UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 15, 2013
EDISON MISSION ENERGY
MIDWEST GENERATION, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE |
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333-68630 |
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95-4031807 |
DELAWARE |
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333-59348 |
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33-0868558 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(Commission file |
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(I.R.S. employer |
incorporation) |
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number) |
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identification no.) |
3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100
Santa Ana, California 92707
235 Remington Boulevard, Suite 100
Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(714) 513-8000
(630) 771-7800
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously disclosed, Edison Mission Energy and nineteen of its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Midwest Generation, LLC (collectively, the Debtors) are debtors and debtors in possession pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the Bankruptcy Court). On November 15, 2013, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court a joint plan of reorganization (the Plan) and a related disclosure statement (the Disclosure Statement) pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code. Copies of the Plan and Disclosure Statement are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively. Copies of the Plan and Disclosure Statement are also publicly available and may be accessed free of charge at the website established for the Debtors chapter 11 cases by the Debtors notice and claims agent at http://www. edisonmissionrestructuring.com. The information set forth on the foregoing website shall not be deemed to be part of or incorporated by reference into this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The Debtors recommend that their stakeholders refer to the limitations and qualifications included in the Plan and the Disclosure Statement, as applicable, with respect to the information contained therein. Information contained in the Plan and the Disclosure Statement is subject to change, whether as a result of amendments to the Plan, actions of third parties or otherwise.
The Bankruptcy Code does not permit solicitation of acceptances of the Plan until the Bankruptcy Court approves the Disclosure Statement. Accordingly, this announcement is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, a solicitation for a vote on the Plan. The Plan will become effective only if it receives the requisite stakeholder approval, if confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, and if certain terms and conditions are satisfied or waived. There can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will approve the Disclosure Statement, that the Debtors stakeholders will vote to accept the Plan, that the Bankruptcy Court will confirm the Plan, or that the plan will be consummated.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Joint Plan of Reorganization, filed November 15, 2013.
99.2 Disclosure Statement, filed November 15, 2013.
Limitation on Incorporation by Reference
The Plan and Disclosure Statement shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Registration statements or other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shall not incorporate the Schedules and Statements or any other information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K by reference, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing. This Current Report on Form 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in the report that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibits hereto contain forward-looking statements based on information available as of the date the report was prepared. These forward-looking statements are subject to a significant amount of uncertainty, in particular regarding the chapter 11 cases, the Debtors ability to consummate one or more plans of reorganization. Factors both within and outside the control of EME will affect the accuracy of this forward-looking information. Furthermore, the information is subject to assumptions, qualifications and performance criteria not otherwise described in the information presented.
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.
Edison Mission Energy | |||
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Date: |
November 20, 2013 |
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/s/ Maria Rigatti |
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MARIA RIGATTI |
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Midwest Generation, LLC | |||
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Date: |
November 20, 2013 |
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/s/ Maria Rigatti |
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MARIA RIGATTI |
Exhibit 99.1
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
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In re: |
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Chapter 11 | |
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EDISON MISSION ENERGY, et al.,(1) |
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Case No. 12-49219 (JPC) | |
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Debtors. |
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Jointly Administered |
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DEBTORS JOINT CHAPTER 11 PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. |
David A. Agay | ||
David R. Seligman, P.C. |
Joshua Gadharf | ||
Sarah H. Seewer |
McDONALD HOPKINS LLC | ||
Brad Weiland |
300 North LaSalle | ||
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
Suite 2100 | ||
300 North LaSalle |
Chicago, Illinois 60654 | ||
Chicago, Illinois 60654 |
Telephone: |
(312) 280-0111 | |
Telephone: |
(312) 862-2000 |
Facsimile: |
(312) 280-8232 |
Facsimile: |
(312) 862-2200 |
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- and - |
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Counsel to Debtor Camino Energy Company | ||
Joshua A. Sussberg (admitted pro hac vice) |
and Conflicts Counsel to the other Debtors | ||
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
and Debtors in Possession | ||
601 Lexington Avenue |
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New York, New York 10022 |
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Telephone: |
(212) 446-4800 |
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Facsimile: |
(212) 446-4900 |
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Counsel to the Debtors and Debtors in Possession |
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other than Camino Energy Company |
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Dated: November 15, 2013 |
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NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL CONSTITUTE AN OFFER, ACCEPTANCE, OR A LEGALLY BINDING OBLIGATION OF THE DEBTORS OR ANY OTHER PARTY IN INTEREST. THIS PLAN IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT AND OTHER CUSTOMARY CONDITIONS. THIS PLAN IS NOT AN OFFER WITH RESPECT TO ANY SECURITIES. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN, OR THE TERMS OF, THIS PLAN FOR ANY PURPOSE (INCLUDING IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF THE DEBTORS SECURITIES) BEFORE THE CONFIRMATION OF THIS PLAN BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT.
(1) The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases, along with the last four digits of each Debtors federal tax identification number, include: Edison Mission Energy (1807); Camino Energy Company (2601); Chestnut Ridge Energy Company (6590); Edison Mission Finance Co. (9202); Edison Mission Energy Fuel Services, LLC (4630); Edison Mission Fuel Resources, Inc. (3014); Edison Mission Fuel Transportation, Inc. (3012); Edison Mission Holdings Co. (6940); Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co. (6553); EME Homer City Generation L.P. (6938); Homer City Property Holdings, Inc. (1685); Midwest Finance Corp. (9350); Midwest Generation EME, LLC (1760); Midwest Generation, LLC (8558); Midwest Generation Procurement Services, LLC (2634); Midwest Peaker Holdings, Inc. (5282); Mission Energy Westside, Inc. (0657); San Joaquin Energy Company (1346); Southern Sierra Energy Company (6754); and Western Sierra Energy Company (1447). The location of parent Debtor Edison Mission Energys corporate headquarters and the Debtors service address is: 3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100, Santa Ana, California 92707.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION, COMPUTATION OF TIME, AND GOVERNING LAW |
1 | |
A. |
Defined Terms |
1 |
B. |
Rules of Interpretation |
16 |
C. |
Computation of Time |
16 |
D. |
Governing Law |
16 |
E. |
Reference to Monetary Figures |
16 |
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ARTICLE II. ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS AND PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS |
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A. |
Administrative Claims |
16 |
B. |
Priority Tax Claims |
17 |
C. |
Accrued Professional Compensation Claims |
17 |
D. |
U.S. Trustee Statutory Fees |
18 |
E. |
Treatment of Certain Claims |
18 |
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ARTICLE III. CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS |
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A. |
Summary of Classification |
18 |
B. |
Treatment of Claims against and Interests in EME |
20 |
C. |
Treatment of Claims against and Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries |
23 |
D. |
Treatment of Claims against and Interests in Homer City Debtors |
25 |
E. |
Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims |
27 |
F. |
Elimination of Vacant Classes |
27 |
G. |
Voting Classes; Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes |
27 |
H. |
Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code |
27 |
I. |
Subordinated Claims |
27 |
J. |
Controversy Concerning Impairment |
27 |
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ARTICLE IV. MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN |
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A. |
Restructuring Transactions |
28 |
B. |
Sale Transaction |
28 |
C. |
Sources of Plan Consideration |
28 |
D. |
Post-Effective-Date EME Matters |
29 |
E. |
Plan Administrator |
30 |
F. |
Disputed Claims Reserve |
30 |
G. |
Compensation and Benefits Programs |
30 |
H. |
New Corporate Governance Documents |
30 |
I. |
Preservation of Capistrano Note and Capistrano Pledge Agreement; Preservation of Viento II Pledge |
30 |
J. |
General Settlement of Claims |
31 |
K. |
Section 1145 Exemption |
31 |
L. |
Release of Liens |
31 |
M. |
Cancellation of Securities and Agreements |
31 |
N. |
Corporate Action |
32 |
O. |
Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions |
33 |
P. |
Exemption from Certain Taxes and Fees |
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Q. |
Corporate Existence |
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R. |
Vesting of Assets |
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S. |
Indemnification of Certain Directors, Managers, Officers, and Employees |
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T. |
Assumption of Certain D&O Liability Insurance Policies |
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U. |
New Board |
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V. |
Payment of Certain Fees and Expenses |
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W. |
Homer City Wind Down |
35 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
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X. |
Release of Avoidance Actions |
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Y. |
Retention of Retained Causes of Actions |
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ARTICLE V. TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES |
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A. |
Assumption of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases |
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B. |
Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases |
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C. |
Effect of Confirmation Order |
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D. |
Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases |
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E. |
Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases |
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F. |
Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors Under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases |
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G. |
PoJo Modifications and Assumption of PoJo Leases and Documents |
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H. |
IBEW Local 15 Collective Bargaining Agreement |
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I. |
Modifications, Amendments, Supplements, Restatements, or Other Agreements |
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J. |
Reservation of Rights |
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K. |
Nonoccurrence of Effective Date |
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ARTICLE VI. PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS |
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A. |
Timing and Calculation of Amounts to Be Distributed |
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B. |
Distributions on Account of Obligations of Multiple Debtors |
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C. |
Distributions Generally |
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D. |
Rights and Powers of Disbursing Agent |
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E. |
Distributions on Account of Claims Allowed After the Effective Date |
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F. |
Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions |
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G. |
Compliance with Tax Requirements/Allocations |
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H. |
Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties |
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ARTICLE VII. PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT, UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS |
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A. |
Resolution of Disputed Claims |
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B. |
Disallowance of Claims |
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C. |
Amendments to Claims |
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ARTICLE VIII. SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS |
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A. |
Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests; Compromise and Settlement of Claims, Interests, and Controversies |
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B. |
Subordinated Claims |
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C. |
Debtor Release |
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D. |
Release by Holders of Claims and Interests |
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E. |
Exculpation |
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F. |
Injunction |
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G. |
EIX Injunction |
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H. |
Purchaser Injunction |
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I. |
Waiver of Statutory Limitations on Releases |
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J. |
Setoffs |
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K. |
Special Provision Governing Accrued Professional Compensation Claims and Final Fee Applications |
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ARTICLE IX. EFFECT OF CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN |
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A. |
Jurisdiction and Venue |
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B. |
Order Approving the Disclosure Statement |
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C. |
Publication of Confirmation Hearing Notice |
48 |
D. |
Voting Report |
48 |
E. |
Judicial Notice |
48 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D)
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PAGE |
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F. |
Transmittal and Mailing of Materials; Notice |
48 |
G. |
Solicitation |
48 |
H. |
Burden of Proof |
48 |
I. |
Bankruptcy Rule 3016(a) |
49 |
J. |
Compliance with the Requirements of Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code |
49 |
K. |
Section 1129(d)Principal Purpose Not Avoidance of Taxes |
51 |
L. |
Releases and Discharges |
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M. |
Cure of Lessor Notes |
52 |
N. |
Release and Retention of Causes of Action |
52 |
O. |
Approval of Purchase Agreement and Other Documents and Agreements |
52 |
P. |
Confirmation Hearing Exhibits |
52 |
Q. |
Objections to Confirmation of the Plan |
52 |
R. |
Good Faith Purchaser Status |
52 |
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ARTICLE X. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONSUMMATION OF THE PLAN |
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A. |
Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date |
52 |
B. |
Waiver of Conditions |
53 |
C. |
Substantial Consummation of the Plan |
54 |
D. |
Effect of Nonoccurrence of Conditions to the Effective Date |
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ARTICLE XI. MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF THE PLAN |
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A. |
Modification and Amendments |
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B. |
Effect of Confirmation on Modifications |
54 |
C. |
Revocation or Withdrawal of the Plan |
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ARTICLE XII. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION |
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ARTICLE XIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
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A. |
Immediate Binding Effect |
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B. |
Additional Documents |
57 |
C. |
Payment of Statutory Fees |
57 |
D. |
Dissolution of the Committee |
57 |
E. |
Reservation of Rights |
57 |
F. |
Successors and Assigns |
58 |
G. |
Service of Documents |
58 |
H. |
Term of Injunctions or Stays |
62 |
I. |
Entire Agreement |
62 |
J. |
Nonseverability of Plan Provisions |
62 |
Edison Mission Energy and the other Debtors in the above-captioned Chapter 11 Cases respectfully propose the following joint plan of reorganization pursuant to chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article I.A of the Plan. The Chapter 11 Cases have been consolidated for procedural purposes only and are being jointly administered pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court. Reference is made to the Disclosure Statement for a discussion of the Debtors history, businesses, results of operations, historical financial information, projections, and future operations, as well as a summary and analysis of the Plan and certain related matters, including the Sale Transaction and distributions to be made under the Plan. Each Debtor is a proponent of the Plan contained herein within the meaning of section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
ARTICLE I.
DEFINED TERMS, RULES OF INTERPRETATION,
COMPUTATION OF TIME, AND GOVERNING LAW
A. Defined Terms
As used in the Plan, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below.
1. 2006 EME Senior Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of June 6, 2006, between EME and the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), providing for the issuance of 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013 and 7.75% Senior Notes due 2016.
2. 2007 EME Senior Notes Indenture means that certain Indenture, dated as of May 7, 2007, between EME and the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee (as amended, modified, waived, and/or supplemented from time to time), providing for the issuance of 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017, 7.20% Senior Notes due 2019, and 7.625% Senior Notes due 2027.
3. Accrued Professional Compensation Claims means all Claims for reasonable and documented accrued fees and expenses (including transaction or sale fees) for services rendered by a Professional through and including the Confirmation Date, to the extent such fees and expenses have not been paid pursuant to the Interim Compensation Order or any other order of the Bankruptcy Court and regardless of whether a monthly fee statement or interim fee application has been Filed for such fees and expenses. To the extent the Bankruptcy Court denies or reduces by a Final Order any amount of a Professionals fees or expenses, then the amount by which such fees or expenses are reduced or denied shall reduce the applicable Accrued Professional Compensation Claim. For the avoidance of doubt, the PoJo Restructuring Fees, the Supporting Noteholder Fees, and the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees shall not constitute Accrued Professional Compensation Claims.
4. Acquired Companies has the meaning given in the Purchase Agreement. The Acquired Companies are identified on Schedule 1 attached hereto.
5. Administrative Claim means a Claim, other than an Assumed Liability, for costs and expenses of administration of the Debtors Estates pursuant to sections 503(b) or 507(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, including, without limitation: (a) the actual and necessary costs and expenses incurred after the Petition Date and through the Effective Date of preserving the Estates and operating the businesses of the Debtors unless a claim for such costs and/or expenses is Disputed or has been time-barred or otherwise disallowed by the Plan or a Final Order; (b) Accrued Professional Compensation Claims (to the extent Allowed by the Bankruptcy Court); (c) all fees and charges assessed against the Estates pursuant to chapter 123 of the Judicial Code, including but not limited to the U.S. Trustee Fees; (d) all Allowed requests for compensation or expense reimbursement for making a substantial contribution in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to sections 503(b)(3), (4), and (5) of the Bankruptcy Code; (e) the Supporting Noteholder Fees; (f) the PoJo Restructuring Fees; and (g) the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees.
6. Administrative Claims Bar Date means the first Business Day that is 30 days following the Effective Date, subject to any exceptions specifically set forth in the Plan or a Final Order.
7. Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.
8. Agreed PoJo Cure Amount means (a) the sum of all amounts due under the Facility Leases, including, without limitation, all accrued and unpaid (i) Basic Lease Rent due and payable on any Rent Payment Date occurring prior to the Effective Date (including interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest at the Overdue Rate) and (ii) Supplemental Lease Rent minus (b) the sum of all payments made in respect of Rent pursuant to any forbearance, extension, or other agreement with any of the PoJo Parties including the Initial Payment made under the Forbearance Agreement by and among the PoJo Parties dated December 16, 2012. The Agreed PoJo Cure Amount shall be consistent with the schedule attached as Exhibit F of the Purchase Agreement, which schedule shall be included in the Plan Supplement. Capitalized terms used in this definition but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the PoJo Leases and Documents.
9. Allowed means with respect to Claims: (a) any Claim, proof of which is timely Filed by the applicable Claims Bar Date (or for which Claim under the Plan, the Bankruptcy Code, or a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, a Proof of Claim is not or shall not be required to be Filed); (b) any Claim that is listed in the Schedules as not contingent, not unliquidated, and not disputed, and for which no Proof of Claim has been timely Filed; or (c) any Claim allowed pursuant to the Plan or a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court; provided that, with respect to any Claim described in clauses (a) and (b) above, such Claim shall be considered Allowed only if and to the extent that with respect to such Claim no objection to the allowance thereof has been interposed within the applicable period of time fixed by the Plan, the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, or the Bankruptcy Court, or such an objection is so interposed and the Claim shall have been Allowed by a Final Order. Any Claim that (x) has been or is hereafter listed in the Schedules as contingent, unliquidated, or disputed, and for which no Proof of Claim is or has been timely Filed, or (y) is enjoined or released pursuant to the Plan, is not considered Allowed and shall be expunged without further action by the Debtors and without further notice to any party or action, approval, or order of the Bankruptcy Court. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Claim of any Entity subject to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be deemed Allowed unless and until such Entity pays in full the amount that it owes such Debtor or Reorganized EME, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, a Proof of Claim filed after the applicable Claims Bar Date shall not be Allowed for any purposes whatsoever absent entry of a Final Order allowing such late-filed Claim. Allow and Allowing shall have correlative meanings.
10. Assumed Liabilities means the liability of any of the Debtors assumed by the Purchaser or any Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
11. Avoidance Actions means any and all actual or potential claims and causes of action to avoid a transfer of property or an obligation incurred by the Debtors pursuant to any applicable section of the Bankruptcy Code, including sections 502, 510, 542, 544, 545, 547553, and 724(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or under similar or related state or federal statutes and common law, including fraudulent transfer laws.
12. Ballot means the form approved by the Bankruptcy Court and distributed to Holders of Impaired Claims entitled to vote on the Plan on which is to be indicated the acceptance or rejection of the Plan.
13. Bankruptcy Code means title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 1011532, as may be amended from time to time.
14. Bankruptcy Court means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases, and, to the extent of the withdrawal of any reference under 28 U.S.C. § 157.
15. Bankruptcy Rules means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, as applicable to the Chapter 11 Cases, promulgated under section 2075 of the Judicial Code and the general, local, and chambers rules of the Bankruptcy Court.
16. Business Day means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or any other date on which banks located in Chicago, Illinois are closed for business as a result of federal, state, or local holiday.
17. Capistrano Note means that certain Secured Promissory Note, dated as of February 13, 2012, between Capistrano Wind Holdings, Inc. and Edison Mission Wind, Inc.
18. Capistrano Pledge Agreement means that certain Security and Pledge Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012, between Capistrano Wind II, LLC and Edison Mission Wind, Inc.
19. Cash means the legal tender of the United States of America or the equivalent thereof, including bank deposits and checks.
20. Causes of Action means any Claim, cause of action (including Avoidance Actions), controversy, right of setoff, cross claim, counterclaim, or recoupment and any claim on contracts or for breaches of duties imposed by law or in equity, demand, right, action, Lien, indemnity, guaranty, suit, obligation, liability, damage, judgment, account, defense, power, privilege, license, and franchise of any kind or character whatsoever, known, unknown, fixed or contingent, matured or unmatured, suspected or unsuspected, liquidated or unliquidated, disputed or undisputed, secured or unsecured, assertable directly or derivatively, whether arising before, on, or after the Petition Date, in contract or in tort, in law or in equity, or pursuant to any other theory of law.
21. Chapter 11 Cases means the jointly administered chapter 11 cases commenced by the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court and styled In re Edison Mission Energy, et al., No. 12-49219 (JPC).
22. Claim shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code.
23. Claims Bar Date means the date by which a Proof of Claim must be or must have been Filed, as established by (a) the Order (A) Setting Bar Dates for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including 503(b)(9) Proofs of Claim and (B) Approving the Form and Manner of Notice Thereof, entered April 11, 2013 [Docket No. 669], (b) the Order (A) Setting Bar Dates for Filing Proofs of Claim, Including Section 503(b)(9) Proofs of Claim, Against EME Homer City Generation L.P., Edison Mission Finance Co., and Homer City Property Holdings, Inc., and (B) Approving the Form and Manner of Notice Thereof, entered August 22, 2013 [Docket No. 1137], or (c) any other Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court, as applicable.
24. Claims Register means the official register of Claims maintained by the Notice, Claims, and Solicitation Agent.
25. Class means a category of Holders of Claims or Interests as set forth in Article III of the Plan in accordance with section 1122(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
26. Committee means the official committee of unsecured creditors appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to section 1102(a) of the Bankruptcy Code on January 7, 2013 [Docket No. 202], as amended on January 18, 2013 [Docket No. 308].
27. Committee Members means each of the following, in each case solely in its capacity as a member of the Committee: (a) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, solely in its capacity as EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee; (b) Exelon Corp., as successor in interest to Commonwealth Edison Company; (c) Clennon Electric; (d) The Bank of New York Mellon, as successor pass through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee; (e) International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local One; (f) Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC; (g) Peabody Coalsales, LLC; (h) Geo. J. Beemsterboer, Inc.; and (i) Rowell Chemical Corp.
28. Compensation and Benefits Programs means all employment and severance policies, all compensation, and any other employee benefit plans, policies, and programs and other arrangements (and all amendments and modifications thereto), in each case in place as of the Petition Date, applicable to the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries respective employees, former employees, retirees, and non-employee directors and employees, former employees, and retirees of their subsidiaries, including, without limitations, all savings plans, retirement plans (whether or not such plans are intended to be qualified), health and/or welfare plans, disability plans, severance benefit plans, incentive plans and life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance plans, or other similar plans.
29. Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow means an interest-bearing account to hold and maintain an amount of Cash equal to the obligations under the Exit Plan and the Compensation and Benefits Programs funded by the Debtors on the Effective Date solely for the purpose of making payments under the Exit Plan and the Compensation and Benefits Programs in accordance with Article IV.F of the Plan.
30. Compensation Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of EME.
31. Confirmation means the entry of the Confirmation Order on the docket of the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases.
32. Confirmation Date means the date upon which the Bankruptcy Court enters the Confirmation Order on its docket in the Chapter 11 Cases, within the meaning of Bankruptcy Rules 5003 and 9021.
33. Confirmation Hearing means the hearing held by the Bankruptcy Court to consider Confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
34. Confirmation Order means the order of the Bankruptcy Court confirming the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code.
35. Consummation means the occurrence of the Effective Date.
36. Cure Cost means all amounts (or such lesser amount as may be agreed upon by the parties under an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease) payable by the Purchaser required to cure any defaults under any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that is to be assumed and/or assumed and assigned by the Debtors pursuant to sections 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code; provided, however, the amount required to cure any default under the PoJo Leases and Documents shall be satisfied by the payment in Cash of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees on the Effective Date by EME.
37. Debtors means, collectively: Camino Energy Company, Chestnut Ridge Energy Company, EME, Edison Mission Finance Co., Edison Mission Energy Fuel Services, LLC, Edison Mission Fuel Resources, Inc., Edison Mission Fuel Transportation, Inc., Edison Mission Holdings Co., Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co., EMEHC, Homer City Property Holdings, Inc., Midwest Finance Corp., Midwest Generation EME, LLC, MWG, Midwest Generation Procurement Services, LLC, Midwest Peaker Holdings, Inc., Mission Energy Westside, Inc., San Joaquin Energy Company, Southern Sierra Energy Company, and Western Sierra Energy Company.
38. Debtor Subsidiaries means, collectively, each Debtor other than: (a) EME; and (b) the Homer City Debtors.
39. Disbursing Agent means, on the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, its agent, the Notice, Claims, and Solicitation Agent, or any other Entity or Entities designated by Reorganized EME to make or facilitate distributions that are to be made on or after the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan.
40. Disclosure Statement means the disclosure statement for this Plan, including all exhibits and schedules thereto and references therein that relate to the Plan, that is or has been (as the case may be) prepared, approved, and distributed in accordance with the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, and any other applicable law.
41. Disputed means, with respect to any Claim or Interest, any Claim or Interest that is not yet Allowed. For the avoidance of doubt, a Disputed Claim or Interest shall not include any Claim or Interest that has been disallowed under the Plan or by Final Order.
42. Disputed Claims Reserve means an appropriate reserve, to be determined by EME, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, for distributions on account of Disputed Claims that are not Assumed Liabilities that are subsequently Allowed after the Effective Date.
43. Disputed Claims Reserve Amount means the amount of assets determined by EME, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, including the New Interests, the common stock of the Parent (it being understood that, to avoid becoming an investment company or any other reason, Reorganized EME may from time to time dispose of the Parents stock in exchange for Cash), or Cash that would likely have been distributed to the Holders of all applicable Disputed Claims against EME as if such Disputed Claims against EME had been Allowed Claims against EME on the Effective Date, with the amount of such Allowed Claims to be determined, solely for the purposes of establishing reserves and for maximum distribution purposes, to be (a) the lesser of (i) the asserted amount of each Disputed Claim against EME as scheduled by EME or, if and solely to the extent a non-duplicative Proof of Claim was filed in an asserted amount greater than the scheduled amount, the asserted amount filed with the Bankruptcy Court as set forth in such non-duplicative Proof of Claim or as provided by the parties to EME as further information with respect to the Proof of Claim, and (ii) the amount, if any, estimated by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or ordered by other order of the Bankruptcy Court, or (b) the amount otherwise agreed to by EME, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the Holder of such Disputed or unliquidated Claim for reserve purposes.
44. Distribution Record Date means the date for determining which Holders of Allowed Claims are eligible to receive distributions hereunder, which shall be (a) the Effective Date or (b) such other date as designated in a Bankruptcy Court order.
45. D&O Liability Insurance Policies means all insurance policies of any of the Debtors for directors, managers, and officers liability.
46. DTC means Depository Trust Company.
47. Effective Date means the date agreed to by the Debtors and the Purchaser Parties, in consultation with the Committee and the Supporting Noteholders, that is one (1) Business Day after the Confirmation Date on which: (a) no stay of the Confirmation Order is in effect; and (b) all conditions precedent specified in Article X.A of the Plan have been satisfied or waived (in accordance with Article X.B of the Plan).
48. EIX means Edison International, a California corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under symbol EIX, together with its subsidiaries, including SCE and its subsidiaries, other than the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries.
49. EIX Litigation Claims means all claims and causes of action made, or which could be made, on behalf of the Debtors and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries against the EIX Litigation Parties, unless such claims or causes of action are specifically resolved or released pursuant to the Plan or other Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court.
50. EIX Litigation Parties means EIX and any of its predecessors, successors, assigns, and current and former affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives, agents, directors, managers, officers, and employees (including all entities and individuals named as defendants in the draft complaint attached to the Committees motion filed on July 31, 2013 [Docket No. 1054]); provided that the term EIX Litigation Parties shall not include any Debtor, Non-Debtor Subsidiary, or Entity that serves or has served as a director, officer, or manager of any Debtor or any Non-Debtor Subsidiary since the Petition Date.
51. EME means Edison Mission Energy, a Delaware corporation and a Debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases.
52. EMEHC means EME Homer City Generation L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership and a Debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases.
53. EME Interests means Interests in EME.
54. EME Retained Causes of Action means the EIX Litigation Claims and those Avoidance Actions of the Debtors that are identified in an exhibit to the Plan Supplement, which exhibit shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Committee and Supporting Noteholders. The EME Retained Causes of Action shall vest in Reorganized EME on the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, all EIX Litigation Claims shall be Retained Causes of Action unless such claims or causes of action are specifically resolved or released pursuant to the Plan or other Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court.
55. EME Senior Notes means, collectively, the: (a) 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013, issued in the original principal amount of $500,000,000 pursuant to the 2006 EME Senior Notes Indenture; (b) 7.75% Senior Notes due 2016, issued in the original principal amount of $500,000,000 pursuant to the 2006 EME Senior Notes Indenture; (c) 7.00% Senior Notes due 2017, issued in the original principal amount of $1,200,000,000 pursuant to the 2007 EME Senior Notes Indenture; (d) 7.20% Senior Notes due 2019, issued in the original principal amount of $800,000,000 pursuant to the 2007 EME Senior Notes Indenture; and (e) 7.625% Senior Notes due 2027, issued in the original principal amount of $700,000,000 pursuant to the 2007 EME Senior Notes Indenture.
56. EME Senior Notes Claim means any Claim against EME arising from or based upon the EME Senior Notes or the EME Senior Notes Indentures, which Claim shall be Allowed against EME in an amount equal to $[·].
57. EME Senior Notes Indentures means the 2006 EME Senior Notes Indenture and 2007 EME Senior Notes Indenture.
58. EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, solely in its capacity as indenture trustee under the EME Senior Notes Indentures.
59. EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Charging Lien means any liens for payment of EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee fees, costs, expenses and indemnification, including the fees, costs and expenses of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustees professionals, as set forth in the EME Senior Notes Indentures.
60. EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees means the unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee, including fees costs and expenses of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustees attorneys, payable pursuant to the EME Senior Notes Indentures.
61. EME Severance Plan means that certain severance plan approved for certain EME Employees pursuant to the Shared Services Extension Order.
62. Employees means, as of the Effective Date, the employees of the Debtors and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries.
63. Entity shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(15) of the Bankruptcy Code.
64. Estate means, as to each Debtor, the estate created for the Debtor on the Petition Date pursuant to section 541 of the Bankruptcy Code.
65. Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78a78oo, as now in effect and hereafter amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any similar federal, state, or local law.
66. Excluded Assets means any asset of the Debtors that is not (a) acquired by the Purchaser or (b) retained by the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
67. Excluded Liabilities means any liability of the Debtors or Non-Debtor Subsidiaries that is not an Assumed Liability, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the EIX Litigation Claims, liabilities asserted by the PBGC, liabilities asserted by Taxing Authorities that arose prior to the Effective Date, and rejection damage claims on account of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease rejected by the Debtors (a) before the date of the Plan Sponsor Agreement or (b) on or after the date of the Plan Sponsor Agreement without the prior written consent of the Purchaser.
68. Exculpated Parties means, collectively: (a) the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies; (b) the members of the Noteholder Group, generally, and the Supporting Noteholders, in such capacity; (c) the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee; (d) the Committee and the Committee Members; (e) the PoJo Parties; and (f) with respect to the foregoing entities in clauses (a) through (e), their respective current and former affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, principals, members, employees, agents, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals and, solely with respect to the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies and Supporting Noteholders, their permitted assigns; and (g) the officers, directors, principals, members, employees, agents, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals of the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries that served in such capacities during the Chapter 11 Cases; provided that no EIX Litigation Party shall constitute an Exculpated Party.
69. Exculpation means the exculpation set forth in Article VIII.E of the Plan.
70. Executory Contract means a contract to which one or more of the Debtors is a party that is subject to assumption or rejection under sections 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
71. Exit Plan means the payments made during the Chapter 11 Cases or after the Effective Date pursuant to the Order Approving Exit Plan, entered by the Bankruptcy Court on November 7, 2013 [Docket No. 1561].
72. FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
73. File, Filed, or Filing means file, filed, or filing with the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases or, with respect to the filing of a Proof of Claim or proof of Interest, the Notice, Claims, and Solicitation Agent.
74. Final Order means, as applicable, an order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court or other court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the relevant subject matter which has not been reversed, stayed, modified, or amended, as to which the time to appeal, petition for certiorari or move for reargument, reconsideration, or rehearing has expired and no appeal, petition for certiorari or motion for reargument, reconsideration, or rehearing has been timely filed, or as to which any appeal, petition for certiorari or motion for reargument, reconsideration or rehearing that has been or may be filed has been resolved by the highest court to which the order or judgment was appealed or from which certiorari, reargument, reconsideration, or rehearing was sought; provided that the possibility that a motion under Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or any analogous rule under the Bankruptcy Rules or the Local Bankruptcy Rules of the Bankruptcy Court, may be filed relating to such order shall not prevent such order from being a Final Order.
75. Final Insider Incentive Plan Order means the Final Order Authorizing Compensation of Insider Senior Executives Under Employee Incentive Programs, entered by the Bankruptcy Court on March 20, 2013 [Docket No. 627].
76. Final Non-Insider Incentive Plan Order means the Final Order Authorizing the Debtors to Implement Incentive Plans for Non-Insider Employees, entered by the Bankruptcy Court on March 20, 2013 [Docket No. 626].
77. Final Wages Order means the Amended Final Order Approving the Debtors (A) Payment of Certain Prepetition Compensation and Reimbursable Employee Expenses, (B) Continued Employee Medical and Other Benefits, and (C) Continued Employee Compensation and Benefits Programs, entered by the Bankruptcy Court on February 5, 2013 [Docket No. 401].
78. General Unsecured Claims means any Claim that is not Secured and is not: (a) an Administrative Claim; (b) a Priority Tax Claim; (c) an Other Priority Claim; (d) a Subordinated Claim; or (e) an Intercompany Claim.
79. Governmental Unit shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(27) of the Bankruptcy Code.
80. Holder means any Entity holding a Claim or an Interest.
81. Homer City Debtors means, collectively: (a) Chestnut Ridge Energy Company; (b) Edison Mission Finance Co.; (c) EMEHC; (d) Homer City Property Holdings, Inc.; (e) Mission Energy Westside Inc.; (f) Edison Mission Holdings Co.; and (g) Edison Mission Energy Services, Inc.
82. Homer City Petition Date means May 2, 2013, the date on which Edison Mission Finance Co., EMEHC, and Homer City Property Holdings, Inc. commenced their respective Chapter 11 Cases in the Bankruptcy Court.
83. Homer City Waterfall means, with respect to any amount of Homer City Wind Down Proceeds held by a Homer City Debtor, distributions in the following order of priority (in each case except as otherwise provided by the Plan): first, to Holders of Allowed Secured Claims against the applicable Homer City Debtor, solely with respect to the collateral securing such Allowed Secured Claims; second, to Holders of Allowed Administrative Claims against the applicable Homer City Debtor; third, to Holders of Allowed Priority Tax Claims and Allowed Other Priority Claims against the applicable Homer City Debtor; fourth, to Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims and Allowed Intercompany Claims against the applicable Homer City Debtor; and fifth, to EME on account of Allowed Intercompany Interests in the applicable Homer City Debtor the balance, if any, of such amount.
84. Homer City Wind Down means the process commencing on the Effective Date to dissolve the Homer City Debtors, including any actions that the Plan Administrator determines in its sole discretion are necessary or appropriate to liquidate, settle, compromise, or resolve any Claims against, or assets held by, the Homer City Debtors.
85. Homer City Wind Down Proceeds means any proceeds of the Homer City Wind Down less Cash in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of any Allowed Class C1 Claims and Allowed Class C2 Claims pursuant to the Plan.
86. IBEW CBA means that certain Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2006, between MWG and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local No. 15, as amended, extended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, including in accordance with Order Approving Entry into Extension of Collective Bargaining Agreement and Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 1562], entered by the Bankruptcy Court on November 7, 2013.
87. Impaired means, with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Class of Claims or Interests that is not Unimpaired.
88. Intercompany Claim means any Claim held by a Debtor or any non-Debtor Affiliate against any Debtor, including: (a) the Intercompany Note Claims; and (b) the MWG Bridge Loan.
89. Intercompany Interests means Interests in any Debtor Subsidiary held by a Debtor.
90. Intercompany Notes means, collectively: (a) that certain Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 2000, by EME, as borrower, in favor of MWG, as lender, in the original principal amount of $211,738,800, due July 2, 2014; (b) that certain Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 2000, by EME, as borrower, in favor of MWG, as lender, in the original principal amount of $285,849,200, due January 2, 2015; (c) that certain Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 2000, by EME, as borrower, in favor of MWG, as lender, in the original principal amount of $369,961,200, due July 2, 2014; and (d) that certain Promissory Note, dated as of August 24, 2000, by EME, as borrower, in favor of MWG, as lender, in the original principal amount of $499,450,800, due January 2, 2016, each of which shall be terminated and extinguished and of no further force and effect as of the Effective Date pursuant to this Plan.
91. Intercompany Note Claim means any Claim of MWG against EME on account of the Intercompany Notes.
92. Interests means the common stock, limited liability company interests, partnership interests and any other equity, ownership, or profits interests in and of any Debtor and options, warrants, rights, or other securities or agreements to acquire the common stock, limited liability company interests, partnership interests or other equity, ownership, or profits interests of any Debtor (whether or not arising under or in connection with any employment agreement), including any Claim against the Debtors subject to subordination pursuant to section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code arising from or related to any of the foregoing.
93. Interim Compensation Order means the Order Approving Procedures for Interim Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses for Professionals and Official Committee Members, entered January 18, 2013 [Docket No. 331], as the same may be modified by a Court order approving the retention of a specific Professional or otherwise.
94. Judicial Code means title 28 of the United States Code, 28 U.S.C. §§ 14001.
95. Lien shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(37) of the Bankruptcy Code.
96. Long-Term Incentive Plan means the long-term incentive plan approved for certain executive Employees pursuant to the Final Insider Incentive Plan Order and Final Non-Insider Incentive Plan Order.
97. MWG means Midwest Generation, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a Debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases.
98. MWG Bridge Loan means that certain intercompany loan made by EME, as lender, to MWG, as borrower, pursuant to the Order (A) Authorizing Midwest Generation, LLC to Grant First Priority Liens on Unencumbered Assets and Second Priority Liens on Encumbered Assets, in Connection with the MWG Bridge Loan, and (B) Granting Related Relief [Docket No. 1573], entered by the Bankruptcy Court on November 12, 2013.
99. Net Sale Proceeds means the Sale Proceeds less Cash in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of any of the following to the extent they do not constitute Assumed Liabilities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement: (a) Allowed Secured Claims, (b) Allowed Administrative Claims (including, without limitation, Accrued Professional Compensation Claims (and any estimates thereof under Article III.C.3)); (c) Allowed Priority Tax Claims; (d) Allowed Other Priority Claims; (e) Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries; and (f) any other Cash to be paid or reserved for payments pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan and the Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation, the Disputed Claims Reserve, the Wind Down Budget, the Exit Plan, the Compensation and Benefits Programs, the Supporting Noteholder Fees, the PoJo Restructuring Fees, and the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees.
100. New Board means the board of directors or managers or the equivalent governing body of Reorganized EME, as initially comprised as set forth in the Plan and as comprised thereafter in accordance with the terms of the applicable New Corporate Governance Documents. The New Board, the members of which shall be identified in the Plan Supplement, will consist of five (5) members: three (3) members shall be appointed by the Supporting Noteholders and the Committee; the other two (2) members shall be EMEs existing independent directors.
101. New Bylaws means the bylaws, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement, trust agreement, or functionally equivalent document, as applicable, of Reorganized EME, in form and substance acceptable to the Committee and Supporting Noteholders. The form of the New Bylaws shall be included in the Plan Supplement.
102. New Certificate of Formation means the certificate of incorporation or formation or functionally equivalent document as applicable, of Reorganized EME, which certificate or document, as applicable, shall be included in the Plan Supplement and be in form and substance acceptable to EME, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders.
103. New Corporate Governance Documents means, as applicable, (a) the New Certificate of Formation, (b) the New Bylaws, and (c) any other organizational or governance documents of Reorganized EME. The New Corporate Governance Documents shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors, Committee and Supporting Noteholders.
104. New Interests means the common stock, limited liability company interests, or other equity interests or economic interest, as the case may be, in Reorganized EME.
105. Non-Debtor Subsidiaries means all direct and indirect subsidiaries of any Debtor that is not a Debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases.
106. Noteholder Group refers to certain Holders of the EME Senior Notes Claims (including the Supporting Noteholders, in such capacity) represented by Ropes & Gray LLP and Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.
107. Notice, Claims, and Solicitation Agent means GCG, Inc., in its capacity as notice, claims, and solicitation agent for the Debtors.
108. Original Petition Date means December 17, 2012, the date on which each Debtor other than Edison Mission Finance Co., EMEHC, and Homer City Property Holdings, Inc. commenced their respective Chapter 11 Cases in the Bankruptcy Court.
109. Other Priority Claim means any Claim against any of the Debtors described in section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code to the extent such Claim has not already been paid during the Chapter 11 Cases, other than: (a) an Administrative Claim; (b) a Priority Tax Claim; or (c) an Assumed Liability.
110. Parent means NRG Energy, Inc.
111. PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
112. Person shall have the meaning set forth in section 101(41) of the Bankruptcy Code.
113. Petition Date means the Original Petition Date or the Homer City Petition Date, as applicable.
114. Plan means this Debtors Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, as the same may be amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time with the reasonable consent of the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties, including the Plan Supplement, which is incorporated herein by reference and made part of the Plan as if set forth herein.
115. Plan Administrator means Reorganized EME or any Entity appointed by Reorganized EME.
116. Plan Sponsor Agreement means that certain Plan Sponsor Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2013, between the Purchaser Parties, EME, the Debtor Subsidiaries, the PoJo Parties, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders.
117. Plan Supplement means the compilation of documents and forms of documents, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan, to be Filed 10 days prior to the Voting Deadline, as amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Purchase Agreement, the Plan Support Agreement, the Bankruptcy Code, and the Bankruptcy Rules, including: (a) to the extent known, the identity of the members of the New Board and the nature and compensation for any member of the New Board who is an insider under section 101(31) of the Bankruptcy Code; (b) the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (c) the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (d) the applicable New Corporate Governance Documents; (e) the Purchase Agreement; (f) the EME Retained Causes of Action; (g) the Schedule of Eligible Employees; (h) the amount of the Disputed Claims Reserve Amount; (i) the calculation of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount; (j) a summary of the Wind Down Budget, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections; and (k) any identification and tax information that will be requested of recipients of New Interests under Article VI.F.2 of the Plan. Except as specifically provided otherwise in the Plan, each document, schedule, and exhibit included in the Plan Supplement shall be reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any document, schedule, or exhibit that affects the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties.
118. PoJo EME Guarantee means, collectively: (a) that certain guaranty agreement dated August 17, 2000, between EME and Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Trust I); (b) that certain guaranty agreement dated August 17, 2000, between EME and Powerton Trust II; (c) that certain guaranty agreement dated August 17, 2000, between EME and Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Trust I); and (d) that certain guaranty agreement dated August 17, 2000, between EME and Joliet Trust II.
119. PoJo EME Guarantees means (a) each PoJo EME Guarantee, (b) the PoJo EME Reimbursement Agreement, and (c) each PoJo EME OP Guarantee, which shall each be released, extinguished, and of no further force and effect on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan.
120. PoJo EME OP Guarantee means, collectively, (a) that certain guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000 between EME, Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Generation I, LLC) and Nesbit Asset Recovery (f/k/a PSEGR Midwest, LLC); (b) that certain guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000 between EME, Powerton Generation II, LLC and Associates Capital Investment, L.L.C.; (c) that certain guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000 between EME, Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Generation I, LLC) and Nesbit Asset Recovery (f/k/a PSEGR Midwest, LLC); and (d) that certain guaranty agreement dated as of August 17, 2000 between EME, Joliet Generation II, LLC and Associates Capital Investment, L.L.C.
121. PoJo EME Reimbursement Agreement means, collectively, (a) that certain reimbursement agreement dated August 17, 2000 between EME and MWG; and (b) that certain reimbursement agreement dated October 26, 2001 between EME and MWG.
122. PoJo Equity Investors means each of the following, in each case in its capacity as an equity investor under the PoJo Leases and Documents: (a) Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC; and (b) Associates Capital Investments, L.L.C.
123. PoJo Leases and Documents means the Operative Documents, as defined under each of: (a) that certain Participation Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between MWG, Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Trust I) (as owner lessor), U.S. Bank Trust, National Association (as successor owner trustee), Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Generation I, LLC) (as owner participant), EME, and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee); (b) that certain Participation Agreement (T1), dated as of August 17, 2000, between MWG, Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Trust I) (as owner lessor), U.S. Bank Trust, National Association (as owner trustee), Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Generation I, LLC) (as owner participant), EME, and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee); (c) that certain Participation Agreement (T2), dated as of August 17, 2000, between MWG, Powerton Trust II (as owner lessor), Wilmington Trust Company (as owner trustee), Powerton Generation II, LLC (as owner participant), EME, and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee); and (d) that certain Participation Agreement (T2), dated as of August 17, 2000, between MWG, Joliet Trust II (as owner lessor), Wilmington Trust Company (as owner trustee), Joliet Generation II, LLC (as owner participant), EME, and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee).
124. PoJo Lease Modifications means the modifications to the PoJo Leases and Documents pursuant to which MWG shall assume the PoJo Leases and Documents on the Effective Date, as further described in Section 9.4(b) of the Purchase Agreement and acceptable to the PoJo Parties.
125. PoJo Owner Lessors means each of the following, in each case in its capacity as an owner lessor under the PoJo Leases and Documents: (a) Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Trust I); (b) Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Trust I); (c) Powerton Trust II; and (d) Joliet Trust II.
126. PoJo Owner Participants means each of the following, in each case in its capacity as an owner participant under the PoJo Leases and Documents: (a) Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Generation I, LLC); (b) Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series J-1 (f/k/a Joliet Generation I, LLC); (c) Powerton Generation II, LLC; and (d) Joliet Generation II, LLC.
127. PoJo Parties means each of the following: (a) the PoJo Owner Lessors; (b) the PoJo Owner Participants; (c) the PoJo Equity Investors; (d) U.S. Bank Trust, National Association (as successor owner trustee); (e) Wilmington Trust Company (as owner Trustee); and (f) The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee).
128. PoJo Pass Through Certificates means those certain 8.56% Series B Pass Through Certificates, issued in the original principal amount of $813,500,000 pursuant to the Pass Through Trust Agreement.
129. PoJo Pass Through Trust Agreement means that certain Pass Through Trust Agreement B, dated as of August 17, 2000, between MWG and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee).
130. PoJo Restructuring Fees means, as of the Effective Date, any then unpaid fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the attorneys and any then unpaid fees, transaction fees, and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the financial advisors to the PoJo Parties.
131. PoJo Tax Indemnity Agreements means (a) that certain Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series P-1 (f/k/a Powerton Generation I, LLC) and EME; (b) that certain Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Nesbitt Asset Recovery, LLC Series J-1 (f/k/a Powerton Generation II, LLC) and EME; (c) that certain Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Powerton Generation II, LLC and EME; and (d) that certain Tax Indemnity Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2000, between Joliet Generation II, LLC and EME.
132. Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries means the Debtor Subsidiaries, each as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, each of which is an Acquired Company, or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise.
133. Post-Effective-Date EME Matters means the process commencing on the Effective Date to (a) liquidate, settle, compromise, or resolve any of the following, each of which shall vest in Reorganized EME on the Effective Date unless otherwise provided by the Plan or the Purchase Agreement: (i) all Excluded Assets and; (ii) all EIX Litigation Claims, rights under contracts with the EIX Litigation Parties (including any tax sharing agreements between EME and its affiliates other than the Debtor Subsidiaries and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries), and other obligations of, or associated with, the EIX Litigation Parties, including any receivables from EIX, shared services, tax sharing payments, and insurance policies and offsets related thereto; (b) to liquidate, compromise, settle or resolve Excluded Liabilities of the Debtors that are not compromised, settled, resolved, released, discharged or enjoined pursuant to the Plan; (c) unless liquidated, settled, compromised, or resolved pursuant to clause (a), prosecute the EIX Litigation Claims; (d) liquidate, settle, compromise, or resolve any Claims against or assets held by the Homer City Debtors; and (e) take any other or further action, as determined by the New Board to be necessary or appropriate.
134. Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors means the Homer City Debtors, each as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise.
135. Priority Tax Claim means any Claim of a Governmental Unit of the kind specified in section 507(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code other than an Assumed Liability.
136. Pro Rata means the proportion that the amount of an Allowed Claim in a particular Class bears to the aggregate amount of Allowed Claims in that Class, or the proportion to the aggregate amount that Allowed Claims in a particular Class bear to the aggregate amount of Allowed Claims in a particular Class and other Classes entitled to share in the same recovery as such Allowed Claim under the Plan.
137. Professional means an Entity: (a) retained in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to a Final Order in accordance with sections 327, 363, or 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code and to be compensated for services rendered pursuant to sections 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, and 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) awarded compensation and reimbursement by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to section 503(b)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code.
138. Professional Fee Escrow means an interest-bearing account, which shall be funded exclusively from the Sale Proceeds, to hold and maintain an amount of Cash equal to the Professional Fee Escrow Amount funded by the Debtors on the Effective Date solely for the purpose of paying all Allowed and unpaid Accrued Professional Compensation Claims.
139. Professional Fee Escrow Amount means the amount of Cash transferred by the Debtors, with the consent of the Committee and Supporting Noteholders, to the Professional Fee Escrow to pay Accrued Professional Compensation Claims.
140. Proof of Claim means a proof of Claim Filed against any of the Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases.
141. Purchase Agreement means that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2013, between the Purchaser Parties and EME, together with all exhibits, schedules, and attachments thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, or modified.
142. Purchaser means NRG Energy Holdings Inc.
143. Purchaser Parties means the Purchaser and the Parent.
144. Purchaser Retained Causes of Action means all Causes of Action other than (a) the EIX Litigation Claims and (b) any Avoidance Actions, which Purchaser Retained Causes of Action shall vest in Purchaser or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable.
145. Reinstated means: (a) leaving unaltered the legal, equitable, and contractual rights to which a Claim or Interest entitles the Holder of such Claim or Interest so as to leave such Claim or Interest not Impaired or (b) notwithstanding any contractual provision or applicable law that entitles the Holder of a Claim or Interest to demand or receive accelerated payment of such Claim or Interest after the occurrence of a default: (i) curing any such default that occurred before or after the Petition Date, other than a default of a kind specified in section 365(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or of a kind that section 365(b)(2) expressly does not require to be cured; (ii) reinstating the maturity (to the extent such maturity has not otherwise accrued by the passage of time) of such Claim or Interest as such maturity existed before such default; (iii) compensating the Holder of such Claim or Interest for any damages incurred as a result of any reasonable reliance by such Holder on such contractual provision or such applicable law; (iv) if such Claim or Interest arises from a failure to perform a nonmonetary obligation other than a default arising from failure to operate a nonresidential real property lease subject to section 365(b)(1)(A), compensating the Holder of such Claim or Interest (other than the Debtor or an insider) for any actual pecuniary loss incurred by such Holder as a result of such failure; and (v) not otherwise altering the legal, equitable or contractual rights to which such Claim or Interest entitles the Holder.
146. Released Party means, collectively: (a) the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies; (b) the members of the Noteholder Group, generally, and the Supporting Noteholders, in such capacity; (c) the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee; (d) the Committee and the Committee Members; (e) the PoJo Parties; and (f) with respect to the foregoing entities in clauses (a) through (e), their respective current and former affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, directors, principals, members, employees, agents, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals and, solely with respect to the Purchaser Parties, the Acquired Companies, and the Supporting Noteholders, their permitted assigns; and (g) the Debtors and Non-Debtors Subsidiaries respective current officers, directors, principals, members, employees, agents, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, consultants, representatives, and other professionals of the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries that served in such capacities during the Chapter 11 Cases; provided that no EIX Litigation Party shall constitute a Released Party.
147. Releasing Parties means, collectively: (a) the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee; (b) the Supporting Noteholders; (c) the Committee and the Committee Members; (d) the PoJo Parties; and (e) without limiting the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c), and (d), each Holder of a Claim against or Interest in the Debtors who does not opt out of the Plans release provisions with respect to the Released Parties pursuant to an election contained on the relevant Ballot.
148. Reorganized EME means EME as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, including, without limitation, a new limited liability company that may be formed or caused to be formed by the Debtors to, among other things, directly or indirectly acquire substantially all of the assets and/or stock of the Debtors that are not acquired by the Purchaser or retained by the Acquired Companies in the Sale Transaction and issue the New Interests to be distributed or sold pursuant to the Plan.
149. Restructuring Transactions means one or more transactions pursuant to section 1123(a)(5)(D) of the Bankruptcy Code to occur on or before the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, that may be necessary or appropriate to effect any transaction described in, approved by, contemplated by, or necessary to effectuate the Plan and Purchase Agreement, including (a) the execution and delivery of appropriate agreements or other documents of merger, sale, consolidation, equity issuance, certificates of incorporation, operating agreements, bylaws, or other documents containing terms that are consistent with or reasonably necessary to implement the terms of the Plan and that satisfy the requirements of applicable law; (b) the execution and delivery of appropriate instruments of sale, equity issuance, transfer, assignment, assumption, or delegation of any property, right, liability, duty, or obligation on terms consistent with the terms of the Plan; and (c) if implemented pursuant to the Plan, all transactions necessary to provide for the purchase of substantially all of the assets or Interests of any of the Debtors, which purchase may be structured as a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes; and (d) all other actions that the Debtors determine are necessary or appropriate.
150. Sale Proceeds means the Cash and stock proceeds of the Sale Transaction payable to EME by the Purchaser upon the closing under the Purchase Agreement and Plan.
151. Sale Transaction means that certain transaction between EME and the Purchaser Parties as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
152. SCE means Southern California Edison Company, a California corporation, and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
153. Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases means the schedule of certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be assumed by the Debtors pursuant to the Plan, including any Cure Costs related thereto, in the form filed as part of the Plan Supplement, as the same may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.
154. Schedule of Eligible Employees means the updated schedule of Eligible Employees (as defined under the Purchase Agreement) to be provided to the Purchaser, which schedule shall be filed with the Plan Supplement.
155. Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases means the schedule of certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be rejected by the Debtors pursuant to the Plan in the form filed as part of the Plan Supplement, as the same may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.
156. Schedules means, collectively, the schedules of assets and liabilities, schedules of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, and statements of financial affairs Filed by the Debtors pursuant to section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code and in substantial accordance with the Official Bankruptcy Forms, as the same may have been amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.
157. Secured means when referring to a Claim: (a) secured by a Lien on property in which the applicable Estate has an interest, which Lien is valid, perfected, and enforceable pursuant to applicable law or by reason of a Bankruptcy Court order, or that is subject to setoff pursuant to section 553 of the Bankruptcy Code, to the extent of the value of the creditors interest in such Estates interest in such property or to the extent of the amount subject to setoff, as applicable, as determined pursuant to section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code; or (b) otherwise Allowed pursuant to the Plan as a Secured Claim.
158. Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77a77aa, as amended, or any similar federal, state, or local law.
159. Shared Services Extension Order means the Order Authorizing Extension of Intercompany and Shared Services Arrangements and Other Benefit Plans [Docket No. 1563], entered by the Bankruptcy Court on November 7, 2013, authorizing the Debtors to, among other things, implement the EME Severance Plan and continue performing obligations related to certain shared services provided by EIX.
160. Subordinated Claim means any Claim that is subject to contractual, legal, and/or equitable subordination, whether arising under general principles of equitable subordination, section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise.
161. Supporting Noteholders means the Holders of EME Senior Notes Claims that have signed the Plan Sponsor Agreement or otherwise agreed to be bound by its terms by the Voting Record Date.
162. Supporting Noteholder Fees means, as of the Effective Date, (a) all accrued and unpaid reasonable, actual, and documented fees and expenses of Ropes & Gray LLP and Schiff Hardin LLP payable pursuant to the R&G Agreement, as defined in and assumed by the Debtors pursuant to the Order Authorizing Debtors to Pay Fees and Expenses of Counsel to the Informal Committee of Edison Mission Energy Unsecured Noteholders, entered on January 18, 2013 [Docket No. 317]; and (b) all accrued and unpaid fees and expenses of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., including, without limitation, any applicable transaction or completion fees due Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. pursuant to the terms of that certain letter agreement, dated as of May 7, 2012, between EME, Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., and Ropes & Gray LLP.
163. Taxing Authority means any governmental authority exercising any authority to impose, regulate, levy, asses, or administer the imposition of any tax.
164. Unexpired Lease means an unexpired lease to which one or more of the Debtors is a party that is subject to assumption or rejection under sections 365 or 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
165. Unimpaired means, with respect to a Class of Claims or Interests, a Claim or an Interest that is unimpaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
166. U.S. Trustee means the United States Trustee for the Northern District of Illinois.
167. U.S. Trustee Fees means fees arising under section 1930(a)(6) of the Judicial Code and, to the extent applicable, accrued interest thereon arising under 31 U.S.C. § 3717.
168. Wind Down Budget means the budget, which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, to fund the Post-Effective-Date EME Matters. The Wind Down Budget shall be subject to appropriate confidentiality protections.
169. Viento II Pledge Agreement means EMEs pledge of equity interests in Non-Debtor Subsidiary Viento Funding II, Inc. to support certain borrowings of Non-Debtor Subsidiary Viento II Funding, Inc.
170. Voting Deadline means 4:00 p.m., prevailing Central Time, on [·].
171. Voting Record Date means 10:00 a.m., prevailing Central Time, on [·].
B. Rules of Interpretation
For purposes herein: (a) in the appropriate context, each term, whether stated in the singular or the plural, shall include both the singular and the plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine, and the neuter gender; (b) except as otherwise provided, any reference herein to a contract, lease, instrument, release, indenture, or other agreement or document being in a particular form or on particular terms and conditions means that the referenced document shall be substantially in that form or substantially on those terms and conditions; (c) except as otherwise provided, any reference herein to an existing document or exhibit having been Filed or to be Filed shall mean that document or exhibit, as it may thereafter be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of the Plan; (d) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to Articles are references to Articles of the Plan or hereto; (e) unless otherwise stated, the words herein, hereof, and hereto refer to the Plan in its entirety rather than to a particular portion of the Plan; (f) captions and headings to Articles are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the interpretation hereof; (g) the words include and including, and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, and shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; (h) the rules of construction set forth in section 102 of the Bankruptcy Code shall apply; (i) any term used in capitalized form herein that is not otherwise defined but that is used in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules shall have the meaning assigned to that term in the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Rules, as the case may be; (j) any docket number references in the Plan shall refer to the docket number of any document Filed with the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases; (k) any effectuating provisions may be interpreted by Reorganized EME in such a manner that is consistent with the overall purpose and intent of the Plan all without further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court or any other Entity, and such interpretation shall control; and (l) except as otherwise provided, any references to the Effective Date shall mean the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
C. Computation of Time
The provisions of Bankruptcy Rule 9006(a) shall apply in computing any period of time prescribed or allowed herein.
D. Governing Law
Unless a rule of law or procedure is supplied by federal law (including the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules) or unless otherwise specifically stated herein, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws, shall govern the rights, obligations, construction, and implementation of the Plan and any agreements, documents, instruments, or contracts executed or entered into in connection with the Plan (except as otherwise set forth in those agreements, in which case the governing law of such agreement shall control); provided that corporate or limited liability company governance matters shall be governed by the laws of the state of incorporation or formation, of the applicable Entity.
E. Reference to Monetary Figures
All references in the Plan to monetary figures shall refer to currency of the United States of America, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
ARTICLE II.
ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS AND PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS
A. Administrative Claims
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Holder of an Allowed Administrative Claim, each Holder of an Allowed Administrative Claim will receive in exchange for full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of its Administrative Claim, the following applicable treatment:
1. for Administrative Claims that are Assumed Liabilities, payment from the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement of an amount of Cash equal to the amount of such Allowed Administrative Claim (a) on the Effective Date, (b) if the Administrative Claim is not Allowed as of the Effective Date, no later than 30 days after the date on which an order Allowing such Administrative Claim becomes a Final Order, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, or (c) if the Allowed Administrative Claim is based on liabilities incurred by the Debtors in the ordinary course of their business after the Petition Date, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the particular transaction giving rise to such Allowed Administrative Claims, without any further action by the Holders of such Allowed Administrative Claims and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court; or
2. for Administrative Claims that are not Assumed Liabilities, payment of an amount of Cash equal to the amount of such Allowed Administrative Claim (a) on the Effective Date, (b) if the Administrative Claim is not Allowed as of the Effective Date, no later than 30 days after the date on which an order Allowing such Administrative Claim becomes a Final Order, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, or (c) if the Allowed Administrative Claim is based on liabilities incurred by the Debtors in the ordinary course of their business after the Petition Date, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the particular transaction giving rise to such Allowed Administrative Claims, without any further action by the Holders of such Allowed Administrative Claims and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
Unless previously Filed, requests for payment of Administrative Claims (including Accrued Professional Compensation Claims) must be Filed and served on the Debtors no later than the Administrative Claims Bar Date. Holders of Administrative Claims that are required to File and serve a request for payment of such Administrative Claims by the Administrative Bar Date that do not File and serve such a request by the Administrative Claims Bar Date shall be forever barred, estopped, and enjoined from asserting such Administrative Claims against Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or their respective property and such Administrative Claims shall be deemed discharged as of the Effective Date.
B. Priority Tax Claims
Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Priority Tax Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Allowed Priority Tax Claim, each Holder of such Allowed Priority Tax Claim shall be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in section 1129(a)(9)(C) of the Bankruptcy Code.
C. Accrued Professional Compensation Claims
1. Professional Fee Escrow
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Confirmation Date and no later than the Effective Date, the Debtors shall establish the Professional Fee Escrow. The Debtors shall fund the Professional Fee Escrow, exclusively from the Sale Proceeds, with Cash equal to the Professional Fee Escrow Amount. The Professional Fee Escrow shall be funded no later than the Effective Date and maintained in trust for the Professionals and shall not be considered property of the Debtors Estates; provided, however, that Reorganized EME shall have a reversionary interest in the excess, if any, of the amount of the Professional Fee Escrow over the aggregate Allowed Accrued Professional Compensation Claims to be paid from the Professional Fee Escrow.
2. Final Fee Applications and Payment of Accrued Professional Compensation Claims
All final requests for payment of Accrued Professional Compensation Claims incurred during the period from the Petition Date through the Confirmation Date, shall be Filed no later than 30 days after the Effective Date. After notice and a hearing in accordance with the procedures established by the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules and prior Bankruptcy Court orders, the Allowed amounts of such Accrued Professional Compensation Claims shall be determined by the Bankruptcy Court. The amount of Accrued Professional Compensation Claims owing to the Professionals shall be paid in Cash to such Professionals from funds held in the Professional Fee Escrow when such Claims are Allowed by a Final Order. To the extent that funds held in the Professional Fee Escrow are unable to satisfy the amount of Accrued Professional Compensation Claims owing to the Professionals, such Professionals shall have an Allowed Administrative Claim for any such deficiency, which shall be satisfied in accordance with Article II.A of the Plan. After all Accrued Professional Compensation Claims have been paid in full, the Final Order allowing such Accrued Professional Compensation Claims shall direct the escrow agent to return any excess amounts to Reorganized EME.
3. Estimation of Fees and Expenses
To receive payment for unbilled fees and expenses incurred through the Confirmation Date, the Professionals shall estimate their Accrued Professional Compensation Claims before and as of the Confirmation Date and shall deliver such estimate to the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders no later than ten days prior to the Effective Date; provided, however, that such estimate shall not be considered an admission with respect to the fees and expenses of such Professional and such Professionals are not bound to any extent by the estimates. If a Professional does not provide an estimate, the Debtors may estimate the unbilled fees and expenses of such Professional. The total amount so estimated shall be utilized by the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders to determine the Professional Fee Escrow Amount.
4. Post-Confirmation Fees and Expenses
Except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, from and after the Confirmation Date, the Debtors shall, in the ordinary course of business and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, pay in Cash the reasonable legal, professional, or other fees and expenses incurred by the Debtors or the Committee. Upon the Confirmation Date, any requirement that Professionals comply with sections 327 through 331 and 1103 of the Bankruptcy Code or the Interim Compensation Order in seeking retention or compensation for services rendered after such date shall terminate, and the Debtors, in consultation with the Committee and Supporting Noteholders, may employ and pay any Professional or Ordinary Course Professional in the ordinary course of business without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
D. U.S. Trustee Statutory Fees
Each Debtor shall pay all of its respective U.S. Trustee Fees for each quarter (including any fraction thereof) until such Debtors Chapter 11 Cases are converted, dismissed, or closed, whichever occurs first.
E. Treatment of Certain Claims
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the failure to object to Confirmation of this Plan by a Holder of an Allowed Administrative Expense Claim (other than the Holder of an Allowed Accrued Professional Compensation Claim), Allowed Priority Tax Claim, or Allowed Other Priority Claim against any Homer City Debtor shall be deemed to be such Holders agreement to receive treatment for such Claim that is different from that set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 1129(a)(9).
ARTICLE III.
CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS
In accordance with section 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, Administrative Claims and Priority Tax Claims have not been classified and, thus, are excluded from the Classes of Claims and Interests set forth in this Article III of the Plan.
A. Summary of Classification
A Claim or Interest is classified in a particular Class pursuant to sections 1122 and 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code only to the extent that the Claim or Interest qualifies within the description of that Class and is classified in other Classes to the extent that any portion of the Claim or Interest qualifies within the description of such other Classes. Except as provided below, the Plan shall apply as a separate Plan for each of the Debtors. A Claim or Interest is also classified in a particular Class for the purpose of receiving distributions pursuant to the Plan only to the extent that such Claim or Interest is an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in that Class and has not been paid, released, or otherwise satisfied before the Effective Date. The Debtors reserve the right to withdraw the Plan, after consultation with the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, the Purchaser, and the PoJo Parties, with respect to one or more Debtors while seeking Confirmation or approval of the Plan with respect to all other Debtors; provided that the Debtors may not withdraw the Plan with respect to MWG while seeking Confirmation or approval of the Plan with respect to EME.
1. Summary of Classification for EME
The classification of Claims against and Interests in EME pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in EME.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
A1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against EME |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
A2 |
|
Secured Claims against EME |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
A3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities) |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A4 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities) |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A5 |
|
Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A6 |
|
Intercompany Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
A7 |
|
Subordinated Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
A8 |
|
EME Interests |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
2. Summary of Classification for Debtor Subsidiaries
The classification of Claims against and Interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
B1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
B2 |
|
Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
B3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
B4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
B5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
B6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
3. Summary of Classification for Homer City Debtors
The classification of Claims against and Interests in the Homer City Debtors pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in the Homer City Debtors.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
C1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
C2 |
|
Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Presumed to Accept) |
C3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
C4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
C5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote (Deemed to Reject) |
C6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
B. Treatment of Claims against and Interests in EME
1. Class A1Other Priority Claims against EME
(a) Classification: Class A1 consists of all Other Priority Claims against EME.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class A1 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class A1 Claim, each such Holder shall receive payment in full in Cash on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class A1 Claim becomes an Allowed Class A1 Claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(c) Voting: Class A1 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class A1 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
2. Class A2Secured Claims against EME
(a) Classification: Class A2 consists of all Secured Claims against EME.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class A2 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class A2 Claim, each such Holder shall receive on the latest of the Effective Date, the date such Class A2 Claim becomes an Allowed Class A2 Claim, and the date or dates on which such Allowed Class A2 Claim becomes due and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with contractual terms without regard to acceleration, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:
(i) for Class A2 Claims that are Assumed Liabilities, payment in full in Cash from the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement; or
(ii) for Class A2 Claims that are not Assumed Liabilities, (A) payment in full in Cash, including the payment of any interest required to be paid under section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or, if payment is not then due on the Effective Date, in accordance with the payment terms of any applicable agreement, or (B) other treatment that is not inconsistent with the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Voting: Class A2 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class A2 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
3. Class A3General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities)
(a) Classification: Class A3 consists of all General Unsecured Claims against EME that are Assumed Liabilities.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class A3 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class A3 Claim, each such Holder shall receive on the latest of the Effective Date, the date such Class A3 Claim becomes an Allowed Class A3 Claim, and the date or dates on which such Allowed Class A3 Claim becomes due and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with contractual terms without regard to acceleration, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, payment in full in Cash from the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Voting: Class A3 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class A3 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
4. Class A4General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities)
(a) Classification: Class A4 consists of all General Unsecured Claims against EME that are not Assumed Liabilities.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class A4 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class A4 Claim, each such Holder shall receive on the latest of the Effective Date, the date such Class A4 Claim becomes an Allowed Class A4 Claim, and the date or dates on which such Allowed Class A4 Claim becomes due and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with contractual terms without regard to acceleration, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:
(i) a Pro Rata distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds; and
(ii) a Pro Rata distribution of the New Interests.
(c) Voting: Class A4 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class A4 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
5. Class A5Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims against EME
(a) Classification: Class A5 consists of all General Unsecured Claims against a Debtor Subsidiary that is an Excluded Liability for which EME is also liable under any theory (including, without limitation, joint and several liability, joint liability, agency, control liability, and other similar theories).
(b) Allowance: Class A5 Claims shall not be Allowed against, or receive any distribution on account of such Class A5 Claim from, any applicable Debtor Subsidiary, but instead shall only receive a distribution on account of such Class A5 Claim against EME, if and only to the extent such Class A5 Claim has been Allowed against EME.
