Staff Report Item 15
Staff Report Item 15
TO: East Bay Community Energy Board of Directors
FROM: Howard Chang, Chief Operating Officer
SUBJECT: Energy Prepay Transaction #2 Request for Approval (Action Item) DATE: May 18, 2022
__________________________________________________________________ Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the execution of a Power Supply Contract and certain other documents to enable EBCE to enter into its second energy prepayment transaction.
Background and Discussion
In 2021, EBCE successfully executed its first 30-year energy prepay transaction for renewable and carbon free energy with an associated bond transaction issued through the California Community Choice Finance Authority (CCCFA). This was the first energy prepay transaction by a CCA. Beginning on January 1, 2022 energy began to flow through that transaction, with EBCE realizing over $2MM in annual savings as a result. These savings allow for EBCE to utilize its tax-exempt status to lower our overall procurement costs. EBCE is preparing to execute a second prepay transaction, largely replicating the first transaction. One distinct change in this second transaction is that EBCE will be executing this as an individual CCA, whereas the initial transaction was done jointly with SVCE.
With these energy prepay transactions EBCE will assign in existing and/or forthcoming Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Based on the number of eligible source specified PPAs that EBCE will seek to continue to execute on additional prepay transactions in the coming years to maximize the available savings. This second transaction is expected to be a 30-year transaction. Following EBCE board approval, we will seek CCCFA approval. We anticipate being fully enabled with documents prepared so that we are able to go out to market in the June timeframe. The actual issuance of bonds and closing of the transaction will be dependent on market conditions and the necessary interest rate spreads.
Prepay Parties:
The prepay transaction requires the selection and involvement of multiple parties. Names and functions are as follows:
Prepay Buyer: East Bay Community Energy
Staff Report Item 15
• Role: Provide energy contracts to flow through prepay and receive discount Prepay Supplier and Bond Underwriter: Morgan Stanley
• Role: Structure transaction and pay contract price to PPA provider • Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in November 2019 Municipal Advisor: PFM
• Role: Advise Prepay Buyer in negotiations; required by Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB)
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in September 2020 Bond Counsel: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
• Role: Represent bondholders
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in June 2020 Tax Counsel: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
• Role: Provide tax opinion on transaction
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in June 2020 Issuer’s Counsel: Chapman and Cutler LLP
• Role: Represent issuer’s interests, supporting drafting and negotiating terms of prepay agreement and associated energy supply agreements
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in June 2020 Disclosure Counsel: Chapman and Cutler LLP
• Role: Prepare Official Statement
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued by EBCE in June 2020 Bond Issuer: California Community Choice Financing Authority (CCCFA) • Role: Issue municipal bonds for prepay
• Selection Process: via JPA formation - EBCE membership approved April 2021, executed June 2021
Custodian: Bank of New York
• Role: Manage the various Payment Accounts
• Selection Process: via solicitation issued in July 2021 Commodity Swap Counterparty: Natixis
• Role: Provide commodity swap for any periods with floating/indexed power prices • Selection Process: via solicitation issued by Morgan Stanley in April 2022. The swap counterparty is the one role that is being transitioned to a new party due to pricing improvements and to diversify the number of counterparties providing this service.
Credit Rating Agency: Moody’s
• Role: Rate the bonds
• Selection Process: based on an evaluation of the limited providers in the market and chosen due to accepted market standards
Prepay Documents:
The prepay transaction requires the preparation of numerous documents. Below are the key documents (all included as attachments to this item):
Power Supply Contract
• Function: Sets forth terms for which CCA receives energy for 30-year term • Signed by: EBCE and Issuer (CCCFA)
Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignments
Staff Report Item 15
• Function: Details the terms of the limited assignment of PPAs between EBCE and third-party energy sellers • Signed by: EBCE and Prepay Supplier (Morgan Stanley)
Form of Limited Assignment
• Function: Signed for each PPA assigned into prepay; Exhibit to “Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignments”
• Signed by: EBCE, Original PPA Counterparty, and Prepay Supplier (Morgan Stanley) Project Administration Agreement
• Function: Sets out terms for CCA to act on behalf of the Issuer • Signed by: EBCE and Issuer (CCCFA)
PPA Payments Custodial Agreement
• Function: Details cash flows between PPA Buyer (CCA), Prepay Supplier, and Custodian • Signed by: EBCE, Prepay Supplier (Morgan Stanley), and custodian Trust Indenture
• Function: Sets forth terms of bond issuance and rights of bondholders • Signed by: Issuer (CCCFA) and trustee (BONY)
Prepaid Agreement
• Function: Details the flow of power and payments between the Prepay Supplier and the Issuer
• Signed by: Issuer (CCCFA) and Prepay Supplier (Morgan Stanley) Re-pricing Agreement
• Function: Sets forth terms for remarketing and repricing for future bond repricing periods
• Signed by: Issuer (CCCFA) and Prepay Supplier (Morgan Stanley) Preliminary Offering Statement (POS)
• Function: Details parties (including appendix of info on CCA operational history), transaction size and key terms; used to market the bonds • Signed by: Not a signed document
Cost Share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Function: Details the cost share arrangement with MS to cover rating agency and green bond designation fees and EBCE responsibility to cover costs in place of CCCFA Details of Requested Board Approval
Adopt the Resolution which authorizes EBCE to sign:
• Power Supply Contract with CCCFA (Issuer)
• Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignments with Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier) • Limited Assignment Agreements with Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier) and future PPA sellers
• Project Administration Agreement with CCCFA (Issuer)
• PPA Payments Custodial Agreement with Morgan Stanley and BONY The adoption of the Resolution and the execution of the above documents by the EBCE board would enable EBCE to then seek approval for the transaction by the CCCFA board, further enabling the municipal bond raise required to initiate the prepay and start receiving a discount. The approvals provided shall be subject to the following parameters:
Staff Report Item 15
(a) the Bonds will not be obligations of EBCE, but will be limited obligations of the Issuer payable solely from the revenues and other amounts pledged therefor under the Indenture, including amounts payable by EBCE under the Power Supply Contract; (b) the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds shall not exceed $1,000,000,000 (c) the annual energy savings to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract shall be at least $4.50 per MWh
Previous Background Information:
An energy prepayment is a long-term financial transaction available to municipal utilities and tax-exempt entities such as CCAs that enables a meaningful power procurement cost savings opportunity. This prepay structure has historically been utilized for natural gas procurement and is now being applied towards renewable energy. To date, EBCE, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), and MCE have executed prepay transactions and currently a number of other CCAs are also in the process of initiating a similar structure.
Prepay Process:
Utilizing the municipal bond market, a tax-exempt Load Serving Entity (LSE, also called “Prepay Buyer”) and a taxable financial counterparty (bank, called “Prepay Supplier") enter into a 30-year agreement through which the LSE assigns existing power supply contracts (or power purchase agreements, “PPA”) to the Prepay Supplier. The Prepay Supplier pays the contract price to the PPA provider, while the LSE pays the Prepay Supplier at a discounted rate. The discounted rate is agreed upon in the prepay documents and is based in part on the spread between the taxable and tax-exempt bond interest rates. The market availability of this interest rate spread is critical to the savings opportunity available to the LSE.
Tax-exempt bonds are issued by a third-party conduit to raise funds for the prepay transaction. The funds flow from the Issuer to the Prepay Supplier. The LSE does a limited assignment of one or more of their PPAs to the Prepay Supplier. The LSE is required to continue to perform under the contract, while maintaining rights to the electricity and attributes under the PPA. The Prepay Supplier utilizes the bond funds and provides a discount on the PPA to the LSE based on the spread between the taxable and tax-exempt rates. The discount is historically estimated at 8-12% but is subject to change based on market conditions at bond re-issuance. For this prepay, the initial discount target is 10% and the minimum discount will likely be set around 6-7%. The typical bond tenors are in the 7-10 year range, so there will be a reissuance and reset of the discount several times throughout the life of the 30-year prepay. There is a negotiated minimum discount over the life of the transaction that, if not met by the Prepay Supplier, allows the LSE a walkaway right.
The total combined notional value of the assigned contracts flowing through the prepay over the 30 years will likely be no greater than $1.25bn; these contracts can be long-term renewables PPAs or other source specified commodity supply contracts, such as large hydro.
The contracts are a limited assignment to the Prepay Supplier and the LSE continues to ultimately take and pay for all the energy and attributes delivered through the contract; all other terms of the PPA remain unchanged. If the prepay program terminates early for any reason – either the Prepay Supplier or the LSE fail to perform – the LSE forgoes future savings and the assigned PPA is put back completely to the LSE.
Financial Impact
Staff Report Item 15
The purpose of pursuing the prepay transaction is to achieve meaningful energy procurement cost savings. This transaction is targeting a 10% discount at the outset, which translates to $2- 3MM of annual savings.
The majority of fees paid to various parties involved in the prepay will be payable from the proceeds of the prepay bonds. That is to say, there is limited out-of-pocket cost to EBCE; the cost will be paid out of the savings realized from the prepay transaction. With that said there are a portion of fees, such as certain counsel fees, rating agency fees, and green bond designation fees that are not contingent. We have negotiated to have MS split these costs with EBCE if the deal does not close. Additionally, we will only move forward in authorizing these fees when necessary.
Additionally, it is important to note that the prepay is non-recourse to EBCE. The ultimate counterparty with the Prepay Supplier is the CCCFA JPA, so CCCFA is therefore the counterparty to all the underlying agreements. CCCFA is a public entity separate and apart from the parties to the JPA Agreement, and the debts, liabilities and obligations of the CCCFA will not constitute debts, liabilities or obligations of EBCE or any representative of EBCE serving on the governing body of EBCE.
Attachments
A. Resolution
B. Presentation
C. Power Supply Contract
D. Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignments
E. Form of Limited Assignment
F. Project Administration Agreement
G. PPA Payments Custodial Agreement
H. Trust Indenture
I. Prepaid Agreement
J. Re-pricing Agreement
K. Preliminary Offering Statement
L. Cost Share MOU
Attachment Staff Report Item 15A
RESOLUTION 2022-[__]
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST BAY
COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF A POWER SUPPLY CONTRACT AND CERTAIN OTHER
DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY CLEAN ENERGY
PROJECT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2022 EBCE; AND CERTAIN OTHER
ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
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. (the “Act”), 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 Joint Powers Agreement (as defined below) in March of 2020;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Act, EBCE and certain other California “community choice aggregators” entered into a joint powers agreement (the “Joint Powers Agreement”) pursuant to which the California Community Choice Financing Authority (the “Issuer”) was organized for the purpose, among other things, of entering into contracts and issuing bonds to assist EBCE in financing the acquisition of supplies of clean energy;
WHEREAS, the Issuer is authorized by its Joint Powers Agreement to acquire supplies of clean energy by any means and to issue revenue bonds to finance the cost of acquisition of such supplies, and is vested with all powers necessary to accomplish the purposes for which it was created;
WHEREAS, EBCE has determined that it is desireable to acquire a long-term supply of clean energy from the Issuer; WHEREAS, EBCE is requesting that the Issuer agree to purchase certain quantities of clean energy from Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Prepaid Supplier”) on a prepaid basis (the “Project”) and to sell such clean energy to EBCE, as described herein; WHEREAS, EBCE is requesting that the Issuer finance the costs of the Project with the proceeds of its Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2022 EBCE (the “Bonds”);
Attachment Staff Report Item 15A
2 WHEREAS, EBCE has determined to authorize the officers of EBCE to take all necessary action to accomplish the purchase of clean energy from the Issuer and to assist the Issuer in the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds; and WHEREAS, there have been made available to the Board of Directors of EBCE for approval forms of the following agreements to which EBCE is a party (collectively, the “EBCE Documents”):
1. Power Supply Contract between EBCE and the Issuer;
2. Custodial Agreement by and among EBCE, Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MSCG”), the Prepaid Supplier, the Issuer and the custodian to be named therein;
3. Form of Limited Assignment Agreement, by and among EBCE, the counterparty to the power purchase agreement described therein, and MSCG;
4. Letter Agreement among EBCE, the Prepaid Supplier and MSCG regarding matters relating to Assignment Agreements; and
5. Prepaid Energy Project Administration Agreement, by and between EBCE and the Issuer; and
6. Cost Share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), by and between EBCE, MS, and CCCFA; and
WHEREAS, there have also been made available to the Board of Directors of EBCE forms of the following additional documents relating to the Project:
1. Trust Indenture (the “Indenture”) between the Issuer and the trustee to be named therein, providing for, among other things, the issuance of and security for the Bonds;
2. Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement (the “Prepaid Agreement”) between the Issuer and the Prepaid Supplier, providing for the delivery of the prepaid energy supply to the Issuer;
3. Re-pricing Agreement (the “Re-pricing Agreement”) between the Issuer and the Prepaid Supplier providing for the remarketing or refunding of the Bonds from time to time and the establishment of the Monthly Discount available to EBCE under the Power Supply Agreement from time to time during the term of the transaction; and
4. Preliminary Official Statement (the “Preliminary Official Statement”), to be used in connection with the offering and sale of the Bonds, including the information relating to EBCE included in Appendix A thereto (the Indenture, the Prepaid Agreement, the Re-pricing Agreement and the Preliminary Official Statement, together with the EBCE Documents, the “Project Documents”);
Attachment Staff Report Item 15A
3 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the EBCE Board of
Directors, as follows:
Section 1. The proposed forms of the EBCE Documents, as made available to the Board of Directors for this meeting, are hereby approved. The form of Limited Assignment Agreement may be used, in substantially the same form, for the initial assignments of EBCE power purchase agreements, and in a similar form for additional power purchase agreements as needed to maintain the transactions approved hereby, with such changes as may be necessary to conform to the requirements of such power purchase agreement or as may be necessary to effect such assignment, and any such Limited Assignment Agreements shall be included in the EBCE Documents hereby approved.
Subject to the parameters set forth in Section 4 of this Resolution, any of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer or Chair of the Board (each an “Authorized Officer”) is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of EBCE, to execute and deliver the EBCE Documents in substantially said form, with such changes and insertions therein as the Authorized Officer executing the same may approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery thereof.
Section 2. The proposed form of the Preliminary Official Statement, as made available to the Board of Directors for this meeting, is hereby approved. Any Authorized Officer is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of EBCE, to execute and deliver a certificate as to the information regarding EBCE contained therein and in the final version of the Official Statement, with such changes and insertions therein as the Authorized Officer approving the same may deem necessary or appropriate. Subject to approval by the Issuer, EBCE hereby authorizes the distribution of the Preliminary Official Statement to persons who may be interested in the purchase of the Bonds, and the delivery of the Official Statement in final form to the purchasers of the Bonds, in each case with such changes as may be approved as aforesaid.
Section 3. Each Authorized Officer is hereby authorized and directed, for and in the name and on behalf of EBCE, to execute and deliver any and all documents, including, without limitation, any tax certificate relating to its expected use of the energy to be purchased by it from the Project, any continuing disclosure certificate or similar agreement required for the offering or sale of the Bonds, and any and all closing certificates to be executed in connection with the issuance of the Bonds and to take any and all actions which may be necessary or advisable, in the discretion of such Authorized Officers, to effectuate the actions which EBCE has approved in this Resolution, for the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds, and to consummate by EBCE the transactions contemplated by the EBCE Documents approved hereby and the other Project Documents presented to the Board herewith, including any subsequent amendments, waivers or consents entered into or given under or in accordance with such documents.
Section 4. The approvals provided for herein shall be subject to the following parameters:
(a) the Bonds will not be obligations of EBCE, but will be limited obligations of the Issuer payable solely from the revenues and other amounts pledged Attachment Staff Report Item 15A
4 therefor under the Indenture, including amounts payable by EBCE under the Power Supply Contract;
(b) the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds shall not exceed $1,000,000,000; and
(c) the annual energy savings to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract shall be at least $4.50 per MWh.
Section 5. Execution and delivery of the EBCE Documents by an Authorized Officer or Officers shall be conclusive evidence that the parameters set forth in Section 4 have been met, and all actions heretofore taken by the Authorized Officers with respect to the issuance of the Bonds are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.
Section 6. If the conditions set forth in Section 4 have been met, an Authorized Officer may direct the payment to professionals that provided services to EBCE in connection with the Project. These professional services include legal counsel, bond counsel, tax counsel, Municipal Financial Advisor, Swap Advisor, and any other consultant needed to complete the transactions contemplated herein for EBCE. Payment to these professionals will be made from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds and pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement executed with EBCE.
Section 7. If the conditions set forth in Section 4 have been met, an Authorized Officer may direct the payment to additional vendors and/or parties to the EBCE Documents or other Project Documents to complete the issuance of the Bonds.
These vendors, if any, will be paid pursuant to an agreement for services rendered in completing the issuance of the Bonds and from the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds.
