property, (ii) prevent loss of transmission facilities or generation supply in the immediate vicinity of the Facility, or (iii) to preserve Transmission System reliability. “Tax” or “Taxes” means all U.S. federal, state and local and any foreign taxes, levies, assessments, surcharges, duties and other fees and charges of any nature imposed by a Governmental Authority, whether currently in effect or adopted during the Contract Term, including ad valorem, excise, franchise, gross receipts, import/export, license, property, sales and use, stamp, transfer, payroll, unemployment, income, and any and all items of withholding, deficiency, penalty, additions, interest or assessment related thereto. “Tax Credits” means the PTC, ITC and any other state, local or federal production tax credit, depreciation benefit, tax deduction or investment tax credit specific to the production of renewable energy or investments in renewable energy facilities. “Terminated Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2(a). “Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3. “Test Energy” means Facility Energy delivered (a) commencing on the later of (i) the first date that the CAISO informs Seller in writing that Seller may deliver Facility Energy to the CAISO and (ii) the first date that the PTO informs Seller in writing that Seller has conditional or temporary permission to parallel and (b) ending upon the occurrence of the Commercial Operation Date. “Test Energy Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6. “Transmission Provider” means any entity or entities transmitting or transporting the Facility Energy on behalf of Seller or Buyer to or from the Delivery Point. “Transmission System” means the transmission facilities operated by the CAISO, now or hereafter in existence, which provide energy transmission service downstream from the Delivery Point.
“Ultimate Parent” means ________________, a [State of organization] [Type of entity]. “Variable Energy Resource” or “VER” has the meaning set forth in the CAISO Tariff. “WREGIS” means the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System or any successor renewable energy tracking program.
“WREGIS Certificate Deficit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(e). “WREGIS Certificates” has the same meaning as “Certificate” as defined by WREGIS in the WREGIS Operating Rules and are designated as eligible for complying with the California Renewables Portfolio Standard.
“WREGIS Operating Rules” means those operating rules and requirements adopted by WREGIS as of January 4, 2021, as subsequently amended, supplemented or replaced (in whole or in part) from time to time.
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1.2 Rules of Interpretation. In this Agreement, except as expressly stated otherwise or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) headings and the rendering of text in bold and italics are for convenience and reference purposes only and do not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; (b) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and the masculine, feminine and neuter genders include all genders; (c) the words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (d) a reference to an Article, Section, paragraph, clause, Party, or Exhibit is a reference to that Section, paragraph, clause of, or that Party or Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise specified;
(e) a reference to a document or agreement, including this Agreement means such document, agreement or this Agreement including any amendment or supplement to, or replacement, novation or modification of this Agreement, but disregarding any amendment, supplement, replacement, novation or modification made in breach of such document, agreement or this Agreement;
(f) a reference to a Person includes that Person’s successors and permitted assigns;
(g) the terms “include” and “including” or similar words shall be deemed to be followed by the words “means “including without limitation” and any list of examples following such term shall in no way restrict or limit the generality of the work or provision in respect of which such examples are provided;
(h) references to any statute, code or statutory provision are to be construed as a reference to the same as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, modified or reenacted, and include references to all bylaws, instruments, orders and regulations for the time being made thereunder or deriving validity therefrom unless the context otherwise requires; (i) in the event of a conflict, a mathematical formula or other precise description of a concept or a term shall prevail over words providing a more general description of a concept or a term;
(j) references to any amount of money shall mean a reference to the amount in United States Dollars;
(k) words, phrases or expressions not otherwise defined herein that (i) have a generally accepted meaning in Prudent Operating Practice shall have such meaning in this Agreement or (ii) do not have well known and generally accepted meaning in Prudent Operating Practice but that have well known and generally accepted technical or trade meanings, shall have such recognized meanings;
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(l) “or” is not necessarily exclusive; and
(m) each Party acknowledges that it was represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and that it or its counsel reviewed this Agreement and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
TERM; CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
2.1 Contract Term.
The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall remain in full force and effect until the conclusion of the Delivery Term, subject to any early termination provisions and any contract term extension provisions set forth herein (the “Contract Term”); provided, however, that subject to Buyer’s obligations in Section 3.6, Buyer’s obligations to pay for or accept any Product (other than Test Energy) are subject to Seller’s completion of the conditions precedent pursuant to Section 2.2.
(n) Applicable provisions of this Agreement shall continue in effect after termination, including early termination, to the extent necessary to enforce or complete the duties, obligations or responsibilities of the Parties arising prior to termination. The confidentiality obligations of the Parties under Article 18 and all indemnity and audit rights shall remain in full force and effect for five (5) years following the termination of this Agreement.
2.2 Conditions Precedent. The Delivery Term shall not commence until Seller completes each of the following conditions:
Seller has delivered to Buyer (i) a completion certificate from a Licensed Professional Engineer substantially in the form of Exhibit H and (ii) a certificate from a Licensed Professional Engineer substantially in the form of Exhibit I setting forth the Installed Capacity on the Commercial Operation Date;
(o) A Participating Generator Agreement and a Meter Service Agreement between Seller and CAISO shall have been executed and delivered and be in full force and effect, and a copy of each such agreement has been delivered to Buyer; (p) An Interconnection Agreement between Seller and the PTO shall have been executed and delivered and be in full force and effect and a copy of the Interconnection Agreement has been delivered to Buyer;
(q) All applicable regulatory authorizations, approvals and permits for operation of the Facility have been obtained (or if not obtained, applied for and reasonably expected to be received within 90 days) and all conditions thereof that are capable of being satisfied on the Commercial Operation Date have been satisfied and shall be in full force and effect, and Seller has delivered to Buyer an attestation certificate from an officer of Seller certifying to the satisfaction of this condition;
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(r) Seller has received CEC Precertification of the Facility (and reasonably expects to receive final CEC Certification and Verification for the Facility in no more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the Commercial Operation Date); (s) Seller (with the reasonable participation of Buyer) shall have completed all applicable WREGIS registration requirements, including the completion and submittal of all applicable registration forms and supporting documentation, which may include applicable interconnection agreements, informational surveys related to the Facility, QRE service agreements, and other appropriate documentation required to effect Facility registration with WREGIS and to enable Renewable Energy Credit transfers related to the Facility within the WREGIS system;
(t) Seller has delivered the Performance Security to Buyer in accordance with Section 8.8; and
(u) Seller has paid Buyer for all amounts owing under this Agreement, if any, including Construction Delay Damages, and COD Delay Damages.
2.3 Development; Construction; Progress Reports. Within fifteen (15) days after the close of (i) each calendar quarter from the first calendar quarter following the Effective Date until the Construction Start Date, and (ii) each calendar month from the first calendar month following the Construction Start Date until the Commercial Operation Date, Seller shall provide to Buyer a Progress Report and agree to regularly scheduled meetings between representatives of Buyer and Seller to review such monthly reports and discuss Seller’s construction progress.
Details regarding the form and content of the Progress Report are set forth in Exhibit E. Seller shall also provide Buyer with any reasonable requested documentation (subject to confidentiality restrictions) directly related to the achievement of Milestones within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such request by Seller. For the avoidance of doubt, Seller is solely responsible for the design and construction of the Facility, including the location of the Site, obtaining all permits and approvals to build the Facility, the Facility layout, and the selection and procurement of the equipment comprising the Facility.
2.4 Remedial Action Plan. If Seller misses three (3) or more Milestones, or misses any one (1) by more than ninety (90) days, except as the result of Force Majeure Event or Buyer Default, Seller shall submit to Buyer, within ten (10) Business Days of such missed Milestone completion date, a remedial action plan (“Remedial Action Plan”), which will describe in detail any delays (actual or anticipated) beyond the scheduled Milestone dates, including the cause of the delay (e.g., governmental approvals, financing, property acquisition, design activities, equipment procurement, project construction, interconnection, or any other factor), Seller’s detailed description of its proposed course of action to achieve the missed Milestones and all subsequent Milestones by the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date; provided that delivery of any Remedial Action Plan shall not relieve Seller of its obligation to provide Remedial Action Plans with respect to any subsequent Milestones and to achieve the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Exhibit B, so long as Seller complies with its obligations under this Section 2.4, Seller shall not be considered in default of its obligations under this Agreement solely as a result of missing any Milestone.
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ARTICLE 3
PURCHASE AND SALE
3.1 Purchase and Sale of Product.
(a) In accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at all times during the Delivery Term Seller shall sell and deliver to Buyer at the Delivery Point, and Buyer shall purchase and accept from Seller at the Delivery Point, all of the Facility Energy delivered to the Delivery Point and all of the Product produced by or associated with the Facility.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing:
Seller’s obligation to sell and deliver Facility Energy to Buyer at the Delivery Point shall be excused during the pendency of, and to the extent required by (A) a Force Majeure Event or System Emergency, (B) a Buyer Bid Curtailment, (C) periods of curtailment requested by Buyer as set forth in a Buyer Curtailment Order, (D) a Curtailment Period; provided that such Curtailment Period is not attributable to Seller’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (E) a period of Seller suspension due to a Buyer Default pursuant to Section 11.1 or (F) as necessary to maintain health and safety pursuant to Section 6.2; and Buyer’s obligation to accept Facility Energy at the Delivery Point shall be excused during the pendency of, and to the extent required by (A) a Force Majeure Event or System Emergency, (B) periods of curtailment requested by Buyer as set forth in a Buyer Curtailment Period, (C) a Curtailment Period, or (D) a period of Buyer suspension due to a Seller Default pursuant to Section 11.1; and
Buyer’s obligation to make payment for Facility Energy and all of the remaining Product from Seller under this Agreement shall be excused during the pendency of, and to the extent required by (A) a Force Majeure Event, (B) a Curtailment Period, or (C) a period of Buyer suspension due to a Seller Default pursuant to Section 11.1. (c) Buyer will have exclusive rights to offer, bid, or otherwise submit the Product, or any component thereof, from the Facility after the Delivery Point for resale in the market or to any third party, and retain and receive any and all related revenues. (d) Subject to Buyer’s obligation to pay for Deemed Delivered Energy, Buyer has no obligation to purchase from Seller any Product for which the associated Facility Energy is not or cannot be delivered to the Delivery Point as a result of an outage of the Facility, a Force Majeure Event, or a Curtailment Order.
3.2 Compensation. Buyer shall pay Seller for the Product in accordance with Exhibit C.
3.3 Sale of Green Attributes. During the Delivery Term, Seller shall sell and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase from Seller, all Green Attributes attributable to the Facility Energy generated by the Facility.
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3.4 Ownership of Renewable Energy Incentives. Seller shall have all right, title and interest in and to all Renewable Energy Incentives. Buyer acknowledges that any Renewable Energy Incentives belong to Seller. If any Renewable Energy Incentives, or values representing the same, are initially credited or paid to Buyer, Buyer shall cause such Renewable Energy Incentives or values relating to same to be assigned or transferred to Seller without delay. Buyer shall reasonably cooperate with Seller, at Seller’s sole expense, in Seller’s efforts to meet the requirements for any certification, registration, or reporting program relating to Renewable Energy Incentives.
3.5 Future Environmental Attributes.
(a) The Parties acknowledge and agree that as of the Effective Date, environmental attributes sold under this Agreement are restricted to Green Attributes; however, Future Environmental Attributes may be created by a Governmental Authority through Laws enacted after the Effective Date. Subject to the final sentence of this Section 3.5, and Sections
3.5(b) and 3.14, in such event, Buyer shall bear all costs associated with the transfer, qualification, verification, registration and ongoing compliance for such Future Environmental Attributes, but there shall be no increase in the Contract Price. Upon Seller’s receipt of Notice from Buyer of Buyer’s intent to claim such Future Environmental Attributes, the Parties shall determine the necessary actions and additional costs associated with such Future Environmental Attributes.
Seller shall have no obligation to alter the Facility unless the Parties have agreed on all necessary terms and conditions relating to such alteration and Buyer has agreed to reimburse Seller for all costs, losses, and liabilities associated with such alteration on terms acceptable to Seller. (b) If Buyer elects to receive Future Environmental Attributes pursuant to Section 3.5, the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith with respect to the development of further agreements and documentation necessary to effectuate the transfer of such Future Environmental Attributes, including with respect to (i) appropriate transfer, delivery and risk of loss mechanisms, and (ii) appropriate allocation of any additional costs to Buyer, as set forth above; provided, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that such terms are not intended to alter the original economic balance or the other material terms of this Agreement.
3.6 Test Energy. No less than five (5) Business Days prior to the first day on which Test Energy is expected to be available from the Facility, Seller shall notify Buyer of the availability of the Test Energy. If and to the extent the Facility generates Test Energy, Seller shall sell and Buyer shall purchase from Seller all Test Energy and any associated Products on an as-available basis until the Commercial Operation Date. Seller shall be compensated for Test Energy in an amount equal to one-hundred percent (100%) of net CAISO revenues associated with such Test Energy [If Seller is SC, modify language to allow Seller to retain such revenues.] (the “Test Energy Rate”). For the avoidance of doubt, the conditions precedent in Section 2.2 are not applicable to the Parties’ obligations under this Section 3.6.
3.7 Capacity Attributes. Seller has obtained Full Capacity Deliverability Status as part of its CAISO generator interconnection process. As between Buyer and Seller, Seller is Agenda Item: 14
responsible for the cost and installation of any Network Upgrades associated with obtaining such Full Capacity Deliverability Status.
(a) Throughout the Delivery Term, Seller grants, pledges, assigns and otherwise commits to Buyer all the Capacity Attributes from the Facility. (b) Buyer shall be entitled to all Capacity Attributes, if any, associated with the Facility during the Delivery Term. The consideration for all such Capacity Attributes is included within the Contract Price. Seller transfers to Buyer, and Buyer accepts from Seller, any right, title, and interest that Seller may have in and to Capacity Attributes, if any, existing during the Delivery Term.
(c) Throughout the Delivery Term, Seller shall maintain eligibility for Full Capacity Deliverability Status or Interim Deliverability Status for the Facility from the CAISO and shall perform all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that the Facility qualifies to provide Resource Adequacy Benefits to Seller. Throughout the Delivery Term, Seller hereby covenants and agrees to transfer all Resource Adequacy Benefits to Buyer. (d) During the Delivery Term, Seller shall not sell or attempt to sell to any other Person the Capacity Attributes, if any, and Seller shall not report to any person or entity that the Capacity Attributes, if any, belong to anyone other than Buyer. Buyer may, at its own risk and expense, report to any person or entity that Capacity Attributes belong exclusively to Buyer. (e) At Buyer’s request Seller shall: (i) execute such documents and instruments as may be reasonably required to effect recognition and transfer of the Capacity Attributes, if any, to Buyer and (ii) cooperate reasonably with Buyer in order that Buyer may satisfy the Resource Adequacy requirements, if any, including (A) assisting Buyer in registering the Facility with the CAISO so that the Capacity Rights are able to be recognized and counted for Resource Adequacy purposes, (B) assist Buyer in making such annual submissions to CAISO associated with establishing the correct quantity of Capacity Rights, (C) coordinating with Buyer on the submission to the CAISO submissions (or corrections), as required by the CAISO Tariff, and (D) providing CAISO all necessary information for annual and other outage planning. Seller shall deliver such documents, instruments, submissions and information as may be requested by Buyer in connection with the Capacity Attributes and Resource Adequacy Benefits; provided that in responding to any such requests, Seller shall have no obligation to provide any consent, certification, representation, information or other document, or enter into any agreement, that adversely affects, or could reasonably be expected to have or result in an adverse effect on, any of Seller’s rights, benefits, risks and/or obligations under this Agreement. (f) At all times during the Delivery Term, Seller shall install such meters and power electronics as are necessary so that Ancillary Services and Capacity Attributes may be provided from the Facility by Buyer.
3.8 Resource Adequacy Failure
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(a) RA Deficiency Determination. For each RA Shortfall Month, Seller shall pay to Buyer the RA Deficiency Amount as liquidated damages or provide Replacement RA, in each case, as the sole remedy for the Capacity Attributes Seller failed to convey to Buyer. (b) RA Deficiency Amount Calculation. Commencing on the RA Guarantee Date, for each RA Shortfall Month, Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount (the “RA Deficiency Amount”) equal to the product of (i) the RA Shortfall Amount, and (ii) the sum of (a) the CPUC System RA Penalty and (b) the CPM Soft Offer Cap; provided that Seller may, as an alternative to paying some or all of the RA Deficiency Amounts, provide Replacement RA in the amount of the RA Shortfall Amount, provided that any Replacement RA capacity is communicated by Seller to Buyer with Replacement RA product information in a Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit M at least seventy-five (75) days before the applicable CPUC operating month for the purpose of monthly RA reporting.
3.9 CEC Certification and Verification. Seller shall take all necessary steps including, but not limited to, making or supporting timely filings with the CEC to obtain and maintain CEC Certification and Verification for the Facility throughout the Delivery Term, including compliance with all applicable requirements for certified facilities set forth in the current version of the RPS Eligibility Guidebook (or its successor). Seller shall obtain CEC Precertification by the Commercial Operation Date. Within thirty (30) days after the Commercial Operation Date, Seller shall apply with the CEC for final CEC Certification and Verification.
Within one hundred eighty (180) days after the Commercial Operation Date, Seller shall obtain and maintain throughout the remainder of the Delivery Term the final CEC Certification and Verification. Seller must promptly notify Buyer and the CEC of any changes to the information included in Seller’s application for CEC Certification and Verification for the Facility.
3.10 California Renewables Portfolio Standard.
(a) Eligibility. Seller, and, if applicable, its successors, represents and warrants that throughout the Delivery Term of this Agreement that: (i) the Facility qualifies and is certified by the CEC as an Eligible Renewable Energy Resource as such term is defined in Public Utilities Code Section 399.12 or Section 399.16; and (ii) the Facility’s electrical energy output delivered to Buyer qualifies under the requirements of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard. To the extent a change in law occurs after execution of this Agreement that causes this representation and warranty to be materially false or misleading, it shall not be an Event of Default if Seller has used commercially reasonable efforts to comply with such change in law. The term “commercially reasonable efforts” as used in this Section 3.10 means efforts consistent with and subject to Section
3.10. [STC 6].
Transfer of Renewable Energy Credits. Seller and, if applicable, its successors, represents and warrants that throughout the Delivery Period of this Agreement the Renewable Energy Credits transferred to Buyer conform to the definition and attributes required for compliance with the California Renewables Portfolio Standard, as set forth in California Public Utilities Commission Decision 08-08-028, and as may be modified by subsequent decision of the California Public Utilities Commission or by subsequent legislation. To the extent a change in law occurs after execution of this Agreement that causes this representation and warranty to be materially false or Agenda Item: 14
misleading, it shall not be an Event of Default if Seller has used commercially reasonable efforts to comply with such change in law. [STC REC-1].
Tracking of RECs in WREGIS. Seller warrants that all necessary steps to allow the Renewable Energy Credits transferred to Buyer to be tracked in WREGIS will be taken prior to the first delivery under this Agreement. [STC REC-2].