(c) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class A5 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class A5 Claim, each such Holder shall receive the following treatment on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class A5 Claim becomes an Allowed Class A5 Claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:
(i) a Pro Rata distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds; and
(ii) a Pro Rata distribution of the New Interests;
(d) Voting: Class A5 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class A5 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
6. Class A6Intercompany Claims against EME
(a) Classification: Class A6 consists of all Intercompany Claims against EME.
(b) Treatment: Allowed Class A6 Claims will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of Allowed Class A6 Claims will not receive any distribution on account of such Allowed Class A6 Claims.
(c) Voting: Class A6 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class A6 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
7. Class A7Subordinated Claims against EME
(a) Classification: Class A7 consists of all Subordinated Claims against EME.
(b) Treatment: Class A7 Claims will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of Class A7 Claims will not receive any distribution on account of such Claims.
(c) Voting: Class A7 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class A7 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
8. Class A8EME Interests
(a) Classification: Class A8 consists of all EME Interests.
(b) Treatment: EME Interests will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of EME Interests will not receive any distribution on account of such Interests; provided that Reorganized EME may, in its sole and absolute discretion, take any step that it determines is reasonably necessary to preserve EMEs tax attributes and maximize the value of the Estates, including, without limitation, altering the treatment of EME Interests.
(c) Voting: Class A8 is Impaired. Holders of Interests in Class A8 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
C. Treatment of Claims against and Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries
1. Class B1Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B1 consists of all Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class B1 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class B1 Claim, each such Holder shall receive payment in full in Cash on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class B1 Claim becomes an Allowed Class B1 Claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(c) Voting: Class B1 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class B1 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
2. Class B2Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B2 consists of all Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class B2 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class B2 Claim, each such Holder shall receive on the latest of the Effective Date, the date such Class B2 Claim becomes an Allowed Class B2 Claim, and the date or dates on which such Allowed Class B2 Claim becomes due and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with contractual terms without regard to acceleration, or as soon as practicable thereafter:
(i) for Class B2 Claims that are Assumed Liabilities, payment in full in Cash from the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement; or
(ii) for Class B2 Claims that are not Assumed Liabilities, (A) payment in full in Cash, including the payment of any interest required to be paid under section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or, if payment is not then due on the Effective Date, in accordance with the payment terms of any applicable agreement; or (B) other treatment such that the Allowed Class B2 Claim shall be rendered Unimpaired; provided that such treatment is not inconsistent with the Purchase Agreement.
(c) Voting: Class B2 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class B2 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
3. Class B3General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B3 consists of all General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class B3 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class B3 Claim, each such Holder shall receive on the latest of the Effective Date, the date such Class B3 Claim becomes an Allowed Class B3 Claim, and the date or dates on which such Allowed Class B3 Claim becomes due and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with contractual terms without regard to acceleration, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:
(i) for Class B3 Claims that are Assumed Liabilities, payment in full in Cash from the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement; or
(ii) for Class B3 Claims that are not Assumed Liabilities, payment of principal in full in Cash.
(c) Voting: Class B3 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class B3 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
4. Class B4Intercompany Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B4 consists of all Intercompany Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Except as otherwise agreed by the applicable Debtor Subsidiary and the Purchaser, Allowed Class B4 Claims will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of Allowed Class B4 Claims will not receive any distribution on account of such Allowed Class B4 Claims.
(c) Voting: Class B4 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class B4 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
5. Class B5Subordinated Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B5 consists of all Subordinated Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Class B5 Claims will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of Class B5 Claims will not receive any distribution on account of such Claims.
(c) Voting: Class B5 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class B5 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
6. Class B6Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries
(a) Classification: Class B6 consists of all Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries.
(b) Treatment: Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries will be Reinstated as of the Effective Date.
(c) Voting: Class B6 is Unimpaired. Holders of Interests in Class B6 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
D. Treatment of Claims against and Interests in Homer City Debtors
1. Class C1Other Priority Claims against Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C1 consists of all Other Priority Claims against Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class C1 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class C1 Claim, each such Holder shall receive payment in full in Cash on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class C3 Claim becomes an Allowed Class C1 Claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
(c) Voting: Class C1 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class C1 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
2. Class C2Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C2 consists of all Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class C2 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class C2 Claim, each such Holder shall receive the following treatment on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class C2 Claim becomes an Allowed Class C2 Claim or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:
(i) payment in full in Cash, including the payment of any interest required to be paid under section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or, if payment is not then due on the Effective Date, in accordance with the payment terms of any applicable agreement; or
(ii) other treatment such that the Allowed Class C2 Claim shall be rendered Unimpaired.
(c) Voting: Class C2 is Unimpaired. Holders of Claims in Class C2 are deemed to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
3. Class C3General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C3 consists of all General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class C3 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class C3 Claim, each such Holder shall receive a Pro Rata distribution of the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds for the applicable Homer City Debtor, subject to the Homer City Waterfall, on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class C3 Claim becomes an Allowed Class C3 Claim.
(c) Voting: Class C3 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class C3 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
4. Class C4Intercompany Claims against Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C4 consists of all Intercompany Claims of EME or any of the Homer City Debtors against any of the Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Except to the extent that a Holder of an Allowed Class C4 Claim agrees to a less favorable treatment, in full and final satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of and in exchange for each Class C4 Claim, each such Holder shall receive a Pro Rata distribution of the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds for the applicable Homer City Debtor, subject to the Homer City Waterfall, on the later of the Effective Date and the date such Class C4 Claim becomes an Allowed Class C4 Claim.
(c) Voting: Class C4 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class C4 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
5. Class C5Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C5 consists of all Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Class C5 Claims will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and Holders of Class C5 Claims will not receive any distribution on account of such Claims.
(c) Voting: Class C5 is Impaired. Holders of Claims in Class C5 are deemed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
6. Class C6Intercompany Interests in the Homer City Debtors
(a) Classification: Class C6 consists of all Intercompany Interests in the Homer City Debtors.
(b) Treatment: Class C6 Interests will be discharged, canceled, released, and extinguished as of the Effective Date, and will be of no further force or effect, and EME will receive a distribution (if at all) on account of such Interests subject to the Homer City Waterfall.
(c) Voting: Class C6 is Impaired. Holders of Interests in Class C6 as of the Voting Record Date are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
E. Special Provision Governing Unimpaired Claims
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, nothing under the Plan shall affect the rights of the Debtors in respect of any Unimpaired Claims, including all rights in respect of legal and equitable defenses to or setoffs or recoupments against any such Unimpaired Claims. Unless otherwise Allowed, Unimpaired Claims shall remain Disputed Claims under the Plan.
F. Elimination of Vacant Classes
Any Class of Claims or Interests that does not have a Holder of an Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest or a Claim or Interest temporarily Allowed by the Bankruptcy Court as of the date of the Confirmation Hearing shall be deemed eliminated from the Plan for purposes of voting to accept or reject the Plan and for purposes of determining acceptance or rejection of the Plan by such Class pursuant to section 1129(a)(8) of the Bankruptcy Code.
G. Voting Classes; Presumed Acceptance by Non-Voting Classes
If a Class contains Claims eligible to vote and no Holders of Claims eligible to vote in such Class vote to accept or reject the Plan, the Plan shall be presumed accepted by the Holders of such Claims in such Class.
H. Confirmation Pursuant to Sections 1129(a)(10) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code
The Debtors reserve the right, in consultation with the Purchaser, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties, to seek Confirmation for the applicable Debtors pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any rejecting Class of Claims or Interests.
I. Subordinated Claims
The allowance, classification, and treatment of all Allowed Claims and Allowed Interests and the respective distributions and treatments under the Plan take into account and conform to the relative priority and rights of the Claims and Interests in each Class in connection with any contractual, legal, and equitable subordination rights relating thereto, whether arising under general principles of equitable subordination, section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise. Pursuant to section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors reserve the right to re-classify any Allowed Claim or Allowed Interest in accordance with any contractual, legal, or equitable subordination relating thereto.
J. Controversy Concerning Impairment
If a controversy arises as to whether any Claims or Interests, or any Class of Claims or Interests, are Impaired, the Bankruptcy Court shall, after notice and a hearing, determine such controversy on or before the Confirmation Date.
ARTICLE IV.
MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN
A. Restructuring Transactions
On or before the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser Parties may take all actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effect any transaction described in, approved by, contemplated by, or necessary to effectuate the Restructuring Transactions under and in connection with the Plan and the Purchase Agreement, including, without limitation: (1) the execution and delivery of all appropriate agreements or other documents of merger, consolidation, restructuring, conversion, disposition, transfer, dissolution, or liquidation containing terms that are consistent with the terms of the Plan, and that satisfy the requirements of applicable law and any other terms to which the applicable Entities may agree; (2) the execution and delivery of appropriate instruments of transfer, assignment, assumption, or delegation of any asset, property, right, liability, debt, or obligation on terms consistent with the terms of the Plan and having other terms for which the applicable parties agree; (3) rejection or assumption, as applicable, of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (4) the filing of appropriate certificates or articles of incorporation, reincorporation, merger, consolidation, conversion, or dissolution pursuant to applicable state law; (5) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; (6) the issuance of the New Interests and the execution of all documents related thereto; (7) the consummation of the Post-Effective-Date EME Matters; (8) MWGs assumption of the PoJo Leases and Documents, subject to the PoJo Lease Modifications; and (9) the payment by EME of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and PoJo Restructuring Fees. The Debtors shall consult with the Committee and the Supporting Noteholders regarding any material Restructuring Transaction other than those specifically described or provided for in the Plan.
B. Sale Transaction
On the Effective Date, the Debtors, the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser Parties shall be authorized to consummate the Sale Transaction pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement and Confirmation Order. On and after the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser Parties, as applicable, may operate their businesses and may use, acquire, or dispose of property and compromise or settle any Claims, Interests, EME Retained Causes of Action, or Purchaser Retained Causes of Action without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules; provided that any Claims against the Debtors as of the Effective Date shall be settled, compromised, withdrawn, or litigated to judgment as set forth in Article VII of the Plan; provided, further, that (1) prior to the Effective Date, the Debtors shall seek Bankruptcy Court approval of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims, and (2) on and after the Effective Date, subject to any confidentiality restrictions, Reorganized EME shall provide notice of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims to Holders of New Interests to the extent reasonably practicable.
C. Sources of Plan Consideration
All amounts necessary for the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Purchaser, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Disbursing Agent, as applicable, to make payments or distributions pursuant hereto shall be obtained from the Cash of the Debtors, Sale Proceeds, New Interests, payments made directly by the Purchaser or any Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary on account of any Assumed Liabilities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and payments of Cure Costs (if any) made by the Purchaser pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, and proceeds of the Post-Effective-Date EME Matters.
For avoidance of doubt, all distributions on account of any Allowed Claim under this Plan shall be paid by Reorganized EME from the Sale Proceeds unless and to the extent such Allowed Claim is an Assumed Liability. Unless otherwise agreed, distributions required by this Plan on account of Allowed Claims that are Assumed Liabilities shall be the sole responsibility of (1) the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary or (2) the Purchaser to the extent such Allowed Claim is allowed against EME.
1. Payment of Sale Proceeds by the Purchaser
On the Effective Date, the Purchaser shall pay to EME the Sale Proceeds as and to the extent provided for in the Purchase Agreement. Thereafter, the Net Sale Proceeds shall be distributed in accordance with Article III.B.3, Article III.B.4, and other applicable provisions of the Plan.
2. Issuance and Distribution of New Interests
Any New Interests issued and distributed pursuant to the Plan shall be duly authorized, validly issued, and fully paid and non-assessable. Each distribution and issuance referred to in Article VI of the Plan shall be governed by the terms and conditions set forth herein applicable to such distribution or issuance and by the terms and conditions of the instruments evidencing or relating to such distribution or issuance, which terms and conditions shall bind each Entity receiving such distribution or issuance. The offering, issuance, and distribution of the New Interests shall be exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable state and federal law requiring registration and/or delivery of a prospectus prior to the offering, issuance, distribution, or sale of securities pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, consistent with Article IV.K of the Plan.
3. Assumed Liabilities
The Purchaser and the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries shall make all payments on account of any Assumed Liabilities pursuant to and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Neither the Debtors, prior to the Effective Date, nor Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries (except in accordance with the Purchase Agreement), nor the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, after the Effective Date, shall have any obligation to make any payment or other distribution on account of any Claims that are Assumed Liabilities.
4. Payment of Cure Costs
On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Purchaser or the Post-Effective-Date-Debtor Subsidiaries shall pay all Cure Costs, if any, pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code and in accordance with the Purchase Agreement. Neither the Debtors, prior to the Effective Date, nor Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, nor the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, after the Effective Date, shall have any obligation to make any payment or other distribution on account of any Cure Costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on the Effective Date, EME shall pay the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees in full in Cash.
D. Post-Effective-Date EME Matters
On and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME shall perform all actions related to the Post-Effective-Date EME Matters, including liquidating, settling, compromising, or resolving all EIX Litigation Claims, any and all contracts with the EIX Litigation Parties (including any tax sharing agreements between EME and its affiliates other than the Debtor Subsidiaries and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries), and any other obligations of, or associated with, the EIX Litigation Parties, including any receivables from EIX, shared services, tax sharing payments, and insurance policies and offsets related thereto, in accordance with the Wind Down Budget; provided that (1) prior to the Effective Date, the Debtors shall seek Bankruptcy Court approval of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims, and (2) on and after the Effective Date, subject to any confidentiality restrictions, Reorganized EME shall provide notice of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims to Holders of New Interests to the extent reasonably practicable.
E. Plan Administrator
On and after the Effective Date, unless specifically set forth to the contrary in the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have the authority and right, without the need for Bankruptcy Court approval, to carry out and implement all provisions of the Plan, including liquidating, settling, compromising, or resolving all Claims, any and all contracts, and any other obligations of, or associated with, the Debtors. For the avoidance of doubt, (1) prior to the Effective Date, the Debtors shall seek Bankruptcy Court approval of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims, and (2) on and after the Effective Date, subject to any confidentiality restrictions, Reorganized EME shall provide notice of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims to Holders of New Interests to the extent reasonably practicable
F. Disputed Claims Reserve
On the Effective Date (or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable), Reorganized EME shall deposit in the Disputed Claims Reserve the Disputed Claims Reserve Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no reserve required for Claims against the Debtors to the extent such Claims are Assumed Liabilities or are released, discharged, or otherwise extinguished pursuant to the Plan, nor shall there be any reserves, holdbacks, escrows, or indemnities arising from the Purchase Agreement or otherwise relating to the Sale Transaction.
G. Compensation and Benefits Programs
On the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, Reorganized EME shall fund the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow in an amount of any compensation and benefit obligations under any present compensation, benefit, or incentive programs, including the Exit Plan and any programs approved pursuant to the Final Wages Order, the Final Non-Insider Incentive Plan Order, and Final Insider Incentive Plan Order in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, other than any compensation, benefit, and incentive obligations assumed by the Purchaser or any Acquired Company. Immediately upon occurrence of the Effective Date: (1) Employee participants in the programs approved pursuant to the Final Non-Insider Incentive Plan Order and Final Insider Incentive Plan Order shall be entitled to an award under such programs based on performance during the period between January 1, 2014 and the Effective Date, to be paid from the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow as soon as practicable following the occurrence of the Effective Date; and (2) all Employees of EME will be deemed terminated by EME for all purposes under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and EME Severance Plan. On and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME shall have the authority, in its sole discretion, to direct disbursements from the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow in accordance with the Exit Plan or the other applicable Compensation and Benefits Plans, as applicable, and shall, in its sole discretion, maintain, modify, or terminate any benefits or other obligations to any Employees or former Employees or any survivors or dependents thereof with respect to retiree medical benefits and/or other post employment health and welfare (and non-qualified retirement) benefits. Reorganized EME shall have a reversionary interest in the excess, if any, of the amount of the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow over the amounts paid on behalf of the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow to be paid from the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow, and Reorganized EME shall have the right to release from escrow any amounts held in respect of terminated benefits under any Compensation and Benefits Programs.
H. New Corporate Governance Documents
On the Effective Date, Reorganized EME shall enter into the New Corporate Governance Documents. The New Corporate Governance Documents shall be deemed to be valid, binding, and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and each Holder of New Interests shall be deemed to be bound thereby, in each case without the need for execution by any party thereto other than Reorganized EME.
I. Preservation of Capistrano Note and Capistrano Pledge Agreement; Preservation of Viento II Pledge
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, on the Effective Date, any and all claims of any of the Debtors or the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries under the Capistrano Note and the Capistrano Pledge Agreement shall be preserved and Reinstated.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, on the Effective Date, the Viento II Pledge Agreement shall be preserved and Reinstated.
J. General Settlement of Claims
Pursuant to section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 9019, and in consideration for the classification, distributions, releases, and other benefits provided under the Plan, on the Effective Date, the provisions of the Plan shall constitute a good-faith compromise and settlement of all Claims, Interests, Causes of Action, and controversies resolved pursuant to the Plan.
K. Section 1145 Exemption
The offering, issuance, and distribution of the New Interests shall be exempt from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable state and federal law requiring registration and/or delivery of a prospectus prior to the offering, issuance, distribution, or sale of securities pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, consistent with this Article IV.K of the Plan.
L. Release of Liens
Except as otherwise provided herein or in any contract, instrument, release, or other agreement or document created pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date and concurrently with the applicable distributions made pursuant to the Plan and, in the case of a Secured Claim, satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge in full of the portion of the Secured Claim that is Allowed as of the Effective Date, all mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledges, or other security interests against any property of the Estates shall be fully released, settled, discharged, and compromised and all rights, titles, and interests of any Holder of such mortgages, deeds of trust, Liens, pledge, or other security interests against any property of the Estates shall revert to Reorganized EME, the Purchaser, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, and their respective successors and assigns. Reorganized EME, the Purchaser, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, shall be authorized to file any necessary or desirable documents to evidence such release in the name of such Secured Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article IV.L of the Plan shall have no effect on the validity of the PoJo Leases and Documents (as modified by the PoJo Lease Modifications).
M. Cancellation of Securities and Agreements
On the Effective Date, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan: (1) the obligations of EME and Reorganized EME, as applicable, under the EME Senior Notes Indentures and of the Debtors under any other certificate, share, note, bond, indenture, purchase right, or other instrument or document directly or indirectly evidencing or creating any indebtedness or obligation of or ownership interest, equity, or profits interest in the Debtors or any warrants, options, or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, debt, equity, ownership, or profits interests in the Debtors giving rise to any Claim or Interest, shall be canceled as to the Debtors or otherwise treated as set forth in the Plan, and Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, shall not have any continuing obligations thereunder; and (2) the obligations of Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, pursuant, relating, or pertaining to any agreements, indentures, certificates of designation, bylaws, or certificate or articles of incorporation or similar documents governing the shares, certificates, notes, bonds, indentures, purchase rights, options, warrants, or other instruments or documents evidencing or creating any indebtedness or obligation of Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, shall be fully released, settled, and compromised except as expressly provided herein; provided that notwithstanding Confirmation or the occurrence of the Effective Date, any such agreement that governs the rights of the Holder of a Claim or Interest shall continue in effect solely for purposes of allowing such Holders to receive distributions under the Plan as provided herein; provided, further, that this Article IV.M of the Plan shall have no effect on the validity of: (a) the PoJo Leases and Documents (as modified by the PoJo Lease Modifications); or (b) the Capistrano Note, the Capistrano Pledge Agreement, and the Viento II Pledge Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything else contained in the Plan, the EME Senior Notes Indentures will continue in effect solely for the purposes of (a) allowing distributions, if any, to be made under the Plan pursuant to the EME Senior Notes Indentures and for the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee to perform such other necessary functions with respect thereto, if any, and to have the benefit of all the protections and other provisions of the applicable indentures in doing so; and (b) permitting the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee to (i) maintain and assert the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Charging Lien, (ii) seek compensation and reimbursement for any reasonable and documented fees and expenses, if any, incurred in making distributions pursuant to the Plan, and (iii) maintain and enforce any rights of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee to indemnification or contribution from EME and/or Holders of EME Senior Notes pursuant and subject to the terms of the EME Senior Notes Indenture, as in effect on the Effective Date, which rights, if any, shall continue to exist regardless of whether or not a proof of claim asserting such rights was filed by the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee in these Chapter 11 Cases. On and after the Effective Date, all duties and responsibilities of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee under the applicable indentures, including any and all obligations to Holders of the EME Senior Notes, shall be discharged except to the extent set forth herein or required in order to effectuate the Plan.
On the Effective Date, except to the extent otherwise provided herein, any indenture relating to any of the foregoing, including the EME Senior Notes Indentures, shall be deemed to be canceled and terminated, as permitted by section 1123(a)(5)(F) of the Bankruptcy Code without further action under any applicable agreement, law, regulation, order, or statute, and the obligations of the Debtors thereunder shall be fully released, settled, discharged, and compromised.
If the record holder of the EME Senior Notes is DTC or its nominee or another securities depository or custodian thereof, and such EME Senior Notes are represented by a global security held by or on behalf of DTC or such other securities depository or custodian, then each such Holder of the EME Senior Notes shall be deemed to have surrendered such Holders note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness upon surrender of such global security by DTC or such other securities depository or custodian thereof.
N. Corporate Action
Upon the Effective Date, all actions contemplated by the Plan shall be deemed authorized, approved, and, to the extent taken prior to the Effective Date, ratified without any requirement for further action by Holders of Claims or Interests, directors, managers, or officers of the Plan Administrator, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or any other Entity or Person, as applicable, including: (1) the execution and delivery of all appropriate agreements or other documents of merger, consolidation, restructuring, conversion, disposition, transfer, dissolution, or liquidation containing terms that are consistent with the terms of the Plan (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds pursuant to the Plan), and that satisfy the requirements of applicable law and any other terms to which the applicable Entities may agree; (2) the execution and delivery of appropriate instruments of transfer, assignment, assumption, or delegation of any asset, property, right, liability, debt, or obligation on terms consistent with the terms of the Plan and having other terms for which the applicable parties agree; (3) rejection or assumption, as applicable, of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases; (4) selection of the directors and officers for Reorganized EME; (5) the filing of appropriate certificates or articles of incorporation, reincorporation, merger, consolidation, conversion, or dissolution pursuant to applicable state law; (6) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; (7) the issuance of the New Interests and the execution of all documents related thereto; (8) the consummation of the Homer City Wind Down; (9) the consummation of the Post-Effective-Date EME Matters; (10) MWGs assumption of the PoJo Leases and Documents, subject to the PoJo Lease Modifications; (11) the payment by EME of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees; (12) all other actions that the applicable Entities determine to be necessary or appropriate, including making filings or recordings that may be required by applicable law; (13) the release and extinguishment of the PoJo EME Guarantees; (14) all authorizations and actions necessary to effect the termination and release of the Intercompany Notes; and (15) all other actions that the applicable Entities determine to be necessary or appropriate, including making filings or recordings that may be required by applicable law. All matters provided for in the Plan involving the company structure of the Debtors, and any company action required by the Debtors in connection therewith, shall be deemed to have occurred on, and shall be in effect as of, the Effective Date, without any requirement of further action by the security holders, directors, managers, authorized persons, or officers of the Debtors. The authorizations and approvals contemplated by this Article IV.P of the Plan shall be effective notwithstanding any requirements under nonbankruptcy law.
O. Effectuating Documents; Further Transactions
On and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the managers, officers, authorized persons and members of the boards of managers and directors thereof, are authorized to and may issue, execute, deliver, file, or record such contracts, securities, instruments, releases, and other agreements or documents and take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, implement, and further evidence the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the New Interests and the New Corporate Governance Documents, in the name of and on behalf of Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, without the need for any approvals, authorization, or consents except for those expressly required pursuant to the Plan.
P. Exemption from Certain Taxes and Fees
Pursuant to section 1146(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, any transfers of property pursuant hereto or pursuant to the issuance of the New Interests shall not be subject to any document recording tax, stamp tax, conveyance fee, intangibles or similar tax, mortgage tax, real estate transfer tax, mortgage recording tax, Uniform Commercial Code filing or recording fee, FERC filing or recording fee, or other similar tax or governmental assessment, and the appropriate state or local governmental officials or agents shall forego the collection of any such tax or governmental assessment and to accept for filing and recordation any of the foregoing instruments or other documents without the payment of any such tax or governmental assessment. Such exemption specifically applies to (1) the creation of any mortgage, deed of trust, Lien, or other security interest; (2) the making or assignment of any lease or sublease; (3) any Restructuring Transaction; (4) the issuance, distribution, and/or sale of any of the New Interests and any other securities of the Debtors or Reorganized EME; or (5) the making or delivery of any deed or other instrument of transfer under, in furtherance of or in connection with the Plan, including: (a) any merger agreements; (b) agreements of consolidation, restructuring, disposition, liquidation, or dissolution; (c) deeds; (d) bills of sale; or (e) assignments executed in connection with any Restructuring Transaction occurring under the Plan.
Q. Corporate Existence
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, each Debtor shall continue to exist after the Effective Date as a separate corporate Entity, limited liability company, partnership, or other form, as the case may be, with all the powers of a corporation, limited liability company, or other form, as the case may be, pursuant to the applicable law in the jurisdiction in which each applicable Debtor is incorporated or formed and pursuant to the respective certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other formation documents) in effect prior to the Effective Date, except to the extent such certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or other formation documents) are amended by the Plan or otherwise, and to the extent such documents are amended, such documents are deemed to be pursuant to the Plan and require no further action or approval.
R. Vesting of Assets
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or any agreement, instrument, or other document incorporated herein, on the Effective Date, (1) all applicable Causes of Action (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all claims of any of the Debtors or the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries against any of the EIX Litigation Parties, including the EIX Litigation Claims) and all property in the EME Estate shall be preserved and shall vest in Reorganized EME, as applicable, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, or other encumbrances, (2) all property in each of the Homer City Debtors Estates shall vest in the applicable Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, or other encumbrances, (3) all property in each of the Debtor Subsidiary Estates shall be preserved and shall vest in the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, or other encumbrances, and (4) all property of the EME Estate to be acquired by the Purchaser in the Purchase Agreement shall be preserved and shall vest in the Purchaser, free and clear of all Liens, Claims, charges, and other encumbrances. On and after the Effective Date, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries may operate their businesses and use, acquire, or dispose of property and compromise or settle any Claims, Interests, or Causes of Action without supervision or approval by the Bankruptcy Court and free of any restrictions of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article IV.R of the Plan shall have no effect on the validity of the PoJo Leases and Documents (as modified by the PoJo Lease Modifications).
S. Indemnification of Certain Directors, Managers, Officers, and Employees
The Purchaser Parties shall comply with their obligations under Section 9.7 of the Purchase Agreement as set forth therein in favor of each person who is or was an officer or director of the Acquired Companies.
T. Assumption of Certain D&O Liability Insurance Policies
To the extent that the D&O Liability Insurance Policies are considered to be Executory Contracts, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, effective as of the Effective Date, Reorganized EME shall be deemed to have assumed all unexpired D&O Liability Insurance Policies with respect to its directors, managers, officers, and employees serving as of the Petition Date pursuant to section 365(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. Entry of the Confirmation Order will constitute the Bankruptcy Courts approval of Reorganized EMEs assumption of each of the unexpired D&O Liability Insurance Policies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, Confirmation of the Plan shall not discharge, impair, or otherwise modify any indemnity obligations assumed by the foregoing assumption of the D&O Liability Insurance Policies, and each such indemnity obligation will be deemed and treated as an Executory Contract that has been assumed by Reorganized EME under the Plan as to which no Proof of Claim need be filed.
U. New Board
The New Board of Reorganized EME shall consist of five (5) members, the initial members of which shall include three (3) members appointed by the Supporting Noteholders and the Committee, and EMEs two (2) independent directors. As of the Effective Date, (1) all directors and other members of the existing board or governance body of EME shall cease to hold office or have any authority from and after such time to the extent not expressly included in the roster of the applicable New Board, and (2) all directors and other members of the existing boards or governance bodies of each Debtor Subsidiary and Non-Debtor Subsidiary shall cease to hold office or have any authority from and after such time except as agreed to in writing by the Purchaser.
V. Payment of Certain Fees and Expenses
On the Effective Date, the Debtors shall pay in Cash in full the PoJo Restructuring Fees, Supporting Noteholder Fees, and any accrued and unpaid fees and expenses of (1) the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee payable under the EME Senior Notes Indenture and (2) the Bank of New York Mellon (as successor pass-through trustee and successor lease indenture trustee).
On the Effective Date, the Debtors shall pay the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees without the need for application to, or approval by, any court. At least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee shall submit its invoices for EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees through the Effective Date (including any estimated fees and expenses) to the Debtors. Should the Debtors dispute the reasonableness of any invoiced EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees, the Debtors (or Reorganized EME) shall (1) pay the undisputed portion of any invoices on the Effective Date, (2) place any disputed amounts in escrow on the Effective Date, and (3) notify the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee of any dispute within five (5) days after the presentation of an invoice by the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee. Upon such notification, the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee may assert the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Charging Lien to pay the undisputed and unpaid portion of the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees, and/or after the parties have attempted in good faith to resolve any such dispute, within fifteen (15) days after the notification of the dispute, may submit such dispute for resolution to the Bankruptcy Court; provided that the Bankruptcy Courts review shall be limited to a determination under the reasonable standard in accordance with the EME Senior Notes Indentures. Nothing herein shall be deemed to impair, waive, discharge, or negatively affect any EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Charging Lien for any fees, costs and expenses not paid pursuant to the Plan and otherwise claimed by the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee pursuant to this section.
W. Homer City Wind Down
As of the Effective Date, the existing boards of directors or boards of managers of the Homer City Debtors shall be dissolved without any further action required on the part of the Homer City Debtors or the Homer City Debtors officers, directors, shareholders, and members and any all remaining officers, directors, managers, or managing members of each Homer City Debtor shall be dismissed without any further action required on the part of any such Homer City Debtor or its respective shareholders, directors, managers, officers, or members.
On and after the Effective Date, the Plan Administrator will implement any other provision of the Plan and any applicable orders of the Bankruptcy Court, and the Plan Administrator shall have the power and authority to take any action necessary to accomplish the Homer City Wind Down. As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Plan Administrator shall: (1) cause the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors to comply with, and abide by, the terms of the Plan; (2) complete and file all final or otherwise required federal, state, and local tax returns for each of the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and pursuant to section 505(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, request an expedited determination of any unpaid tax liability of such Homer City Debtor or its Estate for any tax incurred during the administration of such Homer City Debtors Chapter 11 Case, as determined under applicable tax laws; and (3) take such other actions as the Plan Administrator may determine to be necessary or desirable to carry out the Homer City Wind Down without further action under applicable law, regulation, order, or rule, including any action by the stockholders, members, board of directors, or board of managers of each such Homer City Debtor and notwithstanding anything to the contrary under applicable nonbankruptcy law, including any requirement to file a certificate of dissolution with respect to the Homer City Debtors.
X. Release of Avoidance Actions
In accordance with section 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors shall release all rights to commence and pursue, as appropriate, any and all Avoidance Actions not identified as an EME Retained Cause of Action in the Plan Supplement; for avoidance of doubt, no EIX Litigation Claim shall be released pursuant to this provision.
Y. Retention of Retained Causes of Actions
On the Effective Date, the Purchaser and the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries will be vested with title to the Purchaser Retained Causes of Action, regardless of whether scheduled by the Debtors, including, without limitation, all such Causes of Action of any kind whatsoever at law or equity, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, charges, and other interests of creditors and equity security holders, in accordance with section 1141 of the Bankruptcy Code.
ARTICLE V.
TREATMENT OF EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES
A. Assumption of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
Except as otherwise provided herein, as of the Effective Date, all Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases listed on the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases will be deemed: (i) assumed by the applicable Debtor in accordance with, and subject to the provisions and requirements of sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code; and (ii) if so indicated on the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, assigned to the other party identified as the assignee for each assumed Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease. For the avoidance of doubt, the PoJo Leases and Documents shall be modified and assumed in accordance with Article V.G.
B. Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
Except as otherwise provided herein, or in any contract, instrument, release, indenture or other agreement, or in any document entered into in connection with the Plan, as of the Effective Date, each Debtor shall be deemed to have rejected each Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease to which it is a party, unless such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease: (1) was previously assumed or rejected; (2) was previously expired or terminated pursuant to its own terms; (3) is the subject of a motion or notice to assume filed on or before the Confirmation Date; or (4) is designated specifically or by category as an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease on the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases. For the avoidance of doubt, any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease which does not appear on the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases and which is not subject to one of the four conditions for assumption of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases listed in this paragraph shall be deemed rejected.
C. Effect of Confirmation Order
The Confirmation Order shall constitute an order of the Bankruptcy Court under sections 365 and 1123(b) of the Bankruptcy Code approving the assumptions and assignments or rejections described above as of the Effective Date. Unless otherwise indicated, all assumptions and assignments or rejections of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases in the Plan will be effective as of the Effective Date. Each Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease assumed and assigned pursuant to the Plan or by Bankruptcy Court order, shall vest in and be fully enforceable by the applicable assignee in accordance with its terms, except as such terms may have been modified by order of the Bankruptcy Court. To the maximum extent permitted by law, to the extent any provision in any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease assumed pursuant to the Plan restricts or prevents, or purports to restrict or prevent, or is breached or deemed breached by, the assumption of such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease (including any change of control provision), then such provision shall be deemed modified such that the transactions contemplated by the Plan shall not entitle the non-Debtor party thereto to terminate such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease or to exercise any other default-related rights with respect thereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph or anything contrary herein, subject to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, the Debtors reserve the right to alter, amend, modify, or supplement the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases and the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases until 15 days after the Effective Date.
D. Cure of Defaults for Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
Any defaults under each Executory Contract and Unexpired Lease to be assumed by any Debtor Subsidiary or assumed and assigned by EME to the Purchaser pursuant to the Plan shall be satisfied, pursuant to section 365(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, solely by payment of the Cure Cost by the Purchaser or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary except as otherwise agreed by the non-Debtor party to any such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease on the Effective Date or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter or on such other terms as the Debtors, the Purchaser, and the counterparties to each such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease may otherwise agree.
In the event of a dispute regarding: (1) the amount of any Cure Cost, (2) the ability of the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Purchaser, or any assignee, as applicable, to provide adequate assurance of future performance within the meaning of section 365(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, if applicable, under the Executory Contract or the Unexpired Lease to be assumed or assumed and assigned, and/or (3) any other matter pertaining to assumption and/or assignment, then such Cure Costs shall be paid following the entry of a Final Order resolving the dispute and approving the assumption and assignment of such Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases or as may be agreed upon by the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Purchaser, as applicable; provided that prior to the Effective Date or such other date as determined by the Bankruptcy Court (such date to be in no event earlier than the date of the entry of the Confirmation Order), the Debtors, with the written consent of the Purchaser, may settle any dispute regarding the amount of any Cure Cost without any further notice to any party or any action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, prior to or upon the entry of a Final Order resolving any dispute and approving the assumption and assignment of such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, the Debtors, in consultation with the Committee and Supporting Noteholders, reserve the right to reject any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease which is subject to dispute, subject to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement.
Assumption and assignment of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to the Plan, or otherwise, shall result in the full satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge of any Claims or defaults, whether monetary or nonmonetary, including defaults of provisions restricting the change in control or ownership interest composition or other bankruptcy-related defaults, arising under any assumed Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease at any time prior to the effective date of assumption and/or assignment.
E. Claims Based on Rejection of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
Unless otherwise provided by an order of the Bankruptcy Court, any Proofs of Claim based upon the rejection of the Debtors Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases pursuant to the Plan or otherwise, must be Filed with the Notice, Claims, and Solicitation Agent no later than the later of (a) 30 days after the effective date of rejection of such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease and (b) the Claims Bar Date established in the Chapter 11 Cases.
All Claims arising from the rejection by any Debtor of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code shall be treated as General Unsecured Claims and may be objected to in accordance with the provisions of Article VI of the Plan and the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules.
Any Holder of a Claim arising from the rejection of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease for which a Proof of Claim was not timely Filed as set forth in the paragraph above shall not (a) be treated as a Holder of a Claim hereunder, (b) be permitted to vote to accept or reject the Plan, or (c) participate in any distribution in the Chapter 11 Cases on account of such Claim, and such Claim shall be deemed fully satisfied, released, settled, and compromised, and be subject to the permanent injunction set forth in Article VIII.F of the Plan, notwithstanding anything in the Schedules or a Proof of Claim to the contrary.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Purchaser, or an applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, shall be responsible for any Allowed Claim for rejection damages under any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease rejected by the Debtors after the date of the Plan Sponsor Agreement except for any Allowed Claim for rejection damages on account of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease rejected after the date of the Plan Sponsor Agreement without the consent of the Purchaser, which Allowed Claim shall be a General Unsecured Claim against the applicable Debtor.
F. Preexisting Obligations to the Debtors Under Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases
The Debtors and the Purchaser, as applicable, reserve their right to assert that rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease pursuant to the Plan or otherwise shall not constitute a termination of preexisting obligations owed to the Debtors under such contracts or leases. Notwithstanding any nonbankruptcy law to the contrary, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Purchaser, as applicable, expressly reserve and do not waive any right to receive, or any continuing obligation of a counterparty to provide, warranties or continued maintenance obligations on goods previously purchased, or services previously received, by the contracting Debtors from counterparties to rejected Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases.
G. PoJo Modifications and Assumption of PoJo Leases and Documents
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, on the Effective Date: (1) the PoJo Lease Modifications shall be implemented; (2) MWG shall, subject to the PoJo Lease Modifications, assume the PoJo Leases and Documents; (3) EME shall pay the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and PoJo Restructuring Fees in full in Cash; (4) following the payment of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees, the Lessor Notes (as defined in the PoJo Leases and Documents) shall be deemed fully cured; (5) the PoJo EME Guarantees shall each be terminated, released, extinguished, and of no further force and effect (and shall be replaced as set forth herein); (6) the Intercompany Notes shall each be terminated and extinguished and of no further force and effect; (7) the Parent shall become the Guarantor under the PoJo Leases and Documents; and (8) EME shall assign to the Parent, and the Parent shall assume from EME all of the rights and obligations of EME under each of the PoJo Tax Indemnity Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Plan shall relieve MWG of its operational and maintenance obligations under the PoJo Leases and Documents, as modified.
H. IBEW Local 15 Collective Bargaining Agreement
On the Effective Date, MWG shall assume the IBEW CBA.
I. Modifications, Amendments, Supplements, Restatements, or Other Agreements
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, each assumed or assumed and assigned Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease shall include all modifications, amendments, supplements, restatements, or other agreements that in any manner affect such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, and all Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases related thereto, if any, including all easements, licenses, permits, rights, privileges, immunities, options, rights of first refusal, and any other interests, unless any of the foregoing agreements has been previously rejected or is rejected under the Plan.
Modifications, amendments, supplements, and restatements to prepetition Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases that have been executed by the Debtors during the Chapter 11 Cases shall not be deemed to alter the prepetition nature of the Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, or the validity, priority, or amount of any Claims that may arise in connection therewith.
J. Reservation of Rights
Neither the exclusion nor inclusion of any contract or lease in the Plan Supplement, nor anything contained in the Plan, shall constitute an admission by the Debtors that any such contract or lease is in fact an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease or that Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, have any liability thereunder. In the event of a dispute regarding whether a contract or lease is or was executory or unexpired at the time of assumption or rejection, the Debtors or Reorganized EME, as applicable, shall have 90 days following entry of a Final Order resolving such dispute to alter the treatment of such contract or lease as otherwise provided herein.
K. Nonoccurrence of Effective Date
In the event that the Effective Date does not occur, the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to any consensual request to extend the deadline for assuming or rejecting Unexpired Leases pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI.
PROVISIONS GOVERNING DISTRIBUTIONS
A. Timing and Calculation of Amounts to Be Distributed
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, on the Effective Date (or if a Claim is not an Allowed Claim on the Effective Date, on the date that such a Claim becomes an Allowed Claim, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter), each Holder of an Allowed Claim against the Debtors shall receive the full amount of the distributions that the Plan provides for Allowed Claims in the applicable Class from the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable. In the event that any payment or act under the Plan is required to be made or performed on a date that is not a Business Day, then the making of such payment or the performance of such act may be completed on the next succeeding Business Day, but shall be deemed to have been completed as of the required date. If and to the extent that there are Disputed Claims, distributions on account of any such Disputed Claims shall be made pursuant to the provisions set forth in Article VII of the Plan. Holders of Allowed Claims shall be entitled to all dividends, accruals, and any other distributions on, and proceeds of, the distributions provided for herein, from and after the Effective Date, regardless of whether such distributions (or the proceeds thereof) are delivered on or at any time after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Holder of an Allowed Claim shall, on account of such Allowed Claim, receive a distribution in excess of the Allowed amount of such Claim plus any postpetition interest on such Claim to the extent payable in accordance with the Plan. The New Interests shall be deemed to be issued as of the Effective Date to the Holders of Claims entitled to receive such securities or instruments hereunder without the need for further action by any Disbursing Agent or Reorganized EME, including the issuance and/or delivery of any certificate evidencing any such shares, units, or interests, as applicable.
B. Distributions on Account of Obligations of Multiple Debtors
For all purposes associated with distributions under the Plan, all guarantees by any Debtor of the obligations of any other Debtor, as well as any joint and several liability of any Debtor with respect to any other Debtor, shall be deemed eliminated so that any obligation that could otherwise be asserted against more than one Debtor shall result in a single distribution under the Plan. Any such Claims against EME and any Debtor Subsidiaries shall receive the treatment set forth in Article III.B.4 of the Plan. Any such Claims shall be released and discharged pursuant to Article VIII.H of the Plan and shall be subject to all potential objections, defenses, and counterclaims, and to estimation pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this shall not affect the obligation of each and every Debtor to pay U.S. Trustee Fees until such time as a particular case is closed, dismissed, or converted.
C. Distributions Generally
All distributions under the Plan that are to be made on the Effective Date shall be made by the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, unless otherwise specified herein. Neither the Disbursing Agent nor the Purchaser nor any Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary shall be required to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of its duties.
D. Rights and Powers of Disbursing Agent
1. Powers of the Disbursing Agent
The Disbursing Agent shall be empowered to, as applicable: (a) take all actions and execute all agreements, instruments, and other documents necessary to perform its duties under the Plan; (b) make all distributions contemplated under the Plan; (c) employ professionals to represent it with respect to its responsibilities; and (d) exercise such other powers as may be vested in the Disbursing Agent by order of the Bankruptcy Court, pursuant to the Plan, or as deemed by the Disbursing Agent to be necessary and proper to implement the provisions hereof.
The Disbursing Agents and the EME Senior Notes Trustee, to the extent it provides services related to distributions pursuant to the Plan, shall only be required to act and make distributions in accordance with the terms of the Plan and shall have no (x) liability for actions taken in accordance with the Plan or in reliance upon information provided to them in accordance with the Plan, or (y) obligation or liability for distributions under the Plan to any party who does not hold an Allowed Claim at the time of distribution or who does not otherwise comply with the terms of the Plan.
2. Expenses Incurred On or After the Effective Date
Except as otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court, the amount of any reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Disbursing Agent after the Effective Date (including taxes) and any reasonable compensation and expense reimbursement claims (including reasonable attorney fees and expenses) made by the Disbursing Agent shall be paid in Cash by Reorganized EME.
To the extent the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee provides services related to distributions pursuant to the Plan, it shall be entitled to reasonable and customary compensation from Reorganized EME for such services and reimbursement for reasonable and customary expenses incurred in connection with such services.
E. Distributions on Account of Claims Allowed After the Effective Date
1. Payments and Distributions on Disputed Claims
Distributions made after the Effective Date to Holders of Disputed Claims that are not Allowed Claims as of the Effective Date, but which later become Allowed Claims, shall be deemed to have been made on the Effective Date.
2. Special Rules for Distributions to Holders of Disputed Claims
Notwithstanding any provision otherwise in the Plan and except as may be agreed to by Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, on the one hand, and the Holder of a Disputed Claim, on the other hand, no partial payments and no partial distributions shall be made with respect to any Disputed Claim until the Disputed Claim has become an Allowed Claim or has otherwise been resolved by settlement or Final Order.
F. Delivery of Distributions and Undeliverable or Unclaimed Distributions
1. Record Date for Distributions
On the Distribution Record Date, the Claims Register shall be closed and when making distributions on or after the Effective Date, the Disbursing Agent shall be authorized and entitled to recognize only those record Holders listed on the Claims Register as of the close of business on the Distribution Record Date. The Debtors, Reorganized EME, and the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee shall have no obligation to recognize any transfer of any such Claims occurring after the close of business on the Distribution Record Date and shall instead be entitled to recognize and deal for all purposes under the Plan with only those holders of record as of the close of business on the Distribution Record Date.
2. Delivery of Distributions in General
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall make distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims at the address for each such Holder as indicated on the Debtors books and records as of the date of any such distribution; provided that, except as expressly provided in the Purchase Agreement or the Plan, the manner of such distributions shall be determined at the discretion of the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable; and provided, further, that the address for each Holder of an Allowed Claim shall be deemed to be the address set forth in any Proof of Claim Filed by that Holder. If a Holder holds more than one Claim in any one Class, all Claims of the Holder will be aggregated into one Claim and one distribution will be made with respect to the aggregated Claim.
Distributions to Holders of EME Senior Notes Claims shall (a) be made by the Disbursing Agent to the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee for the benefit of Holders of EME Senior Notes Claims and (b) be deemed completed when made by the Disbursing Agent to the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee. The EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee shall not be required to give any bond, surety, or other security for the performance of its duties with respect to such Distributions.
Prior to the distribution of New Interests hereunder, the recipient of such New Interests shall furnish to the transfer agent identified by the Debtors such identification and tax information as may be required by the Debtors.
3. De Minimis Distributions; Minimum Distributions
The Disbursing Agent shall not be required to make partial distributions or payments of fractions of New Interests and any such fractions shall be deemed to be zero.
No distribution of New Interests or common stock of the Parent or Cash payment valued at less than $250.00, in the reasonable discretion of the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be made to a Holder of an Allowed Claim that is not an Assumed Liability on account of such Allowed Claim.
4. Undeliverable Distributions and Unclaimed Property
In the event that any distribution to any Holder is returned as undeliverable, no distribution to such Holder shall be made unless and until the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, has determined the then current address of such Holder, at which time such distribution shall be made to such Holder without interest; provided that such distributions shall be deemed unclaimed property under section 347(b) of the Bankruptcy Code at the expiration of 12 months from the Effective Date. After such date, notwithstanding any applicable federal or state escheat, abandoned, or unclaimed property laws to the contrary, all unclaimed property or interests in property shall revert to Reorganized EME, the Purchaser, or the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, and the Claim of any Holder to such property or interest in property shall be released, settled, compromised, and forever barred.
5. Manner of Payment Pursuant to the Plan
Any payment in Cash to be made pursuant to the Plan shall be made at the election of the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the applicable Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, by check or by wire transfer.
G. Compliance with Tax Requirements/Allocations
In connection with the Plan, to the extent applicable, the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall comply with all tax withholding and reporting requirements imposed on it by any Governmental Unit, and all distributions pursuant hereto shall be subject to such withholding and reporting requirements. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Disbursing Agent, the Purchaser, or the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiary, as applicable, shall be authorized to take all actions necessary or appropriate to comply with such withholding and reporting requirements, including liquidating a portion of the distribution to be made under the Plan to generate sufficient funds to pay applicable withholding taxes, withholding distributions pending receipt of information necessary to facilitate such distributions, or establishing any other mechanisms they believe are reasonable and appropriate.
Distributions in respect of Allowed Claims shall be allocated first to the principal amount of such Claims (as determined for federal income tax purposes) and then, to the extent the consideration exceeds the principal amount of the Claims, to any portion of such Claims for accrued but unpaid interest.
H. Claims Paid or Payable by Third Parties
1. Claims Paid by Third Parties
The Debtors and, on and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser, as applicable, after the Effective Date, shall reduce in full a Claim, and such Claim shall be disallowed without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, to the extent that the Holder of such Claim receives payment in full on account of such Claim from a Person or Entity that is not a Debtor as of the Effective Date. To the extent a Holder of a Claim receives a distribution on account of such Claim and receives payment from a party that is not a Debtor on account of such Claim, such Holder shall, within two weeks of receipt thereof, repay or return the distribution to Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Purchaser, as applicable, to the extent the Holders total recovery on account of such Claim from the third-party and under the Plan exceeds the Allowed amount of such Claim as of the date of any such distribution under the Plan.
2. Claims Payable by Third Parties
No distributions under the Plan shall be made on account of an Allowed Claim that is payable pursuant to one of the Debtors insurance policies until the Holder of such Allowed Claim has exhausted all remedies with respect to such insurance policy. To the extent that one or more of the Debtors insurers agrees to satisfy in full a Claim (if and to the extent adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction), then immediately upon such insurers agreement, such Claim may be expunged without a Claims objection having to be Filed and without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
3. Applicability of Insurance Policies
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims shall be in accordance with the provisions of any applicable insurance policy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (including Article VIII of the Plan), nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute or be deemed a release, settlement, satisfaction, compromise, or waiver of any Cause of Action that the Debtors or any other Entity may hold against any other Entity, including insurers, under any policies of insurance or applicable indemnity, nor shall anything contained herein constitute or be deemed a waiver by such insurers of any defenses, including coverage defenses, held by such insurers.
ARTICLE VII.
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING CONTINGENT,
UNLIQUIDATED, AND DISPUTED CLAIMS
A. Resolution of Disputed Claims
1. Allowance of Claims
On or after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser (solely with respect to Assumed Liabilities), as applicable, shall have and shall retain any and all rights and defenses that the Debtors had with respect to any Claim, except with respect to any Claim Allowed as of the Effective Date. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or in any order entered in the Chapter 11 Cases prior to the Effective Date (including the Confirmation Order), no Claim shall become an Allowed Claim unless and until such Claim is deemed Allowed under the Plan or the Bankruptcy Code or the Bankruptcy Court has entered a Final Order, including the Confirmation Order, in the Chapter 11 Cases allowing such Claim.
2. Prosecution of Objections to Claims
On and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser (solely with respect to Assumed Liabilities), as applicable, shall have the exclusive authority to File objections to Claims, settle, compromise, withdraw, or litigate to judgment objections to any and all Claims, regardless of whether such Claims are in a Class or otherwise. From and after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Purchaser, as applicable, may settle or compromise any Disputed Claim without any further notice to or action, order or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
3. Claims Estimation
The Debtors, the Committee, Supporting Noteholders or Purchaser (solely with respect to Assumed Liabilities), prior to the Effective Date, and Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Purchaser, as applicable, on and after the Effective Date, may, at any time, request that the Bankruptcy Court estimate (a) any Disputed Claim pursuant to applicable law and (b) any contingent or unliquidated Claim pursuant to applicable law, including section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code, regardless of whether the Debtors have previously objected to such Claim or whether the Bankruptcy Court has ruled on any such objection, and the Bankruptcy Court shall retain jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 157 and 1334 to estimate any Disputed Claim, contingent Claim, or unliquidated Claim, including during the litigation concerning any objection to any Claim or during the pendency of any appeal relating to any such objection. Notwithstanding any provision otherwise in the Plan, a Claim that has been expunged from the Claims Register but that is subject to appeal or has not been the subject of a Final Order, shall be deemed to be estimated at zero dollars, unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. In the event that the Bankruptcy Court estimates any Disputed Claim, contingent Claim, or unliquidated Claim, that estimated amount shall constitute the Allowed amount of such Claim. Notwithstanding section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Code, in no event shall any Holder of a Claim that has been estimated pursuant to section 502(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise be entitled to seek reconsideration of such estimation unless such Holder has Filed a motion requesting the right to seek such reconsideration on or before 14 days after the date on which such Claim is estimated. All of the aforementioned Claims and objection, estimation, and resolution procedures are cumulative and not exclusive of one another. Claims may be estimated and subsequently compromised, settled, withdrawn, or resolved by any mechanism approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
B. Disallowance of Claims
All Claims of any Entity from which property is sought by the Debtors under section 542, 543, 550, or 553 of the Bankruptcy Code or that is an alleged transferee of a transfer that is avoidable under section 522(f), 522(h), 544, 545, 547, 548, 549, or 724(a) of the Bankruptcy Code shall be disallowed until and unless such Entity or transferee has turned over such property to the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable.
EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE AGREED BY REORGANIZED EME, THE POST-EFFECTIVE-DATE DEBTOR SUBSIDIARIES, THE POST-EFFECTIVE-DATE HOMER CITY DEBTORS, OR THE PURCHASER (SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO ASSUMED LIABILITIES), AS APPLICABLE, HOLDERS OF CLAIMS ON ACCOUNT OF ANY AND ALL PROOFS OF CLAIM FILED AFTER THE CLAIMS BAR DATE SHALL NOT RECEIVE ANY DISTRIBUTIONS ON ACCOUNT OF SUCH CLAIMS, UNLESS SUCH PROOF OF CLAIM IS ALLOWED BY A FINAL ORDER OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT.
C. Amendments to Claims
On or after the Effective Date, except as provided in Article II.A or Article V.D of the Plan, a Claim may not be amended without the prior authorization of the Bankruptcy Court, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Purchaser (solely with respect to Assumed Liabilities), as applicable, and any such unauthorized new or amended Claim Filed shall be deemed disallowed and expunged without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
ARTICLE VIII.
SETTLEMENT, RELEASE, INJUNCTION, AND RELATED PROVISIONS
A. Discharge of Claims and Termination of Interests; Compromise and Settlement of Claims, Interests, and Controversies
Pursuant to section 1141(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, and except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan or in any contract, instrument, or other agreement or document created pursuant to the Plan, the distributions, rights, and treatment that are provided in the Plan shall be in complete satisfaction, compromise, settlement, release, and discharge, effective as of the Effective Date, of all debt (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) that arose before the Effective Date, any debts of any kind specified in sections 502(g), 502(h), or 502(i) of the Bankruptcy Code, and the rights and Interests of any Holders of Interests whether or not: (1) a Proof of Claim based on such debt or Interest is Filed; (2) a Claim or Interest based upon such debt is Allowed pursuant to section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code; or (3) the Holder of such a Claim or Interest has accepted the Plan. The Confirmation Order shall be a judicial determination of the discharge of all Claims and Interests subject to the Effective Date occurring, except as provided for under section 1141(d)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019 and in consideration for the distributions and other benefits provided pursuant to the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall constitute a good faith compromise of all Claims, Interests, and controversies relating to the contractual, legal, and subordination rights that a Holder of a Claim or Interest may have with respect to any Allowed Claim or Interest, or any distribution to be made on account of such Allowed Claim or Interest. The entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts approval of the compromise or settlement of all such Claims, Interests, and controversies, as well as a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that such compromise or settlement is in the best interests of the Debtors, their Estates, and Holders of Claims and Interests and is fair, equitable, and reasonable. In accordance with the provisions of the Plan, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, without any further notice to or action, order, or approval of the Bankruptcy Court, after the Effective Date, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Purchaser, as applicable, may compromise and settle Claims against the Debtors and their Estates and Causes of Action, including, solely with respect to Reorganized EME, any EIX Litigation Claims, against other Entities; provided, however, that (1) prior to the Effective Date, the Debtors shall seek Bankruptcy Court approval of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims and (2) on and after the Effective Date, subject to any confidentiality restrictions, Reorganized EME shall provide notice of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims to Holders of New Interests to the extent reasonably practicable.
B. Subordinated Claims
The allowance, classification, and treatment of all Allowed Claims and Interests and the respective distributions and treatments under the Plan take into account and conform to the relative priority and rights of the Claims and Interests in each Class in connection with any contractual, legal, and equitable subordination rights relating thereto, whether arising under general principles of equitable subordination, section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or otherwise. Pursuant to section 510 of the Bankruptcy Code, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, reserve the right to re-classify any Allowed Claim or Interest in accordance with any contractual, legal, or equitable subordination relating thereto.
C. Debtor Release
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, on the Confirmation Date and effective as of the Effective Date and to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law, for the good and valuable consideration provided by each of the Released Parties, the adequacy of which is hereby confirmed, the Released Parties are deemed released and discharged by the Debtors and their estates from any and all claims, interests, obligations, rights, suits, damages, causes of action, remedies, and liabilities whatsoever, including any derivative claims, asserted on behalf of any Debtor, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, existing or hereinafter arising, in law, equity, or otherwise, that the Debtors, their estates, or affiliates would have been legally entitled to assert in their own right (whether individually or collectively) or on behalf of the holder of any claim or interest or other entity, based on or relating to, or in any manner arising from, in whole or in part, the Debtors, the Debtors restructuring, the Chapter 11 Cases, the purchase, sale, or rescission of the purchase or sale of any security of the Debtors, the subject matter of, or the transactions or events giving rise to, any claim or interest that is treated in the Plan, the business or contractual arrangements between any Debtor and any Released Party, the restructuring of claims and interests prior to or during the Chapter 11 Cases, the negotiation, formulation, or preparation of the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Plan Supplement, the Plan Sponsor Agreement or any related agreements, instruments, or other documents, upon any other act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date, other than claims or liabilities arising out of or relating to any act or omission of a Released Party that constitutes actual fraud. For the avoidance of doubt, the EIX Litigation Claims shall not be released pursuant to the Plan, and the EIX Litigation Parties are not Released Parties.
Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts approval, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, of this Article VIII.C of the Plan, which includes by reference each of the related provisions and definitions contained in the Plan and shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts finding that this Article VIII.C of the Plan is: (1) in exchange for the good and valuable consideration provided by the Released Parties; (2) a good faith settlement and compromise of the Claims released by this Article VIII.C of the Plan; (3) in the best interests of the Debtors, their Estates, and all Holders of Claims and Interests; (4) fair, equitable, and reasonable; (5) given and made after due notice and opportunity for hearing; and (6) a bar to any of Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Debtors Estates asserting any Claim or Cause of Action released pursuant to this Article VIII.C of the Plan.
D. Release by Holders of Claims and Interests
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, on the Confirmation Date and effective as of the Effective Date and to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law, the Releasing Parties are deemed to have released and discharged the Debtors and their Estates and the Released Parties from any and all claims, interests, obligations, rights, suits, damages, causes of action, remedies, and liabilities whatsoever, including any derivative claims, asserted on behalf of any Debtor, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, existing or hereinafter arising, in law, equity, or otherwise, that such entity would have been legally entitled to assert (whether individually or collectively), based on or relating to, or in any manner arising from, in whole or in part, the Debtors, the Debtors restructuring, the Chapter 11 Cases, the purchase, sale, or rescission of the purchase or sale of any security of the Debtors, the subject matter of, or the transactions or events giving rise to, any claim or interest that is treated in the Plan, the business or contractual arrangements between any Debtor and any Released Party, the restructuring of claims and interests prior to or in the Chapter 11 Cases, the negotiation, formulation, or preparation of the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Plan Supplement, the Plan Sponsor Agreement or any related agreements, instruments, or other documents, upon any other act or omission, transaction, agreement, event, or other occurrence taking place on or before the Effective Date, other than claims or liabilities arising out of or relating to any act or omission of a Released Party that constitutes actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the release set forth above does not release any obligations arising on or after the Effective Date (1) of any party under the Plan or any document, instrument, or agreement (including those set forth in the Plan Supplement) executed to implement the Plan or (2) under the PoJo Leases and Documents (as modified by the PoJo Lease Modifications). For the avoidance of doubt, the EIX Litigation Claims shall not be released pursuant to the Plan, and the EIX Litigation Parties are not Released Parties.
Entry of the Confirmation Order shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts approval, pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9019, of this Article VIII.D of the Plan, which includes by reference each of the related provisions and definitions contained in the Plan and shall constitute the Bankruptcy Courts finding that this Article VIII.D of the Plan is: (1) in exchange for the good and valuable consideration provided by the Released Parties; (2) a good faith settlement and compromise of the Claims released by this Article VIII.D of the Plan; (3) in the best interests of the Debtors, their Estates, and all Holders of Claims and Interests; (4) fair, equitable and reasonable; (5) given and made after due notice and opportunity for hearing; and (6) a bar to any of the Entities subject to this Article VIII.D of the Plan asserting any claim or cause of action released pursuant to this Article VIII.D of the Plan.
E. Exculpation
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, on the Confirmation Date and effective as of the Effective Date and to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law, none of the Exculpated Parties, shall have or incur any liability for any claim, cause of action, or other assertion of liability for any act taken or omitted to be taken in connection with, or arising out of, the Chapter 11 Cases or the negotiation, formulation, or preparation of the Plan or any contract, instrument, document, or other agreement entered into pursuant thereto, through the Effective Date; provided that the foregoing shall not affect the liability of any person that otherwise would result from any such act or omission to the extent such act or omission is determined by a Final Order to have constituted actual fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.
F. Injunction
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, on the Confirmation Date and effective as of the Effective Date and to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law, all Entities who have held, hold, or may hold Claims or Interests that have been released pursuant to the Plan, compromised and settled pursuant to the Plan, or are exculpated pursuant to the Plan, are permanently enjoined, from and after the Effective Date, from taking any of the following actions against, as applicable, the Debtors or the Released Parties or their respective property: (1) commencing or continuing in any manner any action or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such released, compromised, settled, or exculpated claim or interest; (2) enforcing, attaching, collecting, or recovering by any manner or means any judgment, award, decree, or order against such entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such released, compromised, settled, or exculpated claims or interests; (3) creating, perfecting, or enforcing any encumbrance of any kind against such entities or the property or the Estates of such entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such released, compromised, settled, or exculpated claims or interests; (4) asserting any right of setoff, subrogation, or recoupment of any kind against any obligation due from such entities or against the property of such entities on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such released, compromised, settled, or exculpated claims or interests unless such entity has timely filed a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court preserving such right of setoff, subrogation, or recoupment; and (5) commencing or continuing in any manner any action or other proceeding of any kind on account of or in connection with or with respect to any such released, compromised, settled, or exculpated claims or interests.
G. EIX Injunction
To preserve the net operating losses, production tax credits, or other tax attributes of the Debtors and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, each of which such tax attributes shall vest in Reorganized EME on the Effective Date, the Debtors and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries are authorized to take any actions necessary to preserve such tax attributes and, pursuant to the injunction set forth in Article VIII.F of the Plan, EIX is hereby permanently enjoined from taking any actions affecting such tax attributes. For the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Effective Date, EIX shall be required to make elections determined by Reorganized EME, in its sole discretion, as necessary to preserve such tax attributes.
H. Purchaser Injunction
In addition to the Injunction set forth under Article VIII.F hereof, on the Confirmation Date and effective as of the Effective Date, all Excluded Liabilities that may otherwise be asserted against the Purchaser Parties or any entity acquired by the Purchaser Parties pursuant to the Plan (including any Debtor Subsidiary or Non-Debtor Subsidiary) shall be permanently released and enjoined pursuant to the Plan and any such Excluded Liabilities shall be paid or treated pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
I. Waiver of Statutory Limitations on Releases
Each Releasing Party in each of the releases contained in the Plan (including under Article VIII of the Plan) expressly acknowledges that although ordinarily a general release may not extend to claims which the Releasing Party does not know or suspect to exist in his favor, which if known by it may have materially affected its settlement with the party released, each Releasing Party has carefully considered and taken into account in determining to enter into the above releases the possible existence of such unknown losses or claims. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Releasing Party expressly waives any and all rights conferred upon it by any statute or rule of law which provides that a release does not extend to claims which the claimant does not know or suspect to exist in its favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by it may have materially affected its settlement with the released party, including the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542. The releases contained in Article VIII of the Plan are effective regardless of whether those released matters are presently known, unknown, suspected or unsuspected, foreseen or unforeseen.
J. Setoffs
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Purchaser, as applicable pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code (including section 553 of the Bankruptcy Code), applicable nonbankruptcy law, or as may be agreed to by the Holder of a Claim or Interest, may set off against any Allowed Claim or Interest (which setoff shall be made against the Allowed Claim or Interest, not against any distributions to be made under the Plan with respect to such Allowed Claim or Interest), any Claims, rights, and Causes of Action of any nature that any Debtor may hold against the Holder of such Allowed Claim or Interest, to the extent such Claims, rights, or Causes of Action against such Holder have not been otherwise compromised or settled on or prior to the Effective Date (whether pursuant to the Plan or otherwise), and any distribution to which a Holder is entitled under the Plan shall be made on account of the Claim or Interest, as reduced after application of the setoff described above. In no event shall any Holder of any Claim or Interest be entitled to set off any Claim or Interest against any Claim, right, or Cause of Action of the Debtors unless such Holder obtains entry of a Final Order entered by the Bankruptcy Court authorizing such setoff or unless such setoff is otherwise agreed to in writing by the Debtors Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Purchaser, as applicable, and a Holder of a Claim or Interest; provided that, where there is no written agreement between the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Purchaser, as applicable and a holder of a claim authorizing such setoff nothing herein shall prejudice or be deemed to have prejudiced the rights of the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or the Purchaser to assert that any Holders setoff rights were required to have been asserted by motion to the Bankruptcy Court prior to the Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, EIX shall not be entitled to set off any claim against any Debtor absent entry of a Final Order entered by the Bankruptcy Court authorizing such setoff or unless such setoff is otherwise agreed to in writing by Reorganized EME.
K. Special Provision Governing Accrued Professional Compensation Claims and Final Fee Applications
For the avoidance of doubt, the releases in Article VIII of the Plan shall not waive, affect, limit, restrict, or otherwise modify the right of any party in interest to object to any Accrued Professional Compensation Claim or final fee application Filed by any Professional in the Chapter 11 Cases.
ARTICLE IX.
EFFECT OF CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN
Upon entry of the Confirmation Order, the Bankruptcy Court shall be deemed to have made and issued pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 7052, made applicable to this proceeding pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 9014, the following findings of fact and conclusions of law as though made after due deliberation and upon the record at the Confirmation Hearing.(2) Any and all findings of fact in the Plan shall constitute findings of fact even if they are stated as conclusions of law, and any and all conclusions of law in the Plan shall constitute conclusions of law even if they are stated as findings of fact.
(2) The findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth herein remain subject to ongoing review by and the reasonable consent of the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties.
A. Jurisdiction and Venue
On the Petition Date, the Debtors commenced the Chapter 11 Cases by filing voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Debtors were and are qualified to be debtors under section 109 of the Bankruptcy Code. Venue in the Northern District of Illinois was proper as of the Petition Date and continues to be proper. Confirmation of the Plan is a core proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2). The Bankruptcy Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1334 and the Bankruptcy Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether the Plan complies with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and should be confirmed.
B. Order Approving the Disclosure Statement
On December [·], 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Disclosure Statement, that, among other things, (a) approved the Disclosure Statement as containing adequate information within the meaning of section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 3017 and (b) approved certain procedures and documents for soliciting and tabulating votes with respect to the Plan.
C. Publication of Confirmation Hearing Notice
As evidenced in the [Affidavit of Publication] [Docket No. [·]], the Debtors published notice of the Confirmation Hearing in [The New York Times (National Edition)] on [·].
D. Voting Report
Prior to the Confirmation Hearing, the Debtors filed the [Voting Report] [Docket No. [·]]. All procedures used to distribute solicitation materials to the applicable Holders of Claims and Interests and to tabulate the Ballots were fair and conducted in accordance with the order approving the Disclosure Statement, the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Rules, and all other applicable rules, laws, and regulations. Pursuant to sections 1124 and 1126 of the Bankruptcy Code, at least one Impaired Class entitled to vote on the Plan has voted to accept the Plan.
E. Judicial Notice
The Bankruptcy Court takes judicial notice of the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases maintained by the clerk of the Bankruptcy Court and/or its duly appointed agent, including, without limitation, all pleadings and other documents Filed, all orders entered, and all evidence and arguments made, proffered or adduced at the hearings held before the Bankruptcy Court during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases (including the Confirmation Hearing). Resolutions of any objections to Confirmation explained on the record at the Confirmation Hearing are hereby incorporated by reference. All entries on the docket of the Chapter 11 Cases shall constitute the record before the Bankruptcy Court for purposes of the Confirmation Hearing.
