
Address and Telephone Number
Identification No.
(a Delaware corporation)
639 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Telephone (504) 576-4000
(a Texas corporation)
350 Pine Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Telephone (409) 838-6631
(a Louisiana corporation)
1600 Perdido Building
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Telephone (504) 670-3674
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
(Entergy Corporation)
See the information included in Item 2.03 below regarding the $1.5 Billion Facility entered into by and among Entergy Corporation, Citibank, and certain banks.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation
(Entergy Corporation)
On December 7, 2005 Entergy Corporation ("Entergy") entered into a $1.5 billion, 3-year bank credit facility (the "$1.5 Billion Facility") by and among Entergy as borrower, Citibank, N.A., as bank and administrative agent ("Citibank") and the following banks:
ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Barclays Bank PLC, Bayerische Hypo-Und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, BNP Paribas, Calyon New York Branch, Credit Suisse First Boston, Cayman Islands Branch, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., KeyBank National Association, Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB, Mellon Bank, N.A., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley Bank, Regions Bank, Societe Generale, The Bank of New York, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, , Union Bank of California, N.A., Wachovia Bank, NA, and certain banks who will become parties from time to time (collectively, the "Banks," and, with Entergy and Citbank, the "Parties").
Entergy also has the ability to issue letters of credit against the facility. The Credit Agreement executed by the Parties is attached hereto as Exhibit 4 (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for acceleration of amounts due upon the occurrence and continuation of a Prepayment Event or Event of Default, as defined in the Credit Agreement, which events include the failure to pay amounts when due, and the breach of representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Credit Agreement. It also requires Entergy to maintain a consolidated debt ratio of 65% or less of its total capitalization. The facility fee is currently .125% of the commitment amount. The facility fee and interest rates can fluctuate depending on the senior debt ratings of certain domestic utility companies who are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Entergy.
(Entergy Corporation and Entergy New Orleans)
See Entergy's Third Quarter 2005 Form 10-Q for a discussion of the DIP Credit Agreement, a debtor-in-possession credit facility to provide funding to Entergy New Orleans for its business restoration efforts, with Entergy Corporation as the lender. On December 9, 2005, the bankruptcy court entered an order giving its final approval of the DIP Credit Agreement. The order is effective as of the date Entergy New Orleans filed its bankruptcy petition. In addition, on December 7, 2005, the SEC issued an order increasing to $200 million the amount that it has authorized Entergy New Orleans to borrow under the DIP Credit Agreement.
As security for Entergy Corporation as the lender, the terms of the December 9, 2005 bankruptcy court order provide that all borrowings by Entergy New Orleans under the DIP Credit Agreement are: (i) entitled to superpriority administrative claim status pursuant to section 364(c)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code; (ii) secured by a perfected first priority lien on all property of Entergy New Orleans pursuant to sections 364(c)(2) and 364(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, except on any property of Entergy New Orleans subject to valid, perfected, and non-avoidable liens of Hibernia National Bank; and (iii) secured by a perfected junior lien pursuant to section 364(c)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code on all property of Entergy New Orleans subject to valid, perfected, and non-avoidable liens in favor of Hibernia National Bank that existed as of the date Entergy New Orleans filed its bankruptcy petition.
The lien granted by the bankruptcy court under sections 364(c)(2) and 364(d) primes the liens that secure Entergy New Orleans' obligations under its mortgage bond indenture that existed as of the date Entergy New Orleans filed its bankruptcy petition. To secure Entergy New Orleans' obligations under its mortgage bond indenture, the bankruptcy court's December 9, 2005 order grants in favor of the bond trustee, for the benefit of itself and the bondholders, a lien on all Entergy New Orleans property that secures its obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement. The lien in favor of the bond trustee is senior to all other liens except for the liens in favor of Hibernia National Bank and Entergy Corporation. Entergy does not currently anticipate that its lien will be enforced prior to or in the first quarter of 2006.
(Entergy Corporation and Entergy Gulf States)
On December 8, 2005, Entergy Gulf States issued $350 million Floating Rate Series of its first mortgage bonds. The bonds currently pay interest of 5.21% per annum and mature in December 2008.
The net proceeds were used to redeem on December 12, 2005 Entergy Gulf States $200 million Floating Rate Series first mortgage bonds due October 2006 and to repay funds borrowed from the Entergy System money pool.Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. |
Description |
4 |
Credit Agreement, dated December 7, 2005, by and among Entergy, Citibank, and the Banks. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Entergy Corporation
Entergy Gulf States, Inc.
Entergy New Orleans, Inc.
By: /s/ Nathan E. Langston
Nathan E. Langston
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
Dated: December 13, 2005
Exhibit 4
[CONFORMED COPY]
U.S. $1,500,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 7, 2005
Among
ENTERGY CORPORATION
as Borrower
THE BANKS NAMED HEREIN
as Banks
CITIBANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent
and
the LC Issuing Banks
from time to time parties hereto
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
Sole Lead Arranger & Book Manager
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.
BNP PARIBAS
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
and
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
Co-Syndication Agents
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 7, 2005
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of December 7, 2005
ENTERGY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks (the "Banks") listed on the signature pages hereof and Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank"), as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders hereunder and the LC Issuing Banks parties hereto from time to time, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
"Advance" means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a Borrowing and refers to a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance, each of which shall be a "Type" of Advance.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person or is a director or officer of such Person.
"Agreement"
means this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time."Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender's Domestic Lending Office in the case of a Base Rate Advance and such Lender's Eurodollar Lending Office in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance
"Applicable Margin" means, (i) for any Base Rate Advance, the Base Rate Margin interest rate per annum set forth below in the columns identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6, and (ii) for any Eurodollar Rate Advance, (A) on any date the Utilization Percentage equals or is less than 50%, the Eurodollar Margin interest rate per annum set forth below in the columns identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 and (B) on any date the Utilization Percentage exceeds 50%, the Utilized Eurodollar Margin interest rate per annum set forth below in the columns identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6, in each case, determined by reference to the Relevant Ratings.
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | |
S&P |
Relevant Ratings at least A+ or A1 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 1 but at least A or A2 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 2 but at least A- or A3 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 3 but at least BBB+ or Baa1 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 4 but at least BBB or Baa2 |
Relevant Ratings below BBB* and Baa2* |
Interest Rate Per Annum | ||||||
Eurodollar Margin | 0.210% | 0.300% | 0.350% | 0.475% | 0.575% | 0.800% |
Base Rate Margin | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.500% |
Utilitized Eurodollar Margin | 0.310% | 0.400% | 0.475% | 0.600% | 0.700% | 0.925% |
*or unrated
Any change in the Applicable Margin will be effective as of the date on which S&P or Moody's, as the case may be, announces the applicable change in any Senior Debt Rating.
"Approved Fund" means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.
"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee of that Lender, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
"Base Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the higher of:
- the rate of interest announced publicly by Citibank in New York, New York, from time to time, as Citibank's base rate; and
- 1/2 of 1% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time.
"Base Rate Advance" means an Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.07(a).
"Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Advances of the same Type made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 or Converted pursuant to Section 2.09 or 2.10.
"Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized to close in New York City and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.
"Capitalization" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the Borrower and its subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the total principal amount of all Debt of the Borrower and its subsidiaries outstanding on such date, (ii) Consolidated Net Worth as of such date and (iii) to the extent not otherwise included in Capitalization, all preferred stock and other preferred securities of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, including preferred securities issued by any subsidiary trust, outstanding on such date.
"Cash Collateral Account" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.03.
"Commitment" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
"Common Equity" shall mean the stock, shares or other ownership interests in the issuer thereof howsoever evidenced (including, without limitation, limited liability company membership interests) that has ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managers or trustees (or other persons performing similar functions) of the issuer, as applicable, provided that Preferred Equity, even if it has such ordinary voting power, shall not be Common Equity.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means the sum of the capital stock (excluding treasury stock and capital stock subscribed for and unissued) and surplus (including earned surplus, capital surplus and the balance of the current profit and loss account not transferred to surplus) accounts of the Borrower and its subsidiaries appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its subsidiaries prepared as of the date of determination in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e), after eliminating all intercompany transactions and all amounts properly attributable to minority interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of subsidiaries.
"Convert", "Conversion" and "Converted" each refers to a conversion of Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type or the selection of a new, or the renewal of the same, Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Advances pursuant to Section 2.09 or 2.10.
"Debt" of any Person means (without duplication) all liabilities, obligations and indebtedness (whether contingent or otherwise) of such Person (i) for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments, (ii) to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than such obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business on customary trade terms, provided that such obligations are not more than 30 days past due), (iii) as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases, (iv) under reimbursement agreements or similar agreements with respect to the issuance of letters of credit (other than obligations in respect of letters of credit opened to provide for the payment of goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business), (v) under any Guaranty Obligations and (vi) liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under plans covered by Title IV of ERISA.