3.11 Change in Law.
(a) The Parties acknowledge that an essential purpose of this Agreement is to provide renewable generation that meets the requirements of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard and that Governmental Authorities, including the CEC, CPUC, CAISO and WREGIS, may undertake actions to implement changes in Law. Seller agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with respect to any future changes to this Agreement needed to satisfy requirements of Governmental Authorities associated with changes in Law to maximize benefits to Buyer, including: (i) modification of the description of Green Attributes, Capacity Attributes as may be required, including updating the Agreement to reflect any mandatory contractual language required by Governmental Authorities; (ii) submission of any reports, data, or other information required by Governmental Authorities; or (iii) all other actions that may be required to assure that this Agreement or the Facility is eligible. as an ERR and other benefits under the California Renewables Portfolio Standard; provided that Seller shall have no obligation to modify this Agreement, or take other actions not required under this Agreement, if such modifications or actions would materially adversely affect, or could reasonably be expected to have or result in a material adverse effect on, any of Seller's rights, benefits, risks and/or obligations under this Agreement.
(b) If a change in Laws occurring after the Effective Date has increased Seller’s known or reasonably expected costs to comply with Seller’s obligations under this Agreement with respect to obtaining, maintaining, conveying or effectuating Buyer’s use of (as applicable) any Product pursuant to Sections 3.5, 3.7(c), 3.9, 3.10, 4.3(g), 4.5, 4.8, and 4.10 (any action required to be taken by Seller to comply with such change in Law, a “Compliance Action”), then the Parties agree that the maximum aggregate amount of costs and expenses Seller shall be required to bear during the Delivery Term to comply with all of such obligations shall be capped at twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per MW of Guaranteed Capacity in aggregate at over the Contract Term (the “Compliance Expenditure Cap”).
(c) If Seller reasonably anticipates the need to incur out-of-pocket expenses in excess of the Compliance Expenditure Cap in order to take any Compliance Action, Seller shall provide Notice to Buyer of such anticipated out-of-pocket expenses. (d) Buyer will have sixty (60) Days to evaluate such Notice (during which time period Seller is not obligated to take any Compliance Actions described in the Notice) and shall, within such time, either (1) agree to reimburse Seller for all of the costs that exceed the Compliance Expenditure Cap (such Buyer-agreed upon costs (including lost production, if any), the “Accepted Compliance Costs”), or (2) waive Seller’s obligation to take such Compliance Actions. If Buyer does not respond to a Notice given by Seller under this Section 3.11 within sixty (60) days after Agenda Item: 14
Buyer’s receipt of same, Buyer shall be deemed to have waived its rights to require Seller to take the Compliance Actions for the Compliance Action(s) described in the Notice. (e) If Buyer agrees to reimburse Seller for the Accepted Compliance Costs, then Seller shall take such Compliance Actions covered by the Accepted Compliance Costs as agreed upon by the Parties and Buyer shall pay Seller in advance to effect the Compliance Actions.
Under no circumstances shall Seller be obligated to expend more than the Accepted Compliance Costs. When the Compliance Actions are completed, if the Seller’s actual costs are less than the Accepted Compliance Costs, Seller shall refund the excess to Buyer. (f) Any change in the value of any attributes provided by Seller to Buyer resulting from any change in Law shall not affect the Contract Price or Buyer’s obligation to pay Seller for any attributes delivered.
3.12 Project Configuration. In order to optimize the benefits of the Facility, Buyer and Seller each agree that if requested by the other Party prior to the Construction Start Date, then Buyer and Seller will discuss in good faith potential reconfiguration of the Facility or Interconnection Facilities; provided that neither Party shall be obligated to agree to any changes under this Agreement, or to incur any expense in connection with such changes, except under terms acceptable to both Parties in their sole discretion.
ARTICLE 4
OBLIGATIONS AND DELIVERIES
4.1 Delivery.
(a) Energy. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, commencing on the Commercial Operation Date through the end of the Contract Term, Seller shall supply and deliver the Product to Buyer at the Delivery Point, and Buyer shall take delivery of the Product at the Delivery Point in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Seller will be responsible for paying or satisfying when due any costs or charges imposed in connection with the delivery of Facility Energy to the Delivery Point, including Station Use, Electrical Losses, and any operation and maintenance charges imposed by the Transmission Provider directly relating to the Facility’s operations. Buyer shall be responsible for all costs, charges and penalties, if any, imposed in connection with the delivery of Facility Energy at and after the Delivery Point, including transmission costs and transmission line losses and imbalance charges. The Facility Energy will be scheduled to the CAISO by Buyer (or Buyer’s designated Scheduling Coordinator) in accordance with Exhibit D.
(b) Green Attributes. All Green Attributes associated with the Facility during the Delivery Term are exclusively dedicated to and vested in Buyer. Seller represents and warrants that Seller holds the rights to all Green Attributes from the Facility, and Seller agrees to convey and hereby conveys all such Green Attributes to Buyer as included in the delivery of the Product from the Facility.
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4.2 Title and Risk of Loss.
(a) Energy. Title to and risk of loss related to the Facility Energy, shall pass and transfer from Seller to Buyer at the Delivery Point. Seller warrants that all Product delivered to Buyer is free and clear of all liens, security interests, claims and encumbrances of any kind. (b) Green Attributes. Title to and risk of loss related to the Green Attributes shall pass and transfer from Seller to Buyer upon the transfer of such Green Attributes in accordance with WREGIS. Seller shall cooperate reasonably with Buyer, at Buyer’s expense, in order for Buyer to register, hold, and manage such Green Attributes in Buyer’s own name and to Buyer’s accounts.
4.3 Forecasting. Seller shall provide the forecasts described below at its sole expense and in a format acceptable to Buyer (or Buyer’s designee). Seller shall use reasonable efforts to provide forecasts that are accurate and, to the extent not inconsistent with the requirements of this Agreement, shall prepare such forecasts, or cause such forecasts to be prepared, in accordance with Prudent Operating Practices.
(c) Annual Forecast of Energy. No less than forty-five (45) days before (i) the first day of the first Contract Year of the Delivery Term and (ii) at the beginning of each calendar year for every subsequent Contract Year during the Delivery Term, Seller shall provide to Buyer and the SC (if applicable) a non-binding forecast of each month’s average-day expected Energy, by hour, for the following calendar year in a form substantially similar to the table found in Exhibit F-1, or as reasonably requested by Buyer.
(d) Monthly Forecast of Energy and Available Generating Capacity. No less than thirty (30) days before the beginning of Commercial Operation, and thereafter ten (10) Business Days before the beginning of each month during the Delivery Term, Seller shall provide to Buyer and the SC (if applicable) a non-binding forecast of the hourly expected Energy, Available Generating Capacity for each day of the following month in a form substantially similar to the table found in Exhibit F-2 (“Monthly Delivery Forecast”). (e) Day-Ahead Forecast. By 5:30 AM Pacific Prevailing Time on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of delivery, or as otherwise specified by Buyer consistent with Prudent Operating Practice, Seller shall provide Buyer with a non-binding forecast of (i) Available Generating Capacity and (ii) hourly expected Energy, in each case, for each hour of the immediately succeeding day (“Day-Ahead Forecast”). A Day-Ahead Forecast provided in a day prior to any non-Business Day(s) shall include non-binding forecasts for the immediate day, each succeeding non-Business Day and the next Business Day. Each Day-Ahead Forecast shall clearly identify, for each hour, Seller’s best estimate of (i) the Available Generating Capacity and (ii) the hourly expected Energy. These Day-Ahead Forecasts shall be sent to Buyer’s on-duty Scheduling Coordinator. If Seller fails to provide Buyer with a Day-Ahead Forecast as required herein for any period, then for such unscheduled delivery period only Buyer shall rely on any Real-Time Forecast provided in accordance with Section 4.3(d) or the Monthly Delivery Forecast or Buyer’s estimate based on information reasonably available to Buyer.
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(f) Real-Time Forecasts. During the Delivery Term, Seller shall notify Buyer of any changes from the Day-Ahead Forecast of one (1) MW or more in (i) Available Generating Capacity or (ii) hourly expected Energy, in each case, whether due to Forced Facility Outage, Force Majeure Event or other cause, as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than one (1) hour prior to the deadline for submitting Schedules to the CAISO in accordance with the then-current rules for participation in the Real-Time Market. If the Available Generating Capacity or hourly expected Energy changes by at least one (1) MW as of a time that is less than one (1) hour prior to the Real-Time Market deadline, but before such deadline, then Seller must notify Buyer as soon as reasonably possible. Such Real-Time Forecasts of Energy shall be provided by an Approved Forecast Vendor and shall contain information regarding the beginning date and time of the event resulting in the change in Available Generating Capacity or hourly expected Energy, as applicable, the expected end date and time of such event, and any other information required by the CAISO or reasonably requested by Buyer. With respect to any Forced Facility Outage, Seller shall use reasonable efforts to notify Buyer of such outage within ten (10) minutes of the commencement of the Forced Facility Outage. Seller shall inform Buyer of any developments that will affect either the duration of such outage or the availability of the Facility during or after the end of such outage.
These Real-Time Forecasts shall be communicated in a method acceptable to Buyer; provided that Buyer specifies the method no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such requirement. In the event Buyer fails to provide Notice of an acceptable method for communications under this Section 4.3(d), then Seller shall send such communications by telephone and email to Buyer.
(g) Forced Facility Outages. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer’s on-duty Scheduling Coordinator of Forced Facility Outages and Seller shall keep Buyer informed of any developments that will affect either the duration of the outage or the availability of the Facility during or after the end of the outage. (h) Forecasting Penalties. Subject to a Force Majeure Event, in the event Seller does not in a given hour provide the forecast required in Section 4.3(d) and Buyer incurs a loss or penalty resulting from its scheduling activities with respect to Facility Energy during such hour, Seller shall be responsible for a Forecasting Penalty for each such hour. Settlement of Forecasting Penalties shall occur as set forth in Article 8 of this Agreement. (i) CAISO Tariff Requirements. Subject to the limitations expressly set forth in Section 3.12, to the extent such obligations are applicable to the Facility, Seller will comply with all applicable obligations for Variable Energy Resources under the CAISO Tariff and the Eligible Intermittent Resource Protocol, including providing appropriate operational data and meteorological data, and will fully cooperate with Buyer, Buyer’s SC, and CAISO, in providing all data, information, and authorizations required thereunder.
4.4 Dispatch Down/Curtailment.
(a) General. Seller agrees to reduce the amount of Facility Energy produced by the Facility, by the amount and for the period set forth in any Curtailment Order, Buyer Curtailment Order, or notice received from CAISO in respect of a Buyer Bid Curtailment, provided that Seller is not required to reduce such amount to the extent it is inconsistent with the limitations of the Facility set out in the Operating Restrictions.
Agenda Item: 14
(b) Buyer Curtailment. Buyer shall have the right to order Seller to curtail deliveries of Facility Energy through Buyer Curtailment Orders, provided that Buyer shall pay Seller for Deemed Delivered Energy associated with a Buyer Curtailment Period in excess of the Curtailment Cap at the Renewable Rate and, if applicable, the PTC Amount, in accordance with Exhibit C.
(c) Failure to Comply. If Seller fails to comply with a Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order, then, for each MWh of Facility Energy that is delivered by the Facility to the Delivery Point in contradiction to the Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order, Seller shall pay Buyer for each such MWh at an amount equal to the sum of (A) + (B) + (C), where: (A) is the amount, if any, paid to Seller by Buyer for delivery of such excess MWh and, (B) is the sum, for all Settlement Intervals with a Negative LMP during the Buyer Curtailment Period or Curtailment Period, of the absolute value of the product of such excess MWh in each Settlement Interval and the Negative LMP for such Settlement Interval, and (C) is any penalties assessed by the CAISO or other charges assessed by the CAISO resulting from Seller’s failure to comply with the Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order.
4.5 Seller Equipment Required for Curtailment Instruction Communications.
Seller shall acquire, install, and maintain such facilities, communications links and other equipment, and implement such protocols and practices, as necessary to respond and follow instructions, including an electronic signal conveying real time and intra-day instructions, to operate the Facility as directed by the Buyer in accordance with this Agreement or a Governmental Authority, including to implement a Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order in accordance with the then-current methodology used to transmit such instructions as it may change from time to time. If at any time during the Delivery Term Seller’s facilities, communications links or other equipment, protocols or practices are not in compliance with then-current methodologies, Seller shall take the steps necessary to become compliant as soon as reasonably possible. Seller shall be liable pursuant to Section 4.4(c) for failure to comply with a Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order, during the time that Seller’s facilities, communications links or other equipment, protocols or practices are not in compliance with then-current methodologies. For the avoidance of doubt, a Buyer Curtailment Order, Buyer Bid Curtailment or Curtailment Order communication via such systems and facilities shall have the same force and effect on Seller as any other form of communication.
4.6 Reduction in Delivery Obligation. For the avoidance of doubt, and in no way limiting Section 3.1 or Exhibit G:
(a) Facility Maintenance. Subject to providing Buyer one-hundred twenty (120) days prior Notice, Seller shall be permitted to reduce deliveries of Product during any period of scheduled maintenance on the Facility previously agreed to between Buyer and Seller, provided that, between June 1st and September 30th, Seller shall not schedule non-emergency maintenance that reduces the Energy generation of the Facility by more than ten percent (10%), unless (i) such outage is required to avoid damage to the Facility, (ii) such maintenance is necessary to maintain equipment warranties and cannot be scheduled outside the period of June 1st to September 30th, (iii) such outage for inspection, preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, or in Agenda Item: 14
accordance with Prudent Operating Practices, or (iv) the Parties agree otherwise in writing (each of the foregoing, (a “Planned Outage”).
(b) Forced Facility Outage. Seller shall be permitted to reduce deliveries of Product during any Forced Facility Outage. Seller shall provide Buyer with Notice and expected duration (if known) of any Forced Facility Outage.
(c) System Emergencies and other Interconnection Events. Seller shall be permitted to reduce deliveries of Product during any period of System Emergency, Buyer Curtailment Period or upon Notice of a Curtailment Order pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Interconnection Agreement or applicable tariff.
(d) Force Majeure Event. Seller shall be permitted to reduce deliveries of Product during any Force Majeure Event.
(e) Health and Safety. Seller shall be permitted to reduce deliveries of Product as necessary to maintain health and safety pursuant to Section 6.2.
4.7 Guaranteed Energy Production.
1 Seller shall be required to deliver to Buyer no
less than the Guaranteed Energy Production in each Performance Measurement Period. For purposes of determining whether Seller has achieved the Guaranteed Energy Production, Seller shall be deemed to have delivered to Buyer all (1) Deemed Delivered Energy and (2) Lost Output from the Performance Measurement Period. If Seller fails to achieve the Guaranteed Energy Production amount in any Performance Measurement Period, Seller shall pay Buyer damages calculated in accordance with Exhibit G.
[Alternate language if Seller is providing a shaped product:]
4.7 Failure to Deliver Hourly Settlement Quantity. If Seller fails to deliver any portion of the Hourly Settlement Quantity, and such failure is not excused under the terms of this Agreement, Seller shall be subject to damages equal to the amount of the unexcused shortfall (in MWh) for each Settlement Interval multiplied by the positive difference, if any, obtained by subtracting the Contract Price from the Replacement Price for such Settlement Interval. “Replacement Price” means the amount in $/MWh that is the sum of (a) Day-Ahead LMP at the Delivery Point for the applicable Settlement Interval, plus (b) (i) $25.00/MWh or, or at Buyer’s option, (ii) the market value of Replacement Green Attributes as determined by Buyer in a commercially reasonable manner.
4.8 WREGIS. Seller shall at its sole expense, take all actions and execute all documents or instruments necessary to ensure that all WREGIS Certificates associated with all Renewable Energy Credits corresponding to all Facility Energy are issued and tracked for purposes of satisfying the requirements of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard and transferred in a timely manner to Buyer for Buyer’s sole benefit. Seller shall transfer the Renewable Energy Credits to Buyer. Seller shall comply with all Laws, including the WREGIS Operating Rules, regarding the certification and transfer of such WREGIS Certificates to Buyer and Buyer shall be 1 Note – Section 4.7 (Guaranteed Energy Production) is not applicable if Seller is providing a shaped product.
Agenda Item: 14
given sole title to all such WREGIS Certificates. In addition:
(a) Prior to the Commercial Operation Date, Seller shall register the Facility with WREGIS and establish an account with WREGIS (“Seller’s WREGIS Account”), which Seller shall maintain until the end of the Delivery Term. Seller shall transfer the WREGIS Certificates using “Forward Certificate Transfers” (as described in the WREGIS Operating Rules) from Seller’s WREGIS Account to the WREGIS account(s) of Buyer or the account(s) of a designee that Buyer identifies by Notice to Seller (“Buyer’s WREGIS Account”). Seller shall be responsible for all expenses associated with registering the Facility with WREGIS, establishing and maintaining Seller’s WREGIS Account, paying WREGIS Certificate issuance and transfer fees, and transferring WREGIS Certificates from Seller’s WREGIS Account to Buyer’s WREGIS Account.
(b) Seller shall cause Forward Certificate Transfers to occur on a monthly basis in accordance with the certification procedure established by the WREGIS Operating Rules. Since WREGIS Certificates will only be created for whole MWh amounts of Facility Energy generated, any fractional MWh amounts (i.e., kWh) will be carried forward until sufficient generation is accumulated for the creation of a WREGIS Certificate.
(c) Seller shall, at its sole expense, ensure that the WREGIS Certificates for a given calendar month correspond with the Facility Energy for such calendar month as evidenced by the Facility’s metered data.
(d) Due to the ninety (90) day delay in the creation of WREGIS Certificates relative to the timing of invoice payment under Section 8.2, Buyer shall make an invoice payment for a given month in accordance with Section 8.2 before the WREGIS Certificates for such month are formally transferred to Buyer in accordance with the WREGIS Operating Rules and this Section 4.8. Notwithstanding this delay, Buyer shall have all right and title to all such WREGIS Certificates upon payment to Seller in accordance with Section 8.2. (e) A “WREGIS Certificate Deficit” means any deficit or shortfall in WREGIS Certificates delivered to Buyer for a calendar month as compared to the Facility Energy for the same calendar month (“Deficient Month”) caused by an error or omission of Seller. If any WREGIS Certificate Deficit is caused, or the result of any action or inaction by Seller, then the amount of Facility Energy in the Deficient Month shall be reduced by the amount of the WREGIS Certificate Deficit for purposes of calculating Buyer’s payment to Seller under Article 8 and damages, if any, under Exhibit G for the applicable Contract Year; provided, however, that such adjustment shall not apply to the extent that Seller resolves the WREGIS Certificate Deficit within ninety (90) days after the Deficient Month. Without limiting Seller’s obligations under this Section
4.8, if a WREGIS Certificate Deficit is caused solely by an error or omission of WREGIS, the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to cause WREGIS to correct its error or omission. (f) If WREGIS changes the WREGIS Operating Rules after the Effective Date or applies the WREGIS Operating Rules in a manner inconsistent with this Section 4.8 after the Effective Date, the Parties promptly shall modify this Section 4.8 as reasonably required to cause and enable Seller to transfer to Buyer’s WREGIS Account a quantity of WREGIS Certificates for each given calendar month that corresponds to the Facility Energy in the same calendar month.
Agenda Item: 14
4.9 Interconnection Capacity. Seller shall have and maintain interconnection capacity available or allocable to the Facility that is no less than the Guaranteed Capacity under the Interconnection Agreement during the Test Energy period and throughout the Delivery Term.