Section 8. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15A
5 ADOPTED AND APPROVED at a regular meeting of the EBCE Board of Directors on this [____] day of [_____], 2022
______________________________________
Dianne Martinez, Chair
Attest:
___________________________________________
Adrian Bankhead, Clerk of the Board
Energy Prepay
Transaction
#2 Request for
Approval
MAY 18, 2022
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Proposed Follow-on Prepay Transaction
● Standalone EBCE Prepay transaction issuing through CA Community Choice Financing Authority (CCCFA), the JPA in which EBCE is a member
● Largely replicating the initial transaction to get to market efficiently. Utilizing the prior RFPs issued/awarded in 2020 and 2021 to renew various counsel and advisory roles. ● Prior transactions required >1.5yrs to complete and targeting 3 to 6 months for the second transaction
● Anticipate $500M to $1bn total size in principal
Next Steps:
● May: Seek EBCE board and CCCFA board approval to transact ● June onwards: Go out to market and determine optimal timing to price ● Taxable vs. tax-exempt spreads have been very volatile with uncertainty as to when conditions will be suitable. With this volatility it is difficult to predict the exact timing for execution of this transaction but may take 3 to 6 months.
2 Attachment Consent Item 15B
Prepay Overview
3 An energy prepayment is a long-term non-recourse financial transaction between a tax-exempt Load Serving Entity (LSE) and a taxable financial counterparty (bank, called “Prepay Supplier") utilizing the municipal bond market. • Municipal utilities (and tax-exempt entities such as CCAs) in the US can prepay for a supply of electricity or natural gas from a taxable entity and fund that prepayment with tax-exempt municipal bonds. • The LSE must sell the commodity to their retail end-users residing within their traditional service area. • This structure is well known and regularly used for gas and is now being applied towards renewables PPAs. Codified in US Tax Law. Since first prepayments of natural gas were done in the early 1990s, the IRS issued rules allowing tax-exempt prepayments and Congress enacted legislation specifically allowing the transactions (National Energy Policy Act of 2005; Section 1327) Structure:
• Term: Typically 30-year term with repricing periods every 5-10 years due to the optimal taxable vs. tax-exempt spreads • Transacting Parties:
1. Tax-exempt Load Serving Entity (LSE, also called “Prepay Buyer”) – EBCE
2. Taxable financial counterparty (bank, called “Prepay Supplier”) - Morgan Stanley • Process:
1. LSE enters into a 30-year power supply arrangement
2. Prepay Supplier is assigned the existing energy supply contract(s) held by LSE through a limited assignment agreement
3. Municipal bonds issued by a conduit, amounting to combined notional value of assigned contracts
4. Prepay Supplier pays the contract price to PPA Seller, immediately transferring all electricity and attributes to LSE
5. LSE pays the Prepay Supplier at discounted rate, achieving procurement cost savings • Takeaway: Prepay Supplier is effectively the energy supplier and is prepaid for future energy deliveries. The Prepay Supplier holds and utilizes capital and provides a discount to the Prepay Buyer that is enabled via the spread between the taxable and tax-exempt borrowing costs.
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Prepay Sizing and Discount
4 • The total bond proceeds may be as high as $1.25bn and will be dependent on the CA bond market appetite. – EBCE will seek the maximum bond raise while maintaining optimal bond rates – The amount represents the present value of the PPA cashflows over the 30-year life of the transaction • This transaction will translate to an estimated $2-3MM of annual savings for EBCE for the initial bond term. – The transaction assumes an increase in the cashflows running through the prepay over the 30-year life. – As the transaction moves forward, the arbitrage value goes down since the present value benefits reduce with a shorter remaining tenor.
The future discount rates will be reset every 5-10 years based on bond tenors and be dependent on future bond market conditions, but this puts downward pressure on the future discounts.
– There is a negotiated minimum discount that, if not met by the Prepay Supplier, allows the LSE not to move forward in the repricing. • Ultimately the discount is established by the spread between taxable and tax-exempt rates and deducts all transaction related costs, which include fees associated with bond underwriting, counsel (bond, disclosure, underwriter’s, prepay), financial adviser, swap counterparty, credit rating, custodian, etc.
• 5-10 years is the optimal bond spread tenor currently. Maintaining this spread over a 30-year transaction life maximizes the available discount. This requires a repricing and re-issuance of bonds every 5-10 years and a reset of the discount rate. In general, a high interest rate environment will lead to a higher discount.
• The initial power flows for the transaction are anticipated to begin in April 2023 Attachment Consent Item 15B
EBCE Prepay Parties
5 Prepay Supplier: Morgan Stanley
– Selected through solicitation issued November 2019
Municipal Financial Advisor: PFM
– Selected through solicitation issued September 2020
Counsel: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Bond & Tax Counsel) | Chapman & Cutler LLP (POS, Disclosure & Issuer’s Counsel) – Both firms selected through solicitation issued June 2020 Bond Issuer: California Community Choice Financing Authority – EBCE membership approved by Board in April 2021, JPA formed June 2021; Founding Members are EBCE, MCE, SVCE, 3CE Custodian: BONY
– PFM issued solicitation early July 2021; final selection in process Commodity Swap Counterparty: Natixis
– This is one of the few counterparties that is new to this transaction after going back out to market in April 2022. A new counterparty was selected due to improved pricing and an interest in diversification Credit Rating Agency: Moody's
– Discussions in process
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Documents Overview: EBCE Signs
6 1. Power Supply Contract
– Sets forth terms for which CCA receives energy for 30-year term – Signed by EBCE and CCCFA
2. Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignments
– Details the terms of the limited assignment of PPAs between EBCE and 3rd party energy sellers – Signed by EBCE and Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier)
3. Form of Limited Assignment
– Details the terms of the limited assignment of each energy PPA EBCE assigns into prepay – Signed by EBCE, the original PPA counterparty, and Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier)
4. Project Administration Agreement
– Sets out terms for CCA to act on behalf of the Issuer – Signed by EBCE and CCCFA
5. PPA Payments Custodial Agreement
– Details cash flows between PPA Buyer (CCA), Prepay Supplier, and Custodian – Signed by EBCE, Morgan Stanley, and BONY
6. Cost Share Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
– Details the cost share arrangement with MS to cover rating agency and green bond designation fees and EBCE responsibility to cover costs in place of CCCFA
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Documents Overview: CCCFA Signs
7 1. Prepaid Agreement
– Details the flow of power and payments between the Prepay Supplier and the Issuer (CCCFA) – Terms are largely mirrored in the Power Supply Contract
2. Re-pricing Agreement
– Sets forth terms for remarketing and repricing for future bond repricing periods
3. Trust Indenture
– Sets forth terms of bond issuance and rights of bondholders – Details that all revenues relevant to transaction flow to and through conduit issuer (CCCFA)
4. Commodity Swap documents
– Docs pursuant to which the commodity price is hedged with a 3rd-party swap counterparty (to insulate transaction from market variations)
5. Parent Guarantee
– Guarantee of “due and punctual payment” from Prepay Supplier to conduit issuer (CCCFA) – Flows in favor of conduit issuer and swap counterparty, respectively
6. Front-End Custodial Agreement
– Outlines payment flows through the transaction, signed by CCCFA, Custodian, and Bond Trustee – Also a Back-End Custodial Agreement which is signed by Morgan Stanley, Custodian, and Bond Trustee Attachment Consent Item 15B
Documents Overview: Other
8 1. Preliminary Offering Statement (POS)
– Official offering document used to market the bonds
– Details parties (including appendix of info on EBCEs operational history), transaction size and key terms – Not a signed document
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Requested Approval
9 • Adopt the Resolution which authorizes EBCE to:
- Sign Power Supply Contractwith CCCFA (Issuer)
- Sign Letter Agreement Regarding PPA Assignmentswith Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier) - Sign Limited Assignment Agreementswith Morgan Stanley (Prepay Supplier) and future PPA sellers - Sign Project Administration Agreement with CCCFA (Issuer) - Sign PPA Payments Custodial Agreementwith Morgan Stanley and BONY • The adoption of the Resolution and the execution of the above documents by the EBCE board would enable EBCE to then seek approval for the transaction by the CCCFA board, further enabling the municipal bond raise required to initiate the prepay and start receiving a discount. • The approvals provided shall be subject to the following parameters:
a) the Bonds will not be obligations of EBCE, but will be limited obligations of the Issuer payable solely from the revenues and other amounts pledged therefor under the Indenture, including amounts payable by EBCE under the Power Supply Contract;
b) the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds shall not exceed $1,000,000,000; and c) the annual energy savings to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract shall be at least $4.50 per MWh.
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Appendix
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Existing Prepay Overview
Recap:
● Closed: Sept. 23, 2021
● Total Bond Proceeds: $1.48 Billion
● Rating: A1, “Green Bond” Certified
● Volume to EBCE: 59 MW Around-the-Clock Carbon-Free Energy ● Power Supply Start: January 1, 2022
● Savings, Years 1-10: $2 Million / year
In progress / Ongoing:
● Settlements and invoicing were initiated on January 1, 2022 ● Assessing future PPAs to be put through prepay structure 11 Attachment Consent Item 15B
12 Prepay Structure
Prepay Supplier Municipal
Conduit LSE/CCA
Existing PPA to
be Assigned
Non-Recourse
Tax-Exempt
Bonds
Existing PPA
Counterparty
Contract Price
Prepayment $$
Contract Price
Less Discount
MWhs + RECs MWhs + RECs
+ Debt Service
MWhs + RECs
Debt
Service
Bond
Proceeds
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Market Statistics
13 • Nationwide: 90+ municipal transactions
– $50+ Billion combined notional contract value
• California: 11 municipal transactions
– $5.7 Billion combined notional contract value
• Active Suppliers: Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Canada, Citi, TD Securities – All investment grade rated financial institutions
• Resource Types:
– Majority of transactions to date have been exclusively for natural gas, remainder including an electricity ‘switch’ at a certain year.
– The same tax law and similar transaction structure enables the program for electricity from renewables contracts, as well. The market is seeing activity and preparation for these transactions, particularly from CCAs.
Attachment Consent Item 15B
• An energy prepayment is a long-term non-recourse financial transaction between a tax-exempt Load Serving Entity (LSE) and a taxable financial counterparty (bank, called “Prepay Supplier") utilizing the municipal bond market.
o Typically 30-year term, LSE committing ~$350MM-$850MM of energy supply contracts (combined contract notional values)
o LSE utilizes in order to lower customer energy costs
• Prepay Supplier is assigned an existing energy supply contract, pays the contract price to PPA Seller and immediately transfers all electricity and attributes to LSE. LSE pays the Prepay Supplier. • Municipal utilities (and tax-exempt entities such as CCAs) in the US can prepay for a supply of electricity or natural gas from a taxable entity and fund that prepayment with tax-exempt municipal bonds. The LSE must sell the commodity to their retail end-users residing within their traditional service area. o This structure is well known and regularly used for gas and is now being applied towards renewables PPAs o Codified in US Tax Law. Since first prepayments of natural gas were done in the early 1990’s, the IRS issued rules allowing tax-exempt prepayments and Congress enacted legislation specifically allowing the transactions (National Energy Policy Act of 2005; Section 1327) 14 Prepay Overview
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Power Contract Assignment:
• Existing renewable PPAs are assigned to the taxable Prepay Supplier. The LSE continues to take and pay for energy and attributes delivered through the contract.
• All other terms of the PPA are unchanged
• If the prepay program terminates early, prepaid supplier fails to perform, or LSE fails to perform, the LSE forgoes the future savings and the assigned PPA contract is put back to the original LSE • Active Suppliers: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Canada, Citi, Bank of America are all investment grade rated financial institutions
Debt:
• Non-Recourse: Prepays utilize non-recourse municipal bonds and are not secured or guaranteed by the referenced entity (i.e. the CCA). Rather the debt is recourse to the Prepay Supplier (i.e. the bank receiving the prepayment). This significantly protects the CCA and mitigates risk related to the payment of power contracts novated through the prepay.
• Off Balance sheet for LSE: Bonds are issued by a municipal bond conduit and arranged by the Prepay Supplier 15 Key Elements of a Prepay Transaction
Attachment Consent Item 15B
Key Risks
16 • If this transaction does not materialize: Loss of out-of-pocket costs and staff time ‒ Consultants are primarily contingent on successful deal, with the exception of certain counsel fees, rating agency, and green bond designation fees
‒ Consultants are primarily paid from deal proceeds vs. EBCE directly • Opportunity cost of higher savings through a prepay transaction or alternative structure initiated at a different time. ‒ To the extent that MS does not provide the minimum discount EBCE will have a right not to proceed in future repricing periods. Minimum discount will likely be set at around 6-7%. Target initial discount is 10%. ‒ EBCE also has a right to shop the prepay provider if we view that the offered discounts are not at market • Load loss or inability to assign a PPA into the prepay due to contractual limitations would likely lead to remediation or remarketing activities and potentially result in the loss of the discount. ‒ Note that costs would not increase above contractual levels • Regulatory risks, such as reclassifying a long-term PPA as a short-term PPA making it ineligible for SB350 qualification or disruption to PCC1 bundled classification due to the assignment of PPA • Political risk associated with a transaction collapsing due to non-compliance to tax codes Attachment Consent Item 15B
HB Draft 6 May 2022
POWER SUPPLY CONTRACT
between
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
and
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
Dated as of [____], 2022
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
-i-Article I Definitions...................................................................................................................... 2 Section 1.1 Defined Terms ..................................................................................... 2 Section 1.2 Definitions; Interpretation .................................................................. 10 Article II Execution Date and Delivery Period; Nature of Energy Project .......................... 10 Section 2.1 Execution Date; Delivery Period ....................................................... 10 Section 2.2 Termination Due to Failure to Issue Bonds or Provide Minimum Discount ............................................................................ 10 Section 2.3 Nature of Energy Project ................................................................... 10 Section 2.4 Pledge of this Agreement ................................................................... 11 Article III Sale and Purchase .................................................................................................... 11 Section 3.1 Sale and Purchase of Energy .............................................................. 11 Section 3.2 Pricing ................................................................................................ 11 Section 3.3 No Obligation to Take Base Energy .................................................. 11 Section 3.4 Reset Period Remarketing.................................................................. 12 Article IV Failure to Deliver or Take Energy ......................................................................... 13 Article V Transmission and Delivery; Communications ....................................................... 13 Section 5.1 Delivery of Energy ............................................................................. 13 Section 5.2 Scheduling.......................................................................................... 13 Section 5.3 Title and Risk of Loss ........................................................................ 14 Section 5.4 PCC1 Product and Long-Term PCC1 Product .................................. 14 Section 5.5 Deliveries within CAISO or Another Balancing Authority ............... 16 Section 5.6 Assigned Products .............................................................................. 16 Article VI Partial Assignments of PPAs .................................................................................. 17 Section 6.1 Future PPA Assignments ................................................................... 17 Section 6.2 Updates to Exhibits A-1 and A-2 ....................................................... 17 Article VII Use of Energy .......................................................................................................... 17 Section 7.1 Tax Exempt Status of the Bonds ........................................................ 17 Section 7.2 Priority Energy ................................................................................... 17 Section 7.3 Remarketing Sales ............................................................................. 17 Section 7.4 Qualifying Use ................................................................................... 18 Section 7.5 Remediation ....................................................................................... 18 Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
-ii-Article VIII Representations and Warranties; Additional Covenants ................................. 19 Section 8.1 Representations and Warranties of the Parties ................................... 19 Section 8.2 Warranty of Title................................................................................ 20 Section 8.3 Disclaimer of Warranties ................................................................... 20 Section 8.4 Continuing Disclosure ....................................................................... 21 Article IX Taxes ......................................................................................................................... 21 Article X Dispute Resolution..................................................................................................... 21 Section 10.1 Arbitration .......................................................................................... 21 Section 10.2 Judicial Reference. ............................................................................. 22 Article XI Force Majeure .......................................................................................................... 24 Section 11.1 Applicability of Force Majeure .......................................................... 24 Section 11.2 Settlement of Labor Disputes............................................................. 24 Article XII Governmental Rules and Regulations .................................................................. 24 Section 12.1 Compliance with Laws ...................................................................... 24 Section 12.2 Contests .............................................................................................. 24 Section 12.3 Defense of Agreement ....................................................................... 24 Article XIII Assignment ............................................................................................................ 25 Article XIV Payments ................................................................................................................ 25 Section 14.1 Monthly Statements ........................................................................... 25 Section 14.2 Payment.............................................................................................. 26 Section 14.3 Payment of Disputed Amounts; Correction of Index Price ............... 26 Section 14.4 Late Payment ..................................................................................... 27 Section 14.5 Audit; Adjustments ............................................................................ 27 Section 14.6 Netting; No Set-Off............................................................................ 27 Section 14.7 Source of Purchaser’s Payments ........................................................ 27 Section 14.8 Rate Covenant .................................................................................... 27 Section 14.9 Pledge of CCA Revenues................................................................... 28 Section 14.10 Financial Responsibility..................................................................... 28 Article XV [Reserved]................................................................................................................ 28 Article XVI Notices .................................................................................................................... 28 Article XVII Default; Remedies; Termination........................................................................ 29 Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
-iii-Section 17.1 Issuer Default ..................................................................................... 29 Section 17.2 Purchaser Default ............................................................................... 29 Section 17.3 Remedies Upon Default ..................................................................... 30 Section 17.4 Termination of Prepaid Agreement ................................................... 31 Section 17.5 Limitation on Damages ...................................................................... 31 Article XVIII Miscellaneous ..................................................................................................... 32 Section 18.1 Indemnification Procedure ................................................................. 32 Section 18.2 Deliveries ........................................................................................... 32 Section 18.3 Entirety; Amendments ....................................................................... 32 Section 18.4 Governing Law .................................................................................. 33 Section 18.5 Non-Waiver........................................................................................ 33 Section 18.6 Severability ........................................................................................ 33 Section 18.7 Exhibits .............................................................................................. 33 Section 18.8 Winding Up Arrangements ................................................................ 33 Section 18.9 Relationships of Parties...................................................................... 33 Section 18.10 Immunity ............................................................................................ 33 Section 18.11 Rates and Indices ............................................................................... 34 Section 18.12 Limitation of Liability........................................................................ 34 Section 18.13 Counterparts ....................................................................................... 34 Section 18.14 Third Party Beneficiaries; Rights of Trustee ..................................... 34 Section 18.15 Waiver of Defenses ............................................................................ 35 Exhibits
Exhibit A-1 - Base Energy Hourly Quantities
Exhibit A-2 - EPS Energy Period Monthly Quantity
Exhibit B - Notices
Exhibit C - Form of Remarketing Election Notice
Exhibit D - Form of Federal Tax Certificate
Exhibit E - Form of Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser
Exhibit F - Monthly Discount
Exhibit G - Form of Closing Certificate
Exhibit H - Form of Remediation Certificate
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
1 POWER SUPPLY CONTRACT
This Power Supply Contract (hereinafter “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [____], 2022 (the “Execution Date”), by and between California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority and a public entity of the State of California established pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Article 1, Chapter 5, Division 7, Title 1, Section 6500 et seq. of the California Government Code, as amended) (“Issuer”) and East Bay Community Energy Authority, a joint powers authority and a community choice aggregator organized under the Laws of the State of California (“Purchaser”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Issuer has planned and developed a project to acquire long-term Energy supplies from Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C. (“MSES”) pursuant to a Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Prepaid Agreement”) to meet a portion of the Energy supply requirements of Purchaser through an energy prepayment project (the “Energy Project”); and WHEREAS, Issuer will finance the prepayment under the Prepaid Agreement, and the other costs of, the Energy Project by issuing the Bonds; and WHEREAS, Purchaser is a joint powers authority organized pursuant to the provisions of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 1 (Section 6500 et seq.) of the California Government Code and a community choice aggregator pursuant to the provisions of Section 366.2 of the California Public Utilities Code with authority to sell electricity to retail electric consumers within its service area; and
WHEREAS, Purchaser is agreeable to purchasing a portion of its Energy requirements from Issuer under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and Issuer is agreeable to selling to Purchaser such supplies of Energy under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Purchaser has assigned to MSES certain Assigned Rights and Obligations, including the right to receive Assigned Product, which Assigned Product will be delivered to Issuer under the Prepaid Agreement and then resold by Issuer hereunder; and
WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Parties’ obligations under this Agreement, Issuer shall have entered into the Prepaid Agreement and shall have issued the Bonds.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
2 of which are hereby acknowledged, Issuer and Purchaser (the “Parties” hereto; each is a “Party”) agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Defined Terms. The following terms, when used in this Agreement and identified by the capitalization of the first letter thereof, have the respective meanings set forth below, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Affiliate” means, with respect to either Party, any entity which is a direct or indirect parent or subsidiary of such Party or which directly or indirectly (i) owns or controls such Party, (ii) is owned or controlled by such Party, or (iii) is under common ownership or control with such Party. For purposes of this definition, “control” of an entity means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 50% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing similar functions or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies, whether by contract or otherwise. “Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble and shall include exhibits, recitals and attachments referenced herein and attached hereto and all amendments, supplements and modifications hereto and thereto.