"Domestic Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
"Domestic Regulated Utility Subsidiary" means a direct or indirect domestic subsidiary of the Company engaged in generation, transmission or distribution of electricity or the transmission or distribution of natural gas that is regulated as to rates on a cost of service basis by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or successor agency) or a state or local governmental body.
"Eligible Assignee" means a Person (i) (A) that is (1) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, and having total assets in excess of $500,000,000; (2) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the OECD, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $500,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or another country which is also a member of OECD; or (3) a Lender, a financial institution Affiliate of any Lender or an Approved Fund of any Lender immediately prior to an assignment and (B) whose long-term public senior debt securities are rated at least "BBB-" by S&P or at least "Baa3" by Moody's; or (ii) that is approved by the Borrower (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), the LC Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent.
"Entergy Arkansas"
means Entergy Arkansas, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns."Entergy Gulf States"
means Entergy Gulf States, Inc., a Texas corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns."Entergy Louisiana"
means Entergy Louisiana, Inc., a Louisiana corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns."Entergy Mississippi"
means Entergy Mississippi, Inc., a Mississippi corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns."Entergy New Orleans"
means Entergy New Orleans, Inc., a Louisiana corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns."Environmental Laws" means any federal, state or local laws, ordinances or codes, rules, orders, or regulations relating to pollution or protection of the environment, including, without limitation, laws relating to hazardous substances, laws relating to reclamation of land and waterways and laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata) or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollution, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder, each as amended and modified from time to time.
"ERISA Affiliate" of a Person or entity means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is a member of a group of which such Person or entity is a member and that is under common control with such Person or entity within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
"ERISA Plan" means an employee benefit plan maintained for employees of any Person or any ERISA Affiliate of such Person subject to Title IV of ERISA.
"ERISA Termination Event" means (i) a Reportable Event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than a Reportable Event not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to PBGC), or (ii) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from an ERISA Plan during a plan year in which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (iii) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate an ERISA Plan or the treatment of an ERISA Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate an ERISA Plan by the PBGC or to appoint a trustee to administer any ERISA Plan, or (v) any other event or condition that would constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer any ERISA Plan.
"Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
"Eurodollar Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its "Eurodollar Lending Office" opposite its name on Schedule I hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender (or, if no such office is specified, its Domestic Lending Office), or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for the Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance made as part of the same Borrowing, an interest rate per annum equal to the average (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum, if such average is not such a multiple) of the rate per annum at which deposits in U.S. dollars are offered by the principal office of each of the Reference Banks in London, England, to prime banks in the London interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period in an amount substantially equal to such Reference Bank's Eurodollar Rate Advance made as part of such Borrowing and for a period equal to such Interest Period. The Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period for each Eurodollar Rate Advance made as part of the same Borrowing shall be determined by the Administrative Agent on the basis of applicable rates furnished to and received by the Administrative Agent from the Reference Banks two Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 2.09.
"Eurodollar Rate Advance" means an Advance that bears interest as provided in Section 2.07(b).
"Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage" of any Lender for the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance means the reserve percentage applicable during such Interest Period (or if more than one such percentage shall be so applicable, the daily average of such percentages for those days in such Interest Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for such Lender with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities having a term equal to such Interest Period.
"Events of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
"Extension of Credit" means (i) the disbursement of the proceeds of any Borrowing and (ii) the issuance of a Letter of Credit or the amendment of any Letter of Credit having the effect of extending the stated termination date thereof or increasing the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder.
"Extension Notice Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
"Fee Letter" means that certain letter agreement, dated as of November 7, 2005, between the Borrower and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time.
"Fronting Commitment", for any LC Issuing Bank, means the amount as agreed in writing from time to time between such LC Issuing Bank and the Borrower.
"Granting Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 8.07(i).
"Guaranty Obligations" means (i) direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, Debt of any Person and (ii) other guaranty or similar obligations in respect of the financial obligations of others, including, without limitation, Support Obligations.
"Interest Period" means, for each Advance made as part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Advance or the date of the Conversion of any Advance into such an Advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below. The duration of each such Interest Period shall be 1, 2, 3 or 6 months (or any period of less than one month that ends on the then-scheduled Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of the Lender making such Advance in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, as the Borrower may, upon notice received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period, select; provided, however, that:
- the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that ends after the then-scheduled Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of the Lender making such Advance;
- Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Advances made as part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration; and
- whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided, in the case of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Advance, that if such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business Day.
"Junior Subordinated Debentures"
means any junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures issued by any Significant Subsidiary from time to time."LC Fee" is defined in Section 2.04(b).
"LC Issuing Bank" means each Lender or Affiliate thereof that may be appointed from time to time by the Borrower to issue Letters of Credit under this Agreement and that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
"LC Outstandings"
means, on any date of determination, the sum of the undrawn stated amounts of all Letters of Credit that are outstanding on such date plus the aggregate principal amount of all unpaid reimbursement obligations of the Borrower on such date with respect to payments made by the LC Issuing Banks under Letters of Credit."LC Payment Notice" is defined in Section 2.03(d).
"Lenders" means the Banks listed on the signature pages hereof and each Person that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.07.
"Letter of Credit" means letters of credit issued by an LC Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.03.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person or any of its subsidiaries shall be deemed to own, subject to a Lien, any asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
"Majority Lenders" means at any time Lenders to which are owed more than 50% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances and participation obligations with respect to the LC Outstandings, or, if there are no Outstanding Credits, Lenders having more than 50% of the Commitments (without giving effect to any termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 6.02), provided, that for purposes hereof, neither the Borrower, nor any of its Affiliates, if a Lender, shall be included in (i) the Lenders holding such amount of the Advances or participation obligations with respect to the LC Outstandings or having such amount of the Commitments or (ii) determining the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances or participation obligations with respect to the LC Outstandings or the total Commitments.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding three plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.
"Net Available Cash" from a Stock Disposition means cash payments received therefrom net of all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under generally accepted accounting principles, as a result of such Stock Disposition.
"Non-Consenting Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(d).
"Non-Recourse Debt"
means any Debt of any subsidiary of the Borrower that does not constitute Debt of the Borrower, any Significant Subsidiary or Entergy New Orleans."Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(a).
"Notice of Conversion" has the meaning specified in Section 2.10(a).
"OECD" means the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
"Outstanding Credits" means, on any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Borrowings outstanding on such date plus (ii) the LC Outstandings on such date, in each case, after giving effect to all repayments and prepayments of Advances and Reimbursement Amounts and all reductions in the LC Outstandings on such date.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.
"Percentage" means, for any Lender on any date of determination, the percentage obtained by dividing such Lender's Commitment on such day by the total of the Commitments on such date, and multiplying the quotient so obtained by 100%.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.
"Preferred Equity" shall mean any stock, shares or other ownership interests in the issuer thereof howsoever evidenced (including, without limitation, limited liability company membership interests), whether with or without voting rights, that is entitled to dividends or distributions prior to the payment of dividends or distributions with respect to Common Equity.
"Prepayment Event" means the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition under any agreement or instrument relating to any Debt of a Significant Subsidiary that is outstanding in a principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate, which occurrence or event results in the declaration of such Debt being due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof.
"Reference Banks" means Citibank, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
"Register" has the meaning specified in Section 8.07(c).
"Reimbursement Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c).
"Relevant Ratings" means the Senior Debt Ratings of Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States, Entergy Louisiana or Entergy Mississippi that constitute the second lowest Senior Debt Ratings of all such Persons.
"Reportable Event" has the meaning assigned to that term in Title IV of ERISA.
"Request for Issuance" means a request made pursuant to Section 2.03(a) in the form of Exhibit A-3.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"SEC Order" has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(a)(iii).
"Senior Debt Rating" means, as to any Person, the rating assigned by Moody's or S&P to the senior secured long-term debt of such Person.
"SERI" means Systems Energy Resources, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, or its successors and permitted assigns.
"Significant Subsidiary" means Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Gulf States, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, SERI and any other Domestic Regulated Utility Subsidiary of the Borrower: (i) the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of which exceed 5% of the total assets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries or (ii) the net worth of which exceeds 5% of the Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, in each case as shown on the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its subsidiaries. In no event shall "Significant Subsidiary" include any Domestic Regulated Utility Subsidiary that as of March 31, 2005, (i) had total assets (after intercompany eliminations) that were 5% or less of the total assets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of such date or (ii) had a net worth that was 5% or less of the Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of such date.
"SPC" has the meaning specified in Section 8.07(i).
"Stock Disposition" means, with respect to any Person, the issuance, sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any Common Equity (or stock or other instruments convertible into Common Equity) of such Person.
"Support Obligations" means any financial obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person guaranteeing or otherwise supporting any Debt or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Debt, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Debt of the payment of such Debt, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital, available cash or other financial statement condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt, (iv) to provide equity capital under or in respect of equity subscription arrangements so as to assure any Person with respect to the payment of such Debt or the performance of such obligation, or (v) to provide financial support for the performance of, or to arrange for the performance of, any non-monetary obligations or non-funded debt payment obligations (including, without limitation, guaranties of payments under power purchase or other similar arrangements) of the primary obligor.
"Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of (i) December 7, 2008, or, as to any Lender, such later date that may be established for such Lender pursuant to Section 2.18, and (ii) date of termination in whole of the Commitments and each LC Issuing Bank's obligation to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05 or Section 6.02 hereof.
"Utilization Percentage" means, as of any time for the determination thereof, the percentage obtained by dividing the aggregate Outstanding Credits by the aggregate Commitments then in effect.
SECTION 1.02. Computation of Time Periods.
In this Agreement in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each means "to but excluding".
SECTION 1.03. Accounting Terms.
All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e) hereof.
ARTICLE II
AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE ADVANCES
SECTION 2.01. The Advances.
Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, to make Advances to the Borrower and to participate in the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower in respect of Letters of Credit from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of such Lender in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount set opposite such Lender's name on Schedule II hereto or, if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, set forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.07(c), as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.05 (such Lender's "Commitment"). Each Borrowing shall be in an amount not less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and shall consist of Advances of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, having the same Interest Period made or Converted on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments. Within the limits of each Lender's Commitment, the Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay pursuant to Section 2.11 and reborrow under this Section 2.01; provided, however, that at no time may the Outstanding Credits exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments.
SECTION 2.02. Making the Advances.
Each Borrowing shall be made on notice, given (i) in the case of a Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Advances, not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing, and (ii) in the case of a Borrowing comprising Base Rate Advances, not later than 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date of the proposed Borrowing, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice thereof. Each such notice of a Borrowing (a "Notice of Borrowing") shall be transmitted by telecopier, telex or cable, confirmed immediately in writing, in substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, specifying therein the requested (A) date of such Borrowing, (B) Type of Advances to be made in connection with such Borrowing, (C) aggregate amount of such Borrowing, (D) the Borrower's wire instructions, and (E) in the case of a Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Advances, initial Interest Period for each such Advance. Each Lender shall, before (x) 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date of any Borrowing comprising Eurodollar Rate Advances, and (y) 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date of any Borrowing comprising Base Rate Advances, make available for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 8.02, in same day funds, such Lender's ratable portion of such Borrowing. After the Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower at the Administrative Agent's aforesaid address.
Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower. In the case of any Notice of Borrowing requesting Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender as a result of any failure to fulfill on or before the date specified in such Notice of Borrowing for such Borrowing the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund the Advance to be made by such Lender as part of such Borrowing when such Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's ratable portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with subsection (a) of this Section 2.02 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made such ratable portion available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower (following the Administrative Agent's demand on such Lender for the corresponding amount) severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to Advances made in connection with such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds Rate. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender's Advance as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.
The failure of any Lender to make the Advance to be made by it as part of any Borrowing shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Advance on the date of such Borrowing, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Advance to be made by such other Lender on the date of any Borrowing.
SECTION 2.03. Making the Advances.
Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each LC Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit from time to time for the account of the Borrower (or the stated maturity thereof extended or terms thereof modified or amended), in an aggregate stated amount not exceeding such LC Issuing Bank's Fronting Commitment, on not less than two Business Days' prior notice thereof by delivery of a Request for Issuance to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly distribute copies thereof to the Lenders) and the applicable LC Issuing Bank. Each Request for Issuance shall specify (i) the date (which shall be a Business Day) of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or the date of effectiveness of such extension, modification or amendment) and the stated expiry date thereof (which shall be no later than five Business Days prior to the then-scheduled Termination Date), (ii) the proposed stated amount of such Letter of Credit (which shall not be less than $100,000), (iii) the name and address of the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit and (iv) a statement of drawing conditions applicable to such Letter of Credit, and if such Request for Issuance relates to an amendment or modification of a Letter of Credit, it shall be accompanied by the consent of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit thereto. Each Request for Issuance shall be irrevocable unless modified or rescinded by the Borrower not less than one day prior to the proposed date of issuance (or effectiveness) specified therein. Not later than 12:00 noon on the proposed date of issuance (or effectiveness) specified in such Request for Issuance, and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions precedent and the other requirements set forth herein, the applicable LC Issuing Bank shall issue (or extend, amend or modify) such Letter of Credit and provide notice and a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly furnish copies thereof to the Lenders.
No Letter of Credit shall be requested or issued hereunder if, after the issuance thereof, the Outstanding Credits would exceed the total Commitments scheduled to be in effect until the Termination Date. The Borrower will not request, and no LC Issuing Bank will issue a Letter of Credit, if after the issuance thereof, the LC Outstandings of such LC Issuing Bank would exceed $500,000,000.
The Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable LC Issuing Bank and, if they shall have purchased participations in the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower pursuant to subsection (d) below, the Lenders, on demand made by the applicable LC Issuing Bank to the Borrower, on and after each date on which the applicable LC Issuing Bank shall pay any amount under any Letter of Credit issued by such LC Issuing Bank, a sum equal to the amount so paid (the "Reimbursement Amount") plus interest on the Reimbursement Amount from the date so paid by such LC Issuing Bank until repayment to such LC Issuing Bank in full at a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Advances plus, if any amount paid by such LC Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit is not reimbursed by the Borrower within three Business Days, 2%. The Borrower may satisfy its obligation hereunder to repay the Reimbursement Amount by requesting a Borrowing under Section 2.02 in the amount of such Reimbursement Amount, and the proceeds of such Borrowing may be applied to satisfy the Borrower's obligations to the applicable LC Issuing Bank or the Lenders, as the case may be.
If any LC Issuing Bank shall not have been reimbursed in full for any payment made by such LC Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit issued by such LC Issuing Bank on the date of such payment, such LC Issuing Bank shall give the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt notice thereof (an "LC Payment Notice") no later than 12:00 noon on the Business Day immediately succeeding the date of such payment by such LC Issuing Bank. Each Lender severally agrees to purchase a participation in the reimbursement obligation of the Borrower to each LC Issuing Bank by paying to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable LC Issuing Bank an amount equal to such Lender's Percentage of such unreimbursed amount paid by such LC Issuing Bank, plus interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from the date of the payment by the applicable LC Issuing Bank to the date of payment to such LC Issuing Bank by such Lender. Each such payment by a Lender shall be made not later than 3:00 P.M. on the later to occur of (i) the Business Day immediately following the date of such payment by the applicable LC Issuing Bank and (ii) the Business Day on which such Lender shall have received an LC Payment Notice from the applicable LC Issuing Bank. Each Lender's obligation to make each such payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of any LC Issuing Bank shall be several and shall not be affected by the occurrence or continuance of an Event of Default or the failure of any other Lender to make any payment under this Section 2.03(d). Each Lender further agrees that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
The failure of any Lender to make any payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of any LC Issuing Bank in accordance with subsection (d) above shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to make payment, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender. If any Lender (a "Non-Performing Lender") shall fail to make any payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of any LC Issuing Bank in accordance with subsection (d) above within five Business Days after the LC Payment Notice relating thereto, then, for so long as such failure shall continue, the applicable LC Issuing Bank shall be deemed, for purposes of Section 8.01 and Article VI hereof, to be a Lender owed a Borrowing in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount due and payable by such Non-Performing Lender to the Administrative Agent for the account of such LC Issuing Bank pursuant to subsection (d) above. Any Non-Performing Lender and the Borrower (without waiving any claim against such Lender for such Lender's failure to purchase a participation in the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower under subsection (d) above) severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable LC Issuing Bank forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon for each day from the date such Lender would have purchased its participation had it complied with the requirements of subsection (d) above until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable at the time to Base Rate Advances and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the Federal Funds Rate.
The payment obligations of each Lender under Section 2.03(d) and of the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any payment under any Letter of Credit by any LC Issuing Bank shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, the following circumstances:
any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto or to such Letter of Credit;
any amendment or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, the terms of this Agreement or such Letter of Credit;
the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary, or any transferee, of such Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the applicable LC Issuing Bank, or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, thereby or by such Letter of Credit, or any unrelated transaction;
any statement or any other document presented under such Letter of Credit reasonably proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
payment in good faith by the applicable LC Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit issued by such LC Issuing Bank against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or
any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit. Neither the LC Issuing Banks, the Lenders nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or Affiliates shall be liable or responsible for (i) the use that may be made of such Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee thereof in connection therewith; (ii) the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; (iii) payment by any LC Issuing Bank against presentation of documents that do not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to such Letter of Credit; or (iv) any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower and each Lender shall have the right to bring suit against any LC Issuing Bank, and such LC Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Borrower and any Lender, to the extent of any direct, as opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower or such Lender which the Borrower or such Lender proves were caused by such LC Issuing Bank's willful misconduct or gross negligence, including, in the case of the Borrower, such LC Issuing Bank's willful failure to make timely payment under such Letter of Credit following the presentation to it by the beneficiary thereof of a draft and accompanying certificate(s) that strictly comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each LC Issuing Bank may accept sight drafts and accompanying certificates presented under the Letter of Credit issued by such LC Issuing Bank that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and payment against such documents shall not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence by such LC Issuing Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be obligated to indemnify the Borrower for damages caused by any LC Issuing Bank's willful misconduct or gross negligence.