F. Transmittal and Mailing of Materials; Notice
Due, adequate, and sufficient notice of the Disclosure Statement, Plan, Plan Supplement, and Confirmation Hearing, along with all deadlines for voting on or objecting to the Plan has been given to (a) all known Holders of Claims and Interests; (b) parties that requested notice in accordance with Bankruptcy Rule 2002; (c) all parties to unexpired leases and executory contracts with the Debtors, and (d) all taxing authorities listed on the Debtors schedules of assets and liabilities or in the Claims Register, in compliance with Bankruptcy Rules 2002(b), 3017, and 3020(b) and the order approving the Disclosure Statement, and such transmittal and service were adequate and sufficient. Adequate and sufficient notice of the Confirmation Hearing, and other dates, deadlines, and hearings described in the order approving the Disclosure Statement was given in compliance with the Bankruptcy Rules and such order, and no other or further notice is or shall be required.
G. Solicitation
Votes for acceptance and rejection of the Plan were solicited in good faith and complied with sections 1125 and 1126 of the Bankruptcy Code, Rules 3017 and 3018 of the Bankruptcy Rules, the order approving the Disclosure Statement, all other applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and all other applicable rules, laws, and regulations. The Debtors and their respective directors, officers, agents, affiliates, representatives, attorneys, and advisors have solicited votes on the Plan in good faith and in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the Order approving the Disclosure Statement and are entitled to the protections afforded by section 1125(e) of the Bankruptcy Code and the exculpation provisions set forth in Article VIII of the Plan.
H. Burden of Proof
The Debtors, as proponents of the Plan, have satisfied their burden of proving the elements of sections 1129(a) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code by a preponderance of the evidence, which is the applicable evidentiary standard. The Bankruptcy Court also finds that the Debtors have satisfied the elements of section 1129(a) and 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code by clear and convincing evidence.
I. Bankruptcy Rule 3016(a)
The Plan is dated and identifies the entities submitting it, thereby satisfying Bankruptcy Rule 3016(a).
J. Compliance with the Requirements of Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code
The Plan complies with all requirements of section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code as follows:
1. Section 1129(a)(1)Compliance of the Plan with Applicable Provisions of the Bankruptcy Code
The Plan complies with all applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code as required by section 1129(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, including, without limitation, sections 1122 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(a) Proper Classification
Pursuant to sections 1122(a) and 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, Article III of the Plan designates Classes of Claims and Interests, other than Administrative Claims, Professional Fee Claims, and Priority Tax Claims, which are not required to be classified. As required by section 1122(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, each Class of Claims and Interests contains only Claims or Interests that are substantially similar to the other Claims or Interests within that Class.
(b) Specification of Unimpaired Classes
Pursuant to section 1123(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, Article III of the Plan specifies all Classes of Claims and Interests that are not Impaired.
(c) Specification of Treatment of Impaired Classes
Pursuant to section 1123(a)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code, Article III of the Plan specifies the treatment of all Classes of Claims and Interests that are Impaired.
(d) No Discrimination
Pursuant to section 1123(a)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, Article III of the Plan provides the same treatment for each Claim or Interest within a particular Class, as the case may be, unless the Holder of a particular Claim has agreed to less favorable treatment with respect to such Claim.
(e) Additional Plan Provisions
Pursuant to section 1123(a)(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Plan provides adequate and proper means for the Plans implementation. Immediately upon the Effective Date, sufficient Cash will be available to make all payments required to be made on the Effective Date pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Moreover, Article IV and various other provisions of the Plan specifically provide adequate means for the Plans implementation.
(f) Voting Power of Equity Securities; Selection of Officer, Director, or Trustee under the Plan
The New Corporate Governance Documents comply with sections 1123(a)(6) and 1123(a)(7) of the Bankruptcy Code.
2. Section 1129(a)(2)Compliance with Applicable Provisions of the Bankruptcy Code
The Debtors, as proponents of the Plan, have complied with all applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code as required by section 1129(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, including, without limitation, sections 1125 and 1126 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules 3017, 3018, and 3019. In particular, the Debtors are proper debtors under section 109 of the Bankruptcy Code and proper proponents of the Plan under section 1121(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. Furthermore, the solicitation of acceptances or rejections of the Plan was (i) pursuant to the order approving the Disclosure Statement; (ii) in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing the adequacy of disclosure in connection with such solicitation; and (iii) solicited after disclosure to Holders of Claims or Interests of adequate information as defined in section 1125(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. Accordingly, the Debtors and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and Professionals have acted in good faith within the meaning of section 1125(e) of the Bankruptcy Code.
3. Section 1129(a)(3)Proposal of Plan in Good Faith
The Debtors have proposed the Plan in good faith and not by any means forbidden by law. In determining that the Plan has been proposed in good faith, the Court has examined the totality of the circumstances surrounding the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Plan itself, and the process leading to its formulation. The Chapter 11 Cases were filed, and the Plan was proposed, with the legitimate purpose of allowing the Debtors to reorganize.
4. Section 1129(a)(4)Bankruptcy Court Approval of Certain Payments as Reasonable
Pursuant to section 1129(a)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, the payments to be made for services or for costs in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases or the Plan, including the fees, expenses, and indemnities payable related to the New Interests, are approved. In addition, fees and expenses incurred by Professionals retained by the Debtors or the Committee shall be payable according to the orders approving such Professionals retentions or other applicable Court orders.
5. Section 1129(a)(5)Disclosure of Identity of Proposed Management, Compensation of Insiders, and Consistency of Management Proposals with the Interests of Creditors and Public Policy
Pursuant to section 1129(a)(5) of the Bankruptcy Code, information concerning the persons proposed to serve as the initial directors and officers of Reorganized EME upon Consummation of the Plan has been fully disclosed to the extent available, and the appointment to, or continuance in, such offices of such persons is consistent with the interests of Holders of Claims and Interests and with public policy.
6. Section 1129(a)(6)Approval of Rate Changes
Section 1129(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code is not applicable because the Plan does not provide for rate changes by any of the Debtors.
7. Section 1129(a)(7)Best Interests of Creditors and Interest Holders
The liquidation analysis included as Exhibit E of the Disclosure Statement, and the other evidence related thereto that was proffered or adduced at or prior to, or in affidavits in connection with, the Confirmation Hearing, is reasonable. The methodology used and assumptions made in such liquidation analysis, as supplemented by the evidence proffered or adduced at or prior to, or in affidavits filed in connection with, the Confirmation Hearing, are reasonable. With respect to each Impaired Class, each Holder of an Allowed Claim or Interest in such Class has accepted the Plan or will receive under the Plan on account of such Claim or Interest property of a value, as of the Effective Date, that is not less than the amount such Holder would receive if the Debtors were liquidated under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
8. Section 1129(a)(8)Conclusive Presumption of Acceptance by Unimpaired Classes; Acceptance of the Plan by Each Impaired Class
Certain Classes of Claims and Interest are Unimpaired and are deemed conclusively to have accepted the Plan pursuant to section 1126(f) of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, at least one Impaired Class that was entitled to vote has voted to accept the Plan. Because the Plan provides that the certain Classes of Claims and Interests will be Impaired and because no distributions shall be made to Holders in such Classes, such Holders are deemed conclusively to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
9. Section 1129(a)(9)Treatment of Claims Entitled to Priority Pursuant to Section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code
The treatment of Administrative Claims and Priority Tax Claims under Article II of the Plan satisfies the requirements of section 1129(a)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code.
10. Section 1129(a)(10)Acceptance By at Least One Impaired Class
At least one Impaired Class has voted to accept the Plan. Accordingly, section 1129(a)(10) of the Bankruptcy Code is satisfied.
11. Section 1129(a)(11)Feasibility of the Plan
The Plan satisfies Section 1129(a)(11) of the Bankruptcy Code. Based upon the evidence proffered or adduced at, or prior to, or in affidavits filed in connection with, the Confirmation Hearing, the Plan is feasible and Confirmation of the Plan is not likely to be followed by the liquidation, or the need for further financial reorganization, of the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, or any successor to the Debtors under the Plan. Furthermore, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, and the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors will have adequate assets to satisfy their respective obligations under the Plan.
12. Section 1129(a)(12)Payment of Bankruptcy Fees
Article XIII.C of the Plan provides for the payment of all fees payable under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(a) in accordance with section 1129(a)(12) of the Bankruptcy Code.
13. Section 1129(a)(13)Retiree Benefits
Article IV.F of the Plan provides for the treatment of the Compensation and Benefits Programs in accordance with section 1129(a)(13) of the Bankruptcy Code.
(a) Section 1129(b)Confirmation of Plan Over Rejection of Impaired Classes
The Plan satisfies the requirements of section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Classes presumed to have rejected the Plan pursuant to section 1126(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. To determine whether a plan is fair and equitable with respect to a class of interests, section 1129(b)(2)(C)(ii) of the Bankruptcy Code provides that the holder of any interest that is junior to the interests of such class will not receive or retain under the plan on account of such junior interest any property. There are no classes junior to the deemed rejecting classes that will receive any distribution under the Plan. Therefore the Plan satisfies the requirements of section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
K. Section 1129(d)Principal Purpose Not Avoidance of Taxes
The principal purpose of the Plan is not the avoidance of taxes or the avoidance of the application of section 5 of the Securities Act. Accordingly, the Plan satisfies the requirements of section 1129(d) of the Bankruptcy Code.
L. Releases and Discharges
The releases and discharges of Claims and Causes of Action described in the Plan, including releases by the Debtors and by Holders of Claims, constitute good faith compromises and settlements of the matters covered thereby and are consensual. Such compromises and settlements are made in exchange for consideration and are in the best interest of Holders of Claims, are fair, equitable, reasonable, and are integral elements of the resolution of the Chapter 11 Cases in accordance with the Plan. Each of the discharge, release, indemnification, and exculpation provisions set forth in the Plan: (a) is within the jurisdiction of the Court under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334(a), 1334(b), and 1334(d); (b) is an essential means of implementing the Plan pursuant to section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code; (c) is an integral element of the transactions incorporated into the Plan; (d) confers material benefit on, and is in the best interests of, the Debtors, their estates, and their creditors; (e) is important to the overall objectives of the Plan to finally resolve all Claims among or against the parties in interest in the Chapter 11 Cases with respect to the Debtors; (f) is consistent with sections 105, 1123, 1129, and all other applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code; and (g), without limiting the foregoing, with respect to the releases and injunctions in Article VIII.H of the Plan, are (i) essential elements of the Sale Transaction and Plan, (ii) terms and conditions without which the Purchaser Parties would not have entered into the Plan Sponsor Agreement and Purchase Agreement, (iii) narrowly tailored and (iv) in consideration of the substantial financial contribution of the Purchaser Parties under the Plan. Furthermore, the injunction set forth in Article VIII.H is an essential component of the Plan, the fruit of long-term negotiations and achieved by the exchange of good and valuable consideration that will enable unsecured creditors to realize distribution in the Chapter 11 Cases.
M. Cure of Lessor Notes
On the Effective Date, following the payment of the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees, the Lessor Notes (as defined in the PoJo Leases and Documents) shall be deemed fully cured.
N. Release and Retention of Causes of Action
It is in the best interests of Holders of Claims and Interests that the provisions in Article IV.V of the Plan be approved.
O. Approval of Purchase Agreement and Other Documents and Agreements
All documents and agreements necessary to implement the Plan, including the Purchase Agreement, are essential elements of the Plan, are necessary to consummate the Plan and the Sale Transaction, and entry into and consummation of the transactions contemplated by each such document and agreement is in the best interests of the Debtors, the Estates, and Holders of Claims and Interests. The Debtors have exercised reasonable business judgment in determining which agreements to enter into and have provided sufficient and adequate notice of such documents and agreements. The terms and conditions of such documents and agreements have been negotiated in good faith, at arms-length, are fair and reasonable, and are hereby reaffirmed and approved.
P. Confirmation Hearing Exhibits
All of the exhibits presented at the Confirmation Hearing have been properly received into evidence and are a part of the record before the Bankruptcy Court.
Q. Objections to Confirmation of the Plan
Any and all objections to Confirmation have been withdrawn, settled, overruled, or otherwise resolved.
R. Good Faith Purchaser Status
Each of the Purchaser Parties is a good faith purchaser for the purposes of section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code and entitled to the benefits thereof in relation to the Sale Transaction.
ARTICLE X.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONSUMMATION OF THE PLAN
A. Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date
It shall be a condition to Consummation of the Plan that the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived pursuant to the provisions of Article X.B of the Plan:
1. the Bankruptcy Court shall have approved the Disclosure Statement, in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, the Purchaser, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties, as containing adequate information and entered the Disclosure Statement Order in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties;
2. the Confirmation Order, in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, the Purchaser, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties shall have been duly entered and shall not be subject to a stay;
3. all closing conditions and other conditions precedent in the Purchase Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms thereof;
4. each of the transactions described in Article V.G shall have been implemented;
5. the New Interests shall have been issued and delivered, as applicable, and all conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein shall have been waived or satisfied in accordance with the terms thereof and the closing of the transactions contemplated by such agreements shall have occurred;
6. the New Corporate Governance Documents, in form and substance acceptable to the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, shall be deemed to be valid, binding, and enforceable in accordance with their terms;
7. the Supporting Noteholder Fees, and subject to Article IV.V of the Plan, the EME Senior Notes Indenture Trustee Fees, shall have been paid in full in Cash;
8. the Professional Fee Escrow shall have been established and funded in Cash in accordance with Article II.C.1 of the Plan;
9. the Compensation and Benefits Programs Escrow shall have been established and funded in Cash in accordance with Article IV.G of the Plan;
10. the Disputed Claims Reserve shall have been established and funded;
11. the Wind Down Budget shall have been agreed upon by the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders, and funds sufficient to satisfy the Wind Down Budget shall have been appropriately reserved;
12. the Plan Supplement, including any amendments, modifications, or supplements to the documents, schedules, or exhibits included therein shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Debtors, the Purchaser, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties and shall have been filed with the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to the terms of the Plan;
13. all governmental and material third-party approvals and consents, including Bankruptcy Court and any required FERC authorization, necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Plan shall be in full force and effect (which, in the case of an order of judgment of any Court, shall mean a Final Order), and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose materially adverse conditions on such transactions; and
14. all documents and agreements necessary to implement the Plan shall have (a) been tendered for delivery, and (b) been effected or executed by all Entities party thereto, or will be deemed executed and delivered by virtue of the effectiveness of the Plan as expressly set forth herein, and all conditions precedent to the effectiveness of such documents and agreements shall have been satisfied or waived pursuant to the terms of such documents or agreements.
B. Waiver of Conditions
The conditions to Confirmation of the Plan and to the Effective Date set forth in Article X of the Plan may be waived only by consent of the Debtors, in consultation with the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders; provided that the Debtors may not waive any conditions to Confirmation of the Plan that require the consent of any of the Purchaser, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, or the PoJo Parties without the consent of the party or parties whose consent is required for such waiver. For the avoidance of doubt, the Debtors may not waive the condition set forth in Article X.A.4 without the consent of the PoJo Parties.
C. Substantial Consummation of the Plan
Substantial Consummation of the Plan, as defined in section 1101(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be deemed to occur on the Effective Date.
D. Effect of Nonoccurrence of Conditions to the Effective Date
If the Effective Date does not occur, then: (1) the Plan shall be null and void in all respects; (2) any settlement or compromise embodied in the Plan (including the fixing or limiting to an amount certain of any Claim or Interest or Class of Claims or Interests), assumption or rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases effected by the Plan, and any document or agreement executed pursuant to the Plan, shall be deemed null and void; and (3) nothing contained in the Plan or the Disclosure Statement shall: (a) constitute a waiver or release of any Claims or Interests; (b) prejudice in any manner the rights of the Debtors or any other Person or Entity; or (c) constitute an admission, acknowledgement, offer, or undertaking of any sort by the Debtors or any other Person or Entity.
ARTICLE XI.
MODIFICATION, REVOCATION, OR WITHDRAWAL OF THE PLAN
A. Modification and Amendments
Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Debtors, with the consent of the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, the Purchaser, and (solely with respect to any document, schedule, or exhibit that affects the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties, reserve the right to modify the Plan as to material terms and seek Confirmation consistent with the Bankruptcy Code and, as appropriate, not resolicit votes on such modified Plan; provided that, subject to Article III.A of the Plan, the Debtors reserve the right, after consultation with the Committee and Supporting Noteholders, to (1) withdraw the Plan with respect to the Homer City Debtors at their sole discretion, (2) seek to dismiss the Chapter 11 Cases of the Homer City Debtors, and/or (3) seek to convert the Chapter 11 Cases of the Homer City Debtors to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Subject to certain restrictions and requirements set forth in section 1127 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 3019 and those restrictions on modifications set forth in the Plan, the Debtors, subject to the reasonable consent of the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the Purchaser, expressly reserve their rights to alter, amend, or modify materially the Plan with respect to the Debtors, one or more times, after Confirmation, and, to the extent necessary, may initiate proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court to so alter, amend, or modify the Plan, or remedy any defect or omission, or reconcile any inconsistencies in the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, or the Confirmation Order, in such matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of the Plan. Any such modification or supplement shall be considered a modification of the Plan and shall be made in accordance with Article XI of the Plan.
B. Effect of Confirmation on Modifications
Entry of a Confirmation Order shall mean that all modifications or amendments to the Plan occurring after the solicitation thereof are approved pursuant to section 1127(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and do not require additional disclosure or resolicitation under Bankruptcy Rule 3019.
C. Revocation or Withdrawal of the Plan
The Debtors reserve the right, after consultation with the Purchaser, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties, to revoke or withdraw the Plan prior to the Confirmation Date. If the Debtors revoke or withdraw the Plan, or if Confirmation or Consummation does not occur, then: (1) the Plan shall be null and void in all respects; (2) any settlement or compromise embodied in the Plan (including the fixing or limiting to an amount certain of any Claim or Interest or Class of Claims or Interests), assumption or rejection of Executory Contracts or Unexpired Leases effected by the Plan, and any document or agreement executed pursuant to the Plan, shall be deemed null and void; and (3) nothing contained in the Plan or Disclosure Statement shall: (a) constitute a waiver or release of any Claims or Interests; (b) prejudice in any manner the rights of the Debtors or any other Entity; or (c) constitute an admission, acknowledgement, offer, or undertaking of any sort by the Debtors or any other Entity.
ARTICLE XII.
RETENTION OF JURISDICTION
Notwithstanding the entry of the Confirmation Order and the occurrence of the Effective Date, on and after the Effective Date, to the extent legally permissible, the Bankruptcy Court shall retain such jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases and all matters, arising out of, or related to, the Chapter 11 Cases and the Plan, including jurisdiction to:
1. allow, disallow, determine, liquidate, classify, estimate, or establish the priority, Secured or unsecured status, or amount of any Claim or Interest, including the resolution of any request for payment of any Administrative Claim and the resolution of any and all objections to the Secured or unsecured status, priority, amount, or allowance of Claims or Interests and any and all disputes regarding Claims that are Assumed Liabilities (including any disputes as to whether any such Claim is an Assumed Liability);
2. decide and resolve all matters related to the granting and denying, in whole or in part, any applications for allowance of compensation or reimbursement of expenses to Professionals authorized pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or the Plan;
3. resolve any matters related to: (a) the assumption and assignment or rejection of any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease to which a Debtor is party or with respect to which a Debtor may be liable in any manner and to hear, determine, and, if necessary, liquidate, any Claims arising therefrom, including Claims related to the rejection of an Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, Cure Costs pursuant to section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any other matter related to such Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease, including any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease between any Debtor or Non-Debtor Subsidiary and Chevron Corp. or any of its Affiliates; (b) any potential contractual obligation under any Executory Contract or Unexpired Lease that is assumed; (c) Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, or the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, as applicable, amending, modifying, or supplementing, after the Effective Date, pursuant to Article V of the Plan, the list of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases to be assumed and assigned or rejected or otherwise; and (d) any dispute regarding whether a contract or lease is or was executory or expired;
4. ensure that distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims and Interests are accomplished pursuant to the provisions of the Plan;
5. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any motions, adversary proceedings, contested or litigated matters, and any other matters, and grant or deny any applications involving a Debtor that may be pending on the Effective Date;
6. adjudicate, decide, or resolve any EIX Litigation Claims;
7. enter and implement such orders as may be necessary or appropriate to execute, implement, or consummate the provisions of the Plan and all contracts, instruments, releases, indentures, and other agreements or documents created in connection with the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, or the Purchase Agreement;
8. enter and enforce any order related to the Sale Transaction or otherwise in connection with any sale of property pursuant to sections 363, 1123, or 1146(a) of the Bankruptcy Code;
9. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, or Causes of Action that may arise in connection with the Consummation, interpretation, or enforcement of the Plan or any Entitys obligations incurred in connection with the Plan;
10. issue injunctions, enter and implement other orders, or take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate to restrain interference by any Entity with Consummation or enforcement of the Plan;
11. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, or Causes of Action with respect to the settlements, compromises, releases, injunctions, Exculpations, and other provisions contained in Article VIII of the Plan and enter such orders as may be necessary or appropriate to implement such releases, injunctions, and other provisions;
12. resolve any cases, controversies, suits, disputes, or Causes of Action with respect to the repayment or return of distributions and the recovery of additional amounts owed by the Holder of a Claim or Interest for amounts not timely repaid pursuant to Article VI.H.1 of the Plan;
13. enter and implement such orders as are necessary or appropriate if the Confirmation Order is for any reason modified, stayed, reversed, revoked, or vacated;
14. determine any other matters that may arise in connection with or relate to the Plan, the New Corporate Governance Documents, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, the Purchase Agreement, or any contract, instrument, release, indenture, or other agreement or document created in connection with the Plan or the Disclosure Statement;
15. adjudicate any and all disputes arising from or relating to distributions under the Plan or any transactions contemplated therein;
16. consider any modifications of the Plan, to cure any defect or omission, or to reconcile any inconsistency in any Bankruptcy Court order, including the Confirmation Order;
17. determine requests for the payment of Claims and Interests entitled to priority pursuant to section 507 of the Bankruptcy Code;
18. hear and determine disputes arising in connection with the interpretation, implementation, or enforcement of the Plan, or the Confirmation Order, including disputes arising under agreements, documents, or instruments executed in connection with the Plan;
19. hear and determine matters concerning state, local, and federal taxes in accordance with sections 346, 505, and 1146 of the Bankruptcy Code;
20. hear and determine all disputes involving the existence, nature, or scope of all releases set forth herein, including any dispute relating to any liability arising out of the termination of employment or the termination of any employee or retiree benefit program, regardless of whether such termination occurred prior to or after the Effective Date;
21. enforce all orders previously entered by the Bankruptcy Court;
22. to resolve any disputes arising under the New Corporate Governance Documents;
23. hear any other matter not inconsistent with the Bankruptcy Code;
24. enter an order concluding or closing the Chapter 11 Cases; and
25. enforce the injunction, release, and Exculpation provisions set forth in Article VIII of the Plan;
ARTICLE XIII.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. Immediate Binding Effect
Subject to Article X.A of the Plan and notwithstanding Bankruptcy Rules 3020(e), 6004(h), or 7062 or otherwise, upon the occurrence of the Effective Date, the terms of the Plan, the Plan Supplement, and the Confirmation Order shall be immediately effective and enforceable and deemed binding upon the Debtors and any and all Holders of Claims or Interests (regardless of whether such Claims or Interests are deemed to have accepted or rejected the Plan), all Entities that are parties to or are subject to the settlements, compromises, releases, and injunctions described in the Plan, each Entity acquiring property under the Plan or the Confirmation Order, and any and all non-Debtor parties to Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases with the Debtors. All Claims and debts shall be as fixed, adjusted, or compromised, as applicable, pursuant to the Plan regardless of whether any Holder of a Claim or debt has voted on the Plan.
B. Additional Documents
On or before the Effective Date, the Debtors may File with the Bankruptcy Court such agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and further evidence the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Debtors and all Holders of Claims or Interests receiving distributions pursuant to the Plan and all other parties in interest shall, from time to time, prepare, execute, and deliver any agreements or documents and take any other actions as may be necessary or advisable to effectuate the provisions and intent of the Plan.
C. Payment of Statutory Fees
All fees payable pursuant to section 1930(a) of the Judicial Code shall be paid for each quarter (including any fraction thereof) until the Chapter 11 Cases are converted, dismissed, or a final decree closing the Chapter 11 Cases is issued, whichever occurs first.
D. Dissolution of the Committee
On the Effective Date, the Committee shall dissolve and all members, employees, or agents thereof, including the Committee Members, shall be released and discharged from all rights and duties arising from or related to the Chapter 11 Cases, except the Committee will remain intact solely with respect to (1) the preparation, filing, review, and resolution of applications for Accrued Professional Compensation Claims; (2) a pending appeal, motion to reconsider, or motion to vacate, if any, related to Confirmation (including with respect to the Plan, the Confirmation Order, or the Purchase Agreement); and (3) the approval of any settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims, if a request for such approval is pending as of the Effective Date, or a pending appeal, if any, of any approved settlement of the EIX Litigation Claims. On the Effective Date, subject to the proviso above, the Committee Members shall be released and discharged from all rights and duties from or related the Chapter 11 Cases. Other than with respect to those matters identified in the proviso above, the Debtors, Reorganized EME, the Post-Effective-Date Debtor Subsidiaries, the Post-Effective-Date Homer City Debtors, and the Purchaser Parties, as applicable, shall no longer be liable or responsible for paying any fees or expenses incurred after the Effective Date by the Committee, the Committee Members, or any advisors to the Committee. For the avoidance of doubt, Reorganized EME shall pay the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of the Committee and the Committees advisors incurred after the Effective Date for the matters set forth in the proviso above.
E. Reservation of Rights
Except as expressly set forth in the Plan, the Plan shall have no force or effect unless the Bankruptcy Court shall enter the Confirmation Order. Neither the Plan, any statement or provision contained in the Plan, nor any action taken or not taken by any Debtor with respect to the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, or the Plan Supplement shall be or shall be deemed to be an admission or waiver of any rights of the Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, or the PoJo Parties with respect to the Holders of Claims or Interests prior to the Effective Date.
F. Successors and Assigns
The rights, benefits, and obligations of any Entity named or referred to in the Plan or the Confirmation Order shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of any heir, executor, administrator, successor or assign, Affiliate, officer, director, manager, agent, representative, attorney, beneficiaries, or guardian, if any, of each Entity.
G. Service of Documents
All notices hereunder shall be deemed given if in writing and delivered, if sent by facsimile, courier, or registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or at such other addresses or facsimile numbers as shall be specified by like notice):
If to the Debtors, to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
300 North LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Attn.: James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. and David R. Seligman, P.C.
Facsimile: (312) 862-2200
-and-
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn.: Joshua A. Sussberg
Facsimile: (212) 446-4900
If to the Purchaser, to:
NRG Energy, Inc.
211 Carnegie Center
Princeton, NJ 08540-6213
Attn.: Brian Curci
Facsimile: (609) 524-4501
with a copy to:
Baker Botts L.L.P.
1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2400
Attn.: Elaine M. Walsh
Facsimile: (202) 585-1042
-and-
Baker Botts L.L.P.
2001 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn.: C. Luckey McDowell
Facsimile: (214) 661-4571
If to the Committee, to
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park
Bank of America Tower
New York, New York 10036-6745
Attn.: Ira S. Dizengoff and Arik Preis
Facsimile: (212) 872-1002
-and-
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1564
Attn.: James Savin
Facsimile: (202) 877-4288
If to the counsel for the Supporting Noteholders, to:
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attn.: Keith Wofford
Facsimile: (212) 596-9090
-and-
Ropes & Gray LLP
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Attn.: Stephen Moeller-Sally
Facsimile: (617) 951-7050
If to Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 or Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1, to:
Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1
Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1
c/o U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Owner Trustee
U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services
300 Delaware Avenue, 9th Floor
Mail Code: EXDE-WDAW
Attn.: Mildred Smith
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Telephone: (302) 576-3703
with a copy to:
Jenner & Block LLP
Attn.: Daniel R. Murray & Melissa M. Hinds
353 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Telephone: (312) 222-9350
Facsimile: (312) 527-0484
If to Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series LLC, J-1 or Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series LLC, P-1, to:
Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series LLC, J-1
Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series LLC, P-1
c/o U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Owner Trustee
U.S. Bank Corporate Trust Services
300 Delaware Avenue, 9th Floor
Mail Code: EXDE-WDAW
Attn.: Mildred Smith
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Telephone: (302) 576-3703
with a copy to:
Jenner & Block LLP
Attn.: Daniel R. Murray & Melissa M. Hinds
353 N. Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Telephone: (312) 222-9350
Facsimile: (312) 527-0484
If to Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, to:
Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC
Attn: President, Scott Jennings
The Nemours Building
1007 Orange Street, Suite 1465
Wilmington, DE 19801
Telephone: (302) 472-7412
Facsimile: (302) 472-7216
with a copy to:
Jenner & Block LLP
Attn: Daniel R. Murray & Melissa M. Hinds
353 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Telephone: (312) 222-9350
Facsimile: (312) 527-0484
If to Joliet Trust II or Powerton Trust II, to:
Joliet Trust II
Powerton Trust II
c/o Wilmington Trust Company, as Owner Trustee
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Attn.: Corporate Trust Administration, Robert Hines
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
Telephone: (302) 636-6197
Facsimile: (302) 636-4140
with a copy to:
Michael F. Collins
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
One Rodney Square
920 North King Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Telephone: (302) 651-7502
Facsimile: (302) 498-7502
If to Joliet Generation II, LLC or Powerton Generation II, LLC, to:
Joliet Generation II, LLC
Powerton Generation II, LLC
c/o Associates Capital Investments, L.L.C.
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Attn.: Sugam Mehta & Brian Whalen
388 Greenwich Street, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10013
Telephone: (212) 816-1620
Facsimile: To be advised
with a copy to:
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Attn.: William Bice & Tyson Lomazow
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Telephone: (212) 530-5000
Facsimile: (212) 530-5219
If to Associates Capital Investments, L.L.C., to:
Associates Capital Investments, L.L.C.
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Attn.: Sugam Mehta & Brian Whalen
388 Greenwich Street, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10013
Telephone: (212) 816-1620
Facsimile: To be advised
with a copy to:
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
Attn.: William Bice & Tyson Lomazow
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Telephone: (212) 530-5000
Facsimile: (212) 530-5219
If to Bank of New York Mellon as Successor Lease Indenture Trustee or as Successor Pass Through Trustee, to:
The Bank of New York Mellon
525 William Penn Plaza, 38th Floor
Attn.: Bridget Schessler, Vice President
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15259
with a copy to:
OMelveny & Myers, LLP
7 Times Square
New York, New York 10036-6524
Attn.: George A. Davis
Telephone: (212) 326-2062
Email: gdavis@omm.com
H. Term of Injunctions or Stays
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan or in the Confirmation Order, all injunctions or stays in effect in the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to sections 105 or 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or any order of the Bankruptcy Court, and extant on the Confirmation Date (excluding any injunctions or stays contained in the Plan or the Confirmation Order) shall remain in full force and effect until the Effective Date. All injunctions or stays contained in the Plan or the Confirmation Order shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
I. Entire Agreement
Except as otherwise indicated, on the Effective Date, the Plan supersedes all previous and contemporaneous negotiations, promises, covenants, agreements, understandings, and representations with respect to the subject matter of the Plan, all of which will have become merged and integrated into the Plan on the Effective Date. To the extent the Confirmation Order is inconsistent with the Plan, the Confirmation Order shall control for all purposes.
J. Nonseverability of Plan Provisions
If, prior to Confirmation, any term or provision of the Plan is held by the Bankruptcy Court to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the Bankruptcy Court shall have the power to alter and interpret such term or provision to make it valid or enforceable to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with the original purpose of the term or provision held to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, and such term or provision shall then be applicable as altered or interpreted. Notwithstanding any such holding, alteration, or interpretation, the remainder of the terms and provisions of the Plan will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated by such holding, alteration, or interpretation. The Confirmation Order shall constitute a judicial determination and shall provide that each term and provision of the Plan, as it may have been altered or interpreted in accordance with the foregoing, is: (1) valid and enforceable pursuant to its terms; (2) integral to the Plan and may not be deleted or modified without the reasonable consent of the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any terms thereof that affect the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; and (3) nonseverable and mutually dependent.
Respectfully submitted, as of the date first set forth above,
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Edison Mission Energy (for itself and all Debtors) | |
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By: |
/s/ Pedro J. Pizarro |
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Name: |
Pedro J. Pizarro |
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Title: |
President, Edison Mission Energy |
Schedule 1
Acquired Companies
1. Aguila Energy Company
2. ALP Wind LLC
3. American Bituminous Power Partners, L.P.
4. Anacapa Energy Company
5. Aurora Starlight Wind, LLC
6. Beheer-en Beleggingsmaatschappij Plogema B.V.
7. Bendwind, LLC
8. Big Sky Wind, LLC
9. Bisson Windfarm, LLC
10. Boeve Windfarm, LLC
11. Boquillas Wind, LLC
12. Broken Bow Wind, LLC
13. Buffalo Bear, LLC
14. Camino Energy Company
15. Capistrano Wind Holdings, Inc.
16. Capistrano Wind II, LLC
17. Capistrano Wind Partners, LLC
18. Capistrano Wind, Inc.
19. Capistrano Wind, LLC
20. Caresale Services Limited
21. Carstensen Wind, LLC
22. Cedro Hill Wind LLC
23. CG Windfarm, LLC
24. Chester Energy Company
25. Citizens Power Holdings One, LLC
26. CL Power Sales Eight, L.L.C.
27. Clear View Acres Wind Farm, LLC
28. Coalinga Cogeneration Company
29. Community Wind North 1 LLC
30. Community Wind North 10 LLC
31. Community Wind North 11 LLC
32. Community Wind North 13 LLC
33. Community Wind North 15 LLC
34. Community Wind North 2 LLC
35. Community Wind North 3 LLC
36. Community Wind North 5 LLC
37. Community Wind North 6 LLC
38. Community Wind North 7 LLC
39. Community Wind North 8 LLC
40. Community Wind North 9 LLC
41. Community Wind North, LLC
42. CP Power Sales Nineteen, L.L.C.
43. CP Power Sales Seventeen, L.L.C.
44. CP Power Sales Twenty, L.L.C.
45. Crofton Bluffs Wind, LLC
46. Crosswind Transmission, LLC
47. Cy-Hawk Wind Energy, LLC
48. DanMar Transmission, LLC
49. DeGreef DP, LLC
50. DeGreeffpa, LLC
51. Del Mar Energy Company
52. Doga Enerji Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret L.S.
53. Doga Isi Satis Hizmetleri ve Ticaret L.S.
54. Doga Isletme ve Bakim Ticaret L.S.
55. Eagle View Acres Wind Farm, LLC
56. East Ridge Transmission, LLC
57. Edison First Power Holdings I
58. Edison First Power Holdings II
59. Edison First Power Limited
60. Edison Mission Arroyo Nogales, Inc.
61. Edison Mission Asset Services, Inc.
62. Edison Mission Development, Inc.
63. Edison Mission Energy Fuel
64. Edison Mission Energy Fuel Services, LLC
65. Edison Mission Energy Petroleum
66. Edison Mission Fuel Resources, Inc.
67. Edison Mission Fuel Transportation, Inc.
68. Edison Mission Huntington Beach, LLC
69. Edison Mission Marketing and Trading, Inc.
70. Edison Mission Mid-Atlantic, Inc.
71. Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co.
72. Edison Mission Midwest II, Inc.
73. Edison Mission Midwest, Inc.
74. Edison Mission Operation & Maintenance, Inc.
75. Edison Mission Project Co.
76. Edison Mission Renewable Energy CDE, LLC
77. Edison Mission Solutions, LLC
78. Edison Mission Walnut Creek II, LLC
79. Edison Mission Walnut Creek, LLC
80. Edison Mission Wind, Inc.
81. EHI Development Fund
82. Elk Lake Wind Farm, LLC
83. Elkhorn Ridge Wind II, LLC
84. Elkhorn Ridge Wind, LLC
85. EME CP Holdings Co.
86. EME Eastern Holdings Co.
87. EME Finance UK Limited
88. EME Investments II, LLC
89. EME Investments, LLC
90. EME Service Co.
91. EME Southwest Power Corporation
92. EME UK International LLC
93. EME Western Holdings Co.
94. Fey Windfarm, LLC
95. First Hydro Renewables Limited
96. Foresight Flying M, LLC
97. Forward WindPower, LLC
98. Global Power Investors, Inc.
99. Goat Wind, LP
100. Green Prairie Energy, LLC
101. Greenback Energy, LLC
102. Greene Wind Energy, LLC
103. Groen Wind, LLC
104. Guadalupe Mountains Wind, LLC
105. Hardin Hilltop Wind, LLC
106. Hardin Wind Energy, LLC
107. High Lonesome Mesa Investments, LLC
108. High Lonesome Mesa, LLC
109. Highland Township Wind Farm, LLC
110. Hillcrest Wind, LLC
111. HyperGen, LLC
112. Jeffers Wind 20, LLC
113. JMC Wind, LLC
114. K-Brink Windfarm, LLC
115. Kern River Cogeneration Company
116. Laredo Ridge Wind, LLC
117. Larswind, LLC
118. LimiEnergy, LLC
119. Lookout WindPower, LLC
120. Lucky Wind, LLC
121. Maiden Winds, LLC
122. Maine Mountain Power, LLC
123. Maplekey Holdings Limited
124. Maplekey UK Finance Limited
125. Maplekey UK Limited
126. MD & E Wind, LLC
127. MEC Esenyurt B.V.
128. MEC San Pascual B.V.
129. Mid-Set Cogeneration Company
130. Midway-Sunset Cogeneration Company
131. Midwest Finance Corp.
132. Midwest Generation EME, LLC
133. Midwest Generation Procurement Services, LLC
134. Midwest Generation, LLC
135. Midwest Peaker Holdings, Inc.
136. Mission Bingham Lake Wind, LLC
137. Mission Community Wind North, Inc.
138. Mission CWN Holdings, Inc.
139. Mission de las Estrellas LLC
140. Mission Del Cielo Inc.
141. Mission del Sol, LLC
142. Mission Energy Construction Services, Inc.
143. Mission Energy Holdings International, Inc.
144. Mission Energy Wales Company
145. Mission Funding Zeta
146. Mission Iowa Wind Company
147. Mission Kern River Holdings, Inc.
148. Mission Midway-Sunset Holdings, Inc.
149. Mission Minnesota Wind II, Inc.
150. Mission Minnesota Wind III, Inc.
151. Mission Minnesota Wind, LLC
152. Mission Mountain Wind, LLC
153. Mission Procurement, LLC
154. Mission Sycamore Holdings, Inc.
155. Mission Watson Holdings, Inc.
156. Mission Wind Aurora Starlight, Inc.
157. Mission Wind Boquillas, Inc.
158. Mission Wind Broken Bow, LLC
159. Mission Wind Cedro, LLC
160. Mission Wind Crofton Bluffs, LLC
161. Mission Wind Goat Mountain, Inc.
162. Mission Wind Laredo, Inc.
163. Mission Wind Maine, Inc.
164. Mission Wind New Mexico II, Inc.
165. Mission Wind New Mexico, Inc.
166. Mission Wind Oklahoma, Inc.
167. Mission Wind Owaissa, Inc.
168. Mission Wind PA One, Inc.
169. Mission Wind PA Three, Inc.
170. Mission Wind PA Two, Inc.
171. Mission Wind Pennsylvania, Inc.
172. Mission Wind Pinnacle, Inc.
173. Mission Wind Southwest, Inc.
174. Mission Wind Terra Investments, LLC
175. Mission Wind Texas II, Inc.
176. Mission Wind Texas, Inc.
177. Mission Wind Utah, LLC
178. Mission Wind Wildorado, Inc.
179. Mission Wind Wyoming, LLC
180. Mountain Wind Power II, LLC
181. Mountain Wind Power, LLC
182. North Community Turbines, LLC
183. North Wind Turbines, LLC
184. Northern Lights Wind, LLC
185. Odin Wind Farm, LLC
186. Owaissa Wind, LLC
187. OWF Eight, LLC
188. OWF Five, LLC
189. OWF Four, LLC
190. OWF One, LLC
191. OWF Seven, LLC
192. OWF Six, LLC
193. OWF Three, LLC
194. OWF Two, LLC
195. Palo Alto County Wind Farm, LLC
196. Pinnacle Wind, LLC
197. Pioneer Ridge LLC
198. Pioneer Trail Wind, LLC
199. Pleasant Valley Energy Company
200. Poverty Ridge Wind, LLC
201. Power Beyond, LLC
202. Power Blades Windfarm, LLC
203. Salinas River Cogeneration Company
204. San Gabriel Energy Company
205. San Joaquin Energy Company
206. San Juan Energy Company
207. San Juan Mesa Investments, LLC
208. San Juan Mesa Wind Project, LLC
209. San Pascual Cogeneration Company (Philippines) Limited
210. San Pascual Cogeneration Company International B.V.
211. Sargent Canyon Cogeneration Company
212. Sierra Wind, LLC
213. Silver Lake Acres Wind Farm, LLC
214. Silverado Energy Company
215. Sleeping Bear, LLC
216. South Texas Wind, LLC
217. Southern Sierra Energy Company
218. Spanish Fork Wind Park 2, LLC
219. Stahl Wind Energy, LLC
220. Stony Hills Wind Farm, LLC
221. Storm Lake Power Partners I, LLC
222. Sunrise Power Company, LLC
223. Sunrise View Wind Farm, LLC
224. Sunset View Wind Farm, LLC
225. Sunshine Arizona Wind Energy, LLC
226. Sutton Wind Energy, LLC
227. Sycamore Cogeneration Company
228. TAIR Windfarm, LLC
229. Taloga Wind II, LLC
230. Taloga Wind, L.L.C.
231. Tapestry Wind, LLC
232. TG Windfarm, LLC
233. Tofteland Windfarm, LLC
234. Tower of Power, LLC
235. Valle Del Sol Energy, LLC
236. Viejo Energy Company
237. Viento Funding II, Inc.
238. Viento Funding, Inc.
239. Virgin Lake Wind Farm, LLC
240. Walnut Creek Energy, LLC
241. Walnut Creek II, LLC
242. Watson Cogeneration Company
243. WCEP Holdings, LLC
244. West Pipestone Transmission, LLC
245. West Transmission One, LLC
246. Western Sierra Energy Company
247. Westridge Windfarm, LLC
248. Whispering Wind Acres, LLC
249. White Caps Windfarm, LLC
250. Wildorado Interconnect, LLC
251. Wildorado Wind, LLC
252. Wilson Creek Power Partners, LLC
253. Wind Family Turbine, LLC
254. Windcurrent Farms, LLC
255. Windom Transmission, LLC
256. Zontos Wind, LLC
Exhibit 99.2
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
|
) |
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In re: |
) |
Chapter 11 |
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) |
|
EDISON MISSION ENERGY, et al.,(1) |
) |
Case No. 11-49219 (JPC) |
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) |
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Debtors. |
) |
Jointly Administered |
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) |
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DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FOR THE
DEBTORS JOINT CHAPTER 11 PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
James H.M. Sprayregen, P.C. |
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David A. Agay |
David R. Seligman, P.C. |
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Joshua Gadharf |
Sarah H. Seewer |
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McDONALD HOPKINS LLC |
Brad Weiland |
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300 North LaSalle |
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
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Suite 2100 |
300 North LaSalle |
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Chicago, Illinois 60654 |
Chicago, Illinois 60654 |
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Telephone: (312) 280-0111 |
Telephone: (312) 862-2000 |
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Facsimile: (312) 280-8232 |
Facsimile: (312) 862-2200 |
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- and - |
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Counsel to Debtor Camino Energy Company and Conflicts Counsel to the other Debtors And Debtors in Possession |
Joshua A. Sussberg (admitted pro hac vice) |
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KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP |
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601 Lexington Avenue |
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New York, New York 10022 |
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Telephone: (212) 446-4800 |
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Facsimile: (212) 446-4900 |
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Counsel to the Debtors and Debtors in Possession other than Camino Energy Company |
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Dated: November 15, 2013 |
THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OF AN ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF THE PLAN. ACCEPTANCES OR REJECTIONS MAY NOT BE SOLICITED UNTIL THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS BEING SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL BUT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. THE INFORMATION IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES.
(1) The Debtors in these chapter 11 cases, along with the last four digits of each Debtors federal tax identification number, include: Edison Mission Energy (1807); Camino Energy Company (2601); Chestnut Ridge Energy Company (6590); Edison Mission Finance Co. (9202); Edison Mission Energy Fuel Services, LLC (4630); Edison Mission Fuel Resources, Inc. (3014); Edison Mission Fuel Transportation, Inc. (3012); Edison Mission Holdings Co. (6940); Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co. (6553); EME Homer City Generation L.P. (6938); Homer City Property Holdings, Inc. (1685); Midwest Finance Corp. (9350); Midwest Generation EME, LLC (1760); Midwest Generation, LLC (8558); Midwest Generation Procurement Services, LLC (2634); Midwest Peaker Holdings, Inc. (5282); Mission Energy Westside, Inc. (0657); San Joaquin Energy Company (1346); Southern Sierra Energy Company (6754); and Western Sierra Energy Company (1447). The location of parent Debtor Edison Mission Energys corporate headquarters and the Debtors service address is: 3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100, Santa Ana, California 92707.
THE DEBTORS ARE PROVIDING THE INFORMATION IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO HOLDERS OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS FOR PURPOSES OF SOLICITING VOTES TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE DEBTORS JOINT PLAN OF REORGANIZATION PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 11 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE. NOTHING IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT MAY BE RELIED UPON OR USED BY ANY ENTITY FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE. BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE PLAN, EACH HOLDER ENTITLED TO VOTE SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE IX HEREIN.
THE PLAN IS SUPPORTED BY THE DEBTORS, THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF UNSECURED CREDITORS, A GROUP OF EME UNSECURED NOTEHOLDERS HOLDING MORE THAN 74 PERCENT OF THE APPROXIMATELY $3.7 BILLION IN UNSECURED NOTES, THE POJO PARTIES, AND NRG, AND ALL SUCH PARTIES URGE HOLDERS OF CLAIMS WHOSE VOTES ARE BEING SOLICITED TO ACCEPT THE PLAN.
THE DEBTORS URGE EACH HOLDER OF A CLAIM TO CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY LEGAL, FINANCIAL, SECURITIES, TAX, OR BUSINESS ADVICE IN REVIEWING THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, THE PLAN, AND EACH OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. FURTHERMORE, THE BANKRUPTCY COURTS APPROVAL OF THE ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE BANKRUPTCY COURTS APPROVAL OF THE PLAN.
THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT CONTAINS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SUMMARIES OF THE PLAN, CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS, AND CERTAIN EVENTS IN THE DEBTORS CHAPTER 11 CASES. ALTHOUGH THE DEBTORS BELIEVE THAT THESE SUMMARIES ARE FAIR AND ACCURATE, THESE SUMMARIES ARE QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY DO NOT SET FORTH THE ENTIRE TEXT OF SUCH DOCUMENTS OR STATUTORY PROVISIONS OR EVERY DETAIL OF SUCH EVENTS. IN THE EVENT OF ANY INCONSISTENCY OR DISCREPANCY BETWEEN A DESCRIPTION IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, THE PLAN OR SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS WILL GOVERN FOR ALL PURPOSES. FACTUAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE DEBTORS MANAGEMENT EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY NOTED. THE DEBTORS DO NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR ATTACHED HERETO IS WITHOUT ANY MATERIAL INACCURACY OR OMISSION.
THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1125 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE AND BANKRUPTCY RULE 3016(B) AND IS NOT NECESSARILY PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR OTHER SIMILAR LAWS.
THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT WAS NOT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE AUTHORITY AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE AUTHORITY HAVE PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OR UPON THE MERITS OF THE PLAN. IN CONNECTION WITH THE NRG TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED UNDER THE PLAN, THE DEBTORS HAVE FILED APPLICATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PURSUANT TO THE HART-SCOTT-RODINO ACT, AND THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE TRANSACTION.
IN PREPARING THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, THE DEBTORS RELIED ON FINANCIAL DATA DERIVED FROM THE DEBTORS BOOKS AND RECORDS AND ON VARIOUS ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING THE DEBTORS BUSINESSES. WHILE THE DEBTORS BELIEVE THAT SUCH FINANCIAL INFORMATION FAIRLY REFLECTS THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE DEBTORS AS OF THE DATE HEREOF AND THAT THE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING FUTURE EVENTS REFLECT REASONABLE BUSINESS JUDGMENTS, NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE MADE AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING THE DEBTORS BUSINESSES AND THEIR FUTURE RESULTS AND OPERATIONS. THE DEBTORS EXPRESSLY CAUTION READERS NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN.
THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED AS, AN ADMISSION OF FACT, LIABILITY, STIPULATION, OR WAIVER. THE DEBTORS MAY SEEK TO INVESTIGATE, FILE, AND PROSECUTE CLAIMS AND MAY OBJECT TO CLAIMS AFTER THE CONFIRMATION OR EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IDENTIFIES ANY SUCH CLAIMS OR OBJECTIONS TO CLAIMS.
THE DEBTORS ARE MAKING THE STATEMENTS AND PROVIDING THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY NOTED. ALTHOUGH THE DEBTORS MAY SUBSEQUENTLY UPDATE THE INFORMATION IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, THE DEBTORS HAVE NO AFFIRMATIVE DUTY TO DO SO, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY DUTY TO PUBLICLY UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS, OR OTHERWISE. HOLDERS OF CLAIMS REVIEWING THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT SHOULD NOT INFER THAT, AT THE TIME OF THEIR REVIEW, THE FACTS SET FORTH HEREIN HAVE NOT CHANGED SINCE THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT WAS FILED. INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, MODIFICATION, OR AMENDMENT. THE DEBTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO FILE AN AMENDED OR MODIFIED PLAN AND RELATED DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FROM TIME TO TIME, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE PLAN.
THE DEBTORS HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANY ENTITY TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT OR CONCERNING THE PLAN OTHER THAN THAT WHICH IS CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. THE DEBTORS HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANY REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING THE DEBTORS OR THE VALUE OF THEIR PROPERTY OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.
IF THE PLAN IS CONFIRMED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT AND THE EFFECTIVE DATE OCCURS, ALL HOLDERS OF CLAIMS AND INTERESTS (INCLUDING THOSE HOLDERS OF CLAIMS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT BALLOTS TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE PLAN, OR WHO ARE NOT ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE PLAN) WILL BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THE PLAN AND THE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page | |
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I. |
INTRODUCTION |
1 | |
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II. |
OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN |
1 | |
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III. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT |
2 | |
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A. |
Key Terms Used in this Disclosure Statement |
2 |
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B. |
Additional Important Information |
3 |
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IV. |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND THE PLAN |
3 | |
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A. |
What is chapter 11? |
3 |
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B. |
Why are the Debtors sending me this Disclosure Statement? |
3 |
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C. |
Am I entitled to vote on the Plan? |
4 |
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D. |
What will I receive from the Debtors if the Plan is consummated? |
6 |
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E. |
What will I receive from the Debtors if I hold an Allowed Administrative Claim or a Priority Tax Claim? |
7 |
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F. |
If the Plan provides that I get a distribution, do I get it upon Confirmation or when the Plan goes effective, and what is meant by Confirmation, Effective Date, and Consummation? |
7 |
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G. |
What are the sources of cash and other consideration required to fund the Plan? |
7 |
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H. |
Who is the Purchaser? |
7 |
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I. |
Will the final amount of Allowed General Unsecured Claims affect my recovery under the Plan? |
7 |
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J. |
Will there be releases and exculpation granted to parties in interest as part of the Plan? |
7 |
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K. |
What is the deadline to vote on the Plan? |
7 |
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L. |
How do I vote for or against the Plan? |
7 |
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M. |
Why is the Bankruptcy Court holding a Confirmation Hearing and when is the Confirmation Hearing set to occur? |
8 |
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N. |
What is the purpose of the Confirmation Hearing? |
8 |
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O. |
What is the effect of the Plan on the Debtors ongoing business? |
8 |
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P. |
Who do I contact if I have additional questions with respect to this Disclosure Statement or the Plan? |
8 |
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Q. |
Do the Debtors recommend voting in favor of the Plan? |
9 |
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R. |
Who Supports the Plan? |
9 |
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V. |
BACKGROUND TO THESE CHAPTER 11 CASES |
9 | |
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A. |
The Debtors Business and Industry |
9 |
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B. |
Regulatory Matters |
15 |
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C. |
Environmental Matters and Regulations |
16 |
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D. |
The Debtors Capital Structure and Prepetition Indebtedness |
22 |
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E. |
Tax Sharing Agreements |
25 |
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VI. |
EVENTS LEADING TO THE CHAPTER 11 FILINGS |
26 | |
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A. |
Macroeconomic Pressures Coincide with Debt Obligations |
26 |
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B. |
Prepetition Reorganization Efforts |
26 |
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VII. |
ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHAPTER 11 CASES |
27 | |
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A. |
First Day Motions and Certain Related Relief |
27 |
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B. |
Employee Incentive/Retention Plans |
31 |
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VIII. |
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OF THE CHAPTER 11 CASES |
33 | |
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A. |
EIX Investigation |
33 |
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B. |
Discussions Regarding Powerton and Joliet Stations |
35 |
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C. |
Chevron Dispute |
37 |
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D. |
Homer City |
37 |
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E. |
Exclusivity |
39 |
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F. |
Sale Process and Stand Alone Plan |
39 |
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G. |
NRG Transaction and Plan Sponsor Agreement |
39 |
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H. |
Continuation of Intercompany Arrangements and Shared Services |
41 |
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IX. |
RISK FACTORS |
41 | |
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A. |
Certain Bankruptcy Law Considerations |
41 |
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B. |
Risk Factors that May Affect the Value of Securities to be Issued Under the Plan |
43 |
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C. |
Disclosure Statement Disclaimer |
44 |
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D. |
Liquidation Under Chapter 7 |
46 |
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X. |
SOLICITATION AND VOTING PROCEDURES |
46 | |
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A. |
Holders of Claims Entitled to Vote on the Plan |
46 |
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B. |
Voting Record Date |
47 |
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C. |
Voting on the Plan |
47 |
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D. |
Ballots Not Counted |
47 |
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XI. |
CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN |
48 | |
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A. |
Requirements for Confirmation of the Plan |
48 |
|
B. |
Best Interests of Creditors/Liquidation Analysis |
48 |
|
C. |
Feasibility |
48 |
|
D. |
Acceptance by Impaired Classes |
48 |
|
E. |
Confirmation without Acceptance by All Impaired Classes |
49 |
|
|
|
|
XII. |
CERTAIN SECURITIES LAW MATTERS |
50 | |
|
|
| |
|
A. |
New Equity |
50 |
|
B. |
Issuance of New Interests Under the Plan; Resale of New Interests |
50 |
|
|
|
|
XIII. |
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PLAN |
51 | |
|
|
| |
|
A. |
Certain United States Income Tax Consequences to the Debtors |
52 |
|
B. |
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Holders of Claims |
58 |
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A Joint Plan of Reorganization
EXHIBIT B Executed Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT C Signed Disclosure Statement Order
EXHIBIT D Consolidated Financial Statements
EXHIBIT E Liquidation Analysis
EXHIBIT F Creditors Committee Letter of Support
I. INTRODUCTION
Edison Mission Energy (EME) and its debtor affiliates, as debtors and debtors in possession (each, a Debtor and, collectively, the Debtors), submit this disclosure statement (the Disclosure Statement) pursuant to section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code to Holders of Claims against and Interests in the Debtors in connection with the solicitation of acceptances with respect to the Debtors Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the Plan), dated November 15, 2013.(1) A copy of the Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference. The Plan constitutes a separate chapter 11 plan for each of the Debtors.
THE DEBTORS BELIEVE THAT THE COMPROMISE CONTEMPLATED UNDER THE PLAN IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE, MAXIMIZES THE VALUE OF THE DEBTORS ESTATES, AND PROVIDES THE BEST RECOVERY TO CLAIM HOLDERS. AT THIS TIME, THE DEBTORS AND THE CONSENTING PARTIES BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR COMPLETING THESE CHAPTER 11 CASES. THE DEBTORS STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE TO ACCEPT THE PLAN.
II. OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN
The Plan provides for a sale (as defined in the Plan, the NRG Transaction) of substantially all of EMEs assets, including its direct and indirect equity interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries and the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries (other than any Homer City Debtor and any subsidiary of any Homer City Debtor), to NRG Energy Holdings Inc. (Purchaser or NRG), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (Parent, together with Purchaser, the Purchaser Parties), a Fortune 500 company and the largest competitive power generation company in the U.S., with approximately 47,000 MW of fossil, nuclear, solar, and wind generation capacity. In exchange for this transfer, Purchaser will provide EMEs estate with the Sale Proceeds of $2,635 million (comprised of $2,285 million payable in cash and $350 million payable in Parent Common Stock) to be distributed by the Debtors in accordance with the Plan and assume certain liabilities of the Debtors, including the leveraged leases for Debtor Midwest Generation, LLCs Powerton and Joliet facilities. The Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties entered into the Plan Sponsor Agreement, which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on October 24, 2013, to implement the NRG Transaction pursuant to the Plan.
More specifically, the Plan, which will effectuate the NRG Transaction, contemplates the following distributions to Holders of Claims and Interests, among other recoveries:
· Holders of Allowed Other Priority Claims against EME and Allowed Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries shall receive payment in full, in Cash;
· Holders of Allowed Secured Claims against EME, Allowed Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries, and Allowed Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors shall receive (a) payment in full, in Cash, or (b) such other treatment such that the Holder shall be rendered Unimpaired;
· Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries shall receive payment of principal in full in Cash;
· Holders of Allowed General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities), Allowed General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities), and Allowed Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims shall receive (a) a Pro Rata distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds, and (b) a Pro Rata distribution of the New Interests; and
(1) Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Disclosure Statement have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. The summary of the Plan provided herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan. In the case of any inconsistency between this Disclosure Statement and the Plan, the Plan will govern.
· Holders of Allowed Claims against the Homer City Debtors shall be paid in absolute priority from the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds for the applicable Homer City Debtor.
The Plan contemplates that, as a general matter, Holders of Intercompany Claims against EME, Intercompany Claims against Subsidiary Debtors, Subordinated Claims against EME, Subordinated Claims against Subsidiary Debtors, and Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors shall receive no distribution on account of their Claims. The Plan also contemplates that, as a general matter, Intercompany Interests in Subsidiary Debtors will be reinstated on the Effective Date, and EME Interests and Interests in Homer City Debtors will be cancelled on the Effective Date, subject to certain exceptions contained in the Plan. However, EME Interests may remain outstanding following the Effective Date, as Reorganized EME reasonably determines, in consultation with the Committee and the Supporting Noteholders, in order to preserve EMEs tax attributes and maximize the value of the Estates.
III. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
A. Key Terms Used in this Disclosure Statement
The following are some of the defined terms used in this Disclosure Statement. This is not an exhaustive list of defined terms in the Plan or this Disclosure Statement, but is provided for ease of reference only. Please refer to the Plan for additional defined terms.
References to the Bankruptcy Court are to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases or any other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases, including, to the extent of the withdrawal of the reference under 28 U.S.C. § 157, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.
References to the Bankruptcy Rules mean the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure promulgated under section 2075 of the Judicial Code and the general, local, and chambers rules of the Bankruptcy Court.
References to the Chapter 11 Cases means (a) when used with reference to a particular Debtor, the case pending for that Debtor under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and (b) when used with reference to all Debtors, the procedurally consolidated chapter 11 cases pending for all of the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court under case number 12-49219 (JPC).
References to a Claim are to any claim against a Debtor as defined in section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code.
References to the Confirmation Hearing are to the hearing held by the Bankruptcy Court on confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, as such hearing may be continued from time to time.
References to the Confirmation Date are to the date upon which the Bankruptcy Court enters the Confirmation Order on the Docket of the Chapter 11 Cases, within the meaning of Bankruptcy Rules 5003 and 9021.
References to Interests means any equity security in a Debtor as defined in section 101(16) of the Bankruptcy Code, including all issued, unissued, authorized, or outstanding shares of capital stock of the Debtors together with any warrants, options, or contractual rights to purchase or acquire such equity securities at any time and all rights arising with respect thereto.
References to Person means to a person, as the term is defined in section 101(41) of the Bankruptcy Code.
References to the Plan are to the Debtors Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization dated November 15, 2013, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
References to the Plan Supplement are to the compilation of documents and forms of documents, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan, to be Filed 10 days prior to the Voting Deadline, as amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Purchase Agreement, the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the Bankruptcy Code, and the Bankruptcy Rules. Except as specifically provided otherwise in the Plan, each document, schedule, and exhibit included in the Plan Supplement shall be reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Parties, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and (solely with respect to any document, schedule, or exhibit that affects the rights of the PoJo Parties) the PoJo Parties.
B. Additional Important Information
The confirmation and effectiveness of the Plan are subject to certain material conditions precedent described herein and set forth in Article IX of the Plan. There is no assurance that the Plan will be confirmed, or if confirmed, that the conditions required to be satisfied for the Plan to go effective will be satisfied (or waived).
You are encouraged to read this Disclosure Statement in its entirety, the Plan and the section entitled Risk Factors before submitting your ballot to vote on the Plan.
The Bankruptcy Courts approval of this Disclosure Statement does not constitute a guarantee by the Bankruptcy Court of the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein or an endorsement by the Bankruptcy Court of the merits of the Plan.
Summaries of the Plan and statements made in this Disclosure Statement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Plan. The summaries of the financial information and the documents annexed to this Disclosure Statement or otherwise incorporated herein by reference are qualified in their entirety by reference to those documents. The statements contained in this Disclosure Statement are made only as of the date of this Disclosure Statement, and there is no assurance that the statements contained herein will be correct at any time after such date. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in accordance with applicable law, the Debtors are under no duty to update or supplement this Disclosure Statement.
The information contained in this Disclosure Statement is included for purposes of soliciting acceptances to, and Confirmation of, the Plan and may not be relied on for any other purpose. In the event of any inconsistency between the Disclosure Statement and the Plan, the relevant provisions of the Plan will govern.
IV. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND THE PLAN
A. What is chapter 11?
Chapter 11 is the principal business reorganization chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. In addition to permitting debtor rehabilitation, chapter 11 promotes equality of treatment for creditors and similarly situated equity interest holders, subject to the priority of distributions prescribed by the Bankruptcy Code.
The commencement of a chapter 11 case creates an estate that comprises all of the legal and equitable interests of the debtor as of the date the chapter 11 case is commenced. The Bankruptcy Code provides that the debtor may continue to operate its business and remain in possession of its property as a debtor in possession.
Consummating a plan is the principal objective of a chapter 11 case. A bankruptcy courts confirmation of a plan binds the debtor, any person acquiring property under the plan, any creditor or equity interest holder of the debtor, and any other entity as may be ordered by the bankruptcy court. Subject to certain limited exceptions, the order issued by a bankruptcy court confirming a plan provides for the treatment of the debtors liabilities in accordance with the terms of the confirmed plan.
B. Why are the Debtors sending me this Disclosure Statement?
The Debtors are seeking to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval of the Plan. Before soliciting acceptances of the Plan, section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code requires the Debtors to prepare a disclosure statement containing adequate information of a kind, and in sufficient detail, to enable a hypothetical reasonable investor to make an informed judgment regarding acceptance of the Plan. The Plan contemplates a sale of EMEs assets to the Purchaser, and this Disclosure Statement is being submitted to provide information about this transaction and related information concerning the Debtors, all in accordance with the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code.
C. Am I entitled to vote on the Plan?
Your ability to vote on, and your distribution under, the Plan, if any, depends on what type of Claim or Interest you hold (if any). Each category of Holders of Claims or Interests, as set forth in Article III of the Plan pursuant to section 1122(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, is referred to as a Class. Each Classs respective voting status is set forth below.
1. Summary of Classification for EME
The classification of Claims against and Interests in EME pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in EME.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
A1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against EME |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
A2 |
|
Secured Claims against EME |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
A3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities) |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A4 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities) |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A5 |
|
Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
A6 |
|
Intercompany Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
A7 |
|
Subordinated Claims against EME |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
A8 |
|
EME Interests |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
2. Summary of Classification for Debtor Subsidiaries
The classification of Claims against and Interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
B1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
B2 |
|
Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
B3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
B4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
B5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
B6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
3. Summary of Classification for Homer City Debtors
The classification of Claims against and Interests in the Homer City Debtors pursuant to the Plan is set forth below. The classification of Claims and Interests set forth herein shall apply only to Claims against and Interests in the Homer City Debtors.
Class |
|
Claims and Interests |
|
Status |
|
Voting Rights |
C1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
C2 |
|
Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Unimpaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
C3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
C4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
C5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Not Entitled to Vote |
C6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Homer City Debtors |
|
Impaired |
|
Entitled to Vote |
D. What will I receive from the Debtors if the Plan is consummated?
The following chart provides a summary of the anticipated recovery to Holders of Allowed Claims and Interests under the Plan. Any estimates of Claims in this Disclosure Statement may vary from the final amounts allowed by the Bankruptcy Court. Your ability to receive distributions under the Plan depends upon the ability of the Debtors to obtain Confirmation and meet the conditions necessary to consummate the Plan.
Class |
|
Claim/Interest |
|
Estimated Amount |
|
Anticipated Recovery |
A1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against EME |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
A2 |
|
Secured Claims against EME |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
A3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities) |
|
[to come] |
|
[Pro Rata] |
A4 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities) |
|
[to come] |
|
[Pro Rata] |
A5 |
|
Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims against EME |
|
[to come] |
|
[Pro Rata] |
A6 |
|
Intercompany Claims against EME |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
A7 |
|
Subordinated Claims against EME |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
A8 |
|
EME Interests |
|
n/a |
|
[0]% |
B1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
B2 |
|
Secured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
B3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
B4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
B5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
B6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Debtor Subsidiaries |
|
n/a |
|
[100]% |
C1 |
|
Other Priority Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
C2 |
|
Secured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
[to come] |
|
[100]% |
C3 |
|
General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
[to come] |
|
[Pro Rata] |
C4 |
|
Intercompany Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
C5 |
|
Subordinated Claims against Homer City Debtors |
|
[to come] |
|
[0]% |
C6 |
|
Intercompany Interests in Homer City Debtors |
|
n/a |
|
[0]% |
E. What will I receive from the Debtors if I hold an Allowed Administrative Claim or a Priority Tax Claim?
In accordance with section 1123(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, Administrative Claims and Priority Tax Claims have not been classified and, thus, are excluded from the Classes of Claims and Interests set forth in Article II of the Plan. Administrative Claims will be satisfied as set forth in Article II of the Plan, and Priority Tax Claims will be satisfied as set forth in Article II of the Plan.
F. If the Plan provides that I get a distribution, do I get it upon Confirmation or when the Plan goes effective, and what is meant by Confirmation, Effective Date, and Consummation?
Confirmation of the Plan refers to approval of the Plan by the Bankruptcy Court. Confirmation of the Plan does not guarantee that you will receive the distribution indicated under the Plan. After Confirmation of the Plan by the Bankruptcy Court, there are conditions that need to be satisfied or waived so that the Plan can go effective. Initial distributions to Holders of Allowed Claims will only be made on the date the Plan becomes effectivethe Effective Dateor as soon as practicable thereafter, as specified in the Plan. See Confirmation of the Plan, which begins on page 48, for a discussion of the conditions to Consummation of the Plan.
G. What are the sources of cash and other consideration required to fund the Plan?
The Plan will be funded by the following sources of cash and consideration: (1) payment of the Sale Proceeds by the Purchaser; (2) issuance and distribution of New Interests of EME; (3) payments by the Purchaser made on account of Assumed Liabilities of the Purchaser; and (4) payment by the Purchaser of the Proposed Cure Payments. In addition, General Unsecured Claims against Subsidiary Debtors that are Assumed Liabilities under the Purchase Agreement will be paid directly by the Purchaser.
H. Who is the Purchaser?
The Purchaser under the Plan is NRG Energy Holdings Inc. NRG Energy Holdings Inc. is a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company and the largest competitive power generation company in the U.S. with approximately 47,000 MW of fossil, nuclear, solar, and wind generation capacity.
I. Will the final amount of Allowed General Unsecured Claims affect my recovery under the Plan?
Allowed Claims in Class A3 (General Unsecured Claims against EME (Assumed Liabilities), Class A4 (General Unsecured Claims against EME (Not Assumed Liabilities), Class A5 Joint-Liability General Unsecured Claims against EME, Class C3 (General Unsecured Claims against Homer City Debtors), and Class C4 Intercompany Claims against Homer City Debtors will be paid on a Pro Rata basis out of the Net Sale Proceeds and New Interests (in the case of Class A3, A4, and A5) or out of the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds (in the case of Class C3 and C4). As such, an increase in the amount of Allowed Claims for each of these Classes will result in a decrease in individual distributions on account of Claims in these Classes.