“Annual Refund” means the annual refund, if any, provided to Purchaser and calculated pursuant to the procedures specified in Section 3.2(c). “Applicable Rating Agencies” means, at any given time, each Rating Agency then rating the Bonds.
“Assigned Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in the applicable Assignment Agreement.
“Assigned Energy” has the meaning specified in the applicable Assignment Agreement; provided that any Assigned Energy shall be EPS Compliant Energy as set forth in the Assignment Letter Agreement.
“Assigned Product” means, as applicable, PCC1 Product, Long-Term PCC1 Product, Assigned Energy, Assigned RECs and any other product included in an Assignment Agreement.
“Assigned RECs” means any RECs to be delivered to MSCG or MSES pursuant to any Assigned Rights and Obligations.
“Assigned Rights and Obligations” means a portion of Purchaser’s rights and obligations under a power purchase agreement assigned pursuant to an Assignment Agreement. “Assignment Agreement” means the Initial Assignment Agreement and any subsequent assignment agreement entered into consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
3 “Assignment Letter Agreement” means that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among MSCG, MSES, Issuer and Purchaser. “Available Discount” means, for each Reset Period, the amount, expressed in cents per MWh (rounded down to the nearest one-half cent), determined by the Calculation Agent pursuant to the Re-Pricing Agreement for such Reset Period. The Available Discount shall equal the sum of the Monthly Discount and any anticipated Annual Refunds for the applicable Reset Period.
“Balancing Authority” has the meaning specified in the CAISO Tariff. “Base Energy” means Firm (LD) Energy.
“Billing Date” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1(b). “Billing Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1(b). “Bond Closing Date” means the first date on which the Bonds are issued pursuant to the Bond Indenture.
“Bond Indenture” means (i) the Trust Indenture to be entered into prior to the commencement of the Delivery Period between Issuer and the Trustee, as supplemented and amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, and (ii) any trust indenture entered into in connection with the commencement of any Interest Rate Period after the initial Interest Rate Period between Issuer and the Trustee containing substantially the same terms as the indenture described in clause (i) and which is intended to replace the indenture described in clause (i) as of the commencement of such Interest Rate Period.
“Bonds” means the bonds issued pursuant to the Bond Indenture. “Business Day” means any day other than (i) a Saturday or Sunday, (ii) a Federal Reserve Bank Holiday, (iii) any other day on which commercial banks in either New York, New York or the State of California are authorized or required by Law to close, or (iv) any other day excluded pursuant to the Bond Indenture.
“CAISO” means California Independent System Operator or its successor. “CAISO Tariff” means CAISO’s FERC-approved tariff, as modified, amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Calculation Agent” has the meaning specified in the Re-Pricing Agreement. “California Long-Term Contracting Requirements” means the long-term contracting requirement set forth in the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 (SB 350), California Public Utilities Code section 399.13(b), and CPUC Decision 17-06-026 and CPUC Decision 18-05-026, as may be modified by subsequent decision of the California Public Utilities Commission or by other Law.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
4 “CCA Revenues” means all charges received for, and all other income and receipts derived by Purchaser from, the operation of its CCA System, including income derived from the sale of electric energy by its CCA System.
“CCA System” means Purchaser’s community choice aggregation program that provides electric energy supply service to retail customers located with its service area. “Claiming Party” has the meaning specified in Section 11.1. “Claims” means all claims or actions, threatened or filed, that directly or indirectly relate to the indemnities provided herein, and the resulting losses, damages, expenses, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, and court costs, whether incurred by settlement or otherwise, and whether such claims or actions are threatened or filed prior to or after the termination of this Agreement. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. “Commercially Reasonable” or “Commercially Reasonable Efforts” means, with respect to any purchase or sale or other action required to be made, attempted or taken by a Party under this Agreement, such efforts as a reasonably prudent Person would undertake for the protection of its own interest under the conditions affecting such purchase or sale or other action, including without limitation, the amount of notice of the need to take such action, the duration and type of the purchase or sale or other action, the competitive environment in which such purchase or sale or other action occurs, and the risk to the Party required to take such action. “Contract Price” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(a). “Contract Quantity” means, with respect to each Month during the Delivery Period, (i) the Monthly Quantity of Assigned Energy set forth in Exhibit A-2 for such Month and (ii) the Hourly Quantity of Base Energy set forth in Exhibit A-1 for such Month, as such Exhibits A-1 and A-2 shall be updated from time to time in accordance with Section 6.2. “Day-Ahead Average Price” means, for any Assigned Energy after the Initial EPS Energy Period, (x) the sum of the Day-Ahead Market Prices for each Pricing Interval in a Month divided by (y) the number of Pricing Intervals in such Month; provided that in no case shall the Day-Ahead Average Price hereunder be less than $0.00/MWh. As used in this definition, “Pricing Interval” means the unit of time for which CAISO establishes a separate price. “Day-Ahead Market Price” means The Day Ahead Market or Locational Marginal Price for the Energy Delivery Point for each applicable hour as published by CAISO, or as such price may be corrected or revised from time to time by such independent system operator or other entity in accordance with its rules; provided that in no case shall the Day-Ahead Market Price hereunder be less than $0.00/MWh.
“Default Rate” means, as of any date of determination, the lesser of (a) the sum of (i) the rate of interest per annum quoted in The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition) under the “Money Rates” section as the “Prime Rate” for such date of determination, plus (ii) one percent Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
5 per annum, or (b) if a lower maximum rate is imposed by applicable Law, such maximum lawful rate.
“Delivery Hours” means each Hour commencing at 00:00 (PPT) on the first day of the Delivery Period, and each Hour thereafter during the Delivery Period. “Delivery Period” means the period beginning on [____], 2022 and ending on [____], 20[__]; provided that the Delivery Period shall end immediately upon the effective termination date of the Prepaid Agreement or early termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article XVII hereof.
“Delivery Point” means (i) the applicable Assigned Delivery Point(s) for Assigned Energy and (ii) the applicable Energy Delivery Point for Base Energy (as set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2). “Energy” means three-phase, 60-cycle alternating current electric energy, expressed in MWhs.
“Energy Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A-1. “Energy Project” has the meaning specified in the recitals. “EPS” means California’s Emissions Performance Standards, as set forth in Sections 8340 and 8341 of the California Public Utilities Code, as implemented and amended from time to time, and any successor Law.
“EPS Compliant Energy” means Energy that Purchaser can contract for and purchase in compliance with EPS requirements that are applicable to Purchaser. “EPS Energy Period” means the Initial EPS Energy Period and any subsequent EPS Energy Period established by a future assignment of a power purchase agreement consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement.
“Execution Date” has the meaning specified in the preamble. “Federal Tax Certificate” means the executed Federal Tax Certificate delivered by Purchaser in the form attached as Exhibit D.
“FERC” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and any successor thereto.
“Firm (LD)” means, with respect to the obligation to deliver Energy, that either Party shall be relieved of its obligations to sell and deliver or purchase and receive without liability only to the extent that, and for the period during which, such performance is prevented by Force Majeure.
“Force Majeure” means an event or circumstance which prevents one Party from performing its obligations under this Agreement, which event or circumstance was not anticipated Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
6 as of the Execution Date, which is not within the reasonable control of, or the result of the negligence of, the Claiming Party, and which, by the exercise of due diligence, the Claiming Party is unable to overcome or avoid or cause to be avoided. Force Majeure shall not be based on (i) the loss of Purchaser’s markets; (ii) Purchaser’s inability economically to use or resell the Energy purchased hereunder; (iii) the loss or failure of Issuer’s supply except if such loss or failure results from curtailment by a Transmission Provider; or (iv) Issuer’s ability to sell the Energy at a higher price. Neither Party may raise a claim of Force Majeure based in whole or in part on curtailment by a Transmission Provider unless (a) such Party has contracted for firm transmission with such Transmission Provider for the Energy to be delivered to or received at the Delivery Point and (b) such curtailment is due to “force majeure” or “uncontrollable force” or a similar term as defined under the Transmission Provider’s tariff; provided, however, that existence of the foregoing factors shall not be sufficient to conclusively or presumptively prove the existence of Force Majeure absent a showing of other facts and circumstances which in the aggregate with such factors establish that Force Majeure as defined in the first sentence hereof has occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, (I) any invocation of Force Majeure by MSES under the Prepaid Agreement shall constitute Force Majeure in respect of Issuer hereunder; (II) to the extent that a PPA Supplier fails to deliver any Assigned Energy and claims force majeure with respect to such failure to deliver, then such event shall be deemed to constitute Force Majeure in respect of Issuer hereunder; and (III) to the extent that an Assignment Agreement is terminated early, such termination shall constitute Force Majeure with respect to Issuer until the earlier of (A) the commencement of an “Assignment Period” under a replacement Assignment Agreement, (B) the commencement of the delivery of EPS Compliant Energy procured by MSCG consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement or (C) the end of the second Month following the Month in which such early termination occurs.
“Government Agency” means the United States of America, any state thereof, any municipality, or any local jurisdiction, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, courts, administrative bodies, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies, or instrumentalities.
“Hour” means each 60-minute period commencing at 00:00 PPT during the Delivery Period. The term “Hourly” shall be construed accordingly. “Hourly Quantity” means, with respect to each Delivery Hour during the Delivery Period, the quantity (in MWh) of Base Energy set forth on Exhibit A-1 for the Month in which such Delivery Hour occurs (as such Exhibit A-1 may be updated from time to time in accordance with Section 6.2).
“Initial Assigned PPA” means that certain Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement dated February 12, 2018 and the Confirmation thereunder dated as of the date hereof between the Initial PPA Supplier and Purchaser.
“Initial Assignment Agreement” means that certain Limited Assignment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Purchaser, MSES and the Initial PPA Supplier.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
7 “Initial EPS Energy Period” means the “Assignment Period” as defined in the Initial Assignment Agreement.
“Initial PPA Supplier” means MSCG.
“Initial Reset Period” means the period beginning on [____], 2022 and ending on [____], 20[__].
“Interest Rate Period” has the meaning specified in the Bond Indenture. “Issuer” has the meaning specified in the preamble.
“Issuer Default” has the meaning specified in Section 17.1. “Law” means any statute, law, rule or regulation or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof having the effect of the foregoing enacted, promulgated, or issued by a Government Agency whether in effect as of the Execution Date or at any time in the future. “Long-Term PCC1 Product” means bundled renewable energy and RECs meeting the requirements of Portfolio Content Category 1, and the California Long-Term Contracting Requirements, to be delivered to MSCG, MSES or any successors thereto pursuant to any Assigned Rights and Obligations.
“Minimum Discount” means $[____] per MWh for the Initial Rate Period and thereafter no less than $[____] per MWh. Both amounts are inclusive of any projected Annual Refund.
“Month” means, during the Delivery Period, a calendar month. The term “Monthly” shall be construed accordingly.
“Monthly Discount” means (i) for the Initial Reset Period, an amount (when taken together with any Annual Refund) that is not less than the Minimum Discount and is specified in Exhibit F, which Exhibit F shall be provided by Issuer to Purchaser on the Bond Closing Date, and (ii) for each subsequent Reset Period, a portion of the Available Discount for such Reset Period determined by the Calculation Agent pursuant to the Re-Pricing Agreement and set forth in an updated Exhibit F provided by Issuer after such determination. “Monthly Quantity” means, with respect to each Month of the Delivery Period for which, the quantity (in MWh) of Assigned Energy for such Month as set forth on Exhibit A-2 (as such Exhibit A-2 may be updated from time to time in accordance with Section 6.2). “MSCG” means Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., a Delaware corporation. “MSES” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
“Municipal Utility” means any Person that (a)(i) is a “governmental person” as defined in the implementing regulations under Section 141 of the Code and any successor provision and owns a natural gas or electric distribution utility (or provides Energy at wholesale Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
8 to, or that is sold to entities that provide natural gas or Energy at wholesale to, governmental Persons that own such utilities) or (ii) is a community choice aggregator organized under the Laws of the State of California, and (b) agrees in writing to use the Energy purchased by it (or cause such as to be used) for a qualifying use as defined in U.S. Treas. Reg. § 1.148-1(e)(2)(iii). “MWh” means megawatt-hour.
“Non-Priority Energy” means Energy that is not Priority Energy. “Party” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
“PCC1 Product” means bundled renewable energy and RECs meeting the requirements of Portfolio Content Category 1 to be delivered to MSCG, MSES or any successors thereto pursuant to any Assigned Rights and Obligations. “Person” means any individual, limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or Government Agency. “Portfolio Content Category 1” means any Renewable Energy Credit associated with the generation of electricity from an “Eligible Renewable Energy Resource” consisting of the portfolio content set forth in California Public Utilities Code Section 399.16(b)(1), as may be amended from time to time or as further defined or supplemented by Law. “Potential Remarketing Event” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(b). “PPA Supplier” means the Initial PPA Supplier and any subsequent supplier who enters into an Assignment Agreement consistent with the terms of the Assignment Letter Agreement.