SECTION 2.04. Fees.
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee on the average daily amount of such Lender's Commitment from the date hereof in the case of each Bank, and from the effective date specified in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender, in the case of each other Lender, until the earlier to occur of the Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of such Lender and, in the case of the termination in whole of a Lender's Commitment pursuant to Section 2.05, the date of such termination, payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December during such period, and on the Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of such Lender at the rate per annum set forth below in the columns identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5, determined by reference to the Relevant Ratings:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | |
S&P |
Relevant Ratings at least A+ or A1 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 1 but at least A or A2 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 2 but at least A- or A3 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 3 but at least BBB+ or Baa1 |
Relevant Ratings Less than Level 4 but at least BBB or Baa2 |
Relevant Ratings below BBB* and Baa2* |
Rate Per Annum | ||||||
Facility Fee | 0.090% | 0.100% | 0.125% | 0.150% | 0.175% | 0.200% |
*or unrated
Any change in the facility fee will be effective as of the date on which S&P or Moody's, as the case may be, announces the applicable change in any Senior Debt Rating.
The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "LC Fee") on the average daily amount of the sum of the undrawn stated amounts of all Letters of Credit outstanding on each such day, from the date hereof in the case of each Bank, and from the effective date specified in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender, in the case of each other Lender, until the later to occur of the Termination Date with respect to the Commitment of such Lender and the date on which no Letters of Credit are outstanding, payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December during such period and such later date, at a rate equal at all times to the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time for Eurodollar Rate Advances. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the LC Issuing Banks such fees for the issuance and maintenance of Letters of Credit and for drawings thereunder as may be separately agreed between the Borrower and the LC Issuing Banks.
SECTION 2.05. Reduction of the Commitments.
The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the unused portions of the respective Commitments of the Lenders; provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Once terminated, a Commitment may not be reinstated.
SECTION 2.06. Repayment of Advances.
The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender and as Converted from time to time on the Termination Date with respect to such Lender; provided, however, that at no time prior to February 8, 2006 shall the aggregate principal amount of Borrowings that remain outstanding for more than 364 days exceed $1,050,000,000.
SECTION 2.07. Interest on Advances.
The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender from the date of such Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
SECTION 2.08. Additional Interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances.
The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, so long as such Lender shall be required under regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Advance of such Lender, from the date of such Advance until such principal amount is paid in full, at an interest rate per annum equal at all times to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period for such Advance from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such Eurodollar Rate by a percentage equal to 100% minus the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of such Lender for such Interest Period, payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Advance. Such additional interest shall be determined by such Lender and notified to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
SECTION 2.09. Interest Rate Determination.
- the Administrative Agent shall forthwith notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the interest rate cannot be determined for such Eurodollar Rate Advances,
- each such Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Advance (or if such Advance is then a Base Rate Advance, will continue as a Base Rate Advance), and
- the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
- each Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Advance, and
- the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
SECTION 2.10. Conversion of Advances.
SECTION 2.11. Prepayments.
The Borrower may, upon notice received by the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on any Business Day, with respect to Base Rate Advances, and upon at least two Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent, with respect to Eurodollar Rate Advances, stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of the prepayment, and if such notice is given the Borrower shall, prepay the outstanding principal amounts of the Advances made as part of the same Borrowing in whole or ratably in part, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid; provided, however, that (i) each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or any integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and (ii) in the case of any such prepayment of an Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Lenders in respect thereof pursuant to Section 8.04(b) on the date of such prepayment.
SECTION 2.12. Increased Costs.
SECTION 2.13. Illegality.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent that the introduction of, any change in or any change in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Eurodollar Lending Office to perform its obligations hereunder to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances hereunder, (i) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and (ii) the Borrower shall forthwith prepay in full all Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Lenders then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, unless the Borrower, within five Business Days of notice from the Administrative Agent, Converts all Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Lenders then outstanding into Advances of another Type in accordance with Section 2.10.
SECTION 2.14. Payments and Computations.
SECTION 2.15. Taxes.
SECTION 2.16. Sharing of Payments, Etc.
If any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances made by it (other than pursuant to Section 2.02(c), 2.08, 2.12, 2.15 or 8.04(b)) or, on account of the Borrower's reimbursement obligations in respect of LC Outstandings in excess of its ratable share of payments on account of the Advances or on account of such reimbursement obligations obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Advances made by them and such reimbursement obligations as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them, provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.16 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 2.17. Noteless Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness.
SECTION 2.18. Extension of Termination Date.
In the event that any Lender shall not have consented to a request made by the Borrower under this Section 2.18 to extend the Termination Date, then, on the date of any termination of such Lender's Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.18, the Borrower shall pay or prepay to such Lender the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances of such Lender with respect to such termination of its Commitment, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and all other fees and other amounts due and payable to such Lender hereunder. In the case of any such prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse each such Lender in respect thereof pursuant to Section 8.04(b).
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS OF EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Initial Extensions of Credit.
The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Advance and of each LC Issuing Bank to issue the initial Letter of Credit is subject to the conditions precedent that on or before the date of such Advance:
The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each dated the same date (except for the financial statements referred to in paragraph (iv) below), in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (except for the notes described in paragraph (i)) with one copy for each Lender and each LC Issuing Bank:
A promissory note payable to the order of each Lender that requests one pursuant to Section 2.17;
Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving this Agreement, and of all documents evidencing other necessary corporate action with respect to this Agreement;
A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying (A) the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder; (B) that attached thereto are true and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the By Laws of the Borrower, in each case in effect on such date; and (C) that attached thereto are true and correct copies of all governmental and regulatory authorizations and approvals required for the due execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, including, without limitation, a copy of the order dated June 30, 2004 (File No. 70-10202) of the SEC under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 authorizing the Borrower to obtain Extensions of Credit and to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement (the "SEC Order");
Copies of the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Borrower and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, and copies of the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, in each case certified by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied;
A favorable opinion of counsel for the Borrower, acceptable to the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and as to such other matters as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and
A favorable opinion of King & Spalding LLP, special New York counsel for the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.
The Administrative Agent shall have received the fees payable pursuant to the Fee Letter.
SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to Each Extension of Credit.
The obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing (including the initial Borrowing) and of each LC Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such Borrowing:
the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of Borrowing, Request for Issuance or Notice of Conversion and the acceptance by the Borrower of any proceeds of a Borrowing or the issuance of such Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such Extension of Credit or Conversion, as applicable, such statements are true):
The representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01 (excluding those contained in subsections (e) and (f) thereof with respect to each Extension of Credit requested after the initial Extension of Credit) are correct on and as of the date of such Extension of Credit, before and after giving effect to such Extension of Credit and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though made on and as of such date; and
No event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Extension of Credit or from the application of the proceeds therefrom or the issuance or amendment of any Letter of Credit in connection therewith, that constitutes a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default or would constitute a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default with notice or lapse of time or both.
The Administrative Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions or documents with respect to the truth of the foregoing statements (i) and (ii) as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
Each Letter of Credit shall be in form and substance acceptable to the LC Issuing Bank issuing such Letter of Credit.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.
The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:
The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the property owned, operated or leased by it requires such qualification, except where failure to so qualify would not materially adversely affect its condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties, or prospects.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement are within the Borrower's corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not contravene (i) the Borrower's charter or by-laws, (ii) law applicable to the Borrower or its properties, or (iii) any contractual or legal restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or its properties.
No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, including obtaining any Extensions of Credit under this Agreement, except for the following (each of which has been duly filed or obtained, and is final and in full force and effect): (i) the filing of the Declaration on Form U-1 and amendments and exhibits thereto in File No. 70-10202 and (ii) the SEC Order.
This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject, however, to any applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, rearrangement, moratorium or similar laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
The consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and for the year ended on such date, as set forth in the Borrower's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended on such date, as filed with the SEC, accompanied by an opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP, and the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 and for the quarterly periods ended on such dates set forth in the Borrower's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended on such dates, as filed with the SEC, copies of each of which have been furnished to each Bank, fairly present (subject, in the case of such statements dated March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005, and September 30, 2005, to year-end adjustments) the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as at such dates and the consolidated results of the operations of the Borrower and its subsidiaries for the periods ended on such dates, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Except as disclosed in the Borrower's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 and the Borrower's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 28, 2005, since December 31, 2004, there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition or operations of the Borrower.
Except as disclosed in the Borrower's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Borrower's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005, and September 30, 2005, and the Borrower's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 28, 2005, there is no pending or threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or prospects of the Borrower or on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or that purports to affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement. There has been no change in any matter disclosed in such filings that could reasonably be expected to result in such a material adverse effect.