4.10 Green-E Certification. Upon request of Buyer, Seller shall submit, a Green-e® Energy Tracking Attestation Form (“Attestation”) for Product delivered under this Agreement to the Center for Resource Solutions (“CRS”) at https://www.tfaforms.com/4652008 or its successor. The Attestation shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of CRS and shall be submitted within thirty (30) days of Buyer’s request or the last day of the month in which the applicable Facility Energy was generated, whichever is later.
ARTICLE 5
TAXES
5.1 Allocation of Taxes and Charges. Seller shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes on or with respect to the Facility or on or with respect to the sale and making available of Product to Buyer, that are imposed on Product prior to its delivery to Buyer at the time and place contemplated under this Agreement. Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid all Taxes on or with respect to the delivery to and purchase by Buyer of Product that are imposed on Product at and after its delivery to Buyer at the time and place contemplated under this Agreement (other than withholding or other Taxes imposed on Seller’s income, revenue, receipts or employees), if any.
If a Party is required to remit or pay Taxes that are the other Party’s responsibility hereunder, such Party shall promptly pay the Taxes due and then seek and receive reimbursement from the other for such Taxes. In the event any sale of Product hereunder is exempt from or not subject to any particular Tax, Buyer shall provide Seller with all necessary documentation within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date to evidence such exemption or exclusion. If Buyer does not provide such documentation, then Buyer shall indemnify, defend, and hold Seller harmless from any liability with respect to Taxes from which Buyer claims it is exempt.
5.2 Cooperation. Each Party shall use reasonable efforts to implement the provisions of and administer this Agreement in accordance with the intent of the Parties to minimize all Taxes, so long as no Party is materially adversely affected by such efforts. The Parties shall cooperate to minimize Tax exposure; provided, however, that neither Party shall be obligated to incur any financial or operational burden to reduce Taxes for which the other Party is responsible hereunder without receiving due compensation therefor from the other Party. All Product delivered by Seller to Buyer hereunder shall be a sale made at wholesale, with Buyer reselling such Product.
ARTICLE 6
MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY
6.1 Maintenance of the Facility. Seller shall comply with Law and Prudent Operating Practice relating to the operation and maintenance of the Facility, the generation and sale of Product, and the disposal and recycling of any equipment associated with the Facility, including without limitation solar panels.
6.2 Maintenance of Health and Safety. Seller shall take reasonable safety precautions with respect to the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the Facility. If Seller Agenda Item: 14
becomes aware of any circumstances relating to the Facility that create an imminent risk of damage or injury to any Person or any Person’s property, Seller shall take prompt action to prevent such damage or injury and shall give Notice to Buyer’s emergency contact identified on Exhibit N of such condition. Such action may include, to the extent reasonably necessary, disconnecting and removing all or a portion of the Facility, or suspending the supply of Energy to Buyer.
6.3 Shared Facilities. The Parties acknowledge and agree that certain of the Interconnection Facilities, Seller’s rights and obligations under the Interconnection Agreement and Seller’s rights and obligations under transmission service agreements with a Transmission Provider, may be subject to certain shared facilities and/or co-tenancy agreements (“Shared Facilities Agreements”) to be entered into among two or more of Seller, the Participating Transmission Owner, Seller’s Affiliates, and/or third parties pursuant to which certain Interconnection Facilities, interconnection service and/or transmission service may be subject to joint ownership and/or shared maintenance and operation arrangements; provided that such agreements(i) shall permit Seller to perform or satisfy, and shall not purport to limit, its obligations hereunder, including providing interconnection capacity for the Facility in an amount not less than the Guaranteed Capacity, and (ii) continue to provide for separate metering and a separate CAISO Resource ID for the Facility.
6.4 Operating Committee and Operating Procedures.
Buyer and Seller shall each appoint one representative and one alternate representative to act as the Operating Committee in matters relating to the Parties’ performance obligations under this Agreement and to develop operating arrangements for the generation, delivery and receipt of any output from the Facility.
The Operating Committee may develop mutually agreeable written Operating Procedures consistent with the requirements of this Agreement to address: matters of day-to-day communications; key personnel; operations-center interface; metering, telemetering, telecommunications and data acquisition procedures; operations and maintenance scheduling and reporting; reports; operations log; testing procedures; and such other matters as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties. The Operating Committee shall develop mutually agreeable written Operating Procedures consistent with the requirements of this Agreement.
The Operating Committee shall have authority to act in all technical and day-to-day operational matters relating to performance of this Agreement and to attempt to resolve disputes or potential disputes; provided, however, that except to the extent explicitly provided for in this Agreement, such representatives and the Operating Committee shall not have the authority to amend or modify any provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 7
METERING
7.1 Metering. The Facility shall be separately metered from any other generation or storage facility. Seller shall measure the amount of Facility Energy using the Facility Meter, which will be subject to adjustment in accordance with applicable CAISO meter requirements and Prudent Operating Practices, including to account for Electrical Losses and Station Use. All meters Agenda Item: 14
will be operated pursuant to applicable CAISO-approved calculation methodologies and maintained as Seller’s cost. Subject to meeting any applicable CAISO requirements, the meters shall be programmed to adjust for all losses from such meter to the Delivery Point in a manner subject to Buyer’s prior written approval. Metering will be consistent with the Metering Diagram set forth as Exhibit P, and a final version of which shall be provided to Buyer at least thirty (30) days before the Commercial Operation Date. Seller shall obtain and maintain a single CAISO resource ID dedicated exclusively to the Facility. Seller shall not obtain additional CAISO resource IDs for the Facility without the prior written consent of Buyer. In addition, upon the reasonable request of Buyer, Seller shall obtain one or more additional CAISO resource IDs, provided that any out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining such additional CAISO resource IDs incurred by Seller shall be reimbursed by Buyer. Each meter shall be kept under seal, such seals to be broken only when the meters are to be tested, adjusted, modified or relocated. In the event Seller breaks a seal, Seller shall notify Buyer as soon as practicable. In addition, Seller hereby agrees to provide all meter data to Buyer in a form reasonably acceptable to Buyer, and consents to Buyer obtaining from CAISO the CAISO meter data directly relating to the Facility and all inspection, testing and calibration data and reports. Seller and Buyer, or Buyer’s Scheduling Coordinator, shall cooperate to allow both Parties to retrieve the meter reads from the CAISO Market Results Interface – Settlements (MRI-S) (or its successor) or directly from the CAISO meter(s) at the Facility.
7.2 Meter Verification. If Seller has reason to believe there may be a meter malfunction, or upon Buyer’s reasonable request, Seller shall test the meter. The tests shall be conducted by independent third parties qualified to conduct such tests. Buyer shall be notified seven (7) days in advance of such tests and have a right to be present during such tests. If a meter is inaccurate it shall be promptly repaired or replaced. Seller may elect to install and maintain, at its own expense, backup metering devices.
ARTICLE 8
INVOICING AND PAYMENT; CREDIT
8.1 Invoicing. Seller shall make good faith efforts to deliver an invoice to Buyer within ten (10) days after the end of the prior monthly delivery period. Each invoice shall reflect (a) records of metered data, including CAISO metering and transaction data sufficient to document and verify the amount of Product delivered by the Facility for any Settlement Period during the preceding month, including the amount of Energy produced by the Facility as read by the Facility Meter, the amount of Replacement RA delivered to Buyer (if any), calculation of Facility Energy, Deemed Delivered Energy and Adjusted Energy Production, the LMP prices at the Delivery Point for each Settlement Period, and the Contract Price applicable to such Product in accordance with Exhibit C; (b) access to any records, including invoices or settlement data from the CAISO, necessary to verify the accuracy of any amount; and (c) be in a format reasonably agreed by the Parties within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date, covering the services provided in the preceding month determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
Buyer shall, and shall cause its Scheduling Coordinator to, promptly provide Seller with all reasonable access (including, in real time, to the maximum extent reasonably possible) to any records, including invoices or settlement data from the CAISO, forecast data and other information, all as may be necessary from time to time for Seller to prepare and verify the accuracy of all invoices. The invoice shall be delivered by electronic mail.
Agenda Item: 14
8.2 Payment. Buyer shall make payment to Seller for Product by wire transfer or ACH payment to the bank account provided on each monthly invoice. Buyer shall pay undisputed invoice amounts within thirty (30) Days after receipt of the invoice, or the end of the prior monthly delivery period, whichever is later. If such due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, such due date shall be the next Business Day. Payments made after the due date will be considered late and will bear interest on the unpaid balance. If the amount due is not paid on or before the due date or if any other payment that is due and owing from one Party to another is not paid on or before its applicable due date, a late payment charge shall be applied to the unpaid balance and shall be added to the next billing statement. Such late payment charge shall be calculated based on the 3- Month prime rate (or any equivalent successor rate accepted by a majority of major financial institutions) published on the date of the invoice in The Wall Street Journal (or, if The Wall Street Journal is not published on that day, the next succeeding date of publication), plus two percent (2%) (the “Interest Rate”). If the due date occurs on a day that is not a Business Day, the late payment charge shall begin to accrue on the next succeeding Business Day.
8.3 Books and Records. To facilitate payment and verification, each Party shall maintain all books and records necessary for billing and payments, including copies of all invoices under this Agreement, for a period of at least five (5) years or as otherwise required by Law. Upon five (5) Business Days’ Notice to the other Party, either Party shall be granted access to the accounting books and records within the possession or control of the other Party pertaining to all invoices generated or payments made pursuant to this Agreement. Seller acknowledges that in accordance with California Government Code Section 8546.7, Seller may be subject to audit by the California State Auditor with regard to Seller’s performance of this Agreement because the compensation under this Agreement exceeds $10,000.
8.4 Invoice Adjustments. Invoice adjustments shall be made if (a) there have been good faith inaccuracies in invoicing or payment that are not otherwise disputed under Section 8.5, (b) an adjustment to an amount previously invoiced or paid is required due to a correction of data by the CAISO or (c) there have been meter inaccuracies; provided, however, that there shall be no adjustments to prior invoices based upon meter inaccuracies except to the extent that such meter adjustments are accepted by CAISO for revenue purposes. If the required adjustment is in favor of Buyer, Buyer’s next monthly payment shall be credited in an amount equal to the adjustment.
If the required adjustment is in favor of Seller, Seller shall add the adjustment amount to Buyer’s next monthly invoice. Adjustments in favor of either Buyer or Seller shall bear interest, until settled in full, in accordance with Section 8.2, accruing from the date on which the adjusted amount should have been due. Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, no adjustment of invoices shall be permitted after twenty-four (24) months from the date of the invoice.
8.5 Billing Disputes. A Party may, in good faith, dispute the correctness of any invoice or any adjustment to an invoice rendered under this Agreement or adjust any invoice for any arithmetic or computational error within twelve (12) months of the date the invoice, or adjustment to an invoice, was rendered. In the event an invoice, payment or portion thereof, or any other claim or adjustment arising hereunder, is disputed, payment of the undisputed portion of the invoice shall be required to be made when due. Any invoice or payment dispute or invoice adjustment shall be in writing and shall state the basis for the dispute or adjustment. Payment of the disputed amount shall not be required until the dispute is resolved. Upon resolution of the dispute, any required payment shall be made within five (5) Business Days of such resolution Agenda Item: 14
along with interest accrued at the Interest Rate from and including the original due date to but excluding the date paid. Inadvertent overpayments shall be returned via adjustments in accordance with Section 8.4. Any dispute with respect to an invoice is waived if the other Party is not notified in accordance with this Section 8.5 within twelve (12) months after the invoice is rendered or subsequently adjusted, except to the extent any misinformation was from a third party not affiliated with any Party and such third party corrects its information after the twelve-month period. If an invoice is not rendered within twelve (12) months after the close of the month during which performance occurred, the right to payment for such performance is waived.
8.6 Netting of Payments. The Parties hereby agree that they may discharge undisputed mutual debts and payment obligations due and owing to each other on the same date through netting, in which case all amounts owed by each Party to the other Party for the purchase and sale of Product during the monthly billing period under this Agreement or otherwise arising out of this Agreement, including any related damages calculated pursuant to Exhibit B, interest, and payments or credits, shall be netted so that only the excess amount remaining due after netting any such undisputed amount shall be paid by the Party who owes it.
8.7 Seller’s Development Security. To secure its obligations under this Agreement, Seller shall deliver Development Security to Buyer within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date.
Seller shall maintain the Development Security in full force and effect. Upon the earlier of (i) Seller’s delivery of the Performance Security, or (ii) sixty (60) days after termination of this Agreement, Buyer shall return the Development Security to Seller, less the amounts drawn in accordance with this Agreement. If the Development Security is a Letter of Credit and the issuer of such Letter of Credit fails to maintain the minimum Credit Rating specified in the definition of Letter of Credit, (ii) indicates its intent not to renew such Letter of Credit and such Letter of Credit expires prior to the Commercial Operation Date, or (iii) fails to honor Buyer’s properly documented request to draw on such Letter of Credit by such issuer, Seller shall have ten (10) Business Days to either post cash or deliver a substitute Letter of Credit that meets the requirements set forth in the definition of Development Security.
8.8 Seller’s Performance Security. To secure its obligations under this Agreement, Seller shall deliver Performance Security to Buyer on or before the Commercial Operation Date.
If the Performance Security is not in the form of cash or Letter of Credit, it shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit L. Seller shall maintain the Performance Security in full force and effect, subject to any draws made by Buyer in accordance with this Agreement, until the following have occurred: (A) the Delivery Term has expired or terminated early; and (B) all payment obligations of the Seller then due and payable under this Agreement, including compensation for penalties, Termination Payment, indemnification payments or other damages are paid in full (whether directly or indirectly such as through set-off or netting). Following the occurrence of both events, Buyer shall promptly return to Seller the unused portion of the Performance Security. If the Performance Security is a Letter of Credit and the issuer of such Letter of Credit (i) fails to maintain the minimum Credit Rating set forth in the definition of Letter of Credit, (ii) indicates its intent not to renew such Letter of Credit and such Letter of Credit expires prior to the Commercial Operation Date, or (iii) fails to honor Buyer’s properly documented request to draw on such Letter of Credit by such issuer, Seller shall have ten (10) Business Days to either post cash or deliver a substitute Letter of Credit that meets the requirements set forth in the definition of Performance Security.
Agenda Item: 14
8.9 First Priority Security Interest in Cash or Cash Equivalent Collateral. To secure its obligations under this Agreement, and until released as provided herein, Seller hereby grants to Buyer a present and continuing first-priority security interest (“Security Interest”) in, and lien on (and right to net against), and assignment of the Development Security, Performance Security, and other cash collateral and cash equivalent collateral posted pursuant to Sections 8.7 and 8.8 and any and all interest thereon or proceeds resulting therefrom or from the liquidation thereof, whether now or hereafter held by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of Buyer, and Seller agrees to take all action as Buyer reasonably requires in order to perfect Buyer’s Security Interest in, and lien on (and right to net against), such collateral and any and all proceeds resulting therefrom or from the liquidation thereof.
Upon or any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default caused by Seller, an Early Termination Date resulting from an Event of Default caused by Seller, or an occasion provided for in this Agreement where Buyer is authorized to retain all or a portion of the Development Security or Performance Security, Buyer may do any one or more of the following (in each case subject to the final sentence of this Section 8.9):
(a) Exercise any of its rights and remedies with respect to the Development Security and Performance Security, including any such rights and remedies under Law then in effect;
(b) Draw on any outstanding Letter of Credit issued for its benefit and retain any cash held by Buyer as Development Security or Performance Security; and (c) Liquidate all Development Security or Performance Security (as applicable) then held by or for the benefit of Buyer free from any claim or right of any nature whatsoever of Seller, including any equity or right of purchase or redemption by Seller.
Buyer shall apply the proceeds of the collateral realized upon the exercise of any such rights or remedies to reduce Seller’s obligations under this Agreement (Seller remains liable for any amounts owing to Buyer after such application), subject to Buyer’s obligation to return any surplus proceeds remaining after these obligations are satisfied in full.
8.10 Financial Statements. In the event a Guaranty is provided as Performance Security in lieu of cash or a Letter of Credit, Seller shall provide to Buyer, or cause the Guarantor to provide to Buyer, unaudited quarterly and annual audited financial statements of the Guarantor (including a balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows), all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied.
ARTICLE 9
NOTICES
9.1 Addresses for the Delivery of Notices. Any Notice required, permitted, or contemplated hereunder shall be in writing, shall be addressed to the Party to be notified at the address set forth on Exhibit N or to such other people or at such other address or addresses as a Party may designate for itself from time to time by Notice hereunder.
Agenda Item: 14
9.2 Acceptable Means of Delivering Notice. Except as expressly provided otherwise, each Notice required, permitted, or contemplated hereunder shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered if sent by electronic mail at the time indicated by the time stamp upon delivery, except that if received after 5:00 PM Pacific Prevailing Time, it shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notices of outages or other scheduling or dispatch information or requests, may be sent by electronic mail, or any other mutually-acceptable form of electronic communication, and shall be considered delivered upon successful completion of such transmission. Notices sent pursuant to Article 11 (Event of Default), Article 15 (Dispute Resolution), and Article 16 (Indemnification) must concurrently be sent by hand delivery or overnight carrier with delivery fees either prepaid or an arrangement with such carrier made for the payment of such fees.
ARTICLE 10
FORCE MAJEURE
10.1 Definition.
(a) “Force Majeure Event” means any act or event that delays or prevents a Party from timely performing all or a portion of its obligations under this Agreement or from complying with all or a portion of the conditions under this Agreement if such act or event, despite the exercise of reasonable efforts, cannot be avoided by and is beyond the reasonable control (whether direct or indirect) of and without the fault or negligence of the Party relying thereon as justification for such delay, nonperformance, or noncompliance. (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so long as the following events, despite the exercise of reasonable efforts, cannot be avoided by, and are beyond the reasonable control (whether direct or indirect) of and without the fault or negligence of the Party relying thereon as justification for such delay, nonperformance or noncompliance, a Force Majeure Event may include an act of God or the elements, such as flooding, lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes, or ice storms; explosion; fire; volcanic eruption; flood; epidemic; landslide; mudslide; sabotage; terrorism; earthquake; or other cataclysmic events; an act of public enemy; war; blockade; civil insurrection; riot; civil disturbance; or strikes or other labor difficulties caused or suffered by a Party or any third party except as set forth below. (c) For the avoidance of doubt, so long as the event, despite the use of reasonable efforts, cannot be avoided by, and is beyond the reasonable control of (whether direct or indirect) and without the fault or negligence of the Party relying thereon as justification for such delay, nonperformance, or noncompliance, Force Majeure Event may include an epidemic or pandemic, including in connection with the impacts of and efforts to combat or mitigate the epidemic disease designated COVID-19 and the related virus designated SARS-CoV-2 and any mutations thereof (“COVID-19”).