“PPT” means Pacific Prevailing Time.
“Prepaid Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals. “Priority Energy” means the Contract Quantity to be purchased by Purchaser under this Agreement, together with Energy that Purchaser is obligated to take under a long-term agreement, which Energy either (i) has been purchased by Purchaser or a joint action agency in a prepayment transaction using the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations, the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, or (ii) is generated using capacity that was constructed using the proceeds of bonds, notes, or other obligations, the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes (provided that, with respect to clause (ii), Priority Energy shall not include Energy that is generated using capacity that was wholly or partially financed through the monetization of renewable tax credits, whether such monetization is accomplished through a tax equity investment or otherwise, or that is generated from federally owned and operated hydroelectric facilities, including through the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Bureau of Reclamation, and marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration or the Western Area Power Administration).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
9 “Project Administration Fee” means the annual fee payable by Purchaser as described in Section 3.2(b).
“Project Participant” has the meaning specified in the Bond Indenture. “Purchaser” has the meaning specified in the preamble.
“Purchaser Default” has the meaning specified in Section 17.2. “Purchaser’s Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1(a). “Qualifying Use Requirements” means, with respect to any Energy delivered under this Agreement, such Energy is used (i) for a “qualifying use” as defined in U.S. Treas. Reg. §
1.148-1(e)(2)(iii), (ii) in a manner that will not result in any “private business use” within the meaning of Section 141 of the Code, and (iii) in a manner that is consistent with the Federal Tax Certificate attached as Exhibit D.
“Rating Agency” has the meaning specified in the Bond Indenture. “Re-Pricing Agreement” means the Re-Pricing Agreement, dated as of the Bond Closing Date, by and between Issuer and MSES.
“Real-Time Market Price” means The Five Minute Market (FMM) Locational Marginal Price for the Energy Delivery Point for each applicable interval as published by CAISO, or as such price may be corrected or revised from time to time by such independent system operator or other entity in accordance with its rules; provided that in no case shall the Real-Time Market Price hereunder be less than $0.00/MWh.
“Remarketing Election Deadline” means, for any Reset Period, the last date and time by which the Purchaser may provide a Remarketing Election Notice, which shall be 4:00 p.m.
PPT on the 10th day of the Month (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) prior to the first delivery Month of a Reset Period with respect to which a Potential Remarketing Event has occurred.
“Remarketing Election Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(b). “Renewable Energy Credit” or “REC” has the meaning specified for “Renewable Energy Credit” in California Public Utilities Code Section 399.12(h), as may be amended from time to time or as further defined or supplemented by Law. “Reset Period” means each “Reset Period” under the Re-Pricing Agreement. “Reset Period Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(a). “Schedule”, “Scheduled” or “Scheduling” means the actions of Issuer, Purchaser and/or their designated representatives, including each Party’s Transmission Providers, if applicable, of notifying, requesting and confirming to each other the quantity of Energy to be delivered during any given portion of the Delivery Period at a specified Delivery Point.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
10 “Transmission Provider(s)” means any entity or entities transmitting or transporting Energy on behalf of Issuer or Purchaser to or from the Delivery Point. “Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and its successors as Trustee under the Bond Indenture.
“Voided Remarketing Election Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.4(b). “WREGIS” means the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System or its successor.
Section 1.2 Definitions; Interpretation. References to “Articles,” “Sections,” “Schedules” and “Exhibits” shall be to Articles, Sections, Schedules and Exhibits, as the case may be, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the scope of such general statement, term or matter. Any reference herein to any agreement or document includes all amendments, supplements or restatements to and of such agreement or document as may occur from time to time, and any reference to a party to any such agreement includes all successors and assigns of such party thereunder permitted by the terms hereof and thereof.
ARTICLE II
EXECUTION DATE AND DELIVERY PERIOD; NATURE OF ENERGY PROJECT Section 2.1 Execution Date; Delivery Period. Unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article XVII, delivery of Energy under this Agreement shall commence and continue for the Delivery Period.
Section 2.2 Termination Due to Failure to Issue Bonds or Provide Minimum Discount.
Each Party shall have a right to terminate this Agreement with the effect that this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect and the Parties shall have no rights or obligations hereunder if (a) the Bonds are not issued on or before [____], 2022, or (b) Issuer notifies Purchaser that the expected Available Discount for the Initial Reset Period is less than the Minimum Discount.
Section 2.3 Nature of Energy Project. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Issuer will meet its obligations to provide Energy to Purchaser under this Agreement exclusively through its purchase of long-term supplies of Energy from MSES pursuant to the Energy Project and that Issuer is financing its purchase of such long-term supplies through the issuance of the Bonds. As provided in Section 3.2(a) below, Purchaser shall pay a fixed price for Energy during the Initial EPS Energy Period and thereafter shall pay a floating price, less the Monthly Discount in each case.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
11 Section 2.4 Pledge of this Agreement. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Issuer will pledge its right, title, and interest under this Agreement and the revenues to be received under this Agreement (other than revenues attributable to the Project Administration Fee) to secure Issuer’s obligations under the Bond Indenture.
ARTICLE III
SALE AND PURCHASE
Section 3.1 Sale and Purchase of Energy. Issuer agrees to sell and deliver or cause to be delivered to Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees to purchase and take or cause to be taken from Issuer, in each case, on a Firm (LD) basis, the Contract Quantity of Energy pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Section 3.2 Pricing.
(a) For each MWh of Energy delivered to Purchaser, Purchaser shall pay Issuer the applicable Contract Price. With respect to each MWh delivered under this Agreement, “Contract Price” means:
(i) for Assigned Energy during the Initial EPS Energy Period, (A) the Day-Ahead Market Price minus (B) the Monthly Discount; and (ii) for Assigned Energy after the Initial EPS Energy Period, (A) the Day-Ahead Average Price for the Month in which Energy is delivered, minus (B) the Monthly Discount. The Contract Price for Assigned Energy is inclusive of any amounts due in respect of other Assigned Products.
(b) Issuer shall bill and Purchaser shall pay in January of each year during the Delivery Period a “Project Administration Fee” equal to the result of (x) $[75,000.00] minus the balance of the Administrative Fee Fund (as defined in the Bond Indenture) as of January 1 of such year, multiplied by (y) 0.54.
(c) During the term of this Agreement, promptly following completion of the annual audit of Issuer’s financial statements at the end of each fiscal year (currently the twelve-month period ending December 31), Issuer shall compare its revenues (as determined in accordance with the Bond Indenture) and expenses under the Energy Project for that fiscal year.
If this annual comparison demonstrates that such revenues exceeded such expenses during the applicable fiscal year and there are amounts on deposit in the fund established by the Bond Indenture available for such purpose, then Issuer shall make refunds to the Project Participant in the amount available after making allowances for any necessary and appropriate reserves and contingencies (including but not limited to amounts deemed reasonably necessary by Issuer to fund any working capital reserve and to reserve or account for unfunded liabilities, including future sinking fund or other principal amortization of the Bonds. As of the Execution Date, the projected Annual Refund for the Initial Rate Period is $[____] per MWh.
Section 3.3 No Obligation to Take Base Energy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Purchaser shall not be required to purchase and receive any Base Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
12 Energy hereunder, and Issuer shall cause MSES to remarket any portion of the Contract Quantity that is Base Energy pursuant to the provisions of Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement.
Section 3.4 Reset Period Remarketing.
(a) Reset Period Notice. For each Reset Period, Issuer shall provide to Purchaser, at least ten (10) days prior to the Remarketing Election Deadline, formal written notice setting forth (i) the duration of such Reset Period, (ii) the Estimated Available Discount (as defined in the Re-Pricing Agreement) for such Reset Period, and (iii) the applicable Remarketing Election Deadline (a “Reset Period Notice”). Issuer may thereafter update such notice at any time prior to the Remarketing Election Deadline and may extend the Remarketing Election Deadline in its sole discretion in any such update.
(b) Remarketing Election. If the Reset Period Notice (or any update thereto) indicates that the Available Discount in such notice is not at least equal to the Minimum Discount for that Reset Period, then: (i) a “Potential Remarketing Event” shall be deemed to exist, and (ii) Purchaser may, not later than the Remarketing Election Deadline, issue a written notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “Remarketing Election Notice”) to Issuer, MSES and the Trustee electing for all of Purchaser’s Energy that would otherwise be delivered hereunder to be remarketed during the applicable Reset Period; provided, however, if the actual Available Discount, as finally determined under the Re-Pricing Agreement, is equal to or greater than the Minimum Discount, then Issuer may, in its sole discretion, elect by written notice to Purchaser to treat such Remarketing Election Notice as void (a “Voided Remarketing Election Notice”). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that Purchaser issues a Remarketing Election Notice (other than a Voided Remarketing Notice), any rights and obligations assigned to MSCG under the Initial Assigned PPA or a subsequent Assignment Agreement including, without limitation, the right to receive Assigned Energy, shall revert to Purchaser as of the end of the Initial Reset Period or the then-current Reset Period, as applicable.
(c) Final Determination of Available Discount. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the final Available Discount for any Reset Period following the Initial Reset Period will be determined on the applicable Re-Pricing Date (as defined in the Re-Pricing Agreement), and that such Available Discount may differ from the estimate or estimates of such Available Discount provided to Purchaser prior to the applicable Remarketing Election Deadline. Accordingly, the Parties agree that:
(i) the Available Discount for any Reset Period will not be less than the Minimum Discount applicable to such Reset Period, unless Issuer has provided notice of a Potential Remarketing Event to Purchaser in accordance with Section 3.4(b); and (ii) if Purchaser receives notice of a Potential Remarketing Event and has not provided a Remarketing Election Notice prior to the applicable Remarketing Election Deadline, Purchaser shall be deemed to have elected to continue to purchase and receive its Contract Quantity at a Contract Price that reflects the Monthly Discount portion of the Available Discount as finally determined on the applicable Re-Pricing Date, plus Purchaser’s right to its share of Annual Refunds, if any, and all delivery and purchase Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
13 obligations under this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for the applicable Reset Period.
(d) Resumption of Deliveries. Notwithstanding the issuance of any Remarketing Election Notice for a Reset Period, Purchaser will (i) remain obligated to purchase the Contract Quantities hereunder for each subsequent Reset Period, unless Purchaser issues a new valid Remarketing Election Notice (other than a Voided Remarketing Election Notice) for any such Reset Period in accordance with Section 3.4(b) and (ii) not make any new commitment to purchase Priority Energy during such Reset Period to the extent any such commitment could reasonably be expected to cause, during any portion of the Delivery Period after such Reset Period, Purchaser’s aggregate obligations to purchase Priority Energy (including its obligation to purchase Priority Energy hereunder) to exceed Purchaser’s expected aggregate requirements for Energy that will be used (A) for a “qualifying use” as defined in U.S. Treas. Reg. § 1.148-1(e)(2)(iii) and (B) in a manner that will not result in any “private business use” within the meaning of Section 141 of the Code.
(e) Reduction of Contract Quantity. The Parties recognize and agree that the Contract Quantity may be reduced in a Reset Period pursuant to the re-pricing methodology described in the Re-Pricing Agreement if necessary to achieve a successful remarketing of the Bonds. The Parties agree further that if, pursuant to the Re-Pricing Agreement, Issuer and the Calculation Agent determine in connection with the establishment of any new Reset Period that:
(i) such Reset Period will be the final Reset Period and (ii) such Reset Period will end prior to the end of the original Delivery Period, then (A) Issuer will notify Purchaser, (B) the Delivery Period will be deemed to be modified so that it ends at the end of such Reset Period, and (C) the Contract Quantity for the last Month in such Reset Period may be reduced as provided in the Re-Pricing Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
FAILURE TO DELIVER OR TAKE ENERGY
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither Purchaser nor Issuer shall have any liability or other obligation to one another for any failure to Schedule, take, or deliver Assigned Product.
ARTICLE V
TRANSMISSION AND DELIVERY; COMMUNICATIONS
Section 5.1 Delivery of Energy. All Assigned Energy delivered under this Agreement shall be Scheduled at the applicable Assigned Delivery Point and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Assignment Agreement. All other Assigned Product shall be delivered consistent with the terms of the applicable Assignment Agreement. Except as set forth in the two foregoing sentences, Buyer and Seller shall have no liability or obligations under this Article V with respect to Assigned Product.
Section 5.2 Scheduling. Scheduling of Assigned Energy shall be in accordance with the applicable Assignment Agreement.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
14 Section 5.3 Title and Risk of Loss. Title to the Energy delivered under this Agreement and risk of loss shall pass from Seller to Buyer at the Assigned Delivery Point. The transfer of title and risk of loss for all Assigned Product other than Assigned Energy shall be in accordance with the applicable Assignment Agreement; provided that all Assignment Agreements shall provide for the transfer of Renewable Energy Credits in accordance with WREGIS.
Section 5.4 PCC1 Product and Long-Term PCC1 Product. To the extent that any Assigned Product is PCC1 Product or Long-Term PCC1 Product, the following provisions apply:
(a) Eligibility. Seller, and, if applicable, its successors, represents and warrants that throughout the Delivery Term of this Agreement that: (i) the Project qualifies and is certified by the CEC as an Eligible Renewable Energy Resource (“ERR”) as such term is defined in Public Utilities Code Section 399.12 or Section 399.16; and (ii) the Project’s 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. [STC 6, Non-Modifiable. (Source: D.07-11-025, Attachment A.) D.08-04-009]. As used above, “Seller” means “Issuer”, Buyer means “Purchaser”, and any other capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Assigned Agreement.
(b) Transfer of Renewable Energy Credits. Seller and, if applicable, its successors, represents and warrants that throughout the Delivery Term 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 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, Non-modifiable. D.11-01- 025]. As used above, “Seller” means “Issuer”, Buyer means “Purchaser”, and any other capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Assigned Agreement. (c) Tracking of RECs in WREGIS. Seller warrants that all necessary steps to allow the Renewable Energy Credits transferred to Buyer to be tracked in the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System will be taken prior to the first delivery under the contract. [STC REC-2, Non-modifiable. D.11-01-025]. As used above, “Seller” means “Issuer”, Buyer means “Purchaser”, and any other capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Assigned Agreement.
(d) 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. [STC 17, Non-Modifiable. (Source:
D.07-11-025, Attachment A) D.08-04-009]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
15 (e) Issuer Representations and Warranties.
Issuer represents and warrants:
(i) Issuer has the right to sell the Assigned Product from the Applicable Project;
(ii) Issuer has not sold the Assigned Product or any REC or other attributes of the Assigned Product to be transferred to Purchaser to any other person or entity;
(iii) the Energy component of the Assigned Product produced by the Applicable Project and purchased by Issuer for resale to Purchaser hereunder is not being sold by Issuer back to the Applicable Project or PPA Seller;
(iv) Assigned Energy and Assigned RECs to be purchased and sold pursuant to this Agreement are not committed to another party; (v) The Assigned Product is free and clear of all liens or other encumbrances;
(vi) Issuer will deliver to Purchaser all Assigned Energy and associated RECs generated by the Applicable Project for Long-Term PCC1 Product in compliance with the California Long-Term Contracting Requirements, if applicable
(vii) The Assigned Product supplied to Purchaser under this Agreement that is Long-Term PCC1 Product will be sourced solely from Applicable Projects that have an Assignment Period of ten years or more in length, or otherwise in compliance with the California Long Term Contracting Requirements; and
(viii) Issuer will cooperate and work with Purchaser, the CEC, and/or the CPUC to provide any documentation required by the CPUC or CEC to support the Product’s classification as a Portfolio Content Category 1 Product as set forth in California Public Utilities Code Section 399.16(b)(1) or, if applicable, or compliance with the California Long-Term Contracting Requirements.
Issuer further represents and warrants to Purchaser that, to the extent that the Product sold by Issuer is a resale of part or all of a contract between Issuer and one or more third parties, Issuer represents, warrants and covenants that the resale complies with the following conditions in (i) through (iv) below during the Assignment Period and throughout the generation period:
(i) The original upstream third-party contract(s) meets the criteria of California Public Utilities Code Section 399.16(b)(1);
(ii) This Agreement transfers only electricity and RECs that have not yet been generated prior to the Assignment Period;
(iii) The electricity transferred by this Agreement is transferred to Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
16 Purchaser in real time; and
(iv) If the Applicable Project has an agreement to dynamically transfer electricity to a California balancing authority, the transactions implemented under this Agreement are not contrary to any condition imposed by a balancing authority participating in the dynamic transfer arrangement.