J. Will there be releases and exculpation granted to parties in interest as part of the Plan?
Yes, the Plan provides for releases and exculpation of the Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, and other parties in interest as set forth in Article VIII of the Plan.
K. What is the deadline to vote on the Plan?
The Voting Deadline is February 7, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Central Time).
L. How do I vote for or against the Plan?
Detailed instructions regarding how to vote on the Plan are contained on the ballots distributed to Holders of Claims that are entitled to vote on the Plan. For your vote to be counted, your ballot must be completed and signed so that it is actually received by February 7, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Central Time) at the following address: Edison Mission Energy Claims Processing, c/o GCG, Inc., 5151 Blazer Parkway, Suite A, Dublin, Ohio 43017. See Article X of this Disclosure Statement, which begins on page 46.
M. Why is the Bankruptcy Court holding a Confirmation Hearing and when is the Confirmation Hearing set to occur?
Section 1128 of the Bankruptcy Code requires the Bankruptcy Court to hold a hearing on confirmation of the Plan and recognizes that any party in interest may object to confirmation of the Plan.
The Bankruptcy Court has scheduled the Confirmation Hearing for February 26, 2014, at [ ] a.m. (prevailing Central Time). The Confirmation Hearing may be adjourned from time to time without further notice.
Objections to Confirmation of the Plan must be filed and served on the Debtors, and certain other parties, by no later than February 7, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Central Time) in accordance with the notice of the Confirmation Hearing that accompanies this Disclosure Statement and the Disclosure Statement Order attached hereto as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by reference.
The Debtors will publish the notice of the Confirmation Hearing, which will contain the deadline for objections to the Plan and the date and time of the Confirmation Hearing, in the national edition of The New York Times to provide notification to those persons who may not receive notice by mail. The Debtors may also publish the notice of the Confirmation Hearing in such trade or other publications as the Debtors may choose.
N. What is the purpose of the Confirmation Hearing?
The confirmation of a plan of reorganization by a bankruptcy court binds the debtor, any issuer of securities under the plan of reorganization, any person acquiring property under the plan of reorganization, any creditor or equity interest holder of a debtor and any other person or entity as may be ordered by the Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Subject to certain limited exceptions, the order issued by the bankruptcy court confirming a plan of reorganization discharges a debtor from any debt that arose before the confirmation of the plan of reorganization and provides for the treatment of such debt in accordance with the terms of the confirmed plan of reorganization.
O. What is the effect of the Plan on the Debtors ongoing business?
Upon consummation of the Plan, substantially all of the assets of EME, including EMEs ownership interests in the Debtor Subsidiaries and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, will be transferred to the Purchaser as going concerns. The Plan does not provide for a shut down or decommissioning of any of the Debtors facilities.
P. Who do I contact if I have additional questions with respect to this Disclosure Statement or the Plan?
If you have any questions regarding this Disclosure Statement or the Plan, please contact the Debtors notice, claims and solicitation agent, Garden City Group, Inc.:
By regular Mail at:
Edison Mission Energy, et al.
c/o GCG
PO Box 9942
Dublin, OH 43017-5942
By hand delivery or overnight mail at:
Edison Mission Energy, et al.
c/o GCG
5151 Blazer Parkway, Suite A
Dublin, Ohio 43017
By electronic-mail at:
edisonmissioninfo@gcginc.com
By telephone at:
(866) 241-6491 (U.S. and Canada)
(202) 470-4956 (International)
By facsimile at:
(866) 697-5553
Copies of the Plan, this Disclosure Statement and any other publicly filed documents in these Chapter 11 Cases are available upon written request to the Debtors counsel at the address above or by downloading the exhibits and documents from the website of the Debtors notice, claims and solicitation agent at www.edisonmissionrestructuring.com (free of charge) or the Bankruptcy Courts website at www.ilnb.uscourts.gov (for a fee).
Q. Do the Debtors recommend voting in favor of the Plan?
Yes. The Debtors believe the Plan provides for a larger distribution to the Debtors creditors than would otherwise result from any other available alternative. The Debtors believe the Plan, which contemplates a sale of the Debtors operating businesses to the Purchaser Parties, is in the best interest of all Holders of Claims, and that other alternatives fail to realize or recognize the value inherent under the Plan.
R. Who Supports the Plan?
The Plan is supported by the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties, all as set forth in the Plan Sponsor Agreement.
V. BACKGROUND TO THESE CHAPTER 11 CASES
Below is a summary of the Debtors businesses and operations. For additional details concerning the Debtors and the background to these Chapter 11 Cases, readers are referred to the Declaration of Maria Rigatti, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Edison Mission Energy, in Support of Chapter 11 Petitions and First Day Motions [Docket No. 6].
A. The Debtors Business and Industry
1. The Company
The Debtors are indirect subsidiaries and affiliates of non-Debtor Edison International (EIX), a holding company of businesses comprised of two principal divisions of subsidiariesone composed of regulated businesses and the other composed of unregulated businesses. EIX subsidiary Southern California Edison (SCE) and its subsidiaries own and operate regulated utility assets. EME and its subsidiaries own and operate certain unregulated coal, wind, and gas power generating assets.
The Debtors and their Non-Debtor Subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged in the business of developing, acquiring, owning or leasing, operating and selling energy and capacity from independent power production facilities. Additionally, the Debtors and their Non-Debtor Subsidiaries and affiliates (a) sell energy and capacity under contracts to specific purchasers, or on a merchant basis in the marketplace and into wholesale markets, and (b) through their Non-Debtor Subsidiary, Edison Mission Marketing & Trading, Inc. (EMMT), engage in hedging and energy trading activities in power markets, and provide scheduling and other services.
EMEs subsidiaries or affiliates typically have been formed to own full or partial interests in one or more power generation facilities and ancillary facilities, with each plant or group of related plants being individually referred to by EME as a project. EMEs operating projects primarily consist of coal- and gas-fired generating facilities and wind energy facilities. EMEs subsidiaries and affiliates own or lease interests in 42 operating projects with an aggregate net physical capacity of 9,358 megawatts (MW) of which EMEs pro rata share was 7,935 MW.
Debtor Midwest Generation, LLC (MWG), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EME, was formed in 1999 for the purpose of owning or leasing, making improvements to, and operating and selling the capacity and energy of, the power generation assets purchased from Commonwealth Edison Company (Commonwealth Edison). EMEs coal-fired facilities are primarily owned or leased and operated by MWG. As of December 31, 2012, MWG operated power plants capable of producing 4,619 MW in Illinois (the MWG plants):
· the Powerton, Joliet, Will County and Waukegan coal-fired generating plants consisting of 4,314 MW; and
· the Fisk and Waukegan on-site, oil-fired generating peaker plants consisting of 305 MW.
MWG leases the Powerton Station and Units 7 and 8 of the Joliet Station from third-party lessors pursuant to a sale-leaseback transaction completed in August 2000 (the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback). MWGs obligations under these leases are guaranteed by EME. In connection with the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback, MWG facilitated the issuance of lessor debt of $1.147 billion in the form of pass-through certificates. MWG is a party to a contract with EMMT under which EMMT, as an agent for MWG, sells energy and capacity from the MWG plants into the wholesale market, engages in hedging activities, and provides scheduling and other services. EMMT has the ability to enter into fuel hedging arrangements on MWGs behalf.
2. Electric Power Industry
EMEs and MWGs businesses are both impacted by changes in the United States electric power industry. The electric power industry, including companies engaged in providing generation, transmission, distribution and retail sales and service of electric power, has undergone significant deregulation over the last three decades, which has led to increased competition, especially in the generation sector.
In areas where independent system operators (ISOs) and regional transmission organizations (RTOs) have been formed, market participants have open access to transmission service typically at a system-wide rate. ISOs and RTOs may also operate real-time and day-ahead energy and ancillary service markets, which are governed by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved tariffs and market rules. The development of such organized markets into which independent power producers are able to sell has reduced these producers dependence on bilateral contracts with electric utilities. In addition, capacity markets in various regional wholesale power markets compensate supply resources for the capability to supply electricity when needed and demand resources for the electricity they avoid using.
a. Seasonality
Due to fluctuations in electric demand resulting from warm weather during the summer and cold weather during the winter, electric revenues from MWGs coal-fired plants normally vary substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, maintenance outages generally are scheduled during periods of lower projected electric demand in the spring and fall, further reducing generation and increasing major maintenance costs, which are recorded as expenses when incurred. Accordingly, MWGs income is seasonal and has significant quarterly variability. Seasonal fluctuations may also be affected by changes in market prices.
EMEs third quarter equity in income from its unconsolidated energy projects is normally higher than equity in income related to other quarters of the year due to seasonal fluctuations and higher energy contract prices during the summer months.
b. Competition
Recent developments in drilling for natural gas in shale formations have dramatically reduced natural gas prices, which in turn have created downward pressure on power prices. As a result, the MWG plants are now facing increased competition from natural gas-fueled power generation facilities.
State and local environmental regulations, particularly those that impose stringent state-specific emission limits, could put the MWG plants at a disadvantage compared with competing power plants operating in nearby states which are subject to less stringent state emission limits or to federal emission limits alone. The Combined Pollutant Standard (CPS) puts the MWG plants at a disadvantage compared with competing plants not subject to similar regulations, and federal air quality regulations, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, put the MWG plants at a disadvantage compared to plants utilizing other fuels. Potential future climate change regulations could also put the MWG plants at a disadvantage compared to power plants utilizing other fuels as well as utilities that may be able to recover climate change compliance costs through rate-based mechanisms. The ability of the MWG plants to compete could also be affected by future environmental regulations and by governmental and regulatory activities designed to support the construction and operation of power generation facilities fueled by renewable energy sources.
EMEs and MWGs businesses are subject to competition from energy marketers, public utilities, government-owned power agencies, industrial companies, financial institutions, and other independent power producers. These companies may have competitive advantages as a result of scale, the location of their generation facilities or other factors. Some of EMEs and MWGs competitors have a lower cost of capital and, in the case of utilities, may be able to recover fixed costs through rate-based mechanisms, allowing them to build, buy, and upgrade generation facilities without relying exclusively on market clearing prices to recover their investments.
3. Products
EME operates in one line of business, independent power production, with all its continuing operations located in the United States, except Doga Enerji, which is located in the Republic of Turkey. Operating revenues are primarily derived from the generation and sale of energy and capacity from coal-fired, natural gas-fired, and wind power plants and energy trading. MWG also generates operating revenue from oil-fired generating peakers.
4. Merchant Power Plants
A description of EMEs larger power plants and major investments in energy projects is set forth below. In addition to the facilities and power plants that EME owns, EME uses the term its in regard to facilities and power plants that EME or an EME subsidiary operates under sale leaseback arrangements.
a. MWG Plants
MWG and Commonwealth Edison have various reciprocal permanent and temporary easements over MWGs parcels for the location, use, maintenance, and repair of those facilities and equipment that are used in connection with the operations of MWG and Commonwealth Edison.
i. The Powerton and Joliet Stations
The Powerton Station is a 1,538 MW coal-fired station located in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois on a site that is approximately 568 acres in size. The site also includes an approximately 1,440acre lake. The operating units comprising the Powerton Station are referred to as Units 5 and 6 and began operations in 1972 and 1975, respectively. The Joliet Station is located in Joliet, Will County, Illinois, approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago on a site that is approximately 467 acres in size. The operating units comprising the Joliet Station are referred to as Units 6, 7, and 8. The operation of Units 6, 7, and 8 began in 1959, 1965, and 1966, respectively. Joliet Unit 6 is a 290 MW coal-fired unit located adjacent to, but across the Des Plaines River from, Joliet Units 7 and 8. Joliet Units 7 and 8 are coal-fired and have a combined capacity of 1,036 MW.
In conjunction with the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback, MWG leased substantially all the property on which the generating units are located to the owner trusts under site leases, and the owner trusts in turn subleased their undivided ground interest in the property back to MWG under site subleases.
ii. The Waukegan Station
The Waukegan Station is a 689 MW coal-fired power plant located in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on Lake Michigan. The Waukegan Station occupies approximately 194 acres, inclusive of the switchyard. The operating units comprising the Waukegan Station are referred to as Units 7 and 8 and began operations in 1958 and 1962, respectively.
iii. The Will County Station
The Will County Station is a 761 MW coal-fired power plant located in Romeoville, Will County, Illinois. The Will County Station is located on approximately 215 acres, inclusive of the switchyard. The operating units comprising the Will County Station are referred to as Units 3 and 4 and began operations between 1955 and 1963.
iv. The Former Fisk and Crawford Stations
The Fisk Generating Station (Fisk) and the Crawford Generating Station (Crawford), located in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, began operations in 1903 and 1927, respectively. In September 2012, facing increased expenses from complying with environmental regulations, macroeconomic pressures, and certain opposition to the continued operation of the facilities, MWG permanently shut down the Fisk and Crawford facilities. The facilities are no longer operational. The Debtors may pursue a sale of the Fisk property (a 43-acre site), the Crawford property (a 72-acre site), and/or Sampsons Canal (a canal near Fisk located at 2251 and 2401 South Loomis Street, Chicago, Illinois) outside of the Plan, as permitted by the Purchase Agreement. To the extent those properties are not divested, they will remain in MWGs ownership after the Effective Date.
v. On-Site Peaking Facilities
The on-site peaking units consist of 305 MW at Fisk and Waukegan, which were commissioned in 1968. The Fisk and Waukegan peaking units burn fuel oil. Natural gas is used by the Fisk peaking unit for ignition. The on-site peaking units at Fisk would not be subject to the proposed Crawford and Fisk sale mentioned above.
vi. Fuel Supply
MWG purchases coal primarily from the Southern Powder River Basin of Wyoming. The total volume of coal consumed annually is largely dependent on the amount of generation. Excluding consumption from retired units, historical consumption has ranged between 14.5 million to 16.5 million tons. Coal consumption in the current low natural gas price environment may be lower than the historical range. Coal is transported under transportation agreements with Union Pacific Railroad and various short-haul carriers. In late 2011, MWG signed agreements, effective January 1, 2012, to provide such fuel transportation on a long-term basis. As of December 31, 2012, MWG leased approximately 3,200 railcars to transport the coal from the mines to the generating stations under leases with remaining terms that range from one year to seven years. Pursuant to an order entered in the Chapter 11 Cases, MWG rejected a lease related to 1,275 of these railcars.
vii. Emission Allowances for the Coal Plants
Federal regulations require electric generating stations to hold sulfur dioxide (SO2) allowances sufficient to cover their annual emissions. Pursuant to Illinois implementation of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), the MWG plants are required to hold seasonal and annual nitrogen oxide (NOX) allowances. The CAIR remains in effect until a replacement regulation becomes effective.
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which was invalidated by the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, like CAIR, is an allowance-based regulation that provides for emissions trading. If CSAPR were to become effective, the amount of actual SO2 or NOX emissions from plant operations would need to be matched by a sufficient amount of SO2 or NOX allowances that were either allocated or purchased in the open market. SO2 allowances under the federal Acid Rain Program could not be used to satisfy the requirements under CSAPR. MWG believes its current environmental remediation plan, developed to comply with the CPS, along with the allowances allocated to it under the CAIR, will be sufficient to comply with the requirements of either the CAIR or CSAPR, as applicable.
b. Natural Gas
i. Sunrise Project
EME owns a 50 percent interest in Sunrise Power Company, LLC, which owns a 586 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle facility in Kern County, California (Sunrise). The power purchase agreement at Sunrise expired on June 30, 2012, and the project operates on a merchant basis selling into the California ISO market until a new power purchase agreement is executed. Dispatch will depend on market conditions, and Sunrise may run less than it has in the past. Historically, Sunrise has operated more during the summer due to higher demand driven by warmer weather, and during summer 2013, Sunrise had resource adequacy contracts for capacity with PG&E and SDG&E. The profitability of Sunrise as a merchant generator depends on market prices for power and natural gas and future results may differ from historical earnings.
ii. Big Four Projects
EME owns partnership investments in Kern River Cogeneration Company (Kern River), Midway-Sunset Cogeneration Company (Midway-Sunset), Sycamore Cogeneration Company (Sycamore) and Watson Cogeneration Company (Watson and, together with Kern River, Midway-Sunset and Sycamore, the Big 4 Projects).
a. Kern River
Kern River sells electricity to SCE under a transition power purchase agreement and has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with PG&E. Kern River sells steam to Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A., Inc. (Chevron), pursuant to a cogeneration partnership agreement (the Kern River Agreement). Chevron has objected to the Debtors motion to assume the Kern River Agreement and has filed a complaint against the Debtors seeking to lift the automatic stay and terminate the Kern River Agreement. This litigation, as described in more detail in Article VIII.C below, remains pending.
b. Midway-Sunset
Midway-Sunset sells electricity to PG&E under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2016. Midway-Sunset also sells electricity and steam to Aera Energy LLC under agreements that expire concurrently with the PG&E power purchase agreement.
c. Sycamore
Sycamore sells electricity to SCE under a transition power purchase agreement and has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with SCE. Sycamore sells steam to Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, a division of Chevron U.S.A., Inc., under an agreement that expires in 2020 (the Sycamore Agreement). Chevron has objected to the Debtors motion to assume the Sycamore Agreement and has filed a complaint against the Debtors seeking to lift the automatic stay and terminate the Sycamore Agreement. This litigation, as described in more detail in Article VIII.C below, remains pending.
d. Watson
Watson sells electricity to SCE under a transition power purchase agreement. Watson currently sells power and steam to BP West Coast Products LLC under agreements that expire in 2014.
iii. Westside Projects
EME owns 50 percent partnership interests in each of Coalinga Cogeneration Company, Mid-Set Cogeneration Company, Salinas River Cogeneration Company, and Sargent Canyon Cogeneration Company, each of which owns a 38 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration facility located in California (collectively, the Westside Projects). These projects sell electricity to PG&E under power purchase agreements that expire in 2016. The power purchase agreements became effective in December 2011.
iv. Walnut Creek Project
Walnut Creek is a 479 MW natural gas-fired peaker plant in southern California. It achieved commercial operation during the second quarter of 2013 and started earning revenues under its 10-year power sales agreement with SCE in June 2013.
c. Coal
EME owns a 50 percent interest in American Bituminous Power Partners, L.P., which owns an 80 MW waste coal facility located in Grant Town, West Virginia (Ambit). Ambit sells electricity to Monongahela Power Company under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2036. On October, 1, 2013, Ambit made the required annual principal payments to certain bondholders by drawing on its line of credit and was unable to fully reimburse the drawdown, which is a potential event of default. However, Ambit and various counterparties, including the line of credit issuer, executed an amendment, effective October 1, 2013, to waive any event of default.
5. Doga (International)
EME indirectly owns an 80 percent interest in Doga Enerji, which owns a 180 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration plant near Istanbul in the Republic of Turkey (Doga). Doga sells electricity to the Turkish Electricity Distribution Company under a power purchase agreement that expires in 2019, after which date the facility is to be conveyed to the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
6. Renewable Energy
a. Wind
EME, through certain other non-Debtor affiliates, also owns or operates 29 wind facilities throughout the United Statesin Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Those wind facilities accounted for 22 percent of EMEs total power generating capacity on the Petition Date. Generation from 428 MW of wind capacity is sold on a merchant basis, while the balance is sold pursuant to privately negotiated long-term power purchase agreements.
b. Biomass
Until January 2013, EME indirectly owned a 38 percent limited partnership interest in Covanta Huntington LP, which owns a 25 MW waste-to-energy facility located near the Town of Huntington, New York. In October 2012, a Non-Debtor Subsidiary of EME exercised an option to sell all of its interest in the project. In January 2013, EME received $7.5 million in exchange for its indirect interest in the project.
7. Asset Management and Trading Activities
EMEs power marketing and trading subsidiary, EMMT, manages the energy and capacity of EMEs merchant generating plants and, in addition, trades electric power, natural gas, oil and related commodity, and financial products, including forwards, futures, options, and swaps. EMMT segregates its activities into two categories:
· Asset Management. EMMT engages in the sale of energy and capacity and the purchase and sale of fuels, including natural gas and fuel oil, through intercompany contracts with EMEs subsidiaries that own or lease EMEs facilities. EME uses derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to market risks that arise from price fluctuations of electricity, capacity, fuel, emission allowances, and transmission rights. The objective of these activities is to sell the output of the facilities on a forward basis or to hedge the risk of future changes in prices or price differences between different locations. Hedging activities typically include on-peak and off-peak periods and may include load service requirements contracts with local utilities. Transactions related to hedging activities are designated separately from EMMTs trading activities. Not all contracts entered into by EMMT for hedging purposes qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. MWG is a party to a contract with EMMT under which EMMT, as an agent for MWG, sells energy and capacity from the MWG plants into the wholesale market, engages in hedging activities, and provides scheduling and other services. EMMT has the ability to enter into fuel hedging arrangements on MWGs behalf.
· Trading. EMMT seeks to generate trading profits from volatility in the price of electricity, capacity, fuels, and transmission congestion by buying and selling contracts in wholesale markets under guidelines approved by EMEs risk management committee.
8. Employees
As of September 30, 2013, EMEs businesses employed 1,063 people, including employees of MWG. At that date, MWG employed 661 people (or 588 without including MWG EME employees), approximately 436 of whom were covered by a collective bargaining agreement governing wages, certain benefits, and working conditions. On November 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Debtors extension of this collective bargaining agreement and the agreement is now set to expire on December 31, 2014. MWG also has a separate collective bargaining agreement governing retirement, health care, disability, and insurance benefits that expires on March 31, 2015.
B. Regulatory Matters
EMEs and MWGs businesses are subject to extensive regulation. EMEs operating projects, including the MWG plants, are subject to energy, environmental, and other governmental laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels in connection with project development, ownership, and operation, and the use of electric energy, capacity and related products, including ancillary services, from the projects. In addition, EMEs and MWGs businesses are subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the markets in which they participate.
1. Federal Power Act
The FERC has exclusive jurisdiction over the rates, terms and conditions of wholesale sales of electricity and transmission services in interstate commerce, including on-going, as well as initial, rate jurisdiction, but does not exercise jurisdiction over transmission that is bundled with retail sales. The FERC also has jurisdiction over the direct and indirect sale or transfer of, and the transfer of control over, specified assets, including wholesale power sales contracts and generation facilities and, in some cases, jurisdiction over the issuance of securities or the assumption of specified liabilities and some interlocking directorates. Dispositions of EMEs and MWGs jurisdictional assets and certain types of financing arrangements may require FERC approval.
Each of EMEs domestic generating facilities is either a qualifying facility, as determined by the FERC, or the subsidiary owning the facility is an exempt wholesale generator (an EWG). Most qualifying facilities are exempt from the ratemaking and several other provisions of the Federal Power Act (the FPA). MWGs and EMEs other EWGs, except the Goat Wind and Cedro Hill wind projects located in Texas, are subject to the FERCs ratemaking jurisdiction under the FPA, but have been authorized to sell power at market-based rates to purchasers that are not affiliated electric utility companies as long as they continue to lack market power. In addition, EMEs power marketing subsidiaries, including EMMT, have been authorized by the FERC to make wholesale market sales of power at market-based rates and are subject to the FERC ratemaking regulation under the FPA.
If a qualifying facility in which EME has an interest were to lose its qualifying facility status, the project would no longer be entitled to the related exemptions from regulation and could become subject to rate regulation by the FERC and state authorities. If an EWG or qualifying facility in which EME has an interest were to lose such status, the EWG or qualifying facility, any intermediate holding company, and EME could become subject to FERC regulation under PUHCA 2005. Loss of qualifying facility or EWG status could also trigger defaults under covenants contained in the projects power sales agreements and financing agreements.
2. The Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) provides the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission with jurisdiction to regulate financial derivative products, including swaps, options, and other derivative products, collectively referred to herein as swaps.
The Dodd-Frank Act subjects swaps to new mandatory clearing and trading requirements, if no exemption applies. It may also impose capital requirements on non-exempt market participants. The clearing and trading requirements could result in increased margining requirements which may increase the costs of hedging activity. EME and MWG, through EMMT, use swaps to hedge commercial risks associated with the generation, purchase and sale of electricity and fuel to wholesale customers. In addition, EMMT utilizes swaps as part of its proprietary trading activities.
New rules and regulations on clearing, trading, or other requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act have been enacted and other rules and regulations are under consideration. The potential impact of those rules and regulations will depend on the content, which remains uncertain.
3. Reliability Standards
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (the NERC) establishes and enforces reliability standards for the bulk power system. EME and MWG believe they have taken appropriate steps to comply with current applicable NERC reliability standards.
4. Transmission of Wholesale Power
EMEs projects that sell power to wholesale purchasers other than the local utility to which the project may be interconnected require the transmission of electricity over power lines owned by others. MWG utilizes power lines owned by others for the transmission of electricity. The prices and other terms and conditions of transmission contracts are regulated by the FERC when the entity providing the transmission service is subject to FERC jurisdiction.
5. PUHCA 2005
PUHCA 2005 applies to holding companies (including their affiliates) that own ten percent or more of the voting securities of public utilities, affirms the FERCs authority to deny or approve the pass-through of costs charged for inter-affiliate, non-power goods and services, establishes the FERCs authority over the books and records of holding companies and their affiliates, and, except for holding companies that own only qualifying facilities, allows state access to the books and records of holding companies and their affiliates. A holding company that owns only EWGs is exempt from the FERCs books and records jurisdiction. Since EMEs domestic indirectly-owned generating facilities sell power at market-based rates, they are not affected by FERCs jurisdiction over inter-affiliate, non-power goods and services. Since EMEs domestic indirectly-owned generating facilities are EWGs or qualifying facilities, EME is not subject to FERCs books and records jurisdiction.
C. Environmental Matters and Regulations
Legislative and regulatory activities by federal, state and local authorities in the United States relating to energy and the environment impose numerous restrictions and requirements with respect to the operation of EMEs existing facilities, including the MWG plants, and affect the timing, cost, location, design, construction, and operation of new facilities by EMEs subsidiaries, as well as the cost of mitigating the environmental impacts of past operations. In addition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the U.S. EPA) and others have from time to time sought to involve EME and MWG in litigation related to facilities owned by EMEs subsidiaries. The EME facilities most affected by stringent environmental requirements are the MWG plants.
1. Air Quality
The Clean Air Act (the CAA), which regulates air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources, has a significant impact on the operation of the MWG plants. The CAA requires the U.S. EPA to establish concentration levels in the ambient air for six common air pollutants, or criteria pollutants, to protect public health and welfare. These concentration levels are known as National Ambient Air Quality Standards (the NAAQS). The six criteria pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, NOX, ozone, particulate matter, and SO2.
Federal environmental regulations require states to adopt state implementation plans (SIPs) for certain pollutants that detail how the state will attain the standards that are mandated by the relevant law or regulation. The SIPs must be equal to or more stringent than the federal requirements and must be submitted to the U.S. EPA for approval. Each state identifies the areas within its boundaries that meet the NAAQS (attainment areas) and those that do not (non-attainment areas), and must develop a SIP both to bring non-attainment areas into compliance with the NAAQS and to maintain compliant air quality in attainment areas. If the attainment status of areas changes, states may be required to develop new SIPs that address these changes. Many of EMEs and its subsidiaries facilities are located in areas that have not attained NAAQS for ozone (affected by NOX emissions from power plants) and fine particulate matter (affected by SO2 and NOX emissions from power plants).
On December 11, 2006, MWG entered into an agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (the Illinois EPA), which was subsequently embodied in an Illinois rule, the CPS, to reduce mercury, NOX and SO2 emissions at the MWG plants. The CPS requires MWG to achieve air emission reductions for NOX and SO2, and those reductions should contribute to or effect compliance through SIPs with various existing U.S. EPA ambient air quality standards. It is possible that if ozone, particulate matter, NOX, or SO2 NAAQS requirements are lowered by U.S. EPA in the future, Illinois may implement regulations that are more stringent than those required by the CPS.
a. Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide
i. Clean Air Interstate and Cross-State Air Pollution Rules
The CAIR, issued by the U.S. EPA on March 10, 2005, mandated significant reductions in NOX and SO2 emission allowance caps under the CAA in 28 eastern states and the District of Columbia. In 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit initially vacated the CAIR, but later remanded the CAIR to the U.S. EPA for the issuance of a revised rule. The CAIR remains in effect until a replacement regulation becomes effective.
On July 6, 2011, the U.S. EPA adopted CSAPR. CSAPR contemplated emissions reductions for annual SO2 emissions and annual and ozone season NOX emissions in two phases: a first phase originally scheduled to be effective January 1, 2012 and, in most states subject to the program (including Illinois); and a second phase effective January 1, 2014 that requires additional reductions in annual SO2 emissions. CSAPR, like the CAIR, is an allowance-based regulation that provides for emissions trading.
In August 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the CSAPR and directed the U.S. EPA to continue administering the CAIR pending the promulgation of a valid replacement. The decision will be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court during its 2013-2014 term.
ii. Revised NAAQS for SO2.
In June 2010, the U.S. EPA finalized the primary NAAQS for SO2 by establishing a new one-hour standard at a level of 75 parts per billion. In June 2011, the Illinois EPA submitted its initial recommended attainment/non-attainment area designations in connection with the standard. The Illinois EPA recommended designating parts of Tazewell County (where the Powerton plant is located) and Will and Cook Counties as non-attainment areas with this standard. The recommended designation for parts of Will and Cook Counties included the area where the Will County plant is located, but not the areas where MWGs other plants in those counties are located.
iii. Illinois
All of MWGs Illinois coal-fired electric generating units are subject to the CPS, but MWG was granted a variance by the Illinois Pollution Control Board in April 2013 (2013 Variance) that modifies certain of the CPS obligations. Under the CPS and the 2013 Variance, MWG must meet certain emission standards for its Illinois coal units, install specified pollution control technology on certain units by dates certain, and either install control equipment or shut down other units. The principal emission standards and control technology requirements for NOX and SO2 under the CPS and 2013 Variance are described below.
· NOX Emissions. Beginning in 2012 and continuing in each calendar year thereafter, MWG must comply with an annual and seasonal NOX emission rate of no more than 0.11 lbs/million British thermal units (Btu). MWGs 2012 fleetwide NOX emission rate complied with this regulation.
· SO2 Emissions. Pursuant to the 2013 Variance, MWG must comply with an SO2 emissions cap system-wide (i.e., at Joliet Units 6, 7, & 8; Powerton Units 5 & 6; Waukegan Units 7 & 8; and Will County Units 3 & 4) of 57,000 tons in 2013, 54,000 tons in 2014, 39,000 tons in 2015, and 37,000 tons in 2016. No other coal-fired units may operate from April 4, 2013 through December 31, 2016. Additionally, MWG must comply with a system-wide SO2 emissions limit of 0.38 lb/mmBtu from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016. MWG must comply with the CPS overall SO2 annual emission rate of 0.15 lbs/mmBtu in 2017, 0.13 lbs/mmBtu in 2018, and 0.211 lbs/mmBtu in 2019.
· Specific Controls. Under the CPS, MWG must permanently shut down or install flue gas desulfurization (FGD) at Joliet Units 6, 7, and 8, Will County Units 3 and 4, and Powerton Unit 5 by December 31, 2018. The April 2013 Variance requires permanent shut down or installation of FGD and ESP upgrades on Powerton Unit 6 by December 31, 2014, FGD and ESP upgrades or a fabric filter at Waukegan Unit 7 by December 31, 2014, and FGD at Waukegan Unit 8 by May 31, 2015 (or a permanent shutdown of that unit).
Testing of dry sorbent injection using Trona on select MWG units has demonstrated significant reductions in SO2 emissions. Use of dry sorbent injection technology in conjunction with low sulfur coal is expected to require substantially less capital and time to construct than the use of spray dryer absorber technology, but would likely result in higher ongoing operating costs and may consequently impair the competitiveness of MWGs plants, depending on competitors costs.
The Sierra Club has filed a complaint with the Illinois Pollution Control Board alleging that MWGs emissions of SO2 between 2010 and 2012 resulted in violations of air pollution control requirements of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and the Boards regulations at Joliet, Powerton, Waukegan, and Will County. Sierra Club seeks civil penalties, a cease and desist order, and limits and reductions of SO2 emissions. On November 13, 2013, the Sierra Club obtained an order of the Bankruptcy Court granting relief from the automatic stay [Docket No. 1584], allowing it to resume its action for declaratory and injunctive relief but prohibiting it from enforcing, at this time, any monetary penalties that may be awarded.
b. Mercury/Hazardous Air Pollutants
i. Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Rule
In December 2011, the U.S. EPA announced the MATS rule, limiting emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from coal- and oil-fired electrical generating units. The rule became effective on April 16, 2012 with a compliance deadline of April 16, 2015 for existing units. In November 2012, the U.S. EPA issued proposed revisions to aspects of the regulation relating to new units. A number of parties have filed notices of appeal challenging the rule, although the only appeals that are currently moving forward relate to the standards applicable to existing units. EME and MWG do not expect these standards to require material changes to the approach for compliance with state and federal environmental regulations already contemplated for CPS compliance.
ii. Illinois
The CPS requires that, beginning in calendar year 2015, and continuing thereafter on a rolling 12-month basis, MWG must either achieve an emission standard of 0.008 lbs mercury/gigawatt-hours (GWh) gross electrical output or a minimum 90 percent reduction in mercury for each unit (except Unit 3 at the Will County Station, which will be included in calendar year 2016). In 2012, MWG notified the Illinois EPA that all units except Waukegan Station Unit 7 and Will County Station Unit 3 were in compliance with these requirements. MWG is required to install cold side electrostatic precipitator or fabric filtration equipment on Waukegan Station Unit 7 by December 31, 2014 and on Will County Station Unit 3 by December 31, 2015 to comply with the CPS.
c. Ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In January 2010, the U.S. EPA proposed a revision to the primary and secondary NAAQS for 8-hour ozone that it had finalized in 2008. The 8-hour ozone standard established in 2008 was 0.075 parts per million. In January 2010, the U.S. EPA proposed establishing a primary 8-hour ozone NAAQS between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million and a distinct secondary standard to protect sensitive vegetation and ecosystems. In September 2011, President Obama announced that the proposed revision was being withdrawn. The ozone NAAQS established in 2008 remains in place, but the implementation process must be completed before the 0.075 parts-per-million standard can be enforced. New primary and secondary ozone standards are expected in 2014.
In June 2012, the U.S. EPA designated the counties in Illinois where MWGs coal-fired power plants are located as non-attainment areas with the 2008 NAAQS. Illinois has not yet submitted a SIP outlining how compliance with the 2008 NAAQS will be achieved.
d. Regional Haze
The regional haze rules under the CAA are designed to prevent impairment of visibility in certain federally designated areas. The goal of the rules is to restore visibility in mandatory federal Class I areas, such as national parks and wilderness areas, to natural background conditions by 2064. Sources, such as power plants, that are reasonably anticipated to contribute to visibility impairment in Class I areas may be required to install best available retrofit technology (BART) or implement other control strategies to meet regional haze control requirements.
In July 2012, the U.S. EPA approved Illinois regional haze SIP, which provided that the emission reductions that the MWG plants will be required to make pursuant to the CPS, discussed above in Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur DioxideIllinois, satisfy the BART requirement.
e. New Source Review Requirements
The New Source Review (NSR) regulations impose certain requirements on facilities, such as electric generating stations, if modifications are made to air emissions sources at the facility. Since 1999, the U.S. EPA has pursued a coordinated compliance and enforcement strategy to address NSR compliance issues at the nations coal-fired power plants. The U.S. EPA has filed enforcement actions against MWG and Homer City alleging NSR violations. Pursuant to the Plan, valid claims (if any) against MWG on account of these enforcement actions will be satisfied in full. In addition, the Purchaser will assume EMEs liability (if any) on account of these enforcement actions.
f. Odors and Particulates
Illinois residents in the vicinity of the Crawford and Fisk Plants have filed putative class action suits against MWG alleging that particulate, odor, and air contaminants from the plants have caused property damage, interference with use and enjoyment of property, and emotional distress. They seek compensatory damages and injunctive relief. See Paraday v. Midwest Generation, LLC, No. 2012-CH-1575 (Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Ill.); Bastida v. Midwest Generation, LLC, No. 2012-CH-1576 (Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Ill.).
g. Permitting
MWG has challenged the operating permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for its plants. MWG is arguing, among other things, that the operating permits lack statements of basis, are arbitrary and capricious, and unlawfully impose new substantive requirements. See, e.g., Complaint, Midwest Generation, LLC v. Illinois EPA, PCB 06-060 (Nov. 2, 2005). These cases are PCB 06-060 (Will County), PCB 06-146 (Waukegan), PCB 06-058 (Joliet), and PCB 06-059 (Powerton). The permits have been stayed pending the outcome of the appeals. See, e.g., Order, PCB 06-060 (Feb. 16, 2006). In the meantime, the plants must continue to operate by the terms and conditions of their prior state operating permits. Id.
MWG also has challenged a number of construction permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, arguing, among other things, that the permits impose conditions that have been appealed in the pending operating permit cases. See, e.g., Order Granting Stay, Midwest Generation, LLC v. Illinois EPA, PCB 10-98 (June 17, 2010); Order Granting Stay, Midwest Generation, LLC v. Illinois EPA, PCB 06-156 (July 20, 2006). The challenged conditions of these permits have been stayed as MWG and Illinois EPA negotiate new permit terms. See PCB 10-98 (Will County permit for installation and operation of 2,000-gallon above-ground gasoline storage tank); PCB 06-156 (Will County permit for construction and operation of wet dust extractor control devices); PCB 08-009 (Will County permit for construction of soda ash handling system); PCB 08-022 (Will County permit for installation of activated carbon injection (ACI)); PCB 08-20 (Waukegan permit for installation of ACI); PCB 07-101 (Powerton permit for installation of wet dust extractors).
2. Water Quality
a. Clean Water Act
Regulations under the federal Clean Water Act govern critical operating parameters at generating facilities, such as the temperature of effluent discharges and the location, design, and construction of cooling water intake structures at generating facilities. In April 2011, the U.S. EPA published a rule proposing standards under the federal Clean Water Act that would affect cooling water intake structures at existing generating facilities. The standards are intended to protect aquatic organisms by reducing capture in screens attached to cooling water intake structures (impingement) and in the water volume brought into the facilities (entrainment). The regulations are expected to be finalized in 2013. The required measures to comply with the proposed standards regarding entrainment are subject to the discretion of the permitting authority, and EME is unable at this time to assess potential costs of compliance, which could be significant for the MWG plants.
In June 2013, the U.S. EPA proposed changes to the Steam Electric Guideline Regulation which sets discharge limits for various operations which discharge to waters of the United States. The rule is schedule for issuance by May 2014.
b. Illinois
MWG is a party to an administrative rulemaking proceeding before the Illinois Pollution Control Board to determine whether more stringent thermal and other water quality standards for the Chicago Area Waterway System and Lower Des Plaines River, which supply cooling water to MWGs Will County and Joliet Stations, will be implemented. The proposed thermal water quality standards, if adopted, are expected to affect the manner in which those stations use water for station cooling. It is not possible to predict the timing for resolution of the proceeding, the final form of the rules, or specifically how it would impact the operation of each affected station; however, unless regulatory relief from the rules application to the MWG stations is obtained, significant capital expenditures are likely.
c. Coal Combustion Wastes
U.S. EPA regulations currently classify coal ash and other coal combustion residuals as solid wastes that are exempt from hazardous waste requirements. This classification enables beneficial uses of coal combustion residuals, such as for cement production and fill materials. MWG currently provides a portion of its coal combustion residuals for beneficial uses. In June 2010, the U.S. EPA published proposed regulations relating to coal combustion residuals that could result in more stringent requirements for the management and disposal of such materials.
Environmental groups have filed a complaint before the Illinois Pollution Control Board alleging that groundwater pollution has leached from coal-ash ponds at Joliet, Powerton, Waukegan, and Will County. The plaintiffs allege that coal-ash ponds at those facilities have released contaminants into the groundwater, causing exceedances of state and federal standards for several pollutants including arsenic, boron, and selenium. They seek an order requiring MWG to modify its coal ash disposal practices and remediate groundwater contamination, as well as civil penalties. See Sierra Club v. Midwest Generation LLC, PCB 13-15.
d. Climate Change
There have been a number of federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Any climate change regulation or other legal obligation that would require substantial reductions in GHG emissions or that would impose additional costs or charges for the GHG emissions could significantly increase the cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels, and especially from coal-fired plants, which could adversely affect EMEs and MWGs businesses.
i. Federal Legislative/Regulatory Developments
In June 2010, the U.S. EPA issued the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule (the GHG Tailoring Rule). This regulation generally subjects newly constructed sources of GHG emissions and newly modified existing major sources to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air permitting program beginning in January 2011 (and later, to the Title V permitting program under the CAA); however, the GHG Tailoring Rule significantly increases the emissions thresholds that apply before facilities are subjected to these programs. The emissions thresholds for carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents in the final rule vary from 75,000 tons per year to 100,000 tons per year depending on the date and whether the sources are new or modified.
In June 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed the challenge by industry groups and some states to the GHG Tailoring Rule. In December 2012, petitions for rehearing by the full District of Columbia Circuit filed by states and industry groups were denied. In July 2012, the U.S. EPA published a final rule maintaining the CO2 equivalent emissions thresholds (for purposes of PSD and Title V permitting) originally established in the GHG Tailoring Rule.
Regulation of GHG emissions pursuant to the PSD program could affect efforts to modify EMEs and MWGs facilities in the future and could subject new capital projects to additional permitting or emissions control requirements that could delay such projects. In December 2010, the U.S. EPA announced that it had entered into a settlement with various states and environmental groups to resolve a long-standing dispute over regulation of GHGs from electrical generating units pursuant to the New Source Performance Standards in the CAA and would propose performance standards for emissions from new and modified power plants and emissions guidelines for existing power plants. In September 2013, the U.S. EPA issued proposed regulations governing GHG emissions from new electric generating stations. The U.S. EPA intends to issue proposed GHG emission standards for reconstructed and existing electric generating stations in June 2014 and to promulgate such standards in June 2015. States would be required to submit their implementation plans responding to such guidelines to the U.S. EPA one year after the regulations are promulgated.
Since January 2010, the U.S. EPAs Final Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule has required all sources within specified categories, including electric generation facilities, to monitor emissions and to submit annual reports to the U.S. EPA by March 31 of each year. EMEs 2012 GHG emissions were approximately 29 million metric tons. MWGs 2012 GHG emissions were approximately 25 million metric tons.
ii. Regional Initiatives and State Legislation
Regional initiatives and state legislation may also require reductions of GHG emissions, and it is not yet clear whether or to what extent any federal legislation would preempt them. If state and/or regional initiatives remain in effect after federal legislation is enacted, generators could be required to satisfy them in addition to federal standards.
EMEs operations in California are subject to two laws governing GHG emissions. The first law, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), establishes a comprehensive program to reduce GHG emissions. AB 32 requires the California Air Resources Board (the CARB) to develop regulations, effective in 2012, that would reduce Californias GHG emissions to 1990 levels in yearly increments by 2020. In December 2011, the CARB regulation was officially published, establishing a California cap-and-trade program. The first compliance period under the regulations is for 2013 GHG emissions. CARB regulations implementing a cap-and-trade program, and the cap-and-trade program itself, continue to be the subject of litigation. In December 2011, a federal district court enjoined the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, another AB 32 program regulating the carbon content of transportation fuels, on constitutional commerce clause grounds.
The second law, SB 1368, required the CPUC and the California Energy Commission to adopt GHG emissions performance standards restricting the ability of California investor-owned and publicly owned utilities, respectively, to enter into long-term arrangements for the purchase of electricity. The standards that have been adopted prohibit these entities from entering into long-term financial commitments with generators that emit more than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per MW-hour (the performance of a combined-cycle gas turbine generator). EME believes that all of its California facilities meet the SB 1368 standards.
iii. Litigation Developments
Litigation alleging that GHG is a public and private nuisance may affect EME and MWG whether or not they are named as defendants. The law is unsettled on whether or not this litigation presents questions capable of judicial resolution or political questions that should be resolved by the legislative or executive branches.
In April 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed, as to EME and three wholly owned EME subsidiaries, the plaintiffs appeal of the Mississippi federal district courts dismissal of a lawsuit filed in March 2012 against a large number of defendants (including EME and the three subsidiaries). The plaintiffs had alleged that defendants activities resulted in emissions of substantial quantities of GHG that have contributed to climate change and sea level rise, which in turn were alleged to have increased the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina.
D. The Debtors Capital Structure and Prepetition Indebtedness
1. Corporate Structure
All of the Debtors are indirect subsidiaries and affiliates of non-Debtor EIX whose shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Debtor EME is a Delaware corporation that functions as the parent company of its various Debtor and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries and affiliates.
2. Prepetition Indebtedness
The Debtors principal prepetition capital structure consisted of (a) approximately $3.7 billion of senior unsecured notes, (b) approximately $345 million of sale-leaseback obligation certificates (the PoJo Certificates) related to the Powerton-Joliet leveraged lease transactions, (c) $1.367 billion of intercompany notes issued by EME to MWG, and (d) letter-of-credit facilities for EME and Midwest Generation EME, LLC. EMEs project-level subsidiaries were also borrowers or issuers under approximately $1.2 billion of funded indebtedness that is nonrecourse to EME as well as certain letter of credit facilities.
As of the Petition Date, the Debtors and EMEs project-level subsidiaries had approximately $5.4 billion in principal of funded debt.
a. Senior Unsecured Notes
As of the Petition Date, EME had outstanding approximately $3.7 billion in principal of senior unsecured notes, comprised of:
· $500 million principal amount of 7.50-percent Senior Notes which were due June 15, 2013, with interest payments due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 (the 2013 Notes);
· $500 million principal amount of 7.75-percent Senior Notes due June 15, 2016, with interest payments due semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 (the 2016 Notes);
· $1.2 billion principal amount of 7.00-percent Senior Notes due May 15, 2017, with interest payments due semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 (the 2017 Notes);
· $800 million principal amount of 7.20-percent Senior Notes due May 15, 2019, with interest payments due May 15 and November 15 (the 2019 Notes); and
· $700 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625-percent Senior Notes due May 15, 2027, with interest payments due May 15 and November 15 (the 2027 Notes, and, together with the 2013 Notes, the 2016 Notes, the 2017 Notes, and the 2019 Notes, the EME Senior Notes).
i. 2013 Notes and 2016 Notes
The 2013 Notes and the 2016 Notes were issued under an indenture, dated June 6, 2006, by and between EME and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented from time to time thereafter. The 2013 Notes and the 2016 Notes are unsecured and rank equally with EMEs other unsecured senior indebtedness, including the 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes and the 2027 Notes.
In addition to the default relating to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, on December 17, 2012, EME failed to make semiannual interest payments of an aggregate amount of $38.1 million. As a result, the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of either of the 2013 Notes or the 2016 Notes had the right to accelerate their respective obligations under either of the 2013 Notes or the 2016 Notes, subject to the automatic stay under the Bankruptcy Code.
ii. 2017 Notes, 2019 Notes, and 2027 Notes
The 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes, and the 2027 Notes were issued under an indenture, dated May 7, 2007, by and between EME and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented from time to time thereafter. The 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes, and the 2027 Notes are unsecured and rank equally with EMEs other unsecured senior indebtedness, including the 2013 Notes and the 2016 Notes. Interest on the 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes and the 2027 Notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year.
In addition to the default relating to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, on November 15 2012, EME failed to make semiannual interest payments of an aggregate amount of $97.5 million, which were subject to a 30-day grace period. EME did not make the payment within the grace period. As a result, the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal amount of any of the 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes, or the 2027 Notes had the right to accelerate their respective obligations under any of the 2017 Notes, the 2019 Notes, or the 2027 Notes, subject to the automatic stay under the Bankruptcy Code.
3. Sale-Leaseback Obligation Notes
In connection with the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback, the owner lessors raised cash to effect the transaction by issuing PoJo Certificates to investor-certificate holders by way of a pass-through trust. MWG pays rent to the lease indenture trustee, who distributes scheduled SLOB payments to the certificate holders. EME guarantees these rent payments.
As of July 2, 2012, after which no principal payments were made, approximately $345 million principal of PoJo Certificates were outstanding, approximately $220.26 million related to the Powerton Lease and approximately $124.91 million related to the Joliet lease.
4. Intercompany Notes
MWG loaned the sale-leaseback proceeds of the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback to EME in exchange for the following intercompany notes in aggregate principal amount of $1.367 billion (the Intercompany Notes), which each accrue interest at 8.30 percent:
· $581,700,000 of Intercompany Notes due July 2, 2014;
· $285,849,200 of Intercompany Notes due January 2, 2015; and
· $499,450,800 of Intercompany Notes due January 2, 2016.
EMEs obligations under the Intercompany Notes are general obligations of EME and are pari passu with EMEs other unsecured obligations.
EME funds its payments of principal and interest due under the Intercompany Notes from distributions from its subsidiaries, including MWG, and cash on hand. EMEs payments under the Intercompany Notes assist MWG in the payment of its lease payments under the Powerton and Joliet Sale Leaseback. As a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, EME did not make the scheduled principal and interest payment of $61 million due on January 2, 2013. MWG determined that it was probable a loss would be realized in connection with this intercompany loan. MWG is unable to determine whether any future payments will be made under this intercompany loan agreement. As a result, MWG recorded a $1.4 billion charge, equal to the full carrying amount of the loan and accrued interest, during the fourth quarter of 2012. The Intercompany Notes mature simultaneously with the maturity of the PoJo Certificates under the Powerton Joliet Sale Leaseback.
5. EME and Midwest Generation EME, LLC Letter of Credit Facilities
As of the Petition Date, EME was the account party on a $100 million cash collateralized letter of credit facility provided by DNB Bank ASA, which matures on June 30, 2014. Approximately $55 million of letters of credit had been issued under this facility, all of which were cash collateralized by EME.
As of the Petition Date, Midwest Generation EME, LLC was the account party on a $2 million cash collateralized letter of credit facility provided by Citibank, N.A., which matures on December 31, 2013. Approximately $2 million of letters of credit had been issued under this facility.
These letter of credit facilities at EME and Midwest Generation EME, LLC were refinanced after the Petition Date with a $75 million letter credit facility at Edison Mission Wind, which was completed in April 2013 and expires on April 30, 2016.
6. PoJo Leveraged Leases
a. Financing MWGs Entry into the PoJo Leases and Documents
Effective as of August 17, 2000, MWG entered into the PoJo Leases and Documents, pursuant to which MWG sold its Powerton Generating Station in Pekin, Illinois (Powerton) and Units 7 and 8 of its Joliet Generating Station in Joliet, Illinois (collectively, Joliet and, collectively with Powerton, the PoJo Facilities) to the PoJo Owner Lessors and simultaneously leased the Facilities from the PoJo Owner Lessors. In connection therewith, the PoJo Owner Lessors purchased the PoJo Facilities from MWG for approximately $1.367 billion in aggregate cash consideration.
To fund the $1.367 billion purchase price for the PoJo Facilities, the PoJo Owner Lessors used $237 million in equity funding from the PoJo Owner Participants and financed the remaining $1.147 billion of the purchase price by issuing two series of PoJo Certificates: (i) $333.5 million in 8.30 percent Series A Lessor Notes and (ii) $813.5 million in 8.56 percent Series B Lessor Notes. The Series A Lessor Notes have fully paid and are no longer outstanding. All of the Series B Lessor Notes were purchased by a Series B Pass Through Trust, which financed the purchase by issuing $813.5 million in 8.56 percent Series B Pass Through Certificates to unrelated third parties (as exchanged for an equal amount of registered certificates (the Series B Certificates). The Series B Certificates are held for the benefit of their respective holders by the Bank of New York Mellon, as Successor Pass Through Trustee (the PoJo Pass Through Trustee). As of the Petition Date, Series B Certificates in the aggregate principal amount of $345 million remained outstanding.
b. Overview of the PoJo Leases and Documents
In connection with MWGs entry into the PoJo Leases and Documents, MWG simultaneously leased an undivided interest in Powerton and Joliet from the PoJo Owner Lessors pursuant to the applicable Facility Lease Agreements (collectively, the PoJo Leases) and leased the facility sites with respect thereto to the respective PoJo Owner Lessors pursuant to certain facility site sublease agreements. Under the PoJo Leases, lease rent is paid in arrears in semi-annual payments to the PoJo Owner Lessors, which utilize such lease rent to support the principal and interest payments on the PoJo Certificates, which are secured by an assignment of, and first priority security interest in, substantially all of the Owner Lessors assets, including the PoJo Leases and the PoJo Facilities. Approximately $75 million in lease rent became payable on each of January 2, 2013, and July 2, 2013. Absent early rejection or termination, the Powerton leases expire in 2034 and the Joliet leases expire in 2030.
In addition to MWGs obligations thereunder, EME is obligated under the PoJo Leases and Documents as follows:
· Under certain guarantees executed by EME in favor of the PoJo Owner Lessors and PoJo Owner Participants, EME unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligation and not merely as surety, MWGs payment of rent under the PoJo Leases and the other PoJo Leases and Documents, respectively.
· The PoJo Leases and Documents participation agreements require EME, subject to certain conditions, to indemnify the PoJo Owner Lessors, the PoJo Owner Participants, the PoJo Equity Investors, the PoJo Pass Through Trustee, and certain other parties, for certain non-tax claims related to the PoJo Facilities.
· Finally, under certain tax indemnity agreements between EME and each of the PoJo Owner Participants, EME, subject to certain terms and conditions, agrees to indemnify each PoJo Owner Participant for the adverse tax consequences resulting from breaches of representations and warranties under the tax indemnity agreement and certain acts or omissions of MWG.
E. Tax Sharing Agreements
The EIX Group, consisting of EIX and certain of its subsidiaries, files a consolidated federal income tax return that enables the group to be taxable as a group rather than as separate entities.(2) Similarly, the EIX Group files unitary and similar state tax returns, including in particular in the state of California.(3) Several tax sharing agreements (the Tax Sharing Agreements) govern the payments by and among EIX and its subsidiaries with respect to tax liabilities and the use of losses and credits (Tax Attributes). For purposes of the Tax Sharing Agreements only, the taxable income and Tax Attributes of each subsidiary are generally calculated independently. Subsidiaries that generated taxable income are generally required to make payments to EIX either to cover their respective share of the groups cash tax liability or to the extent other members Tax Attributes shelter their net income, as calculated on a standalone basis. Correspondingly, subsidiaries that generated tax losses are compensated by other members of the group to the extent their Tax Attributes are used to shelter net income of such other members, as calculated on a standalone basis.
Specifically, under the master tax sharing agreement (the Master Agreement) between EIX, SCE, and Edison Mission Group, Inc. (EMEs grandparent, EMG), subject to the SCE Priority described below, EIX makes payments to SCE and EMG in consideration for Tax Attributes attributable to their respective sub-groups if, when, and as such Tax Attributes are used to offset the taxable income of the EIX Group. SCE and EMG, in turn, make payments to EIX in amounts equal to the assumed tax liability of their respective sub-groups determined on a separate company basis. The tax sharing payments among EMG and its first tier subsidiaries, including Mission Energy Holding Company (MEHC), as well as among MEHC and its first tier subsidiaries, including EME, are governed by separate Tax Sharing Agreements that apply similar principles as the Master Agreement (other than the SCE Priority).
Certain provisions of the Master Agreement purport to give priority to the use of SCEs current Tax Attributes prior to the use of EMGs current Tax Attributes and, in certain circumstances, to the carryback and carryforward of SCEs current net operating losses before the carryback and carryforward of EMEs current net operating losses (the SCE Priority) irrespective of the regulatory usage of such losses. In the case of a carryforward or carryback, the SCE Priority applies only to an actual reduction of the tax liability of the EIX Group.
In recent years, EME and its subsidiaries have generated significant Tax Attributes for tax purposes. However, other members of the EIX Group, in particular SCE and its subsidiaries, that normally generate net taxable income have instead generated net taxable losses and other Tax Attributes. As a result, EME has not been compensated for a significant portion of the Tax Attributes generated by it and its subsidiaries. The extent to which EME will be compensated for these Tax Attributes is uncertain.
(2) Federal income tax law allows a parent corporation to file a consolidated tax return with corporate subsidiaries when the parent owns shares generally representing 80 percent of the vote and 80 percent of the value of all outstanding shares. Many states follow similar rules providing for consolidated or combined tax returns.
(3) The state rules may differ from the federal consolidated regime, including in particular in California, but the Tax Sharing Agreements apply both with respect to the federal and state level tax items.
EME Tax Attributes were used to shelter some but not all of the EIX Groups taxable income in 2009. EME received $187 million in tax sharing payments for the use of its 2009 federal Tax Attributes. In 2010, the EIX Group was in an overall tax loss position. The 2010 Tax Attributes were carried back to 2008 and 2009 giving rise to a refund, of which EMEs share was approximately $181 million. In 2011, the EIX Group was again in an overall tax loss position with both SCE and EME having significant Tax Attributes. The 2011 Tax Attributes were carried back for federal income tax purposes, offsetting all of the remaining 2009 income of the EIX Group and generating a carryforward. On a standalone basis, SCEs 2011 carryback was large enough to absorb all of its 2009 standalone income, which was previously offset in part by EMEs 2009 and 2010 Tax Attributes. EIX asserted a purported right to a payment in alleged reimbursement of the carryback amount that was paid to EME for tax year 2009. In September of 2012, EME paid that amount to EIX. As set forth in the Standing Motion, as defined below, this payment is the subject of dispute.(4)
VI. EVENTS LEADING TO THE CHAPTER 11 FILINGS
A. Macroeconomic Pressures Coincide with Debt Obligations
Two major factors contributed to the filing of these Chapter 11 Cases. First, state and federal regulatory regimes imposed rigorous emissions requirements on coal produced power, requiring the Debtors to make significant capital expenditures on their existing coal plants. Second, a confluence of economic and technological drivers encouraged increased natural gas production, which resulted in a surplus of cheap natural gas and caused wholesale electricity prices (and EMEs resultant revenues) to plummet. These two factorshigher capital expenditure requirements and declining revenuescame at precisely the same time as debt interest payments and maturities were coming due.
This unforeseen squeeze on EMEs income streamcombined with principal and interest paymentstransformed EMEs once-manageable environmental compliance capital expenditures into a threat to its continued existence.
B. Prepetition Reorganization Efforts
In recognition of EMEs existing and anticipated continued financial distress, EMEs board, management, and professional advisors began exploring various restructuring alternatives with its parent company, EIX, and the Holders of a majority of the EME Senior Notes by outstanding principal amount (the Noteholder Group).
After approximately six months of vigorous, arms-length negotiations that began in June 2012, EME, EIX, and the Noteholder Group reached an agreement on a transaction (the Prepetition Settlement Transaction) designed to substantially deleverage EMEs balance sheet. The parties commitment to the Prepetition Settlement Transaction was memorialized in that certain Transaction Support Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2012 (the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement). The Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement generally provided as follows:
· the cancellation of EIXs equity interests in EME and subsequent turnover of 100 percent of the equity interests in EME to holders of unsecured claims (including the holders of EMEs $3.7 billion senior unsecured notes);
· subject to an investigation to be conducted during the first 150 days of the Chapter 11 Cases, the mutual release of claims between EME and EIX and its non-EME subsidiaries;
(4) The Debtors description of the Tax Sharing Agreements herein is for discussion purposes only, and all rights of the Debtors, the Committee, and the Noteholder Group with respect thereto are specifically reserved.
· EIX and certain of its subsidiaries would continue during the Chapter 11 Cases to provide EME and its subsidiaries with shared corporate support services including, among other things, a full suite of insurance and benefits programs, which, if terminated, would have been severely disrupting to the Debtors businesses;
· the parties would work to document a master restructuring agreement and certain transition and shared services agreements to effectuate EMEs ability to operate as a standalone business; and
· subject to diligence with respect to EMEs and EIXs tax positions, the amendment and assumption of certain of the Tax Sharing Agreements to provide for payments through December 31, 2014.
The Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement contemplated certain key deadlines related to the parties efforts to prepare and seek approval of definitive documents in support of the Prepetition Settlement Transaction. Ultimately, the parties were unable to satisfy these deadlines. On July 25, 2013, certain noteholder parties thereto terminated the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, stating that these deadlines had not been met.
VII. ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHAPTER 11 CASES
A. First Day Motions and Certain Related Relief
The Debtors devoted substantial efforts to stabilizing their operations and preserving and restoring their relationships with vendors, customers, employees, landlords and utility providers that had been impacted by the commencement of these Chapter 11 Cases. As a result of these initial efforts, the Debtors minimized the negative impacts resulting from the commencement of these Chapter 11 Cases.
On the Petition Date, in addition to the voluntary petitions for relief Filed by the Debtors under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors also Filed a number of first day motions and applications (collectively, the First Day Motions) with the Bankruptcy Court. Within a few days, the Bankruptcy Court entered several orders to, among other things: (a) prevent interruptions to the Debtors businesses; (b) ease the strain on the Debtors relationships with certain essential constituents; and (c) allow the Debtors to retain certain advisors necessary to assist the Debtors with the administration of the Chapter 11 Cases (each, a First Day Order).
1. Administrative Motions
To facilitate a smooth and efficient administration of these Chapter 11 Cases, the Bankruptcy Court entered the following procedural orders: (a) approving the notice, case management and administrative procedures to govern these Chapter 11 Cases [Docket No. 128]; (b) authorizing the joint administration of the Debtors Chapter 11 Cases [Docket Nos. 115, 154, and 780]; (c) granting the Debtors an extension of time to File their Schedules [Docket No. 127]; (d) approving expedited procedures to reject or assume executory contracts and unexpired leases [Docket No. 323]; and (e) authorizing procedures for de minimis asset sales and the abandonment of de minimis assets [Docket No. 315].
2. Employment and Compensation of Advisors
To assist the Debtors in carrying out their duties as debtors-in-possession and to otherwise represent the Debtors interests in the Chapter 11 Cases, the Bankruptcy Court entered Final Orders, authorizing the Debtors to retain and employ the following advisors: (a) GCG, Inc., as Notice Claims, and Solicitation Agent to the Debtors [Docket No. 126]; (b) Kirkland & Ellis LLP as counsel to the Debtors [Docket No. 321]; (c) McDonald Hopkins LLC as counsel to Debtor Camino Energy Company and as conflicts counsel to the Debtors [Docket No. 328]; (d) McKinsey Recovery & Transformation Services U.S., LLC, as Restructuring Advisor to the Debtors [Docket No. 329]; (e) Perella Weinberg Partners, as Investment Banker and Financial Advisor to the Debtors [Docket No. 524]; and (f) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Financial Co-Advisor to the Debtors [Docket No. 1021]. On January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving procedures for the interim compensation and reimbursement of expenses of Retained Professionals in the Chapter 11 Cases and members of the Committee [Docket No. 331].