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Force Majeure Event” does not include (i) economic conditions that render a Party’s performance of this Agreement at the Contract Price unprofitable or otherwise uneconomic (including an increase in component costs for any reason, including foreign or domestic tariffs, Buyer’s ability to buy electric energy at a lower price, or Seller’s ability to sell the Product, or any component thereof, at a higher price, than Agenda Item: 14
under this Agreement); (ii) Seller’s inability to obtain permits or approvals of any type for the construction, operation, or maintenance of the Facility, except to the extent such inability is caused by a Force Majeure Event; (iii) the inability of a Party to make payments when due under this Agreement, unless the cause of such inability is an event that would otherwise constitute a Force Majeure Event as described above; (iv) a Curtailment Order; (v) Seller’s inability to obtain sufficient labor, equipment, materials, or other resources to build or operate the Facility except to the extent such inability is caused by a Force Majeure Event; or (vi) any equipment failure except if such equipment failure is caused by a Force Majeure Event. (e) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a Force Majeure Event does not excuse Seller’s inability to achieve Construction Start of the Facility following the Guaranteed Construction Start Date or achieve Commercial Operation following the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date except to the extent such Force Majeure Event is allowed pursuant to a Development Cure Period.
10.2 Termination Following Force Majeure Event. If a Force Majeure Event has occurred after the Commercial Operation Date that has caused either Party to be wholly or partially unable to perform its obligations hereunder, and the impacted Party has claimed and received relief from performance of its obligations for a consecutive twelve (12) month period, then the non-claiming Party may terminate this Agreement upon written Notice to the other Party. Upon any such termination, neither Party shall have any liability to the other Party, save and except for those obligations specified in Section 2.1(b), and Buyer shall promptly return to Seller any Performance Security then held by Buyer, less any amounts drawn in accordance with this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the occurrence and continuation of a Force Majeure Event shall not (a) suspend or excuse the obligation of a Party to make any payments due hereunder, (b) suspend or excuse the obligation of Seller to achieve the Guaranteed Construction Start Date or the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date beyond the extensions provided in Exhibit B, or (c) limit Buyer’s right to declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(ii) or (iv) and receive a Damage Payment upon exercise of Buyer’s default right pursuant to Section 11.2.
10.3 Notice for Force Majeure. Within two (2) Business Days of the commencement of Force Majeure Event, the claiming Party shall provide the other Party with oral notice of the Force Majeure Event, and within two (2) weeks of the commencement of a Force Majeure Event the claiming Party shall provide the other Party with notice in the form of a letter describing in detail the occurrence giving rise to the Force Majeure Event, including the nature, cause, estimated date of commencement thereof, and the anticipated extent of any delay or interruption in performance. Failure to provide timely notice constitutes a waiver of the Force Majeure Event.
Upon written request from Buyer, Seller shall provide documentation demonstrating to Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction that each day of the claimed delay was the result of a Force Majeure Event and did not result from Seller’s actions or failure to exercise due diligence or take reasonable actions. The claiming party shall promptly notify the other Party in writing of the cessation or termination of such Force Majeure Event, all as known or estimated in good faith by the affected Party. The suspension of performance due to a claim of a Force Majeure Event must be of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is required by the Force Majeure Event.
Agenda Item: 14
ARTICLE 11
DEFAULTS; REMEDIES; TERMINATION
11.1 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” shall mean, (a) with respect to a Party (the “Defaulting Party”) that is subject to the Event of Default the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) the failure by such Party to make, when due, any payment required pursuant to this Agreement and such failure is not remedied within ten (10) Business Days after Notice thereof;
(ii) any representation or warranty made by such Party herein is false or misleading in any material respect when made or when deemed made or repeated, and such default is not remedied within thirty (30) days after Notice thereof (or such longer additional period, not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days, if the Defaulting Party is unable to remedy such default within such initial thirty (30) days period despite diligently seeking a cure); (iii) the failure by such Party to perform any material covenant or obligation set forth in this Agreement (except to the extent constituting a separate Event of Default set forth in this Section 11.1; and except for failures related to the Adjusted Energy Production that do not trigger the provisions of Section 11.1(b)(iii), the exclusive remedies for which are set forth in Section 4.8) and such failure is not remedied within thirty (30) days after Notice thereof (or such longer additional period, not to exceed an additional ninety (90) days, if the Defaulting Party is unable to remedy such default within such initial thirty (30) days period despite diligently seeking a cure);
(iv) such Party becomes Bankrupt;
(v) such Party assigns this Agreement or any of its rights hereunder other than in compliance with Section 14.2 or 14.3, as appropriate; or (vi) such Party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer, the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such Party under this Agreement to which it or its predecessor was a party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. (b) with respect to Seller as the Defaulting Party, the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) if at any time, Seller delivers or attempts to deliver Energy to the Delivery Point for sale under this Agreement that was not generated by the Facility; (ii) the failure by Seller to achieve Commercial Operation within ninety (90) days following the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date; Agenda Item: 14
(iii) if not remedied within ten (10) days after Notice thereof, the failure by Seller to deliver a Remedial Action Plan required under Section 2.4 that demonstrates a reasonable plan for completing the Facility by the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date; (iv) the failure by Seller to achieve the Construction Start Date within one hundred twenty (120) days of the Guaranteed Construction Start Date; (v) Seller sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers, or commits to sell, assign, or otherwise transfer, the Product, or any portion thereof, during the Delivery Term to any party other than Buyer except as expressly permitted under this Agreement; (vi) if, in any consecutive six (6) month period, the Adjusted Energy Production amount (calculated in accordance with Exhibit G) for such period is not at least ten percent (10%) of the Expected Energy amount for such period, and Seller fails to either (x) demonstrate to Buyer’s reasonable satisfaction, within ten (10) Business Days after Notice from Buyer, a legitimate reason for the failure to meet the ten percent (10%) minimum; or (y) deliver to Buyer within ten (10) Business Days after Notice from Buyer a plan or report developed by Seller that describes the cause of the failure to meet the ten percent (10%) and the actions that Seller has taken, is taking, or proposes to take in an effort to cure such condition along with the written confirmation of a Licensed Professional Engineer that such plan or report is in accordance with Prudent Operating Practices and capable of cure within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days;
(vii) if, beginning in the second Contract Year, the Adjusted Energy Production amount is not at least fifty percent (50%) of the Expected Energy amount in any Contract Year;
(viii) if, in any Performance Measurement Period during the Delivery Term, the Adjusted Energy Production amount is not at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the Expected Energy amount;
(ix) failure by Seller to satisfy the collateral requirements pursuant to Sections 8.7 or 8.8 after Notice and expiration of the cure periods set forth therein, including the failure to replenish the Performance Security amount in accordance with this Agreement in the event Buyer draws on the Performance Security other than to satisfy a Termination Payment; (x) with respect to any Guaranty provided for the benefit of Buyer, the failure by Seller to provide for the benefit of Buyer either (1) cash, (2) a replacement Guaranty from a different Guarantor meeting the criteria set forth in the definition of Guarantor, or (3) a replacement Letter of Credit from an issuer meeting the criteria set forth in the definition of Letter of Credit, in each case, in the amount required hereunder within ten (10) Business Days after Seller receives Notice of the occurrence of any of the following events:
(A) if any representation or warranty made by the Guarantor in connection with this Agreement is false or misleading in any material respect when made or when deemed made or repeated, and such default is not remedied within thirty (30) days after Notice thereof; Agenda Item: 14
(B) the failure of the Guarantor to make any payment required or to perform any other material covenant or obligation in any Guaranty; (C) the Guarantor becomes Bankrupt;
(D) the Guarantor shall fail to meet the criteria for an acceptable Guarantor as set forth in the definition of Guarantor;
(E) the failure of the Guaranty to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the indefeasible satisfaction of all obligations of Seller hereunder; or
(F) the Guarantor shall repudiate, disaffirm, disclaim, or reject, in whole or in part, or challenge the validity of any Guaranty; or (xi) with respect to any outstanding Letter of Credit provided for the benefit of Buyer that is not then required under this Agreement to be canceled or returned, the failure by Seller to provide for the benefit of Buyer either (1) cash, or (2) a substitute Letter of Credit from a different issuer meeting the criteria set forth in the definition of Letter of Credit, in each case, in the amount required hereunder within ten (10) Business Days after Seller receives Notice of the occurrence of any of the following events:
(A) the issuer of the outstanding Letter of Credit shall fail to maintain a Credit Rating of at least BBB by S&P or Baa2 by Moody’s; (B) the issuer of such Letter of Credit becomes Bankrupt; (C) the issuer of the outstanding Letter of Credit shall fail to comply with or perform its obligations under such Letter of Credit and such failure shall be continuing after the lapse of any applicable grace period permitted under such Letter of Credit;
(D) the issuer of the outstanding Letter of Credit shall fail to honor a properly documented request to draw on such Letter of Credit; (E) the issuer of the outstanding Letter of Credit shall disaffirm, disclaim, repudiate or reject, in whole or in part, or challenge the validity of, such Letter of Credit;
(F) such Letter of Credit fails or ceases to be in full force and effect at any time; or
(G) Seller shall fail to renew or cause the renewal of each outstanding Letter of Credit on a timely basis as provided in the relevant Letter of Credit and as provided in accordance with this Agreement, and in no event less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the outstanding Letter of Credit.
Agenda Item: 14
11.2 Remedies; Declaration of Early Termination Date. If an Event of Default with respect to a Defaulting Party shall have occurred and be continuing, the other Party (“Non-Defaulting Party”) shall have the following rights:
(a) to send Notice, designating a day, no earlier than the day such Notice is deemed to be received and no later than twenty (20) days after such Notice is deemed to be received, as an early termination date of this Agreement (“Early Termination Date”) that terminates this Agreement (the “Terminated Transaction”) and ends the Delivery Term effective as of the Early Termination Date;
(b) to accelerate all amounts owing between the Parties, and to collect as liquidated damages (i) the Damage Payment (in the case of an Event of Default by Seller occurring before the Commercial Operation Date, including an Event of Default under Section 11.1(b)(ii) or
11.1(b)(iv)))), or (ii) the Termination Payment calculated in accordance with Section 11.3 below (in the case of any other Event of Default by either Party); (c) to withhold any payments due to the Defaulting Party under this Agreement; (d) to suspend performance; or
(e) to exercise any other right or remedy available at law or in equity, including specific performance or injunctive relief, except to the extent such remedies are expressly limited under this Agreement;
provided, that payment by the Defaulting Party of the Damage Payment or Termination Payment, as applicable, shall constitute liquidated damages and the Non-Defaulting Party’s sole and exclusive monetary remedy for any Terminated Transaction and the Event of Default related thereto.
11.3 Termination Payment. The Termination Payment (“Termination Payment”) for a Terminated Transaction shall be the aggregate of all Settlement Amounts plus any or all other amounts due to or from the Non-Defaulting Party (as of the Early Termination Date) netted into a single amount. The Non-Defaulting Party shall calculate, in a commercially reasonable manner, a Settlement Amount for the Terminated Transaction as of the Early Termination Date. Third parties supplying information for purposes of the calculation of Gains or Losses may include, without limitation, dealers in the relevant markets, end-users of the relevant product, information vendors and other sources of market information. The Settlement Amount shall not include consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary, indirect or business interruption damages. Without prejudice to the Non-Defaulting Party’s duty to mitigate, the Non-Defaulting Party shall not have to enter into replacement transactions to establish a Settlement Amount. Each Party agrees and acknowledges that (a) the actual damages that the Non-Defaulting Party would incur in connection with a Terminated Transaction would be difficult or impossible to predict with certainty, (b) the Damage Payment or Termination Payment described in Section 11.2 or this Section 11.3 (as applicable) is a reasonable and appropriate approximation of such damages, and (c) the Damage Payment or Termination Payment described in Section 11.2 or this Section 11.3 (as applicable) is the exclusive remedy of the Non-Defaulting Party in connection with a Terminated Transaction but shall not otherwise act to limit any of the Non-Defaulting Party’s rights or remedies if the Non-Defaulting Agenda Item: 14
Party does not elect a Terminated Transaction as its remedy for an Event of Default by the Defaulting Party.
11.4 Notice of Payment of Termination Payment. As soon as practicable after a Terminated Transaction, Notice shall be given by the Non-Defaulting Party to the Defaulting Party of the amount of the Damage Payment or Termination Payment and whether the Termination Payment is due to or from the Non-Defaulting Party. The Notice shall include a written statement explaining in reasonable detail the calculation of such amount and the sources for such calculation.
The Termination Payment shall be made to or from the Non-Defaulting Party, as applicable, within ten (10) Business Days after such Notice is effective.
11.5 Disputes With Respect to Termination Payment. If the Defaulting Party disputes the Non-Defaulting Party’s calculation of the Termination Payment, in whole or in part, the Defaulting Party shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of the Non-Defaulting Party’s calculation of the Termination Payment, provide to the Non-Defaulting Party a detailed written explanation of the basis for such dispute. Disputes regarding the Termination Payment shall be determined in accordance with Article 15.
11.6 Rights And Remedies Are Cumulative. Except where an express and exclusive remedy or measure of damages is provided, the rights and remedies of a Party pursuant to this Article 11 shall be cumulative and in addition to the rights of the Parties otherwise provided in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 12
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND EXCLUSION OF WARRANTIES.
12.1 No Consequential Damages. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PART OF AN
EXPRESS REMEDY OR MEASURE OF DAMAGES HEREIN, OR PART OF AN ARTICLE 16 INDEMNITY CLAIM, OR INCLUDED IN A LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CALCULATION,
OR ARISING FROM FRAUD OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION, NEITHER
PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER OR ITS INDEMNIFIED PERSONS FOR ANY
SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR
LOSSES OR DAMAGES FOR LOST REVENUE OR LOST PROFITS, WHETHER
FORESEEABLE OR NOT, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
12.2 Waiver and Exclusion of Other Damages. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET
FORTH HEREIN, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED. THE PARTIES CONFIRM THAT THE EXPRESS REMEDIES AND
MEASURES OF DAMAGES PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT SATISFY THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSES HEREOF. ALL LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED IN
THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE PERTAINING TO SELLER’S LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND THE PARTIES’ WAIVER OF
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SHALL APPLY EVEN IF THE REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE DEEMED TO “FAIL OF THEIR Agenda Item: 14
ESSENTIAL PURPOSE” OR ARE OTHERWISE HELD TO BE INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE.
FOR BREACH OF ANY PROVISION FOR WHICH AN EXPRESS AND EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY OR MEASURE OF DAMAGES IS PROVIDED, SUCH EXPRESS REMEDY OR
MEASURE OF DAMAGES SHALL BE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, THE OBLIGOR’S LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED AS SET FORTH IN SUCH PROVISION, AND ALL OTHER REMEDIES OR DAMAGES AT LAW OR IN EQUITY ARE WAIVED.
TO THE EXTENT ANY DAMAGES REQUIRED TO BE PAID HEREUNDER ARE LIQUIDATED, INCLUDING UNDER SECTIONS 3.8, 4.7, 4.8, 11.2 AND 11.3, AND AS
PROVIDED IN EXHIBIT B, EXHIBIT G, AND EXHIBIT P THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT THE DAMAGES ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE, THAT
OTHERWISE OBTAINING AN ADEQUATE REMEDY IS INCONVENIENT, AND THAT
THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CONSTITUTE A REASONABLE APPROXIMATION OF THE ANTICIPATED HARM OR LOSS. IT IS THE INTENT OF THE PARTIES THAT THE
LIMITATIONS HEREIN IMPOSED ON REMEDIES AND THE MEASURE OF DAMAGES
BE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CAUSE OR CAUSES RELATED THERETO, INCLUDING
THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY PARTY, WHETHER SUCH NEGLIGENCE BE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT, OR ACTIVE OR PASSIVE. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO CONTEST SUCH PAYMENTS AS AN UNREASONABLE PENALTY.
THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT MONEY DAMAGES AND THE
EXPRESS REMEDIES PROVIDED FOR HEREIN ARE AN ADEQUATE REMEDY FOR THE
BREACH BY THE OTHER OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH PARTY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATION OF THE OTHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE 13
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; AUTHORITY
13.1 Seller’s Representations and Warranties. As of the Effective Date, Seller represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Seller is a [Type of entity], duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, and is qualified to conduct business in the state of California and each jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of Seller. (b) Seller has the power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and is not prohibited from entering into this Agreement or discharging and performing all covenants and obligations on its part to be performed under and pursuant to this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller has been duly authorized by all necessary [limited liability company][corporate] action on the part of Seller and does not and will not require the consent of any trustee or holder of any indebtedness or other obligation of Seller or any other party to any other agreement with Seller.
Agenda Item: 14
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, and fulfillment of and compliance by Seller with the provisions of this Agreement will not conflict with or constitute a breach of or a default under any Law presently in effect having applicability to Seller, subject to any permits that have not yet been obtained by Seller, the documents of formation of Seller or any outstanding trust indenture, deed of trust, mortgage, loan agreement or other evidence of indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument to which Seller is a party or by which any of its property is bound. (d) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller. This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by laws of general applicability limiting the enforcement of creditors’ rights or by the exercise of judicial discretion in accordance with general principles of equity. (e) The Facility is located in the State of California. (f) Seller will be responsible for obtaining all permits necessary to construct and operate the Facility and Seller will be the applicant on any CEQA documents.
13.2 Buyer’s Representations and Warranties. As of the Effective Date, Buyer represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Buyer is a joint powers authority and a validly existing community choice aggregator, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California and the rules, regulations and orders of the California Public Utilities Commission, and is qualified to conduct business in each jurisdiction of the Joint Powers Agreement members. All Persons making up the governing body of Buyer are the elected or appointed incumbents in their positions and hold their positions in good standing in accordance with the Joint Powers Agreement and other Law.
Buyer has the power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and is not prohibited from entering into this Agreement or discharging and performing all covenants and obligations on its part to be performed under and pursuant to this Agreement, except where such failure does not have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s performance under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Buyer has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Buyer and does not and will not require the consent of any trustee or holder of any indebtedness or other obligation of Buyer or any other party to any other agreement with Buyer.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, and fulfillment of and compliance by Buyer with the provisions of this Agreement will not conflict with or constitute a breach of or a default under any Law presently in effect having applicability to Buyer, the documents of formation of Buyer or any outstanding trust indenture, deed of trust, mortgage, loan agreement or other evidence of indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by which any of its property is bound.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer. This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by Agenda Item: 14
laws of general applicability limiting the enforcement of creditors’ rights or by the exercise of judicial discretion in accordance with general principles of equity.
Buyer warrants and covenants that with respect to its contractual obligations under this Agreement, it will not claim immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or similar grounds with respect to itself or its revenues or assets from (1) suit, (2) jurisdiction of court (provided that such court is located within a venue permitted in Law and under the Agreement), (3) relief by way of injunction, order for specific performance or recovery of property, (4) attachment of assets, or (5) execution or enforcement of any judgment; provided, however that nothing in this Agreement shall waive the obligations or rights set forth in the California Tort Claims Act (Government Code Section 810 et seq.)
Buyer is a “local public entity” as defined in Section 900.4 of the Government Code of the State of California.
13.3 General Covenants. Each Party covenants that commencing on the Effective Date and continuing throughout the Contract Term:
(a) It shall continue to be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and to be qualified to conduct business in California and each jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition;
(b) It shall maintain (or obtain from time to time as required) all regulatory authorizations necessary for it to legally perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (c) It shall perform its obligations under this Agreement in compliance with all terms and conditions in its governing documents and in material compliance with any Law.