(f) Subsequent Changes in Law. In the event that the qualifications or requirements of the RPS program, PCC1 Product or the California Long-Term Contracting Requirements change, Issuer shall take commercially reasonable actions to meet the amended qualifications or requirements of the RPS Law, PCC1 Product or the California Long-Term Contracting Requirements but will not be required to incur any unreimbursed costs to comply with the RPS Law, PCC1 or the California Long- Term Contracting Requirements, collectively. (g) Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree as follows:
(i) Issuer has relied exclusively upon the representations and warranties of each respective seller set forth in the Assigned Agreements in making the representations and warranties set forth in this Section
5.4 and has not performed any independent investigation with respect thereto;
(ii) MSES has agreed under the Prepaid Agreement to terminate or cause MSCG to terminate the applicable Assignment Period in the event that any representation or warranty in this Section 5.4 proves to be incorrect in any respect; and
(iii) Purchaser agrees that its sole recourse for any breach of the provisions of this Section 5.4 shall be the termination of the applicable Assignment Period and Purchaser shall have no other recourse against Issuer or remedies under this Agreement.
Section 5.5 Deliveries within CAISO or Another Balancing Authority. The Parties acknowledge that Energy delivered by Issuer at a Delivery Point within CAISO or another Balancing Authority will be delivered in accordance with the CAISO Tariff and rules of the Balancing Authority as applicable. Scheduling such Energy in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Energy into the applicable Balancing Authority shall constitute delivery of such Energy to Purchaser hereunder.
Section 5.6 Assigned Products. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties shall have no liability under this Article V with respect to any Assigned Products.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
17 ARTICLE VI
PARTIAL ASSIGNMENTS OF PPAS
Section 6.1 Future PPA Assignments. In connection with the expiration or termination of an EPS Energy Period, each of the Parties agrees to satisfy its obligations under the Assignment Letter Agreement, including but not limited to (a) Purchaser’s obligation to exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to assign a portion of Purchaser’s rights and obligations under a power purchase agreement under which Project Participant is purchasing EPS Compliant Energy to MSCG or MSES pursuant to an Assignment Agreement and (b) the Parties’ obligations to cooperate in good faith with MSCG and MSES with respect to any proposed assignments.
Section 6.2 Updates to Exhibits A-1 and A-2.
(a) To the extent that an EPS Energy Period terminates or expires and Assigned Energy is not available for delivery immediately following (i) the end of the period for which Force Majeure is deemed to occur in the event of an early termination or (ii) the expiration of an EPS Energy Period, the Parties shall update (i) Exhibit A-1 to reflect an increase in the Hourly Quantities and (ii) Exhibit A-2 to reflect a decrease in the Monthly Quantities thereunder, in each case, in an amount equal to the Assigned Energy associated with the EPS Energy Period that terminated or expired.
(b) In connection with the execution of any subsequent Assignment Agreement, the Parties shall update Exhibits A-1 and A-2 to reflect any changes in the Hourly Quantities of Base Energy and Monthly Quantities of Assigned Energy and any other changes in connection therewith.
ARTICLE VII
USE OF ENERGY
Section 7.1 Tax Exempt Status of the Bonds. Purchaser acknowledges that the Bonds will be issued with the intention that the interest thereon will be exempt from federal taxes under Section 103 of the Code. Accordingly, Purchaser agrees that it will (a) provide such information with respect to its CCA System as may be requested by Issuer in order to establish the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, and (b) act in accordance with such written instructions as Issuer may provide from time to time in order to maintain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds. Purchaser further agrees that it will not at any time take any action, or fail to take any action, that would adversely affect the tax-exempt status of the Bonds.
Section 7.2 Priority Energy. Subject to Section 7.5(a), Purchaser agrees to take the Contract Quantities to be delivered under this Agreement (a) in priority over and in preference to all Non-Priority Energy; and (b) on at least a pari passu and non-discriminatory basis with other Priority Energy.
Section 7.3 Remarketing Sales .
(a) Remarketing of Assigned Energy. If notwithstanding Purchaser’s compliance with Section 7.1, a quantity of Assigned Energy less than the Monthly Quantity is delivered hereunder in any Month for any reason, then (i) MSCG shall remarket such undelivered Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
18 quantity of Assigned Energy to the PPA Supplier at the Contract Price plus the Monthly Discount then in effect, and (ii) Purchaser shall remain responsible for the Project Administration Fee for such quantity of Assigned Energy not delivered hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser will not have any payment obligation with respect to Assigned Energy that is remarketed pursuant to the foregoing sentence.
(b) Remarketing of Base Energy. Consistent with Section 3.3, to the extent any portion of the Contract Quantity is Base Energy, Issuer shall cause MSES to remarket or purchase such Energy for the account of MSES under the remarketing provisions of the Prepaid Agreement, and Issuer shall credit against the amount owed by Purchaser for such Contract Quantities the amounts received from MSES for such remarketing services, less all directly incurred costs or expenses, including but not limited to remarketing administrative charges paid to MSES under the Prepaid Agreement, but in no event shall the amount of such credit be more than the Contract Price. For the avoidance of doubt, Purchaser will not have any payment obligation with respect to Base Energy that is remarketed pursuant to the foregoing sentence. (c) MSES Remarketing Fees. Purchaser shall not in any case have an obligation to make a payment to Issuer with respect to any Remarketing Fee (as defined in the Prepaid Agreement) charged by MSES under the Prepaid Agreement Section 7.4 Qualifying Use. Subject to Section 7.5, Purchaser agrees that, without limiting Purchaser’s other obligations under this Article VII, it will use all of the Energy purchased under this Agreement in compliance with the Qualifying Use Requirements. Purchaser agrees that it will provide such additional information, records and certificates as Issuer may reasonably request to confirm Purchaser’s compliance with this Section 7.4.
Section 7.5 Remediation. To the extent that (a) all or a portion of the Contract Quantity is remarketed under Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b), (b) Purchaser has exercised Commercially Reasonable Efforts (as determined by Special Tax Counsel (as defined in the Bond Indenture)) to obtain EPS Compliant Energy for delivery hereunder consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement and (c) Purchaser is not otherwise in default under this Agreement, then:
(a) MSES shall be obligated under the remarketing provisions of the Prepaid Agreement to purchase the remarketed Energy for its own account at the Day-Ahead Market Price (the proceeds of any such purchases, “Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds”), which Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds are for the benefit of Purchaser in that such proceeds reduce its payment obligations hereunder;
(b) Purchaser shall (i) exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to use an amount equivalent to such Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds to purchase Non-Priority Energy and use such Non-Priority Energy in compliance with the Qualifying Use Requirements in order to remediate such Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds and (ii) apply its purchases of Non-Priority Energy to remediate Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds under this Agreement prior to remediating such proceeds under any other contract that provides for the purchase of Priority Energy;
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
19 (c) in order to track compliance with Purchaser’s obligations under Section
7.5(b) above, Purchaser shall deliver a Remediation Certificate in the form of Exhibit H hereto to Issuer and MSES by the tenth day of the Month subsequent to any relevant Non-Priority Energy purchases (which may include purchases of Energy from CAISO to the extent such Energy is used in compliance with the Qualifying Use Requirements);
(d) for Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds remediated under this Section 7.5, Issuer shall pay Purchaser the Monthly Discount associated with such Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds on the last Business Day of the Month following the Month in which Purchaser provides a certificate under clause (c) evidencing such remediation; and (e) to the extent any Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds are not remediated within twelve Months of the date on which such proceeds were received by Issuer, then MSES shall be obligated under the Prepaid Agreement to exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to remediate such Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds under the Prepaid Agreement and Purchaser’s ability to remediate such remarketing proceeds shall be subject to MSES’s successful remediation of such proceeds through sales to other purchaser(s);
provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, to the extent Special Tax Counsel (as defined in the Bond Indenture) determines at any time that Purchaser has failed to exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain EPS Compliant Energy for delivery hereunder consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement, then Purchaser shall not be entitled to remediate any Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds related to the resulting remarketing of Base Energy by MSES.
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
Section 8.1 Representations and Warranties of the Parties. As a material inducement to entering into this Agreement, each Party, with respect to itself, hereby represents and warrants to the other Party as of the Execution Date as follows:
(a) For Issuer as the representing Party, Issuer is a is a joint powers authority organized pursuant to the provisions of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 1 (Section 6500 et seq.) of the California Government Code;
(b) For Purchaser as the representing Party, Purchaser is a joint powers authority organized pursuant to the provisions of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 1 (Section 6500 et seq.) of the California Government Code and a community choice aggregator pursuant to the provisions of Section 366.2 of the California Public Utilities Code, duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the State of California;
(c) it has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business, to own its properties and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement; (d) there is no litigation, action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best of such Party’s knowledge, threatened, before or by any Government Agency, which could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the performance by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement or that questions the validity, binding effect or enforceability Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
20 hereof, any action taken or to be taken by such Party pursuant hereto, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(e) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Party and does not require any approval or consent of any security holder of such Party or any holder (or any trustee for any holder) of any indebtedness or other obligation of such Party; (f) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Party by an appropriate officer or authorized Person of such Party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity; (g) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party shall not violate any provision of any Law, decree or other legal or regulatory determination applicable to it;
(h) the execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the incurrence by such Party of its financial obligations under this Agreement, shall not result in any violation of any term of any material contract or agreement applicable to it, or any of its charter or bylaws or of any license, permit, franchise, judgment, writ, injunction or regulation, decree, order, charter, Law or ordinance applicable to it or any of its properties or to any obligations incurred by it or by which it or any of its properties or obligations are bound or affected, or of any determination or award of any arbitrator applicable to it, and shall not conflict with, or cause a breach of, or default under, any such term or result in the creation of any lien upon any of its properties or assets, except with respect to Issuer, the lien of the Bond Indenture;
(i) to the best of the knowledge and belief of such Party, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or giving of notice to, obtaining of any license or permit from, or taking of any other action with respect to, any Government Agency is required in connection with the valid authorization, execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby other than those that have been obtained; and
(j) it enters this Agreement as a bona-fide, arm’s-length transaction involving the mutual exchange of consideration and, once executed by both Parties, considers this Agreement a legally enforceable contract.
Section 8.2 Warranty of Title. Issuer warrants that it will have the right to convey and will transfer good and merchantable title to all Energy sold under this Agreement and delivered by it to Purchaser, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims.
Section 8.3 Disclaimer of Warranties. EXCEPT FOR THE WARRANTIES
EXPRESSLY MADE BY ISSUER IN THIS ARTICLE VIII, ISSUER HEREBY DISCLAIMS
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
21 Section 8.4 Continuing Disclosure. Purchaser agrees to provide to Issuer: (a) such financial and operating information as may be requested by Issuer including its most recent audited financial statements for use in Issuer’s offering documents for the Bonds; and (b) annual updates to such information and statements to enable Issuer to comply with its continuing disclosure undertakings under Rule 15(c)2-12 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Failure by Purchaser to comply with its agreement to provide such annual updates shall not be a default under this Agreement, but any such failure shall entitle Issuer or an owner of the Bonds to take such actions and to initiate such proceedings as may be necessary and appropriate to cause Purchaser to comply with such agreement, including without limitation the remedies of mandamus and specific performance.
ARTICLE IX
TAXES
Issuer shall (i) be responsible for all ad valorem, excise and other taxes assessed with respect to Energy delivered pursuant to this Agreement upstream of the Delivery Point, and (ii) indemnify Purchaser and its Affiliates for any such taxes paid by Purchaser or its Affiliates.
Purchaser shall (i) be responsible for all such taxes assessed at or downstream of the Delivery Point, and (ii) indemnify Issuer and its Affiliates for any such taxes paid by Issuer or its Affiliates.
ARTICLE X
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Section 10.1 Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by final, non-appealable binding arbitration in San Francisco, California before three arbitrators. The arbitration shall be administered by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Within 15 days after the commencement of arbitration, each of the Parties shall select one person to act as arbitrator, and the two so-selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator (the “chairperson”) within 30 days of the commencement of the arbitration. If either Party is unable or fails to select one person to act as arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS. If the Party-selected arbitrators are unable or fail to agree upon a chairperson, the chairperson shall be appointed by JAMS. The chairperson shall be a person who has experience in renewable energy-related transactions, and none of the arbitrators shall have been previously employed by either Party or have any direct pecuniary interest in either Party or the subject matter of the arbitration, unless such conflict is expressly acknowledged and waived in writing by each of the Parties. The Parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and any award, including any hearing(s), except as may be necessary to prepare for or conduct the arbitration hearing on the merits, or except as necessary in connection with a court application for a preliminary remedy, a judicial challenge to an award or its enforcement, or unless otherwise required by law or judicial decision.
Any arbitration proceedings, decision or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) shall have no authority to award consequential, treble, exemplary, or punitive damages of any type or kind regardless of whether such damages may be available under any law or right, with the Parties hereby affirmatively waiving their rights, if any, to recover or claim such Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
22 damages. In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrators shall award to the prevailing Party, if any, the costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred in seeking to enforce the application of this Section 10.1 and by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1, any costs incurred by a Party in seeking judicial enforcement of any written decision of the arbitrators shall be chargeable to and borne exclusively by the Party against whom such court order is obtained. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties and judgment upon any award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 10.2 Judicial Reference.
(a) Judicial Reference. Without limiting the provisions in Section 10.1, if Section 10.1 is ineffective or unenforceable, any dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its performance, breach, or termination (including the existence, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the applicability of any statute of limitation period) (each, a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Sections 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or their successor sections (a “Reference Proceeding”), which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Dispute. As a condition precedent to initiating a Reference Proceeding with respect to any Dispute, the Parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 10.2(b).
(b) Notice of Dispute. Prior to initiating the Reference Proceeding, a Party (the “Disputing Party”) shall provide the other Party (the “Responding Party”) with a written notice of each issue in dispute, a proposed means for resolving each such issue, and support for such position (the “Notice of Dispute”). Within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Dispute, the Responding Party shall provide the Disputing Party with a written Notice of each additional issue (if any) with respect to the dispute raised by the Notice of Dispute, a proposed means for resolving every issue in dispute, and support for such position (the “Dispute Response”). Thereafter, the Parties shall meet to discuss the matter and attempt in good faith to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute.
If the Parties do not resolve the dispute by mutual agreement within 60 days after receipt of the Dispute Response, (the “Negotiation Period”), then either Party may provide to the other Party written notice of intent for judicial reference (the “Impasse Notice”) in accordance with the further provisions of this Section 10.2.
(c) Applicability; Selection of Referees.
(i) The Party that provides the Impasse Notice shall nominate one (1) referee at the same time it provides the Impasse Notice. The other Party shall nominate one referee within 10 days of receiving the Impasse Notice. The two (2) referees (the “Party-Appointed Referees”) shall appoint a third referee (the “Third Referee”, together with the Party-Appointed Referees, the “Referees”). The Party-Appointed Referees shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the electric energy business in the United States, with at least 10 years of electric industry experience as a practicing attorney.
The Third Referee shall be an active or retired California state or federal judge. Each of the Party-Appointed Referees and the Third Referee shall be impartial and independent of Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
23 either Party and of the other referees and not employed by any of the Parties in any prior matter.
(ii) If the Party-Appointed Referees are unable to agree on the Third Referee within 45 days from delivery of the Impasse Notice, then the Third Referee shall be appointed pursuant to CCP Section 640(b) in an action filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Court”), and with due regard given to the selection criteria above. A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the Parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP Section 170.6, each Party shall have one (1) peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Court. (d) Discovery; Proceedings.
(i) The Parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the Reference Proceeding. Accordingly, the referees shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (i) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within 20 days after the date of selection of the Third Referee, (ii) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within 180 days after the date of the conference, and (iii) report a statement of decision within 20 days after the matter has been submitted for decision.
(ii) Discovery and other pre-hearing procedures shall be conducted as agreed to by the Parties, or if they cannot agree, as determined by the Third Referee after discussion with the Parties regarding the need for discovery and other pre-hearing procedures.
(iii) Any matter before the Referees shall be governed by the substantive law of California, its Code of Civil Procedure, Rules of Court, and Evidence Code, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Parties and approved by the Referees. Except as expressly set forth herein, the Third Referee shall determine the manner in which the Reference Proceeding is conducted, including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the Reference Proceeding. The Reference Proceeding, including the trial, shall be conducted at a neutral location selected by the Parties, or if not agreed by the Parties, by the Third Referee, in San Francisco, California.
(iv) All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referees, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any Party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referees, and the referees will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The Party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter. (e) Decision. The referees shall render a written statement of decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of CCP Sections 644 and 645. The decision shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
24 rendered by a judge of the Court. The Parties intend this general reference agreement to be specifically enforceable in accordance with the CCP.
(f) Expenses. Each Party shall bear the compensation and expenses of its respective Party-Appointed Referee, own counsel, witnesses, consultants and employees. All other expenses of judicial reference shall be split equally between the Parties.