3. Stabilizing Operations
Recognizing that any interruption of the Debtors business, even for a brief period, would negatively affect customer and supplier relationships, revenues, and profits, the Debtors filed a number of First Day Motions to minimize the adverse effects of the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases on their ongoing business operations. Thereafter the Bankruptcy Court entered a number of First Day Orders granting the Debtors authority to, among other things, pay certain prepetition claims and obligations and continue certain existing programs. Indeed the relief granted by the First Day Orders helped facilitate the Debtors smooth transition into the Chapter 11 Cases, allowed the Debtors to continue their operations without interruption, and prevented a decrease in confidence among suppliers, customers, and creditors as to the likelihood of the Debtors successful emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases.
a. Employee Wages and Benefits
The Debtors believed that absent the ability to (a) pay certain prepetition claims relating to, among other things, wages, salaries, ordinary-course raises and other pay increases, bonuses and other compensation, payroll services, federal and state withholding taxes and other amounts withheld (including garnishments, Employees share of insurance premiums, taxes and 401(k) contributions), health insurance, retirement health and related benefits, workers compensation benefits, vacation time, leaves of absence, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and all other benefits that the Debtors and their Non-Debtor Subsidiaries have historically provided (collectively, the Employee Compensation and Benefits) and (b pay all costs incident to the foregoing, their employees might have suffered undue hardship and sought alternative employment opportunities, perhaps with the Debtors competitors. The loss of valuable employees would have been distracting at a critical time when the Debtors were focused on stabilizing their operations. Accordingly, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders authorizing the Debtors to pay and continue to pay the Employee Compensation and Benefits and authorizing and directing banks and financial institutions to honor all checks and electronic payment requests made by the Debtors related to the Employee Compensation and Benefits.
b. Cash Management Systems
As part of a smooth transition into these Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors sought and the Bankruptcy Court entered certain orders authorizing the Debtors to (a) continue using the Debtors existing cash management system, (b) maintain existing bank accounts and business forms, (c) continue intercompany transactions, and (d) grant superpriority administrative expense status to postpetition intercompany payments [Docket Nos. 116, 144, 671, & 768]. Further, the Bankruptcy Court deemed the Debtors bank accounts debtors-in-possession accounts and authorized the Debtors to maintain and continue using these accounts in the same manner as those employed before the Petition Date without reference to their status as debtors-in-possession.
c. Critical Vendors
The Debtors rely on their vendors to, among other things, (a) assist the Debtors in complying with applicable governmental laws and regulations, (b) supply essential raw materials, specialized replacement parts and supplies, operations consumables, and certain other goods required to operate the Debtors generating facilities and ensure continuous business operations, and (c) ensure the wide range of specialized equipment the Debtors utilize for energy production and pollution control operates in an effective, safe, and efficient manner. While the Debtors rely on over 500 vendors, approximately less than 4 percent of those vendors are critical to the Debtors business, and, the disruption of their work would impede the Debtors ability to continue operation. Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order authorizing the Debtors to (a) pay prepetition claims of certain critical vendors in the interim amount of $7.0 million and (b) implement procedures to address any vendors that repudiate or otherwise refuse to honor contractual obligations to the Debtors [Docket No. 118]. The Debtors obtained a Final Order authorizing them to pay their critical vendors in the aggregate amount of $8.2 million on January 17, 2013 [Docket No. 318]. The Debtors believe this critical vendor authority was necessary and served to limit disruptions to the Debtors business and operations.
d. Lien Claimants
Before the Petition Date, and in the ordinary course of business, the Debtors contracted with certain domestic common carriers, shippers, truckers, and logistics management companies (the Shippers) to ship, transport, and deliver raw materials, parts, and components to the Debtors. The Debtors use certain raw materials, such as coal, activated carbon, urea, fuel oil, and bulk chemicals, without which the Debtors cannot generate electricity or maintain compliance with environmental regulations. Additionally, the Debtors generating facilities employ sophisticated generating equipment to monitor the facilities, move supplies within the facilities, and produce energy, which all require replacement parts, supplies, calibration devices, and other critical goods to continue operating, and an inability to acquire these parts from the Shippers could have resulted in a slow-down or shut-down of the Debtors operations at various facilities. Furthermore, the Debtors routinely transact business with a number of third-party contractors, repairmen, and manufacturers who may assert tooling, mechanics, and other possessory liens against the Debtors or their customers property (the Third-Party Contractors, and together with the Shippers, the Lien Claimants) and vendors who can assert liens against the Debtors and their property (such as equipment) if the Debtors failed to pay for the goods delivered or services rendered. These Third-Party Contractors perform various services for the Debtors, including manufacturing and repair of equipment, and manufacturing component parts necessary for the Debtors energy production equipment. The Debtors were concerned that unless these Lien Claimants were paid outstanding prepetition amounts, many of these Lien Claimants would refuse to perform their ongoing obligations under their existing agreements with the Debtors, including installation, servicing, and warranty obligations, or may refuse to release goods in their possession, which would have had a material adverse effect on the Debtors businesses. The Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order [Docket No. 119] and then, on January 17, 2013, a Final Order [Docket No. 310] authorizing, among other things, the Debtors to pay certain prepetition claims of Shippers and other Lien Claimants.
e. Energy Trading
The Debtors non-Debtor affiliate EMMT conducts hedging operations for itself and certain of the Debtors and their non-Debtor affiliates. Specifically, EMMT markets and trades energy, capacity, fossil fuels, emissions allowances, and other energy-related products and derivatives thereof. EMMTs trading businesses fall primarily into two categories: (a) sales of the Debtors and certain non-Debtor affiliates capacity, energy, and related products (either as agent or pursuant to back-to-back trades); and (b) market trades for EMMTs own proprietary trading book. EMMT also engages in certain purchase and sale transactions for the benefit of MWG and does so by entering into a sale or purchase contract with a third party and then a second sale or purchase contract with MWG on the same commercial terms as the contract with that third party. Many of EMMTs hedging and trading agreements contain defaults and/or other provisions that might have enabled its hedging and trading partners (collectively, the Trading Counterparties) to terminate the agreements or request additional collateral, and certain of these provisions may have been triggered by the Debtors chapter 11 filing. Despite the Debtors prepetition efforts to mitigate the effects of an EME bankruptcy filing, the Debtors were concerned that certain Trading Counterparties would take actions adverse to EMMT and the Debtors as a result of EMEs and MWGs bankruptcy filings. Therefore, the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order [Docket No. 121] and then, on January 17, 2013, a Final Order [Docket No. 312] authorizing, among other things, the Debtors to continue operating under their trading contracts, enter into new trading contracts, and pledge collateral as necessary and appropriate under their trading contracts, provided notice was provided to the Committee.
f. Taxes and Fees
The Debtors believed that, in some cases, certain taxing, regulatory, and governmental authorities had the ability to exercise rights and remedies if the Debtors failed to remit certain taxes and fees. Accordingly, the Debtors sought entry of an order authorizing the Debtors to pay any fees and taxes to avoid harm to the Debtors business operations. On December 18, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order authorizing the Debtors to pay taxes and fees [Docket No. 125], and on January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order authorizing the Debtors to pay taxes and fees [Docket No. 309].
g. Utilities
Section 366 of the Bankruptcy Code protects debtors from utility service cutoffs upon a bankruptcy filing while providing utility companies with adequate assurance that the debtors will pay for postpetition services. To ensure uninterrupted utility service, the Debtors filed a First Day Motion seeking entry of an order approving procedures for, among other things, determining adequate assurance for utility providers and prohibiting utility providers from altering, refusing or discontinuing services without further order by the Bankruptcy Court [Docket No. 17]. On December 18, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order approving the relief requested in this motion [Docket No. 124] and on January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the relief requested in this motion [Docket No. 311].
h. Claims Trading
As of the Petition Date, the Debtors had Tax Attributes consisting of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) of approximately $2.4 billion and tax credits in connection with their renewable energy operations (the Tax Credits) of approximately $230 million, all of which may be carried forward to future taxable years. These Tax Attributes could result in potential future tax savings to the Debtors of approximately $1.2 billion. As of the Petition Date, it was still too early to determine whether it would be necessary for the Debtors to seek relief requiring any Persons or Entities that have acquired claims to sell-down their claims below an amount that would entitle them to receive more than 4.5 percent of the equity of the reorganized Debtors. Nevertheless, the Tax Attributes are an extremely valuable asset to the Debtors business and the failure to preserve such assets could have caused the Debtors estates to suffer a significant tax liability to the detriment of the Debtors stakeholders interests. Accordingly, the Debtors sought entry of an order establishing a record date for notice and sell-down procedures for trading in claims against the Debtors estates in order to preserve the Debtors ability to formulate a plan of reorganization that maximizes the use of the Tax Attributes. On January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order establishing a record date for notice and sell down procedures for trading in claims against the Debtors [Docket No. 326].
i. Equity Trading
As described herein, the Tax Attributes could result in potential future tax savings to the Debtors of approximately $1.2 billion. Equity holders transferring their equity interests prior to the effective date of a chapter 11 plan may trigger an ownership change that could impair the value of these assets. The Debtors determined that they needed the ability to monitor, and possibly object to, certain changes in ownership of common stock to preserve flexibility in operating their business during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases, in crafting a chapter 11 plan and, finally, in maximizing their ability to reduce future federal income taxes by offsetting their post-reorganization income with the Tax Attributes. Accordingly, the Debtors sought to establish notification and hearing procedures for the transfers of equity interests and declarations of worthlessness with respect to the Debtor EMEs Equity Securities, and thereby protect and preserve the Tax Attributes. Mission Energy Holding Company, the sole owner of the EME common stock, along with its direct parent, Edison Mission Group, and its indirect parent, EIX, consented to this request subject to certain reservations, and the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order [Docket No. 123] and a Final Order [Docket No. 330] approving this request on December 18, 2012 and January 17, 2013, respectively.
j. Contract Rejection
As part of the Debtors pre- and postpetition restructuring efforts, the Debtors evaluated the necessity and cost-efficiency of all of their executory contracts and unexpired leases, and as part of that process, the Debtors determined that certain contracts and related agreements were unnecessary, burdensome, and should be rejected as of the Petition Date. Specifically, these contracts and agreements related to raw material transportation and supply for Debtor MWG. Accordingly, on January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the rejection of these contracts and related agreements effective as of the Petition Date [Docket No. 312]. The Debtors subsequently determined, in their business judgment, to reject certain additional contracts [Docket Nos. 601 and 688].
k. Shared Services
As of the Petition Date, certain of the Debtors and their non-Debtor affiliates received management, administrative, corporate, and support services from non-debtor affiliates and provided such services to non-Debtor affiliates pursuant to certain shared corporate services arrangements and services agreements (collectively, the Intercompany Arrangements). On December 18, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered a First Day Order approving the Intercompany Arrangements and granting the Debtors related relief as necessary [Docket No. 120] and on February 5, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the Intercompany Arrangements and granting the Debtors related relief as necessary [Docket No. 400]. On November 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the extension of the Intercompany Arrangements [Docket No. 1563] (the Intercompany Arrangements Extension Order). As a result of the Intercompany Arrangements Extension Order, the Intercompany Arrangements have been extended to the earlier of: (i) the date the Bankruptcy Court enters an order confirming a chapter 11 plan in EMEs Chapter 11 Cases, and (ii) March 31, 2014.
l. Surety Bonds
To continue certain of their business operations during the reorganization process, the Debtors needed to continue to be able to provide financial assurances to local governments, regulatory agencies, and other third parties to which, in the ordinary course of business, they provided prepetition financial assurances. Before the Petition Date, the Debtors regularly accomplished this by posting surety bonds on account of: (a) obligations owed to municipalities; (b) obligations related to environmental regulatory agencies; and (c) obligations relating to obtaining permits or licenses (collectively, the Surety Bond Program). Failure to provide, maintain, or timely replace these surety bonds would prevent the Debtors from undertaking essential functions related to their energy production operations and, consequently, would result in a detrimental effect to the Debtors businesses. Accordingly, the Debtors filed a First Day Motion requesting the Bankruptcy Court approve the Debtors existing Surety Bond Program, including the existing cash collateral arrangements with the sureties under the Surety Bond Program, and potentially to provide additional collateral and acquire additional bonding capacity as needed in the ordinary course of their business [Docket No. 24]. On January 17, 2013 the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the Surety Bond Program and such other related relief requested by the Debtors [Docket No. 325].
m. Tax Credit Agreements
Before the Petition Date, and in the ordinary course of business, EME made payments to Viento Funding II, Inc. (Viento II) and High Lonesome Mesa, LLC (High Lonesome) wind companies on account of federal and state renewable energy production tax credits (the Tax Credits). Viento II and High Lonesome are some of the Debtors most valuable assets; however, the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default under the Viento II and High Lonesome credit agreements. Before the Petition Date, the Debtors were able to secure forbearance agreements (the Forbearance Agreements) with the respective lenders under the Viento II and High Lonesome credit agreements in order to mitigate the effects of filing these Chapter 11 Cases, and the Debtors filed a First Day Motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval for the Debtors payments to Viento II and High Lonesome on account of the Tax Credits under the Forbearance Agreements [Docket No. 23]. On January 17, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the Debtors payments to Viento II and High Lonesome under the Forbearance Agreements [Docket No. 324]. In July 2013, Viento II successfully refinanced its credit agreement and High Lonesome was granted a permanent waiver of default by its applicable bondholders.
B. Employee Incentive/Retention Plans
During the course of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors developed and implemented certain employee incentive and retention plans. The terms of these plans were approved by a compensation committee, composed solely of independent directors of the EME Board (the Compensation Committee), and the Compensation Committee was assisted by its compensation consultant, Hewitt Associates LLC (d/b/a Aon Hewitt) (Aon Hewitt). A summary of these incentive and retention plans is provided below.
1. 20132014 Compensation Plan
EME developed five incentive plans and one retention plan for 20132014. The incentive plans largely represent a continuation of the EMEs historical incentive plans subject to certain adjustments to take into account EMEs financial circumstances and the filing of these Chapter 11 Cases. EME established the retention plan, which EME has not previously offered,(5) to retain certain critical, non-executive, non-insider mid-level employees. These plans and the number of employees covered as of September 30, 2012, are described in greater detail as follows:
(5) Although this retention plan is new, EME has in the past offered certain employees one-off retention opportunities.
a. The STIP
The short-term incentive plan or STIP is available to more than 324 employees of Debtors EME, MWG, and Midwest Generation EME, LLC (MWG EME), approximately 49 management employees of non-Debtor Edison Mission Operation & Maintenance, Inc. (EMOMI), and approximately 74 non-energy trader employees of non-Debtor EMMT. The STIP is a performance-based cash incentive program based on the attainment of certain corporate and individual performance targets. The STIP is also offered to insiders. The incentive pool for the STIP is accrued through (i) the achievement of six-month target goals for cash flow based on adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring and reorganization costs (EBITDAR) and (ii) an upward or downward adjustment of up to 10 percent based on the achievement of better than industry-standard worker and facility safety targets. The STIP includes six-month performance periods to allow for short-term goal-setting by the Compensation Committee.
b. The Union Plan
EME offers its approximately 436 union employees the ability to participate in a short-term, performance-based cash incentive program (the Union Plan) based on the attainment of certain corporate performance targets. The incentive pool for the Union Plan is accrued through the following performance measures: (i) 50 percent by the achievement of six-month target goals for cash flow based on adjusted EBITDAR; (ii) 50 percent by the achievement of specific reliability measures at the Debtors unionized coal facilities; and (iii) an upward or downward adjustment based on the achievement of certain industry-standard worker and facility safety targets. The Union Plan includes six-month performance periods to allow for short-term goal-setting.
c. The EMOMI Plan
Non-Debtor Subsidiary EMOMI offers approximately 171 of its non-management employees the ability to participate in a short-term, performance-based cash incentive program (the EMOMI Plan) based on the attainment of certain corporate and individual performance targets. The incentive pool for the EMOMI Plan is accumulated through the following three measures of performance: (i) 50 percent by the achievement of six-month target goals for cash flow based on adjusted EBITDAR; (ii) 50 percent by the achievement of specific EMOMI operating metrics, including the attainment of certain energy availability, corporate safety, and environmental compliance goals; and (iii) an upward or downward adjustment based on the achievement of certain industry-standard worker and facility safety targets. The EMOMI Plan includes six-month performance periods to allow for short-term goal-setting.
d. The Trader Incentive Plan
Non-Debtor Subsidiary EMMT offers its nine proprietary energy trading employees the ability to participate in a cash-based incentive program (the Trader Incentive Plan) based on the attainment of certain corporate and individual performance targets over annual performance periods. During each annual performance period, EMMT establishes an aggregate incentive pool that is generally based on realized trading revenues net of specified costs, and EMMTs management recommends a proposed allocation of the incentive pool among participants in the Trader Incentive Plan. In 2012, the incentive pool was based on 10 percent of EMMTs gross margin exceeding certain overhead and other expenses. In 2013, the incentive pool will be based on 12 percent of EMMTs gross margin exceeding certain overhead and other expenses.
e. The LTIP
EME offers a long-term incentive plan (the LTIP) to 46 of its senior managers at the executive level, including insiders. The LTIP is designed to improve the Companys long-term stability and profitability by aligning management incentives with the Companys business objectives, while at the same time providing participants with competitive, market-based compensation. After consultation with Aon Hewitt, the Compensation Committee approved a shift to cash-based incentives under the 20132014 LTIP. In prior years, EMEs incentive plans were administered and implemented by EIX and compensation under such long-term incentive plans was provided in the form of EIX stock. EMEs current circumstances and potential separation from EIX made it impractical to continue offering long-term incentives in the form of EIX stock and necessitated the shift to the cash-based LTIP. The LTIP is designed to be earned over a two-year period, but the program may terminate before two years if the Debtors emerge from chapter 11 before December 31, 2014. The LTIP is performance-based, with awards linked to three operating and performance metrics: (i) the enterprise value of EME and MWG, (ii) reliability targets for the Companys coal, gas, and wind energy projects, and (iii) reduction of (a) EME general and administrative costs and (b) MWG controllable operations and maintenance expenses.
f. The Key Contributor Plan
EMEs management, in consultation with the Compensation Committee, identified 45 employees for inclusion in a retention plan (the Key Contributor Plan) from a group of non-executive employees from EMEs internal salary bands H, I, and J who are not (and historically have not been) eligible to participate in EMEs long-term incentive programs. These key employees provide critical services to EMEs businesses, and their departure would cause serious disruptions to operations and would complicate the Debtors restructuring efforts. EME assigned each key employee a retention amount denominated as a flat dollar value, which EME will distribute in two equal installments over 12 to 24 months after communicating the award to the employee. EME will only make payments under the Key Contributor Plan to those participants who remain employed by EME or its affiliates in good standing.
2. Exit Plan
As part of the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the parties thereto agreed to support the Debtors implementation of an incentive compensation plan related to the Debtors pursuit of the NRG Transaction or a superior alternative as permitted under the Plan Sponsor Agreement (the Exit Plan). The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of the Debtors legal and compensation advisors, specifically designed the Exit Plan to timely maximize the value, and minimize the costs, of all of the transactions contemplated by the Plan Sponsor Agreement. The Bankruptcy Court held a preliminary hearing on the Exit Plan on October 24, 2013 and, after a final hearing on November 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Exit Plan [Docket No. 1561].
The Exit Plan provides incentives for two distinct groups of participants(a) in Pool A, directors, officers, and other executive-level employees, including certain insiders and (b) in Pool B, a limited group of up to 20 non-executive, non-insider employees. The reorganized Debtors will pay awards under the Exit Plan on the Effective Date. Pool A awards, not to exceed $6.4 million in the aggregate, will be awarded at the discretion of EMEs Compensation Committee based upon a non-exhaustive list of qualitative performance goals set forth in the Exit Plan and without regard to employment status. Pool B awards, not to exceed $1.1 million in the aggregate, will be awarded based upon the degree of an employees criticality and denominated as a percent of annual salary.
VIII. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OF THE CHAPTER 11 CASES
A. EIX Investigation
When entering into the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, the Debtors did not have sufficient time to conduct the due diligence required to analyze in detail all of the benefits of the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement (particularly the projected tax benefits) as compared to the value of the release provided in the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement (particularly any claims and causes of action against EIX). Pursuant to the terms of the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, the Debtors retained the right (in what is known as a fiduciary out) to terminate the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement if EME determined after a thorough investigation that it was not in the Estates best interests to proceed with the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, particularly with respect to providing a general release of EIX. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, the Noteholder Group retained the right to terminate the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement.
Accordingly, the parties to the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement recognized and understood from the outset that, unless and until the transactions contemplated by the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement were determined to be in the Debtors best interestsafter a detailed and thorough factual, financial, and legal investigationsuch transactions would not proceed.
On January 2, 2013, the Debtors filed the Debtors Motion Pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004 for Authorization to (A) Conduct Examination and (B) Issue Subpoenas for Attendance for Examination and Production of Documents [Docket No. 186] (the Rule 2004 Motion), seeking authority for an investigation committee comprised solely of independent directors of EMEs board or directors (the Investigation Committee) to conduct a Rule 2004 examination of EIX and certain related parties (the Examinees) to investigate and conduct diligence with respect to various aspects of the Prepetition Settlement Transaction. The Rule 2004 examination was essential to enable the Debtors to determine whether to move forward with the Prepetition Settlement Transaction.
On January 9, 2013, EIX filed an objection to the Rule 2004 Motion [Docket No. 214], contending, among other things, that the relief requested failed to safeguard certain of the Examinees confidential, proprietary, and other sensitive nonpublic information. The Committee likewise objected to the Rule 2004 Motion [Docket No. 233], on the grounds that, among other things, the Debtors and the Committee should jointly conduct the Rule 2004 examination. Thereafter, the Debtors, the Committee, and the Examinees negotiated in good faith to resolve the objections. Those negotiations resulted in a stipulated protective order that established a framework for the Rule 2004 examination. On January 23, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order [Docket No. 339] authorizing EME and the Committee (together, the Examination Parties) to jointly conduct a Rule 2004 investigation of the Examinees (the Rule 2004 Order) pursuant to a stipulated protective order [Docket No. 340].
As part of that investigation, the Examination Parties served the Examinees with subpoenas for the production of documents in late January 2013. Specifically, the Examination Parties sought to obtain from the Examinees certain information and diligence, including with respect to intercompany transfers (under the tax sharing agreements or otherwise), potential claims against EIX and other parties to be released under the Prepetition Settlement Transaction, and various shared services and corporate governance matters. On January 28, 2013, the Debtors, in consultation with the Committee, filed the Debtors Motion to Compel Compliance with Examination Pursuant to Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004 [Docket No. 358] (the January Motion to Compel). The parties negotiated a resolution of the January Motion to Compel culminating with the entry of an order on February 12, 2013 [Docket No. 451].
The Examination Parties have conducted the Rule 2004 investigation for many months. On March 19, 2013, the Examination Parties served the Examinees with supplemental subpoenas. In response, the Examinees produced over 140,000 documents in response to the subpoenas. Additionally, the Examination Parties conducted depositions of certain of the Debtors former directors. The Examination Parties have coordinated with each other on the investigation. Among other things, the Debtors and the Committees litigation teams have had regular conference calls and have closely consulted with respect to strategy and tactics. In addition, the Debtors and the Committees tax teams have had regular conference calls and other discussions. And, separate and apart from these scheduled meetings, the Debtors, the Committee, the Noteholder Group, and their respective advisors have held numerous meetings and discussions regarding the investigation.
Although the Rule 2004 Order directs EIX to produce all relevant materials, EIX withheld nearly 35,000 documents responsive to the subpoenasand redacted thousands of otherson the purported basis that the documents are protected by the attorney-client privilege and/or the attorney work product doctrine. EIXs counsel also repeatedly instructed its witnesses not to answer questions during depositions on the same privilege and work product grounds.
Consequently, the Debtors and the Committee filed the Joint Motion of Debtors and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors to Compel Production of Documents and Information Withheld on Privilege Grounds [Docket No. 1162] on September 5, 2013 (the September Motion to Compel). On September 18, 2013, EIX filed its objection to the September Motion to Compel [Docket No. 1240]. The Examination Parties have conferred with EIXs counsel though numerous letters and telephone conferences, but notwithstanding the parties efforts to resolve their disputes, significant issues remain and the September Motion to Compel is pending before the Bankruptcy Court.
On July 25, 2013, the Noteholder Group terminated the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement. On July 31, 2013, the Committee sought authority to prosecute, on behalf of the Debtors Estates, certain claims (i.e., the EIX Litigation Claims) against, inter alia, EIX, certain of EIXs non-Debtor affiliates, and certain of EIXs directors and officers based on information ascertained during the Rule 2004 investigation [Docket No. 1054] (the Standing Motion). The Debtors objected to the Standing Motion [Docket No. 1090]. At present, the Standing Motion remains pending before the Bankruptcy Court.
The NRG Transaction creates a framework to resolve certain of the issues pertaining to the EIX Investigation. In accordance with the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the Debtors may not settle or otherwise compromise EIX Litigation Claims unless the following procedure has been completed:
· the Debtors shall invite Noteholders to become restricted in order to consider such proposed settlement;
· the Debtors shall use reasonable best efforts to agree to a confidentiality agreement with appropriate cleansing mechanisms with counsel to the Supporting Noteholders (which cleansing mechanism shall not result in dissemination of information that might be detrimental to the value of such litigation), such restriction period to last no more than seven (7) calendar days;
· the Debtors shall present any such proposed settlement or compromise to restricted Noteholders holding at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate face amount of the Notes (the Restricted Noteholder Participants) with the advisors to the Supporting Noteholders and the Committee (including the Committee members) present in any such presentation and discussion; and
· if Noteholders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate face amount of the Notes vote to reject such proposed settlement or compromise, then the Debtors shall not proceed with such proposed settlement, but if no such vote against the proposed settlement occurs, then the Debtors may proceed to seek approval of such settlement by appropriate motion, and any party may oppose such motion; provided that, if such approval is sought following the commencement of a solicitation of votes on the Plan, such solicitation shall be supplemented by notice of such proposed settlement, and the relevant objection and voting deadlines shall be extended by the number of days that such supplemental notice follows the start of the initial solicitation.
· The Committee, like other parties in interest, retains its rights to object to any proposed settlement or compromise of the EIX Litigation Claims.
In the event that the Debtors do not settle or compromise the EIX Litigation Claims before the Effective Date of the Plan, any and all claims of any of the Debtors or the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries against any of the EIX Litigation Parties shall be preserved and shall vest in Reorganized EME unless such claims or causes of action are specifically resolved or released pursuant to the Plan or other Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court. But even now, the Debtors continue to work with EIX and other stakeholders towards a mutually agreeable resolution of such disputes.
B. Discussions Regarding Powerton and Joliet Stations
1. Preliminary Restructuring Discussions and Forbearance Agreements
Prior to the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors did not believe that assumption of the PoJo Leases and Documentsabsent a restructuringwas feasible in the face of (a) an operating loss at MWG of $253 million in 2012, (b) scheduled rent payments in excess of $500 million during the remaining terms of the PoJo Leases and Documents, including a payment schedule for January 2, 2013, shortly after the Petition Date, and (c) the obligation to fund substantial capital expenditures at the PoJo Facilities that were necessary to comply with certain environmental regulations. Pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code, the initial deadline for the Debtors to assume or reject unexpired leases, such as the PoJo Leases and Documents, was April 16, 2013, which was subsequently extended by order of the Bankruptcy Court to July 1, 2013 for the PoJo Leases and Documents [Docket No. 670].
In the weeks leading up to the Petition Date, MWG and EME engaged in extensive discussions with the PoJo Parties regarding potential restructuring alternatives. These discussions led to entry into a Bankruptcy Court-approved forbearance agreement with the PoJo Parties pursuant to which MWG agreed to pay approximately $7.1 million in deferred postpetition lease rent in exchange for the commitment of certain PoJo Parties to forbear from exercising remedies against MWG, EME, and certain other PoJo Parties [Docket No. 122]. The initial forbearance agreement was subsequently extended by the Bankruptcy Court through April 5, 2013 [Docket No. 630], clearing the way for EME, MWG, and the PoJo Parties to analyze and engage in discussions of a potential restructuring of the PoJo Leases and Documents.
2. Powerton and Joliet Extension Orders
Following the expiration of the forbearance agreements, EME, MWG, and the PoJo Parties, along with the Committee, continued to engage in complicated restructuring discussions. Given the size and complexity of the lease structure, the number of parties involved, and the short timeframe before the deadline to assume or reject the PoJo Leases and Documents, EME, MWG, and the PoJo Parties determined that they likely would not reach a final agreement, if at all, before the July 1, 2013 deadline pursuant to section 365(d)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code for MWG to assume the PoJo Leases and Documents. To avoid assumption or rejection of the PoJo Leases and Documents, which could have impaired stakeholder value, and to enable the parties to continue to engage in restructuring discussions, MWG and EME presented the PoJo Parties with the terms of a proposal pursuant to which MWG and EME were willing to offer consideration to the PoJo Parties in exchange for their agreement to extend the deadline for MWG to assume or reject the PoJo Leases and Documents through September 30, 2013. Alternatively, absent approval of the extension proposal, MWG requested authority to reject the PoJo Leases and Documents effective as of July 1, 2013. Following further discussions between the parties, MWG, EME, and the PoJo Parties agreed to extend the deadline for MWG to assume or reject the PoJo Leases and Documents through September 30, 2013, which agreement was approved on June 27, 2013 [Docket No. 943] (the First PoJo Extension Order). The First PoJo Extension Order subsequently was extended through December 31, 2013 [Docket No. 1255] (the Second PoJo Extension Order and, collectively with the First PoJo Extension Order, the PoJo Extension Orders). During this time, MWG filed an application with the FERC requesting approval for the Owner Lessors to assume operational control of the PoJo Facilities in the event that the PoJo Leases and Documents were rejected.
Following entry of the PoJo Extension Orders, MWG and EME and their respective stakeholders continued to engage in discussions regarding the terms of a potential consensual restructuring of the PoJo Leases and Documents. On August 9, 2013, MWG delivered a proposal to its various stakeholders with respect to the terms of a consensual restructuring of the Leases. The parties, however, ultimately did not reach a consensual resolution regarding a restructuring of the PoJo Leases and Documents.
Pursuant to the Courts order approving the Plan Sponsor Agreement [Docket No. 1424], the time granted to MWG to assume or reject the PoJo Leases and Documents (and the time during which the PoJo Parties will continue to forbear from exercising certain remedies as set forth in the Second PoJo Extension Order) has been further extended on substantially similar terms and conditions as under the Term Sheet attached as Exhibit 1 to the Second PoJo Extension Order, through the earliest of (a) the Effective Date, (b) 14 days after the date of termination of the Plan Sponsor Agreement, and (c) July 31, 2014.
As discussed in greater detail below, the NRG Transaction contemplates that MWG, subject to certain modifications, will assume the PoJo Leases and Documents. In addition, on the Effective Date, EME will pay the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount and the PoJo Restructuring Fees in full in Cash. Accordingly, the NRG Transaction, if approved, would eliminate the need for EME and MWG to engage in further restructuring discussions with their stakeholders regarding the PoJo Leases and Documents or, potentially, to reject the PoJo Leases and Documents and litigate their respective obligations thereunder.
C. Chevron Dispute
On December 26, 2012, Chevron filed an adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court (Case No. 12-01954) against the Debtors for declaratory and injunctive relief and a motion for relief from the automatic stay [Adversary Docket Nos. 1 and 6].
On January 18, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order denying Chevrons motion for injunction and relief from the automatic stay [Adversary Docket No. 39]. On February 4, 2013, Chevron filed an appeal from the Bankruptcy Courts denial of its motion for an injunction and relief from stay in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 13-00848) [Dist. Ct. Docket No. 1]. On February 11, 2012, the Debtors filed a motion to dismiss Chevrons appeal [Dist. Ct. Docket No. 5]. On September 18, 2013 the District Court granted Debtors motion to dismiss appeal of the injunction denial and permitted the appeal of the lift stay denial to proceed [Dist. Ct. Docket No. 50].
On July 7, 2013, Debtors Western Sierra Energy Company and Southern Sierra Energy Company filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court [Docket No. 1017] seeking to assume the Kern River Agreement and the Sycamore Agreement. On September 16, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Memorandum Opinion on Debtors Motion to Assume Partnership Agreements [Docket No. 1221] and entered the Interim Order on Debtors Motion to Assume Partnership Agreements [Docket No. 1222], finding that there were no non-ipso facto defaults under the Kern River Agreement or the Sycamore Agreement, and further finding that assumption of the agreements is not barred under section 365(c)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code. However, out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to avoid interfering with the pending appeal on the motion to lift the stay, the Bankruptcy Court did not enter an order approving the Debtors assumption of the agreement but, instead, set the matter for status hearing on November 6, 2013. On September 30, 2013, Chevron sought to consolidate the motion to assume the Kern River Agreement and Sycamore Agreement with the pending appeal on Chevrons motion to lift the stay [Dist. Ct. Docket No. 54]. On October 2, 2013, the District Court denied Chevrons request to combine the proceedings pending the Bankruptcy Courts entry of a final order on the motion to assume [Dist. Ct. Docket No. 58]. On November 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a final order granting the Debtors motion to assume the Kern River Agreement and the Sycamore Agreement [Docket No. 1564]. On November 12, 2013, Chevron filed a notice of appeal of that final order [Docket No. 1570].
D. Homer City
On May 2, 2013, EME Homer City Generation L.P. (EMEHC), Edison Mission Finance Co. (Finance), and Homer City Property Holdings, Inc. (Property Holdings) each filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court commencing chapter 11 cases (the Homer City Chapter 11 Cases). On May 15, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court (a) entered an order directing joint administration of the Homer City Chapter 11 Cases with the Chapter 11 Cases [Docket No. 771] and (b) entered an order applying certain orders in the Chapter 11 Cases be made applicable to the EMEHC, Finance, and Property Holdings [Docket No. 775]. Debtors Chestnut Ridge Energy Company (Chestnut), Mission Energy Westside, Inc. (Westside), and Edison Mission Holdings Co., along with EMEHC, Finance, and Property Holdings, are collectively referred to as the Homer City Debtors (and each a Homer City Debtor).
The Homer City Debtors currently have no operating business and, pursuant to the Plan, will commence a wind down of their Estates. Below is a summary of the Homer City Debtors Organizational Structure and the reasons the Homer City Debtors commenced their respective chapter 11 cases.
1. The Homer City Debtors Organizational Structure
EMEHC is a limited partnership formed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Westside is EMEHCs general partner and as of the Petition Date held a 0.1 percent partnership interest in EMEHC. As of the Petition Date, Chestnut held a 99.9-percent limited partnership interest in EMEHC. Property Holdings and Finance are each corporations formed under the laws of the State of California. Each Homer City Debtor is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Debtor EME.
2. Events Leading to Homer City Bankruptcy
From December 2001 until December 14, 2012, EMEHC leased the Homer City Generating Station in Homer City, Pennsylvania (the Homer City Facility) from eight owner lessors (collectively, the Owner Lessors) pursuant to a sale-leaseback financing transaction (the Homer City Sale-Leaseback Transaction). In December 2001, EMEHC transferred the assets constituting the Homer City Facility to the Owner Lessors, which, in turn, leased the Homer City Facility back to EMEHC. EMEHC leased and operated the Homer City Facility until December 14, 2012, when, as discussed in greater detail below, EMEHC transferred the assets related to the Homer City Facility (and specified other assets and liabilities) to an affiliate of General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC).(6)
To finance the Homer City Sale-Lease back Transaction, the Owner Lessors issued lessor notes (collectively, the Lessor Notes) pursuant to certain lease indentures, which Lessor Notes were held by Homer City Funding, LLC (Homer City Funding), a special purpose financing entity (unaffiliated with the Debtors) that, in turn, issued bonds (collectively, the Homer City Funding Bonds, the holders of such bonds, the Homer City Funding Bondholders) pursuant to an indenture. Lease payments made by EMEHC serviced principal and interest payments on the Lessor Notes, which payments serviced principal and interest payments on the Homer City Funding Bonds, as well as payments to the Homer City Sale-Lease back Transactions equity investors. As of June 30, 2012, approximately $640 million in aggregate principal amount of Homer City Funding Bonds were outstanding, which bonds were held and traded publicly by a number of different holders.
Facing increased regulatory requirements, EMEHC did not have, and did not expect to generate, sufficient capital to fund installation of flue-gas desulfurization equipment or scrubbers necessary to comply with anticipated regulatory deadlines, and the operative documents governing the Homer City Sale-Lease back Transaction limited EMEHCs ability to incur additional indebtedness. EMEHC, therefore, sought new equity capital to fund construction of the scrubbers. EMEHC and GECC, the indirect owner of seven of the eight Owner Lessors, entered into discussions regarding a potential restructuring of the Homer City Facilitys capital structure, including a potential investment in the Homer City Facility for the scrubbers by GECC or an affiliate. These discussions were productive, and the parties entered into an implementation agreement to facilitate the transition of beneficial ownership of the Homer City Facility to an affiliate of GECC with the consent of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the indirect equity owner of the remaining Owner Lessor, pursuant to a master transaction agreement. The parties subsequently executed a definitive master transaction agreement that contemplated transferring the assets related to the Homer City Facility and specified other assets and liabilities to a GECC affiliate as part of a transaction consummated through a prepackaged bankruptcy of Homer City Funding. As of September 30, 2013, EMEHC had approximately $52,000 of cash on hand, whereas, Finance and Property Holdings have no cash on hand and do not maintain bank accounts.(7)
3. GECC Homer City Adversary Proceeding
On October 29, 2013, Homer City Generation, L.P. (HCG), the assignee of the Homer City Facility and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GECC, filed a complaint against Debtor EME Homer City Generation L.P. seeking approximately $6.7 million of excess bond collateral which it alleges is property of HCG and not the Debtors estates. The proceeding is currently pending before the Bankruptcy Court.
(6) Through a subordinated revolving intercompany loan, Finance provided financing commitments to EMEHC in connection with its operation of the Homer City Facility. Property Holdings previously owned certain real property adjacent to the Homer City Facility. Substantially all of Property Holdings assets were transferred to an affiliate of GECC.
(7) Finance and Property Holdings do not have any known material liabilities other than certain contingent, unliquidated, and disputed claims related to a personal injury claim asserted by a personal injury plaintiff against the Homer City Debtors and certain non-Debtor affiliates, which is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
E. Exclusivity
Under the Bankruptcy Code, a debtor has the exclusive right to file and solicit acceptance of a plan or plans of reorganization for an initial period of 120 days from the date on which the debtor filed for voluntary relief (which may be extended by the Bankruptcy Court for a period of up to 18 months from the petition date) (the Exclusive Filing Period). If a debtor files a plan within this initial exclusive period, then the debtor has the exclusive right for 180 days from the petition date to solicit acceptances to the plan (which may be extended by the Bankruptcy Court for a period of up to 20 months from the petition date) (the Exclusive Solicitation Period). During these exclusive periods, no other party in interest may file a competing plan of reorganization, however, a court may extend these periods upon request of a party in interest and for cause.
The Debtors initial 120-day Exclusive Filing Period was initially scheduled to expire on April 16, 2013 with the initial 180-day Exclusive Solicitation Period set to expire on June 15, 2013. On May 15, 2013 the Bankruptcy Court extended the Exclusive Filing Period to November 7, 2013 and the Exclusive Solicitation Period to January 6, 2014 [Docket No. 779]. On October 25, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court further extended the Exclusive Filing Period to the earlier of (a) June 17, 2014, and (b) 30 days after any valid termination of the Plan Sponsor Agreement, and the Exclusive Solicitation Period to the earlier of (x) August 17, 2014, and (y) 30 days after any valid termination of the Plan Sponsor Agreement [Docket No. 1423].
The Debtors filed the Plan and Disclosure Statement within the Exclusive Filing Period.
F. Sale Process and Stand Alone Plan
In an effort to preserve value for the Estates following the termination of the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, EME, in consultation with its advisors and other parties in interest, determined to begin a process to explore all potential restructuring options. To assist in this process, EME retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (J.P. Morgan) to serve as co-advisor with the Debtors existing investment banker, Perella Weinberg Partners, to EME with respect to a potential sale of some or all of EMEs assets and the Debtors officially launched their formal marketing and sale process on August 1, 2013.(8) J.P. Morgan contacted and provided teaser information to 333 potentially interested parties. Seventy-six parties subsequently executed confidentiality agreements, received confidential information memoranda including detailed overviews of the businesses of EME and its Debtor and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, and were granted access to certain diligence materials. Of these seventy-six parties, twenty-nine submitted indicative bids on or about the initial bid deadline established by the Debtors as October 10, 2013. Initial indications of interest included proposals for substantially all of the Debtors assets, as well as proposals for certain assets. J.P. Morgan, the Debtors, and their other advisors have evaluated, and continue to evaluate, each such proposal, and will continue to explore whether higher and better offers exist, as permitted under the Plan Sponsor Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the sale process, the Debtors and their advisors, including McKinsey Recovery & Transformation Services U.S. LLC, worked to develop a proposed standalone restructuring. The standalone plan development process spanned several months and involved a top-to-bottom analysis of all of EMEs business units and how best to position them to compete in the future in various business combinations.
While both the sale process and the standalone analysis remain ongoing, based on the information available to date, the Debtors believe the Plan Sponsor Agreement with NRG and the transactions contemplated therein provide the maximum value for the Debtors estates.
G. NRG Transaction and Plan Sponsor Agreement
In August 2013, NRG and certain noteholders entered into a non-disclosure agreement to discuss a potential transaction involving the Debtors. The Debtors were not a party to this non-disclosure agreement or a participant in the discussions. Shortly thereafter, on September 9, 2013, NRG proposed the transaction to the Debtors on an unsolicited basis. The Debtors and their advisors then, at the direction of EMEs board of directors, analyzed and explored the proposed NRG Transaction to determine if it would maximize the value of the Debtors estates. At the same time, the Debtors considered the current state of their ongoing sale process, valuation considerations, and the ongoing planning around a potential standalone restructuring.
(8) See Order Authorizing the Employment and Retention of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as Financial Co-Advisor for the Debtors and Debtors in Possession [Docket No. 1021].
EMEs board of directors ultimately determined and authorized the Debtors and their advisors to move forward in the negotiations with NRG, while at the same time continuing the ongoing sale process. Thus, the Debtors and their advisors engaged NRG (as well as certain of the Supporting Noteholders, the Committee, the PoJo Parties, and their respective advisors) in several rounds of in-person and telephonic meetings to negotiate the key elements of the transaction and ultimately the necessary documentation.
The Debtors ongoing sale process provided for an indicative bid deadline of October 10, 2013. By the bid deadline, the Debtors received numerous bids from interested parties, including some for the sale of substantially all of the Debtors assets as well as bids for individual assets. The Debtors and their advisors evaluated these indicative bids andafter reaching agreement with NRG and the other parties to the Plan Sponsor Agreement on the overall transactionthe Debtors, in consultation and collaboration with their major stakeholders, determined that it was in the best interests of the Debtors Estates to proceed with the NRG proposal and enter into the Plan Sponsor Agreement. Nonetheless, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Debtors may continue to actively market their assets until December 6, 2013, after which time, the Debtors may only accept a bid that is superior to the NRG Transaction.
On October 18, 2013, the Debtors, NRG, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties reached agreement on the terms of the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the Purchase Agreement, the Plan Term Sheet, and the PoJo Term Sheet.
Specifically, the Debtors and the Debtor Subsidiaries, the Purchaser Parties, the PoJo Parties, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders entered into the Plan Sponsor Agreement, which calls for the parties to work toward the confirmation and consummation of the Plan, and the Purchase Agreement, whereby EME will transfer its operating businesses to the Purchaser in exchange for the Sale Proceeds. The Purchase Agreement includes the following principal terms:
· a purchase price of $2.635 billion, comprised of $2.285 billion in cash and $350 million in common stock of NRG Energy, Inc. (subject to certain adjustments pursuant to the Purchase Agreement);
· Purchasers assumption of substantial prepetition Debtor and non-Debtor liabilities, including the PoJo Leases and Documents;
· no diligence contingencies;
· very limited conditions to closing (e.g., certain government approvals);
· go shop rights for the Debtors to solicit alternative proposalsand continue their ongoing sale processthrough December 6, 2013 (with a fiduciary out thereafter);
· if the Debtors do not consummate the sale with the Purchaser Parties, payment in certain circumstances of a break-up fee of $65 million plus Purchaser Parties reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses; and
· EMEs retention and control over claims and causes of action against EIX and other related parties.
Without limiting the Debtors ability to exercise their fiduciary duties, the Plan Sponsor Agreement secures the commitment of the Purchaser Parties to effectuate the transaction, and each of the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties to support the proposed NRG sale and seek confirmation of the Plan.
On October 24, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Debtors entry into the Plan Sponsor Agreement [Docket No. 1424].
H. Continuation of Intercompany Arrangements and Shared Services
As noted above, as of the Petition Date, certain of the Debtors and their non-Debtor affiliates received management, administrative, corporate, and support services from non-Debtor affiliates and provided other such services to non-Debtor affiliates pursuant to certain Intercompany Arrangements. On February 5, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Final Order approving the Intercompany Arrangements and granting the Debtors related relief as necessary [Docket No. 400].
In the absence of approval of the settlement contemplated in the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, EIX committed to continue to provide Shared Services through December 31, 2013. On July 25, 2013, the Noteholder Group sent EME and EIX a Notice of Termination of Transaction Support Agreement, which automatically rendered the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement of no further force and effect [Docket No. 1040]. Following termination of the Prepetition Transaction Support Agreement, EME immediately began planning to transition all Shared Services to EME-administered, standalone health, welfare, retirement, and other benefit plans so that it could be prepared on and after January 1, 2014, to provide substantially similar services for itself and all of its subsidiaries if Shared Services were terminated.
Implementation of standalone programs and payroll functions proved challenging, both from an administrative and expense standpoint. Moreover, after the October 18, 2013, announcement of the NRG Transaction contemplated by the Plan, it became even more challenging for EME to implement standalone plans, given that potential third-party payroll and benefits administrators realized that these standalone plans could potentially be in place for as few as three months.
In light of the foregoing, EME approached EIX to discuss a potential extension of Shared Services beyond December 31, 2013. An extension would avoid implementation of mirror plans for a short duration at a likely massive cost to EMEs estate, and at the same time allow EME to better focus its attention on the ongoing sale process and transition-related items with NRG over the next several months (as opposed to continuing a significant internal effort to construct standalone plans ahead of the December 31st termination). Following arms-length negotiations, on October 29, 2013, EIX agreed to extend shared services under the Intercompany Arrangements, through and including the earlier of: (a) the date the Bankruptcy Court enters an order confirming a chapter 11 plan; or (b) March 31, 2014. On November 6, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court authorized EME to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the extension agreement [Docket No. 1563].
IX. RISK FACTORS
Holders of Claims should read and consider carefully the risk factors set forth below before voting to accept or reject the Plan. Although there are many risk factors discussed below, these factors should not be regarded as constituting the only risks present in connection with the Debtors businesses or the Plan and its implementation.
A. Certain Bankruptcy Law Considerations
The occurrence or non-occurrence of any or all of the following contingencies, and any others, could affect distributions available to Holders of Allowed Claims under the Plan but will not necessarily affect the validity of the vote of the Impaired Classes to accept or reject the Plan or necessarily require a re-solicitation of the votes of Holders of Claims in such Impaired Classes.
1. Parties in Interest May Object to the Plans Classification of Claims and Interests
Section 1122 of the Bankruptcy Code provides that a plan may place a claim or an equity interest in a particular class only if such claim or equity interest is substantially similar to the other claims or equity interests in such class. The Debtors believe that the classification of the Claims under the Plan complies with the requirements set forth in the Bankruptcy Code because the Debtors created Classes of Claims, each encompassing Claims that are substantially similar to the other Claims in each such Class. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will reach the same conclusion.
2. Failure to Satisfy Vote Requirements
If votes are received in number and amount sufficient to enable the Bankruptcy Court to confirm the Plan, the Debtors intend to seek, as promptly as practicable thereafter, Confirmation of the Plan. In the event that sufficient votes are not received, the Debtors may seek to confirm an alternative chapter 11 plan. There can be no assurance that the terms of any such alternative chapter 11 plan would be similar or as favorable to the Holders of Allowed Claims as those proposed in the Plan.
3. The Debtors May Not Be Able to Secure Confirmation of the Plan
Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code sets forth the requirements for confirmation of a chapter 11 plan, and requires, among other things, a finding by the Bankruptcy Court that: (a) such plan does not unfairly discriminate and is fair and equitable with respect to any non-accepting classes; (b) confirmation of such plan is not likely to be followed by a liquidation or a need for further financial reorganization unless such liquidation or reorganization is contemplated by the plan; and (c) the value of distributions to non-accepting holders of claims and equity interests within a particular class under such plan will not be less than the value of distributions such holders would receive if the debtors were liquidated under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
There can be no assurance that the requisite acceptances to confirm the Plan will be received. Even if the requisite acceptances are received, there can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will confirm the Plan. A non-accepting Holder of an Allowed Claim might challenge either the adequacy of this Disclosure Statement or whether the balloting procedures and voting results satisfy the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code or Bankruptcy Rules. Even if the Bankruptcy Court determined that this Disclosure Statement, the balloting procedures and voting results were appropriate, the Bankruptcy Court could still decline to confirm the Plan if it found that any of the statutory requirements for Confirmation had not been met.
Confirmation of the Plan is also subject to certain conditions as described in Article IX of the Plan. If the Plan is not confirmed, it is unclear what distributions, if any, Holders of Allowed Claims would receive with respect to their Allowed Claims.
The Debtors, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Plan Sponsor Agreement, reserve the right to modify the terms and conditions of the Plan as necessary for Confirmation. Any such modifications could result in a less favorable treatment of any non-accepting Class, as well as of any Classes junior to such non-accepting Class, than the treatment currently provided in the Plan. Such a less favorable treatment could include a distribution of property to the Class affected by the modification of a lesser value than currently provided in the Plan or no distribution of property whatsoever under the Plan.
4. Nonconsensual Confirmation
In the event that any Impaired Class of Claims or Interests does not accept a chapter 11 plan, a bankruptcy court may nevertheless confirm a plan at the proponents request if at least one Impaired Class has accepted the plan (with such acceptance being determined without including the vote of any insider in such class), and, as to each impaired class that has not accepted the plan, the bankruptcy court determines that the plan does not discriminate unfairly and is fair and equitable with respect to the dissenting impaired classes. The Debtors believe that the Plan satisfies these requirements, and the Debtors may request such nonconsensual Confirmation in accordance with subsection 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will reach this conclusion. In addition, the pursuit of nonconsensual Confirmation or Consummation of the Plan may result in, among other things, increased expenses relating to Accrued Professional Compensation Claims.
5. The Debtors May Object to the Amount or Classification of a Claim
Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, the Debtors reserve the right to object to the amount or classification of any Claim under the Plan. The estimates set forth in this Disclosure Statement cannot be relied upon by any Holder of a Claim where such Claim is subject to an objection. Any Holder of a Claim that is subject to an objection thus may not receive its expected share of the estimated distributions described in this Disclosure Statement.
6. Risk of Non-Occurrence of the Effective Date
Although the Debtors believe that the Effective Date may occur quickly after the Confirmation Date, there can be no assurance as to such timing or as to whether the Effective Date will, in fact, occur.
7. Contingencies Could Affect Votes of Impaired Classes to Accept or Reject the Plan
The distributions available to Holders of Allowed Claims under the Plan can be affected by a variety of contingencies, including, without limitation, whether the Bankruptcy Court orders certain Allowed Claims to be subordinated to other Allowed Claims. The occurrence of any and all such contingencies, which could affect distributions available to Holders of Allowed Claims under the Plan, will not affect the validity of the vote taken by the Impaired Classes to accept or reject the Plan or require any sort of revote by the Impaired Classes.
The estimated Claims and creditor recoveries set forth in this Disclosure Statement are based on various assumptions, and the actual Allowed amounts of Claims may significantly differ from the estimates. Should one or more of the underlying assumptions ultimately prove to be incorrect, the actual Allowed amounts of Claims may vary from the estimated Claims contained in this Disclosure Statement. Moreover, the Debtors cannot determine with any certainty at this time, the number or amount of Claims that will ultimately be Allowed. Such differences may materially and adversely affect, among other things, the percentage recoveries to Holders of Allowed Claims under the Plan.
8. Necessary Governmental Approvals May Not Be Granted
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, consummation of the NRG Transaction depends upon approval of FERC under section 203 of the Federal Power Act, approval by the department of Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, and all other approvals required by governmental authorities. Failure by any governmental authority to grant a necessary approval could prevent consummation of the NRG Transaction and Confirmation of the Plan.
9. Registration Statement for Stock Component of NRG Transaction May Not Be Effective
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, consummation of the NRG Transaction depends on the effectiveness under the Securities Act of a registration statement on Form S-1 registering the offer and sale of the stock component of the Sale Proceeds and its issuance and distribution pursuant to the Plan by NRG. Failure by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to declare such registration statement effective, or the existence of actual or threatened legal proceedings that limit or suspend such effectiveness, could prevent consummation of the NRG Transaction and Confirmation of the Plan.
10. Releases, Injunctions, and Exculpations Provisions May Not Be Approved
Article VIII of the Plan provides for certain releases, injunctions, and exculpations. In addition to the releases in favor of the Released Parties, there is a limited release and injunction of certain Excluded Liabilities that may otherwise be asserted against the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies. These Excluded Liabilities will be paid or treated pursuant to the Plan. However, the releases, injunctions, and exculpations provided in the Plan are subject to objection by parties in interest and may not be approved.
B. Risk Factors that May Affect the Value of Securities to be Issued Under the Plan
1. Debtors Cannot State with Certainty What Recovery Will Be Available to Holders of Allowed Claims in Voting Classes
The Debtors cannot know with certainty, at this time, the number or amount of Claims in Voting Classes that will ultimately be Allowed. Accordingly, because certain Claims under the Plan will be paid on a Pro Rata basis, the Debtors cannot state with certainty what recoveries will be available to Holders of Allowed Claims in Voting Classes.
2. Actual Amounts of Allowed Claims May Differ from the Estimated Claims and Adversely Affect the Percentage Recovery on Unsecured Claims
The Claims estimates set forth in Article IV.C above, What will I receive from the Debtors if the Plan is consummated?, are based on various assumptions. The actual amounts of Allowed Claims may differ significantly from those estimates should one or more underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect. Such differences may adversely affect the percentage of recovery.
3. Plan Sponsor Agreement May Terminate
The Purchaser Parties, the PoJo Parties, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders have agreed to support the Plan; provided however, that certain conditions must be met, including, without limitation, that: (a) the filing and approval of this Disclosure Statement within the time periods specified in the Plan Sponsor Agreement; (b) the Confirmation of the Plan within the time periods specified in the Plan Sponsor Agreement; (c) the closing of the NRG Transaction within the time periods specified in the Plan Sponsor Agreement; and (d) an event giving rise to termination of the Plan Sponsor Agreement has not occurred (which events are set forth in the Plan Sponsor Agreement).
To the extent that the terms or conditions of the Plan Sponsor Agreement are not satisfied, or to the extent events giving rise to termination of the Plan Sponsor Agreement occur, the Plan Sponsor Agreement may terminate prior to the Confirmation or Consummation of the Plan, which could result in the loss of support for the Plan by important creditor constituents. Any such loss of support could adversely affect the Debtors ability to confirm and consummate the Plan.
4. A Liquid Trading Market for the Parent Common Stock and/or New Interests in Reorganized EME May Terminate or May Not Develop
There can be no assurances that liquid trading markets for the New Interests or Parent Common Stock will develop or be maintained, respectively. The liquidity of any market for the New Interests and Parent Common Stock will depend, among other things, upon the number of holders of New Interests and Parent Common Stock, Reorganized EMEs and NRGs financial performance, and the market for similar securities, none of which can be determined or predicted. Therefore, the Debtors cannot provide assurances that an active trading market will develop or continue, or if a market exists, what the liquidity or pricing characteristics of that market will be.
5. Small Number of Holders or Voting Blocks May Control Reorganized EME
Consummation of the Plan may result in a small number of holders owning a significant percentage of the shares of the New Interests. These holders may, among other things, exercise a controlling influence over Reorganized EME and have the power to elect directors and approve significant transactions.
6. Impact of Interest Rates
Changes in interest rates may affect the fair market value of the Debtors assets and/or the distributions to Holders of Claims under the Plan.
C. Disclosure Statement Disclaimer
1. Information Contained Herein Is for Soliciting Votes
The information contained in this Disclosure Statement is for the purposes of soliciting acceptances of the Plan and may not be relied upon for any other purpose.
2. This Disclosure Statement Was Not Approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission
This Disclosure Statement was not filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws. Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state regulatory authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Disclosure Statement, or the exhibits or the statements contained herein, and any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
3. Reliance on Exemptions from Registration
This Disclosure Statement has been prepared pursuant to section 1125 of the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rule 3016(b) and is not necessarily in accordance with federal or state securities laws or other similar laws.
4. No Legal or Tax Advice Is Provided to You by this Disclosure Statement
This Disclosure Statement is not legal advice to you. The contents of this Disclosure Statement should not be construed as legal, business, or tax advice. Each Holder of a Claim should consult his or her own legal counsel and accountant with regard to any legal, tax, and other matters concerning his or her Claim. This Disclosure Statement may not be relied upon for any purpose other than to determine how to vote on the Plan or object to Confirmation of the Plan.
5. No Admissions Made
The information and statements contained in this Disclosure Statement will neither (a) constitute an admission of any fact or liability by any Entity (including, without limitation, the Debtors, the Committee, and the Supporting Noteholders), nor (b) be deemed evidence of the tax or other legal effects of the Plan on the Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, Holders of Allowed Claims, or any other parties in interest, nor (c) be deemed or construed as a finding of fact or conclusion of law with respect to any matter or controversy, including, without limitation, the matters described in Section V.E hereof, the validity of the Intercompany Notes, or the characterization of the PoJo Leases and Documents.
6. Failure to Identify Litigation Claims or Projected Objections
No reliance should be placed on the fact that a particular litigation claim or projected objection to a particular Claim or Interest is, or is not, identified in this Disclosure Statement. The Debtors, the Purchaser Parties, Reorganized EME, or the Post-Effective Date Debtor Subsidiaries, as the case may be, may seek to investigate, file, and prosecute Claims and may object to Claims after the Confirmation or Effective Date of the Plan irrespective of whether this Disclosure Statement identifies such Claims or objections to Claims.
7. No Waiver of Right to Object or Right to Recover Transfers and Assets
The vote by a Holder of an Allowed Claim or Interest for or against the Plan does not constitute a waiver or release of any Claims, Causes of Action, including Causes of Action against any insider as that term is defined in section 101(31) of the Bankruptcy Code, or rights of the Debtors, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, or the Purchaser Parties (or any party in interest, as the case may be) to object to that Holders Allowed Claim, or recover any preferential, fraudulent, or other voidable transfer of assets, regardless of whether any Claims or Causes of Action, including Causes of Action against any insider as that term is defined in section 101(31) of the Bankruptcy Code, of the Debtors or their respective Estates are specifically or generally identified herein.
8. Information Was Provided by the Debtors and Was Relied Upon by the Debtors Advisors
Counsel to and other advisors retained by the Debtors have relied upon information provided by the Debtors in connection with the preparation of this Disclosure Statement. Although counsel to and other advisors retained by the Debtors have performed certain limited due diligence in connection with the preparation of this Disclosure Statement, they have not verified independently the information contained herein.
9. Potential Exists for Inaccuracies, and the Debtors Have No Duty to Update
The statements contained in this Disclosure Statement are made by the Debtors as of the date hereof, unless otherwise specified herein, and the delivery of this Disclosure Statement after that date does not imply that there has not been a change in the information set forth herein since that date. While the Debtors have used their reasonable business judgment to ensure the accuracy of all of the information provided in this Disclosure Statement and in the Plan, the Debtors nonetheless cannot, and do not, confirm the current accuracy of all statements appearing in this Disclosure Statement. Further, although the Debtors may subsequently update the information in this Disclosure Statement, the Debtors have no affirmative duty to do so unless ordered to do so by the Bankruptcy Court.
10. No Representations Outside This Disclosure Statement Are Authorized
No representations concerning or relating to the Debtors, these Chapter 11 Cases, or the Plan are authorized by the Bankruptcy Court or the Bankruptcy Code, other than as set forth in this Disclosure Statement. Any representations or inducements made to secure your acceptance or rejection of the Plan that are other than as contained in, or included with, this Disclosure Statement, should not be relied upon by you in arriving at your decision. You should promptly report unauthorized representations or inducements to the counsel to the Debtors, the United States Trustee, and counsel to the Committee.
D. Liquidation Under Chapter 7
If no plan can be Confirmed, the Debtors Chapter 11 Cases may be converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, pursuant to which a trustee would be elected or appointed to liquidate the assets of the Debtors for distribution in accordance with the priorities established by the Bankruptcy Code. A discussion of the effects that a chapter 7 liquidation would have on the recoveries of Holders of Claims and the Debtors Liquidation Analysis is described herein and attached hereto as Exhibit E.
X. SOLICITATION AND VOTING PROCEDURES
This Disclosure Statement, which is accompanied by a Ballot or Ballots to be used for voting on the Plan, is being distributed to the Holders of Claims in those Classes that are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan. The procedures and instructions for voting and related deadlines are set forth in the exhibits annexed to the Disclosure Statement Order, which is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
The Disclosure Statement Order is incorporated herein by reference and should be read in conjunction with this Disclosure Statement and in formulating a decision to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
THE DISCUSSION OF THE SOLICITATION AND VOTING PROCESS SET FORTH IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT IS ONLY A SUMMARY.
PLEASE REFER TO THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ORDER ATTACHED HERETO FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLICITATION AND VOTING PROCESS.
A. Holders of Claims Entitled to Vote on the Plan
Under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, not all holders of claims against a debtor are entitled to vote on a chapter 11 plan. The table in section IV.C of this Disclosure Statement, which begins on page 4, provides a summary of the status and voting rights of each Class (and, therefore, of each Holder within such Class absent an objection to the Holders Claim) under the Plan. As shown in the table, the Debtors are soliciting votes to accept or reject the Plan only from Holders of Claims and Interests in Classes A3, A4, A5, B3, C3, C4, and C6 (collectively, the Voting Classes).
The Holders of Claims in the Voting Classes are Impaired under the Plan and may, in certain circumstances, receive a distribution under the Plan. Accordingly, Holders of Claims in the Voting Classes have the right to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
The Debtors are not soliciting votes from Holders of Claims and Interests in Classes A1, A2, A6, A7, A8, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, or C5. Additionally, the Disclosure Statement Order provides that certain Holders of Claims in the Voting Classes, such as those Holders whose Claims have been disallowed or are subject to a pending objection, are not entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
B. Voting Record Date
The Voting Record Date is December 16, 2013. The Voting Record Date is the date on which it will be determined which Holders of Claims in the Voting Classes are entitled to vote to accept or reject the Plan and whether Claims have been properly assigned or transferred under Bankruptcy Rule 3001(e) such that an assignee can vote as the Holder of a Claim.
C. Voting on the Plan
The Voting Deadline is February 7, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Central Time). In order to be counted as votes to accept or reject the Plan, all ballots must be properly executed, completed and delivered (either by using the return envelope provided, by first class mail, overnight courier or personal delivery) so that they are actually received on or before the Voting Deadline by the Debtors voting and claims agent (the Voting and Claims Agent) at the following address:
DELIVERY OF BALLOTS
If by Regular Mail to:
Edison Mission Energy, et al.
c/o GCG
PO Box 9942
Dublin, OH 43017-5942
If by Hand-Delivery or Overnight Courier to:
Edison Mission Energy, et al.
c/o GCG
5151 Blazer Parkway, Suite A
Dublin, Ohio 43017
If you received an envelope addressed to your nominee, please allow enough time when you return your ballot for your nominee to cast your vote on a ballot before the Voting Deadline.
D. Ballots Not Counted
Except as otherwise provided by the Disclosure Statement Order, no ballot will be counted toward Confirmation if, among other things: (i) it is illegible or contains insufficient information to permit the identification of the Holder of the Claim; (ii) it was transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic means; (iii) it was cast by an entity that is not entitled to vote on the Plan; (iv) it was cast for a Claim listed in the Schedules as contingent, unliquidated or disputed for which the applicable bar date has passed and no proof of claim was timely filed; (v) it was cast for a Claim that is subject to an objection pending as of the Voting Record Date (unless temporarily allowed in accordance with the Disclosure Statement Order); (vi) it was sent to the Debtors, the Debtors agents/representatives (other than the Voting and Claims Agent), an indenture trustee or the Debtors financial or legal advisors instead of the Voting and Claims Agent; (vii) it is unsigned; or (viii) it is not clearly marked to either accept or reject the Plan or it is marked both to accept and reject the Plan. Please refer to the Disclosure Statement Order for additional requirements with respect to voting to accept or reject the Plan.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SOLICITATION OR VOTING PROCESS,
PLEASE CONTACT THE VOTING AND CLAIMS AGENT TOLL-FREE AT (888) 909-0100.
ANY BALLOT RECEIVED AFTER THE VOTING DEADLINE OR OTHERWISE
NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SOLICITATION ORDER WILL NOT BE COUNTED.
XI. CONFIRMATION OF THE PLAN
A. Requirements for Confirmation of the Plan
Among the requirements for Confirmation of the Plan pursuant to section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code are: (i) the Plan is accepted by all Impaired Classes of Claims, or if rejected by an Impaired Class, the Plan does not discriminate unfairly and is fair and equitable as to the Class; (ii) the Plan is feasible; and (iii) the Plan is in the best interests of Holders of Claims.
At the Confirmation Hearing, the Bankruptcy Court will determine whether the Plan satisfies all of the requirements of section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Debtors believe that: (i) the Plan satisfies or will satisfy all of the necessary statutory requirements of chapter 11; (ii) the Debtors have complied or will have complied with all of the necessary requirements of chapter 11; and (iii) the Plan has been proposed in good faith.
B. Best Interests of Creditors/Liquidation Analysis
Often called the best interests test, section 1129(a)(7) of the Bankruptcy Code requires that a bankruptcy court find as a condition to confirmation, that a chapter 11 plan provides, with respect to each class, that each holder of a claim or an equity interest in the class either (i) has accepted the plan or (ii) will receive or retain under the plan property of a value that is not less than the amount that the holder would receive or retain if the debtors liquidated under chapter 7.
Attached hereto as Exhibit E and incorporated herein by reference is a liquidation analysis (the Liquidation Analysis) prepared by the Debtors with the assistance of Perella Weinberg Partners, the Debtors investment banker and financial advisor. As reflected in the Liquidation Analysis, the Debtors believe that liquidation under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code of the Debtors businesses would result in substantial diminution in the value to be realized by Holders of Claims as compared to distributions contemplated under the Plan. Consequently, the Debtors and their management believe that Confirmation of the Plan will provide a substantially greater return to Holders of Claims than would a liquidation under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
C. Feasibility
Section 1129(a)(11) of the Bankruptcy Code requires that confirmation of a plan of reorganization is not likely to be followed by the liquidation, or the need for further financial reorganization of the debtor, or any successor to the debtor (unless such liquidation or reorganization is proposed in the plan of reorganization).
To determine whether the Plan meets this feasibility requirement, the Debtors have analyzed their ability to meet their respective obligations under the Plan.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Debtors operating businesses and Assumed Liabilities will be transferred to the Purchaser in exchange for the Sale Proceeds, which shall be used, along with the other sources of funding for the Plan, to fund the orderly wind down of the Debtors estates. As such, the Debtors believe that the confirmation of the Plan is not likely to be followed by a further financial reorganization and, therefore, is feasible.
D. Acceptance by Impaired Classes
The Bankruptcy Code requires, as a condition to confirmation, except as described in the following section, that each class of claims or equity interests impaired under a plan, accept the plan. A class that is not impaired under a plan is deemed to have accepted the plan and, therefore, solicitation of acceptances with respect to such a class is not required.(9)
(9) A class of claims is impaired within the meaning of section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code unless the plan (a) leaves unaltered the legal, equitable and contractual rights to which the claim or equity interest entitles the holder of such claim or equity interest or (b) cures any default, reinstates the original terms of such obligation, compensates the holder for certain damages or losses, as applicable, and does not otherwise alter the legal, equitable or contractual rights to which such claim or equity interest entitles the holder of such claim or equity interest.
Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code defines acceptance of a plan by a class of impaired claims as acceptance by Holders of at least two-thirds in a dollar amount and more than one-half in a number of allowed claims in that class, counting only those claims that have actually voted to accept or to reject the plan. Thus, a class of claims will have voted to accept the plan only if two-thirds in amount and a majority in number actually cast their ballots in favor of acceptance.
E. Confirmation without Acceptance by All Impaired Classes
Section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code allows a bankruptcy court to confirm a plan even if all impaired classes have not accepted it; provided, however, that the plan has been accepted by at least one impaired class. Pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, notwithstanding an impaired classs rejection or deemed rejection of the plan, the plan will be confirmed, at the plan proponents request, in a procedure commonly known as a cramdown so long as the plan does not discriminate unfairly and is fair and equitable with respect to each class of claims or equity interests that is impaired under, and has not accepted, the plan.
If any Impaired Class rejects the Plan, the Debtors reserve the right, in consultation with the Purchaser, the Committee, the Supporting Noteholders, and the PoJo Parties, to seek to confirm the Plan utilizing the cramdown provision of section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. To the extent that any Impaired Class rejects the Plan or is deemed to have rejected the Plan, the Debtors will request Confirmation of the Plan, as it may be modified from time to time, under section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
1. No Unfair Discrimination
The unfair discrimination test applies to classes of claims or interests that are of equal priority and are receiving different treatment under a plan. The test does not require that the treatment be the same or equivalent, but that treatment be fair. In general, bankruptcy courts consider whether a plan discriminates unfairly in its treatment of classes of claims of equal rank (e.g., classes of the same legal character). Bankruptcy courts will take into account a number of factors in determining whether a plan discriminates unfairly. A plan could treat two classes of unsecured creditors differently without unfairly discriminating against either class.
2. Fair and Equitable Test
The fair and equitable test applies to classes of different priority and status (e.g., secured versus unsecured) and includes the general requirement that no class of claims receive more than 100 percent of the amount of the allowed claims in the class. As to the dissenting class, the test sets different standards depending upon the type of claims or equity interests in the class.
The Debtors submit that if the Debtors cramdown the Plan pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Plan is structured so that it does not discriminate unfairly and satisfies the fair and equitable requirement. With respect to the unfair discrimination requirement, all Classes under the Plan are provided treatment that is substantially equivalent to the treatment that is provided to other Classes that have equal rank. The Debtors believe that the Plan and the treatment of all Classes of Claims and Interests under the Plan satisfy the foregoing requirements for nonconsensual Confirmation of the Plan.
XII. CERTAIN SECURITIES LAW MATTERS
A. New Equity
As discussed herein, Reorganized EME will distribute New Interests to Holders of Allowed Claims in Class A3. The Debtors believe that the New Interests to be securities, as defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act, section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code and any applicable state securities laws (Blue Sky Laws).
B. Issuance of New Interests Under the Plan; Resale of New Interests
1. Exemptions from Registration Requirements of the Securities Act and State Blue Sky Laws
Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code provides that the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act (and any applicable state Blue Sky Laws) will not apply to the offer or sale of stock, options, warrants or other securities by a debtor if: (a) the offer or sale occurs under a plan of reorganization; (b) the recipients of the securities hold a claim against, an interest in, or claim for administrative expense against, the debtor; and (c) the securities are issued in exchange for a claim against or interest in a debtor or are issued principally in such exchange and partly for cash and property. In reliance upon these exemptions, the offer and sale of the New Interests under the Plan will not be registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state Blue Sky Laws.
To the extent that the issuance of the New Interests is covered by section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, the New Interests may be resold without registration under the Securities Act or other federal securities laws, unless the holder is an underwriter (as discussed below) with respect to such securities, as that term is defined in section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act and in the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, the New Interests generally may be able to be resold without registration under applicable state Blue Sky Laws pursuant to various exemptions provided by the respective Blue Sky Laws of those states; however, the availability of those exemptions for any such resale cannot be known unless individual state Blue Sky Laws are examined.
The Plan contemplates the application of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code to the New Interests, but at this time, there can be no assurance that the issuance of the New Interests will be exempt from registration pursuant to section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code and, in turn, whether any Person may freely resell New Interests without registration under the Securities Act, other federal securities laws, or applicable state Blue Sky Laws. Recipients of the New Interests are advised to consult with their own legal advisors as to the applicability of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code to the New Interests and the availability of any exemption from registration under the Securities Act, other federal securities laws, or applicable state Blue Sky Laws.
2. Resale of New Equity by Persons Deemed to be Underwriters; Definition of Underwriter
Section 1145(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code defines an underwriter as one who, except with respect to ordinary trading transactions of an entity that is not an issuer: (a) purchases a claim against, interest in, or claim for an administrative expense in the case concerning, the debtor, if such purchase is with a view to distribution of any security received or to be received in exchange for such Claim or Interest; (b) offers to sell securities offered or sold under a plan for the holders of such securities; (c) offers to buy securities offered or sold under a plan from the holders of such securities, if such offer to buy is (i) with a view to distribution of such securities and (ii) under an agreement made in connection with the plan, with the consummation of the plan, or with the offer or sale of securities under the plan; or (d) is an issuer of the securities within the meaning of section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. In addition, a Person who receives a fee in exchange for purchasing an issuers securities could also be considered an underwriter within the meaning of section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.