13.4 Prevailing Wage. Seller shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that all employees hired by Seller, and its contractors and subcontractors, that will perform construction work or provide services at the Site related to construction of the Facility are paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing for workers performing similar work in the locality as provided by applicable California law, if any (“Prevailing Wage Requirement”). Nothing herein shall require Seller, its contractors and subcontractors to comply with, or assume liability created by other inapplicable provisions of any California labor laws. Buyer agrees that Seller’s obligations under this Section
13.4 will be satisfied upon the execution of a project labor agreement related to construction of the Facility.
13.5 Reserved.
13.6 Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity. Seller shall perform the obligations related to workforce development and community investment set forth in Exhibit Q.
In addition, Seller agrees to, or cause its contractors to, complete an annual supplier diversity and labor practices questionnaire provided by Buyer and, upon request of Buyer, to comply with similar regular reporting requirements related to diversity and labor practices from time to time.
Agenda Item: 14
ARTICLE 14
ASSIGNMENT
14.1 General Prohibition on Assignments. Except as provided below, neither Party may voluntarily assign this Agreement or its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld Any Change of Control of Seller or direct or indirect change of control of Buyer (whether voluntary or by operation of law) will be deemed an assignment and will require the prior written consent of the other Party. Any purported assignment made without required written consent, or in violation of the conditions to assignment set out below, shall be null and void. Buyer will have no obligation to provide any consent, or enter into any agreement, that materially and adversely affects any of Buyer’s rights, benefits, risks or obligations under this Agreement, or to modify the Agreement, except as set forth below. Seller shall be responsible for Buyer’s reasonable third party costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, associated with the preparation, review, execution and delivery of documents in connection with any assignment of this Agreement.
14.2 Collateral Assignment.
Subject to the provisions of this Section 14.2, Seller has the right to assign this Agreement as collateral for any financing or refinancing of the Facility. In connection with any financing or refinancing of the Facility by Seller, upon request of Seller, Buyer shall in good faith work with Seller and Lender to agree upon a consent to collateral assignment of this Agreement (“Collateral Assignment Agreement”). The Collateral Assignment Agreement shall include the following provisions:
(a) Buyer shall give Notice of an Event of Default by Seller to the Person(s) to be specified by Lender in the Collateral Assignment Agreement, before exercising its right to terminate this Agreement as a result of such Event of Default; provided that such notice shall be provided to Lender at the time such notice is provided to Seller and the cure period of Lender shall not commence until Lender has received notice of such Event of Default; Following an Event of Default by Seller under this Agreement, Buyer may require Seller or Lender to provide to Buyer a report concerning:
(i) The status of efforts by Seller or Lender to develop a plan to cure the Event of Default;
(ii) Impediments to the cure plan or its development;
(iii) If a cure plan has been adopted, the status of the cure plan’s implementation (including any modifications to the plan as well as the expected timeframe within which any cure is expected to be implemented); and
(iv) Any other information which Buyer may reasonably require related to the development, implementation and timetable of the cure plan.
Seller or Lender must provide the report to Buyer within ten (10) Business Days after Notice from Buyer requesting the report. Buyer will have no further right to Agenda Item: 14
require the report with respect to a particular Event of Default after that Event of Default has been cured;
Lender will have the right to cure an Event of Default on behalf of Seller, only if Lender sends a written notice to Buyer before the later of (i) the expiration of any cure period, and (ii) ten (10) Business Days after Lender’s receipt of notice of such Event of Default from Buyer, indicating Lender’s intention to cure. Lender must remedy or cure the Event of Default within the cure period under this Agreement and any additional cure periods agreed in the Collateral Assignment Agreement, which shall not exceed a maximum of sixty (60) days (or one hundred twenty (120) days in the event of a bankruptcy of Seller, or any foreclosure or similar proceeding if required by Lender to cure any Event of Default);
Lender will have the right to consent before any termination of this Agreement which does not arise out of an Event of Default;
Lender will receive prior Notice of and the right to approve material amendments to this Agreement, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; If Lender, directly or indirectly, takes possession of, or title to the Facility (including possession by a receiver or title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure), Lender must assume all of Seller’s obligations arising under this Agreement and all related agreements (subject to such limits on liability as are mutually agreed to by Seller, Buyer, and Lender as set forth in the Collateral Assignment Agreement); provided, before such assumption, if Buyer advises Lender that Buyer will require that Lender cure (or cause to be cured) any Event of Default existing as of the possession date in order to avoid the exercise by Buyer (in its sole discretion) of Buyer’s right to terminate this Agreement with respect to such Event of Default, then Lender at its option, and in its sole discretion, may elect to either:
(i) Cause such Event of Default to be cured (other than any Events of Default which relate to Seller’s bankruptcy or similar insolvency proceedings), or (ii) Not assume this Agreement;
If Lender elects to sell or transfer the Facility (after Lender directly or indirectly, takes possession of, or title to the Facility), or sale of the Facility occurs through the actions of Lender (for example, a foreclosure sale where a third party is the buyer, or otherwise), then Lender shall cause the transferee or buyer to assume all of Seller’s obligations arising under this Agreement and all related agreements as a condition of the sale or transfer. Such sale or transfer may be made only to an entity that (i) meets the definition of Permitted Transferee and (ii) is an entity that Buyer is permitted to contract with under applicable Law; and
(h) Subject to Lender’s cure of any Events of Defaults under the Agreement in accordance with Section 14.2(f), if (i) this Agreement is rejected in Seller’s bankruptcy or otherwise terminated in connection therewith Lender shall have the right to elect within thirty (30) days after such rejection or termination, to cause Buyer to enter into a replacement agreement with Seller having the same terms as this Agreement for the remaining term thereof, or (ii) if Lender or its designee, directly or indirectly, takes possession of, or title to, the Facility (including possession by a receiver or title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure) after any such rejection or Agenda Item: 14
termination of this Agreement, promptly after Buyer’s written request, Lender must itself or must cause its designee to promptly enter into a new agreement with Buyer having the same terms as this Agreement for the remaining term thereof, provided that in the event a designee of Lender, directly or indirectly, takes possession of, or title to, the Facility (including possession by a receiver or title by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure), such designee shall be approved by Buyer, not to be unreasonably withheld.
14.3 Permitted Assignment by Seller. Except as may be precluded by, or would cause the Buyer to be in violation of the Political Reform Act, (Cal. Gov. Code section 81000 et seq,) or the regulations thereto, Cal. Government Code section 1090, Buyer’s Conflict of Interest Code/Policy or any other conflict of interest Law, Seller may, without the prior written consent of Buyer, transfer or assign this Agreement, including through a Change of Control, to an Affiliate of Seller.
14.4 Permitted Assignment by Buyer. Buyer may make a limited assignment in connection with a municipal prepayment transaction to an entity that has creditworthiness that is equal to or better than the creditworthiness of Buyer (“Limited Assignee”) of Buyer’s right to receive Product and Buyer’s obligation to make payments to the Seller. The limited assignment shall be expressly subject to the Limited Assignee’s timely payment of amounts due under the PPA. Buyer may make such assignment upon not less than thirty (30) days’ notice by delivering a written request for such assignment in the form attached to the PPA. Subject to the foregoing, Seller agrees to (i) comply with Limited Assignee’s reasonable requests for know-your-customer and similar account opening information and documentation with respect to Seller, including but not limited to information related to forecasted generation, Credit Rating, and compliance with anti-money laundering rules, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, the Patriot Act and similar rules, regulations, requirements and corresponding policies; and (ii) promptly execute such assignment agreement and implement such assignment as contemplated thereby, subject only to the countersignature of Limited Assignee and Buyer.
14.5 [Purchase Option. Seller hereby grants Buyer the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to purchase the Facility at a price equal to the fair market value (determined in a commercially reasonable manner by a third-party independent evaluator qualified and experienced in the appraisal of facilities similar to the Facility mutually agreed by the Parties (or absent such agreement, by a third-party independent evaluator qualified and experienced in the appraisal of facilities similar to the Facility mutually agreed by two independent evaluators, with each independent evaluator selected by each of the Parties), and in either case, at Seller’s sole cost) of the Facility (the “Purchase Option”). The Purchase Option may be exercised by Buyer by delivering notice to Seller at least twelve (12) months prior to the end of the Delivery Term, with closing to occur on the day after the last day of the Delivery Term.
14.6 Right of First Refusal as to Future Phases, Additional Projects, Addition of Storage Capacity.
(a) For the duration of the Delivery Term, Seller hereby grants Buyer with the exclusive right (such right, the “Right of First Refusal” or “ROFR”) to the purchase of (i) all of the output of any additional phases of the Facility and (ii) any separate renewable energy or energy storage projects that are currently under development by, or will be developed by, Seller or Agenda Item: 14
Affiliates of Seller, and that will use or share infrastructure, land, equipment (including the ability to jointly procure equipment), or other facilities (each such future phase or separate renewable energy or energy storage project, an “Expansion Project”)). The requirements of this Section
14.6 shall apply to each Expansion Project.
(b) Prior to offering the output of the Expansion Project for sale to any third party, Seller shall present a binding commercial offer for the output of the Expansion Project (the “ROFR Offer”), for Buyer to accept, subject only to finalization and execution of a power purchase agreement for the Expansion Project (the “Project PPA” or the “PPA”) incorporating the Material Terms of such ROFR Offer, and any additional terms the Parties agree to include, including credit requirements, and to the extent not inconsistent with the foregoing, the terms and conditions of this Agreement, as applicable. The ROFR Offer provided by Seller shall specifically identify the material financial and other terms and conditions of such ROFR Offer (the “Material Terms”).
(c) At any time prior to the expiration of the forty-five (45) day period following Buyer's receipt of the ROFR Offer (the “Exercise Period”), Buyer may accept the ROFR Offer by delivery to Seller of a letter of intent executed by Buyer. If, by the expiration of the Exercise Period, Buyer has not accepted the ROFR Offer, and provided that Seller has complied with all of the provisions of this Section 14.6, at any time following the expiration of the Exercise Period, Seller may enter into a Project PPA for the Expansion Project with a third party (the “Third-Party Transaction”); provided, that if such Third-Party Transaction is not consummated within twelve months of the date of the ROFR Offer Notice, or if Seller offers the Expansion Project on terms more favorable than the Material Terms, the terms and conditions of this Section 14.6 will again apply, Seller shall not enter into any Third-Party Transaction for the Expansion Project without affording Buyer the right of first refusal on the terms and conditions of this Section 14.6.
In addition to Buyer’s Right of First Refusal, upon request of Buyer, Seller shall provide a written proposal to Buyer to add new storage technologies to the Facility, at a price not to exceed the lesser of (i) current market prices or (ii) Seller’s direct cost to add such capacity, plus ten percent (10%).]2 ARTICLE 15
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
15.1 Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without regard to principles of conflicts of Law. To the extent enforceable at such time, each Party waives its respective right to any jury trial with respect to any litigation arising under or in connection with this Agreement. The Parties agree that any suit, action or other legal proceeding by or against any party (or its affiliates or designees) with respect to or arising out of this Agreement shall be brought in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of California sitting in the County of Alameda, California.
15.2 Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute arising under this Agreement, 2 NTD: Buyer and Seller to discuss.
Agenda Item: 14
within ten (10) days following the receipt of a written Notice from either Party identifying such dispute, the Parties shall meet, negotiate and attempt, in good faith, to resolve the dispute quickly, informally and inexpensively. If the Parties are unable to resolve a dispute arising hereunder within the earlier of either thirty (30) days of initiating such discussions, or within forty (40) days after Notice of the dispute, the parties shall submit the dispute to mediation prior to seeking any and all remediates available to it at Law in or equity. The Parties will cooperate in selecting a qualified neutral mediator selected from a panel of neutrals and in scheduling the time and place of the mediation as soon as reasonably possible, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the request for mediation is made. The Parties agree to participate in the mediation in good faith and to share the costs of the mediation, including the mediator’s fee, equally, but such shared costs shall not include each Party’s own attorneys’ fees and costs, which shall be borne solely by such Party. If the mediation is unsuccessful, then either Party may seek any and all remedies available to it at law or in equity, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 16
INDEMNIFICATION
16.1 Indemnity.
(a) Each Party (the “Indemnifying Party”) agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the other Party, its directors, officers, agents, attorneys, consultants, employees and representatives (the “Indemnified Party”) from and against all third party claims, demands, losses, liabilities, penalties, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ and expert witness fees (collectively, “Indemnifiable Losses”) arising out of or relating to or in any way connected withthe Indemnifying Party’s or its Affiliates’ negligence, willful misconduct or breach of the Agreement.
(b) In those circumstances in which Seller acts as the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party against Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or relating to or in any way connected with the Indemnifying Party’s or its Affiliates’ (i) ownership, development, construction, operation or maintenance of the Facility, including the Site(s); (ii) breach of this Agreement or other agreements related to the development, construction, ownership, operation or maintenance of the Facility or Site; or (iii) delivery of Energy up to and at the Delivery Point.
(c) In those circumstances in which Buyer acts as the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party from and against Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or relating to or in any way connected with Buyer’s receipt of Energy after the Delivery Point.
16.2 Claim Notice.
(a) Notice of Claim. Subject to the terms of this Agreement and upon obtaining knowledge of an Indemnifiable Loss for which it is entitled to indemnity under this Article 16, the Indemnified Party will promptly provide Notice to the Indemnifying Party in writing of any damage, claim, loss, liability or expense which the Indemnified Party has determined has given or could give rise to an Indemnifiable Loss under Section 16.1 (“Claim”).
Agenda Item: 14
The Notice is referred to as a “Notice of Claim.” A Notice of Claim will specify, in reasonable detail, the facts known to the the Indemnified Party regarding the Indemnifiable Loss. (b) Failure to Provide Notice. A failure to give timely Notice or to include any specified information in any Notice as provided in this Section 16.2 will not affect the rights or obligations of the Indemnified Party except and only to the extent that, as a result of such failure, the Indemnifying Party was deprived of its right to recover any payment under its applicable insurance coverage or was otherwise materially damaged as a direct result of such failure.
16.3 Defense of Claims. If, within ten (10) days after giving a Notice of Claim regarding a Claim to the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 16.2(a), the Indemnified Party receives Notice from the Indemnifying Party that the Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of such Claim, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that if the Indemnifying Party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently such Claim within ten (10) days after receiving Notice from the Indemnified Party that the Indemnified Party believes the Indemnifying Party has failed to take such steps, or if the Indemnifying Party has not undertaken fully to indemnify the Indemnified Party in respect of all Indemnifiable Losses relating to the matter, the Indemnified Party may assume its own defense, and the Indemnifying Party will be liable for all reasonable costs or expenses, including attorneys’ fees, paid or incurred in connection therewith. Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party will not enter into any settlement of any Claim which would lead to liability or create any financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party for which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party may accept any settlement without the consent of the Indemnified Party if such settlement provides a full release to the Indemnified Party and no requirement that the Indemnified Party acknowledge fault or culpability. If a firm offer is made to settle a Claim without leading to liability or the creation of a financial or other obligation on the part of the Indemnified Party for which the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder and the Indemnifying Party desires to accept and agrees to such offer, the Indemnifying Party will give Notice to the Indemnified Party to that effect. If the Indemnified Party fails to consent to such firm offer within ten (10) calendar days after its receipt of such Notice, the Indemnified Party may continue to contest or defend such Claim and, in such event, the maximum liability of the Indemnifying Party to such Claim will be the amount of such settlement offer, plus reasonable costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Indemnified Party up to the date of such Notice.
16.4 Amounts Owed. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 18, in the event that a Party is obligated to indemnify and hold the other Party and its successors and assigns harmless under this Article 16, the amount owing to the Indemnified Party will be the amount of the Indemnified Party’s actual loss net of any insurance proceeds received by the Indemnified Party following a commercially reasonable effort by the Indemnified Party to obtain such insurance proceeds.
16.5 Rights and Remedies are Cumulative. Except for express remedies already provided in this Agreement, the rights and remedies of a Party pursuant to this Article 16 are cumulative and in addition to the rights of the Parties otherwise provided in this Agreement.
Agenda Item: 14
ARTICLE 17
INSURANCE
17.1 Insurance.
(a) General Liability. Seller shall maintain, or cause to be maintained at its sole expense, (i) commercial general liability insurance, including products and completed operations and personal injury insurance, in a minimum amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence, and an annual aggregate of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), endorsed to provide contractual liability in said amount, specifically covering Seller’s obligations under this Agreement and including Buyer as an additional insured; and (ii) an umbrella insurance policy in a minimum limit of liability of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000). Defense costs shall be provided as an additional benefit and not included within the limits of liability. Such insurance shall contain standard cross-liability and severability of interest provisions.
Employer’s Liability Insurance. Employers’ Liability insurance shall not be less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for injury or death occurring as a result of each accident. With regard to bodily injury by disease, the One Million Dollar ($1,000,000) policy limit will apply to each employee.
Workers Compensation Insurance. Seller, if it has employees, shall also maintain at all times during the Contract Term workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance coverage in accordance with applicable requirements of California Law.
Business Auto Insurance. Seller shall maintain at all times during the Contract Term business auto insurance for bodily injury and property damage with limits of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence. Such insurance shall cover liability arising out of Seller’s use of all owned (if any), non-owned and hired vehicles, including trailers or semi-trailers in the performance of the Agreement.
Construction All-Risk Insurance. Seller shall maintain or cause to be maintained during the construction of the Facility prior to the Commercial Operation Date, construction all-risk form property insurance covering the Facility during such construction periods, and naming the Seller (and Lender if any) as the loss payee.
Contractor’s Pollution Liability. Seller shall maintain or cause to be maintained during the construction of the Facility prior to the Commercial Operation Date, Pollution Legal Liability Insurance in the amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence and in the aggregate, naming the Seller (and Lender if any) as additional named insured.
Subcontractor Insurance. Seller shall require all of its Major Subcontractors to carry at least the same levels of insurance as Seller, provided Major Subcontractors shall not be required to carry construction all-risk form property insurance. All Major Subcontractors shall include Seller as an additional insured to (i) comprehensive general liability insurance; (ii) workers’ compensation insurance and employers’ liability coverage; and (iii) business auto insurance for bodily injury and property damage. All Major Subcontractors shall provide a primary endorsement and a waiver of subrogation to Seller for the required coverage pursuant to this Section 17.1(g).
Agenda Item: 14
Evidence of Insurance. Within sixty (60) days after execution of the Agreement and upon annual renewal thereafter, Seller shall deliver to Buyer certificates of insurance evidencing such coverage.
These certificates shall specify that Buyer shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior Notice by Seller in the event of cancellation or termination of coverage. Such insurance shall be primary coverage without right of contribution from any insurance of Buyer. Any other insurance maintained by Seller is for the exclusive benefit of Seller and shall not in any manner inure to the benefit of Buyer.
ARTICLE 18
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
18.1 Definition of Confidential Information. The following constitutes “Confidential Information,” whether oral or written which is delivered by Seller to Buyer or by Buyer to Seller including: (a) the terms and conditions of, and proposals and negotiations related to, this Agreement, and (b) information that either Seller or Buyer stamps or otherwise identifies as “confidential” or “proprietary” before disclosing it to the other. Confidential Information does not include (i) information that was publicly available at the time of the disclosure, other than as a result of a disclosure in breach of this Agreement; (ii) information that becomes publicly available through no fault of the recipient after the time of the delivery; (iii) information that was rightfully in the possession of the recipient (without confidential or proprietary restriction) at the time of delivery or that becomes available to the recipient from a source not subject to any restriction against disclosing such information to the recipient; and (iv) information that the recipient independently developed without a violation of this Agreement.