ARTICLE XI
FORCE MAJEURE
Section 11.1 Applicability of Force Majeure. To the extent either Party is prevented by Force Majeure from carrying out, in whole or part, its obligations under this Agreement and such Party (the “Claiming Party”) gives notice and details of the Force Majeure to the other Party as soon as practicable, then the Claiming Party shall be excused from the performance of its obligations with respect to this Agreement (other than the obligation to make payments then due or becoming due with respect to performance prior to the Force Majeure). The Claiming Party shall mitigate the Force Majeure with all reasonable dispatch. For the duration of the Claiming Party’s non-performance (and only for such period), the non-Claiming Party shall not be required to perform or resume performance of its obligations to the Claiming Party corresponding to the obligations of the Claiming Party excused by Force Majeure.
Section 11.2 Settlement of Labor Disputes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties agree that the settlement of strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances shall be within the sole discretion of the Party experiencing such disturbance, and the failure of a Party to settle such strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances shall not prevent the existence of Force Majeure or of reasonable dispatch to remedy the same.
ARTICLE XII
GOVERNMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 12.1 Compliance with Laws. This Agreement shall be subject to all present and future Laws of any Government Agency having jurisdiction, and neither Party has knowingly undertaken or will knowingly undertake or knowingly cause to be undertaken any activity that would conflict with such Laws; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to restrict or limit either Party’s right to object to or contest any such Law, or its application to this Agreement or the transactions undertaken hereunder, and neither acquiescence therein or compliance therewith for any period of time shall be construed as a waiver of such right.
Section 12.2 Contests. Excluding all matters involving a contractual dispute between the Parties, no Party shall contest, cause to be contested or in any way actively support the contest of the equity, fairness, reasonableness or lawfulness of any terms or conditions set forth or established pursuant to this Agreement, as those terms or conditions may be at issue before any Government Agency in any proceeding, if the successful result of such contest would be to preclude or excuse the performance of this Agreement by either Party.
Section 12.3 Defense of Agreement. Excluding all matters involving a contractual dispute between the Parties, each Party shall hereafter defend and support this Agreement before any Government Agency in any proceeding, if the substance, validity or enforceability of all or Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
25 any part of this Agreement is hereafter directly challenged or if any proposed changes in regulatory practices or procedures would have the effect of making this Agreement invalid or unenforceable or would otherwise materially affect the rights or obligations of the Parties under this Agreement.
ARTICLE XIII
ASSIGNMENT
The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, and legal representatives; provided, however, that, subject to Section 18.14, neither Party may assign this Agreement or its rights and interests, in whole or in part, under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party. Prior to assigning this Agreement, Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer (i) written confirmation from each of the Applicable Rating Agencies, provided that such agency has rated and continues to rate the Bonds, that the assignment will not result in a reduction, qualification, or withdrawal of the then-current ratings assigned by the Applicable Rating Agencies to the Bonds; or (ii) written confirmation from each of the Applicable Rating Agencies, that the assignee has an outstanding long-term senior, unsecured, unenhanced debt rating equivalent to or higher than the ratings assigned by the Applicable Rating Agencies to the Bonds. Whenever an assignment or a transfer of a Party’s interest in this Agreement is requested to be made with the written consent of the other Party, the assigning or transferring Party’s assignee or transferee shall expressly agree to assume, in writing, the duties and obligations under this Agreement of the assigning or transferring Party.
Upon the agreement of a Party to any such assignment or transfer, the assigning or transferring Party shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the other Party a true and correct copy of such assignment or transfer and assumption of duties and obligations.
ARTICLE XIV
PAYMENTS
Section 14.1 Monthly Statements.
(a) No later than the 5th day of each Month during the Delivery Period (excluding the first Month of the Delivery Period) and the first Month following the end of the Delivery Period, Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer a statement (a “Purchaser’s Statement”) listing any other amounts due to Purchaser in connection with this Agreement with respect to the prior Month(s).
(b) No later than the 10th day of each Month during the Delivery Period (excluding the first Month of the Delivery Period) and the first Month following the end of the Delivery Period (the “Billing Date”), Issuer shall deliver a statement (a “Billing Statement”) to Purchaser indicating (i) the total amount due to Issuer for Energy delivered in the prior Month, (ii) any other amounts due to Issuer or Purchaser in connection with this Agreement with respect to the prior Month(s), and (iii) the net amount due to Issuer or Purchaser. If the actual quantity delivered is not known by the Billing Date, Issuer may provisionally prepare a Billing Statement based on Issuer’s best available knowledge of the quantity of Energy delivered, which shall not exceed the Monthly Quantity or the sum of the Hourly Quantities in such Month, as applicable, plus any make-up quantities delivered during such Month. The invoiced quantity and amounts Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
26 paid thereon (with interest calculated on the amount overpaid or underpaid by Purchaser at the Default Rate) will then be adjusted on the following Month’s Billing Statement, as actual delivery information becomes available based on the actual quantity delivered. (c) Upon request by either Party, the other Party shall deliver such supporting documentation of the foregoing as such requesting Party may reasonably request.
Section 14.2 Payment.
(a) If the Billing Statement indicates an amount due from Purchaser, then Purchaser shall remit such amount to the Trustee for the benefit of the Issuer by wire transfer (pursuant to the Trustee’s instructions), in immediately available funds, on or before the 20th day of the Month following the most recent Month to which such Billing Statement relates, or if such day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day. If the Billing Statement indicates an amount due from Issuer, then Issuer shall remit such amount to Purchaser by wire transfer (pursuant to Purchaser’s instructions), in immediately available funds, on or before the 28th day of the Month following the most recent Month to which such Billing Statement relates, or if such day is not a Business Day, the following Business Day.
(b) If Purchaser fails to issue a Purchaser’s Statement with respect to any Month, Issuer shall not be required to estimate any amounts due to Purchaser for such Month, provided that Purchaser may include any such amount on subsequent Purchaser’s Statements issued within the next sixty (60) days. The sixty (60) day deadline in this subsection (b) replaces the two (2) year deadline in Section 14.5(b) with respect to any claim by any non-delivering Party of inaccuracy in any estimated invoice issued or payment made pursuant to this subsection (b).
Section 14.3 Payment of Disputed Amounts; Correction of Index Price. (a) If Purchaser disputes any amounts included in the Issuer’s Billing Statement, Purchaser shall (except in the case of manifest error) nonetheless pay any amount required by the Billing Statement in accordance with Section 14.2 without regard to any right of set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or other defenses to payment that Purchaser may have; provided, however, that Purchaser shall have the right, after payment, to dispute any amounts included in a Billing Statement or otherwise used to calculate payments due under this Agreement pursuant to Section 14.5. If Issuer disputes any amounts included in the Purchaser’s Statement, Issuer may withhold payment to the extent of the disputed amount; provided, however, that interest shall be due at the Default Rate for any withheld amount later found to have been properly due. (b) If a value published for any rate or index used or to be used in this Agreement is subsequently corrected and the correction is published or announced by the Person responsible for that publication or announcement within 30 days after the original publication or announcement, either Party may notify the other Party of (i) that correction and (ii) the amount (if any) that is payable as a result of that correction. If, not later than 30 days after publication or announcement of that correction, a Party gives notice that an amount is so payable, the Party that originally either received or retained such amount shall, not later than three Business Days after the effectiveness of that notice, pay, subject to any other applicable provisions of this Agreement, to the other Party that amount, together with interest on that amount at the Default Rate for the Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
27 period from and including the day on which a payment originally was (or was not) made to but excluding the day of payment of the refund or payment resulting from that correction.
Section 14.4 Late Payment. If Purchaser fails to remit the full amount payable within one Business Day of when due, interest on the unpaid portion shall accrue from the date due until the date of payment at the Default Rate.
Section 14.5 Audit; Adjustments.
(a) A Party shall have the right, at its own expense, upon reasonable notice to the other Party and at reasonable times, to examine and audit and to obtain copies of the relevant portion of the books, records, and telephone recordings of the other Party to the extent reasonably necessary, but only to such extent, to verify the accuracy of any statement, charge, payment, or computation made under this Agreement. This right to examine, audit, and obtain copies shall not be available with respect to proprietary information not directly relevant to transactions under this Agreement.
(b) Each Purchaser’s Statement and each Billing Statement shall be conclusively presumed final and accurate and all associated claims for under- or overpayments shall be deemed waived unless such Purchaser’s Statement or Billing Statement is objected to in writing, with adequate explanation and/or documentation, within two (2) years after the applicable Month of Energy delivery.
(c) All retroactive adjustments shall be paid in full by the Party owing payment within thirty (30) days of notice and substantiation of such inaccuracy. If the Parties are unable to agree upon any retroactive adjustments requested by either Party within the time period specified in Section 14.5(b), then either Party may pursue any remedies available with respect to such adjustments at law or in equity. Retroactive adjustments for payments made based on an incorrect Billing Statement shall bear interest at the Default Rate from the date such payment was made.
Section 14.6 Netting; No Set-Off. The Parties shall net all amounts due and owing, including any past due amounts (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include any accrued interest), arising under this Agreement such that the Party owing the greater amount shall make a single payment of the net amount to the other Party in accordance with this Article XIV.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment for all amounts set forth in a Billing Statement provided to Purchaser shall be made without set-off or counterclaim of any kind.
Section 14.7 Source of Purchaser’s Payments. Purchaser covenants and agrees to make payments due hereunder from CCA Revenues, and only from such CCA Revenues, as an operating expense of its CCA System; provided, however, that Purchaser may apply any legally available monies to the payment of amounts due hereunder.
Section 14.8 Rate Covenant. Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees that it will establish, fix, prescribe, maintain, and collect rates, fees, and charges from the customers of its CCA System so as to provide CCA Revenues sufficient to enable Purchaser to pay any other amounts legally payable from CCA Revenues, and to maintain any required reserves for Purchaser’s CCA System.
Purchaser further covenants and agrees that it shall not furnish or supply Energy services free of charge to any Person, except any such service free of charge that Purchaser is supplying on the Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
28 date hereof as has been specifically identified by Purchaser to Issuer in writing, and it shall promptly enforce the payment of any and all accounts owing to Purchaser for the sale of Energy to its customers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Purchaser shall not be obligated to make any payments hereunder except from CCA Revenues.
Section 14.9 Pledge of CCA Revenues. Purchaser shall not grant any lien on or security interest in, or otherwise pledge or encumber, the CCA Revenues if the terms or effect of such lien, pledge or other encumbrance results in such lien, pledge or other encumbrance having priority over the obligations of Purchaser to pay the Contract Price, which obligations constitute operating expenses of Purchaser.
Section 14.10Financial Responsibility. When reasonable grounds for insecurity of payments due under this Agreement arise, Issuer may demand, and Purchaser shall provide within 48 Hours but at least one Business Day if demanded, adequate assurance of performance.
Reasonable grounds include but are not limited to the occurrence of an insolvency or liquidation proceeding with respect to Purchaser or the downgrading of Purchaser’s credit rating, if any, to a level below investment grade, or such facts and circumstances which would constitute reasonable grounds for insecurity under applicable Law. Adequate assurance shall mean sufficient security in the form and for a term reasonably specified by Issuer, including but not limited to a standby irrevocable letter of credit, a prepayment, a deposit to an escrow account, or a performance bond or guaranty by a creditworthy entity. In the event Issuer is entitled to demand adequate assurance of performance under this Section 14.10, Issuer may demand at a minimum a prepayment by Purchaser of an amount equal to (a) the amount owed by Purchaser with respect to all Energy delivered by Issuer to Purchaser as of the date of the demand for Adequate assurance of performance, plus (b) the amount, as determined and adjusted from time to time by Issuer (with the input of MSES pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Provisions (as defined in the Bond Indenture)) in a Commercially Reasonable manner, expected to be owed by Purchaser with respect to the Energy to be delivered by Issuer to Purchaser during the remainder of the then-current Month and the following Month. The Parties agree that in the event Purchaser fails to provide such adequate assurance as demanded, Issuer shall have the right to suspend its performance under this Agreement, including the making of deliveries of Energy to Purchaser, immediately upon written notice and shall not be obligated to restore such performance until the later of (i) the first day of the Month after such demand has been satisfied, and (ii) the completion of the term of deliveries to any replacement sales customer to which MSES has remarketed the Energy on behalf of Issuer.
ARTICLE XV
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE XVI
NOTICES
Any notice, demand, or request required or authorized by this Agreement to be given by one Party to the other Party (or to a third party) shall be in writing and shall either be sent by electronic means, courier, or personally delivered (including overnight delivery service) to each of the notice recipients and addresses specified in Exhibit B for the receiving Party. Any such notice, demand, or request shall be deemed to be given (i) on the date it is delivered by electronic Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
29 means or (ii) when actually received if delivered by courier or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service). Each Party shall have the right, upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the other Party, to change its list of notice recipients and addresses in Exhibit B. The Parties may mutually agree in writing at any time to deliver notices, demands or requests through alternate or additional methods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party may at any time notify the other Party that any notice, demand, statement or request to it must be provided by email transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any communications delivered by means other than email transmission during the specified period of time shall be ineffective.
ARTICLE XVII
DEFAULT; REMEDIES; TERMINATION
Section 17.1 Issuer Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an “Issuer Default” under this Agreement:
(a) any representation or warranty made by Issuer in this Agreement proves to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or (b) Issuer fails to perform, observe or comply with any covenant, agreement or term contained in this Agreement, and such failure continues for more than thirty (30) days following the earlier of (i) receipt by Issuer of notice thereof or (ii) an officer of Issuer obtaining actual knowledge of such default.
Section 17.2 Purchaser Default. Each of the following events shall constitute a “Purchaser Default” under this Agreement:
(a) Purchaser fails to pay when due any amounts owed to Issuer pursuant to this Agreement and such failure continues for one (1) Business Day following the earlier of (i) receipt by Purchaser of notice thereof or (ii) an officer of Purchaser becoming aware of such default; (b) Purchaser (i) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (ii) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (iii) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (iv) institutes or has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency Law or other similar Law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (B) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within thirty (30) days of the institution or presentation thereof; (v) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (vi) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all of its assets; (vii) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all of its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its of assets and such secured party maintains Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
30 possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within thirty (30) days thereafter; (viii) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable Laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (i) through (vii); or (ix) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; (c) any representation or warranty made by Purchaser in this Agreement proves to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or (d) Purchaser failsto perform, observe or comply with any covenant, agreement or term contained in this Agreement, and such failure continues for more than fifteen (15) days following the earlier of (i) receipt by Purchaser of notice thereof or (ii) an officer of Purchaser becoming aware of such default.
Section 17.3 Remedies Upon Default.
(a) Termination. If at any time an Issuer Default or a Purchaser Default has occurred and is continuing, then the non-defaulting Party may do any or all of the following (i) by notice to the defaulting Party specifying the relevant Issuer Default or Purchaser Default, as applicable, terminate this Agreement effective as of a day not earlier than the day such notice is deemed given under Article XVI and/or (ii) declare all amounts due to the non-defaulting Party under this Agreement or any part thereof immediately due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become immediately due and payable, without notice, demand, presentment, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to demand, protest or other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the defaulting Party; provided, however, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and all amounts due to the non-defaulting Party hereunder shall immediately become due and payable as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition that upon the occurrence of a Purchaser Default specified in Section 17.2(b)(iv) or, to the extent analogous thereto, Section
17.2(b)(viii). In addition, during the existence of an Issuer Default or a Purchaser Default, as applicable, the non-defaulting Party may exercise all other rights and remedies available to it at Law or in equity, including without limitation mandamus, injunction and action for specific performance, to enforce any covenant, agreement or term of this Agreement. (b) Additional Remedies. In addition to the remedies set forth in Section
17.3(a) (and without limiting any other provisions of this Agreement), during the existence of any Purchaser Default, Issuer may suspend its performance hereunder and discontinue the supply of all or any portion of the Energy otherwise to be delivered to Purchaser by it under this Agreement.
If Issuer exercises its right to suspend performance under this Section 17.3(b), Purchaser shall remain fully liable for payment of all amounts in default and shall not be relieved of any of its payment obligations under this Agreement. Deliveries of Energy may only be reinstated, at a time to be determined by Issuer, upon (i) payment in full by Purchaser of all amounts then due and payable under this Agreement and (ii) payment in advance by Purchaser at the beginning of each Month of amounts estimated by Issuer to be due to Issuer for the future delivery of Energy under this Agreement for such Month. Issuer may continue to require payment in advance from Purchaser after the reinstatement of Issuer’s supply services under this Agreement for such period of time as Issuer in its sole discretion may determine is appropriate. In addition, and without Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
31 limiting any other provisions of or remedies available under this Agreement, if Purchaser fails to accept from Issuer any Energy tendered for delivery under this Agreement, Issuer shall have the right to sell such Energy to third parties on any terms that Issuer, in its sole discretion, determines are appropriate.