The definition of an issuer for purposes of whether a Person is an underwriter under section 1145(b)(1)(D) of the Bankruptcy Code, by reference to section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, includes as statutory underwriters any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by an issuer, or any person under direct or indirect common control with an issuer, of securities. As a result, the reference to issuer, as used in the definition of underwriter contained in section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, is intended to cover controlling Persons of the issuer of the securities. Control, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. Accordingly, an officer, director or significant shareholder of a reorganized debtor or its successor under a plan of reorganization may be deemed to be a controlling Person of such debtor or successor, particularly, with respect to officers and directors, if the management position or directorship is coupled with ownership of a significant percentage of the reorganized debtors or its successors voting securities. In addition, the legislative history of section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code suggests that a creditor who owns ten percent or more of a class of securities of a reorganized debtor may be presumed to be a controlling Person and, therefore, an underwriter.
Resales of the New Interests by Entities deemed to be underwriters (which definition includes controlling Persons of an issuer) are not exempted by section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code from registration under the Securities Act, state Blue Sky Laws, or other applicable law. Under certain circumstances, holders of New Interests who are deemed to be underwriters may be entitled to resell their New Interests pursuant to the limited safe harbor resale provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities Act. Generally, Rule 144 of the Securities Act would permit the public sale of securities received by such Person if current information regarding the issuer is publicly available and if volume limitations and certain other conditions are met by the holder of the securities. The issuer of the New Interests, however, does not intend to file periodic reports under the Securities Act or seek to list the New Interests for trading on a national securities exchange. Consequently, current public information (as such term is defined in Rule 144) regarding the issuer of the New Interests is not expected to be available for purposes of sales of New Interests under Rule 144 by holders who are deemed to be underwriters. Whether any particular Person would be deemed to be an underwriter (including whether such Person is a controlling Person of an issuer) with respect to the New Interests would depend upon various facts and circumstances applicable to that Person. Accordingly, the Debtors express no view as to whether any Person would be deemed an underwriter with respect to the New Interests and, in turn, whether any Person may freely resell New Interests. The Debtors recommend that potential recipients of New Interests consult their own counsel concerning their ability to freely trade such securities without compliance with the Securities Act, other federal securities laws, or applicable state Blue Sky Laws.
XIII. CERTAIN UNITED STATES INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PLAN
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of the Plan to the Debtors and certain Holders of Allowed Claims. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the IRC), Treasury Regulations thereunder (Treasury Regulations) and administrative and judicial interpretations and practice, all as in effect on the date of this Disclosure Statement and all of which are subject to change, with possible retroactive effect. Due to the lack of definitive judicial and administrative authority in a number of areas, substantial uncertainty may exist with respect to some of the tax consequences described below. No opinion of counsel has been obtained and the Debtors do not intend to seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as to any of the tax consequences of the Plan discussed below. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences of the Plan described below.
This summary does not apply to Holders of Allowed Claims that are not United States persons (as such term is defined in the IRC) or that are otherwise subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax law (including, without limitation, banks, governmental authorities or agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies, pass-through entities, tax-exempt organizations, brokers and dealers in securities, mutual funds, small business investment companies, employees of any of the Debtors, persons holding Claims that are a hedge against, or that are hedged against, currency risk or that are part of a straddle, constructive sale, or conversion transaction). Moreover, this summary does not purport to cover all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may apply to the Debtors, the reorganized Debtors, or Holders of Allowed Claims or Interests based upon their particular circumstances. Additionally, except as otherwise specified, this summary does not discuss any tax consequences that may arise under any laws other than United States federal income tax law, including under state, local, or foreign tax law.
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes) is a Holder, the tax treatment of a partner (or other owner) generally will depend upon the status of the partner (or other owner) and the activities of the entity. Partners (or other owners) of partnerships (or other pass-through entities) that are Holders should consult their respective tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences of the Plan.
ACCORDINGLY, THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING AND ADVICE BASED UPON THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO A HOLDER OF A CLAIM. ALL HOLDERS OF CLAIMS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS FOR THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE UNDER THE PLAN.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, ANY TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS) IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED, BY ANY TAXPAYER FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING TAX-RELATED PENALTIES UNDER THE IRC. TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS) IS WRITTEN TO SUPPORT THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED BY THIS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. EACH TAXPAYER SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON THE TAXPAYERS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR
A. Certain United States Income Tax Consequences to the Debtors
1. Debtors Tax Attributes
At December 31, 2013, the Debtors expect to have under the regulatory regime approximately [$3,082] million of federal NOL carryforwards and approximately [$306] million of federal tax credit carryforwards (of which, approximately [$15] million are AMT credit carryforwards that may be subject to reduction as discussed below in Section A.3). If the NRG Transaction is treated as a taxable sale of assets to the Purchaser (a Taxable Transaction), the Debtors expect to realize approximately [$420] million of federal gain, which will be offset by the Debtors NOLs. As a result, the Debtors NOLs available for carryforward would be reduced to approximately [$2,662] million. If the NRG Transaction is treated as a tax-free reorganization (a Reorganization), the Debtors will not realize any gain and, accordingly, the Debtors NOLs would not be reduced as a result of the NRG Transaction. Based on a corporate federal income tax rate of 35 percent, the value of the Debtors projected NOLs available for carryforward is approximately [$932] million in the case of a Taxable Transaction and [$1,079] million in the case of a Reorganization. Thus, the total value of EMEs federal NOL and credit carryforwards at the end of 2013, after reduction as a result of gain recognition in the NRG Transaction, but before any required reduction by excluded cancellation of indebtedness income, is projected to be approximately [$1,238] million in the case of a Taxable Transaction and [$1,385] million in the case of a Reorganization.
As discussed in Section V.E, as a result of the application of the Tax Sharing Agreements, the EIX Group has utilized more of the Debtors federal tax attributes on a regulatory basis than EME has been compensated for. As of the end of 2013, the value of such used but uncompensated attributes is expected to be approximately [$123] million. If EME continued as a member of the EIX Group, the Tax Sharing Agreements remained in place, and the NRG Transaction was a Taxable Transaction, EME would be compensated for the [$1,238] million of the regulatory attribute carryforwards as well as the [$123] million of used but uncompensated attributes for a total of approximately [$1,361] million as those attributes would be used by the EIX Group under the terms of the Tax Sharing Agreements. If the NRG Transaction was a Reorganization, no gain would be recognized and the Purchaser would generally succeed to the Debtors NOLs and credits, before any reduction by excluded cancellation of indebtedness income, and such NOLs and credits would not be available to the EIX Group.
In addition, at December 31, 2013, the Debtors expect to have uncompensated California Tax Attributes. Due to differences in federal and California income tax rules, the Debtors have higher basis in their assets for California income tax purposes, and, as a result, the NRG Transaction, if treated as a Taxable Transaction, would generate a loss of approximately [$900] million, rather than gain for California income tax purposes. Thus, after the NRG Transaction, and taking into account the offset of any federal deduction for California income taxes, the Debtors expect that the value of their uncompensated California Tax Attributes will be approximately [$166] million based on a corporate California income tax rate of 8.84 percent. If EME were to continue as a member of the EIX Group, the Tax Sharing Agreements were to remain in place, and the NRG Transaction is treated as a Taxable Transaction, EME would be compensated for these Tax Attributes as they are used by the EIX Group under the terms of the Tax Sharing Agreements.
Under the Purchase Agreement for the NRG Transaction, EME and NRG have agreed to undertake steps such that the NRG Transaction will be considered a Taxable Transaction. Accordingly, unless EME and NRG subsequently agree to an alternative structure for the NRG Transaction, both EME and NRG intend to report the NRG Transaction as a Taxable Transaction for United States federal income tax purposes (as well as for relevant state and local income tax purposes). Assuming the NRG Transaction is treated as a Taxable Transaction, the aggregate value of EMEs uncompensated federal and California attributes as of the end of 2013 is expected to be approximately [$1,527] million.
2. Cancellation of Debt Income
In general, absent an exception, a taxpayer will realize and recognize cancellation of indebtedness income (COD Income) upon satisfaction of its outstanding indebtedness for total consideration less than the amount of such indebtedness. Under Section 108 of the IRC, a taxpayer is not required to include COD Income in gross income if the taxpayer is under the jurisdiction of a court in a case under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and the discharge of debt occurs pursuant to that case (the Bankruptcy Exception). Instead, as a consequence of such exclusion, a taxpayer-debtor must reduce its Tax Attributes by the amount of COD Income that it excluded from gross income. In general, Tax Attributes will be reduced in the following order: (a) NOLs; (b) most tax credits; (c) capital loss carryovers; (d) tax basis in assets (but not below the amount of liabilities to which the debtor remains subject); (e) passive activity loss and credit carryovers; and (f) foreign tax credits. Alternatively, the taxpayer can elect first to reduce the basis of its depreciable assets pursuant to Section 108(b)(5) of the IRC.
The amount of COD Income to the Debtors is expected to equal approximately the amount of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the EME Senior Notes (through the date when the EME Senior Notes are cancelled) less $2,635 million of proceeds from the NRG Transaction. If EME receives any payments from EIX in respect of its Tax Attributes following the NRG Transaction and such payments are treated as capital contributions, such payments will reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of COD Income to the Debtors, and accordingly, would preserve an equivalent amount of EMEs Tax Attributes that would otherwise be reduced pursuant to the Bankruptcy Exception. Alternatively, such payments, or a portion thereof, may constitute taxable income to EME or Reorganized EME that, subject to the limitations discussed below, would be offset by and reduce EMEs Tax Attributes. The federal income tax treatment of such payments, if any, is uncertain and Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the consequences of such payments, if any, to EME and Reorganized EME.
3. Limitation of Tax Attributes
After giving effect to the reduction in tax attributes pursuant to excluded COD Income described above, Reorganized EMEs ability to use any remaining tax attributes post-emergence may be subject to certain limitations under the IRC. Generally, if the NRG Transaction is treated as a Taxable Transaction, Reorganized EME will succeed to EMEs Tax Attributes after giving effect to any gain on the sale and reduction pursuant to excluded COD Income. If, however, the NRG Transaction is structured as a Reorganization, Reorganized EME would not generally succeed to any of EMEs Tax Attributes.
If the NRG Transaction is treated as a Taxable Transaction, following consummation of the Plan, the Debtors anticipate that any remaining Tax Attributes may be subject to limitation under Section 382 of the IRC by reason of the transactions pursuant to the Plan.
Under Section 382 of the IRC, if a corporation undergoes an ownership change, the amount of its NOLs and built-in losses (collectively, Pre-Change Losses) that may be utilized to offset future taxable income generally is subject to an annual limitation. Under Section 383 of the IRC, a similar limitation applies to pre-change tax credits (the Pre-Change Tax Credits, and together with the Pre-Change Losses, the Pre-Change Tax Attributes). As discussed in greater detail herein, the Debtors anticipate that the issuance of the New Interests pursuant to the Plan will result in an ownership change of EME for these purposes, and that Reorganized EMEs use of its Pre-Change Tax Attributes will be subject to limitation unless an exception to the general rules of Section 382 of the IRC applies.
a. General Section 382 Annual Limitation
This discussion refers to the limitation determined under Section 382 of the IRC in the case of an ownership change as the Section 382 Limitation. In general, the annual Section 382 Limitation on the use of Pre-Change Losses in any post-change year is equal to the product of (a) the fair market value of the stock of the corporation immediately before the ownership change (with certain adjustments) multiplied by (b) the long-term tax-exempt rate (which is the highest of the adjusted federal long-term rates in effect for any month in the 3-calendar-month period ending with the calendar month in which the ownership change occurs, currently approximately 3.5 percent). The Section 382 Limitation may be increased to the extent that the Debtors recognize certain built-in gains in their assets during the five-year period following the ownership change, or are treated as recognizing built-in gains pursuant to the safe harbors provided in IRS Notice 2003-65. Section 383 of the IRC applies a similar limitation to capital loss carryforwards and tax credits. Any unused limitation may be carried forward, thereby increasing the annual limitation in the subsequent taxable year. As discussed below, however, special rules may apply in the case of a corporation which experiences an ownership change as the result of a bankruptcy proceeding.
The issuance under the Plan of the New Interests, along with the cancellation of existing EME Interests pursuant to the Plan, is expected to cause an ownership change with respect to EME on the Effective Date. As a result, unless an exception applies, Section 382 of the IRC will apply to limit EMEs use of any remaining Pre-Change Tax Attributes after the Effective Date. This limitation is independent of, and in addition to, the reduction of Tax Attributes described in the preceding section resulting from the exclusion of COD Income.
b. Special Bankruptcy Exceptions
An exception to the foregoing annual limitation rules generally applies when so-called qualified creditors of a debtor company in chapter 11 receive, in respect of their claims, at least 50 percent of the vote and value of the stock of the reorganized debtor (or a controlling corporation if also in chapter 11) pursuant to a confirmed chapter 11 plan (the 382(l)(5) Exception). Under the 382(l)(5) Exception, a debtors Pre-Change Tax Attributes are not limited on an annual basis but, instead, the debtors NOLs are required to be reduced by the amount of any interest deductions claimed during any taxable year ending during the three-year period preceding the taxable year that includes the effective date of the plan of reorganization, and during the part of the taxable year prior to and including the effective date of the plan of reorganization, in respect of all debt converted into stock in the reorganization. If the 382(l)(5) Exception applies and the debtor undergoes another ownership change within two years after consummation, then the debtors Pre-Change Tax Attributes effectively are eliminated in their entirety.
Where the 382(l)(5) Exception is not applicable (either because the debtor does not qualify for it or the debtor otherwise elects not to utilize the 382(l)(5) Exception), a second special rule will generally apply (the 382(l)(6) Exception). When the 382(l)(6) Exception applies, a debtor corporation that undergoes an ownership change generally is permitted to determine the fair market value of its stock after taking into account the increase in value resulting from any surrender or cancellation of creditors claims in the bankruptcy. This differs from the ordinary rule that requires the fair market value of a debtor corporation that undergoes an ownership change to be determined before the events giving rise to the change. The 382(l)(6) Exception differs from the 382(l)(5) Exception in that the debtor corporation is not required to reduce its NOLs by interest deductions in the manner described above, and the debtor may undergo a change of ownership within two years without triggering the elimination of its Pre-Change Losses. However, a debtor corporation to which the 382(l)(6) Exception applies is required to continue its business enterprise for the two-year period following the consummation, otherwise its Pre-Change Tax Attributes will be effectively eliminated in their entirety.
4. Alternative Minimum Tax
In general, an alternative minimum tax (AMT) is imposed on a corporations alternative minimum taxable income at a 20 percent rate to the extent such tax exceeds the corporations regular United States federal income tax. For purposes of computing taxable income for AMT purposes, certain tax deductions and other beneficial allowances are modified or eliminated. For example, except for certain AMT NOLs generated in taxable years beginning or ending in 2008 or 2009, which can offset 100 percent of a corporations AMT income, generally only 90 percent of a corporations taxable income for AMT purposes may be offset by available NOLs (as computed for AMT purposes).
5. Summary Charts of Debtors Tax Attributes
The following charts summarize the Tax Attributes of EME estimated as of November 14, 2013, but taking into account the impact of an illustrative NRG Transaction as if it occurred on December 31, 2013 (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the impact of the Restructuring).
The Tax Attributes are subject to ongoing review and material revision by EME, based on a number of factors, including without limitation, changes in facts and law with respect to regulatory, tax, accounting, bankruptcy, litigation, and other legal and financial matters concerning EME and its affiliates.
[Tax Attributes Summary on Following Page]
Federal Net Operating Losses at 12/31/2013
2011 Carryforward |
|
$ |
1,638,955,211 |
|
2012 Carryforward |
|
$ |
558,992,535 |
(10) |
2013 Carryforward |
|
$ |
883,775,783 |
(10) |
Illustrative NRG Transaction Gain |
|
$ |
(420,000,000 |
)(11) |
Total Unused Net Operating Loss Carryforwards |
|
$ |
2,661,723,529 |
|
Illustrative Value of Net Operating Losses |
|
$ |
931,603,235 |
(12) |
Federal Tax Credits at 12/31/2013
2009 Carryforward |
|
$ |
49,674,769 |
|
2010 Carryforward |
|
$ |
60,155,113 |
|
2011 Carryforward |
|
$ |
64,336,668 |
|
2012 Carryforward |
|
$ |
57,834,797 |
(10) |
2013 Carryforward |
|
$ |
59,075,800 |
(10) |
Alternative Minimum Tax Carryforward |
|
$ |
14,983,117 |
(13) |
Total Tax Credit Carryforwards |
|
$ |
306,060,264 |
|
[Tax Attributes Summary continued on following page.]
(10) Except as otherwise expressly provided, the 2012 and 2013 tax calculations herein represent projections as of August 2013.
(11) EMEs projected gain on account of the NRG Transaction, as more specifically described in the Debtors Motion to Approve (I) Entry Into Plan Sponso Agreement, (II) Sponsor Protections, and (III) Related Relief [Docket No. 1375], assumes for purposes of this calculation only that EME will receive aggregate cash and stock consideration of $2.635 billion and that EME holds basis of approximately $2.215 billion in the assets to be transferred to NRG.
(12) The illustrative value of EMEs federal NOLs equals EMEs aggregate net operating loss carryforward balance, net of any gain from the NRG Transaction, multiplied by the current federal corporate income tax rate of 35 percent.
(13) It is possible that any carryforwards on account of EMEs ATM liability may be reduced as a result of the NRG Transaction if the gain thereon exceeds EMEs current NOLs. For purposes of the calculations in the Tax Attributes, such a reduction has not been made.
Uncompensated Federal Attributes at 12/31/2013
Estimated Value of Uncompensated Federal Attributes |
|
$ |
123,448,406 |
(14) |
California Net Operating Losses at 12/31/2013
2011 Carryforward |
|
$ |
941,239,061 |
|
2012 Carryforward |
|
$ |
350,349,027 |
(10) |
2013 Carryforward |
|
$ |
787,625,000 |
(10) |
Illustrative NRG Transaction Loss |
|
$ |
810,000,000 |
(15) |
Total California NOLs Not Yet Compensated |
|
$ |
2,889,213,088 |
|
Federal Benefit Adjustment |
|
$ |
(1,011,224,581 |
)(16) |
Net California NOLs Not Yet Compensated (Adjusted for Federal Benefit) |
|
$ |
1,877,988,507 |
|
Estimated Value of California NOLs |
|
$ |
166,014,184 |
(17) |
Summary of Value of Tax Attributes at 12/31/2013 (Pre-COD Income)
Federal NOLs |
|
$ |
931,603,235 |
|
Federal Tax Credits |
|
$ |
306,060,264 |
|
Used/Uncompensated Federal Attributes |
|
$ |
123,448,406 |
|
California NOLs |
|
$ |
166,014,184 |
|
Total Available |
|
$ |
1,527,126,089 |
|
[Tax Attributes Summary continued on following page.]
(14) EIX and certain of its subsidiaries have not compensated EME for all of EMEs Tax Attributes pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements. The Tax Sharing Agreements grant priority to the tax attributes of SCE under certain circumstances.
(15) Due to differences in applicable tax rules and regulations, EMEs basis in its assets under applicable California law is higher than EMEs federal basis in such assets. As a result, the NRG Transaction is expected to produce a loss for California tax purposes and such loss may increase the amount of available NOLs. The amount shown represents an illustrative loss of $900 million apportioned to California assuming a 90 percent apportionment factor.
(16) The value of California Tax Attributes is reduced by the amount of the federal deduction (assuming 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate) that EIX would have claimed for its California corporate franchise tax liability if EME was not a member of the combined group and EMEs attributes were not available to offset income of the group.
(17) The Tax Attributes include a value of EMEs NOLs under California law determined by multiplying the aggregate NOL carryforward balance (after adjustment for federal tax benefit), including losses from the NRG Transaction, by the current California corporate franchise tax of 8.84 percent.
Estimated Cancellation of Debt Income Under the Plan
Principal Amount of EME Senior Notes |
|
$ |
3,700,000,000 |
|
Accrued/Unpaid Interest (as of 12/31/2013) |
|
$ |
426,474,362 |
(10) |
Total Outstanding |
|
$ |
4,126,474,362 |
|
NRG Proceeds |
|
$ |
2,635,000,000 |
|
COD Income Under the Plan |
|
$ |
1,491,474,362 |
(18) |
Federal Tax Effect of COD Income |
|
$ |
522,016,027 |
|
California Tax Effect of COD Income (Adjusted for Federal Benefit) |
|
$ |
85,700,117 |
(19) |
Summary of Value of Tax Attributes at 12/31/2013 (After-COD Income)
Net Value of Tax Attributes After COD Income |
|
$ |
919,409,946 |
|
B. Certain United States Income Tax Consequences to Holders of Claims
1. Consequences to Holders of Class A3, A4, and A5 Claims
Pursuant to the Plan and in full and final satisfaction of their Claims, Holders of Allowed Class A3, A4, and A5 Claims will, unless any such Holder agrees to less favorable treatment or any such Allowed Class A3, A4, and A5 Claim is assumed by the Purchaser as part of the NRG Transaction, receive their (a) Pro Rata distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds consisting of Cash and the Purchasers stock consideration and (b) Pro Rata distribution of the New Interests. The United States federal income tax consequences of the Plan to Holders of Allowed Class A3, A4, and A5 Claims will depend, in part, on (a) whether the Claims surrendered constitute securities for United States federal income tax purposes, (b) whether the NRG Transaction constitutes a Taxable Transaction or a Reorganization, (c) whether the Holder has taken a bad debt deduction with respect to the Claim (or any portion thereof) in the current or prior years, (d) the manner in which the Holder acquired the Claim, (e) the length of time the Claim has been held, (e) whether the Claim was acquired at a discount, (f) whether the Holder had previously included in income accrued but unpaid interest with respect to the Claim and (g) the method of tax accounting of the Holder.
Whether a debt instrument constitutes a security is determined based on all the facts and circumstances, but most authorities have held that the length of the term of a debt instrument at initial issuance is an important factor in determining whether such instrument is a security for United States federal income tax purposes. These authorities have indicated that a term of less than five years is evidence that the instrument is not a security, whereas a term of ten years or more is evidence that it is a security. There are numerous other factors that could be taken into account in determining whether a debt instrument is a security, including the security for payment, the creditworthiness of the obligor, the subordination or lack thereof with respect to other creditors, the right to vote or otherwise participate in the management of the obligor, convertibility of the instrument into an Interest of the obligor, whether payments of interest are fixed, variable, or contingent, and whether such payments are made on a current basis or accrued.
(18) The Tax Attributes assume (strictly for illustrative purposes) that all proceeds of the NRG Transaction will be distributed to the holders of the EME Senior Notes.
(19) The impact of California Tax Effect on COD Income is reduced by the amount of the federal deduction (assuming 35 percent federal corporate income tax rate) that EIX would claim in the future as a result of the reduction in California Tax Attributes and the corresponding increase in California taxable income.
If an Allowed Class A3, A4, or A5 Claim qualifies as a security and the NRG Transaction is a Taxable Transaction, the Holder of such Claim should recognize gain, if any, but not loss, to the extent of the Net Sale Proceeds received by such Holder. The amount of gain, if any, a Holder would recognize, should equal the lesser of the Net Sale Proceeds received and the difference between (1) the sum of the Net Sale Proceeds and the value of the New Interests received and (2) such Holders adjusted basis, if any, in such Claim. The character of such gain as capital gain or ordinary income will be determined by a number of factors including the tax status of the Holder, whether the Claim constitutes a capital asset in the hands of the Holder, whether the Claim was purchased at a discount, and whether and to what extent the Holder had previously claimed a bad debt deduction with respect to its Claim. If recognized gain or loss is capital in nature, it generally would be long-term capital gain if the Holder held its Claim for more than one year at the time of the exchange. To the extent that a portion of the consideration received by such Holder in satisfaction of such Holders Class A3, A4, or A5 Claim is allocable to accrued but untaxed interest, the Holder may recognize ordinary income (as discussed in greater detail in Accrued but Untaxed Interest below). A Holders aggregate tax basis in the New Interests received in satisfaction of the Holders Claim against EME that qualifies as a security, apart from amounts allocable to accrued but untaxed interest, generally should equal the Holders tax basis in such surrendered Claim, plus any gain recognized, minus the fair market value of any Net Sale Proceeds received. The holding period of any such New Interests received under the Plan, apart from amounts allocable to accrued but untaxed interest, generally should include the holding period of such surrendered Claim. The Holders basis in the Purchasers stock received by such Holder as part of the Net Sale Proceeds should be the fair market value of such stock on the Effective Date and such Holders holding period for such stock received should begin on the day following the Effective Date.(20)
If an Allowed Class A3, A4, or A5 Claim qualifies as a security and the NRG Transaction constitutes a Reorganization, the Holder of such Claim should recognize gain, if any, but not loss, to the extent of Cash received by such Holder. The United States federal income tax consequences to such Holder will be substantially similar to the consequences described above (substituting Cash for Net Sale Proceeds), that such Holder would have experienced if the NRG Transaction was a Taxable Transaction, except that such Holders aggregate tax basis in the New Interests and the Purchasers stock received in satisfaction of the Holders Claim, apart from amounts allocable to accrued but untaxed interest, generally should equal the Holders tax basis in such surrendered Claim, plus any gain recognized, minus the amount of any Cash received, and the holding period considerations discussed above will apply to New Interests as well as the Purchasers stock received by such Holder.(21)
If an Allowed Class A3, A4, or A5 Claim does not qualify as a security, regardless of whether the NRG Transaction constitutes a Taxable Transaction or a Reorganization, the Holder of such Class A3, A4, or A5 Claim will be treated as exchanging such Claim for such Holders Pro Rata distribution of the Net Sale Proceeds and New Interests in a taxable exchange under section 1001 of the IRC. Accordingly, each Holder of such Claim should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the Cash, the fair market value of the Purchasers stock and the fair market value of New Interests received in exchange for the Claim; and (2) such Holders adjusted basis, if any, in such Claim. The character of such gain or loss as capital gain or loss or as ordinary income or loss will be determined by a number of factors discussed above with respect to Class A3, A4, or A5 Claims that constitute securities. If recognized gain or loss is capital in nature, it generally would be long-term capital gain or loss if the Holder held its Claim for more than one year at the time of the exchange. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. To the extent that a portion of the consideration received in exchange for the Claim is allocable to accrued but untaxed interest, the Holder may recognize ordinary income (as discussed in greater detail in Accrued but Untaxed Interest below). A Holders tax basis in any New Interests and the Purchasers stock received by such Holder should equal the fair market value of such stock as of the date such stock is distributed to the Holder. A Holders holding period for the New Interests and the Purchasers stock received should begin on the day following the Effective Date.
(20) The statements made in this paragraph assume that Reorganized EME is treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
(21) The statements made in this paragraph assume that Reorganized EME is treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
2. Consequences to Holders of Allowed Class C3 and C4 Claims
Pursuant to the Plan and in full and final satisfaction of their Claims, Holders of Allowed Class C3 and C4 Claims will receive Pro Rata distributions from the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds for the applicable Homer City Debtor. A Holder of an Allowed Class C3 or C4 Claim will be treated as exchanging such Claim for its distribution of the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds, in a taxable exchange under section 1001 of the IRC. Holders of such Claims would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (a) the fair market value of the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds received in exchange for such Holders Claim, and (b) the Holders adjusted tax basis in such Claim. Any such gain or loss should be capital in nature (subject to the market discount rules described below) and should be long term capital gain or loss if the Claims were held for more than one year by the Holder. To the extent that a portion of any distribution of Homer City Wind Down Proceeds received in the exchange is allocable to accrued interest, the Holder may recognize ordinary income. See the discussions of accrued but untaxed interest and market discount below.
It is plausible that a Holder receiving the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds could treat the transaction as an open transaction for United States federal tax purposes, in which case the recognition of any gain or loss on the transaction might be deferred pending the determination of the amount of the proceeds ultimately received from the Homer City Wind Down Proceeds. The open transaction doctrine only applies in rare and extraordinary circumstances, the United States federal income tax consequences of an open transaction are uncertain and highly complex, and a Holder should consult with its own tax advisor if it believes open transaction treatment might be appropriate.
3. Accrued but Untaxed Interest
A portion of the consideration received by Holders of Claims may be attributable to accrued interest on such Claims. Such amount should be taxable to that Holder as interest income if such accrued interest has not been previously included in the Holders gross income for United States federal income tax purposes. Conversely, Holders of Claims may be able to recognize a deductible loss to the extent any accrued interest on the Claims was previously included in the Holders gross income but was not paid in full by the Debtors.
If the fair value of the consideration is not sufficient to fully satisfy all principal and interest on Allowed Claims, the extent to which such consideration will be attributable to accrued interest is unclear. Under the Plan, the aggregate consideration to be distributed to Holders of Allowed Claims in each Class will be allocated first to the principal amount of Allowed Claims, with any excess allocated to unpaid interest that accrued on such Claims, if any. Certain legislative history indicates that an allocation of consideration as between principal and interest provided in a chapter 11 plan is binding for United States federal income tax purposes, while certain Treasury Regulations generally treat payments as allocated first to any accrued but unpaid interest and then as a payment of principal (which approach could have the effect of requiring the recognition of interest income even if a Holder of Allowed Claims has an overall loss). The Internal Revenue Service could take the position that the consideration received by the Holder should be allocated in some way other than as provided in the Plan. Holders of Claims should consult their own tax advisors regarding the proper allocation of the consideration received by them under the Plan.
4. Market Discount
Under the market discount provisions of the IRC, some or all of any gain realized by a Holder of a Claim who exchanges the Claim for an amount on the Effective Date may be treated as ordinary income (instead of capital gain), to the extent of the amount of market discount on the debt instruments constituting the exchanged Claim. In general, a debt instrument is considered to have been acquired with market discount if its Holders adjusted tax basis in the debt instrument is less than (a) the sum of all remaining payments to be made on the debt instrument, excluding qualified stated interest or (b) in the case of a debt instrument issued with original issue discount, its adjusted issue price, in each case, by at least a de minimis amount (equal to 0.25 percent of the sum of all remaining payments to be made on the debt instrument, excluding qualified stated interest, multiplied by the number of remaining whole years to maturity).
Any gain recognized by a Holder on the taxable disposition of Allowed Claims (determined as described above) that were acquired with market discount should be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that accrued thereon while the Allowed Claims were considered to be held by the Holder (unless the Holder elected to include market discount in income as it accrued).
5. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements may apply to distributions or payments under the Plan. Additionally, under the backup withholding rules, a Holder of a Claim may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28 percent) with respect to distributions or payments made pursuant to the Plan unless that Holder: (a) comes within certain exempt categories (which generally include corporations) and, when required, demonstrates that fact; or (b) timely provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies under penalty of perjury that the taxpayer identification number is correct and that the Holder is not subject to backup withholding because of a failure to report all dividend and interest income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax but is, instead, an advance payment that may be refunded to the extent it results in an overpayment of tax; provided that the required information is timely provided to the Internal Revenue Service.
The Debtors will withhold all amounts required by law to be withheld from payments made pursuant to the Plan. The Debtors will comply with all applicable reporting requirements of the Internal Revenue Service.
THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PLAN ARE COMPLEX. THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ALL ASPECTS OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER OF A CLAIM IN LIGHT OF SUCH HOLDERS CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCOME TAX SITUATION. ALL HOLDERS OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE DEBTORS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED BY THE RESTRUCTURING, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND OF ANY CHANGE IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
RECOMMENDATION
In the opinion of the Debtors, the Plan is preferable to all other available alternatives and provides for a larger distribution to the Debtors creditors than would otherwise result in any other scenario. Accordingly, the Debtors recommend that Holders of Claims entitled to vote on the Plan vote to accept the Plan and support Confirmation of the Plan.
Dated: November 15, 2013 |
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Respectfully submitted, | |
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Edison Mission Energy, | |
|
on behalf of itself and each of the other Debtors | |
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|
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By: |
/s/ |
|
Name: |
[·] |
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Title: |
[·] |
EXHIBIT A
Joint Plan of Reorganization
[Included as Exhibit 99.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K]
EXHIBIT B
Executed Purchase Agreement
|
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
EDISON MISSION ENERGY
NRG ENERGY HOLDINGS INC.
and
NRG ENERGY, INC.
October 18, 2013
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE TARGET HOLDINGS |
B-2 | |
1.1 |
Purchase and Sale of the Target Holdings |
B-2 |
1.2 |
Purchase Price |
B-2 |
1.3 |
True-Up on Estimated Purchase Price |
B-3 |
1.4 |
Target Assets |
B-4 |
1.5 |
Excluded Assets |
B-4 |
1.6 |
Assumed Liabilities |
B-6 |
1.7 |
Excluded Liabilities |
B-8 |
1.8 |
Contribution of Certain Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities |
B-9 |
1.9 |
The Closing |
B-9 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 2 CLOSING ACTIONS AND DELIVERIES |
B-9 | |
2.1 |
EME Deliveries |
B-9 |
2.2 |
Purchaser Parties Deliveries |
B-10 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 3 CONDITIONS TO CLOSING |
B-10 | |
3.1 |
Conditions to Parties Obligations |
B-10 |
3.2 |
Conditions to Purchaser Parties Obligations |
B-11 |
3.3 |
Conditions to EMEs Obligations |
B-12 |
3.4 |
Waiver of Condition; Frustration of Closing Conditions |
B-12 |
3.5 |
No Other Conditions |
B-12 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS |
B-12 | |
4.1 |
General |
B-12 |
4.2 |
Access |
B-13 |
4.3 |
Sales of Excluded Assets; Permitted Asset Disposals; Non-Core Assets |
B-14 |
4.4 |
Conduct of EME and the Acquired Companies |
B-14 |
4.5 |
Assumed Contracts and Cure Amounts |
B-15 |
4.6 |
Solicitation |
B-17 |
4.7 |
HSR; Antitrust Laws; Governmental Approvals; Actions In Connection with Receipt of Certain Governmental Approvals |
B-19 |
4.8 |
Pre-Closing Reorganizations |
B-20 |
4.9 |
Casualty Loss |
B-21 |
4.10 |
Registration and Listing of Parent Common Stock |
B-22 |
4.11 |
Retained Chapter 5 Causes of Action |
B-23 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EME |
B-23 | |
5.1 |
Organization and Corporate Power |
B-23 |
5.2 |
Authorization; No Breach |
B-24 |
5.3 |
Board Approvals |
B-24 |
5.4 |
Representations and Warranties Regarding the Acquired Companies |
B-24 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER PARTIES |
B-26 | |
6.1 |
Organization and Corporate Power |
B-26 |
6.2 |
Authorization; No Breach |
B-26 |
6.3 |
Board and Shareholder Approvals |
B-26 |
6.4 |
Certain Arrangements |
B-26 |
6.5 |
Financing; Availability of Funds |
B-27 |
6.6 |
Investment Experience; Information |
B-27 |
6.7 |
Adequate Assurance of Future Performance |
B-27 |
6.8 |
Status of Purchaser |
B-27 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION |
B-27 | |
7.1 |
Termination |
B-27 |
7.2 |
Effect of Termination |
B-30 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 8 BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURES |
B-31 | |
8.1 |
Bankruptcy Actions |
B-31 |
8.2 |
Approval |
B-32 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 9 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS |
B-32 | |
9.1 |
Survival |
B-32 |
9.2 |
Press Release and Public Announcements |
B-33 |
9.3 |
Confidentiality |
B-33 |
9.4 |
Consents |
B-34 |
9.5 |
Tax Matters |
B-35 |
9.6 |
Employee Benefits and Employment Matters |
B-36 |
9.7 |
Directors and Officers Indemnification |
B-40 |
9.8 |
Expenses |
B-40 |
9.9 |
Support Obligations |
B-40 |
9.10 |
Litigation Support |
B-41 |
9.11 |
Cancellation of Intercompany Accounts |
B-42 |
9.12 |
Post-Closing Record Retention and Access |
B-42 |
9.13 |
Insurance |
B-42 |
9.14 |
Use of Name and Trademarks |
B-43 |
9.15 |
Certain Arrangements |
B-43 |
9.16 |
Parent Guarantee |
B-43 |
9.17 |
Non-Solicitation and No-Hire |
B-43 |
|
|
|
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS |
B-44 | |
10.1 |
Amendment and Waiver |
B-44 |
10.2 |
Notices |
B-44 |
10.3 |
Assignment |
B-46 |
10.4 |
Severability |
B-46 |
10.5 |
Mutual Drafting |
B-46 |
10.6 |
Captions |
B-47 |
10.7 |
Complete Agreement |
B-47 |
10.8 |
Schedules |
B-47 |
10.9 |
No Additional Representations; Disclaimer |
B-47 |
10.10 |
Counterparts |
B-48 |
10.11 |
GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; ARBITRATION |
B-48 |
10.12 |
Payments Under Agreement |
B-49 |
10.13 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries and Obligations |
B-49 |
10.14 |
Waiver of Bulk Sales Laws |
B-50 |
10.15 |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
B-50 |
10.16 |
Relationship of Parties |
B-50 |
10.17 |
Specific Performance |
B-50 |
10.18 |
Usage |
B-51 |
Exhibits
Exhibit A Bill of Sale
Exhibit B Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit C Governmental Approvals
Exhibit D PoJo Term Sheet
Exhibit E PoJo Leases and Documents
Exhibit F Agreed PoJo Cure Amount
Schedules
Schedule of Partially-Owned Companies
Schedule of Purchased Interests
Schedule of Wholly-Owned Companies
Schedule 1.5 Excluded Assets
Schedule 1.6 EME Assumed Liabilities
Schedule 4.4 - Conduct of EME and the Acquired Companies
Schedule 5.2(b) - No Breach
Schedule 5.4(a) - Good Standing
Schedule 5.4(b) - Capitalization
Schedule 5.4(d) - No Conflicts
Schedule 6.2(b) - Purchaser No Breach
Schedule 6.5 - Available Credit Facilities
Schedule 9.6(a) Eligible Employees
Schedule 9.6(f) - Severance
Schedule 9.9 - Support Obligations
Schedule 9.14 - Edison Marks
Schedule 9.17 - Non-Solicitation and No Hire Employees
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made as of October 18, 2013, by and among Edison Mission Energy, a Delaware corporation (as in existence on the date hereof, as a debtor-in-possession in the Chapter 11 Cases, EME), NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Parent), and NRG Energy Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (Purchaser and together with Parent, the Purchaser Parties). Purchaser, Parent and EME are sometimes referred to in this Agreement individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties.
WHEREAS, EME, directly or indirectly through one or more other Persons, owns, licenses and leases assets used in the operation of the Business;
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2012 (the Petition Date), EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief (the Chapter 11 Cases) under the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court;
WHEREAS, EME owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity interests (the Wholly-Owned Equity Interests) of the Subsidiaries set forth on the Schedule of Wholly-Owned Companies attached hereto (the Wholly-Owned Companies);
WHEREAS, EME owns, directly or indirectly, the equity interests (the Partially-Owned Equity Interests and collectively, with the Wholly-Owned Equity Interests, the Target Equity Interests) of the Subsidiaries and other Persons set forth on the Schedule of Partially-Owned Companies attached hereto (the Partially-Owned Companies and collectively, with the Wholly-Owned Companies, the Acquired Companies);
WHEREAS, EME owns the Target Assets;
WHEREAS, EME intends to effect (a) the transfer of the Acquired Companies and the Target Assets to Purchaser (including, such that the assets and liabilities of the Acquired Companies shall, other than the Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities or as otherwise provided herein, remain assets and liabilities of the Acquired Companies from and after the Closing) and (b) the assignment and assumption of certain Assumed Liabilities by Purchaser and, where applicable, by the Acquired Companies, by (i) the transfer of the Target Equity Interests of the Acquired Companies listed on the Schedule of Purchased Interests attached hereto (such Target Equity Interests, the Purchased Interests and together with the Target Assets, the Target Holdings)) and (ii) the transfer of Target Assets to Purchaser, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions specified herein and in accordance with a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, containing terms substantially consistent with, and other terms not materially inconsistent with, those set forth on that certain plan term sheet attached as an exhibit to the Plan Sponsor Agreement (the Plan Term Sheet) (such plan of reorganization, the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Transaction (as defined below) is subject to the authorization of the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to, inter alia, Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code and is expected to be consummated on or after the date on which the Plan becomes effective (the Plan Effective Date);
WHEREAS, the board of directors of EME has approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Transaction (as defined below)) and by the Ancillary Agreements (as defined below) upon the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein;
WHEREAS, the board of directors of each Purchaser Party has approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Transaction) and by the Ancillary Agreements upon the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein; and
WHEREAS, the Parties, the official committee of unsecured creditors appointed in the Chapter 11 Cases (the UCC) and certain holders of Notes issued by EME (the Supporting Noteholders) have agreed to support the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of that certain Plan Sponsor Agreement executed contemporaneously herewith and to which this Agreement is attached as an exhibit (the Plan Sponsor Agreement).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE TARGET HOLDINGS
1.1 Purchase and Sale of the Target Holdings. On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Plan and the Confirmation Order, at, and effective as of, the Closing, Purchaser shall (a) purchase from EME, and EME shall sell to Purchaser, all of its right, title and interest in and to the Purchased Interests and the Target Assets, (b) pay to EME the Stock Purchase Price and the Estimated Cash Purchase Price, (c) assume from EME, and EME shall assign to Purchaser, all of the EME Assumed Liabilities, and (d) cause each Debtor Subsidiary that is an Acquired Company to assume all of the Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities (collectively, the Transaction).
1.2 Purchase Price.
(a) When used herein, (i) the Adjusted Base Purchase Price means the result equal to (w) the Base Purchase Price, minus (x) the Permitted Asset Disposal Purchase Price, minus (y) the Excess Loss Amount, plus (z) the Agreed Incremental Tax Attribute Value (if any), (ii) the Base Purchase Price means $2,635,000,000 (TWO BILLION SIX HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS), (iii) the Cash Purchase Price means the result equal to (v) the Adjusted Base Purchase Price minus the Stock Purchase Price Numerator, plus (w) the amount (if any) by which Closing Cash exceeds the Cash Target, minus (x) the amount (if any) by which the Cash Target exceeds Closing Cash, plus (y) the amount (if any) by which the Debt Target exceeds Closing Debt, minus (z) the amount (if any) by which Closing Debt exceeds the Debt Target, (iv) the Stock Purchase Price Numerator means $350,000,000 (THREE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS), being the aggregate portion of the Adjusted Base Purchase Price to be paid in Parent Common Stock, and (v) the Stock Purchase Price means 12,671,977 (TWELVE MILLION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY SEVEN) shares of Parent Common Stock, which number of shares the Parties agree was initially determined by dividing (A) the Stock Purchase Price Numerator, by (B) $27.62, being the volume-weighted average trading price for the Parent Common Stock during the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of this Agreement and as such number of shares of Parent Common Stock is equitably adjusted after the date hereof to reflect any split, combination, merger, recapitalization, extraordinary dividend or other transaction affecting the Parent Common Stock or the value thereof on or after the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, all obligations of the Purchaser Parties in respect of the PoJo Leases and Documents hereunder are in addition to, and not in full or partial satisfaction of, payment of the Adjusted Base Purchase Price.
(b) Not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing, EME shall deliver to Purchaser its reasonable and good faith estimate of the amount of Closing Cash (the Estimated Closing Cash) and the amount of Closing Debt (the Estimated Closing Debt), together with any estimated adjustments to the Cash Target (as so adjusted, the Estimated Cash Target), the Debt Target (as so adjusted, the Estimated Debt Target) and the Adjusted Base Purchase Price (the Estimated Adjusted Base Purchase Price) necessitated in accordance with the definitions thereof and on the basis thereof and other facts known to happen after delivery thereof, EMEs calculation of the Estimated Cash Purchase Price, together with recent bank screen shots, recent statements or other reasonable documentation providing back-up for such Estimated Closing Cash and Estimated Closing Debt calculations. When used herein, the Estimated Cash Purchase Price means the result equal to (i) the Estimated Adjusted Base Purchase Price minus the Stock Purchase Price Numerator, plus (ii) the amount (if any) by which Estimated Closing Cash exceeds the Estimated Cash Target, minus (iii) the amount (if any) by which the Estimated Cash Target exceeds Estimated Closing Cash, plus (iv) the amount (if any) by which the Estimated Debt Target exceeds Estimated Closing Debt, minus (v) the amount (if any) by which Estimated Closing Debt exceeds the Estimated Debt Target.
1.3 True-Up on Estimated Purchase Price.
(a) On or prior to the 20th Business Day after the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to EME a statement (the True-Up Statement) setting forth its good faith calculation of Closing Cash, Closing Debt, the Cash Target, the Debt Target and the Adjusted Base Purchase Price, together with reasonable back-up therefor and in each case calculated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and on the basis thereof, its calculation of the Cash Purchase Price. During the twenty Business Day period immediately following delivery of the True-Up Statement (the Review Period), EME and its Related Persons shall be permitted to review the information utilized by Purchaser in the preparation of the True-Up Statement and otherwise shall be provided with reasonable access during normal business hours to the books, records and employees of Purchaser and its Affiliates (including Transferred Employees) for such purpose and to assist in the review of the True-Up Statement and any Notice of Disagreement, and otherwise in connection with the matters contemplated by this Section 1.3 (including any dispute relating to the True-Up Statement and/or any of the calculations set forth on any of the foregoing).
(b) The True-Up Statement and the resulting calculation of the Cash Purchase Price therefrom and the components thereof shall become final and binding upon the Parties on the second Business Day following the Review Period unless EME provides written notice of its disagreement (a Notice of Disagreement) to Purchaser prior thereto. Any Notice of Disagreement shall (x) specify the nature and amount of any disagreement so asserted, and (y) only include disagreements based on mathematical errors or based on the True-Up Statement and/or the calculations reflected and/or derived therefrom not being calculated in accordance with this Agreement. If a timely Notice of Disagreement is received by Purchaser, then the calculation of Cash Purchase Price and the components thereof (as revised in accordance with clause (1) or (2) below) shall become final and binding upon the Parties on the earlier of (1) the date EME and Purchaser resolve in writing any and all differences they have with respect to any and all matters specified in any and all Notice of Disagreements and (2) the date any and all matters properly in dispute are finally resolved in writing by the Bankruptcy Court (with it being understood and agreed that if all such differences are not resolved on or prior to the 10th Business Day after delivery of the Notice of Disagreement (or such later date as agreed between Purchaser and EME), then either Party may petition the Bankruptcy Court for resolution of all such disputes. When used herein, the Final Cash Purchase Price shall mean the Cash Purchase Price, as finally determined in accordance with this Section 1.3(b).
(c) If the Estimated Cash Purchase Price is less than the Final Cash Purchase Price (such shortfall, the Shortfall Amount), Purchaser shall, within five (5) Business Days after the Final Cash Purchase Price becomes final and binding on the Parties under this Section 1.3, deliver the Shortfall Amount to EME, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account where the Estimated Cash Purchase Price was sent (or such other bank account as may have been designated in writing by EME). If the Estimated Cash Purchase Price is greater than the Final Cash Purchase Price (such excess, the Excess Amount), EME shall, within five (5) Business Days after the Final Cash Purchase Price becomes final and binding on the Parties under this Section 1.3, deliver the Excess Amount to Purchaser, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by Purchaser.
1.4 Target Assets. In addition to the transfer of the Purchased Interests (and thereby EMEs direct and indirect interests in other Acquired Companies and the Acquired Companies interests in their respective assets (other than Excluded Assets)), without duplication of its obligations under Section 1.1 of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in this Agreement, at the Closing, EME shall transfer, convey and assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall accept from EME, the transfer, conveyance and assignment of all EMEs right, title and interest in and to all (i) Cash of EME, (ii) other assets of EME (including Available Contracts), used in the operation of the Business, as conducted as of the date hereof, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (iii) such other of EMEs assets that are identified as, and agreed in writing by the Parties to be, Target Assets; provided that, in no event shall the Target Assets include the Excluded Assets. If at any time after the Closing, EME is in possession of any Target Asset or receives any payment, refund, reimbursement, credit or set-off from any Person in respect of any Target Asset, or otherwise acquires or possesses any rights, entitlements or assets in respect of the Target Assets, such payments, refunds, reimbursements, credits or set-offs as applicable (or any savings therefrom), shall be held by EME in trust for the benefit of Purchaser and, promptly following the receipt thereof, EME shall pay over any such amounts to Purchaser without set-off or deduction of any kind and/or shall, at Purchasers cost, execute and deliver any instruments of transfer or assignment that are necessary to transfer and assign to Purchaser or its designee, or otherwise vest Purchaser or its designee with title to, such assets, payments, refunds, reimbursements credits or set-offs (or any savings therefrom).
1.5 Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Purchaser is not purchasing any assets of the Homer City Debtors or any of the following assets of EME (collectively, the Excluded Assets):
(a) the Intercompany Accounts;
(b) any bank accounts of EME and the Homer City Debtors; provided that EME is nevertheless responsible for transferring EME Cash to Purchaser as required in Section 1.4;
(c) the Rejected Contracts and each other contract or agreement rejected by EME or any Debtor Subsidiary prior to the date hereof;
(d) the Employee Benefit Plans set forth on Schedule 1.5 (the Excluded Employee Benefit Plans) and any assets related to any Excluded Employee Benefit Plan;
(e) the EIX Litigation Claims;
(f) all rights under insurance policies and all claims, refunds, adjustments, proceeds and recoveries, and any other rights and benefits, under such policies (other than rights of the Acquired Companies with respect to the Transferred Policies (subject to the rights of EME and Subsidiaries that are not transferred to Purchaser to make claims against such Transferred Policies in accordance with the terms hereof));
(g) all Retained Books and Records;
(h) all Claims, refunds, adjustments, proceeds and recoveries, and any other rights of and benefits to, EME and any Acquired Company under or with respect to any Excluded Asset;
(i) every asset of EME that would constitute a Target Asset (if owned immediately prior to the Closing) to the extent conveyed or otherwise disposed of during the period from the date hereof until the Closing Date (i) in the ordinary course of business, (ii) at the direction of the Bankruptcy Court or (iii) as otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement;
(j) except to the extent otherwise transferred or conveyed to Purchaser pursuant to a Tax Attributes Agreement, if any, all Tax losses, Tax loss carry forwards, Tax credits and rights to receive Tax refunds or credits, Tax refunds and credits from net operating loss carry backs (excluding Tax refunds and credits of the Acquired Companies relating to carry backs from taxable periods, or portions of taxable periods, ending after the Closing Date), or other similar Tax assets, in all cases, with respect to any and all Taxes of EME, any Homer City Debtor or Taxes of the Acquired Companies for taxable periods or portions thereof ending on or before the Closing Date, including interest receivable with respect to any of the foregoing, and all rights to the foregoing under any Tax sharing agreements with EIX or any Non-EME Subsidiary (collectively, the Tax Attributes);
(k) all claims or other rights of, or benefits to, EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries arising out of or relating in any way to the Chapter 11 Cases or any of the transactions contemplated thereby or entered into as a consequence thereof; provided, however, that the Plan shall provide that all Claims and causes of action arising under chapter 5 of the Bankruptcy Code, other than any such Claims and causes of action against any of the EIX Litigation Parties, shall be released as of the Plan Effective Date; provided further, that with the prior written consent of the Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, the proponents of the Plan (other than Parent) may identify additional Persons in a schedule to the Plan Supplement that shall not be released of any Liability in relation to such Claims and causes of action.
(l) any other obligations of or with respect to or associated with EIX Litigation Parties, including, receivables from EIX, shared services, Tax sharing payments and rights under insurance policies of EIX Litigation Parties;
(m) all shares of capital stock or other equity interests issued by any of the Homer City Debtors;
(n) all assets of the Homer City Debtors;
(o) all claims or other rights of, or benefits to, EME arising under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements;
(p) all claims or other rights of, or benefits to, EME, whether arising out of events occurring prior to, on or after the Closing Date, including any rights under or pursuant to all warranties, representations, indemnities, agreements to hold harmless and guarantees made by any Person but, in each of the foregoing cases of this clause (p), only to the extent they relate to either Excluded Liabilities or Excluded Assets;
(q) all claims or other rights of, or benefits to, EME against or with respect to any director, officer, stockholder or other Related Person of, or any former director, officer, stockholder or other Related Person of, EME (whether or not asserted prior to the Closing Date), including any claims or other rights of, or benefits to, EME against any such Person or any third party for indemnification, contribution, subrogation or reimbursement for expenses advanced or indemnification provided to any director, officer, stockholder or other Related Person of, or any former director, officer, stockholder or other Related Person of, EME;
(r) all contracts and agreements with EIX Litigation Parties not necessary for the operation of the Business; and
(s) all other assets set forth on Schedule 1.5.
If at any time after the Closing, Purchaser or any Acquired Company is in possession of any Tax Attribute or Excluded Asset or receives any payment, refund, reimbursement, credit or set-off from any Person in respect of any Tax Attribute or other Excluded Asset, or otherwise acquires or possesses any rights, entitlements or assets in respect of the Tax Attributes or other Excluded Assets, such payments, refunds, reimbursements, credits or set-offs as applicable (or any savings therefrom), shall be held by Purchaser or such Acquired Company, as applicable, in trust for the benefit of EME and, promptly following the receipt thereof, Purchaser or such Acquired Company, as applicable, shall pay over any such amounts to EME without set-off or deduction of any kind and/or shall, at EMEs cost, execute and deliver any instruments of transfer or assignment that are necessary to transfer and assign to EME or its designee, or otherwise vest EME or its designee with title to, such assets, payments, refunds, reimbursements credits or set-offs (or any savings therefrom). If, however, the rights of Purchaser or an Acquired Company to a Tax Attribute or other Excluded Asset subsequently is denied or disallowed, EME promptly will reimburse Purchaser or the Acquired Company for the monetary amount of such denial or disallowance.
1.6 Assumed Liabilities.
(a) At, and effective as of, the Closing, and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Plan and the Confirmation Order, in addition to the payment of the Stock Purchase Price plus the Estimated Cash Purchase Price by Purchaser in accordance with Section 1.1 and as additional consideration for the Target Holdings, (i) Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, irrevocably assume and agree to faithfully pay, perform, discharge and fulfill, and if applicable, comply with, in each case when due or required, all of the EME Assumed Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms and (ii) Purchaser shall cause each Debtor Subsidiary that is an Acquired Company to irrevocably assume and agree to faithfully pay, perform, discharge and fulfill and, if applicable, comply with, in each case when due or required, all of such Debtor Subsidiarys respective Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities. Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay, perform and discharge all EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities and all Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Rejection Liabilities on the date on which such liability becomes Allowed. Each of Parent and Purchaser, on behalf of itself and each of the Acquired Companies, waives all rights of contribution, indemnification, reimbursement, subrogation or other rights against EME and the Homer City Debtors with respect to the Assumed Liabilities.
(b) When used herein, EME Assumed Liabilities means the following Liabilities of EME:
(i) all trade and vendor accounts payable and accrued liabilities arising from or out of the operation of the Business prior to the Closing (including prior to the Petition Date);
(ii) all Liabilities of EME under the PoJo Leases and Documents, as modified pursuant to Section 9.4(b) hereof, including any Tax indemnity agreements and guarantees associated therewith and as more fully described in the Support Obligations;
(iii) all Cure Amounts and other Liabilities with respect to Assumed Contracts, other than the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount;
(iv) all Liabilities arising from the rejection of the Rejected Contracts (the EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities); provided that the EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities shall not include the Excluded Rejection Liabilities;
(v) all Liabilities agreed to be assumed by Purchaser or for which Purchaser has agreed to be, or to cause the Acquired Companies to be responsible, in accordance with this Agreement (including as provided in Article 9 hereof) and the Ancillary Agreements;
(vi) all Liabilities with respect to the ownership or operation of the Acquired Companies and the Target Assets from and after the Closing;
(vii) all Liabilities relating to any Legal Proceedings or Claims for which EME is liable relating to a Liability, Legal Proceeding or Claim asserted against any Acquired Company (except to the extent that such Liabilities of such Acquired Company are Excluded Liabilities or to the extent that EME is a primary obligor for such Liability or has Liability as a result of acts separate and apart from what is alleged in the Legal Proceeding or Claim against the Acquired Company);
(viii) all Liabilities of EME or the Acquired Companies with respect to the Legal Proceedings set forth on Schedule 1.6; and
(ix) other Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.6.
(c) When used herein, Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities means the following Liabilities:
(i) subject to the discharge, release, and injunction provisions of the Plan, all Liabilities of the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies for Claims that are Allowed; provided that nothing herein shall include any Excluded Liabilities;
(ii) all Cure Amounts and other Liabilities of the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies with respect to Assumed Contracts, other than the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount;
(iii) all Liabilities of the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies related to the rejection of the Rejected Contracts (the Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Rejection Liabilities); provided that the Assumed Rejection Liabilities shall not include the Excluded Rejection Liabilities;
(iv) all Liabilities of the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies agreed to be assumed by Purchaser or for which Purchaser has agreed to be, or to cause the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies or the Acquired Companies generally, to be responsible, in accordance with this Agreement (including Section 9.6 hereof) and the Ancillary Agreements; and
(v) all Liabilities of the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies with respect to the ownership or operation of the Acquired Companies and the Target Assets from and after the Closing.
(d) Without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, it is acknowledged and agreed that, subject to the terms of any release and injunction with respect to Excluded Liabilities contained in the Plan, as approved by the Confirmation Order, each Acquired Company that is not a Debtor Subsidiary shall, from and after the Closing, pay and remain responsible for the timely discharge and payment of its Liabilities.
1.7 Excluded Liabilities. Notwithstanding Section 1.6, neither Purchaser nor Parent nor any Acquired Company shall assume or be liable or responsible for, and EME (or, in the case of Section 1.7(i), the Homer City Debtors) shall retain and be responsible for, in accordance with the Plan, the Excluded Liabilities. Furthermore, neither the Purchaser Parties nor any Acquired Company shall, as provided in the Plan, from and after the Closing, be liable or responsible for the Excluded Liabilities. When used herein, the Excluded Liabilities means the following Liabilities of EME, the Homer City Debtors, and the Wholly-Owned Companies:
(a) all Liabilities of EME that are not EME Assumed Liabilities;
(b) all Liabilities under the Notes;
(c) all Excluded Employee Liabilities or Liabilities under any Replicated Plans (other than the EME Severance Plans and other Employee Benefit Plans for which Purchaser or an Acquired Company is responsible in accordance with Section 9.6);
(d) all Liabilities for rejection damages arising from the rejection of executory contracts or unexpired leases of EME or any Debtor Subsidiaries on or before the date of this Agreement or any rejection of such agreements after the date of this Agreement without the prior written consent of Purchaser (the Excluded Rejection Liabilities);
(e) all Liabilities asserted by EIX or other intercompany Liabilities to the extent they are not between Acquired Companies, other than Liabilities under ordinary course shared services and other operating arrangements;
(f) the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount;
(g) other than the EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities and the Debtor Assumed Rejection Liabilities, all Liabilities arising from or related to the Excluded Assets;
(h) the Excluded Tax Liabilities;
(i) all Liabilities of and relating to the Homer City Debtors or the Chapter 11 Cases relating to the Homer City Debtors or relating to or arising from the 1,884 MW Homer City coal-fired generation facility and associated facilities located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania;
(j) all Liabilities and obligations incurred by the UCC, the Supporting Noteholders, EME or any of its Subsidiaries relating to legal services, accounting services, financial advisory services, investment banking services or any other professional services to the extent performed in furtherance of the Transaction or the Chapter 11 Cases; and
(k) other Liabilities for which EME has agreed to remain responsible in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan, including professional and administrative fees and expenses for which EME has agreed to be responsible pursuant to the Plan.
1.8 Contribution of Certain Excluded Assets and Excluded Liabilities. At the Closing, and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Plan and the Confirmation Order EME shall cause the Wholly-Owned Companies to, transfer, convey and assign to EME, all of their right, title and interest in and to all of the Excluded Assets, to EME, and EME shall accept the transfer, conveyance and assignment from the Wholly-Owned Companies to EME of the Excluded Assets (the Excluded Assets Contribution). EME shall be responsible for all Taxes and other costs associated with the transactions taken pursuant to this Section 1.8.
1.9 The Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated prior thereto pursuant to Article 7, the consummation of the Transaction will be effected (the Closing) and shall occur at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 300 North LaSalle, Chicago, Illinois 60654, at 9:00 a.m. local time on the Plan Effective Date (assuming the satisfaction or waiver by the appropriate Party of all the conditions contained in Article 3 (other than conditions which by their terms or their nature are to be performed or measured as of the Closing Date (provided such conditions are satisfied at the Closing or waived by the applicable Party))) and the Closing shall be effective as of 12:01 a.m. local time on the Closing Date. The date on which the Closing occurs is sometimes referred to as the Closing Date. Each Party will, and will cause its Affiliates to, at the Closing execute and deliver the agreements, documents, certificates and other deliveries (including the Ancillary Agreements) required hereunder to be executed and/or delivered at the Closing by such Party and/or such Affiliates of such Party or for which such execution and/or delivery is a condition to another Partys obligations to consummate the Closing.
ARTICLE 2
CLOSING ACTIONS AND DELIVERIES
2.1 EME Deliveries. At the Closing, EME shall, or, if applicable, shall cause one of its Subsidiaries to, deliver the following documents, consistent with the terms of this Agreement:
(a) a bill of sale with respect to the Target Assets, duly executed by EME, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto;
(b) an assignment and assumption agreement with respect to the EME Assumed Liabilities, duly executed by EME, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto;
(c) to the extent any of the Purchased Interests are certificated, the certificates evidencing such Purchased Interests (but in the case of certificates representing Purchased Interests for Viento Funding II, Inc., only if the pledge thereon has been released), together with an assignment separate from certificate or other instrument reasonably acceptable to the Parties as may necessary to cause the assignment or transfer of the Purchased Interests;
(d) certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment as and to the extent agreed by EME and Purchaser to be necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment to Purchaser of EMEs right, title and interest in and to the Target Assets (collectively, the Additional Conveyance Documents);
(e) such assignments of Contracts and other instruments of assumption as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption by Purchaser of the Assumed Liabilities (collectively, the Additional Liabilities Assumption Documents);
(f) such bills of sale, assignment and assumption and other conveyance documents as may be determined by the Parties to be necessary to executed to effectuate the Excluded Assets Contribution; and
(g) an affidavit of non-foreign status from EME that complies with Section 1445 of the Code.
2.2 Purchaser Parties Deliveries. At the Closing, the Purchaser shall (and Parent shall cause Purchaser to) deliver the following items, consistent with the terms of this Agreement:
(a) an amount equal to the Estimated Cash Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds into an account to be specified in the Confirmation Order (the EME Account);
(b) the Stock Purchase Price;
(c) an assignment and assumption agreement with regard to the Assumed Liabilities, duly executed by Purchaser, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto;
(d) each of the Additional Conveyance Documents and Additional Liabilities Assumption Documents; and
(e) such bills of sale, assignment and assumption and other conveyance documents as may be determined by the Parties to be necessary to executed to effectuate the Excluded Assets Contribution.
ARTICLE 3
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
3.1 Conditions to Parties Obligations. The obligation of the Purchaser Parties, on the one hand, and EME, on the other hand, to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent such waiver is permitted by Law, waiver by the Parties, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions as of immediately prior to the Closing:
(a) No Violation of Order. No Order shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which prohibits or seeks to prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Plan and Confirmation Order. The Plan shall have become effective pursuant to the Confirmation Order, and such Confirmation Order shall not then be subject to a stay.
(c) Governmental Approvals.
(i) The waiting period (and any extension thereof), or any necessary approval, as applicable, related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR Act shall have been received, terminated or shall have expired, as applicable; and
(ii) any required approval of FERC under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act shall have been obtained; and
(iii) all other authorizations, consents, Orders or approvals of, or expiration of waiting periods imposed by, any Governmental Authority and set forth on Exhibit C shall have been obtained from the appropriate Governmental Authorities (such approvals set forth in subsections (i) through (iii), collectively, the Governmental Approvals); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Governmental Approvals include relief or other authorization, consent, Order or approval of IPCB, any other environmental regulatory agency or any other Governmental Authority for variances or waivers with respect to the coal-fired facilities owned by MWG or otherwise with respect to the Target Assets or any assets of any Acquired Companies.
(d) Effectiveness of Form S-1. The Form S-1 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not be subject to any actual or threatened Legal Proceeding or Order that limits or suspends such effectiveness.
(e) No Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with Section 7.1.
Any condition specified in this Section 3.1 may be waived prior to Closing only by a written instrument signed by EME and Purchaser.
3.2 Conditions to Purchaser Parties Obligations. The obligation of the Purchaser Parties to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Purchaser of each of the following additional conditions, as of immediately prior to the Closing:
(a) EME Performance of Covenants. The covenants and agreements of EME to be performed as of or prior to the Closing shall have, in the aggregate, been performed in all material respects, except to the extent of changes or developments contemplated by the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Collective Bargaining Agreements. EME shall not have renewed or extended any Collective Bargaining Agreement other than on terms previously disclosed to Purchaser and/or its legal counsel in writing and otherwise on terms materially consistent with the existing Collective Bargaining Agreements and in no event shall the term of any such renewed or extended Collective Bargaining Agreement expire or terminate after December 31, 2014.
(c) EME Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no EME Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing.
(d) Event of Loss or Taking. Since the date of this Agreement, (i) no Walnut Creek Loss shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) no Event of Loss shall have occurred and be continuing that, either individually or in the aggregate, after the application of any insurance proceeds and/or condemnation awards to the extent received, involves aggregate Restoration Costs and Condemnation Value as of the Closing Date in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the Stipulated Transaction Value.
(e) EME Closing Deliveries. EME shall have delivered those documents, agreements, instruments and all other deliverables set forth in Section 2.1 above.
(f) Absence of Leverage Event. Since the date of this Agreement, neither EME nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have increased the principal amount of its respective Debt, whether recourse or non-recourse, or otherwise materially restructured any of its debt obligations (collectively, a Leverage Event) without the express written consent of Purchaser; provided, however, that a Leverage Event may occur without the consent of Purchaser and without failure of this condition to the extent (i) such Debt is an Excluded Liability, (ii) such Debt is MWG Permitted Debt, (iii) capitalization of interest to principal in accordance with the governing documents for such Debt, or (iv) EME reasonably determines in good faith that such Leverage Event is in the best interests of or necessary for the continued ordinary course operation of EME or such Subsidiary.
(g) Consent of the PoJo Parties. Since the date of this Agreement, there have been no defaults or events of default under the PoJo Leases and Documents other than those waived under the PoJo Term Sheet and there has been no rejection of the PoJo Leases and Documents.
Any condition specified in this Section 3.2 may be waived prior to Closing only by a written instrument signed by Purchaser.
3.3 Conditions to EMEs Obligations. The obligation of EME to consummate the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by EME of each of the following additional conditions as of immediately prior to the Closing:
(a) Purchaser Parties Performance of Covenants. The covenants and agreements of the Purchaser Parties to be performed as of or prior to the Closing shall have, in the aggregate, been performed in all material respects, except to the extent of changes or developments contemplated by the terms of this Agreement.
(b) Purchaser Parties Closing Deliveries. The Purchaser Parties shall have delivered those documents, agreements, instruments and all other deliverables set forth in Section 2.2 above.
(c) Listing of Parent Common Stock. The Parent Common Stock being issued as the Stock Purchase Price shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
Any condition specified in this Section 3.3 may be waived prior to Closing only by a written instrument signed by EME.
3.4 Waiver of Condition; Frustration of Closing Conditions. All conditions to the Closing shall be deemed to have been satisfied or waived from and after the Closing. Neither Purchaser or Parent nor EME may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article 3 to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party or such Partys failure to use, as required by this Agreement, its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Transaction.
3.5 No Other Conditions. For the avoidance of doubt, except as set forth in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of this Agreement, there are no other conditions precedent to Closing for any Party, including conditions precedent relating to due diligence, environmental contingencies, financing, or Legal Proceedings (including the Chevron Litigation).
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
4.1 General.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, except to the extent that a different standard is specified herein (in which case such standard shall apply with respect to the covenant so specified), each of the Parties will use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable in order to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Ancillary Agreements as promptly as practicable (including satisfaction, but not waiver, of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 3 and approval of the Orders and the Plan contemplated hereby). Nothing herein shall obligate any Party to take any action to the extent such Party is prohibited from doing so by Law or Order prior to the entry of the PSA Order or the Confirmation Order (as applicable).