18.2 Duty to Maintain Confidentiality. Confidential Information will retain its character as Confidential Information but may be disclosed by the recipient (the “Receiving Party”) if and to the extent such disclosure is required (a) to be made by any requirements of Law, (b) pursuant to an order of a court or (c) in order to enforce this Agreement. If the Receiving Party becomes legally compelled (by interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoenas, summons, civil investigative demands, or similar processes or otherwise in connection with any litigation or to comply with any Law, order, regulation, ruling, regulatory request, accounting disclosure rule or standard or any exchange, control area or independent system operator rule) to disclose any Confidential Information of the disclosing Party (the “Disclosing Party”), Receiving Party shall provide Disclosing Party with prompt notice so that Disclosing Party, at its sole expense, may seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy. If the Disclosing Party takes no such action after receiving the foregoing notice from the Receiving Party, the Receiving Party is not required to defend against such request and shall be permitted to disclose such Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party, with no liability for any damages that arise from such disclosure. Each Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that information and documentation provided in connection with this Agreement may be subject to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.). The provisions of this Article 18 shall survive and shall continue to be binding upon the Parties for period of one (1) year following the date of termination of this Agreement.
18.3 Irreparable Injury; Remedies. Receiving Party acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are necessary and reasonable in order to protect Disclosing Party and the business of Disclosing Party, and expressly acknowledges that monetary damages would be inadequate to Agenda Item: 14
compensate Disclosing Party for any breach or threatened breach by Receiving Party of any covenants and agreements set forth herein. Accordingly, Receiving Party acknowledges that any such breach or threatened breach will cause irreparable injury to Disclosing Party and that, in addition to any other remedies that may be available, in law, in equity or otherwise, Disclosing Party will be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the threatened breach of this Agreement or the continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages.
18.4 Disclosure to Lenders, Etc.. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 18, Confidential Information may be disclosed by Seller to any actual or potential Lender or any of its Affiliates, and Seller’s actual or potential agents, advisors, actual or potential investors, consultants, contractors, or trustees, so long as the Person (other than a Person that has an ethical duty to Seller) to whom Confidential Information is disclosed agrees in writing to be bound by confidentiality provisions no less stringent than those in this Article 18 (subject to customary survival terms). Seller shall provide written notice to Buyer of any disclosure of Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 18.4, including the identity of the party receiving such Confidential Information.
18.5 Press Releases. Neither Party shall issue (or cause its Affiliates to issue) a press release regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement unless both Parties have agreed upon the contents of any such public statement. A Party’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
ARTICLE 19
MISCELLANEOUS
19.1 Entire Agreement; Integration; Exhibits. This Agreement, together with the Cover Sheet and Exhibits attached hereto constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between Seller and Buyer with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, which are of no further force or effect. The Exhibits attached hereto are integral parts hereof and are made a part of this Agreement by reference. The headings used herein are for convenience and reference purposes only. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Cover Sheet or any Exhibit, the provisions of first the Cover Sheet, and then this Agreement shall prevail, and such Exhibit shall be corrected accordingly.
19.2 Amendments. This Agreement may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an instrument in writing executed by duly authorized representatives of Seller and Buyer; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement may not be amended by electronic mail communications.
19.3 No Waiver. Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party shall not be construed as a waiver of any other default.
19.4 No Agency, Partnership, Joint Venture or Lease. Seller and the agents and employees of Seller shall, in the performance of this Agreement, act in an independent capacity and not as officers or employees or agents of Buyer. Under this Agreement, Seller and Buyer intend to act as energy seller and energy purchaser, respectively, and do not intend to be treated Agenda Item: 14
as, and shall not act as, partners in, co-venturers in or lessor/lessee with respect to the Facility or any business related to the Facility. This Agreement shall not impart any rights enforceable by any third party (other than a permitted successor or assignee bound to this Agreement) or, to the extent set forth herein, any Lender or Indemnified Party.
19.5 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable or held to be unenforceable, the Parties agree that all other provisions of this Agreement have force and effect and shall not be affected thereby. The Parties shall, however, use their best endeavors to agree on the replacement of the void, illegal or unenforceable provision(s) with legally acceptable clauses which correspond as closely as possible to the sense and purpose of the affected provision and this Agreement as a whole.
19.6 Mobile-Sierra. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither Party shall seek, nor shall they support any third party seeking, to prospectively or retroactively revise the rates, terms or conditions of service of this Agreement through application or complaint to FERC pursuant to the provisions of Section 205, 206 or 306 of the Federal Power Act, or any other provisions of the Federal Power Act, absent prior written agreement of the Parties. Further, absent the prior written agreement in writing by both Parties, the standard of review for changes to the rates, terms or conditions of service of this Agreement proposed by a Party shall be the “public interest” standard of review set forth in United Gas Pipe Line Co. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp., 350 U.S. 332 (1956) and Federal Power Commission v. Sierra Pacific Power Co., 350 U.S. 348 (1956). Changes proposed by a non-Party or FERC acting sua sponte shall be subject to the most stringent standard permissible under Law.
19.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and each of which shall be deemed an original.
19.8 Electronic Delivery. This Agreement may be duly executed and delivered by a Party by execution and electronic format (including portable document format (.pdf)) delivery of the signature page of a counterpart to the other Party, and, if delivery is made by electronic format, the executing Party shall promptly deliver, via overnight delivery, a complete original counterpart that it has executed to the other Party, but this Agreement shall be binding on and enforceable against the executing Party whether or not it delivers such original counterpart.
19.9 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
19.10 No Recourse to Members of Buyer. Buyer is organized as a Joint Powers Authority in accordance with the Joint Exercise of Powers Act of the State of California (Government Code Section 6500, et seq.) pursuant to its Joint Powers Agreement and is a public entity separate from its constituent members. Buyer shall solely be responsible for all debts, obligations and liabilities accruing and arising out of this Agreement. Seller shall have no rights and shall not make any claims, take any actions or assert any remedies against any of Buyer’s constituent members, or the employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors or Buyer or its constituent members, in connection with this Agreement.
Agenda Item: 14
19.11 Forward Contract. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes a “forward contract” within the meaning of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and Buyer and Seller are “forward contract merchants” within the meaning of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Each Party further agrees that, for all purposes of this Agreement, each Party waives and agrees not to assert the applicability of the provisions of 11 U.S.C. § 366 in any bankruptcy proceeding wherein such Party is a debtor. In any such proceeding, each Party further waives the right to assert that the other Party is a provider of last resort to the extent such term relates to 11 U.S.C. §366 or another provision of 11 U.S.C. § 101-1532.
19.12 Further Assurances. Each of the Parties hereto agree to provide such information, execute and deliver any instruments and documents and to take such other actions as may be necessary or reasonably requested by the other Party which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and which do not involve the assumptions of obligations other than those provided for in this Agreement, to give full effect to this Agreement and to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
[Signatures on following page]
Agenda Item: 14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.
[SELLER]
By:
Name:
Title:
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUTHORITY, a California joint powers
authority
By:
Name:
Title:
Approved as to form:
By:
Name:
Title:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT A
FACILITY DESCRIPTION
Site Name:
Site includes all or some of the following APNs: (To be filled in prior to execution) County:
CEQA Lead Agency:
Type of Facility:
Operating Characteristics of Facility:
Guaranteed Capacity: [___] MW (AC)
Maximum Capacity: [___] MW
Delivery Point: PNode
Facility Meter: See Exhibit P.
P-node: [If not available at the Effective Date, the PNode shall be updated by mutual agreement of Buyer and Seller prior to the initial delivery of Test Energy hereunder to reflect the PNode corresponding to the Facility’s point of interconnection with the CAISO Grid.] Participating Transmission Owner:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT B
MAJOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES AND COMMERCIAL
OPERATION
1. Major Project Development Milestones.
a. “Construction Start” will occur upon Seller’s acquisition of all applicable regulatory authorizations, approvals and permits for the construction of the Facility, has engaged all major contractors and ordered all major equipment and supplies as, in each case, can reasonably be considered necessary so that physical construction of the Facility may begin and proceed to completion without foreseeable interruption of material duration, and has executed an engineering, procurement, and construction contract or an equipment supply agreement and a balance of plant contract and issued thereunder a notice to proceed that authorizes the contractor to mobilize to Site and begin physical construction (including, at a minimum, excavation for foundations or the installation or erection of improvements) at the Site. The date of Construction Start will be evidenced by and subject to Seller’s delivery to Buyer of a certificate substantially in the form attached as Exhibit J hereto, and the date certified therein shall be the “Construction Start Date.” Seller shall cause Construction Start to occur no later than the Guaranteed Construction Start Date.
b. “Major Project Development Milestone” means either the Guaranteed Construction Start Date or the Executed Interconnection Agreement Milestone. If Construction Start is not achieved by the Guaranteed Construction Start Date, or the Interconnection Agreement is not signed by Seller and the PTO on or before the Executed Interconnection Agreement Milestone, Seller shall pay Construction Delay Damages to Buyer for each day for which a Major Project Development Milestone has not been completed. Construction Delay Damages will be calculated separately and accrue independently for each Major Project Development Milestone. Construction Delay Damages shall be payable to Buyer by Seller until Seller completes both Major Project Development Milestone. On or before the tenth (10th) day of each month, Buyer shall invoice Seller for Construction Delay Damages, if any, accrued during the prior month and, within ten (10) Business Days following Seller’s receipt of such invoice, Seller shall pay Buyer the amount of the Construction Delay Damages set forth in such invoice. Construction Delay Damages shall be refundable to Seller pursuant to Section 2(b) of this Exhibit B.
The Parties agree that Buyer’s receipt of Construction Delay Damages shall be Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy for Seller’s unexcused delay in achieving the Major Project Development Milestones, but shall (x) not be construed as Buyer’s declaration that an Event of Default has occurred under any provision of Section
11.1 and (y) not limit Buyer’s right to declare an Event of Default pursuant to Section 11.1(b)(ii) and receive a Damage Payment upon exercise of Buyer’s default right pursuant to Section 11.2.
Agenda Item: 14
2. Commercial Operation of the Facility. “Commercial Operation” means the condition existing when Seller has fulfilled all of the conditions precedent in Section 2.2 of the Agreement and provided Notice to Buyer substantially in the form of Exhibit H (the “COD Certificate”) (ii) Seller has notified Buyer in writing that it has provided the required documentation to Buyer and met the conditions for achieving Commercial Operation, and (iii) Buyer has acknowledged to Seller in writing that Buyer agrees that Commercial Operation has been achieved. The “Commercial Operation Date” shall be either (i) the later of (x) the Expected Commercial Operation Date, or (y) the date on which Commercial Operation is achieved, or (ii) if Seller provides Buyer at least ninety (90) days’ advance Notice that the Facility will achieve Commercial Operation before the Expected Commercial Operation Date, the date on which Commercial Operation is achieved; provided, that such earlier date of Commercial Operation shall not, absent Buyer’s express written consent, occur earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days before the Expected Commercial Operation Date.
a. Seller shall cause Commercial Operation for the Facility to occur by the Expected Commercial Operation Date (as such date may be extended by the Development Cure Period (defined below), the “Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date”).
Seller shall notify Buyer that it intends to achieve Commercial Operation at least sixty (60) days before the anticipated Commercial Operation Date. b. If Seller achieves Commercial Operation for the Facility to occur by the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date, all Construction Delay Damages paid by Seller shall be refunded to Seller. Seller shall include a request for refund of the Construction Delay Damages with the first invoice to Buyer after Commercial Operation. c. If Seller does not achieve Commercial Operation by the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date, as it may be extended as provided herein, Seller shall pay COD Delay Damages to Buyer for each day after the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date until the Commercial Operation Date and shall be paid to Buyer in advance on a monthly basis. A prorated amount will be returned to Seller if COD is achieved during the month for which COD Delay Damages were paid in advance. The Parties agree that Buyer’s receipt of COD Delay Damages shall be Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy for Seller’s failure to achieve the Commercial Operation Date on or before the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date, but shall (x) not be construed as Buyer’s declaration that an Event of Default has occurred under any provision of Section 11.1 and (y) not limit Buyer’s right to receive a Damage Payment upon exercise of Buyer’s default right pursuant to Section 11.2.
3. Termination for Failure to Achieve Commercial Operation. If the Facility has not achieved Commercial Operation within ninety (90) days after the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date, as it may be extended as provided herein, Buyer may elect to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Sections 11.1(b)(ii) and 11.2.
4. Extension of the Guaranteed Dates. The Guaranteed Construction Start Date and the Guaranteed Commercial Operation Date shall, subject to notice and documentation requirements set forth below, be automatically extended on a day-for-day basis due to a Agenda Item: 14
Force Majeure Event for a period of up to one-hundred twenty (120) days on a cumulative basis (the “Development Cure Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no extension shall be given under the Development Cure Period for a Force Majeure Event if the delay was due to Seller’s failure to take commercially reasonable actions to meet its requirements and deadlines or does not otherwise satisfy the requirements of a Force Majeure Event, including the notice and documentation requirements under Section 10.3.
5. Failure to Reach Guaranteed Capacity.
a. Guaranteed Capacity. If, at Commercial Operation, the Installed Capacity is less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Guaranteed Capacity, Seller shall have one hundred twenty (120) days after the Commercial Operation Date to install additional capacity or Network Upgrades such that the Installed Capacity is equal to (but not greater than) the Guaranteed Capacity, and Seller shall provide to Buyer a new certificate substantially in the form attached as Exhibit I hereto specifying the new Installed Capacity. If Seller fails to construct the Guaranteed Capacity by such date, Seller shall pay “Capacity Damages” to Buyer, in an amount equal to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) for each MW that the Guaranteed Capacity exceeds the Installed Capacity, and the Guaranteed Capacity and other applicable portions of the Agreement shall be adjusted accordingly.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT C
COMPENSATION
Buyer shall compensate Seller for the Product in accordance with this Exhibit C. (a) Test Energy. Test Energy is compensated in accordance with Section 3.6. (b) Curtailment Payments. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Seller shall receive no compensation from Buyer for (i) Facility Energy or Deemed Delivered Energy during any Curtailment Period (ii) Deemed Delivered Energy in amounts below the Curtailment Cap.
(c) Excess Settlement Interval Deliveries. If during any Settlement Interval, Seller delivers Product amounts, as measured by the amount of Facility Energy, in excess of the product of the Guaranteed Capacity and the duration of the Settlement Interval, expressed in hours (“Excess MWh”), then the price applicable to all such excess MWh in such Settlement Interval shall be zero dollars ($0), and if there is a Negative LMP during such Settlement Interval, Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to the absolute value of the Negative LMP times such excess MWh (“Negative LMP Costs”).
(d) Tax Credits. The Parties agree that the neither the Contract Price nor the Test Energy Rate are subject to adjustment or amendment if Seller fails to receive any Tax Credits, or if any Tax Credits expire, are repealed or otherwise cease to apply to Seller or the Facility in whole or in part, or Seller or its investors are unable to benefit from any Tax Credits. Except as otherwise provided herein, Seller shall bear all risks, financial and otherwise, throughout the Contract Term, associated with Seller’s or the Facility’s eligibility to receive Tax Credits or to qualify for accelerated depreciation for Seller’s accounting, reporting or Tax purposes. The obligations of the Parties hereunder, including those obligations set forth herein regarding the purchase and price for and Seller’s obligation to deliver Facility Energy and Product, shall be effective regardless of whether the sale of Facility Energy is eligible for, or receives Tax Credits during the Contract Term.
[If Seller is not providing a shaped product:
(e) Contract Price. For each MWh of Facility Energy and Deemed Delivered Energy, if any, up to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Expected Energy for such Contract Year, Buyer shall pay the Contract Price;
(f) Excess Contract Year Deliveries Over 105%. If, at any point in any Contract Year, the amount of Facility Energy plus the amount of Deemed Delivered Energy equals or exceeds one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Expected Energy for such Contract Year, the price to be paid for additional Facility Energy or Deemed Delivered Energy shall be equal to the lesser of (a) the Delivery Point LMP for the Real Time Market for the applicable Settlement Interval or (b) seventy-five percent (75%) of the Contract Price, but not less than $0.00/MWh. (g) PTC Amount. During the period (not to exceed a total of one hundred twenty (120) consecutive months) in which Seller is receiving the PTC, Buyer shall also pay the Agenda Item: 14
PTC Amount for Deemed Delivered Energy until the sum of Delivered Energy plus the amount of Deemed Delivered Energy exceeds one hundred five percent (105%) of the Expected Energy for such Contract Year.
(h) Excess Contract Year Deliveries Over 115%. If, at any point in any Contract Year, the amount of Facility Energy plus the amount of Deemed Delivered Energy equals or exceeds one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the Expected Energy for such Contract Year, the price to be paid for additional Facility Energy or Deemed Delivered Energy shall be $0.00/MWh.]
[If Seller is providing a shaped product:
(i) Contract Price. For each MWh of Facility Energy and Deemed Delivered Energy, if any, up to the Annual Contract Quantity, Buyer shall pay the Contract Price. (j) PTC Amount. If applicable, during the period (not to exceed a total of one hundred twenty (120) consecutive months) in which Seller is receiving the PTC, Buyer shall also pay the PTC Amount for Deemed Delivered Energy until the sum of Delivered Energy plus the amount of Deemed Delivered Energy exceeds the Annual Contract Quantity. (k) Excess Contract Year Deliveries. During any Contract Year, if the amount of Facility Energy for such Contract Year exceeds the Annual Contract Quantity, then for the amount of Facility Energy that would exceed the Annual Contract Quantity (the “Excess MWh”), (i) Buyer shall have no obligation to purchase or receive such Excess MWh, and (ii) Seller shall have the right to sell all or any portion of the Product associated with the Excess MWh to one or more third parties and retain all resulting revenue. “Annual Contract Quantity” means the sum of all Hourly Settlement Quantity amounts for the applicable Contract Year.] [If applicable, the Contract Price shall be subject to a Settlement Point adjustment. The “Settlement Point” shall be [the pNode/ NP-15 (TH_NP15_GEN-APND)].