(c) Effect of Early Termination. As of the effectiveness of any termination date in accordance with clause (i) of Section 17.3(a), (i) the Delivery Period shall end, (ii) the obligation of Issuer to make any further deliveries of Energy to Purchaser under this Agreement shall terminate, and (iii) the obligation of Purchaser to receive deliveries of Energy from Issuer under this Agreement will terminate. Neither this Agreement nor the Delivery Period may be terminated for any reason except as specified in this Article XVII. Without prejudice to any payment obligation in respect of periods prior to termination, no payments will be due from either Party in respect of periods occurring after the effective termination date of this Agreement.
Section 17.4 Termination of Prepaid Agreement. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (i) in the event the Prepaid Agreement terminates for any reason prior to the end of the Delivery Period, this Agreement shall terminate on the effective date of early termination of the Prepaid Agreement (which date shall be the last date upon which deliveries are required thereunder, subject to all winding up arrangements) and (ii) Issuer’s obligation to deliver Energy under this Agreement shall terminate upon the termination of deliveries of Energy to Issuer under the Prepaid Agreement. Issuer shall provide notice to Purchaser of any early termination date of the Prepaid Agreement. The Parties recognize and agree that, in the event that the Prepaid Agreement terminates because of a Failed Remarketing (as defined in the Bond Indenture) of the Bonds that occurs in the first Month of a Reset Period, Issuer shall deliver Energy under this Agreement for the remainder of such first Month, and, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Monthly Discount or Annual Refunds shall be associated with such deliveries and the Contract Price shall be adjusted accordingly.
Section 17.5 Limitation on Damages. THE PARTIES CONFIRM THAT THE
EXPRESS REMEDIES AND MEASURES OF DAMAGES PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT SATISFY THE ESSENTIAL PURPOSES HEREOF. FOR BREACH OF ANY
PROVISION FOR WHICH AN EXPRESS REMEDY OR MEASURE OF DAMAGES IS
HEREIN 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. NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE
LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, OR
INDIRECT DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR OTHER BUSINESS INTERRUPTION
DAMAGES, BY STATUTE, IN TORT OR CONTRACT, UNDER ANY INDEMNITY PROVISION, OR OTHERWISE. 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
WITHOUT LIMITATION THE NEGLIGENCE OF EITHER PARTY, WHETHER SUCH NEGLIGENCE BE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT, OR ACTIVE OR PASSIVE. TO THE
EXTENT ANY DAMAGES REQUIRED TO BE PAID UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE
LIQUIDATED, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DAMAGES ARE DIFFICULT
OR IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE, OTHERWISE OBTAINING AN ADEQUATE REMEDY Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
32 IS INCONVENIENT, AND THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CONSTITUTE A REASONABLE APPROXIMATION OF THE HARM OR LOSS. IN DETERMINING THE
APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF DAMAGES THAT WOULD MAKE THE PARTIES WHOLE,
THE PARTIES HAVE THOROUGHLY CONSIDERED, INTER ALIA, THE UNCERTAINTY
OF FLUCTUATIONS IN COMMODITY PRICES, THE ABILITY AND INTENTION OF THE
PARTIES TO HEDGE SUCH FLUCTUATIONS, THE BARGAINED-FOR ALLOCATION OF
RISK, THE KNOWLEDGE, SOPHISTICATION AND EQUAL BARGAINING POWER OF
THE PARTIES, THE ARMS-LENGTH NATURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, THE SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS TRANSACTION, THE ACCOUNTING AND TAX
TREATMENT OF THE TRANSACTION BY THE PARTIES, AND THE ENTERING INTO
OF OTHER TRANSACTIONS IN RELIANCE ON THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
ARTICLE XVIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 18.1 Indemnification Procedure. With respect to each indemnification included in this Agreement, the indemnity is given to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law and the following provisions shall be applicable. The indemnified Party shall promptly notify the indemnifying Party in writing of any Claim and the indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume its investigation and defense, including employment of counsel, and shall be obligated to pay related court costs, attorneys’ fees and experts’ fees and to post any appeals bonds; provided, however, that the indemnified Party shall have the right to employ at its expense separate counsel and participate in the defense of any Claim. The indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of a Claim without its express written consent thereto. In order to prevent double recovery, the indemnified Party shall reimburse the indemnifying Party for payments or costs incurred in respect of an indemnity with the proceeds of any judgment, insurance, bond, surety or other recovery made by the indemnified Party with respect to a covered event.
Section 18.2 Deliveries. Contemporaneously with this Agreement (unless otherwise specified): Each Party shall deliver to the other Party evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of (i) such Party’s authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) the appropriate individuals who are authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of such Party;
(a) as of the date hereof, Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer a fully executed Federal Tax Certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D; (b) on the Bond Closing Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer an opinion of counsel to Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E; (c) on the Bond Closing Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Issuer a Closing Certificate in substantially the form set forth hereto as Exhibit G.
Section 18.3 Entirety; Amendments. This Agreement, including the exhibits and attachments hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
33 are no prior or contemporaneous agreements or representations affecting the same subject matter other than those expressed herein. Except for any matters that, in accordance with the express provisions of this Agreement, may be resolved by oral agreement between the Parties, no amendment, modification, supplement or change hereto shall be enforceable unless reduced to writing and executed by both Parties.
Section 18.4 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES
OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED, ENFORCED AND PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONFLICTS OF LAW
PRINCIPLE THAT WOULD DIRECT THE APPLICATION OF ANOTHER
JURISDICTION’S LAW.
Section 18.5 Non-Waiver. No waiver of any breach of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be effective unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the Party against whom such waiver is claimed. No waiver of any breach shall be deemed a waiver of any other subsequent breach.
Section 18.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, shall for any reason be invalid or unenforceable, then to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby, but rather shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible under applicable Law, so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any materially adverse manner as to either Party.
Section 18.7 Exhibits. Any and all Exhibits referenced in this Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed to be an integral part hereof.
Section 18.8 Winding Up Arrangements. All indemnity and confidentiality obligations, audit rights, and other provisions specifically providing for survival shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. The expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not relieve either Party of (a) any unfulfilled obligation or undischarged liability of such Party on the date of such termination or (b) the consequences of any breach or default of any warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement. All obligations and liabilities described in the preceding sentence of this Section 18.8, and applicable provisions of this Agreement creating or relating to such obligations and liabilities, shall survive such expiration or termination.
Section 18.9 Relationships of Parties. The Parties shall not be deemed to be in a relationship of partners or joint venturers by virtue of this Agreement, nor shall either Party be an agent, representative, trustee or fiduciary of the other. Neither Party shall have any authority to bind the other to any agreement. This Agreement is intended to secure and provide for the services of each Party as an independent contractor.
Section 18.10Immunity. Each Party represents and covenants to and agrees with the other Party that it is not entitled to and shall not assert the defense of sovereign immunity or governmental immunity with respect to its obligations or any Claims under this Agreement, and Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
34 each hereby waives any such defense of sovereign or governmental immunity to the full extent permitted by Law.
Section 18.11Rates and Indices. If the source of any publication used to determine the index or other price used in the Contract Price should cease to publish the relevant prices or should cease to be published entirely, an alternative index or other price will be used based on the determinations made by Issuer and MSES under Section 18.11 of the Prepaid Agreement. Issuer shall provide Purchaser the opportunity to provide its recommendations and other input to Issuer for Issuer’s use in the process for selecting such alternative index or other price under Section
18.11 of the Prepaid Agreement.
Section 18.12Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all obligations of Issuer under this Agreement, including without limitation all obligations to make payments of any kind whatsoever, are special, limited obligations of Issuer, payable solely from the Trust Estate (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) as and to the extent provided in the Bond Indenture, including with respect to Operating Expenses (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture). Issuer shall not be required to advance any moneys derived from any source other than the Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) and other assets pledged under the Bond Indenture for any of the purposes in this Agreement mentioned. Neither the faith and credit of Issuer nor the taxing power of the State of California or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to payments pursuant to this Agreement. Issuer shall not be directly, indirectly, contingently or otherwise liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims or actions, of any conceivable kind on any conceivable theory, under or by reasons of or in connection with this Agreement, except solely to the extent Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) are received for the payment thereof and may be applied therefor pursuant to the terms of the Bond Indenture.
Section 18.13Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and acknowledged in multiple counterparts and by the Parties in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall be and constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 18.14Third Party Beneficiaries; Rights of Trustee. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (a) Issuer will pledge and assign its rights, title and interest in this Agreement and the amounts payable by Purchaser under this Agreement (other than amounts payable in respect of the Project Administration Fee) to secure Issuer’s obligations under the Bond Indenture, (b) the Trustee shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement with the right to enforce Purchaser’s obligations under this Agreement, (c) the Trustee or any receiver appointed under the Bond Indenture shall have the right to perform all obligations of Issuer under this Agreement, and (d) in the event of any Purchaser Defaults under Section 17.2(a), (i) MSES may, to the extent provided for in, and in accordance with, the Receivables Purchase Provisions (as defined in the Bond Indenture), take assignment from Issuer of receivables owed by Purchaser to Issuer under this Agreement, and shall thereafter have all rights of collection with respect to such receivables, and (ii) if such receivables are not so assigned, the Commodity Swap Counterparty (as defined in the Bond Indenture) shall have the right to pursue collection of such receivables to the extent of any non-payment by Issuer to the Commodity Swap Counterparty was caused by Purchaser’s payment default. Pursuant to the terms of the Bond Indenture, Issuer has irrevocably appointed the Trustee as its agent to issue notices and as directed under the Bond Indenture, to take any Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
35 other actions that Issuer is required or permitted to take under this Agreement. Purchaser may rely on notices or other actions taken by Issuer or the Trustee and Purchaser has the right to exclusively rely on any notices delivered by the Trustee, regardless of any conflicting notices that it may receive from Issuer.
Section 18.15Waiver of Defenses. Purchaser waives all rights to set-off, counterclaim, recoupment and any other defenses that might otherwise be available to Purchaser with regard to Purchaser’s obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Power Supply Contract to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
[Separate Signature Page(s) Attached]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
Signature Page to Power Supply Contract
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
Signature Page to Power Supply Contract
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
A-1
EXHIBIT A-1
BASE ENERGY HOURLY QUANTITIES
[To come.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
A-2
EXHIBIT A-2
EPS ENERGY PERIOD MONTHLY QUANTITY
[To come.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
B-1
EXHIBIT B
NOTICES
IF TO ISSUER: California Community Choice Financing Authority 1125 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Email: [____]
IF TO PURCHASER: East Bay Community Energy Authority
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800
Oakland, CA 94612
Email: [email protected]
Energy Related: [email protected]
Invoicing/Payments: [email protected]; [email protected] Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
C-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF REMARKETING ELECTION NOTICE
[_____]
Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C.
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8293
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
To the Addressees:
The undersigned, duly authorized representative of East Bay Community Energy Authority (the "Purchaser"), is providing this notice (the “Remarketing Election Notice”) pursuant to the Power Supply Contract, dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Supply Contract”), between California Community Choice Financing Authority and Purchaser. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Supply Contract.
Pursuant to Section 3.4(b) of the Supply Contract, the Purchaser has elected to have its Contract Quantity for the applicable Reset Period remarketed beginning as of the commencement of such Reset Period. The resumption of deliveries in any future Reset Period shall be in accordance with Section 3.4(d) of the Supply Contract.
Given this [___] day of [_________], 20[__].
East Bay Community Energy Authority
By: _____________________
Printed Name:
Title:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
D-1
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF FEDERAL TAX CERTIFICATE
This Federal Tax Certificate is executed in connection with the Power Supply Contract dated as of [_______], 2022 (the “Supply Contract”), by and between California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”) and East Bay Community Energy Authority (“Purchaser”).
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supply Contract or in the Bond Indenture.
WHEREAS Purchaser acknowledges that Issuer is issuing the Bonds to fund the prepayment price under the Prepaid Agreement; and
WHEREAS the Bonds are intended to qualify for tax exemption under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and
WHEREAS Purchaser’s use of Energy acquired pursuant to the Supply Contract and certain funds and accounts of Purchaser will affect the Bonds’ qualification for such tax exemption.
NOW, THEREFORE, PURCHASER HEREBY CERTIFIES AS FOLLOWS:
1. Purchaser is a community choice aggregator organized as a joint powers authority under the laws of the State of California. As a community choice aggregator, the Purchaser is a load-serving entity providing electricity to customers within the boundaries of cities and/or counties that have elected to participate in Purchaser’s community choice aggregation program. For purposes of this Certificate, the term “service area” of the Purchaser means the boundaries of the cities and/or counties that have elected to participate in the Purchaser’s community choice aggregation program, as well as any other area recognized as the service area of the Purchaser under state or federal law.
2. Purchaser will resell all of the Energy acquired pursuant to the Supply Contract to its retail Energy customers within its service area, with retail sales in all cases being made pursuant to regularly established and generally applicable tariffs or under authorized requirements contracts.
3. From [___, __] to [____, 2022] the annual average amount of Energy purchased (other than for resale) by customers of Purchaser who are located within the service area of Purchaser is [________] MWh. Over the term of the Supply Contract, the Purchaser expects the annual average amount of Energy purchased (other than for resale) by customers of the Purchaser who are located within the service area of the Purchaser to be at least [_____] MWh. The maximum annual amount of Energy in any year being acquired pursuant to the Supply Contract is [_______] MWh. The annual average amount of Energy which Purchaser otherwise has a right to acquire as of the Closing Date (including rights to capacity to generate electricity, whether owned, leased or otherwise contracted for) is [________] MWh. The sum of (a) the maximum amount of Energy in any year being acquired pursuant to the Supply Contract, and (b) the amount of Energy that Purchaser otherwise has a right to acquire (including rights to capacity to generate electricity, whether owned, leased or otherwise contracted for) in the year described in the foregoing clause Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
D-2
(a), is [________] MWh. Accordingly, the amount of Energy to be acquired under the Supply Contract by Purchaser, supplemented by the amount of Energy otherwise available to Purchaser as of the Closing Date, during any year does not exceed [___]% of the expected annual average amount of Energy to be purchased (other than for resale) by customers of Purchaser who are located within the service area of Purchaser.
3. In the event of the expiration or termination of an EPS Energy Period, Purchaser agrees to comply with its obligations under the Assignment Letter Agreement, including but not limited to its obligations to (a) exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to assign a portion of Purchaser’s rights and obligations under a power purchase agreement under which Purchaser is purchasing EPS Compliant Energy to MSCG or MSES pursuant to an Assignment Agreement and (b) cooperate in good faith with Issuer, MSCG and MSES with respect to any proposed assignments.
4. Purchaser expects to pay for Energy acquired pursuant to the Supply Contract solely from funds derived from its operations as a community choice aggregator. Purchaser expects to use current CCA Revenues of its CCA System to pay for current Energy acquisitions. Neither the Purchaser nor any person who is a related party to the Purchaser will hold any funds or accounts in which monies are set aside and invested and which are reasonably expected to be used to pay for Energy more than one year after such monies are set aside. No portion of the proceeds of the Bonds will be used directly or indirectly to replace funds of Purchaser or any persons who are related Persons to Purchaser that are or were intended to be used for the purpose for which the Bonds were issued.
_______________, 2022
By: ________________________________
[Name]
[Title]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
E-1
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO PURCHASER
California Community Choice Financing Authority
San Rafael, CA
Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C.
New York, NY
Morgan Stanley
New York, NY
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee Jacksonville, FL
[Royal Bank of Canada]
[Toronto, Ontario]
Re: Power Supply Contract between East Bay Community
Energy Authority and California Community Choice
Financing Authority dated as of [____], 2022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are Counsel to East Bay Community Energy Authority (“Purchaser”). Purchaser is a Purchaser in the Energy Project undertaken by California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”). We are furnishing this opinion to you in connection with the Power Supply Contract between Issuer and Purchaser dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Supply Contract”).
Unless otherwise specified herein, all terms used but not defined in this opinion shall have the same meaning as is ascribed to them in the Supply Contract.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following:
(a) The Constitution and laws of the State of California (the “State”) including, as applicable, acts, ordinances, certificates, articles, charters, bylaws, and agreements pursuant to which Purchaser was created and by which it is governed; (b) Resolution No. [__], duly adopted by Purchaser on [___________] (the “Resolution”) and certified as true and correct by certificate and seal, authorizing Purchaser to execute and deliver the Supply Contract;
(c) A copy of the Supply Contract executed by Purchaser; and Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
E-2
(d) All outstanding instruments relating to bonds, notes, or other indebtedness of or relating to Purchaser and Purchaser's CCA System (as defined in the Supply Contract).
We have also examined and relied upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates, and other instruments, and made such investigations of law, as in our judgment we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed below.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. Purchaser is a joint powers authority of the State, duly organized and validly existing as a community choice aggregator under the laws of the State, and has the power and authority to own its properties, to carry on its business as now being conducted, and to enter into and to perform its obligations under the Agreement.