No event has occurred and is continuing that constitutes a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default or that would constitute a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both.
The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and not more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries subject to the restrictions of Section 5.02(a), (c) or (d) is, on the date hereof, represented by margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).
The Borrower is not an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or an "investment advisor" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
No ERISA Termination Event has occurred, or is reasonably expected to occur, with respect to any ERISA Plan that may materially and adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or prospects of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the most recent annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each ERISA Plan, copies of which have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service and furnished to the Banks, is complete and accurate and fairly presents the funding status of such ERISA Plan, and since the date of such Schedule B there has been no material adverse change in such funding status.
The Borrower has not incurred, and does not reasonably expect to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants.
So long as any amount payable by the Borrower hereunder shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding hereunder, the Borrower will, unless the Majority Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:
- keep proper books of record and account, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
- except as otherwise permitted by Section 5.02(c), preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and preserve and keep in full force and effect its licenses, rights and franchises to the extent necessary to carry on its business;
- maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, its properties in good repair, working order and condition, and from time to time make or cause to be made all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements, in each case to the extent such properties are not obsolete and not necessary to carry on its business;
- comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, such compliance to include, without limitation, paying before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or its property, except to the extent being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and compliance with ERISA and Environmental Laws;
- maintain insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations or through its own program of self-insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which it operates and furnish to the Administrative Agent, within a reasonable time after written request therefor, such information as to the insurance carried as any Lender, through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably request;
- pay and discharge its obligations and liabilities in the ordinary course of business, except to the extent that such obligations and liabilities are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and
- from time to time upon reasonable notice, permit or arrange for the Administrative Agent, the LC Issuing Banks, the Lenders and their respective agents and representatives to inspect the records and books of account of the Borrower and its subsidiaries during regular business hours.
- as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (A) consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and (B) consolidated statements of income and retained earnings of the Borrower and its subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such quarter, each certified by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied;
- as soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the annual report for such year for the Borrower and its subsidiaries, containing consolidated financial statements for such year certified without qualification by Deloitte & Touche LLP (or such other nationally recognized public accounting firm as the Administrative Agent may approve), and certified by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied;
- as soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year of the Borrower, a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the Borrower, stating that no Prepayment Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement setting forth details of such Prepayment Event or Event of Default, as the case may be, and the action that the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
- as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the Borrower has knowledge of the occurrence of each Prepayment Event, Event of Default and each event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default, continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of the duly authorized officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Prepayment Event or Event of Default or event, as the case may be, and the actions that the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
- as soon as possible and in any event within five days after the Borrower receives notice of the commencement of any litigation against, or any arbitration, administrative, governmental or regulatory proceeding involving, the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, properties or prospects of the Borrower, notice of such litigation describing in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances concerning such litigation and the Borrower's or such subsidiary's proposed actions in connection therewith;
- promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports that the Borrower sends to any of its securities holders, and copies of all reports and registration statements which the Borrower files with the SEC or any national securities exchange pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and of all certificates pursuant to Rule 24 which the Borrower files with the SEC in connection with the proceeding of the SEC in File No. 70-10202 related to the SEC Order;
- as soon as possible and in any event (A) within 30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know that any ERISA Termination Event described in clause (i) of the definition of ERISA Termination Event with respect to any ERISA Plan has occurred and (B) within 10 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know that any other ERISA Termination Event with respect to any ERISA Plan has occurred, a statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Termination Event and the action, if any, that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
- promptly and in any event within two Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower from the PBGC, copies of each notice received by the Borrower of the PBGC's intention to terminate any ERISA Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any ERISA Plan;
- promptly and in any event within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each ERISA Plan;
- promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, a copy of each notice received by the Borrower concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA;
- promptly and in any event within five Business Days after Moody's or S&P has changed any Senior Debt Rating of any Significant Subsidiary, notice of such change; and
- such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or any LC Issuing Bank or any Lender through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants.
So long as any amount payable by the Borrower hereunder shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding hereunder, the Borrower will not, without the written consent of the Majority Lenders:
ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.
Each of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:
The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Advance or any reimbursement obligation in respect of a Letter of Credit when the same becomes due and payable, or shall fail to pay interest thereon or any other amount payable under this Agreement within three Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower herein or by the Borrower (or any of its officers) in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made; or
The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe (i) any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.01(b) or 5.02 or (ii) any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on its part to be performed or observed if the failure to perform or observe such other term, covenant or agreement shall remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or
The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Debt of the Borrower that is outstanding in a principal amount in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate (but excluding Debt hereunder) when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Debt; or
The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall take any corporate action to authorize or to consent to any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (e); or
Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $25,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 10 consecutive Business Days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
(i) An ERISA Plan of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower shall fail to maintain the minimum funding standards required by Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for any plan year or a waiver of such standard is sought or granted under Section 412(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or (ii) an ERISA Plan of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower is, shall have been or will be terminated or the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA, or (iii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower has incurred or will incur a liability to or on account of an ERISA Plan under Section 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA and there shall result from such event either a liability or a material risk of incurring a liability to the PBGC or an ERISA Plan, or (iv) any ERISA Termination Event with respect to an ERISA Plan of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower (other than any ERISA Termination Event arising out of the institution by Entergy New Orleans of proceedings seeking to adjudicate Entergy New Orleans as bankrupt) shall have occurred, and in the case of any event described in clauses (i) through (iv), (A) such event (if correctable) shall not have been corrected and (B) the then-present value of such ERISA Plan's vested benefits exceeds the then-current value of assets accumulated in such ERISA Plan by more than the amount of $25,000,000 (or in the case of an ERISA Termination Event involving the withdrawal of a "substantial employer" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), the withdrawing employer's proportionate share of such excess shall exceed such amount).
SECTION 6.02. Remedies.
If any Prepayment Event or Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of each LC Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Advances, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Advances, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided, however, that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (A) the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of each LC Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Advances, all such interest and all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
SECTION 6.03. Cash Collateral Account.
ARTICLE VII
THE AGENT
SECTION 7.01. Authorization and Action.
Each LC Issuing Bank and Lender hereby appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the Advances), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Majority Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law. The Administrative Agent agrees to give to each Lender and LC Issuing Bank prompt notice of each notice given to it by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.02. Administrative Agent's Reliance, Etc.
Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (i) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (ii) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this Agreement; (iii) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement on the part of the Borrower or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the Borrower; (iv) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the perfection or priority of any lien or security interest created or purported to be created under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (v) shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telecopier, telegram, cable or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.
SECTION 7.03. Citibank and Affiliates.
With respect to its Commitment and the Advances made by it, Citibank shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent; and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include Citibank in its individual capacity. Citibank and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower, any of its subsidiaries and any Person who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or any such subsidiary, all as if Citibank were not the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
SECTION 7.04. Lender Credit Decision.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e) and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement.
SECTION 7.05. Indemnification.
The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to the respective principal amounts of the Advances then outstanding to each of them (or if no Advances are at the time outstanding, ratably according to the respective amounts of their Commitments), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, to the extent that such expenses are reimbursable by the Borrower but for which the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrower.
SECTION 7.06. Successor Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Majority Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which, for so long as no Prepayment Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, shall be a Lender and shall be approved by the Borrower (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and approved by the Borrower, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Lenders' removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or of any other country that is a member of the OECD having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article VII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no Prepayment Event or Event of Default, and no event that with the giving of notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, then no successor Administrative Agent shall be appointed under this Section 7.06 without the prior written consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01. Amendments, Etc.
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders (other than any Lender that is the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower), do any of the following: (a) waive any of the conditions specified in Section 3.01 or 3.02, (b) increase the Commitments of the Lenders or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations, (c) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (d) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Advances or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder, (e) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Advances, or the number of Lenders that shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder, (f) amend or waive Section 2.16 or (g) amend this Section 8.01; and provided further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and the LC Issuing Banks in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the LC Issuing Banks under this Agreement, and provided further, that this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender, any LC Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender, such LC Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated) or have any Commitment or other obligation hereunder or under any Letter of Credit and shall have been paid in full all amounts payable hereunder to such Lender, such LC Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
SECTION 8.02. Notices, Etc.
All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic, telex or cable communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed, cabled or delivered, if to the Borrower, at its address at 639 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113, Email: smcneal@entergy.com, Attention: Treasurer; if to any Bank or LC Issuing Bank, at its Domestic Lending Office specified opposite its name on Schedule I hereto; if to any other Lender, at its Domestic Lending Office specified in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender and if to the Administrative Agent, at its address at Two Penns Way, Suite 200, New Castle, Delaware 19720, Attention: Bank Loan Syndications, Jacqueline Caine (Telephone: 302-894-6079, Telecopier: 212-994-0961, Email: jacqueline.caine@citigroup.com; or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed or cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied, delivered to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answerback or delivered to the cable company, respectively, except that notices and communications to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article II or VII shall not be effective until received by the Administrative Agent. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c), notices and other communications given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed given to the Lenders.