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT D
SCHEDULING COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Buyer as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility. Upon Initial Synchronization of the Facility to the CAISO Grid, Buyer shall be the Scheduling Coordinator or designate a qualified third party to provide Scheduling Coordinator services with the CAISO for the Facility for both the delivery and the receipt of Test Energy and the Product at the Delivery Point. At least thirty (30) days prior to the Initial Synchronization of the Facility to the CAISO Grid, (i) Seller shall take all actions and execute and deliver to Buyer and the CAISO all documents necessary to authorize or designate Buyer (or Buyer’s designee) as the Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility effective as of the Initial Synchronization of the Facility to the CAISO Grid, and (ii) Buyer shall, and shall cause its designee to, take all actions and execute and deliver to Seller and the CAISO all documents necessary to authorize or designate Buyer or its designee as the Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility effective as of the Initial Synchronization of the Facility to the CAISO Grid. On and after Initial Synchronization of the Facility to the CAISO Grid, Seller shall not authorize or designate any other party to act as the Facility’s Scheduling Coordinator, nor shall Seller perform for its own benefit the duties of Scheduling Coordinator, and Seller shall not revoke Buyer’s authorization to act as the Facility’s Scheduling Coordinator unless agreed to by Buyer. Buyer (as the Facility’s SC) shall submit Schedules to the CAISO in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable CAISO Tariff, protocols and Scheduling practices for Product on a day-ahead, hour-ahead, fifteen-minute market or real time basis, as determined by Buyer. (b) Notices. Buyer (as the Facility’s SC) shall provide Seller with access to a web-based system through which Seller shall submit to Buyer and the CAISO all notices and updates required under the CAISO Tariff regarding the Facility’s status, including, but not limited to, all outage requests, forced outages, forced outage reports, clearance requests, or must offer waiver forms. Seller will cooperate with Buyer to provide such notices and updates. If the web-based system is not available, Seller shall promptly submit such information to Buyer and the CAISO (in order of preference) telephonically, by electronic mail, transmission to the personnel designated to receive such information.
(c) CAISO Costs and Revenues. Except as otherwise set forth below, Buyer (as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility) shall be responsible for CAISO costs (including penalties, Imbalance Energy costs, and other charges) and shall be entitled to all CAISO revenues (including credits, Imbalance Energy revenues, and other payments), including revenues associated with CAISO dispatches, bid cost recovery, Inter-SC Trade credits, or other credits in respect of the Product Scheduled or delivered from the Facility. Seller shall assume all liability and reimburse Buyer for any and all costs, charges or sanctions associated with delivery of Resource Adequacy Benefits from the Facility (including Non-Availability Charges (as defined in the CAISO Tariff)); provided that any Availability Incentive Payments (as defined in the CAISO Tariff) are for the benefit of Seller and for Seller’s account and that any Non-Availability Charges (as defined in the CAISO Tariff) are the responsibility of Seller and for Seller’s account. In addition, if during the Delivery Term, the CAISO implements or has implemented any sanction or penalty related to scheduling, outage reporting, or generator operation, and any such sanctions or penalties are imposed upon the Facility or to Buyer as Scheduling Coordinator due to failure by Seller to abide by the CAISO Tariff or any CAISO directive, or to perform in accordance with this Agenda Item: 14
Agreement, including with respect to the outage notification requirements set forth in this Agreement, the cost of the sanctions or penalties shall be Seller’s responsibility. (d) CAISO Settlements. Buyer (as the Facility’s SC) shall be responsible for all settlement functions with the CAISO related to the Facility. Buyer shall render a separate invoice to Seller for any CAISO payments, charges or penalties (“CAISO Charges Invoice”) for which Seller is responsible under this Agreement. CAISO Charges Invoices shall be rendered after settlement information becomes available from the CAISO that identifies any CAISO charges.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller acknowledges that the CAISO will issue additional invoices reflecting CAISO adjustments to such CAISO charges. Buyer will review, validate, and if requested by Seller under paragraph (e) below, dispute any charges that are the responsibility of Seller in a timely manner and consistent with Buyer’s existing settlement processes for charges that are Buyer’s responsibilities. Subject to Seller’s right to dispute and to have Buyer pursue the dispute of any such invoices, Seller shall pay the amount of CAISO Charges Invoices within ten (10) Business Days of Seller’s receipt of the CAISO Charges Invoice. If Seller fails to pay such CAISO Charges Invoice within that period, Buyer may net or offset any amounts owing to it for these CAISO Charges Invoices against any future amounts it may owe to Seller under this Agreement. The obligations under this Section with respect to payment of CAISO Charges Invoices shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. (e) Dispute Costs. Buyer (as the Facility’s SC) may be required by Seller to dispute CAISO settlements in respect of the Facility. Seller agrees to pay Buyer’s third party costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) associated with its involvement with such CAISO disputes to the extent they relate to CAISO charges payable by Seller with respect to the Facility that Seller has directed Buyer to dispute.
(f) Terminating Buyer’s Designation as Scheduling Coordinator. At least thirty (30) days prior to expiration of this Agreement or as soon as reasonably practicable upon an earlier termination of this Agreement, the Parties will take all actions necessary to terminate the designation of Buyer as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility as of 11:59 p.m. on such expiration date.
(g) Master Data File and Resource Data Template. Seller shall provide the data to the CAISO (and to Buyer) that is required for the CAISO’s Master Data File and Resource Data Template (or successor data systems) for the Facility consistent with this Agreement. Neither Party shall change such data without the other Party’s prior written consent. At least once per Contract Year, Seller shall review and confirm that the data provided for the CAISO’s Master Data File and Resource Data Template (or successor data systems) for this Facility remains consistent with the actual operating characteristics of the Facility and update such data as appropriate. (h) NERC Reliability Standards. Buyer (as Scheduling Coordinator) shall cooperate reasonably with Seller to the extent necessary to enable Seller to comply, and for Seller to demonstrate Seller’s compliance with, NERC reliability standards. This cooperation shall include the provision of information in Buyer’s possession that Buyer (as Scheduling Coordinator) has provided to the CAISO related to the Facility or actions taken by Buyer (as Scheduling Coordinator) related to Seller’s compliance with NERC reliability standards.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT E
PROGRESS REPORTING FORM
Each Progress Report must include the following items:
1. Executive Summary.
2. Facility description.
3. Site plan of the Facility.
4. Description of any material planned changes to the Facility or the Site.
5. Gantt chart schedule showing progress on achieving each of the Milestones.
6. Summary of activities during the previous calendar quarter or month, as applicable, including any OSHA labor hour reports.
7. Forecast of activities scheduled for the current calendar quarter.
8. Written description about the progress relative to Seller’s Milestones, including whether Seller has met or is on target to meet the Milestones.
9. List of issues that are likely to potentially affect Seller’s Milestones.
10. A status report of start-up activities including a forecast of activities ongoing and after start-up, a report on Facility performance including performance projections for the next twelve (12) months
11. Prevailing wage reports as required by Law.
12. Progress and schedule of all major agreements, contracts, permits, approvals, technical studies, financing agreements and major equipment purchase orders showing the start dates, completion dates, and completion percentages.
13. Pictures, in sufficient quantity and of appropriate detail, in order to document construction and startup progress of the Facility, the interconnection into the Transmission System and all other interconnection utility services.
14. Supplier Diversity Reporting (if applicable). Format to be provided by Buyer.
15. Any other documentation reasonably requested by Buyer.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT F-1
AVERAGE EXPECTED ENERGY
[Average Expected Energy, MWh Per Hour]
1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 24:00 JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
The foregoing table is provided for informational purposes only, and it shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, an obligation of any of the Parties to this Agreement.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT F-2
AVAILABLE CAPACITY
[Available Generating Capacity, MWh Per Hour] – [Insert Month] 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 24:00 Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
[insert additional rows for each day in the month]
Day
29 Day
30 Day
31 The foregoing table is provided for informational purposes only, and it shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, an obligation of any of the Parties to this Agreement.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT G
GUARANTEED ENERGY PRODUCTION DAMAGES CALCULATION
In accordance with Section 4.7, if Seller fails to achieve the Guaranteed Energy Production during any Performance Measurement Period, a liquidated damages payment shall be due from Seller to Buyer, calculated as follows:
[(A – B) * (C – D)]
where:
A = the Guaranteed Energy Production amount for the Performance Measurement Period, in MWh
B = the Adjusted Energy Production amount for the Performance Measurement Period, in MWh
C = Replacement price for the Performance Measurement Period, in $/MWh, which is the sum of (a) the simple average of the Integrated Forward Market hourly price for all the hours in the Performance Measurement Period, as published by the CAISO, for the Existing Zone Generation Trading Hub (as defined in the CAISO Tariff) for the Delivery Point, plus (b) the lesser of (i) $50/MWh or (ii) the market value of Replacement Green Attributes generated by the Facility during the Performance Measurement Period, as determined by Buyer in a commercially reasonable manner.
D = the Contract Price for the Performance Measurement Period, in $/MWh “Adjusted Energy Production” shall mean the sum of the following: Facility Energy + Deemed Delivered Energy + Lost Output.
No payment shall be due if the calculation of (A - B) or (C - D) yields a negative number.
Within sixty (60) days after a Contract Year which ends each Performance Measurement Period, Buyer will send Seller Notice of the amount of damages owing, if any, which shall be payable to Buyer within thirty (30) days of such Notice.
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF COMMERCIAL OPERATION DATE CERTIFICATE
This certification (“Certification”) of Commercial Operation is delivered by [licensed professional engineer] (“Engineer”) to East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (“Buyer”) in accordance with the terms of that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated [DATE] (“Agreement”) by and between [Seller] and Buyer. All capitalized terms used in this Certification but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
As of [DATE], Engineer hereby certifies and represents to Buyer the following:
1. The Facility is fully operational, reliable and interconnected, fully integrated and synchronized with the Transmission System;
2. Seller has installed equipment for the Facility with a nameplate capacity of no less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the Guaranteed Capacity.
3. Seller has commissioned all equipment in accordance with its respective manufacturer’s specifications.
4. The Facility’s testing included a performance test demonstrating peak electrical output of no less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the Guaranteed Capacity for the Facility at the Delivery Point, as adjusted for ambient conditions on the date of the Facility testing.
5. Seller has demonstrated functionality of the Facility’s communication systems and automatic generation control (AGC) interface to operate the Facility as necessary to respond and follow instructions, including an electronic signal conveying real time and intra-day instructions, directed by the Buyer in accordance with the PPA and/or the CAISO.
6. Authorization to parallel the Facility was obtained from the Participating Transmission Owner.
7. The Transmission Provider has provided documentation supporting full unrestricted release for Commercial Operation.
8. The CAISO has provided notification supporting Commercial Operation, in accordance with the CAISO Tariff.
9. Seller shall have caused the Facility to be included in the Full Network Model and has the ability to offer Bids into the CAISO Day-Ahead and Real-Time markets in respect of the Facility.
EXECUTED by [LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER]
this ________ day of _____________, 20__.
Agenda Item: 14
[LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER]
By:
Printed Name:
Title:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT I
FORM OF INSTALLED CAPACITY CERTIFICATE
This certification (“Certification”) of Installed Capacity is delivered by [LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER] (“Engineer”) to East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (“Buyer”) in accordance with the terms of that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated [DATE] (“Agreement”) by and between [SELLER] and Buyer.
All capitalized terms used in this Certification but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
I hereby certify the following:
(a) The performance test for the Facility demonstrated peak electrical output of __ MW AC at the Delivery Point, as adjusted for ambient conditions on the date of the performance test (the “Installed Capacity”);
EXECUTED by [LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER]
this ________ day of _____________, 20__.
[LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER]
By:
Printed Name:
Title:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT J
FORM OF CONSTRUCTION START DATE CERTIFICATE
This certification of Construction Start Date (“Certification”) is delivered by [SELLER NAME] (“Seller”) to East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (“Buyer”) in accordance with the terms of that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated [DATE] (“Agreement”) by and between Seller and Buyer. All capitalized terms used in this Certification but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
Seller hereby certifies and represents to Buyer the following:
(1) Construction Start (as defined in Exhibit B of the Agreement) has occurred, and a copy of the notice to proceed that Seller issued to its contractor as part of Construction Start is attached hereto.
(2) the Construction Start Date occurred on [DATE] (the “Construction Start Date”); and (3) the precise Site on which the Facility is located is, which must be within the boundaries of the previously identified Site:
_____________________________________________________________________.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certification on behalf of Seller as of the ___ day of ________.
[SELLER ENTITY]
By:
Printed Name:
Title:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT K
FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT
[Issuing Bank Letterhead and Address]
IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT NO. [XXXXXXX]
Date:
Bank Ref.:
Amount: US$[XXXXXXXX]
Expiry Date:
Beneficiary:
East Bay Community Energy Authority
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800
Oakland, CA 94612
Ladies and Gentlemen:
By the order of __________ (“Applicant”), we, [insert bank name and address] (“Issuer”) hereby issue our Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit No. [XXXXXXX] (the “Letter of Credit”) in favor of East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (“Beneficiary”), for an amount not to exceed the aggregate sum of U.S. $[XXXXXX] (United States Dollars [XXXXX] and 00/100), pursuant to that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated as of ______ and as amended (the “Agreement”) between Applicant and Beneficiary. This Letter of Credit shall become effective immediately and shall expire on [Insert Date] which is one year after the issue date of this Letter of Credit, or any expiration date extended in accordance with the terms hereof (the “Expiration Date”).
Funds under this Letter of Credit are available to Beneficiary by valid presentation on or before the Expiration Date of a dated statement purportedly signed by your duly authorized representative, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, containing one of the two alternative paragraphs set forth in paragraph 2 therein, referencing our Letter of Credit No. [XXXXXXX] (“Drawing Certificate”).
The Drawing Certificate may be presented by (a) physical delivery, (b) as a PDF attachment to an email to [bank email address] or (c) facsimile to [bank fax number [XXX-XXX-XXXX]] confirmed by [email to [bank email address]]. Transmittal by facsimile or email shall be deemed delivered when received.
The original of this Letter of Credit (and all amendments, if any) is not required to be presented in connection with any presentment of a Drawing Certificate by Beneficiary hereunder in order to receive payment.
We hereby agree with the Beneficiary that all documents presented under and in compliance with Agenda Item: 14
the terms of this Letter of Credit, that such drafts will be duly honored upon presentation to the Issuer on or before the Expiration Date. All payments made under this Letter of Credit shall be made with Issuer’s own immediately available funds by means of wire transfer in immediately available United States dollars to Beneficiary’s account as indicated by Beneficiary in its Drawing Certificate or in a communication accompanying its Drawing Certificate.
Partial draws are permitted under this Letter of Credit, and this Letter of Credit shall remain in full force and effect with respect to any continuing balance.
It is a condition of this Letter of Credit that the Expiration Date shall be deemed automatically extended without an amendment for a one year period beginning on the present Expiration Date hereof and upon each anniversary for such date, unless at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to any such Expiration Date we have sent to you written notice by overnight courier service that we elect not to extend this Letter of Credit, in which case it will expire on the date specified in such notice. No presentation made under this Letter of Credit after such Expiration Date will be honored.
Notwithstanding any reference in this Letter of Credit to any other documents, instruments or agreements, this Letter of Credit contains the entire agreement between Beneficiary and Issuer relating to the obligations of Issuer hereunder.
This Letter of Credit is subject to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision) International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (the “UCP”), except to the extent that the terms hereof are inconsistent with the provisions of the UCP, including but not limited to Articles 14(b) and 36 of the UCP, in which case the terms of this Letter of Credit shall govern. In the event of an act of God, riot, civil commotion, insurrection, war or any other cause beyond Issuer’s control (as defined in Article 36 of the UCP) that interrupts Issuer’s business and causes the place for presentation of the Letter of Credit to be closed for business on the last day for presentation, the Expiration Date of the Letter of Credit will be automatically extended without amendment to a date thirty (30) calendar days after the place for presentation reopens for business.
Please address all correspondence regarding this Letter of Credit to the attention of the Letter of Credit Department at [insert bank address information], referring specifically to Issuer’s Letter of Credit No. [XXXXXXX]. For telephone assistance, please contact Issuer’s Standby Letter of Credit Department at [XXX-XXX-XXXX] and have this Letter of Credit available.
All notices to Beneficiary shall be in writing and are required to be sent by certified letter, overnight courier, or delivered in person to: East Bay Community Energy Authority, Chief Operating Officer, 1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94612. Only notices to Beneficiary meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall be considered valid. Any notice to Beneficiary which is not in accordance with this paragraph shall be void and of no force or effect. [Bank Name]
___________________________
[Insert officer name]
[Insert officer title]
Agenda Item: 14
(DRAW REQUEST SHOULD BE ON BENEFICIARY’S LETTERHEAD)
Drawing Certificate
[Insert Bank Name and Address]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, a duly authorized representative of East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority, 1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94612, as beneficiary (the “Beneficiary”) of the Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. [XXXXXXX] (the “Letter of Credit”) issued by [insert bank name] (the “Bank”) by order of __________ (the “Applicant”), hereby certifies to the Bank as follows:
1. Applicant and Beneficiary are party to that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated as of ___________, 20__ (the “Agreement”).
2. Beneficiary is making a drawing under this Letter of Credit in the amount of U.S. $___________ because a Seller Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Agreement) has occurred or other occasion provided for in the Agreement where Beneficiary is authorized to draw on the letter of credit has occurred.
OR
Beneficiary is making a drawing under this Letter of Credit in the amount of U.S. $___________, which equals the full available amount under the Letter of Credit, because Applicant is required to maintain the Letter of Credit in force and effect beyond the expiration date of the Letter of Credit but has failed to provide Beneficiary with a replacement Letter of Credit or other acceptable instrument within thirty (30) days prior to such expiration date.
3. The undersigned is a duly authorized representative of East Bay Community Energy Authority and is authorized to execute and deliver this Drawing Certificate on behalf of Beneficiary.
You are hereby directed to make payment of the requested amount to East Bay Community Energy Authority by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the following account:
[Specify account information]
East Bay Community Energy Authority
_______________________________
Name and Title of Authorized Representative
Date___________________________
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT L
FORM OF GUARANTY
This Guaranty (this “Guaranty”) is entered into as of [DATE] (the “Effective Date”) by and between [__________], a [State of formation and type of entity] (“Guarantor”), and East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (together with its successors and permitted assigns, “Buyer”).
Recitals
A. Buyer and [SELLER ENTITY], a [State of formation and type of entity] (“Seller”), entered into that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “PPA”) dated as of [DATE].
B. Guarantor is entering into this Guaranty as Performance Security to secure Seller’s obligations under the PPA, as required by Section 8.8 of the PPA.
C. It is in the best interest of Guarantor to execute this Guaranty inasmuch as Guarantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the execution and delivery of the PPA.
D. Initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning set forth in the PPA.
Agreement
1. Guaranty. For value received, Guarantor does hereby unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably guarantee, as primary obligor and not as a surety, to Buyer the full, complete and prompt payment by Seller of any and all amounts and payment obligations now or hereafter owing from Seller to Buyer under the PPA, including compensation for penalties, the Termination Payment, indemnification payments or other damages, as and when required pursuant to the terms of the PPA (the “Guaranteed Amount”), provided, that Guarantor’s aggregate liability under or arising out of this Guaranty shall not exceed ________ Dollars ($___________). The Parties understand and agree that any payment by Guarantor or Seller of any portion of the Guaranteed Amount shall thereafter reduce Guarantor’s maximum aggregate liability hereunder on a dollar-for-dollar basis. This Guaranty is an irrevocable, absolute, unconditional and continuing guarantee of the full and punctual payment and performance, and not of collection, of the Guaranteed Amount and, except as otherwise expressly addressed herein, is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that Buyer first attempt to collect the payment of the Guaranteed Amount from Seller, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Amount or any other Person or entity or resort to any other means of obtaining payment of the Guaranteed Amount. In the event Seller shall fail to duly, completely or punctually pay any Guaranteed Amount as required pursuant to the PPA, Guarantor shall promptly pay such amount as required herein.