(b) Without limiting the generality of the Purchaser Parties obligations under Section 4.1(a), the Purchaser Parties shall (i) all times after the date hereof, maintain sufficient cash on hand and available undrawn commitments under the Available Credit Facilities in order to satisfy, and for the purpose of satisfying, their obligations hereunder when required, and (ii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions for drawing that are within its control applicable to the Purchaser Parties under the Applicable Credit Facilities. The Purchaser Parties may not (A) replace or amend any Available Credit Facility if such replacements or amendments, individually or in the aggregate, would prevent, delay or impair the availability of the borrowings thereunder or the consummation of the Transaction when required by this Agreement or (B) terminate or materially reduce commitments under any Available Credit Facility. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Purchaser Parties affirms that it is not a condition to the Closing or to any of its obligations under this Agreement that the Purchaser Parties obtain debt or other financing for or related to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.2 Access. After the date hereof and until the earlier of the Closing and the date that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, EME shall (in its reasonable discretion) grant or cause to be granted to Purchaser and its authorized representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, to the personnel and facilities of EME and the other Acquired Companies solely for purposes of transition planning. In the event that EME elects to provide such access, the Parties shall cooperate so that (a) such access does not unreasonably interfere with the normal operations of EME or any of the Acquired Companies; (b) such access occurs in such a manner as EME reasonably determines to be appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the information sought; (c) all requests for access to EME and/or any of the Acquired Companies are directed to Maria Rigatti and/or Daniel McDevitt (the EME Designated Contacts), or such individuals as EME may designate in writing from time to time; (d) such access and disclosure is provided in such a manner and subject to such additional agreements as EME reasonably determines to protect against significant competitive harm to EME and/or any of the Acquired Companies if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, to avoid the breach of any third party agreement by EME or any of the Acquired Companies or to protect against in the loss of attorney-client privilege for any information so disclosed; and (e) neither Purchaser nor its Related Persons is provided access to or receives any information if such access or disclosure is restricted pursuant to and/or prohibited by any applicable Laws or any Governmental Authority (including the HSR Act and other Antitrust Laws, FERC, or Laws regarding employee rights of privacy); provided that if EME reasonably determines that certain information to be provided is commercially sensitive, EME may require that such information be provided pursuant to a mutually acceptable and reasonable clean team arrangement (whereby no one who serves on the clean team has been or will be involved in any manner in decision-making competitive to the Business prior to Closing and whereby members of the clean team will be permitted to convey results to their superiors and other parties subject to reasonable constraints on the conveyance of specific marketing, selling or pricing information). Other than the EME Designated Contacts or as expressly provided in this Section 4.2, Purchaser is not authorized to and shall not (and shall cause its Related Persons not to) contact any officer, director, employee, supplier, lessee, lessor, licensee, licensor, distributor, lender, customer or other material business relation of EME or any of the Acquired Companies regarding this Agreement or the Transaction prior to the Closing without the prior written consent of EME, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, and shall not seek any variances or waivers with respect to any Acquired Company from the IPCB or any other Governmental Authority prior to the Closing. Parent shall, and shall cause Purchaser and Purchasers Related Persons and its Related Persons to, abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement with respect to such access and any information furnished to it, the Purchaser or their respective Related Persons pursuant to this Section 4.2.
4.3 Sales of Excluded Assets; Permitted Asset Disposals; Non-Core Assets. As a material inducement to EME to execute and deliver this Agreement, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that EME may, without breach of this Agreement, (a) market the Excluded Assets, the Non-Core Assets and the assets included in Permitted Asset Disposals, for sale, transfer, and conveyance, (b) provide information for third parties with respect thereto, and (c) sell, transfer and/or convey, and otherwise take acts with respect thereto that (but for this Section 4.3 and Section 4.6(e)) would be a breach of this Agreement if not consented to by Purchaser. In the event that EME executes a definitive agreement for the sale, transfer or conveyance of any Excluded Assets, Non-Core Assets or other assets included in a Permitted Asset Disposal, or to the extent that EME or any Acquired Company is required to sell, transfer or convey any assets as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation, such sale, transfer and conveyance shall have the effects provided for in this Agreement, such assets shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this Agreement and any Acquired Company sold, transferred or conveyed shall no longer be an Acquired Company for purposes of this Agreement. All liabilities of EME or any Acquired Company with respect to such Excluded Assets and Non-Core Assets or assets included in a Permitted Asset Disposal transferred to third party buyers and all Liabilities of any Acquired Company transferred to a third party as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation, whether by Law, Contract or otherwise, in connection with such transaction shall, pursuant to this Agreement, become Excluded Liabilities. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Party shall cooperate and execute such amendments or waivers to this Agreement and additional filings or amendments to filings with Governmental Authorities as are reasonably requested by the other Parties with respect to such sale, transfer or conveyance.
4.4 Conduct of EME and the Acquired Companies. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties or as required with respect to EME or the Debtor Subsidiaries by an Order of the Bankruptcy Court, without the prior written consent of Purchaser (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and, if required, the authorization of the Bankruptcy Court (after notice and a hearing), from the date hereof until the earlier to occur of (x) the Closing or (y) the date this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, EME shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to not, except as required or expressly permitted pursuant to the terms hereof or as set forth on Schedule 4.4:
(a) materially change the accounting, billing, cash management, inventory, and spare parts practices used by EME and its Subsidiaries (including with respect to the timing and frequency of collection of receivables and payment of payables) from present practices;
(b) except as provided in Section 4.8 or to the extent that such action in the aggregate would not require payment by Purchaser or any Acquired Company after the Closing in excess of $500,000, (i) make, revoke, or change any Tax election, (ii) amend any Tax return or file a claim for a Tax refund, (iii) settle or compromise any assessment or deficiency of Taxes, (iv) initiate or conclude any Tax administrative or judicial proceeding involving Taxes or (v) change any method of Tax accounting or any Tax policy;
(c) except (x) as necessary to substantially mirror or replicate any Employee Benefit Plan (other than any employee benefit pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) or ERISA) that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code) sponsored and maintained by EIX or any Non-EME Subsidiaries under which EME or any Acquired Company is required to cease participation effective as of January 1, 2014 (collectively, the Replicated Plans), (y) to the extent the same would be Excluded Liabilities, or (z) as set forth or permitted under Section 9.6, (i) increase the compensation or other benefits (including the granting of discretionary bonuses) payable or provided to directors, officers or employees other than in the ordinary course consistent with past practice or required under the terms of any Employee Benefit Plan or applicable Law; (ii) enter into, adopt, amend modify (including acceleration of vesting), or terminate any bonus, profit sharing, incentive, compensation, severance, retention, termination, option, appreciation right, performance unit, stock equivalent, share purchase agreement, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, or other employee benefit agreement, trust plan, fund or other arrangement for the compensation, benefit or welfare of any director, officer or employee in any manner, other than in the ordinary course consistent with past practice or required under the terms of any Employee Benefit Plan or applicable law; or (iii) enter into or amend any Collective Bargaining Agreement except as provided in Section 3.2(b);
(d) except as permitted under Section 4.8, amend or otherwise make any changes to the Organizational Documents;
(e) materially increase the VaR limits, notional limits or other risk limits;
(f) waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any material Claims of EME or any of the Acquired Companies against a third party outside the ordinary course of business to the extent such Claim is a Target Asset hereunder or requires material payment by Purchaser or any Acquired Company after the Closing or materially impedes the operation of the Business after the Closing; provided, for the avoidance of doubt that nothing in this Section 4.4(f) shall limit the rights of EME or its Subsidiaries to bring, file, prosecute, waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any of the EIX Litigation Claims or any other Excluded Asset or Non-Core Asset to the extent such Non-Core Asset is sold, transferred or conveyed prior to the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement and no such consent of Purchaser shall be required if the subject matter of the Claim is a commercially sensitive matter; or
(g) cause any assets or Liabilities of the Homer City Debtors to be sold, transferred, assigned, conveyed or assumed by EME or any Acquired Company.
4.5 Assumed Contracts and Cure Amounts.
(a) Not later than twenty (20) Business Days prior to the filing of the Plan Supplement, EME shall assemble and deliver to Purchaser a comprehensive list of all executory contracts, collective bargaining agreements, unexpired leases of real and personal property and other contracts which are assumable and assignable in connection with the Plan to which EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies are party (the Available Contracts), together with proposed Cure Amounts (Proposed Cure Amounts) related thereto (the Available Contract List).
(b) Contemporaneously with the delivery of the Available Contract List to Purchaser, EME shall provide notice (the Available Contracts Notice) to all counterparties to the Available Contracts of (i) the Proposed Cure Amounts (if any), (ii) the identity of the party to which Available Contracts may be assumed and/or assigned, as applicable, (which shall be Purchaser in the case of Available Contracts to which EME is a party and the Acquired Company party thereto in the case of the other Available Contracts), (iii) the procedures for filing objections to the Proposed Cure Amounts, and (iv) the process by which related disputes will be resolved by the Bankruptcy Court. The Available Contracts Notice shall serve as notice of the potential assumption and/or assignment of the Available Contracts listed therein, along with the potential assignment of such Available Contracts to the assignees listed therein (where applicable), and the Proposed Cure Amounts. The deadline for non-Debtor counterparties to all Available Contracts to object to the Proposed Cure Amounts shall be on or before the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Plan Confirmation Hearing (the Cure Amount Objection Deadline).
(c) Not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the deadline for entities entitled to vote on the Plan to submit votes to accept or reject the Plan, Purchaser shall deliver to EME, and EME shall file promptly thereafter, (i) the list of Available Contracts that EME shall seek to assume and assign to Purchaser and that the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies shall seek to assume (the Assumed Contracts, and the list related thereto, the Assumed Contracts List), in each case as part of the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (as defined in the Plan) and (ii) the list of Available Contracts that EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies shall seek to reject (the Rejected Contracts, and the list related thereto, the Rejected Contracts List), as part of the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (as defined in the Plan). For the avoidance of doubt, the Assumed Contract List for the Acquired Companies shall include the Non-Rejectable Contracts and shall become incorporated into and shall be, and shall be deemed to be, included within the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (as defined in the Plan) for all purposes. Any executory contract or unexpired lease that is not expressly listed on the Assumed Contracts List shall be deemed rejected unless and until the Purchaser Parties amend the Assumed Contracts List consistent with Section 4.5(e).
(d) In the Plan and Confirmation Order, subject to the Bankruptcy Code, applicable Law and Bankruptcy Court approval, EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries shall seek authorization for:
(i) EME to assume and assign to Purchaser the Assumed Contracts to which EME is party;
(ii) the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies to assume the Assumed Contracts to which any Debtor Subsidiary that is an Acquired Company is party; and
(iii) EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries that are Acquired Companies to reject the Rejected Contracts,
in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(e) Purchaser shall have the right to amend the Assumed Contracts List at any time prior to the Confirmation Hearing to remove any Available Contract (other than the Non-Rejectable Contracts) from the Assumed Contracts List, and, without limiting the obligations of the Purchaser Parties hereunder and under the Plan with respect to Rejection Liabilities, any Available Contracts so removed shall be Excluded Assets for purposes of this Agreement and shall be included in the Excluded Asset Contribution and the Rejected Contracts List and the Schedule of Rejected Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (as defined in the Plan); provided that Purchaser may not remove any Non-Rejectable Contract from the Assumed Contracts List. EME shall promptly amend the Schedule of Assumed Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases (as defined in the Plan) to reflect the changes made by Purchaser to the Assumed Contracts List in accordance with this Section 4.5(e).
(f) If any objection to the assumption or assignment of any Assumed Contracts or to any Cure Amount is timely filed, the Bankruptcy Court may hold a hearing with respect to such objection either at (i) the Confirmation Hearing, or (ii) at such other date as the Bankruptcy Court shall designate prior to the Closing Date (unless otherwise agreed by EME and Purchaser). If any such objection relating to a Cure Amount is not resolved prior to Closing, the Purchaser Parties shall have the right to challenge such objection with the Bankruptcy Court and the Purchaser shall pay the amount as finally resolved by the Bankruptcy Court.
(g) At or prior to the Closing, to the extent required by applicable Law, each of the Purchaser Parties shall provide adequate assurance of the future performance of each Assumed Contract. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, on the Plan Effective Date, as adequate assurance of future performance under the PoJo Leases and Documents, unless otherwise agreed by the Purchaser Parties and the PoJo Parties, Purchaser shall deliver to each Owner Lessor a guarantee in substantially the form of the existing guarantee executed by EME in favor of such parties and shall execute a Tax indemnity agreement substantially in the form of the Tax indemnity agreement executed by EME as part of the PoJo Leases and Documents or, in each case, in a form otherwise agreed to by the Purchaser Parties and the PoJo Parties.
(h) Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, on or prior to the assumption and assignment by EME to Purchaser or the assumption by any Acquired Company of any Assumed Contract and in any event not later than the Closing, cure any and all defaults under such Assumed Contract that are required to be cured under the Bankruptcy Code, so that such Contracts may be assumed and assigned by EME to Purchaser or assumed by any other Acquired Company, as applicable, in accordance with the provisions of Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, EME shall (or shall cause MWG to) pay (and Purchaser shall have no responsibility for payment of) the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount when required in accordance with the Plan.
4.6 Solicitation.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing until the Solicitation Period End-Date, EME and its Related Persons shall have the right, directly or indirectly, to (i) solicit, initiate, facilitate or encourage any inquiries regarding, or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, an Acquisition Proposal, including by way of providing access to the directors, officers, employees, agents, properties, books and records of EME and its Subsidiaries and information and (ii) continue, enter into and maintain discussions or negotiations with respect to Acquisition Proposals or other proposals that could lead to Acquisition Proposals, or otherwise cooperate with or assist or participate in, or facilitate any such discussions or negotiations. For purposes of this Agreement, Solicitation Period End-Date means 11:59 p.m. (CST) on December 6, 2013. Purchaser shall not, and shall cause each of Affiliates not to, actively interfere with or prevent the participation of any Person, including any officer or director of EME or any of its Subsidiaries or other Target Companies and any bank, investment bank or other potential provider of debt or equity financing, in the making of any Acquisition Proposal or any negotiations or discussions permitted by this Section 4.6.
(b) EME shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Related Persons to, promptly after the Solicitation Period End-Date, cease any existing solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to any Acquisition Proposals or any proposal reasonably likely to result in an Acquisition Proposal and cause any physical or virtual data room to no longer be accessible to or by any Person. From the Solicitation Period End-Date until the earlier to occur of the Closing and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, EME and its Subsidiaries shall not, and EME shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Related Persons not to, directly or indirectly, (A) initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage, facilitate or assist any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any proposal or offer that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, or provide any non-public information or data to any Person relating to EME or any of its Subsidiaries, or afford to any Person access to the business, properties, assets or personnel of EME or any of its Subsidiaries, (C) except as otherwise provided in Section 4.6(d), enter into any other acquisition agreement, merger agreement or similar definitive agreement, letter of intent or agreement in principle with respect thereto or any other agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal (an Alternative Acquisition Agreement), or (D) otherwise knowingly facilitate any effort or attempt to make an Acquisition Proposal, other than, in each case, to request information from the Person making any such Acquisition Proposal for the sole purpose of EMEs board of directors and Related Persons informing themselves about the Acquisition Proposal that has been made and the Person that made it or to notify any Person of EMEs obligations under this Section 4.6.
(c) From and after the date of this Agreement, EME shall provide the Purchaser, as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in no event later than two (2) Business Days after receipt thereof by EME or its Related Persons, a copy of each bona fide written Acquisition Proposal. Purchaser shall, and shall cause its Related Persons to, keep such Acquisition Proposal (and the terms thereof and identity of the proponent thereof) confidential in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
(d) Subject to the requirements of Section 4.6(b), prior to the time the Confirmation Order is entered, EME may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i) and enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement if EME receives one or more Acquisition Proposals that is a, or are, binding, written offer(s) capable of acceptance that EME, acting through its board of directors, concludes in good faith, after consultation with its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel, individually or taken together, constitute(s) a Superior Proposal; provided that, in order to terminate this Agreement to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to such Acquisition Proposal(s) that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Superior Proposal:
(i) EME, acting through its board of directors, must determine in good faith, after consultation with its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that failure to do so would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the board of directors of EME under applicable Law and EME shall not have breached its obligations under this Section 4.6 in any material respect;
(ii) EME shall have provided prior written notice to Purchaser, at least five (5) Business Days in advance of such termination (such period, the Notice Period), advising Purchaser of the intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i) in favor of one or more of the Acquisition Proposals for which notice had been provided in accordance with Section 4.6(c);
(iii) during the Notice Period, (i) EME shall have reviewed with Purchaser any changes to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Transaction proposed by Purchaser (or as to other proposals made by Purchaser) and with respect to which Purchaser has proposed to give irrevocable binding effect and (ii) not make public disclosure regarding any Acquisition Proposal(s) or seek Bankruptcy Court approval thereof; and
(iv) the board of directors of EME shall have considered in good faith the changes to this Agreement and the Transaction offered by Purchaser (or other proposals made by Purchaser), and shall have concluded, after consultation with its independent financial advisor(s) and outside legal counsel that the Acquisition Proposal(s) constituting such Superior Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal even if such changes or other proposals in accordance with the immediately foregoing clause (iii) were to be given effect; provided that, if any material amendment or material revision is made to the Acquisition Proposal(s) that EME, acting through its board of directors, has determined to be a Superior Proposal, EME shall be required to deliver a new written notice to Purchaser with respect to each successive material amendment or material revision and to comply with the requirements of this Section 4.6 with respect to such new written notice, and the Notice Period shall recommence (except that, without limiting or amending the provisions of Section 4.6(b), the Notice Period shall be reduced from five (5) Business Days to two (2) Business Days).
(e) Nothing contained in this Section 4.6 or otherwise in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit or restrict EME, its board of directors or any committee thereof or any of their respective Related Persons from (i) complying with its disclosure obligations under U.S. federal or state Law with regard to an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) complying with its disclosure obligations if, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of EME, after consultation with outside legal counsel, failure to disclose would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its obligations under applicable Law, (iii) complying with its duties (including duties of candor and other fiduciary duties) to the Bankruptcy Court and to its stakeholders, (iv) waiving any standstill or non-collusion provision or other provision of any confidentiality agreement to which EME or any of its Subsidiaries is party to the extent that EME determines such waiver would assist in the making of an Acquisition Proposal, or (v) taking any other action otherwise prohibited or restricted by this Section 4.6 with any Person with respect to any of the Non-Core Assets, assets being sold as part of the Permitted Asset Disposals or the Excluded Assets or any assets that EME or any Subsidiary is required to sell, transfer or convey as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation.
4.7 HSR; Antitrust Laws; Governmental Approvals; Actions In Connection with Receipt of Certain Governmental Approvals.
(a) Each Party hereto agrees to use reasonable best efforts to prepare and file, as promptly as reasonably practicable (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date hereof; provided that if the applicable Governmental Authorities are not open on such date, the filings shall be made on the first Business Day such Governmental Authorities are open for business to accept such filings thereafter), all filings (or portion thereof that such Party is responsible for) necessary or desirable to obtain the Governmental Approvals (including filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act and making other required filings pursuant to other Antitrust Laws and the filings and applications required by FERC as described on Schedule 5.2(b) (the FERC Filings)) and the Purchaser Parties shall bear the cost of all such filing fees. Each Party shall supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant to or in connection with the HSR Act, the FERC Filings or otherwise in connection with the Governmental Approvals and shall use reasonable best efforts to take and diligently pursue such actions as may be required by Governmental Authorities as a condition to securing the Governmental Approvals as soon as reasonably practicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of EME and Purchaser shall hold separate or divest all such assets of EME or Purchaser, as applicable, and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to obtain the agreement or consent of any Governmental Authority to the Transactions, in each case, on such terms as may be required by such Government Entity, subject to Section 4.7(e) of this Agreement. The Parties shall work together in good faith to cause the EMRA Approval to be granted prior to Closing, but in the event that the EMRA Approval is not obtained prior to the Closing Date, such interests requiring approval for transfer shall not be transferred at Closing but shall be transferred as soon as practicable upon receipt of the EMRA Approval.
(b) Subject to all applicable confidentiality requirements and all applicable Laws, the Parties shall, in connection with the efforts referenced in this Section 4.7 to obtain all requisite approvals and authorizations for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cooperate in all respects with each other in connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any Legal Proceeding initiated by a private party; (ii) keep the other Parties reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party from, or given by such Party to any applicable U.S. or foreign Governmental Authority (in each case to the extent permitted by such Governmental Authority), and of any communication received or given in connection with any Legal Proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; (iii) permit the other Parties a reasonable opportunity to review (except with regard to personal-identifying information) any communication before providing it to a Governmental Authority; and (iv) consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any such Governmental Authority or, in connection with any Legal Proceeding with any other Person, and to the extent permitted by such applicable Governmental Authority or other Person, give the other Parties the opportunity to have a representative attend and participate in such meetings and conferences; provided, however, that a Party hereto may request entry into a joint defense agreement as a condition to providing any such materials and that, upon receipt of that request, the Parties shall work in good faith to enter into a joint defense agreement to create and preserve attorney client privilege in a form and substance mutually acceptable to the Parties as promptly as practicable.
(c) If any objections are asserted, concerns are raised, or any suit is instituted (including by a private party) with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby in connection with the approvals referenced in Section 4.7(a), each Party shall use reasonable best efforts to resolve such objections, concerns or challenges as such Governmental Authority or private party may have to such transactions, including to vacate, lift, reverse or overturn any Order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable and shall otherwise use reasonable best efforts to obtain the Governmental Approvals.
(d) Each Purchaser Party further agrees that, prior to the Closing Date, it and its Affiliates will not enter into any other contract or agreement to acquire or market or control the output of, nor acquire or market or control the output of, electric generation facilities or uncommitted generation capacity, if the proposed acquisition or the ability to market or control output of such additional electric generation facilities or uncommitted generation capacity could reasonably be expected to increase the market power attributable to such Purchaser Party and its Affiliates in a manner materially adverse to approval of the Transaction or which would otherwise prevent or materially interfere with or materially delay the consummation of the Transaction.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.7, neither EME nor either Purchaser Party shall be required to sell or hold separate and neither EME nor either Purchaser Party shall (without the consent of the other) sell or hold separate any of its businesses, products and assets to the extent such results in an EME Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(f) In the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article 7, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to withdraw promptly all pending filings with respect to the Governmental Approvals.
4.8 Pre-Closing Reorganizations. Prior to the Closing Date and upon no less than ten (10) Business Days notice to Purchaser regarding the same, EME, any of its Subsidiaries and any of their respective Affiliates may, and may permit any Subsidiary to, make such other organizational and structural changes and enter into such transactions with any other Subsidiary or Affiliate of EME, in each case, as may be reasonably required or desirable to consummate or expedite the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, a Tax Attributes Agreement, if any, or the Plan, or to satisfy the requirements of applicable Law, including conversion or merger of corporations to or with limited liability companies or limited partnerships, transferring assets of the Subsidiaries to newly-formed entities, making particular Tax elections, and/or incorporating new entities and making contributions in exchange for share capital thereof (the Pre-Closing Reorganizations); provided that EME and its Subsidiaries (i) shall use reasonable best efforts to minimize Taxes and other Liabilities to the extent payable as a result of any Pre-Closing Reorganizations and (ii) may not implement the Pre-Closing Reorganizations without the prior written consent of Purchaser to the extent that such Pre-Closing Reorganizations will result in Taxes or other Liabilities in excess of $500,000 for which EME is not responsible. Except as provided in Section 9.5(c), EME shall bear all Taxes and other costs related to the Pre-Closing Reorganizations.
4.9 Casualty Loss. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.9, from the date of this Agreement through the Closing, all risk of loss or damage to the property of EME and the Acquired Companies shall be borne as provided in this Section 4.9. If during the period from the date of this Agreement through the Closing, any property or asset of EME or any of the Acquired Companies suffers any damage, destruction, or unavailability or unsuitability for the intended purpose by fire, weather conditions, or other casualty (each such event, an Event of Loss), or are taken by a Governmental Authority by exercise of the power of eminent domain (each, a Taking), then the following provisions of this Section 4.9 shall apply:
(a) If the sum of all Restoration Costs and Condemnation Value, in the aggregate, is less than or equal to ten percent (10%) of the Stipulated Transaction Value, the Event of Loss or Taking shall have no effect on the transactions contemplated hereby (e.g., there shall be no adjustment to the Base Purchase Price or delay in the Closing).
(b) Without limiting any applicable termination rights of the Parties hereunder, upon the occurrence of any one or more Events of Loss and/or Takings involving aggregate Restoration Costs and Condemnation Value in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Stipulated Transaction Value (a Major Loss), EME shall, as soon as is practicable, provide written notice of such Major Loss. Purchaser shall have, in the case of a Major Loss relating to one or more Events of Loss, the option, exercised by notice to EME, to direct EME to restore, repair or replace, or to direct EME to cause the applicable Acquired Company to restore, repair or replace, the damaged property or assets prior to Closing to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition or to exercise its rights under Section 4.9(c). If Purchaser elects to have such property or assets so restored, repaired or replaced, which election shall be made by notice to EME prior to the Closing Date and as soon as practicable following receipt of notice of the Major Loss, EME will complete or cause to be completed the repair, replacement or restoration of the damaged property or assets prior to the Closing and the Closing Date shall be postponed for the amount of time reasonably necessary to complete the restoration, repair or replacement of such property or assets as reasonably agreed among Purchaser and EME (including, if necessary, the extension of the Termination Date for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days to allow for the restoration, repair or replacement of such property or assets); provided that EME shall have no responsibility to cause such repair, replacement or restoration unless the costs thereof are covered by insurance or Purchaser. If Purchaser elects not to cause the restoration, repair or replacement of the property or assets affected by a Major Loss, or such Major Loss is the result in whole or in part of one or more Takings or is otherwise not capable of being restored, repaired or replaced, the provisions of Section 4.9(c) will apply.
(c) In the event that Purchaser provides written notice to EME that it has elected not to request the restoration, repair or replacement of a Major Loss, or in the event that EME fails to complete the restoration, repair or replacement within the period of time agreed upon by the Parties pursuant to Section 4.9(b), or in the event that a Major Loss is the result in whole or in part of one or more Takings or is otherwise not capable of being restored, repaired or replaced, then, if the Closing occurs, the Adjusted Base Purchase Price shall be adjusted in accordance with Section 1.2 to provide Purchaser the benefit of any Excess Loss Amount.
4.10 Registration and Listing of Parent Common Stock.
(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable (but in any event not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day) following the date of this Agreement, Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the offering and issuance of Parent Common Stock at the Closing and the distribution of the Parent Common Stock (including the prospectus used in connection therewith and any amendments or supplements to such registration statement and such prospectus, the Form S-1). None of the information provided by Parent or its Subsidiaries (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the portion thereof based on information supplied by EME for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein, with respect to which no representation is made by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Form S-1 will, at the time the Form S-1 becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Form S-1 (other than the portion thereof based on information supplied by EME for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein, with respect to which no representation is made by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Parent shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the SEC to declare the Form S-1 effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing (and in any event not later than the Plan Effective Date) and shall take such actions as necessary (including by the filing of such amendments or supplements thereto) to keep the Form S-1 effective and compliant with the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Parent Common Stock covered by the Form S-1 until at least the thirtieth (30th) day after the Plan Effective Date and shall take such other actions as is necessary to ensure that the Parent Common Stock will be, when issued and for such thirty (30) day period, unrestricted and freely transferable. Parent shall also take any action required to be taken under any applicable state securities Laws in connection with the issuance and reservation of shares of Parent Common Stock at the Closing.
(b) No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, the Form S-1 and no responses to any oral or written request by the SEC with respect to the Form S-1, will be made by Parent, without providing EME (and its Related Persons) a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon (and Parent shall consider all such comments in good faith). Parent will advise EME promptly after it receives oral or written notice of the time when the Form S-1 has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Parent Common Stock issuable in connection with the Transactions for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any oral or written request by the SEC with respect to the Form S-1 or comments thereon or requests by the SEC for additional information, and will promptly provide EME with copies of any written communication from the SEC or any state securities commission and will use reasonable best efforts to promptly respond to any such request or comments by the SEC (subject to this Section 4.10(b)). If at any time prior to the Effective Time any information relating to Parent or EME, or any of their respective Affiliates, officers or directors, is discovered by Purchaser, Parent or EME which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any of the Form S-1, so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other parties hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC.
(c) Parent shall, at all times from and after the date hereof, reserve out of its authorized, but unissued, shares of capital stock a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for the issuance of the Stock Purchase Price at the Closing. Parent shall cause all shares of Parent Common Stock when issued to be (i) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) issued free and clear of all Liens and preemptive rights, and (iii) unrestricted and freely transferable, and shall take any actions necessary so that no rights under any rights plan or state takeover Law or similar arrangement or Law shall be triggered by the issuance or distribution of the Parent Common Stock hereunder and in accordance with the Plan.
(d) Parent shall cause the Parent Common Stock being issued as the Stock Purchase Price to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, on the Plan Effective Date.
4.11 Retained Chapter 5 Causes of Action.
(a) Not later than the date on which a motion seeking approval of the Disclosure Statement is filed with the Bankruptcy Court, EME shall assemble and deliver to Purchaser a comprehensive list of all Persons which EME intends to include in the Plan Supplement as provided in Section 1.5(k).
(b) Purchaser shall notify EME no less than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the deadline for entities entitled to vote on the Plan to submit votes to accept or reject the Plan if Purchaser does not consent to the inclusion of any Person that would otherwise be identified in the Plan Supplement as provided in Section 1.5(k).
4.12 Updates on Available Cash. From time to time after the date hereof, after the reasonable request of the Purchaser, EME shall provide Purchaser with an update on the amount of Cash as of a recent date that is unrestricted cash or cash equivalents of EME and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that is not subject to restrictions on dividend or distribution (whether under Law, Contract or otherwise). To the extent permitted by Law, the Plan, the Confirmation Order and the terms of Contracts to which EME and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, nothing herein shall limit Purchasers right to use, from and after the Closing, such unrestricted cash to the extent included in Closing Cash; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require that there be a minimum amount of such unrestricted cash included in Closing Cash or to otherwise limit the Purchaser Parties representations, warranties, covenants or agreements hereunder.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EME
EME hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser that, as of the date of this Agreement and except in all cases as Deemed Disclosed or as set forth in the Schedules:
5.1 Organization and Corporate Power. EME is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. EME is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have an EME Material Adverse Effect. Subject to any necessary authority from the Bankruptcy Court, EME has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted, and, subject to the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order and the receipt of the Governmental Approvals set forth in Schedule 5.2(b), to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
5.2 Authorization; No Breach.
(a) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by EME and, subject to the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of EME, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the application of the Remedies Exceptions. Subject to the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, each Ancillary Agreement to which EME or any Subsidiary is a party, when executed and delivered by EME or such Subsidiary, shall have been duly executed and delivered by EME or such Subsidiary, and shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of EME or such Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the application of the Remedies Exceptions.
(b) Assuming receipt of the Governmental Approvals set forth on Schedule 5.2(b) and the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, EMEs execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and EMEs and the other Subsidiarys execution, delivery and performance of each Ancillary Agreement to which EME and/or any other Subsidiary is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not, except as set forth on Schedule 5.2(b):
(i) violate or conflict with any provision of the certificate of organization or incorporation, as applicable, or the bylaws or operating agreements (or equivalent organizational documents) (collectively, the Organizational Documents) of EME and/or any Subsidiary;
(ii) violate, result in any material breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material power purchase agreement, material long-term fuel supply agreement, material transportation agreement, material turbine and major equipment service agreement, or project finance credit agreement to which EME and/or Subsidiary is a party;
(iii) violate, result in any material breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any other Contract to which EME and/or any Subsidiary is a party, other than any violation, breach or default as would not reasonably be expected to have an EME Material Adverse Effect; or
(iv) violate any Law or Order applicable to EME and/or any Subsidiary;
except in each case as would be cured, remedied or discharged without any Liability to Purchaser or the Wholly-Owned Companies and the Partially Owned Companies that are Subsidiaries (except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement), pursuant to the Plan, the PSA Order or the Confirmation Order, and subject to the assumption and rejection process set forth in Section 4.5 with regard to Available Contracts.
5.3 Board Approvals. The board of directors of EME, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held, has approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Ancillary Agreements, including the Transaction, and has declared the advisability of the Transaction and approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Subject to the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, no approval of the shareholder of EME nor any other corporate approvals are required for EME, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of EME are necessary, to authorize, execute or deliver this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
5.4 Representations and Warranties Regarding the Acquired Companies.
(a) Organization; Good Standing; Qualification. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(a), each of the Acquired Companies is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation. Each of the Acquired Companies is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have an EME Material Adverse Effect. Subject to any necessary authority from the Bankruptcy Court, each of the Wholly-Owned Companies and the Partially-Owned Companies that are Subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of EME, the other Partially-Owned Companies that are not Subsidiaries of EME has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted.
(b) Capitalization. The Wholly-Owned Equity Interests and the Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of EME have been, and to the Knowledge of EME, the other Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Persons that are not Subsidiaries of EME have been, validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. All of the Wholly-Owned Equity Interests and the Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of EME have been, and to the Knowledge of EME, the other Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Persons that are not Subsidiaries of EME have been, duly authorized and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(b) (to the extent applicable), there are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, preemptive rights or similar rights with respect to the Wholly-Owned Equity Interests or the Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of EME or, to the Knowledge of EME, the other Partially-Owned Equity Interests of Persons that are not Subsidiaries of EME.
(c) Authorization, etc. Subject to the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, each Ancillary Agreement to which a Partially-Owned Company that is not a Subsidiary of EME is a party, when executed and delivered by such Partially-Owned Company, shall, to the Knowledge of EME, have been duly executed and delivered by such Partially-Owned Company and shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of such Partially-Owned Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the application of the Remedies Exceptions.
(d) No Conflicts. Assuming receipt of the Governmental Approvals set forth on Schedule 5.2(b) and the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and the Confirmation Order, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by any Partially-Owned Company that is not a Subsidiary of EME and such Partially-Owned Companys execution, delivery and performance of each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not, to the Knowledge of EME and except as set forth on Schedule 5.4(d):
(i) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Partially-Owned Company;
(i) violate, result in any material breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material power purchase agreement, material long-term fuel supply agreement, material transportation agreement, material turbine and major equipment service agreement or project finance credit agreement to which such Partially-Owned Company is a party;
(ii) violate, result in any material breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any other Contract to which such Partially-Owned Company is a party, other than any violation, breach or default as would not reasonably be expected to have an EME Material Adverse Effect; or
(iii) violate any Law or Order applicable to any Partially-Owned Company;
except in each case as would be cured, remedied or discharged without any Liability to Purchaser or the Partially Owned Companies that are not Subsidiaries of EME (except as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement), pursuant to the Plan, the PSA Order or the Confirmation Order, and subject to the assumption and rejection process set forth in Section 4.5 with regard to Available Contracts.
ARTICLE 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER PARTIES
As an inducement to EME to enter into this Agreement, the Purchaser Parties hereby represents and warrants that as of the date of this Agreement and, except as previously disclosed to EME in writing:
6.1 Organization and Corporate Power. Each of Purchaser and Parent is a corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each of Purchaser and Parent has all requisite corporate or other organizational power and authority necessary to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.2 Authorization; No Breach.
(a) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser Parties and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser Parties, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the application of the Remedies Exceptions. Each Ancillary Agreement to which any Purchaser Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Purchaser Party, shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by the application of the Remedies Exceptions.
(b) Assuming receipt of the Governmental Approvals set forth on Schedule 6.2(b), Purchaser Parties execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which such Purchaser Party is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will not: (i) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of Purchaser or Parent, (ii) violate, result in any material breach of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material Contract to which a Purchaser Party is a party, by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject, other than any violation, breach or default as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (iii) violate any Law or any Order applicable to such Purchaser Party.
6.3 Board and Shareholder Approvals. The board of directors of Parent and Purchaser, by resolutions duly adopted, has approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Ancillary Agreements, including the Transaction, has unanimously declared the advisability of the Transaction and approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. No approval of the shareholders of the Parent nor any other corporate approvals are required for the Purchaser Parties, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Purchaser Parties are necessary, to authorize, execute or deliver this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
6.4 Certain Arrangements. As of the date hereof, other than the Plan Sponsor Agreement, the Restructuring Support Agreement dated October 2, 2013 and the associated term sheets (which is being superseded and terminated in its entirety by the Plan Sponsor Agreement), any non-disclosure agreements with the parties to the Plan Sponsor Agreement (which are being superseded and terminated in their entirety by the Plan Sponsor Agreement), and Parents arrangements with Barclays and Deutsche Bank in connection with this Transaction, there are no Contracts, undertakings, commitments, agreements or obligations, whether written or oral, between a Purchaser Party or any of its Affiliates or any of its or their Related Persons, on the one hand, and any member of the management of EME or any of the Acquired Companies or the board or directors of EME, any holder of equity or debt securities of EME or the Acquired Companies, or any lender or creditor of EME or the Acquired Companies, on the other hand, (a) relating in any way to the acquisition of the Target Holdings or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (b) that would be reasonably likely to prevent, restrict, impede or affect adversely the ability of EME to entertain, negotiate or participate in any Acquisition Proposal.
6.5 Financing; Availability of Funds. On the date hereof, Parent, on a consolidated basis, has, and at all times after the date hereof will have (and will cause Purchaser to have at Closing) sufficient cash on hand and available undrawn commitments under the credit facilities to which Parent is party listed on Schedule 6.5 (the Available Credit Facilities) in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder (including the payment of all amounts hereunder when required) and no such undrawn commitments under the Available Credit Facilities are scheduled to terminate before the Termination Date. True and correct copies of the Available Credit Facilities have been made available to EME. Drawdowns under the Available Credit Facilities are not subject to any conditions other than as set forth in the Available Credit Facilities and, as of the date hereof, Parent reasonably believes that all conditions to drawdown under the Available Credit Facilities, to the extent within Parents or its Affiliates control, will be satisfied when required in order to allow the Purchaser Parties to satisfy their obligations when required hereunder. Immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Purchaser Parties will be able to pay its and, cause the Acquired Companies to pay their, debts as they become due and the fair saleable value of the assets of the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, will exceed the liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of the Purchaser Parties and the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole. Immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Purchaser Parties will have adequate capital to carry on its businesses.
6.6 Investment Experience; Information. Purchaser is an accredited investor within the meaning of the Securities Act and acknowledges that it can bear the economic risk of its investment in the Purchased Interests, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Target Assets and the Acquired Companies on the terms contemplated hereby.
6.7 Adequate Assurance of Future Performance. Purchaser has provided and/or Parent will cause Purchaser to be able to provide, at or prior to the Closing Date, adequate assurance of its future performance under each Assumed Contract to the parties thereto (other than EME or its Affiliates, as applicable) in satisfaction of Section 365(f)(2)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code.
6.8 Status of Purchaser. 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Purchaser is (and at Closing will be) owned by NRG Acquisition Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation and 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of NRG Acquisition Holdings Inc. is (and at Closing will be) owned by Parent. Parent is not in control of Purchaser for purposes of Section 368 of the Code.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
7.1 Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, except for a termination pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(i), this Agreement may be terminated only by written notice to the other Parties when permitted in this Article 7. As part of any such termination notice, the terminating Party shall specify the provision pursuant to which the Agreement is being terminated.
(a) Mutual Termination Right. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to Closing as follows:
(i) by mutual written consent of each of EME, on the one hand, and the Purchaser Parties, on the other hand;
(ii) by the Purchaser Parties or EME:
(1) on or after April 1, 2014, unless prior to such termination, the Confirmation Order has been entered by the Bankruptcy Court;
(2) on or after the first (1st) Business Day following the date on which the Bankruptcy Court enters an order denying the confirmation of the Plan;
(3) on or after the first (1st) Business Day following the Termination Date;
(4) if any Governmental Authority shall (x) enter a Final Order denying, or otherwise deny in any final and non-appealable manner, any Governmental Approval or (y) enter a Final Order enjoining or declaring illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(5) on any date after the Bankruptcy Court, upon motion thereof in accordance with Section 9.4(b) hereof, (i) makes a determination that the Cure Amounts under the PoJo Leases and Documents is greater than the Agreed PoJo Cure Amount, (ii) fails to approve the modifications to the PoJo Leases and Documents set forth in Section 9.4(b) or alternative terms agreed to in writing by the Parties, or (iii) fails to grant any other relief necessary to effectuate the terms and conditions with respect to the PoJo Leases and Documents contemplated hereby or alternative terms and conditions agreed to in writing by the Parties;
(6) upon termination of the Plan Support Agreement pursuant to Section 21 thereof; or
(7) on any date after one of the conditions precedent to either Partys obligations under Article 3 shall have become impossible of fulfillment unless, prior to such termination the Party or Parties entitled to waive the applicable condition precedent has or have, as applicable, irrevocably waived such condition in writing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no right of termination shall be available to any Party pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(ii) if the right to terminate arises from such Partys material breach of this Agreement.
(b) Termination by the Purchaser Parties. This Agreement may be terminated by the Purchaser Parties prior to Closing as follows:
(i) after the date hereof, unless prior to such termination, EME has filed a motion seeking entry of the PSA Order and seeking an expedited hearing on such motion to occur on or before October 25, 2013;
(ii) on or after November 8, 2013, unless prior to such termination, the PSA Order has been entered by the Bankruptcy Court;
(iii) on or after November 16, 2013, unless prior to such termination, EME has filed the Plan, the Disclosure Statement and a motion seeking entry of the Confirmation Order and the Disclosure Statement Order;
(iv) on or after December 20, 2013, unless prior to such termination, the Bankruptcy Court has entered the Disclosure Statement Order;
(v) after such date as the Bankruptcy Court approves a plan of reorganization for EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries that does not provide for approval of the Transaction;
(vi) after such date as EME or any Subsidiary has entered into one or more definitive agreements or sought Bankruptcy Court approval to sell, convey or otherwise transfer any asset(s) for consideration in excess of $25,000,000 individually or $50,000,000 in the aggregate outside of the ordinary course of business and other than as part of a Permitted Asset Disposal or the sale of an Excluded Asset or Non-Core Asset or the sale, transfer or conveyance of any assets by EME or any Subsidiary as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation;
(vii) after such date as the Bankruptcy Court has entered an Order authorizing the rejection of the PoJo Leases and Documents; and
(viii) if there has been one or more violations or breaches by EME of any covenant or agreement of EME contained in this Agreement and (a) such violation or breach has not been waived by the Purchaser Parties and (b) such violation or breach is not capable of being cured (and the Parties acknowledge and agree that failure to consummate the Transaction when required shall not be deemed not capable of being cured) or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured prior to the earlier of (x) the Termination Date and (y) 20 Business Days after written notice of such violation or breach from Purchaser to EME; provided that the right of termination pursuant to this Section 7.1(b)(ix) shall not be available to the Purchaser Parties (x) unless the Purchaser Parties have delivered written notice to EME of such breach or violation within 15 calendar days of the later of (A) its alleged occurrence or (B) the date on which the Purchaser Parties become aware thereof (and, in which case, the alleged breach or violation shall be deemed waived) or (y) at any time that the Purchaser Parties have violated or is in breach of any covenant or agreement hereunder if such breach has prevented satisfaction of any of EMEs conditions to Closing hereunder and has not been waived by EME or, if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the Purchaser Parties.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no right of termination shall be available to Purchaser pursuant to clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 7.1(b) if the right to terminate arises from Purchasers material breach of this Agreement.
(c) Termination by EME. This Agreement may be terminated by EME at any time before Closing:
(i) at any time prior to entry of the Confirmation Order, if EME, acting through its board of directors, determines that there is a Superior Proposal (as long as EME is not then in breach of its obligations under Section 4.6); or
(ii) if there has been one or more violations or breaches by the Purchaser Parties of any covenant or agreement of the Purchaser Parties contained in this Agreement and (a) such violation or breach has not been waived by EME and (b) such violation or breach is not capable of being cured (and the Parties acknowledge and agree that failure to consummate the Transaction when required shall not be deemed not capable of being cured) or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured prior to the earlier of (x) the Termination Date and (y) 20 Business Days after written notice of such violation or breach from EME to the Purchaser Parties; provided that the right of termination pursuant to this Section 7.1(c)(ii) shall not be available to EME (x) unless it has delivered written notice to the Purchaser Parties of such breach or violation within 15 calendar days of the later of its alleged occurrence or the date EME becomes aware thereof (and, in which case, the alleged breach or violation shall be deemed waived) or (y) at any time that EME has violated or is in breach of any covenant or agreement hereunder if such breach has prevented satisfaction of any of Purchasers conditions to Closing hereunder and has not been waived by the Purchaser Parties or, if capable of cure, has not been cured by EME.
7.2 Effect of Termination.
(a) Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.1, then this Agreement shall be null and void and have no further legal effect (except for this Section 7.2, Section 4.7(f), Section 9.3, Section 9.8, Section 9.17 and Article 10 (each, a Surviving Provision), each of which shall survive termination), and none of Purchaser, Parent, EME, or any of their respective Related Persons shall have any liability or obligation arising under or in connection with this Agreement; provided that no such termination shall affect or limit any rights or remedies of (i) the Purchaser Parties against EME for the Break-Up and Expense Reimbursement as and when provided in Section 7.2(b), (ii) EME against the Purchaser Parties for Losses suffered from any breach by the Purchaser Parties arising prior to such termination or (iii) the Purchaser Parties or EME for breach of a Surviving Provision after termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Bankruptcy Court denies EMEs motion for entry of the PSA Order, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect without liability to any Party hereto.
(b) Break-Up Fee; Expense Reimbursement. If, and only if, this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser Parties pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(ii)(6), Section 7.1(b)(v), Section 7.1(b)(vi), or Section 7.1(b)(viii) or EME pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(ii)(1), Section 7.1(a)(ii)(6) or Section 7.1(c)(i) then EME shall pay to Purchaser, as and when required by this Section 7.2(b), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, a cash fee equal to the sum of (x) $65,000,000 (the Break-Up Fee), plus (y) an amount equal to Purchasers reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses (other than fees to the extent triggered, in whole or in part, as a result of payment of the Break-Up Fee) incurred prior to the termination of this Agreement (the Expense Reimbursement), with such Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement to be paid upon the closing of a transaction (including an alternative plan of reorganization) involving a material portion of the assets of EME and the Acquired Companies and such Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement shall constitute an administrative expense of EME in the Chapter 11 Cases. EME acknowledges that the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement are in consideration of the real and substantial benefits conferred by Purchaser upon the bankruptcy estates of EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries by providing a minimum floor upon which EME and its Debtor Subsidiaries and their creditors were able to rely, and in consideration of the time, expense and risks associated with serving as such a purchaser, including legal fees and expenses and other expenses related to the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and of all related transactional documentation. EME and the Purchaser Parties agree and stipulate that the Purchaser Parties have provided a mutual benefit to the estates of EME and the Debtor Subsidiaries by increasing the likelihood that the best possible price for the Target Holdings shall be received and that the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement are reasonable and appropriate in light of the size and nature of the proposed sale transactions and comparable transactions, the commitments that have been made and the efforts that have and shall be expended by the Purchaser Parties and were necessary to induce the Purchaser Parties to pursue the transactions contemplated hereby under the terms of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty and are the sole and exclusive remedy of the Purchaser Parties and their Affiliates for monetary damages against EME or any Related Person under this Agreement or otherwise related to the Transaction. Without limiting its rights against EME under Section 10.17 of this Agreement, the Purchaser Parties shall not, and shall cause each of its Affiliates not to, bring any claim, right or cause of action for monetary damages against or seek any other remedy from, EME or any of its Related Persons (other than for payment of the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement when payable hereunder), whether at equity or in Law, for breach of contract, in tort or otherwise, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and any claim, right or cause of action for monetary damages (other than for payment Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement when due and payable hereunder) by the Purchaser Parties or any other Person against EME or any of its Related Persons is expressly waived and disclaimed by EME.
(c) Acknowledgments. Each of the Parties acknowledge that the covenants and agreements in this Section 7.2 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated hereby and without such covenants and agreements, neither Party would have entered into this Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURES
8.1 Bankruptcy Actions.
(a) EME shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain entry by the Bankruptcy Court of (i) an Order approving entry by EME into the Plan Sponsor Agreement and this Agreement providing that: (1) EMEs obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements in respect of the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement shall survive confirmation of any chapter 11 plan in the Chapter 11 Cases; and (2) EME shall not be permitted to amend, modify, reject or otherwise terminate its obligations in respect of the Break-Up Fee and Expense Reimbursement under this Agreement (such Order, the PSA Order) on an expedited basis and (ii) if the PSA Order has been entered, an Order, acceptable to Parent in its reasonable discretion, confirming the Plan (such Order, the Confirmation Order). EME shall (A) file all pleadings with the Bankruptcy Court as are necessary or appropriate to secure entry of the PSA Order and (B) serve such pleadings on all parties known to EME to be potentially entitled to notice of such pleadings under applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and related rules, and shall diligently pursue the obtaining of such orders.
(b) Subject to entry of the PSA Order, EME shall (i) use reasonable best efforts to obtain an order (the Disclosure Statement Order) approving the disclosure statement related to the Plan (the Disclosure Statement) (which Disclosure Statement and Disclosure Statement Order may not contain any provisions which are inconsistent in any material respect with this Agreement), (ii) commence solicitation on the Plan, and (iii) subject to the provisions of Section 4.6 and use reasonable best efforts to (A) facilitate the solicitation, confirmation and consummation of the Plan and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Ancillary Agreements, (B) obtain the Confirmation Order and (C) consummate the Plan.
(c) Each Purchaser Party shall promptly take all actions as are reasonably requested by EME to assist in obtaining the Bankruptcy Courts entry of the PSA Order and, as applicable, the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, the Disclosure Statement Order or any other Order reasonably necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and by the Ancillary Agreements as promptly as practicable, including furnishing affidavits, financial information or other documents or information for filing with the Bankruptcy Court and making such Purchasers Partys employees and representatives available to testify before the Bankruptcy Court for the purposes of, among other things providing necessary assurances of performance by the Purchaser Parties under this Agreement and demonstrating that Purchaser is a good faith purchaser under Section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code, as well as demonstrating Purchasers ability to pay and perform or otherwise satisfy the liabilities and obligations of the Acquired Companies following the Closing. In the event that the entry of the PSA Order or, as applicable, the Plan, the Disclosure Statement, the Confirmation Order, the Disclosure Statement Order or any other Order reasonably necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is appealed, EME shall use its reasonable best efforts to defend against such appeal and the Purchaser Parties shall use their best efforts to cooperate with EME in such appeal.
8.2 Approval. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Purchaser Party acknowledges and agrees that no obligations of EME hereunder shall be enforceable against EME or the Debtor Subsidiaries or any of their respective Related Persons until the entry of the PSA Order. EMEs obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are subject to entry of and, to the extent entered, the Orders of the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 Cases (including entry of the PSA Order, the Disclosure Statement Order and the Confirmation Order). Nothing in this Agreement shall require EME or its Related Persons to give testimony to or submit a motion to the Bankruptcy Court that is untruthful or to violate any duty of candor or other fiduciary duty to the Bankruptcy Court or its stakeholders.
ARTICLE 9
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
9.1 Survival.
(a) The representations and warranties and covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or in any certificate, agreement or other document delivered in connection with this Agreement to the extent contemplating or requiring performance prior to the Closing, shall terminate effective as of immediately prior to the Closing such that no claim for breach of any such representation or warranty, detrimental reliance or other right or remedy (whether in contract, in tort or at Law or equity) may be brought after the Closing, and each covenant and agreement of EME and Purchaser to the extent contemplating or requiring performance prior to the Closing shall terminate effective immediately as of the Closing such that no claim for breach or non-performance of any such covenant or agreement, detrimental reliance or other right or remedy (whether in contract, in tort or at Law or equity) may be brought after the Closing. Any covenant or agreement of any Party in this Agreement that requires performance at or after the Closing shall survive the Closing until the expiration of the statute of limitations for breach of contract with respect to such covenant or agreement and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit any rights or remedies of any person for breach of any such covenant or agreement (with it being understood that nothing herein shall limit or affect Purchasers or any of its Affiliates liability for the failure to pay the Stock Purchase Price or Cash Purchase Price or other amounts when required hereunder, assume the Assumed Liabilities or pay other amounts as required under this Agreement). Each Party waives the right to seek rescission of the Transactions or to have the Transactions contemplated hereby rescinded.
(b) Each Purchaser Party (on its behalf and on behalf of its Related Persons) acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action it may have against EME, any Homer City Debtor or their respective Affiliates or their respective Related Persons relating to the operation of EME or its Subsidiaries or the Business or relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Schedules and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, whether arising under or based upon any Law or Order (including any right, whether arising at Law or in equity, to seek indemnification, contribution, cost recovery, damages, or any other recourse or remedy, including as may arise under common law or other Law), except to the extent provided herein with respect to Excluded Liabilities, are hereby waived. Furthermore, without limiting the generality of this Section 9.1, no claim shall be brought or maintained by or on behalf of Parent, Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates or their or their respective Related Persons against EME, any Homer City Debtor or any of their Affiliates or their respective Related Persons, and no recourse shall be sought or granted against any of them, by virtue of or based upon any alleged misrepresentation or inaccuracy in or breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of EME or any other Person set forth or contained in this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, any certificate, agreement or other documents delivered hereunder, the subject matter of this Agreement, the Business, the ownership, operation, management, use or control of the businesses of EME, its Affiliates or any of the Subsidiaries, any of their assets, any of the transactions contemplated hereby or any actions or omissions at or prior to the Closing, except in the case of fraud.
(c) Furthermore, without limiting the generality of this Section 9.1, each Purchaser Party hereby waives, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and its or their Related Persons (including, after the Closing, the Acquired Companies), any right, whether arising at Law or in equity, to seek contribution, cost recovery, damages, or any other recourse or remedy from EME and the Homer City Debtors and each of their Affiliates and their respective Related Persons, and hereby releases each such Person from any claim, demand or liability, with respect to any environmental, health, or safety matter (including any matter arising under any Law).
9.2 Press Release and Public Announcements. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, no Party shall make any press release or public announcement concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the prior written approval of the other Parties, unless a press release or public announcement is required by Law or Order of the Bankruptcy Court. If any such announcement or other disclosure is required by Law or Order of the Bankruptcy Court, the disclosing Party shall (to the extent practicable) give the non-disclosing Party prior notice of, and a reasonable opportunity to comment on, the proposed disclosure. The Parties acknowledge that EME will file this Agreement with the Bankruptcy Court in connection with obtaining the PSA Order. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing contained herein or in any Ancillary Agreement shall prevent, or otherwise limit, EME or the Acquired Companies from communicating with customers, vendors and other third-party business relations in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Ancillary Agreements.
9.3 Confidentiality. Each Party acknowledges that certain information provided to such Party or its Related Persons in connection with the Transaction is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2013, by and between Parent and EME (as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the Confidentiality Agreement), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Insofar as the Confidentiality Agreement may have limited either Party from disclosing or using the terms of this Agreement or the discussions between the Parties in respect thereof, each Party acknowledges and agrees that the Confidentiality Agreement is waived to allow disclosure of such terms and discussions for the matters described in Section 9.2 and other matters contemplated by this Agreement.
9.4 Consents.
(a) The Purchaser Parties acknowledge that certain consents to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be required from parties to contracts, leases, licenses or other agreements to which EME and/or its Subsidiaries are party (including the Permits and the Assigned Contracts) and such consents have not been obtained and may not be obtained. EME shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate as reasonably requested by the Purchaser Parties in Purchaser Parties efforts to obtain such consents; provided that (i) no such cooperation shall require EME or any other Person to expend any money, grant any concession or institute any Legal Proceeding, and (ii) receipt of any consent shall not be a condition to Closing for the Purchaser Parties and nor shall the Purchaser Parties be entitled to delay the Closing while awaiting any consent. The Purchaser Parties agree that neither EME (nor any assignee of its rights hereunder) nor any of its Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Persons shall have any liability whatsoever to Purchaser, Parent and/or any of their respective Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates or their or their respective Related Persons (and neither Purchaser or Parent nor any of their respective Subsidiaries nor their respective Affiliates nor their respective Related Persons shall be entitled to assert any claims against EME (nor any assignee of its rights hereunder) or its Affiliates or its or their Related Persons) arising out of or relating to the failure to obtain any consents that may have been or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or because of the default, acceleration or termination of or loss of right any such contract, lease, license or other agreement as a result thereof.
(b) On the date hereof, Parent and various PoJo Parties have executed the agreements attached hereto as Exhibit D (the PoJo Term Sheet) setting forth certain agreements regarding, and modifications and amendments to, the PoJo Leases and Documents (the PoJo Lease Modifications) and providing for the other matters set forth in the PoJo Term Sheet. Each of the Purchaser Parties and EME hereby agree to satisfy such provisions of the PoJo Term Sheet and other provisions of this Agreement with respect to the PoJo Leases and Documents as are within their respective control and covenant and agree to use, and to cause their respective Subsidiaries to use, reasonable best efforts to negotiate, execute and deliver such amendments and other modifications to the PoJo Leases and Documents as may be reasonably necessary to implement the PoJo Lease Modifications, in each case as promptly as practicable after the date hereof. Each party shall seek the approval of each other PoJo Party as necessary to implement the PoJo Lease Modifications and satisfy the other provisions hereof with respect to the PoJo Leases and Documents and shall seek to obtain such approvals of the Bankruptcy Court as may be reasonably necessary such that no Party will have a termination right pursuant to Section 7.1(a)(ii)(5) of this Agreement and that the conditions set forth in Article 3 hereof regarding the PoJo Leases and Documents are satisfied.
(c) EME has informed the Purchaser that it has pledged the Purchased Interests in Viento Funding II, Inc. (the Viento Shares) to support certain borrowings of Viento II Funding, Inc. (the Viento Holdco Debt). Prior to Closing, EME shall use reasonable best efforts to deliver to the Purchaser a pay-off letter in customary form from the agent with respect to the Viento Holdco Debt. Purchaser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to repay the Viento Holdco Debt or cause the Viento Holdco Debt to be repaid promptly at or after Closing and EME shall cooperate to cause the delivery of the certificate representing the Viento Shares promptly after repayment of the Viento Holdco Debt on the terms and subject to the conditions of the pay-off letter; provided that, without limiting the adjustment for Closing Debt provided in Article 1 of this Agreement, there shall be no purchase price adjustment or obligation of EME to repay the Viento Holdco Debt or cause the Viento Holdco Debt to be repaid at or prior to the Closing.
9.5 Tax Matters.
(a) Tax-Sharing Agreements. Any Tax-sharing and similar agreements between EME (or any of its Affiliates) and any of the Acquired Companies shall be terminated prior to the Closing Date and shall have no further effect for any taxable year (whether the current year, a future year, or a past year).
(b) Returns for Periods Through the Closing Date. EME shall include the income of the Business on EMEs consolidated federal and state Income Tax Returns for all periods through the end of the Closing Date and pay any federal or state Income Taxes attributable to such income. Purchaser shall reimburse EME for any Taxes attributable to such income, and shall otherwise be responsible for Taxes, that are not Excluded Tax Liabilities. Purchaser and the Acquired Companies shall furnish Tax information reasonably requested by EME for inclusion in EMEs federal and state consolidated Income Tax Return for the period that includes the Closing Date in accordance with the Acquired Companies past custom and practice. The income of the Business shall be apportioned to the period up to and including the Closing Date and the period after the Closing Date by closing the books of the Business as of the end of the Closing Date.
(c) Taxable Sale of Assets. Except to the extent otherwise agreed to pursuant to any Tax Attributes Agreement, the transfer of the Target Holdings is, subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 9.5(c), intended to be treated for all federal and state Income Tax purposes as the taxable sale of the Target Assets, the assets of each of the Wholly-Owned Companies, and EMEs direct or indirect share of the assets of each of the Partially-Owned Companies (the Asset Sale Treatment), and EME intends to retain all of the existing Tax Attributes that constitute Excluded Assets. In order to accomplish this, EME will, use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek any third party consent required under any material Contract to which it is party and, subject to receipt of such third party consent, (i) convert (including by merger, if necessary) each of the Wholly-Owned Companies to a limited liability company disregarded as an entity separate from its owner or a limited partnership that is not separately taxed, (ii) take such other actions within its control to cause each Partially-Owned Company that is treated as a partnership for tax purposes, and each Wholly-Owned Company that is converted to a limited partnership under clause (i), to have in place an election under Section 754 of the Code, and (iii) undertake any other transactions contemplated pursuant Section 4.8 of this Agreement that may help to achieve the results contemplated by the immediately foregoing sentence, in each case insofar as relates to Acquired Companies organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or a Subsidiary of a Person organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, to the extent practicable and commercially reasonable; provided that in no event shall EME be required to take any action if such action would result in Taxes, fees and costs being paid by EME or, prior to the Closing, any Acquired Company in excess of $500,000 unless the Purchaser agrees to pay and be responsible for such excess Taxes, fees and costs; provided that EME shall be responsible for payment of such excess Taxes, fees or costs to the extent (A) the amount of such excess Taxes, fees or costs were triggered because of other Pre-Closing Reorganizations or (B) on or prior to the 10th Business Day referred to in Section 4.8, the Purchaser delivers written notice to EME objecting to all or any portion of the Pre-Closing Reorganizations related to the Asset Sale Treatment (in which case, EME may to the extent permitted by the last sentence of Section 4.8, but shall not be required to, implement the portion so objected to as long it is responsible for and pays all Taxes, fees other costs related to the conversion of the Wholly-Owned Companies or the Asset Sale Treatment with respect to the portion so objected to). Notwithstanding the foregoing, EME shall not be required to take any action that would it cause it or any Acquired Company to breach any material Contract to which it is a party unless the Purchaser has agreed to be responsible for any resulting Liabilities arising therefrom. Except to the extent otherwise agreed to pursuant to any Tax Attributes Agreement, the Purchaser Parties (1) covenant that Purchaser will not be controlled by Parent for purposes of Section 368 of the Code on the Closing Date and will not become controlled by Purchaser during the two-year period following the Closing Date, (2) agree that the Stock Purchase Price and Estimated Cash Purchase and other cash consideration owing to EME hereunder shall be contributed by Parent, to NRG Acquisition Holdings Inc. and then by NRG Acquisition Holdings Inc. to Purchaser and then paid by Purchaser to EME, (3) agree that the Target Holdings are being purchased directly by Purchaser and are not being transferred to Purchaser on behalf of any other party, and (4) agree to report the purchase of the Target Assets by Purchaser as a taxable asset purchase for all federal and state Income Tax purposes.
(d) Indemnification for Post-Closing Transactions. The Purchaser Parties agree to indemnify EME for any additional Tax owed by EME (including Tax owed by EME due to this indemnification payment) resulting from any transaction engaged in by the Acquired Companies not in the ordinary course of business occurring on the Closing Date after Purchasers purchase of Target Equity Interests.
9.6 Employee Benefits and Employment Matters.
(a) Schedule 9.6(a) identifies, as of the date hereof, each Eligible Employee, on a no-name basis, including job title, personnel area, work location, and company name. Prior to the Closing Date, EME shall provide Parent with an updated Schedule 9.6(a) as changes to the list occur from time to time, but no more than seven (7) Business Days following the change. Parent shall evaluate its personnel needs and shall consider offering employment (but shall not be required to offer employment) to Eligible Employees on a case by case basis. Not less than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, Parent shall provide to EME a list of Eligible Employees (the Selected Employees) to whom, after entry of the Disclosure Statement Order, Purchaser or one of Parents Affiliates shall offer employment, which offers of employment shall be contingent upon and effective as of the Closing Date. All offers of employment by Parent or by an Affiliate of Parent to Selected Employees shall be subject to successful completion of Parents or its Affiliates drug screening, testing and background check requirements or other reasonable procedures and receipt from EME of a completed Form I-9 proving eligibility for employment in the United States on the Closing Date (the Purchaser Employment Conditions). Selected Employees offered employment shall have not less than seven (7) Business Days to accept or reject the offer in writing with the seventh (7th) Business Day of such period to occur prior to the Closing Date. Each Selected Employee who accepts Parents or Parents Affiliates offer of employment and who satisfies the Purchaser Employment Conditions shall, effective as of the Closing Date, commence employment with Parent or Parents Affiliates on terms and conditions substantially comparable in the aggregate to those terms and conditions of similarly situated employees of Parent or Parents Affiliate. Any Eligible Employee who is not offered employment by Parent or Parents Affiliate prior to the Closing Date, who does not accept such offer of employment, or who is not hired due to the failure to satisfy the Purchaser Employment Conditions is hereinafter referred to as an Excluded Employee. Nothing in this Agreement shall require or be construed or interpreted as requiring Parent, the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates to continue the employment of any of the Eligible Employees following the Closing Date or prevent Parent, Purchaser, the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates from changing the terms and conditions of employment of any Transferred Employees following the Closing Date. All employment offers made by Parent or any of its Affiliates to any Selected Employee shall be contingent on the Closing. In the event that this Agreement is terminated or the Closing does not occur, all such employment offers shall be null and void.
(b) Except as provided in Section 9.6(f) of this Agreement, EME shall be solely responsible for any severance, change in control payments or parachute payments owed to Business Employees (including any Excluded Employees) which are payable solely as a result of the consummation of the Transaction pursuant to the terms of any agreements, plans or programs entered into or sponsored by EME or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing with any such Business Employees.
(c) With respect to such Transferred Employees who are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (collectively, Union Employees), Parent shall (or cause its Affiliates to, as appropriate) otherwise assume and thereafter be bound by and comply with each Collective Bargaining Agreement presently applying to the Union Employees, and such employees shall be credited with their period of service with EME and the other Acquired Companies and their respective predecessors for all purposes of the Collective Bargaining Agreements.
(d) During the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the first anniversary of the Closing Date (the Benefit Period), Parent shall, or shall cause any Acquired Company or an Affiliate to provide each Transferred Employee who continues to be employed with the Parent, an Acquired Company or an Affiliate with (A) base salaries and wage rates and cash bonus opportunities on a comparable basis and (B) benefit plans, programs and arrangements (other than equity based compensation, retiree medical and defined benefit plans) which are substantially similar in the aggregate to those provided by Parent or its Affiliates to its similarly situated employees during the Benefit Period; provided, however, that the Parties agree that Parent shall or shall cause an Acquired Company or one of its Affiliates to provide each Union Employee with compensation and benefits (including vacation benefits) in accordance with the terms of any Collective Bargaining Agreement.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.6 or otherwise specifically assumed in this Agreement, neither Parent, Purchaser nor any Affiliate of Parent or Purchaser shall assume any Employee Benefit Plan or any other plan, program or arrangement of EME or any Affiliate of EME (other than the Acquired Companies) that provides any compensation or benefits to current or former employees or current or former independent contractors or consultants of EME or any Affiliate of EME (other than the Acquired Companies). None of Parent, Purchaser, any Affiliate of Parent or Purchaser nor any Acquired Company shall be responsible with respect to any Excluded Employee Liabilities nor shall have any responsibility for, and EME shall retain all responsibility related to, any and all employment or employee benefit-related matters, obligations, liabilities or commitments of EME (other than (x) any such obligations, liabilities or commitments of EME as the Purchaser Parties have expressly agreed to assume hereunder and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any such obligations, liabilities, and commitments of the Acquired Companies other than Excluded Employee Liabilities).
(f) Other than with respect to an Eligible Employee listed in Schedule 9.6(f), (i) if any Transferred Employee that is not a Union Employee (x) is terminated without Cause (as defined in the EME Severance Plan) at any time after the date hereof and ending on the one (1) year period following the Closing Date or (y) resigns his employment at any time after accepting the Offered Terms and prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date because Purchaser or one of its Related Persons imposes, proposes or attempts to make adverse changes to the Offered Terms or (ii) with respect to any Excluded Employee who is involuntarily terminated by EME or any Affiliate of EME on or after the Closing Date (regardless of whether such Excluded Employee (A) was not offered employment pursuant to Section 9.6(a), (B) rejects an offer of employment from Parent or Parents Affiliate; provided, however, that an Eligible Employee that rejects an offer of employment that contains substantially similar terms as such Eligible Employees current employment terms (including principal location of employment not further than 50 miles from such Eligible Employees principal place of employment as of the Closing Date and substantially similar base salary and wages) (the Offered Terms), shall not be included under this clause (B), or (C) fails to satisfy the Purchaser Employment Conditions and thus does not become a Transferred Employee), Parent shall, or shall cause one of its Affiliates to, pay severance compensation to such employee that is at least as much as the maximum cash severance and other compensation such employee would have received under the EME Severance Plan based on such employees (1) base salary immediately prior to the date hereof or, if greater, such employees base salary as of the date of termination and (2) aggregate service (taking service recognized under severance programs of EME and the Acquired Companies or any of their Affiliates and post-Closing service with Parent and such Acquired Companies into account)) as of the date of termination, and such other amount as may be required under applicable Law.