SECTION 8.03. No Waiver; Remedies.
No failure on the part of any Lender, any LC Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
SECTION 8.04. Costs and Expenses; Indemnificaton.
The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, syndication administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement, subject, in each case, to the terms of the Fee Letter. Any invoices to the Borrower with respect to the aforementioned expenses shall describe such costs and expenses in reasonable detail. The Borrower further agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses, if any (including, without limitation, counsel fees and expenses of outside counsel and of internal counsel), incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the LC Issuing Banks in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, and the protection of the rights of the Lenders under, this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses in connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 8.04(a).
If any payment of principal of, or Conversion of, any Eurodollar Rate Advance is made other than on the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance, as a result of a payment or Conversion pursuant to Section 2.09(d), 2.10, 2.11 or 2.13, acceleration of the maturity of the Advances pursuant to Section 6.02, assignment to another Lender upon demand of the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.07(g) for any other reason, the Borrower shall, upon demand by any Lender or any LC Issuing Bank (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender or such LC Issuing Bank any amounts required to compensate such Lender or such LC Issuing Bank for any additional losses, costs or expenses which it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment or Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss (including loss of anticipated profits upon such Lender's or such LC Issuing Bank's representation to the Borrower that it has made reasonable efforts to mitigate such loss), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such Advance. Any Lender making a demand pursuant to this Section 8.04(b) shall provide the Borrower with a written certification of the amounts required to be paid to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the basis for the Lender's determination of such amounts; provided, however, that no Lender shall be required to disclose any confidential or proprietary information in any certification provided pursuant hereto, and the failure of any Lender to provide such certification shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.
The Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify and hold each Lender, each LC Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and their respective Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees and professional advisors (each, an "Indemnified Person") harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses, whether or not such Indemnified Person is named as a party to any proceeding or is otherwise subjected to judicial or legal process arising from any such proceeding) that any of them may incur or which may be claimed against any of them by any Person or entity by reason of or in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby, or the use by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries of the proceeds of any Advance or the use by the Borrower or any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of such Letter of Credit, except that no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to any indemnification hereunder to the extent that such claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs or expenses are finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The Borrower's obligations under this Section 8.04(c) shall survive the repayment of all amounts owing to the Lenders, the LC Issuing Banks, and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the termination of the Commitments. If and to the extent that the obligations of the Borrower under this Section 8.04(c) are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction thereof which is permissible under applicable law. The Borrower also agrees not to assert any claim against any Lender, any LC Issuing Bank, any of such Lender's or such LC Issuing Bank's affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Advances or the use by the Borrower or any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of such Letter of Credit.
SECTION 8.05. Right of Set-off.
Upon (i) the occurrence and during the continuance of any Prepayment Event or Event of Default and (ii) the making of the request or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.02 to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Advances due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.02, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section 8.05 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which such Lender may have.
SECTION 8.06. Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each LC Issuing Bank and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders.
SECTION 8.07. Assignments and Participations.
Each Lender may assign to one or more banks or other entities all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and the Advances owing to it); provided, however, that (i) the Borrower (unless a Prepayment Event or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing), each LC Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such assignment (in the case of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, with each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) by signing the Assignment and Acceptance referred to in clause (iv) below; (ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under this Agreement; (iii) the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender being assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than $10,000,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or shall be the total amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment); and (iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance, together with any promissory notes held by the assigning Lender and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (plus an amount equal to out-of-pocket legal expenses of the Administrative Agent, estimated by the Administrative Agent and advised to such parties). Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (y) the Lender assignor thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender at any time may assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Lender.
By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the Lender assignor thereunder and the assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e) and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 8.02 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Advances owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, together with any promissory notes held by the assigning Lender, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower.
Each Lender may sell participations to one or more banks, financial institutions or other entities in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and the Advances owing to it); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment to the Borrower hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) such Lender shall remain the maker of any such Advance for all purposes of this Agreement and (iv) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 8.07, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall agree to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Borrower received by it from such Lender.
If any Lender shall make any demand for payment under Section 2.12 or 2.15, or if any Lender shall be the subject of any notification or assertion of illegality under Section 2.13, then within 30 days after any such demand (if, but only if, such demanded payment has been made by the Borrower) or notification or assertion, the Borrower may, with the approval of the Administrative Agent and the LC Issuing Banks (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and provided that no Prepayment Event, Event of Default or event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, shall then have occurred and be continuing, demand that such Lender assign in accordance with this Section 8.07 to one or more assignees designated by the Borrower and acceptable to the Administrative Agent all (but not less than all) of such Lender's Commitment and the Advances owing to it within the period ending on the later to occur of such 30th day and the last day of the longest of the then current Interest Periods for such Advances; provided, however, that the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent the $3,500 administrative fee payable pursuant to clause (iv) of subsection (a) above if such assignee is not a Lender immediately prior to such assignment. If any such assignee designated by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent shall fail to consummate such assignment on terms acceptable to such Lender, or if the Borrower shall fail to designate any such assignees acceptable to the Administrative Agent for all or part of such Lender's Commitment or Advances, then such demand by the Borrower shall become ineffective; it being understood for purposes of this subsection (h) that such assignment shall be conclusively deemed to be on terms acceptable to such Lender, and such Lender shall be compelled to consummate such assignment to an Eligible Assignee designated by the Borrower, if such Eligible Assignee (A) shall agree to such assignment by entering into an Assignment and Acceptance with such Lender and (B) shall offer compensation to such Lender in an amount equal to all amounts then owing by the Borrower to such Lender hereunder, whether for principal, interest, fees, costs or expenses (other than the demanded payment referred to above and payable by the Borrower as a condition to the Borrower's right to demand such assignment), or otherwise. In addition, in the event that the Borrower shall be entitled to demand the replacement of any Lender pursuant to this subsection (h), the Borrower may, in the case of any such Lender, with the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and provided that no Prepayment Event, Event of Default or event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, shall then have occurred and be continuing, terminate all (but not less than all) such Lender's Commitment and prepay all (but not less than all) such Lender's Advances not so assigned, together with all interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment and all fees, costs and expenses and other amounts then owing by the Borrower to such Lender hereunder, at any time from and after such later occurring day in accordance with Sections 2.05 and 2.11 hereof (but without the requirement stated therein for ratable treatment of the other Lenders), if and only if, after giving effect to such termination and prepayment, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Advances of all Lenders then outstanding does not exceed the then remaining Commitments of the Lenders. Notwithstanding anything set forth above in this subsection (h) to the contrary, the Borrower shall not be entitled to compel the assignment by any Lender demanding payment under Section 2.12(a) of its Commitment and Advances or terminate and prepay the Commitment and Advances of such Lender if, prior to or promptly following any such demand by the Borrower, such Lender shall have changed or shall change, as the case may be, its Applicable Lending Office for its Eurodollar Rate Advances so as to eliminate the further incurrence of such increased cost. In furtherance of the foregoing, any such Lender demanding payment or giving notice as provided above agrees to use reasonable efforts to so change its Applicable Lending Office if, to do so, would not result in the incurrence by such Lender of additional costs or expenses which it deems material or, in the sole judgment of such Lender, be inadvisable for regulatory, competitive or internal management reasons.
Anything in this Section 8.07 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any portion of its Commitment and the Advances owing to it to any Federal Reserve Bank (and its transferees) as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a "Granting Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an "SPC") of such Granting Lender identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the LC Issuing Banks and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Advance that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any such SPC to make any Advance, (ii) if such SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Advance, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Advance pursuant to the terms hereof and (iii) no SPC or Granting Lender shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.12 or 8.04(b) than the Granting Lender would have been entitled to receive had the Granting Lender not otherwise granted such SPC the option to provide any Advance to the Borrower. The making of an Advance by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Advance were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable so long as, and to the extent that, the related Granting Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against or join any other person in instituting against such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Granting Lender unconditionally agrees to indemnify the Borrower, the LC Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent and each Lender against all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be incurred by or asserted against the Borrower, the LC Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, in any way relating to or arising as a consequence of any such forbearance or delay in the initiation of any such proceeding against its SPC. Each party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that no SPC shall have the rights of a Lender hereunder, such rights being retained by the applicable Granting Lender. Accordingly, and without limiting the foregoing, each party hereby further acknowledges and agrees that no SPC shall have any voting rights hereunder and that the voting rights attributable to any Advance made by an SPC shall be exercised only by the relevant Granting Lender and that each Granting Lender shall serve as the administrative agent and attorney-in-fact for its SPC and shall on behalf of its SPC receive any and all payments made for the benefit of such SPC and take all actions hereunder to the extent, if any, such SPC shall have any rights hereunder. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, assign all or a portion of its interest in any Advances to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any information relating to its Advances to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC. This Section 8.07(i) may not be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part of whose Advance is being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment.
SECTION 8.08. Governing Law.
THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTE ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.17 SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 8.09. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
SECTION 8.10. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 8.11. Electronic Communications.
SECTION 8.12. USA Patriot Act Notice.
Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
ENTERGY CORPORATION
By /s/ Steven C. McNeal
Steven C. McNeal
Vice President and Treasurer
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
and Bank
By /s/ Judith Green
Judith Green
Vice President
BANKS
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.,
By /s/ James L. Moyes
James L. Moyes
Managing Director
By /s/ R. Scott Donaldson
R. Scott Donaldson
Vice President
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
By /s/ Sydney G. Dennis
Sydney G. Dennis
Director
BAYERISCHE HYPO-UND VEREINSBANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH
By /s/ William W. Hunter
William W. Hunter
Director
By /s/ Richard Cordover
Richard Cordover
Director
BNP PARIBAS
By /s/ Francis J. DeLaney
Francis J. DeLaney
Managing Director
By /s/ Mark A. Renaud
Mark A. Renaud
Managing Director
CALYON NEW YORK BRANCH
By /s/ Darrell Stanley
Darrell Stanley
Director
By /s/ Michael Willis
Michael Willis
Vice President
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, ACTING THROUGH ITS CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
By /s/ Bill O'Daly
Bill O'Daly
Director
By /s/ Gregory S. Richards
Gregory S. Richards
Associate
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
By /s/ Michael J. DeForge
Michael J. DeForge
Vice President
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ Lawrence A. Mack
Lawrence A. Mack
Senior Vice President
LEHMAN BROTHERS BANK, FSB
By /s/ Gary T. Taylor
Gary T. Taylor
Senior Vice President
MELLON BANK, N.A.
By /s/ Richard A. Matthews
Richard A. Matthews
First Vice President
MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.
By /s/ Raymond Ventura
Raymond Ventura
Deputy General Manager
MORGAN STANLEY BANK
By /s/ Daniel Twenge
Daniel Twenge
Vice President
REGIONS BANK
By /s/ Mark Burr
Mark Burr
Senior Vice President
By /s/ Nigel Elvey
Nigel Elvey
Vice President
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By /s/ John-Paul Marotta
John-Paul Marotta
Managing Director
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
By /s/ Emily Freedman
Emily Freedman
Vice President
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
By /s/ Jonathan Bigelow
Jonathan Bigelow
Vice President
WACHOVIA BANK, NA
By /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki
Henry R. Biedrzycki
Director
SCHEDULE I
LIST OF APPLICABLE LENDING OFFICES
ENTERGY CORPORATION
U.S. $1,500,000,000 Credit Agreement
Name of Bank |
Domestic |
Eurodollar |
Citibank, N.A. | 2 Penn's Way Suite 200 New Castle, DE 19720 Attn: Betsy Wier Bank Loan Operations Telephone: 302-894-6025 Fax: 212-994-0961 |
2 Penn's Way Suite 200 New Castle, DE 19720 Attn: Betsy Wier Bank Loan Operations Telephone: 302-894-6025 Fax: 212-994-0961 |
ABN AMRO Bank N.V. | 540 West Madison Street Suite 2621 Chicago, IL 60661 Attn: Credit Administration FAX: 312-992-5111 E-Mail: melanie.dziobas@abnamro.com 4400 Post Oak Parkway |
540 West Madison Street Suite 2621 Chicago, IL 60661 Attn: Credit Administration FAX: 312-992-5111 E-Mail: melanie.dziobas@abnamro.com 4400 Post Oak Parkway |
Barclays Bank PLC | 200 Park Avenue 4th Floor New York, NY 10166 |
200 Park Avenue 4th Floor New York, NY 10166 |
Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch | Bayerische Hypo-und
Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch 150 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017 |
Bayerische Hypo-und
Vereinsbank AG, Grand Cayman Branch c/o Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG 150 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017 |
BNP Paribas | 787 Seventh Avenue New York, N.Y. 10019 Telephone: 212-841-2000 Fax: 212-841-2555 |
787 Seventh Avenue New York, N.Y. 10019 Telephone: 212-841-2000 Fax: 212-841-2555 |
Calyon New York Branch | 1301 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 |
1301 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 |
Credit Suisse First Boston,
acting through its Cayman Islands Branch
|
One Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 Attn: Ed Markowski/Hazel Leslie Telephone: 212-538-3380/212-325-9049 Fax: 212-538-6851/212-325-8317 Email: edward.markowski@csfb.com/hazelleslie@csfb.com
|
One Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 Attn: Ed Markowski/Hazel Leslie Telephone: 212-538-3380/212-325-9049 Fax: 212-538-6851/212-325-8317 Email: edward.markowski@csfb.com/hazelleslie@csfb.com
|
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | 1111 Fannin-10th
Floor Houston, TX 77002 Attn: Jaime Garcia/ Sylvia Gutierrez Telephone: 713-750-2377/713-750-2510 Fax: 713-750-6307/713-750-6307 Email: jaime.e.garcia@jpmorgan.com /sylvia.gutierrez@jpmorgan.com |
1111 Fannin-10th
Floor Houston, TX 77002 Attn: Jaime Garcia/ Sylvia Gutierrez Telephone: 713-750-2377/713-750-2510 Fax: 713-750-6307/713-750-6307 Email: jaime.e.garcia@jpmorgan.com /sylvia.gutierrez@jpmorgan.com |
KeyBank National Association | 127 Public Square Mailcode: OH-01-27-0623 Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306 |
127 Public Square Mailcode: OH-01-27-0623 Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1306 |
Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB | 745 7th Avenue, 16th
Floor New York, N.Y. 10019 Attn: Michael Herr Telephone: 212-526-6560 Fax: 212-520-0450 Email: mherr@lehman.com |
745 7th Avenue, 16th
Floor New York, N.Y. 10019 Attn: Michael Herr Telephone: 212-526-6560 Fax: 212-520-0450 Email: mherr@lehman.com |
Mellon Bank, N.A. | 3 Mellon Bank Center, Room
1203 Pittsburgh, PA 15259-0003 Attn: Charlotte C. Adams Telephone: 412-234-1869 Fax: 412-209-6131 |
3 Mellon Bank Center, Room
1203 Pittsburgh, PA 15259-0003 Attn: Charlotte C. Adams Telephone: 412-234-1869 Fax: 412-209-6131 |
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. | 1221 McKinney Street Suite 4100 Houston, TX 77010 |
1221 McKinney Street Suite 4100 Houston, TX 77010 |
Morgan Stanley Bank | 1585 Broadway New York N.Y. 10036 |
1585 Broadway New York N.Y., 10036 |
Regions Bank
|
417 20th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 Attn: Kim Hassell/ Joanne Green Telephone: 205-326-7038/205-326-7746 Fax: 205-326-7746 /205-326-7746 Email: kim.hassell@regions.com/joann.green@regions.com |
417 20th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 Attn: Kim Hassell/ Joanne Green Telephone: 205-326-7038/205-326-7746 Fax: 205-326-7746 /205-326-7746 Email: kim.hassell@regions.com/joann.green@regions.com |
Societe Generale | 560 Lexington Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Attn: Margaret Ayala Telephone: 212-278-6971 Fax: 212-278-7490 or 212-278-7343 |
560 Lexington Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Attn: Margaret Ayala Telephone: 212-278-6971 Fax: 212-278-7490 or 212-278-7343 |
The Bank of New York | One Wall Street New York, NY 10286 Attn: Steve Kalachman Telephone: 212-635-7547 Fax: 212-635-7923 |
One Wall Street New York, NY 10286 Attn: Steve Kalachman Telephone: 212-635-7547 Fax: 212-635-7923 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc | 101 Park Avenue New York, NY 10178 Telephone: 212-401-1335 Fax: 212-401-1494 |
101 Park Avenue New York, NY 10178 Telephone: 212-401-1335 Fax: 212-401-1494 |
Union Bank of California, N.A. | 445 South Figueroa Street 15th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 |
445 South Figueroa Street 15th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 |
Wachovia Bank, NA | 201 S. College St. Charlotte, NC 28244 Attn: La Shasta Coulter Telephone: 704-715-1459 Fax: 704-715-0091 Email: lashasta.coulter@wachovia.com |
201 S. College St. Charlotte, NC 28244 Attn: La Shasta Coulter Telephone: 704-715-1459 Fax: 704-715-0091 Email: lashasta.coulter@wachovia.com |
SCHEDULE II
COMMITMENT SCHEDULE
Name of Lender | Commitment Amount |
Citibank, N.A. |
$140,000,000 |
ABN AMRO Bank N.V. |
$125,000,000 |
BNP Paribas |
$125,000,000 |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$125,000,000 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc |
$125,000,000 |
Barclays Bank PLC |
$80,000,000 |
Calyon New York Branch |
$80,000,000 |
KeyBank National Association |
$80,000,000 |
Morgan Stanley Bank |
$80,000,000 |
The Bank of New York |
$80,000,000 |
Wachovia Bank, NA | $80,000,000 |
Credit Suisse First Boston, Cayman Islands Branch |
$80,000,000 |
Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB |
$60,000,000 |
Regions Bank |
$60,000,000 |
Societe Generale |
$60,000,000 |
Union Bank of California, N.A. |
$30,000,000 |
Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch |
$30,000,000 |
Mellon Bank, N.A. |
$30,000,000 |
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. |
$30,000,000 |
EXHIBIT A-1
FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders and the LC Issuing Banks party
to the Credit Agreement
referred to below
Two Penns Way, Suite 200
New Castle, Delaware 19720
[Date]
Attention: Bank Loan Syndications
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Entergy Corporation, refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005 (the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned, certain Lenders parties thereto, the LC Issuing Banks and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for said Lenders and said LC Issuing Banks, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Credit Agreement that the undersigned hereby requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such Borrowing (the "Proposed Borrowing") as required by Section 2.02(a) of the Credit Agreement:
Bank: [*]|
ABA #: [*]
Acct. #: [*]
Acct. Name: [*]
The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:
Very truly yours,
ENTERGY CORPORATION
By
Name:
Title:
_________________
1. Delete for Base Rate Advances.
EXHIBIT A-2
FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders and the LC Issuing Banks party
to the Credit Agreement
referred to below
Two Penns Way, Suite 200
New Castle, Delaware 19720
[Date]
Attention: Bank Loan Syndications
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Entergy Corporation, refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005 (the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned, certain Lenders party thereto, the LC Issuing Banks and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for said Lenders and said LC Issuing Banks, and hereby gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 2.10 of the Credit Agreement, that the undersigned hereby requests a Conversion under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such Conversion (the "Proposed Conversion") as required by Section 2.10 of the Credit Agreement:
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the following statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed Conversion:
Very truly yours,
ENTERGY CORPORATION
By
Name:
Title:
______________________
2. Delete for Base Rate Advances.
EXHIBIT A-3
FORM OF REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE
[Date]
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders and the LC Issuing
Banks party to the Credit Agreement referred to below
Two Penns Way, Suite 200
New Castle, Delaware 19720
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Entergy Corporation (the "Borrower"), refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005 (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the undersigned, the Lenders and the LC Issuing Banks party thereto and the Administrative Agent, and hereby gives you notice, pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement, that the Borrower hereby requests the issuance of a Letter of Credit (the "Requested Letter of Credit") in accordance with the following terms:
Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a consent to this requested [amendment] [modification] executed by the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit.5
Upon the issuance of the Letter of Credit by an LC Issuing Bank in response to this request, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that the applicable conditions to an issuance of a Letter of Credit that are specified in Article III of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied.
ENTERGY CORPORATION
By
Name:
Title:
__________________
3. Date may not be later than the fifth Business Day prior to the
Termination Date.
4. Must be minimum of $100,000.
5. Include this paragraph only if request is for modification or amendment
of the Letter of Credit.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Dated ___________, 20__
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005 (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Entergy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (the "Administrative Agent") and the LC Issuing Banks (the "LC Issuing Banks"). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meaning.
____________ (the "Assignor") and ___________ (the "Assignee") agree as follows:
____________________
1. If the Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside
the United States.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written, such execution being made on Schedule 1 hereto.
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By
Name:
Title:
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By
Name:
Title:
Domestic Lending Office (and
address for notices):
[Address]
Eurodollar Lending Office:
[Address]
Accepted this ___ day
of ___________, 20__
CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and LC Issuing Bank
By
Name:
Title:
[[________________________], as LC Issuing Bank
By
Name:
Title:]
Schedule 1
to
Assignment and Acceptance
Dated __________, 20__
Section (a) |
|
Percentage Interest: |
% |
Section (b) |
|
Assignee's Commitment: |
$ |
Aggregate Outstanding Principal |
|
Amount of Advances owing to the Assignee: |
$ |
Section (c) |
|
Effective Date1: _________, 20__ |
____________________
1. This date should be no earlier than the date of acceptance by the
Administrative Agent.
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF OPINION OF
COUNSEL FOR THE BORROWER
December __, 2005
To each of the Lenders parties to the
Credit Agreement referred to below,
to Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
and to the LC Issuing Banks
Entergy Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I have acted as counsel to Entergy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005, by and among the Borrower, the Banks and LC Issuing Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. This opinion is furnished to you at the request of the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.
In such capacity, I have examined:
I have also examined such other corporate records of the Borrower, certificates of public officials and of officers of the Borrower, and agreements, instruments and other documents, as I have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below.
In my examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, and the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to me as copies. In making my examination of documents and instruments executed or to be executed by persons other than the Borrower, I have assumed that each such other person had the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform fully its obligations thereunder, the due authorization by each such other person for the execution, delivery and performance thereof and the due execution and delivery thereof by or on behalf of such person of each such document and instrument. In the case of any such person that is not a natural person, I have also assumed, insofar as it is relevant to the opinions set forth below, that each such other person is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was created, and is duly qualified and in good standing in each other jurisdiction where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon its ability to execute, deliver and/or perform its obligations under any such document or instrument. I have further assumed that each document, instrument, agreement, record and certificate reviewed by me for purposes of rendering the opinions expressed below has not been amended by any oral agreement, conduct or course of dealing between the parties thereto.
As to questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, I have relied upon certificates and representations of officers of the Borrower (including but not limited to those contained in the Credit Agreement and certificates delivered upon the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement) and of appropriate public officials, without independent verification of such matters except as otherwise described herein.
Whenever my opinions herein with respect to the existence or absence of facts are stated to be to my knowledge or awareness, it is intended to signify that no information has come to my attention or the attention of other counsel working under my direction in connection with the preparation of this opinion letter that would give me or them actual knowledge of the existence or absence of such facts. However, except to the extent expressly set forth herein, neither I nor they have undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence of such facts, and no inference as to my or their knowledge of the existence or absence of such facts should be assumed.
On the basis of the foregoing, having regard for such legal consideration as I deem relevant, and subject to the other limitations and qualifications contained in this letter, I am of the opinion that:
My opinions above are subject to the following qualifications:
Notwithstanding the qualifications set forth above, I have no actual knowledge of any matter within the scope of said qualifications that would cause me to change the opinions set forth in this letter.
I am licensed to practice law only in the State of Louisiana and, except as otherwise provided herein, my role as counsel to the Borrower is limited to matters involving the laws of the State of Louisiana and the federal laws of the United States of America. Except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth herein, and except with respect to matters governed by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, I render no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction or any subdivision thereof, and have made no independent investigation into any such laws except as specifically provided herein.
My opinions are expressed as of the date hereof, and I do not assume any obligation to update or supplement my opinions to reflect any fact or circumstance that hereafter comes to my attention, or any change in law that hereafter occurs.
This opinion letter is being provided exclusively to and for the benefit of the addressees hereof. It is not to be furnished to or relied upon by any other party for any other purpose, without prior express written authorization from me, except that (A) Thelen Reid & Priest LLP may rely hereon in connection with their opinion to you of even date herewith on behalf of the Borrower as to matters of New York law; (B) King & Spalding LLP hereby is authorized to rely on this letter in the rendering of their opinion to the Lenders and the LC Issuing Banks dated as of the date hereof; and (C) any addressee of this letter may deliver a copy hereof to any person that becomes a Lender or an LC Issuing Bank under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof, and such person may rely on this opinion as if it had been addressed and delivered to it on the date hereof as an original Bank or LC Issuing Bank that was a party to the Credit Agreement.
Very truly yours,
Denise C. Redmann
Assistant General Counsel
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF OPINION OF SPECIAL NEW YORK
COUNSEL TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
December __, 2005
To each of the Lenders party to the
Credit Agreement referred to below,
to the LC Issuing Banks named therein and
Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
Entergy Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special New York counsel to Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement, dated as of December __, 2005 (the "Credit Agreement"), among Entergy Corporation, the Lenders and LC Issuing Banks parties thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.
In this connection, we have examined the following documents:
In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed the authenticity of all such documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the due authority of the parties executing such documents and the conformity to the originals of all such documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed that you have independently evaluated, and are satisfied with, the creditworthiness of the Borrower and the business terms reflected in the Credit Agreement. We have relied, as to factual matters, on the documents we have examined. We note that we do not represent the Borrower and, accordingly, are not privy to the nature or character of its business. Accordingly, we have assumed that the Borrower is subject only to statutes, rules, regulations, judgments, orders and other requirements of law general applicability to corporations doing business in the State of New York.
To the extent that our opinion expressed below involves conclusions as to matters governed by law other than the law of the State of New York, we have relied upon the Opinion and have assumed without independent investigation the correctness of the matters set forth therein, our opinion expressed below being subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the Opinion.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Credit Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms.
Our opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
The foregoing opinion is solely for your benefit and may not be relied upon by any other person or entity, other than any Person that may become a Lender or LC Issuing Bank under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof.
Very truly yours,
MEO:VGS:adr