2. Demand Notice. For avoidance of doubt, a payment shall be due for purposes of this Guaranty only when and if a payment is due and payable by Seller to Buyer under the terms and Agenda Item: 14
conditions of the Agreement. If Seller fails to pay any Guaranteed Amount as required pursuant to the PPA for five (5) Business Days following Seller’s receipt of Buyer’s written notice of such failure (the “Demand Notice”), then Buyer may elect to exercise its rights under this Guaranty and may make a demand upon Guarantor (a “Payment Demand”) for such unpaid Guaranteed Amount.
A Payment Demand shall be in writing and shall reasonably specify in what manner and what amount Seller has failed to pay and an explanation of why such payment is due and owing, with a specific statement that Buyer is requesting that Guarantor pay under this Guaranty. Guarantor shall, within five (5) Business Days following its receipt of the Payment Demand, pay the Guaranteed Amount to Buyer.
3. Scope and Duration of Guaranty. This Guaranty applies only to the Guaranteed Amount.
This Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect from the Effective Date until the earliest of the following: (x) all Guaranteed Amounts have been paid in full (whether directly or indirectly through set-off or netting of amounts owed by Buyer to Seller), or (y) replacement Performance Security is provided in an amount and form required by the terms of the PPA. Further, this Guaranty (a) shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be affected or impaired by any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability in whole or in part of this Guaranty, and (b) subject to the preceding sentence, shall be discharged only by complete performance of the undertakings herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be released, discharged, or otherwise affected and this Guaranty shall not be invalidated or impaired or otherwise affected for the following reasons:
(i) the extension of time for the payment of any Guaranteed Amount, or (ii) any amendment, modification or other alteration of the PPA, or (iii) any indemnity agreement Seller may have from any party, or (iv) any insurance that may be available to cover any loss, except to the extent insurance proceeds are used to satisfy the Guaranteed Amount, or
(v) any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, Seller or any of its assets, including but not limited to any rejection or other discharge of Seller’s obligations under the PPA imposed by any court, trustee or custodian or any similar official or imposed by any law, statue or regulation, in each such event in any such proceeding, or
(vi) the release, modification, waiver or failure to pursue or seek relief with respect to any other guaranty, pledge or security device whatsoever, or (vii) any payment to Buyer by Seller that Buyer subsequently returns to Seller pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy or other debtor-relief proceeding, or (viii) those defenses based upon (A) the legal incapacity or lack of power or authority of any Person, including Seller and any representative of Seller to enter into the PPA or perform its obligations thereunder, (B) lack of due execution, delivery, validity Agenda Item: 14
or enforceability, including of the PPA, or (C) Seller’s inability to pay any Guaranteed Amount or perform its obligations under the PPA, or (ix) any other event or circumstance that may now or hereafter constitute a defense to payment of the Guaranteed Amount, including statute of frauds and accord and satisfaction;
provided that Guarantor reserves the right to assert for itself any defenses, setoffs or counterclaims that Seller is or may be entitled to assert against Buyer (except for such defenses, setoffs or counterclaims that may be asserted by Seller with respect to the PPA, but that are expressly waived under any provision of this Guaranty).
4. Waivers by Guarantor. Guarantor hereby unconditionally waives as a condition precedent to the performance of its obligations hereunder, with the exception of the requirements in Paragraph 2, (a) notice of acceptance, presentment or protest with respect to the Guaranteed Amounts and this Guaranty, (b) notice of any action taken or omitted to be taken by Buyer in reliance hereon, (c) any requirement that Buyer exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against Seller under the PPA, and (d) any event, occurrence or other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing waiver of surety defenses, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not affect the liability of Guarantor hereunder:
(i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to Guarantor, the time for payment of any Guaranteed Amount shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;
(ii) the obligation to pay any Guaranteed Amount shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect in accordance with the terms of the PPA; (iii) subject to Section 10, any (a) sale, transfer or consolidation of Seller into or with any other entity, (b) sale of substantial assets by, or restructuring of the corporate existence of, Seller or (c) change in ownership of any membership interests of, or other ownership interests in, Seller; or
(iv) the failure by Buyer or any other Person to create, preserve, validate, perfect or protect any security interest granted to, or in favor of, Buyer or any Person.
5. Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payments that may be made hereunder by the Guarantor, Guarantor hereby agrees that until the earlier of payment in full of all Guaranteed Amounts or expiration of the Guaranty in accordance with Section 3, it shall not be entitled to, nor shall it seek to, exercise any right or remedy arising by reason of its payment of any Guaranteed Amount under this Guaranty, whether by subrogation or otherwise, against Seller or seek contribution or reimbursement of such payments from Seller.
6. Representations and Warranties. Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that (a) it has all necessary and appropriate [limited liability company][corporate] powers and authority and the legal right to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, this Guaranty, (b) this Guaranty constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance Agenda Item: 14
with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or general principles of equity, (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty does not and will not contravene Guarantor’s organizational documents, any applicable Law or any contractual provisions binding on or affecting Guarantor, (d) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, or, to the knowledge of the Guarantor, threatened, against or affecting Guarantor or any of its properties or revenues which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, adversely affect the ability of Guarantor to enter into or perform its obligations under this Guaranty, and (e) no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, and no consent of any other Person (including, any stockholder or creditor of the Guarantor), that has not heretofore been obtained is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Guaranty by Guarantor.
7. Notices. Notices under this Guaranty shall be deemed received if sent to the address specified below: (i) on the day received if served by overnight express delivery, and (ii) four Business Days after mailing if sent by certified, first class mail, return receipt requested. If transmitted by facsimile, such notice shall be deemed received when the confirmation of transmission thereof is received by the party giving the notice. Any party may change its address or facsimile to which notice is given hereunder by providing notice of the same in accordance with this Paragraph 8.
If delivered to Buyer, to it at [____]
Attn: [____]
Fax: [____]
If delivered to Guarantor, to it at [____]
Attn: [____]
Fax: [____]
8. Governing Law and Forum Selection. This Guaranty shall be governed by, and interpreted and construed in accordance with, the laws of the United States and the State of California, excluding choice of law rules. The Parties agree that any suit, action or other legal proceeding by or against any party (or its affiliates or designees) with respect to or arising out of this Guaranty shall be brought in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of California sitting in the City and County of Alameda, California.
9. Miscellaneous. This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Buyer and its successors and permitted assigns pursuant to the PPA. No provision of this Guaranty may be amended or waived except by a written instrument executed by Guarantor and Buyer. This Guaranty is not assignable by Guarantor without the prior written consent of Buyer. No provision of this Guaranty confers, nor is any provision intended to confer, upon any third party (other than Buyer’s successors and permitted assigns) any benefit or right enforceable at the option of that third party. This Guaranty embodies the entire agreement and Agenda Item: 14
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings of the parties hereto, verbal or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Guaranty is determined to be illegal or unenforceable (i) such provision shall be deemed restated in accordance with applicable Laws to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intention of the parties hereto and (ii) such determination shall not affect any other provision of this Guaranty and all other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed an original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Guaranty may be executed and delivered by electronic means with the same force and effect as if the same was a fully executed and delivered original manual counterpart.
[Signature on next page]
Agenda Item: 14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized representative on the date first above written.
GUARANTOR:
[_______]
By:______________________________
Printed Name:__________________
Title:____________________________
BUYER:
[_______]
By:______________________________
Printed Name:__________________
Title:____________________________
By:______________________________
Printed Name:__________________
Title:____________________________
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT M
FORM OF REPLACEMENT RA NOTICE
This Replacement RA Notice (this “Notice”) is delivered by [SELLER ENTITY] (“Seller”) to East Bay Community Energy Authority, a California joint powers authority (“Buyer”) in accordance with the terms of that certain Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated [DATE] (“Agreement”) by and between Seller and Buyer. All capitalized terms used in this Notice but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 3.8(b) of the Agreement, Seller hereby provides the below Replacement RA product information:
Agenda Item: 14
[SELLER ENTITY]
By:
Printed Name:
Title:
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT N
NOTICES
[_____________________]
(“Seller”)
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUTHORITY (“Buyer”)
All Notices:
Street:
City:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
All Notices:
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800
Oakland, CA 94612
Attn: Power Resources
Phone: (510) 809-7458
Email: [email protected]
Reference Numbers:
Duns:
Federal Tax ID Number:
Reference Numbers:
Duns: 08-110-3072
Federal Tax ID Number: 82-2262960
Invoices:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
Invoices:
Attn: Power Resources
Phone: (510) 827-2051
Email: [email protected];
[email protected]
Scheduling:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
Scheduling:
Attn: NCPA c/o Ken Goeke, Manager, Portfolio
and Pool Administration
Phone: (916) 781-4290
Email: [email protected]
Confirmations:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
Confirmations:
Attn: Power Resources
Phone: (510) 361-6247
Email: [email protected];
[email protected]
Payments:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
Payments:
Attn: Jason Bartlett, Finance Manager
Phone: 510-650-7584
Email: [email protected];
Wire Transfer:
BNK:
ABA:
ACCT:
Wire Transfer:
BNK: River City Bank
ABA: 121133416
ACCT: ******7551
Credit and Collections:
Attn:
Phone:
Email:
Credit and Collections:
Attn: Howard Chang, Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (510) 809-7458
Email: [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
Agenda Item: 14
[_____________________]
(“Seller”)
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUTHORITY (“Buyer”)
With additional Notices of an Event of
Default to:
Attn:
Phone:
Facsimile:
Email:
With additional Notices of an Event of
Default to:
Attn: Power Resources
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 809-7458
Email:[email protected]; [email protected]
With an additional copy to:
Hall Energy Law PC
Attn: Stephen Hall
Phone: (503) 313-0755
Email: [email protected]
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT O
OPERATING RESTRICTIONS
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT P
METERING DIAGRAM
Agenda Item: 14
EXHIBIT Q
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Agenda Item: 14
2020 RPS & Storage Resource
RFO - Project Approvals
PRESENTED BY: Howard Chang
DATE: January 19, 2022
Agenda Item: 14
Goals & Objectives
• Secure a portfolio of contracts
to provide EBCE customers
with affordable renewable
and clean energy sources
• Meet a significant percent of
SB350 long-term contracting
requirements, equal to 65% of
RPS obligations
• Meet IRP Near- and Mid-Term
Resource Adequacy Reliability
Procurement mandates
• Create new renewable energy
projects to deliver PCC1 RECs
• Contract low-cost energy
hedges to complement
existing portfolio
Actions
• Issued a broad, open,
competitive solicitation to
ensure wide array of
opportunities considered
• Evaluated exhaustive
combinations of projects to
achieve desired volume
targets, while optimizing
project risk, location, workforce
development, economics, and
other characteristics
• Encouraged RFO participants
to be creative and provide
proposal variations on
individual projects and include
battery storage
2 Solicitation Overview
Agenda Item: 14
3 • Robust project offering with over 70 unique project sites and over 400 contract variations
• All 6 products that were solicited were offered
• Offers included solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, and storage • Projects based in 6 different states, predominantly CA – *Only 2 projects in EBCE service territory. 1 project is speculative without site control, the other project in Tracy is shortlisted.
Agenda Item: 14
Evaluation Process
• Evaluation Rubric scored 3 areas:
– Counterparty Execution, Offer Competitiveness, and Project Development Status – Multiple items under each area
• Two reviewers were assigned to each project.
• Staff reviewed all submitted information and provided scores for all categories except for Term Sheet Markups and NPV.
– Each item has 10 point max. at its own weighting.
– Term Sheet Markups were scored by one assigned reviewer. – NPV scores were directly incorporated into overall project score with a weighting of 45%. • The Net Present Value was calculated based on simulations on 3 different forward curves • For each forward curve we took a weighted average of the P5 (50%), P50 (25%), and P95 (25%) and then took a simple average across the 3 curves
• We normalized this number on a $/MW basis and the projects were then assigned a 0-10 score based on the NPV distribution
• Scoring and rubric were consistent with the selection process for the 2018 California Renewables RFP.
4 Agenda Item: 14
Projects Proposed for Execution
Seeking approval for one contract: one fixed price, shaped energy RPS Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) submitted into EBCE’s 2020 Renewable Energy & Storage Resource RFO
• Geothermal PPA, facility sited in Nevada. 15-year term with option to extend to 20 years. Structured as a fixed price energy agreement. Developed by Fervo Energy.
Expected to be operational in May, 2026.
– Project will meet CPUC mandate for “long lead time resources”, as required under CPUC D.21-06-035
5 Agenda Item: 14
Fervo Project Details
• Selected via the 2020 Renewable Energy & Storage RFO
• 40 MW geothermal project based in Churchill County, Nevada – Total project size is anticipated to be 115 MW
• 15-year contract; EBCE has option but not obligation to extend to 20 years • Expected Commercial Operation Date is May 1, 2026
• Project has an executed facility study and system interconnection agreements and site control.
• Fervo will make a financial or time contribution to EBCE’s Community Investment fund as part of this contract.
• Committed toward utilizing union labor where possible and prevailing wages in Nevada. • The contracting entity under Fervo is FEC Nevada I, LLC. 6 Agenda Item: 14
Fervo Company Overview
• Fervo Energy is a developer of geothermal energy resources. • Founded in 2017, Fervo’s team is comprised of reservoir engineers, geophysicists, data scientist, and renewable power developers.
• Fervo has combined advanced drilling techniques, fiber-optic sensing, and cloud-based analytics to unlock new geothermal resources.
• FEC Nevada I represents the first resource Fervo will develop and operationalize, however the Fervo team has developed over 1 GW of generation projects including the Hudson Ranch Geothermal Plant, completed in 2012.
7 Agenda Item: 14
RPS Portfolio Summary
8 Contracted RPS Portfolio:
Developer Technology Nameplate
MW Storage MW County
Actual or
Expected
COD
Term Settlement
Clearway Energy Group Solar 112 n/a Kern 12/22/2020 15 DLAP Salka Energy Group Wind 57.5 n/a Alameda 6/30/2021 20 Pnode Pattern Energy Wind 100 n/a
Torrance &
Guadalupe,
NM 12/22/2021 10 Pnode
Idemitsu Solar Solar 55.8 n/a Tulare 2/1/2022 15 DLAP
EDP Renewables North America Solar+Storage 100 30MW/120MWh Fresno 12/31/2022 20 Pnide sPower / AES Solar+Storage 125 80MW/160MWh Kern 12/31/2022 20 Pnode Terra-Gen Solar+Virtual Storage 100 TBD Kern 12/31/2022 15 Pnode Intersect Solar+Storage 125 125MW Riverside 1/1/2024 15 Index Agenda Item: 14
Next Steps
• Complete negotiations of Fervo contract; execute by early-February • Assess projects as they hit key milestones and mature further. • Update filing to CPUC on status of 2023-2026 Medi-Term Reliability due August 1, 2022.
• Release next RFO for Long-Term Resources in Q1 2022.
9 Agenda Item: 14
TO:
FROM:
Staff Report Item 15
East Bay Community Energy Board of Directors
Marie Fontenot, Senior Director of Power Resources
SUBJECT: Authorize CEO to Negotiate and Execute a Contract extension with NCPA to Provide Wholesale Energy Services
DATE: January 19, 2022
_________________________________________________________________ Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the CEO to negotiate and execute a contract extension with Northern California Power Authority (NCPA) for up to a five-year term.
Background and Discussion
EBCE originally entered into a contract with NCPA to provide Wholesale Energy Services on March 23, 2018. The contract was for a term of two (2) years, plus a one (1) year extension. EBCE issued an RFP for these services on August 30, 2021 and received responses on September 13, 2021 from: 1) Boston Energy Trading and Marketing, 2) NCPA, 3) The Energy Authority (TEA), 4) Tenaska Power Services, and 5) Z Global. Two EBCE staff members, the Senior Director of Power Resources and the Senior Manager of Power Resource Contracts and Settlements, reviewed all five (5) proposals and submitted follow up questions to respondents.
Staff identified NCPA and Tenaska as the proposals best aligned with EBCE’s needs.
EBCE staff then convened an interview panel and interviewed Tenaska. The panel was comprised of six staff (the COO, Senior Director of Power Resources, Senior Manager of Power Resources Contracts and Settlements, Manager of Power Resources, Finance Manager, and Vice President of Data and Analytics). Staff’s three years of working experience with NCPA obviated the need for interviews with NCPA as a Agenda Item: 15
candidate. After the interview, the Senior Director of Power Resources and Senior Manager of Power Resources Contracts and Settlements finalized the scoring matrix.
Experience & Qualifications (0 - 25 points)
Pricing (0 - 25 points)
Methodology/Approach (0-40 Points)
References (0 - 10 points)
After awarding NCPA the highest score, Staff recommends that EBCE extend the contract for NCPA to provide Wholesale Energy Services for a minimum period of one year with the ability to extend the contract for four additional years, for a total length of up to five years. NCPA’s services shall continue to include:
• CAISO Scheduling Coordinator Services, including real-time dispatch and monitoring
• Regulatory Reporting Services
• Congestion Revenue Rights Services
• Portfolio Management Support
• Middle Office, Risk, and Credit Support Services
• Deal Capture and Reporting Services
Fiscal Impact
The annual base cost of the contract will be $693,000. A 2% escalation factor will be applied for each consecutive year.
Committee Recommendation
Not applicable.
Attachments
1. Resolution Authorizing CEO to Negotiate and Execute a Contract Extension with Northern California Power Authority for up to a Five-Year Term Agenda Item: 15
RESOLUTION NO. R-2022-
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING CEO TO
NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
POWER AUTHORITY FOR UP TO A FIVE YEAR TERM
WHEREAS The East Bay Community Energy Authority (“EBCE”) was formed as a community choice aggregation agency (“CCA”) on December 1, 2016, Under the Joint Exercise of Power Act, California Government Code sections 6500 et seq., among the County of Alameda, and the Cities of Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Piedmont, Oakland, San Leandro, and Union City to study, promote, develop, conduct, operate, and manage energy-related climate change programs in all of the member jurisdictions. The cities of Newark and Pleasanton, located in Alameda County, along with the City of Tracy, located in San Joaquin County, were added as members of EBCE and parties to the JPA in March of 2020.
WHEREAS On Mach 23, 2018, EBCE entered into an agreement with Northern California Power Authority (NCPA) for the provision of Wholesale Energy Services; WHEREAS NCPA has provided critical Wholesale Energy Services necessary to EBCE’s day to day operations since 2018;
WHEREAS EBCE is obliged to survey the market periodically to ensure its customers receive high quality services at reasonable cost; WHEREAS EBCE released an RFP on August 30, 2021 and received proposals from five respondents, including NCPA;
WHEREAS NCPA was selected through the RFP process as providing the most comprehensive support at a reasonable price;
WHEREAS, EBCE has been satisfied with NCPA’s services and wishes to continue to utilize NCPA for Wholesale Energy Services.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Board hereby authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to enter negotiations and execute, subject to the approval of General Counsel, an Amendment to the Agreement with Northern California Power Authority for Wholesale Energy Services (Agreement), to extend the term of the Agreement for up to five years and to provide additional compensation of up to $3,606,400, for a total compensation amount not to exceed $4,000,000.
Agenda Item: 15
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 19th day of January, 2022.
Dianne Martinez, Chair
ATTEST:
Clerk of the Board
Agenda Item: 15