(g) Parent agrees that from and after the Closing Date, Parent will, or will cause one of the Acquired Companies to, grant to all Transferred Employees credit for any service with EME and the Acquired Companies (or any of their Affiliates) and its predecessors earned prior to the Closing Date for purposes of (A) eligibility and vesting and (B) post-Closing paid time off accrual and determination of severance amounts under any benefit plan, program or arrangement established or maintained by Parent, Purchaser, the Acquired Companies or their respective Affiliates for the benefit of the Transferred Employees (the Purchaser Plans). In addition, Parent hereby agrees that Parent, Purchaser, the Acquired Companies and their respective Affiliates shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) waive for Transferred Employees who are not Union Employees all pre-existing condition exclusion and actively-at-work requirements and similar limitations, eligibility waiting periods and evidence of insurability requirements under any Purchaser Plans that are Employee Welfare Benefit Plans; provided that, in the case of life insurance benefits, evidence of insurability requirements shall only be waived with respect to the same level of coverage the Transferred Employees had in effect immediately prior to the Closing date, and (y) shall cause any deductibles, co-insurance and out-of-pocket covered expenses incurred on or before the Closing Date by any Transferred Employee or Acquired Company Employee (or dependent or beneficiary thereof) to be taken into account for purposes of satisfying applicable deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket provisions after the Closing Date under any Purchaser Plan that is an Employee Welfare Benefit Plan. Prior to the Closing, EME and the Acquired Companies shall cause the Transferred Employees to provide all cooperation reasonably necessary for Parent to satisfy its obligations under this Section 9.6(g). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, with respect to the issues set forth in this subsection (g), Transferred Employees who are Union Employees shall be treated in accordance with the terms of their applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
(h) Parent shall recognize and credit each Transferred Employee with up to a maximum of 40 hours for any vacation time accrued but not yet used prior to the Closing Date (the Days Off Accrual); provided, however, that the Parties agree that on or immediately preceding the Closing Date, EME or any applicable Affiliate shall pay out all amounts of accrued but unused vacation for each Transferred Employee in an amount equal to the greater of, (i) the amount required to the paid out as required by Law or applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or (ii) the amount necessary to reduce each such Transferred Employees accrued but unused vacation balance to 40 hours (collectively, the Paid Vacation Liability); provided further that to the extent the terms of any Collective Bargaining Agreement and this Section 9.6(h) are inconsistent, the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement shall dictate how accrued vacation is treated with respect to the Union Employees. As of the Closing Date or as soon as administratively practical following the Closing Date, the Parent shall reimburse EME, in cash, for all Paid Vacation Liabilities. The respective Transferred Employees shall be entitled to either use the Days Off Accrual on terms substantially similar to those in effect under the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or paid time off policy of Parent or, consistent with such applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or paid time off policy, receive payment in respect of such Days Off Accrual upon the Transferred Employees termination of employment with Parent or such Acquired Company.
(i) Except as provided in Sections 9.6(j) and (k), effective as of the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, EME shall not establish or adopt any employee benefit plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code without obtaining prior written authorization from Parent.
(j) The Parties agree that between the date hereof and December 31, 2013, EME shall establish and adopt a defined contribution plan (as such term is defined in Section 3(34) of ERISA) which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (the EME 401(k) Plan), which shall be similar to the Edison 401(k) Savings Plan (the EIX 401(k) Plan); provided, however, that any modifications to the EME 401(k) Plan that are different from the terms of the EIX 401(k) Plan shall be limited to such changes as would not result in a material increase in cost or Liability to the Acquired Companies. As soon as is reasonably practicable following January 1, 2014, EIX (or its applicable Affiliate) shall cause the trustee of the EIX 401(k) Plan to transfer account balances related to the Business Employees (including any outstanding loans) from the EIX 401(k) Plan to the EME 401(k) Plan in accordance with the requirements of Sections 411(d)(6) and 414(l) of the Code. Effective as of the Closing Date, EME shall assign to Parent or one of its Affiliates and Parent or one of its Affiliates shall assume from EME, sponsorship of the EME 401(k) Plan. Parent (or its Affiliate that sponsors the EME 401(k) Plan) may amend the EME 401(k) Plan at any time following the Closing Date (which may include merging such plan into a defined contribution plan maintained by Parent or one of its Affiliates), subject to any applicable requirements under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
(k) To the extent MWG is required to cease participation under the Edison International Retirement Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees of Midwest Generation, LLC (the EIX Midwest Gen Plan) as of December 31, 2013 (or such later date that occurs prior to the Closing Date, as applicable, the Termination Date), as soon as practicable following the execution of this Agreement, and notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Parties shall commence, and shall cooperate in connection with, the drafting of a separate plan document and related contracts thereto that shall be substantially similar to the EIX Midwest Gen Plan (the Mirror Pension Plan) to be sponsored by MWG and for which MWG shall remain responsible at and immediately after the Closing to provide certain benefits to Transferred Employees employed by Midwest Generation, LLC who are represented by Local 15 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (the Midwest Gen Union Employees) as required under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. All Liabilities associated with the Mirror Pension Plan shall be Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities. Subject to this Section 9.6(k), the Mirror Pension Plan shall be effective as of the Termination Date and provide benefits that are substantially identical to the benefits provided as of Termination Date to the Midwest Gen Union Employees under the EIX Midwest Gen Plan as required under of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it being understood that in no event shall the Mirror Pension Plan be construed to provide any duplication of benefits with respect to any accrued benefits or other obligations otherwise required to be provided to the Midwest Gen Union Employees under the EIX Midwest Gen Plan. In furtherance of the foregoing, the benefits to be provided under the Mirror Pension Plan shall be determined based on such Midwest Gen Union Employees (i) total credited service (A) as determined under the EIX Midwest Gen Plan and (B) with the Purchaser Parties, less (ii) the benefit such Midwest Gen Union Employee is entitled to receive under the terms of the EIX Midwest Gen Plan then in effect and based on such employees credited service under the EIX Midwest Gen Plan as of the Closing Date.
(l) EME and Parent acknowledge and agree that all provisions contained in this Section 9.6(l) are included for the sole benefit of EME, Parent and Purchaser, and that nothing contained herein, express or implied, is intended to (i) confer upon any Person (including any Business Employee) any right to continued employment for any period or continued receipt of any specific employee benefit, (ii) constitute an amendment to or any other modification of any employee benefit plan, program or agreement of any kind or (iii) create any third party beneficiary or other rights in any other Person, including any Business Employees (or representatives thereof), former Business Employees, any participant in any benefit plan or any dependent or beneficiary thereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as limiting the power of Parent, Purchaser, any Acquired Company or any of their Affiliates to amend or terminate any particular employee benefit plan, program, agreement or policy.
9.7 Directors and Officers Indemnification. Following the Closing until the six (6) year anniversary thereof, Parent shall (a) cause the Acquired Companies not to amend, repeal or otherwise modify the Acquired Companies constitutive documents as in effect at the Closing, in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who are or were directors or officers of the Acquired Companies and (b) cause the Acquired Companies to honor and pay, the indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation provisions of each of the Acquired Companies constitutive documents as in effect at the Closing, in any manner; provided, that all rights to indemnification in respect of any action pending or asserted or any claim made within such period shall continue until the disposition of such action or resolution of such claim. Parent shall not cancel or otherwise reduce coverage under any tail insurance policies purchased by the Acquired Companies prior to the Closing; provided that no payments shall be required of the Acquired Companies or the Purchaser Parties with respect to such policies after the Closing.
9.8 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, each of the Parties hereto shall pay its own expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including any legal, accounting, banking, consulting and advisory fees, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the performance of their respective obligations hereunder or otherwise required by applicable Law. EME shall bear fees and expenses of its Related Persons and on behalf of the Supporting Noteholders and the UCC and otherwise in accordance with the Plan.
9.9 Support Obligations.
(a) The Purchaser Parties recognize that EME has provided credit support to and/or on behalf of the Acquired Companies and the Business and may have to (but shall not be obligated to) provide other credit support in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the Support Obligations). Effective on the Closing Date, Purchaser shall either (i) cause EME to receive a full and unconditional release of each of the Support Obligations set forth on Schedule 9.9 or otherwise provided after the date of this Agreement (the Closing Support Obligations) or (ii) fully cash collateralize or provide a letter of credit for each of the Closing Support Obligations which is not released at the Closing for the benefit of EME; provided that Purchaser shall not have any obligations in respect of a Closing Support Obligation to the extent the credit support was included in the calculation of Closing Cash. As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall use reasonable best efforts to effect the full and unconditional release of EME from all Closing Support Obligations which are cash collateralized or supported with a letter of credit instead of released at the Closing, as well as any other Support Obligations which remain outstanding (the Remaining Support Obligations). EME shall, and shall cause the Acquired Subsidiaries to, cooperate as reasonably requested by the Purchaser Parties in Purchaser Parties efforts to obtain such releases from the Support Obligations; provided that (a) no such cooperation shall require EME or any other Person to expend any money, grant any concession or institute any Legal Proceeding, and (b) receipt of any release shall not be a condition to Closing for the Purchaser Parties and nor shall the Purchaser Parties be entitled to delay the Closing while awaiting any release.
(b) Purchaser and EME shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the Remaining Support Obligations to terminate and redeliver to EME as soon as practicable, each original copy of each original guaranty, letter of credit or other instrument constituting or evidencing such Remaining Support Obligations, as well as to redeliver to EME and its Affiliates or lenders, as applicable, any cash collateral in respect of the Remaining Support Obligations which was originally provided by EME and such Affiliates or lenders, and to take such other actions as may be required to terminate such Remaining Support Obligations.
(c) For so long as the Remaining Support Obligations are outstanding, Purchaser shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless EME from and against any and all Losses incurred by any such indemnified Persons in connection with the Remaining Support Obligations.
(d) It is acknowledged and agreed that, among other things, the Closing Support Obligations include the EME guarantee and Tax indemnity agreements provided in connection with the PoJo Leases and Documents and that Purchaser shall take such actions such that, at the Closing, it shall execute and deliver to the appropriate counterparties thereto, a Tax indemnity agreement and guarantee in substantially the form executed by EME, or as otherwise agreed by the PoJo Parties, and take such other actions and execute such other agreements as necessary to cause EME to be released from all Support Obligations with respect to the PoJo Leases and Documents. At the Closing, Parent shall provide an irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of all payments and performance of all obligations of Purchaser with respect to such guarantee and Tax indemnity agreement for the benefit of the PoJo Parties.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, during the period from the date of the PSA Order until the Closing Date, Purchaser shall have the right to contact and have discussions with each beneficiary of a Support Obligation in order to satisfy its obligations under this Section 9.9; provided that (i) Purchaser shall give EME prior written notice before making any such contact, (ii) EME shall have the right to have one of its representatives present on the telephone line or in person, as applicable, during any such contact or discussion, and (iii) Purchaser shall cause such representatives to comply with all procedures and protocols regarding such contacts and discussions that may be reasonably established by EME and delivered to Purchaser in writing.
9.10 Litigation Support.
(a) In the event and for so long as any Party or any of its Affiliates or any of its or their Related Persons actively is contesting or defending against any Legal Proceeding in connection with (i) any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or (ii) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving EME, any Homer City Debtor, any Acquired Company or the Business (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, litigation between the Parties with respect to this Agreement or the Transaction), the other Parties will reasonably cooperate with the contesting or defending Party and its counsel in the contest or defense, make available its personnel, and provide such testimony and access to its books and records as shall be necessary in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and expense of the contesting or defending Party.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 9.10(a), the Parties agree that the EIX Litigation will be prosecuted and controlled by EME (as reorganized pursuant to the Plan). Purchaser shall not (i) seek any term, or the implementation of any term in any manner, that requires the approval, consent or cooperation of any EIX Litigation Party, or gives any EIX Litigation Party a veto right, such that any EIX Litigation Party could demand the settlement or reduction in value of the EIX Litigation; or (ii) take any other action that would undermine the conduct of the EIX Litigation by EME. To the extent that any Acquired Company is a necessary party for purposes of the successful pursuit of the EIX Litigation by EME, Purchaser will require such Acquired Company to reasonably cooperate with reorganized EME, as applicable, as necessary or desirable for such successful pursuit; provided, however, that reorganized EME shall reimburse such Acquired Company for the reasonable out of pocket costs it incurs in connection with such cooperation.
9.11 Cancellation of Intercompany Accounts. EME and Purchaser agree that, as provided in the Plan, (a) EME shall be released of all obligations and Liabilities in respect of the MWG Intercompany Notes as of the Closing and (b) all intercompany payables and Liabilities between EME or any of the Homer City Debtors, on the one hand, and an Acquired Company, on the other hand (such intercompany payables and Liabilities, the Intercompany Accounts) shall be settled, cancelled or rendered unenforceable at or prior to the Closing in accordance with the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, no EIX Litigation Claims shall be impacted through cancellation of the Intercompany Accounts.
9.12 Post-Closing Record Retention and Access. Each of Purchaser and EME shall keep and preserve in an organized and retrievable manner, at the headquarters for the Business or any other location at which a portion of the Business is conducted and any such books or records are stored (in the case of Purchaser) and at the headquarters of EME (in the case of EME) the books and records in its possession for seven (7) years from the Closing Date. Upon expiration of such period for any specific books and records pertaining to the Business, each Party shall notify the other of its request to make copies of or take possession of such books and records and shall be provided reasonable opportunity to do so at the requesting Partys sole cost. While such books and records remain in existence, each Party shall allow the other Parties, their representatives, attorneys and accountants, at the requesting Partys expense, access to the books and records upon reasonable request and advance notice and during normal business hours, subject to the Confidentiality Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from and after the Closing, each Party shall provide the other Parties and their Affiliates and their authorized representatives with reasonable access (for the purpose of examining and copying), during normal business hours, to any books and records and other materials relating to periods prior to the Closing Date (a) in connection with general business purposes, whether or not relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (including the preparation of Tax Returns, amended Tax Returns or claim for refund (and any materials necessary for the preparation of any of the foregoing), or in each case pro formas thereof) and financial statements for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (b) in connection with the management and handling of any Legal Proceeding, whether such Legal Proceeding is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder, and (c) to comply with the rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service, the SEC or any other Governmental Authority; provided that nothing herein shall require any Party or their Affiliates to provide access to or disclose any information if such access or disclosure would be in violation of applicable Laws or regulations of any Governmental Authority. The obligations of the respective Parties with respect to such records shall include maintaining, for at least the retention period specified above, computer systems permitting access (subject to applicable Laws or regulations of any Governmental Authority) to any of such records which are stored in electronic form in a fashion which is not less efficient than current access methods.
9.13 Insurance. From and after the Closing, Purchaser shall, to the extent commercially practicable, assist EME and the Homer City Debtors in submitting all general liability and casualty loss claims or other claims against or relating to EME, the Homer City Debtors and/or any of their Affiliates that are not Acquired Companies for which insurance coverage is then available to any such Persons under any insurance policies owned by or transferred to any of the Acquired Companies prior to the Closing (collectively, the Transferred Policies) for coverage under the Transferred Policies to the extent such claims relate to events occurring prior to the Closing (subject to deductibles, self-insured retentions and policy limits of such Transferred Policies) (each such claim, a Covered EME Claim); provided that Covered EME Claims shall also include claims of Acquired Companies under Transferred Policies to the extent relating to Excluded Liabilities. After the Closing, Purchaser shall, or shall cause its Affiliates to, permit EME and its Affiliates to submit such Covered EME Claims for processing in accordance with the Transferred Policies to the same extent as such Persons were entitled prior to the Closing. It is understood and agreed that EME shall be responsible for satisfying any deductibles, self-insured retentions and other retained amounts on insurance coverage with respect to such Covered EME Claims made by EME. Purchaser and its Subsidiaries shall provide EME and its Affiliates with reasonable cooperation regarding the processing of any Covered EME Claim. Purchaser shall provide EME with sixty (60) days prior written notice of cancellation of any Transferred Policy (other than an expiration in accordance with its terms).
9.14 Use of Name and Trademarks. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event more than sixty (60) days thereafter, the name of each Acquired Company that includes the name Edison shall be changed to names that do not include Edison or the other names, marks or logos set forth on Schedule 9.14, whether alone or in combination with any other words, phrases or designs or any derivatives, abbreviations, acronyms or other formatives based on or including any of the foregoing or any marks or logos confusingly similar thereto (collectively, the Edison Marks) and Purchaser shall not use the Edison Marks (including in any domain names or in any signage or rolling stock). The Parties shall discuss in good faith mechanisms such that use of the Edison Marks will cease at or prior to Closing or, failing that, a date sooner than the prescribed above.
9.15 Certain Arrangements. From the date hereof and until the entry of the Confirmation Order, unless EME otherwise agrees in writing and except as may be required by the terms of this Agreement and other than the Plan Sponsor Agreement and Parents arrangements with Barclays and Deutsche Bank in connection with this Transaction, neither Parent or Purchaser nor their respective Affiliates or any of their or their Affiliates respective Related Persons shall enter into any Contract, undertaking, commitment, agreement or obligation, whether written or oral, with any member of the management of EME, the Homer City Debtors or any of the Acquired Companies or the board or directors of EME (except as provided in Section 9.6), any holder of equity or debt securities of EME or the Acquired Companies, or any lender or creditor of EME or the Acquired Companies (a) relating in any way to the acquisition of the Target Holdings or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (b) that would be reasonably likely to prevent, restrict, impede or affect adversely the ability of EME to entertain, negotiate or consummate any Acquisition Proposal.
9.16 Parent Guarantee. Parent hereby agrees to cause Purchaser to comply with and perform each and every of its covenants and agreements hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent agrees to cause Purchaser to pay the Estimated Cash Purchase Price, the Stock Purchase Price and other amounts required to be paid by Purchaser hereunder, in each case when required hereunder. Parent agrees that such guarantee is a guarantee of payment and performance, and not of collection, and that EME and each Homer City Debtor are entitled to enforce this Agreement and may proceed directly against Parent, whether or not it has instituted a Legal Proceeding against the Purchaser and whether or not such Legal Proceeding has been resolved. Purchaser covenants and agrees that, from and after the Closing, it shall cause each of its post-Closing Subsidiaries and the Acquired Companies to comply with each of the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to which it is party or subject.
9.17 Non-Solicitation and No-Hire. From the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the first anniversary of the date hereof and (b) the Closing Date, each Purchaser Party will not, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment or engagement or employ or engage any individual who is now or was during the six months prior to such proposed solicitation, hire or engagement, engaged or employed by EME, any Homer City Debtor and any Acquired Company, without obtaining the prior written consent of EME; provided that, the restrictions in this Section 9.17 shall continue to apply after the Closing Date with respect to the employees listed on Schedule 9.17. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall restrict or preclude any Purchaser Partys or its Subsidiaries right to make generalized searches for employees by use of advertisements in any medium or to engage firms to conduct such searches, so long as such search firms do not target or focus on EME or the Acquired Companies, or to employ or engage any individual who (i) is not or was not a management-level employee or key employee of EME, any Homer City Debtor and/or any Acquired Company, and (ii) either (a) with whom neither Purchaser Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (nor any Related Persons on their behalf) had substantive contact, directly or indirectly, or who were specifically identified to such Purchaser Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective Related Persons during the period of its investigation of EME and evaluation of the Transaction, or (b) approached the Purchaser Party or its Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, from and after the date the Disclosure Statement Order is entered, nothing in this Section 9.17 shall prohibit Parent, Purchaser or any of their respective Affiliates from taking any action permitted by Section 9.6 hereof.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may be amended or any provision of this Agreement may be waived; provided that any amendment or, except as provided in Section 7.1, waiver shall be binding only if such amendment or waiver is set forth in a writing executed by the Party against whom enforcement is sought. No course of dealing between or among any Persons having any interest in this Agreement shall be deemed effective to modify, amend or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any Person under or by reason of this Agreement. Any waiver by any Party of any condition, or of the breach of any provision, term, covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, is not deemed to be nor construed as a furthering or continuing waiver of any such condition, or of the breach of any other provision, term, covenant, representation or warranty of this Agreement.
10.2 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) if personally delivered, on the date of delivery, (b) if delivered by express courier service of international standing (with charges prepaid), on the first Business Day following the date of delivery to such courier service, (c) if deposited in the United States mail, first-class postage prepaid, on the fifth Business Day following the date of such deposit, or (d) if delivered by facsimile, upon confirmation of successful transmission, (i) on the date of such transmission, if such transmission is completed at or prior to 5:00 p.m., local time of the recipient Party on a Business Day, on the date of such transmission, and (ii) on the next Business Day following the date of transmission, if such transmission is completed after 5:00 p.m., local time of the recipient Party, on the date of such transmission or is transmitted on a day that is not a Business Day. All notices, demands and other communications hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the Party to receive such notice:
Notices to EME: |
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Edison Mission Energy 3 MacArthur Place, Suite 100 Santa Ana, California 92707 Attention: President Telephone: (714) 513-8000 Facsimile: (949) 225-7700 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: |
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Kirkland & Ellis LLP David R. Seligman, P.C. |
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to counsel for the UCC at: |
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP One Bryant Park New York, New York 10036 Attn: Ira S. Dizengoff and Arik Preis Fax: (212) 872-1002
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Attn: James R. Savin Fax: (202) 887-4288 |
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to counsel for the Supporting Noteholders at: |
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Ropes & Gray LLP 1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 Attn.: Keith H. Wofford Fax: 212.596.9090
and |
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Ropes & Gray LLP 800 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02199 Attn.: Stephen Moeller-Sally Fax: 617.951.7050 |
Notices to Purchaser Parties: |
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NRG Energy, Inc. 211 Carnegie Center Princeton, NJ 08540-6213 Attention: Brian Curci Telephone: 609.524.5171 Facsimile: 609.524.4501 |
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: |
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Baker Botts L.L.P. 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004-2400 Attention: Elaine M. Walsh Telephone: 202.639.1141 Facsimile: 202.585.1042
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Baker Botts L.L.P. 2001 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201 Attention: C. Luckey McDowell Telephone: 214.953.6571 Facsimile: 214.661.4571 |
10.3 Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns; provided that neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned (including by operation of Law) by a Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties. For all purposes hereof, a transfer, sale or disposition of a majority of the voting capital stock or other voting interests of a Party (whether by contract or otherwise) shall be deemed an assignment hereunder. No assignment, even if consented to, of any obligations hereunder shall relieve the Purchaser Parties of any of their respective obligations under this Agreement, including their obligation to pay the Cash Purchase Price and the Stock Purchase Price and assume the Assumed Liabilities.
10.4 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. In the event that any part of this Agreement is declared by any court or other judicial or administrative body to be null, void or unenforceable, said provision survives to the extent it is not so declared, and all of the other provisions of this Agreement remain in full force and effect only if, after excluding the portion deemed to be unenforceable, the remaining terms provide for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in substantially the same manner as originally set forth at the later of the date this Agreement was executed or last amended.
10.5 Mutual Drafting. This Agreement is the result of the joint efforts of EME and Purchaser, and each of them and their respective counsel have reviewed this Agreement and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of the Parties, and the language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent, and therefore there shall be no construction against either Party based on any presumption of that Partys involvement in the drafting thereof.
10.6 Captions. The captions used in this Agreement and descriptions of the Schedules are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit, characterize or in any way affect any provision of this Agreement, and all provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced and construed as if no caption or description of the Schedules had been used in this Agreement.
10.7 Complete Agreement. The Confidentiality Agreement, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements contain the complete agreement between the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede and replace all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, with regard to such transactions. No such prior understandings, agreements or representations, including any earlier drafts of this Agreement, shall affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The Schedules and any documents and instruments delivered pursuant to any provision hereof are expressly made a part of this Agreement as fully as though completely set forth herein.
10.8 Schedules. The disclosures in the Schedules are qualified in their entirety by reference to specific provisions of this Agreement, and are not intended to constitute, and shall not constitute, representations or warranties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in the Schedules, each Section of the Schedules shall be deemed to qualify the corresponding Section of this Agreement and any other Section of this Agreement to which the application of such disclosure is reasonably apparent on its face (including with respect to a particular representation and warranty that may not make a reference to the Schedules). The inclusion of information in the Schedules shall not be construed as or constitute an admission or agreement that such information is material to EME, its Subsidiaries or the Business or that such information constitutes a violation of applicable Laws or a breach of any Contract. In addition, matters reflected in the Schedules are not necessarily limited to matters required by this Agreement to be reflected in the Schedules. Such additional matters are set forth for informational purposes only and do not necessarily include other matters of a similar nature. Neither the specifications of any dollar amount in any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement nor the inclusion of any specific item in the Schedules is intended to imply that such amount, or higher or lower amounts, or the item so included or other items, are or are not material or would or would not cause, or be expected to cause, a Material Adverse Effect, and no Party shall use the fact of the setting forth of any such amount or the inclusion of any such item in any dispute or controversy between the Parties as to whether any obligation, item or matter not described herein or included in the Schedules is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement. Further, neither the specification of any item or matter in any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement nor the inclusion of any specific item in the Schedules is intended to imply that such item or matter, or other items or matters, are or are not in the ordinary course of business, and no Party shall use the fact of setting forth or the inclusion of any such items or matter in any dispute or controversy between the Parties as to whether any obligation, item or matter not described herein or included in the Schedules is or is not in the ordinary course of business for purposes of this Agreement.
10.9 No Additional Representations; Disclaimer.
(a) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that none of the other Parties hereto, nor any Person acting on behalf of any Party hereto or any of their respective Affiliates or representatives has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or assets, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or as and to the extent required by this Agreement to be set forth in the Schedules. Purchaser further agrees that none of EME nor any of its Affiliates or representatives will have or be subject to any liability to Purchaser or any other Person resulting from the distribution to Purchaser, or Purchasers use of, any such information and any information, document or material made available to Purchaser or its Affiliates or representatives in connection with the Transactions.
(b) Each Party acknowledges and agrees that except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 5 and Article 6, the Transaction is being consummated AS IS, WHERE IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, QUALITY, CONDITION, USAGE, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR INTENDED USE OR OTHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that it is consummating the Transaction without any representation or warranty, express or implied, by the other Parties hereto or any of their Affiliates or representatives, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 5 and Article 6 hereof.
(c) Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (i) it has not relied on any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of EME or its respective Related Persons, other than the express representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of EME set forth in Article 5, (ii) Purchaser has made its own investigation of the Target Holdings and Assumed Liabilities and, based on such investigation and its own conclusions derived from such investigation, has elected to proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) no material or information provided by or communications made by (or on behalf of) EME or its Affiliates or their respective Related Persons will create any representation or warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, with respect to the Target Holdings and the title thereto, the operation of the Target Holdings, the Assumed Liabilities, the Business or the prospects (financial and otherwise), risks and other incidents of the Business.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including by means of telecopied or electronically transmitted signature pages), all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
10.11 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; ARBITRATION. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH ANCILLARY AGREEMENT (AND ANY CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, ACTIONS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE HERETO OR THERETO, TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY, TO THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF, OR TO THE INDUCEMENT OF ANY PARTY TO ENTER HEREIN AND THEREIN, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER PREDICATED ON COMMON LAW, STATUTE OR OTHERWISE) SHALL IN ALL RESPECTS BE CONSTRUED, PERFORMED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF, AND WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH COMMERCIAL NEXUS IN A DELAWARE COUNTY), EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE ARE SUPERSEDED BY THE BANKRUPTCY CODE. FOR SO LONG AS EME IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT, THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY ELECT AS THE SOLE JUDICIAL FORUM FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY MATTERS ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH ANCILLARY AGREEMENT (AND ANY CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, ACTIONS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE HERETO OR THERETO, TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY, TO THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR PERFORMANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF, OR TO THE INDUCEMENT OF ANY PARTY TO ENTER HEREIN AND THEREIN, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER PREDICATED ON COMMON LAW, STATUTE OR OTHERWISE), AND CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF, THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. ALL DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE BANKRUPTCY COURT (UNLESS THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS SPECIFY TO THE CONTRARY) AS LONG AS EME IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT. IN THAT CONTEXT, AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EACH OF EME AND PURCHASER BY THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY: (1) SUBMITS FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY ACTION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN THE BANKRUPTCY COURT; (2) CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH ACTION MAY AND SHALL BE BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OR JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH ACTION IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH ACTION WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME; (3) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL), POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH SERVICE AGENT (AS DEFINED BELOW) ON BEHALF OF PURCHASER AT SERVICE AGENTS ADDRESS PROVIDED BELOW; AND (4) AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY (i) TO THE EXTENT THE BANKRUPTCY COURT REFUSES TO HEAR ANY CASE, ACTION OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, AND/OR AFTER EME IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR IF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OTHERWISE PERMITS, THEN (ii) SUCH CASE OR DISPUTE SHALL THEN BE FINALLY SETTLED BY BINDING ARBITRATION IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS UNDER THE RULES OF ARBITRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BY ONE ARBITRATOR APPOINTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAID RULES IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT PRECLUDE ANY CLAIM FOR SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR OTHER INJUNCTIVE RELIEF FROM BEING ASSERTED IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IF THE CONDITIONS IN CLAUSE (i) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ARE OTHERWISE SATISFIED.
10.12 Payments Under Agreement. Each Party agrees that all amounts required to be paid hereunder shall be paid in United States currency and without discount, rebate or reduction and subject to no counterclaim or offset on the dates specified herein (with time being of the essence).
10.13 Third-Party Beneficiaries and Obligations. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Each of the Supporting Noteholders, the PoJo Parties and the UCC are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and have the right to enforce the terms of this Agreement against the Parties; provided that the rights under this sentence shall terminate and be of no further force or effect automatically upon termination of the Plan Support Agreement for any reason. Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall confer upon any Person other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, other than (a) the provisions of this Agreement which are specifically for the benefit of the Related Persons of EME and the Homer City Debtors, each of which is an express third-party beneficiary of each such provision, entitled to enforce such provision in accordance with its terms and (b) current and former officers, directors and employees are express third-party beneficiaries of Section 9.7, entitled to enforce the terms thereof in accordance with their terms.
10.14 Waiver of Bulk Sales Laws. Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that neither EME nor any of its Subsidiaries will comply with, and hereby waives compliance by EME and its Subsidiaries with, any bulk sales, bulk transfer or similar Law relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.
10.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
10.16 Relationship of Parties. Except as specifically provided herein, none of the Parties will act or represent or hold itself out as having authority to act as an agent or partner of the other Parties or in any way bind or commit the other Parties to any obligations or agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement will be construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, agency, trust, fiduciary relationship or other association of any kind, each Party being individually responsible only for its obligations as set forth in this Agreement. The Parties respective rights and obligations hereunder are limited to the contractual rights and obligations expressly set forth herein on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
10.17 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that irreparable damage for which damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement (including the taking of such actions as are required of such Party hereunder to consummate and cause the consummation of the Transaction) were not performed by such Party in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached by any Party. It is accordingly agreed that each Party shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it, whether at Law or in equity, including monetary damages, except as limited by this Agreement) to seek and obtain (a) an Order of specific performance or other equitable relief to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant or obligation, and (b) an injunction or other equitable relief restraining such breach or threatened breach, in each case without proof of damages or otherwise; provided that, without limiting the termination rights of each Party pursuant to Section 7.1, prior to termination of this Agreement, EME shall seek specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief prior to seeking monetary damages from the Purchaser Parties. The Parties further agree that the provisions of Section 7.2 are not intended to and do not adequately compensate for the harm that would result from a breach of this Agreement and shall not be construed to diminish or otherwise impair in any respect any partys right to specific enforcement and that the rights granted under this Section 10.17 are an integral part of this Agreement and that the Parties would not have executed and delivered this Agreement without the provisions of this Section 10.17 and the rights granted to such Party hereunder. Each Party further agrees that neither party shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 10.17. Each Party agrees that it waives the defense that there is an adequate remedy at Law, or that any award of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable relief is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or in equity, with respect to any claim pursued pursuant to this Section 10.17. After valid termination of this Agreement, the right of specific performance provided for in Section 10.17 shall only be available with respect to the Surviving Provisions.
10.18 Usage.
(a) Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation.
(b) Words denoting any gender shall include all genders. Where a word is defined herein, references to the singular shall include references to the plural and vice versa.
(c) A reference to any Party to this Agreement or any other agreement or document shall include such Partys successors and permitted assigns.
(d) All references to $ and dollars shall be deemed to refer to United States currency unless otherwise specifically provided.
(e) All references to a day or days shall be deemed to refer to a calendar day or calendar days, as applicable, unless otherwise specifically provided.
(f) Any reference to any agreement or contract referenced herein or in the Schedules shall be a reference to such agreement or contract, as amended, modified, supplemented or waived.
(g) The phrase to the extent means the degree by which and not if.
(h) The definitions on Annex I are incorporated into this Agreement as if fully set forth at length herein and all references to a Section in such Annex I are references to such Section of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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EDISON MISSION ENERGY |
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/s/ Pedro Pizarro |
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By: Pedro Pizarro |
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Its: President |
Asset Purchase Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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NRG ENERGY, INC. |
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/s/ Christopher S. Sotos |
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By: Christopher S. Sotos |
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Its: SVP Strategy and M&A |
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NRG ENERGY HOLDINGS INC. |
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/s/ Christopher S. Sotos |
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By: Christopher S. Sotos |
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Its: Vice President |
Asset Purchase Agreement
ANNEX 1
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Acceptable Appraiser means an independent third-party appraiser mutually agreed by both Parties or, if such agreement is not reached within 10 Business Days after demand therefor by either Party, by the Bankruptcy Court upon petition of either Party.
Accounting Principles means (i) in the case of Closing Cash, the accounting principles, methodologies, practices, estimation techniques, assumptions, policies and other principles used in the calculation of the various components of Cash in the preparation of the consolidated balance sheet for EME and its Subsidiaries included with EMEs Form 10Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 and (ii) in the case of Closing Debt, the accounting principles, methodologies, practices, estimation techniques, assumptions, policies and other principles used in the calculation of the various components of Debt in the preparation of the July monthly operating report for EME and its Subsidiaries filed with the Bankruptcy Court; provided that such monthly report is, with respect to the components of Debt, prepared consistent with GAAP.
Acquired Companies shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Acquired Company Employee means any individual who is employed by an Acquired Company as of the Closing Date.
Acquisition Proposal means, other than with respect to any assets proposed to be included as part of any Permitted Asset Disposal, any Non-Core Assets, any Excluded Assets or any assets that EME or any Acquired Company is required to sell, transfer or convey as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation, any bona fide proposal or offer relating to (a) a merger, joint venture, partnership, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, tender offer (including a self-tender offer), recapitalization (including a leveraged recapitalization or extraordinary dividend), reorganization, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving EME (or any Acquired Company or Acquired Companies), (b) the acquisition of outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of EME, (c) the acquisition, outside of the ordinary course of business, of assets of EME (or any Acquired Company or Acquired Companies), including, for this purpose, the outstanding assets and equity interests of the Acquired Companies, or (d) any other transaction the consummation of which would reasonably be expected to interfere with or prevent the Transactions, and in each case other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Additional Conveyance Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
Additional Liabilities Assumption Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
Adjusted Base Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
Affiliate means any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified, and the term control (including the terms controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Affiliated Group means any affiliated group within the meaning of Code § 1504(a) or any similar group defined under a similar provision of state, local, or foreign Law.
Agreed Incremental Tax Attribute Value shall have the meaning set forth in a Tax Attributes Agreement, if any.
Agreed PoJo Cure Amount means (i) the sum of all amounts due under the Facility Leases, including, without limitation, all accrued and unpaid (x) Basic Lease Rent due and payable on any Rent Payment Date occurring prior to the Plan Effective Date (including interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest at the Overdue Rate) and (y) Supplemental Lease Rent minus (ii) the sum of all payments made in respect of Rent pursuant to any forbearance, extension, or other agreement with any of the PoJo Parties including the Initial Payment made under the Forbearance Agreement by and among the PoJo Parties dated December 16, 2012. Capitalized terms used in this definition but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the PoJo Leases and Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that the Agreed PoJo Cure-Amount is reflected on, and will be calculated as set forth on, Exhibit F.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Allowed means (i) a Claim or interest that is (a) listed in the bankruptcy schedules filed in the Chapter 11 Cases as of the Plan Effective Date as not disputed, not contingent, and not unliquidated, or (b) evidenced by a valid proof of claim, filed by the applicable bar date and no longer subject to EME or any Debtor Subsidiary or Purchaser Parties rights to file an objection to such proof of claim, or (ii) a Claim that is expressly allowed pursuant to the Plan or any stipulation approved by or as otherwise set forth in a Final Order of the Bankruptcy Court.
Alternative Acquisition Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a).
Ancillary Agreements means the Plan, the PSA Order, and the Confirmation Order, the agreements among the Parties contemplated thereby, and any other agreement to be entered into by the Parties or their Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or after the date hereof.
Antitrust Law means, collectively, the HSR Act, title 15 of the United States Code §§ 1-7, as amended (the Sherman Act), Title 15 of the United States Code §§ 12-27 and Title 29 of the United States Code §§ 52-53, as amended (the Clayton Act), the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C.§ 41 et seq.), as amended, the Anti-Monopoly Law and its implementing regulations, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other Laws and Orders that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition, as such of the foregoing are enacted and in effect as of the date hereof, including any International Competition Laws.
Asset Sale Treatment shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
Assumed Contract shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c).
Assumed Contracts List shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c).
Assumed Liabilities means the EME Assumed Liabilities and the Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities.
Assumed Rejection Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(c).
Available Contract List shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).
Available Contracts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).
Available Contracts Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b).
Available Credit Facilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
Available Proceeds means insurance proceeds or condemnation awards paid to EME and/or an Acquired Company in respect of a Casualty or Condemnation Loss and, after the Closing, Purchaser and/or an Acquired Company that, as of the Closing Date, has not yet been spent on repairs or restoration or otherwise reinvested in operating assets.
Bankruptcy Code means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
Bankruptcy Court means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois or such other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases originally administered in the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Northern District of Illinois.
Bankruptcy Rules means the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Base Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
Basic Lease Rent shall have the meaning given to such term in the PoJo Leases and Operative Documents.
Benefit Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(d).
Break-Up Fee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).
Business means the power generation business, including wind, gas, and coal, and energy marketing and trading business of EME and its Subsidiaries.
Business Day means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday, or any other date on which banks located in Chicago, Illinois are closed for business as a result of federal, state or local holiday.
Business Employee means any current or former employee of EME or any Acquired Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any individual who (i) is not actively at work by reason of illness, paid time off, short-term disability, long-term disability, workers compensation or other leave of absence or (ii) is, or is expected to become, an employee of EME or any Acquired Company) or who is otherwise set forth on Schedule A-1.
Cash means the sum, without duplication, of (i) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and margin and collateral deposits of EME and the Acquired Companies to the extent the same would be included on a consolidated balance sheet for EME prepared using the Accounting Principles and (ii) to the extent not included in (i), the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and margin and collateral deposits of any Partially-Owned Company multiplied by the percentage of outstanding equity interests of such Partially-Owned Company owned (before giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby), directly or indirectly, by EME; provided that, for purposes of clause (ii) foregoing, to the extent that there is more than one class of equity, the portion that would be received by EME or any of its Subsidiaries if such aggregate amount was distributed at the time of determination in complete liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Partially-Owned Company.
Cash Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
Cash Target means the amount equal to (a) $1,063,000,000, minus (b) the aggregate amount paid by EME or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Basic Lease Rent due and payable on or after January 2, 2014, plus (c) the Available Proceeds received in respect of a Casualty or Condemnation Loss, plus (d) the proceeds received in the event that EME or any Acquired Company is required to sell, transfer or convey assets as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation.
Casualty or Condemnation Loss means an Event of Loss or a Taking.
Chapter 11 Cases shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Chevron Litigation means the adversary proceeding styled Chevron Kern River Co. v. Southern Sierra Energy Co., No. 12-01954 (JPC) (Bankr. N.D. Ill.), the appeal styled Chevron Kern River Co. v. Southern Sierra Energy Co., No. 13-00848 (CRN) (N.D. Ill.), together with any related appeals, and any other contested matter or dispute arising in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases (including litigation stemming from Debtors motion to assume gas partnership agreements) between or among: Southern Sierra Energy Company, Western Sierra Energy Company, any of the other Debtors, or any of the Non-Debtor Subsidiaries, on one hand; and Chevron Corporation or any Affiliated thereof, on the other.
Claims means all claims, defenses, cross claims, counter claims, debts, suits, remedies, liabilities, demands, rights, obligations, damages, expenses, rights to refunds, reimbursement, recovery, indemnification or contribution, attorneys or other professionals fees and causes of action whatsoever, whether based on or sounding in or alleging (in whole or in part) tort, contract, negligence, gross negligence, strict liability, bad faith, contribution, subrogation, respondeat superior, violations of federal or state securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty, any other legal theory or otherwise, whether individual, class, direct or derivative in nature, liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent, whether at Law or in equity, whether based on federal, state or foreign law or right of action, foreseen or unforeseen, mature or not mature, known or unknown, disputed or undisputed, accrued or not accrued, contingent or absolute (including all causes of action arising under Sections 510, 544 through 551 and 553 of the Bankruptcy Code or under similar state Laws including fraudulent conveyance claims, and all other causes of action of a trustee and debtor-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code) or rights of set-off.
Closing shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.9.
Closing Cash means the excess of (i) amount of Cash as of 12:00 a.m. on the Closing Date, minus (ii) the amount of Cash specifically associated with the Non-Core Assets as of such time, but specifically excludes any Cash received by EME or any of the Acquired Companies with respect to the sale, transfer or conveyance of any such Non-Core Assets after the date hereof and prior to such time. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of Cash specifically associated with the Non-Core Projects at March 31, 2013 was approximately $5,100,000 and it is intended that clause (ii) of this definition would be calculated in a manner consistent therewith.
Closing Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.9.
Closing Debt means the aggregate amount of Debt as of 12:00 a.m. on the Closing Date.
Closing Support Obligations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(a).
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Collective Bargaining Agreements means a collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement covering any Acquired Company Employee, as may be amended from time to time.
Condemnation Value means the value (as determined by an Acceptable Appraiser) of the property subject to a Taking, less any condemnation award received by EME or any of an Acquired Company.
Confidentiality Agreement shall mean that certain confidentiality agreement dated September 30, 2013 between EME and Purchaser.
Confirmation Hearing means a hearing in front of the Bankruptcy Court seeking approval of the Confirmation Order.
Confirmation Order shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).
Contract means any contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, loan, instrument, lease, license, commitment or other arrangement, understanding, undertaking, commitment or obligation, whether written or oral, other than Real Property Leases.
Covered EME Claim shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.
Cure Amount Objection Deadline shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(b).
Cure Amounts means, with respect to any Available Contract, the amount of cash necessary to pay in full and otherwise satisfy in full all amounts and other consideration that pursuant to Sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code shall be required to cure any defaults on the part of EME or the Acquired Companies pursuant to such Available Contract as a prerequisite to the assignment and assumption of such Available Contract pursuant to Sections 365 and 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, as such amount is finally determined pursuant to Section 4.5.
Days Off Accrual shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(h).
Debt means the aggregate principal amount of debt for borrowed money of EMEs Subsidiaries to the extent the same would be included on a consolidated balance sheet for EME prepared using the Accounting Principles; provided that Debt shall not include (a) any debt for borrowed money or other liability of MWG and its Subsidiaries (including any MWG Permitted Debt), (b) any intercompany indebtedness (including any debt for borrowed money owed by any Acquired Company to any other Acquired Company) or (c) any Excluded Liabilities.
Debt Target means $1,545,000,000, minus any Debt transferred or being transferred (including through the sale of a Person holding such Debt) in connection with the sale, conveyance or transfer of any Permitted Asset Disposal, or the sale, conveyance or transfer of any Non-Core Asset minus in the event that EME or any Acquired Company is required to sell, transfer or convey assets as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation, any Debt transferred or being transferred (including through the sale of a Person holding such Debt) in connection with the sale, transfer or conveyance of such asset, and minus the Debt amortization specifically with respect to any Non-Core Assets after the date of this Agreement and prior to 12:00 a.m. on the Closing Date.
Debtor Subsidiaries means Camino Energy Company, Chestnut Ridge Energy Company, Edison Mission Energy Fuel Services, LLC, Edison Mission Finance Co., Edison Mission Fuel Resources, Inc., Edison Mission Fuel Transportation, Inc., Edison Mission Holdings Co., EME Homer City Generation L.P., Edison Mission Midwest Holdings Co., Homer City Property Holdings, Inc., Mission Energy Westside, Inc., Midwest Finance Corp., Midwest Generation EME, LLC, MWG, Midwest Generation Procurement Services, LLC, Midwest Peaker Holdings, Inc., San Joaquin Energy Company, Southern Sierra Energy Company, Western Sierra Energy Company and each other Acquired Company that files as a debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases.
Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(c).
Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Rejection Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(c).
Deemed Disclosed means (i) the document or information was disclosed in a filing made by or on behalf of EME or any of its Subsidiaries in the Chapter 11 Cases prior to the date hereof or (ii) the document or information was included in an EME SEC Report.
Disclosure Statement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
Disclosure Statement Order shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
Edison Marks shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.14.
EIX means Edison International, Inc., a California corporation.
EIX 401(k) Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(j).
EIX Litigation Claims means that term as defined in the Plan Term Sheet.
EIX Litigation Parties means that term as defined in the Plan Term Sheet.
EIX Midwest Gen Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(j).
Eligible Employees means (i) current employees of EME (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Acquired Company Employees) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any individual who (A) is not actively at work by reason of illness, paid time off, short-term disability or other leave of absence or (B) is, or is expected to become, an employee of EME), or (ii) any employee who is otherwise listed on Schedule A-2.
EME shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
EME 401(k) Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(j).
EME Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
EME Assumed Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(b).
EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(b).
EME Designated Contacts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
EME Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect upon the business, assets, properties, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Business, taken as a whole; provided that none of the following, either alone or taken together with other changes or effects, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been an EME Material Adverse Effect: (i) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to, general business or economic conditions affecting the industry in which the Business is operated, (ii) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to, national or international political or social conditions, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military, cyber or terrorist attack upon the United States, or any of its territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, asset, equipment or personnel of the United States, (iii) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to, financial, banking, securities or commodities markets (including (V) any change in commodity prices (including, without limitation, the price of natural gas, coal and/or electricity), (W) any disruption of any of the foregoing markets, (X) any change in currency exchange rates, (Y) any decline or rise in the price of any security, commodity, contract or index and (Z) any increased cost, or decreased availability, of capital or pricing or terms related to any financing for the transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to changes in, GAAP, (v) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to changes in, Laws, Orders, or other binding directives or determinations issued or made by or agreements with or consents of any Governmental Authority, (vi) changes in, or effects arising from or relating to, the taking of any action expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the announcement of this Agreement, or the Transaction, (vii) any existing event, occurrence, or circumstance with respect to which Purchaser has knowledge as of the date hereof (including any matter set forth in the EME SEC Reports), (viii) changes or effects that generally affect the electric power industry, electric power markets and/or electric power transmission and/or distribution, (ix) any failure, in and of itself, to achieve any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans, predictions, performance metrics or operating statistics or the inputs into such items (whether or not shared with Purchaser or its Affiliates or representatives), (x) any adverse change in or effect on the Business that is cured by or on behalf of any member of the Acquired Companies before the earlier of the Closing Date and the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 7, (xi) any adverse change in or effect on the Business that is caused by any delay in consummating the Closing as a result of any violation or breach by Purchaser of any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or Purchasers removal of any Available Contract from the Assumed Contract List, (xii) any changes or effects caused by or relating to the identity of Purchaser, (xiii) any changes or effects caused by or relating to the Chapter 11 Cases (including loss of credit and other third-party business relations matters), (xiv) a Major Loss, (xv) a Walnut Creek Loss, (xvi) the Chevron Litigation or an Order or determination in connection therewith, (xvii) the loss of the services of any employee(s), whether as a result of a strike, work stoppage or otherwise, (xviii) changes in or effects relating to Excluded Assets, Excluded Liabilities or Non-Core Assets, or (xix) the absence of any variances or waivers with respect to any Acquired Company from the IPCB; provided that, with respect to clauses (i), (iii) through (v) and (viii), such effects may be considered in determining whether there has been an EME Material Adverse Effect to the extent such effects have a disproportionate effect on the Business, taken as a whole, as compared to other Persons engaged in the same industry (or, in the case of clause (v), other Persons engaged in the same industry in the same jurisdiction(s) where such Laws, Orders, or other binding directives or determinations issued or made by or agreements with or consents of any Governmental Authority have effect). For the avoidance of doubt, the condition set forth in Section 3.2(d) shall not be deemed an acknowledgment, admission or other concession on the part of (a) EME that a loss in excess of 20% of the Stipulated Transaction Value constitutes an EME Material Adverse Effect, or (b) Purchaser Parties that a loss less than or equal to 20% of the Stipulated Transaction Value does not constitute an EME Material Adverse Effect, and such provision shall have no effect on the interpretation of this definition.
EME SEC Reports means each report, filing and document made by EME or any of its Subsidiaries on or after December 17, 2012 and prior to the date hereof, as amended prior to the date hereof.
EME Severance Plans shall mean the EME Severance Pay Plan and EME Exeuctive Severance Pay Plan which shall be drafted and adopted by EME between the date hereof and the Closing Date to mirror, respectively, the Edison International Involuntary Severance Plan and Edison International 2008 Executive Severance Plan as in effect immediately prior to the date hereof; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, that in no event shall the EME Severance Plans provide cash based severance or other compensation in excess of such benefits provided under the Edison International Involuntary Severance Plan and Edison International 2008 Executive Severance Plan, respectively.
Employee Benefit Plan means each employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in ERISA §3(3)) and each other material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement that is sponsored or maintained or contributed to by EME or any Acquired Companies or any ERISA Affiliate as of the Closing Date on behalf of any current or former employees of EME or any Acquired Company.
Employee Welfare Benefit Plan has the meaning set forth in ERISA §3(1).
EMRA Approval means any necessary approval from the Republic of Turkey Energy Market Regulatory Authority or any other Governmental Authority to transfer the interests in Doga Enerji Uretim Sanayi ve Ticaret L.S., Doga Isi Satis Hizmetleri ve Ticaret L.S., and Doga Isletme ve Bakim Ticaret L.S.
ERISA means the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate means each entity that is treated as a single employer with the members of the Acquired Companies for purposes of Code § 414.
Estimated Adjusted Base Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Estimated Cash Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Estimated Cash Target shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Estimated Closing Cash shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Estimated Closing Debt shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Estimated Debt Target shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).
Event of Loss shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.
Excess Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(c).
Excess Loss Amount means the lesser of (a) 10% of the Stipulated Transaction Value and (b) the amount by which (x) the total remaining costs (as determined by an Acceptable Appraiser) as of the Closing Date of repairing or restoring the facilities that suffered a Casualty or Condemnation Loss to a condition reasonably comparable to their condition prior to such Casualty or Condemnation Loss after giving effect to any Available Proceeds, exceeds (y) the amount equal to 10% of the Stipulated Transaction Value.
Excluded Assets shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5.
Excluded Assets Contribution shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.8(a).
Excluded Employee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(a).
Excluded Employee Benefit Plans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5.
Excluded Employee Liabilities means any Liabilities (i) of EME or any Debtor Subsidiary (x) under the Corporate Short-Term Incentive Plan and Edison Mission Energy 2013-2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, or any other post-petition bonus or incentive plans of the Debtor Entities or (y) for any change in control, retention or similar payments arising from the Transaction or severance obligations arising from a termination of employment prior to the Closing Date, in each case under applicable employment agreements or employee programs of the Debtor Entities, EME or any of their Affiliates, (ii) of EME or any Subsidiary to employees, former employees, retirees and retiree eligible employees (including any beneficiaries or dependents thereof) of EME and its Subsidiaries under any applicable pension, PBOP (post-retirement benefits other than pension), non-qualified, or any other benefit plans providing post-retirement benefits other than the EME 401(k) Plan and the Mirror Pension Plan (including claims arising under a theory of control group liability under Title IV of ERISA), and (iii) of EME or any Subsidiary thereof payable on termination to such Business Employees of EME and the Acquired Companies set forth on Schedule 9.6(f).
Excluded Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7.
Excluded Rejection Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(d).
Excluded Tax Liabilities means (i) any and all Taxes owing to any Governmental Authority, in each case which are imposed on, or are attributable to the operations, assets, revenues, sales, payroll or income of, (a) except to the extent attributable to the Business for taxable periods, or portions of taxable periods, beginning after the Closing Date, EME or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) for any Taxable period, or (b) any Acquired Company with respect to any Taxable period, or a portion of a Taxable period (including quarterly estimated Tax periods) ending on or prior to the Closing Date, but excluding those Taxes (other than those specified in the following clause (ii)) that are not due and payable until after the Closing Date if such Taxes may be paid after the Closing Date without interest or penalty, (ii) without limiting any rights of EME pursuant to Section 9.5(c) or Section 9.5(d), (a) any Income Taxes payable by EME or any Acquired Company as a result of the Transaction or in respect of any cancellation of indebtedness income recognized in connection with the consummation of any of the transactions set forth in the Plan, and (b) any and all Taxes related to transactions undertaken pursuant to Section 1.8 or Section 4.8, or to the conversion of the Wholly Owned Companies to limited liability companies hereunder or (iii) any liability in respect of Taxes described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) as a result of the application of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 or any comparable provision of state, local or foreign Law, as a transferee or successor.
Expense Reimbursement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).
FERC means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FERC Filings shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a).
Final Cash Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b).
Final Order means, as applicable, an order or judgment of the Bankruptcy Court or other court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the relevant subject matter which has not been reversed, stayed, modified, or amended, as to which the time to appeal or seek certiorari has expired or been waived by the Debtors (as defined in the Plan) and no appeal or petition for certiorari has been timely taken, or as to which any appeal that has been taken or any petition for certiorari that has been or may be filed has been resolved by the highest court to which the order or judgment was appealed or from which certiorari was sought; provided, that the possibility that a motion under Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, or any analogous rule under the Bankruptcy Rules or the Local Bankruptcy Rules of the Bankruptcy Court, may be filed relating to such order shall not prevent such order from being a Final Order; provided, further, that the Debtors reserve the right to waive any appeal period related to the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby with the consent of Purchaser.
Form S-1 shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10(a).
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Governmental Approvals shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c)(iii).
Governmental Authority means any U.S. or foreign, federal, state, regional or local government, governmental agency, committee of governmental agencies, department, bureau, office, commission, authority or instrumentality, or court of competent jurisdiction.
Homer City Debtors means Chestnut Ridge Energy Company, Edison Mission Energy Services, Inc., Edison Mission Finance Co., Edison Mission Holdings Co., EME Homer City Generation L.P., Homer City Property Holdings, Inc., and Mission Energy Westside, Inc.
HSR Act means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
IPCB means the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
Income Taxes means all federal, state, local, and foreign income Taxes or other Taxes based on or measured by income, net worth or receipts including any franchise Taxes measured by or based upon income or receipts.
Intercompany Accounts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.
Joliet Owner Lessors means Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series J-1 and Joliet Trust II.
Joliet Parties means, collectively, MWG, the Joliet Owner Lessors, Wilmington Trust Company (as Owner Trustee), Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series J-1 (as Owner Participant), Joliet Generation II, LLC (as Owner Participant), The Bank of New York Mellon (as the successor Lease Indenture Trustee), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as the successor Pass Through Trustee.
Knowledge of EME means, and shall be limited to, the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Schedule A-3.
Law means any United States or foreign, federal, state or local law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, Order or other requirement of any Governmental Authority, as each of the foregoing is enacted and in effect as of the date hereof.
Legal Proceeding means any judicial, administrative or arbitral actions, suits, mediation, investigation, inquiry, proceedings or claims (including counterclaims) by or before a Governmental Authority.
Leverage Event shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(f).
Liabilities means, as to any Person, all indebtedness, claims of any kind or nature, including contingent or unliquidated claims, interests, commitments, responsibilities and obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, whether known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, due or to become due, vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable or otherwise, and whether or not actually reflected, or required to be reflected, in such Persons balance sheet or other books and records, including Taxes.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, or other security interest, claim, community or other marital property interest, equitable interest, option, right of way, easement, encroachment, servitude, right of first option, right of first refusal or similar restriction, including any restriction on use, voting (in the case of any security or equity interest), transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership. For the avoidance of doubt, Lien shall not be deemed to include any license of intellectual property.
Losses means actual direct, out-of-pocket losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including reasonable legal fees). Losses shall not include any consequential, punitive, special, incidental and indirect damages, and special or indirect losses, including business interruption, loss of future revenue, profits or income, diminution in value, loss of business reputation or opportunity or any damages based on a multiple, except to the extent in each case payable to third parties.
Major Loss shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(b).
Midwest Gen Union Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(k).
Mirror Pension Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(k).
MWG means Midwest Generation, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
MWG Intercompany Notes means the intercompany notes, dated August 24, 2000, issued by EME in favor of MWG, as the same has been or may be amended or modified from time to time.
MWG Permitted Debt means any indebtedness under any certain postpetition intercompany loan made by EME, as lender, to MWG, as borrower, to satisfy any funding requirements of MWG through the Plan Effective Date.
Non-Core Assets means (i) American Bituminous, an approximately 80 MW waste coal facility in Grant Town, West Virginia, (ii) Big Sky, an approximately 240 MW wind powered-generating facility in Ohio, Illinois, (iii) Crawford Station, a 72-acre site at 3501 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Illinois, (iv) Fisk Station, a 43-acre site at 1111 West Cermak Road, Chicago, Illinois (excluding the oil-fired generation facility and related property), and (v) Sampsons Canal, a canal near the Fisk Station located at 2251 and 2401 South Loomis Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Non-Debtor Subsidiaries means each of those Subsidiaries of EME that is not a Debtor Subsidiary.
Non-EME Subsidiaries means the Subsidiaries of EIX (other than EME and its Subsidiaries).
Non-Income Tax means any Tax that is not an Income Tax.
Non-Rejectable Contracts means the Collective Bargaining Agreements, the PoJo Leases and Documents, the EME 401(k) Plan, and the Mirror Pension Plan.
Notes means (i) $500 million principal amount of 7.50% Senior Notes due June 15, 2013 issued by EME; (ii) $500 million principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes due June 15, 2016 issued by EME; (iii) $1.2 billion principal amount of 7.00% Senior Notes due May 15, 2017 issued by EME; (iv) $800 million principal amount of 7.20% Senior Notes due May 15, 2019 issued by EME; and (v) $700 million principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due May 15, 2027 issued by EME.
Notice of Disagreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(b).
Notice Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(d).
Offered Terms shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(f).
Order means any order, judgment, determination or decree of any court or Governmental Authority.
Organizational Documents shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).
Owner Lessor means, collectively, the Powerton Owners Lessors and the Joliet Owner Lessors.
Paid Vacation Liabilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(h).
Parent shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Parent Common Stock means common stock of Parent, par value $0.01 per share.
Partially-Owned Companies shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Partially-Owned Equity Interests shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Party and/or Parties shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Permits means permits, registrations, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses or certificates issued by any Governmental Authority.
Permitted Asset Disposal means the sale, transfer or conveyance of any assets of EME or any Subsidiary thereof for which the proceeds received by EME are not in excess of $25,000,000 individually or $50,000,000 in the aggregate (other than sales, transfers or conveyances of Non-Core Assets, Excluded Assets, sales of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and any assets that EME or any Subsidiary is required to sell, transfer or convey as a result of any Order of a Governmental Authority in connection with the Chevron Litigation).
Permitted Asset Disposal Purchase Price means the aggregate proceeds (net of Taxes and expenses payable and other Liabilities to be discharged by EME or any of the Acquired Companies) received by EME or any Subsidiary thereof from a Permitted Asset Disposal.
Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a Governmental Authority.
Petition Date shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Plan shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Plan Effective Date shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Plan Sponsor Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Plan Supplement means the compilation of documents and forms of documents, schedules, and exhibits to the Plan, to be filed not later than ten days prior to the deadline to vote to accept or reject the Plan.
Plan Term Sheet shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
PoJo Lease Modifications shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(b).
PoJo Leases and Documents means the leases, agreements and documents listed on Exhibit E attached hereto.
PoJo Parties means the Powerton Parties, the Joliet Parties and each other Person that the Parties mutually agree are necessary in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby with respect to the PoJo Leases and Documents.
PoJo Restructuring Fees has the meaning given to such term in the PoJo Term Sheet.
PoJo Term Sheet shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(b).
Powerton Parties means, collectively, MWG, the Powerton Owner Lessors, Wilmington Trust Company (as Owner Trustee), Nesbitt Asset Recovery LLC, Series P-1 (as Owner Participant), Powerton Generation II, LLC (as Owner Participant), The Bank of New York Mellon (as the successor Lease Indenture Trustee), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as the successor Pass Through Trustee.
Powerton Owner Lessors means Nesbitt Asset Recovery Series P-1 and Powerton Trust II.
Pre-Closing Reorganization shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.
Proposed Cure Amounts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a).
PSA Order shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a).
Purchased Interests shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Purchaser shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Purchaser Employment Conditions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(a).
Purchaser Parties shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Purchaser Plans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(f).
Rejected Contracts shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c).
Rejected Contracts List shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c).
Rejection Liabilities means collectively, the EME Assumed Rejection Liabilities and the Debtor Subsidiary Assumed Rejection Liabilities.
Related Persons means, with respect to any Person, all past, present and future directors, officers, members, managers, stockholders, employees, agents, professionals, financial advisors, restructuring advisors, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers, financing source, or representatives of (i) any such Person and (ii) of any Affiliate of such Person; provided that Related Persons of EME shall not include (w) EIX, (x) any Non-EIX Subsidiary, (y) any EIX Litigation Party or (z) any Person that would otherwise (but for this proviso) be a Related Person of EME to the extent of its relationship with EIX, any Non-EME Subsidiary or any EIX Litigation Party.
Remaining Support Obligations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(a).
Remedies Exceptions means the application of bankruptcy, moratorium and other Laws affecting creditors rights generally and as limited by the availability of specific performance and the application of equitable principles.
Replicated Plans shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(c).
Restoration Costs means the aggregate costs (as determined by an Acceptable Appraiser) to restore, repair or replace property or assets subject to an Event of Loss to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition, less any insurance proceeds received by EME or any of the Acquired Companies in connection with such Event or Events of Loss; provided that any insurance proceeds received in connection with an Event or Events of Loss are either used to restore, repair or replace such property or assets subject to an Event or Events of Loss or made available to Purchaser.
Retained Books and Records means (a) all corporate seals, minute books, charter documents, corporate stock record books, original Tax and financial records and such other files, books and records to the extent they relate exclusively to any of the Excluded Assets or Excluded Liabilities or the organization, existence, capitalization or debt financing of EME, any Homer City Debtor or any Acquired Company not transferred, (b) all books, files and records if the disclosure thereof would (i) violate any legal constraints or obligations regarding the confidentiality thereof, (ii) waive any attorney client, work product or other legal privilege, (iii) disclose information about EME or any Homer City Debtor or that are unrelated to the Business or (iv) disclose information about pertaining to project evaluation, price curves or projections or other economic predictive models, or (c) all books and records prepared in connection with the evaluation of bids relating to any Acquisition Proposal.
Review Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
SEC shall mean the United State Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Selected Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(a).
Schedules means the Schedules delivered by EME to Purchaser on the date hereof.
Shortfall Amount shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(c).
Solicitation Period End-Date shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a).
Stipulated Transaction Value means $3,600,000,000.
Stock Purchase Price shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
Stock Purchase Price Numerator shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided that when the term Subsidiary is used herein with respect to EME, it shall not include the Homer City Debtors. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control the managing director or general partner of such partnership, association or other business entity.
Superior Proposal means one or more bona fide written Acquisition Proposal(s) that is not executed in violation of Section 4.6 and that the board of directors of EME has concluded, in its good faith judgment, after consultation with its independent financial advisors and outside legal counsel, and taking into consideration all relevant factors including, among other things, all of the terms, conditions, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Acquisition Proposal(s) and this Agreement (in each case taking into account any changes to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (or any other proposals) made or proposed in writing by Purchaser prior to the time of determination), the assets and the liabilities proposed to be purchased and assumed or excluded (and any value proposed to be paid by a proponent of an Acquisition Proposal in respect of any assets proposed to be included as part of any Permitted Asset Disposal, any Non-Core Assets or any Excluded Assets), the identity and financial wherewithal of such third party(ies) making the Acquisition Proposal(s), and any applicable breakup fee and expense reimbursement provisions, (a) is or are reasonably likely to be consummated in accordance with its or their terms and (b) if consummated, is or are better for EME and its stakeholders than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Support Obligations shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.9(a).
Supporting Noteholders shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Surviving Provisions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).
Taking shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.9.
Target Assets shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.
Target Equity Interests shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Target Holdings shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Tax or Taxes means (a) any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, property, customs duties, franchise, social security, unemployment, withholding, disability, sales, use, transfer, value added, alternative or add on minimum or other tax of any kind, including any interest, penalties or additions to Tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing, (b) any liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) payable by reason of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6(a) (or any predecessor or successor thereof) or any analogous or similar provision under Law, as a result of successor or transferee liability, or being a member of an Affiliated Group for any period, or otherwise through operation of Law, and (c) any liability for payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or implied agreement or any practice, policy or arrangement of indemnifying or to indemnify any other Person for taxes.
Tax Attributes shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5.
Tax Attributes Agreement means any agreement that may, in each Parties sole discretion, be entered into between EME and Purchaser whereby (a) EME agrees to deliver incremental tax attributes (including any Tax Attributes that are Excluded Assets) in addition to what would be available to Purchaser following the Asset Sale, and (b) Purchaser agrees to compensate EME for such incremental tax attributes.
Tax Return means any return, declaration, election, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes.
Termination Date shall mean July 31, 2014; provided that if the Form S-1 has not been declared effective as of July 31, 2014, EME may by prior written notice to the Purchaser Parties elect to make the Termination Date be October 31, 2014.
Transaction shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
Transfer Taxes means all transfer, real property transfer, sales, use, goods and services, value added, recordation, documentary, stamp, duty, excise, and conveyance Taxes and other similar Taxes, duties, fees or charges, as levied by any Taxing authority in connection with the Transaction (in each case, after giving effect to the Confirmation Order), including any real property transfer Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority, including all treble damages, penalties, interest, costs and fees (including attorneys fees); provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, the term Transfer Taxes shall not include any Income Taxes.
Transferred Employee means (i) each Eligible Employee who accepts Purchasers offer employment as set forth in Section 9.6(a) and (ii) each Acquired Company Employee.
Transferred Policies shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.13.
True-Up Statement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).
UCC shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Union Employees shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).
Viento Holdco Debt shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
Viento Shares shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.5(c).
Walnut Creek Loss means any of the following: (i) the actual loss of all or substantially all of the approximately 479 MW gas-fired generating facility at the Walnut Creek Station; (ii) the destruction of all or substantially all of the Walnut Creek Station such that there remains no substantial remnant thereof which a prudent owner, desiring to restore the Walnut Creek Station to its original condition, would utilize as the basis of such restoration; (iii) the destruction of all or substantially all of the Walnut Creek Station irretrievably beyond repair; (iv) the destruction of all or substantially all of the Walnut Creek Station such that the cost of repair would equal or exceed the cost of replacement; (v) the destruction of all or substantially all of the Walnut Creek Station such that the insured may claim a total loss under any insurance policy covering the Walnut Creek Station upon abandoning the Walnut Creek Station to the insurance underwriters therefor; or (vi) an Event of Loss or Taking of all or a substantial portion of the real property at the Walnut Creek Station, provided that such Event of Loss or Taking is material to the operation of the Walnut Creek Station.
Walnut Creek Station means Walnut Creek Energy Park in the City of Industry, California.
Wholly-Owned Companies shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
Wholly-Owned Equity Interests shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
EXHIBIT C
Signed Disclosure Statement Order
[To Come]
EXHIBIT D
Consolidated Financial Statements
[To Come]
EXHIBIT E
Liquidation Analysis
[To Come]
EXHIBIT F
Creditors Committee Letter of Support
[To Come]