2. The execution, delivery, and performance by Purchaser of the Supply Contract have been duly authorized by the governing body of Purchaser and do not and will not require, subsequent to the execution of the Supply Contract by Purchaser, any consent or approval of the governing body or any officers of Purchaser.
3. The Supply Contract is the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to (i) the exercise of judicial discretion in accordance with general principles of equity and (ii) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights heretofore or hereafter enacted, to the extent constitutionally applicable.
4. No approval, consent or authorization of any governmental or public agency, authority, commission or person, or, to our knowledge, of any holder of any outstanding bonds or other indebtedness of Purchaser, is required with respect to the execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of the Supply Contract or Purchaser's participation in the transactions contemplated thereby other than those approvals, consents and/or authorizations that have already been obtained.
5. The authorization, execution and delivery of the Supply Contract and compliance with the provisions thereof (a) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, (i) any instrument relating to the organization, existence or operation of Purchaser, (ii) any ruling, regulation, ordinance, judgment, order or decree to which Purchaser (or any of its officers in their respective capacities as such) is subject or (iii) any provision of the laws of the State relating to Purchaser and its affairs, and (b) to our knowledge will not result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any lien on any of the properties or revenues of Purchaser pursuant to any of the foregoing.
6. Purchaser is not in breach of or default under any applicable constitutional provision or any law or administrative regulation of the State or the United States or any applicable judgment or decree or, to our knowledge, any loan or other agreement, resolution, indenture, bond, note, resolution, agreement or other instrument to which Purchaser is a party or to which Purchaser or any of its property or assets is otherwise subject, and to our knowledge no event has occurred Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
E-3
and is continuing which with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default or event of default under any such instrument.
7. Payments to be made by Purchaser under the Supply Contract shall constitute operating expenses of Purchaser's CCA System payable solely from the revenues and other available funds of Purchaser's CCA System as a cost of purchased electricity. The application of the revenues and other available funds of Purchaser's CCA System to make such payments is not subject to any prior lien, encumbrance or other restriction.
8. As of the date of this opinion, to the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, there is no pending or threatened action or proceeding at law or in equity or by any court, government agency, public board or body affecting or questioning the existence of Purchaser or the titles of its officers to their respective offices or affecting or questioning the legality, validity, or enforceability of this Supply Contract nor to our knowledge is there any basis therefor.
This opinion is rendered solely for the use and benefit of the addressees listed above in connection with the Supply Contract and may not be relied upon other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Supply Contract, or by any other person or entity for any purpose whatsoever, nor may this opinion be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to in any document or delivered to any other person or entity, without the prior written consent of the undersigned.
Very truly yours,
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
F-1
EXHIBIT F
MONTHLY DISCOUNT
Monthly Discount: $[____]/MWh
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
G-1
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE
CLOSING CERTIFICATE OF PURCHASER
__________, 2022
Re: California Community Choice Financing Authority
Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds
The undersigned _____________________________ of East Bay Community Energy Authority (the “Purchaser”), hereby certifies as follows in connection with the Power Supply Contract dated as of __________, 2022 (the “Agreement”) between the Purchaser and California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”) and the issuance and sale by Issuer of the above-referenced bonds (the “Bonds”) (capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement):
1. Purchaser is a community choice aggregator, duly created and validly existing as a joint powers authority, and is in good standing, under the laws of the State of California (the “State”), and has the corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Agreement.
2. By all necessary official action on its part, the Purchaser has duly authorized and approved the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Purchaser of the obligations on its part contained in the Agreement, and such authorization and approval has not been amended, supplemented, rescinded or modified in any respect since the date thereof.
3. The Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser.
4. The authorization, execution and delivery of the Agreement and compliance with the provisions on the Purchaser's part contained therein (a) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of or default under (i) any instrument relating to the organization, existence or operation of Purchaser, (ii) any ruling, regulation, ordinance, judgment, order or decree to which Purchaser (or any of its officers in their respective capacities as such) is subject or (iii) any provision of the laws of the State relating to Purchaser and its affairs, and (b) will not result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any lien on any of the properties or revenues of Purchaser pursuant to any of the foregoing.
5 The Purchaser is not in breach of or default under any applicable constitutional provision, law or administrative regulation of the State or the United States or any applicable judgment or decree or any loan agreement, indenture, bond, note, resolution, agreement or other instrument to which the Purchaser is a party or to which the Purchaser or any of its property or Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
G-2
assets are subject, and no event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes or with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default or event of default by the Purchaser under any of the foregoing.
6. Payments to be made by the Purchaser under the Agreement shall constitute operating expenses of the Purchaser’s CCA System (as defined in the Agreement) payable solely from the revenues and other available funds of Purchaser’s CCA System as a cost of purchased electricity. The application of the revenues and other available funds of the Purchaser’s CCA System to make such payments is not subject to any prior lien, encumbrance or other restriction.
7. No litigation, proceeding or tax challenge is pending or, to its knowledge, threatened, against the Purchaser in any court or administrative body which would (a) contest the right of the officials of the Purchaser to hold and exercise their respective positions, (b) contest the due organization and valid existence of the Purchaser, (c) contest the validity, due authorization and execution of the Agreement or (d) attempt to limit, enjoin or otherwise restrict or prevent the Purchaser from executing, delivering and performing the Agreement, nor to the knowledge of the Purchaser is there any basis therefor.
8. All authorizations, approvals, licenses, permits, consents and orders of any governmental authority, legislative body, board, agency or commission having jurisdiction of the matter which are required for the due authorization of, which would constitute a condition precedent to, or the absence of which would materially adversely affect the due performance by the Purchaser of its obligations under the Agreement have been duly obtained.
9. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in the Agreement were true, complete and correct on and as of the date thereof and are true, complete and correct on and as of the date hereof.
10. The statements and information with respect to the Purchaser contained in the Official Statement dated ___________, 2022 with respect to the Bonds, including Appendix B thereto (the “Official Statement”), fairly and accurately describe and summarize the financial and operating position of the Purchaser for the periods shown therein, and such statements and information did not as of the date of the Official Statement and do not as of the date hereof contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make such statements and information, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
11. No event affecting the Purchaser has occurred since the date of the Official Statement which should be disclosed therein in order to make the statements and information with respect to the Purchaser contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in any material respect.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
G-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has executed this Certificate on and as of the date first written above.
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUTHORITY
By
Name:
Title:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
H-1
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF REMEDIATION CERTIFICATE
[_____], 20__
[_____]
Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C.
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8293
Attn: Miscellaneous Notices
Email: [[email protected]]
Re: Power Supply Contract with California Community Choice Financing Authority: Section
7.5 Remediation
To the addressees:
The undersigned, duly authorized representative of East Bay Community Energy Authority (“Purchaser”), hereby certifies as follows in connection with the Power Supply Contract, dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Contract”), between Purchaser and California Community Choice Financing Authority and remediation of Disqualified Remarketing Proceeds pursuant to Section
7.5 of the Contract. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Contract.
Set forth as Attachment 1 hereto is a copy of Purchaser’s invoice for the Month of [____] for purchases of Energy from [____] [NOTE: Insert reference to supplier.] pursuant that certain [____] [NOTE: Insert reference to applicable supply agreement.], and all of such Energy was used in compliance with the Qualifying Use Requirements.
In witness whereof the undersigned has executed this Certificate on and as of the date first written above.
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY
AUTHORITY
By ___________________________________
[Name]
[Title]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15C
HB Draft 6 May 2022
LETTER AGREEMENT
[____], 2022
East Bay Community Energy Authority
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 800
Oakland, CA 94612
Email: [email protected]
California Community Choice Financing Authority
1125 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Email: [_____]
Re: PPA Assignments for Delivery under Prepay Energy Agreements Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Letter Agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) confirms our mutual agreement with respect to the matters set forth below and relates to (i) that certain Power Supply Contract (the “Power Supply Contract”), dated as of the date hereof, by and between California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”) and East Bay Community Energy Authority (“Project Participant”), (ii) that certain Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement (the “Prepaid Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and between Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C. (“MSES”) and Issuer, and (iii) that certain Energy Management Contract (together with the Power Supply Contract and the Prepaid Agreement, the “Prepay Energy Agreements”), dated as of the date hereof, by and between Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. (“MSCG”) and MSES. Any capitalized term used in this Letter Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Power Supply Contract. In consideration of each party’s execution of the respective Prepay Energy Agreements, as well as the premises above and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, Issuer, Project Participant, MSES and MSCG (collectively, the “Parties”) agree as follows:
1. PPA Assignments for Delivery under Prepay Energy Agreements. (a) Initial Assignment. Concurrently with the execution of the Prepay Energy Agreements, Project Participant has assigned and MSES has agreed to assume a portion of Project Participant’s rights and obligations under the Initial Assigned PPA. (b) Replacement Assignments. Commencing (i) six months prior to the expiration of any EPS Energy Period or the resumption of deliveries in a new Reset Period following Participant’s issuance of a Remarketing Election Notice pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Power Supply Contract or (ii) otherwise immediately upon the early termination or anticipated early termination of an EPS Energy Period, Project Participant shall exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to assign a portion of Project Participant’s rights and obligations (the “Assigned Rights and Obligations”) under one or more power purchase agreements under which Project Participant is purchasing EPS Compliant Energy pursuant Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
2 to an Assignment Agreement substantially in the form of (A) the Limited Assignment Agreement set forth as Exhibit A hereto if the PPA Supplier is an unrelated third party or (B) the Limited Assignment Agreement set forth as Exhibit B hereto if the PPA Supplier is MSCG, and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith with respect to any proposed assignments; provided that
(1) any subsequent Assignment Agreement shall provide (I) for the assignment by Project Participant to either (a) MSES if MSCG is the PPA Supplier or (b) MSCG if the PPA Supplier is an unrelated third party of its right to receive a portion of the Energy (and any associated products set forth in the Assignment Agreement) delivered under the applicable power purchase agreement for each Month of the applicable EPS Energy Period and (II) for payment by MSES or MSCG as applicable to the PPA Supplier under such subsequent power purchase agreement of the Day-Ahead Average Price for each Month of the applicable EPS Energy Period, with such amounts to be credited in the PPA Supplier’s monthly invoice to Project Participant against other amounts owed by Project Participant under the Assigned PPA during the EPS Energy Period;
(2) any third party PPA Supplier must satisfy MSCG’s internal credit and approval requirements and other requirements applied on a nondiscriminatory basis, including any “know your customer” rules, policies and procedures, anti-money laundering rules and regulations, Dodd-Frank Act, Commodity Exchange Act, Patriot Act and similar rules, regulations, requirements and corresponding policies; (3) any such assignment must be agreed and consented to by Project Participant, MSES and MSCG in their reasonable discretion; and
(4) the Parties recognize that MSCG will be obligated to sell and deliver Assigned Product it receives from a third party PPA Supplier to MSES under the Energy Management Agreement; MSES will be obligated to deliver Assigned Product that it acquires to Issuer under the terms of the Prepaid Agreement; and Issuer will be obligated to deliver Assigned Product that it acquires to Project Participant under the terms of the Power Supply Contract.
(c) MSCG Procurement of EPS Compliant Energy. To the extent that (i) Project Participant, MSES and MSCG have not agreed upon a replacement assignment of a power purchase agreement by the date that is 75 days prior to (A) the end of any EPS Energy Period or (B) the resumption of deliveries in a new Reset Period following Participant’s issuance of a Remarketing Election Notice pursuant to Section 3.4 of the Power Supply Contract, or (ii) an early termination of an EPS Energy Period has occurred and Project Participant, MSES and MSCG have not agreed upon a replacement assignment of a power purchase agreement, then MSCG shall exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain EPS Compliant Energy for ultimate redelivery to Project Participant, provided that:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
3 (1) Project Participant must consent to MSCG’s procurement of any such EPS Compliant Energy for ultimate redelivery to Project Participant, with such consent not to be unreasonably withheld;
(2) the Parties shall act in good faith and in a Commercially Reasonable manner to negotiate any necessary amendments to the Prepay Energy Agreements to facilitate the delivery of such EPS Compliant Energy; and
(3) the period of delivery for any such EPS Compliant Energy (any such period, a “MSCG EPS Energy Period”) shall not exceed the length, as applicable, of (A) the then-current Reset Period if such EPS Compliant Energy is obtained for delivery for the remainder of a Reset Period and (B) the length of the next succeeding Reset Period if such EPS Compliant Energy is obtained for delivery commencing in a subsequent Reset Period.
(d) Tax Opinion. The Parties acknowledge and agree that their ability to enter into a new Reset Period will be contingent on obtaining an Opinion of Bond Counsel (as defined in the Bond Indenture), which will be dependent on the availability of EPS Compliant Energy for delivery in such Reset Period.
2. Failure to Obtain EPS Compliant Energy. To the extent an EPS Energy Period terminates or expires and Project Participant and MSCG have been unable to obtain EPS Compliant Energy for delivery under the Prepay Energy Agreements pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 1, then MSES shall remarket the Base Energy pursuant to the provisions of Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement, subject to the following:
(a) the Parties’ obligations set forth in Paragraph 1 shall continue to apply; (b) Project Participant shall not make any new commitment to purchase Priority Energy during such a remarketing; and
(c) consistent with Section 7.5 of the Power Supply Contract, Project Participant shall exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to remediate any Disqualifed Remarketing Proceeds resulting from MSES’s remarketing;.
3. Representations. Each Party represents to each of the other Parties:
(a) Status. It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing.
(b) Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
4 (c) No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the incurrence by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement, will not result in any violation of, or conflict with: (i) any term of any material contract or agreement applicable to it; (ii) any of its charter, bylaws, or other constitutional documents; (iii) any determination or award of any arbitrator applicable to it; or (iv) any license, permit, franchise, judgment, writ, injunction or regulation, decree, order, charter, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Government Agency, applicable to it or any of its assets or properties or to any obligations incurred by it or by which it or any of its assets or properties or obligations are bound or affected, and shall not cause a breach of, or default under, any such term or result in the creation of any lien upon any of its properties or assets. (d) Consents. All consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, registrations, declarations, filings or giving of notice to, obtaining of any licenses or permits from, or taking of any other action with respect to, any Person or Government Agency that are required to have been obtained by such Party with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the due authorization of such Party and its governing body and any approval or consent of any security holder of such Party or any holder (or any trustee for any holder) of any indebtedness or other obligation of such Party, have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with. (e) Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).
(f) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and as to whether this Agreement is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other Parties as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into this Agreement; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Agreement. It is entering into this Agreement as a bona-fide, arm’s-length transaction involving the mutual exchange of consideration and, once executed by all Parties, considers this Agreement a legally enforceable contract. No communication (written or oral) received from any of the other Parties shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of this Agreement. (g) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of this Agreement. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of this Agreement.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
5 (h) Status of Parties. None of the other Parties is acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of this Agreement.
4. Counterparts. This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.
5. Costs and Expenses. The Parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and as a result of the negotiation, preparation, and execution of this Agreement.
6. Amendments. No amendment, modification, or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile or electronic transmission) and executed by each of the Parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.
7. Notices. Any notice, demand, statement or request required or authorized by this Agreement to be given by one Party to another shall be in writing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. It shall be sent by email transmission, courier, or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service) to each of the notice recipients and addresses for each of the other Parties designated in Appendix 2 hereto. Any such notice, demand, or request shall be deemed to be given (i) when delivered by email transmission, or (ii) when actually received if delivered by courier or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service). Each Party shall have the right, upon written 10 days’ prior written notice to the other Parties, to change its address at any time, and to designate that copies of all such notices be directed to another person at another address.
The Parties may mutually agree in writing at any time to deliver notices, demands or requests through alternate or additional methods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may at any time notify the other Parties that any notice, demand, statement or request to it must be provided by email transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any communications delivered by means other than email transmission during such time shall be ineffective.
8. Dispute Resolution.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties under this Agreement will be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without reference to any conflicts of laws provisions that would direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws; provided, however, that the authority of Project Participant and Issuer to enter into and perform their obligations under this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California. (b) Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by final, non-appealable binding arbitration in San Francisco, California before three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration shall be administered by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
6 pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of arbitration, each of MSCG and Project Participant shall select one person to act as arbitrator, and the two so-selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator (the “chairperson”) within thirty (30) days of the commencement of the arbitration. If either MSCG or Project Participant is unable or fails to select one person to act as arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS. If MSCG and Project Participant-selected arbitrators are unable or fail to agree upon a chairperson, the chairperson shall be appointed by JAMS. The chairperson shall be a person who has experience in renewable energy-related transactions, and none of the arbitrators shall have been previously employed by any Party or have any direct pecuniary interest in any Party or the subject matter of the arbitration, unless such conflict is expressly acknowledged and waived in writing by all of the Parties. The Parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and any award, including any hearing(s), except as may be necessary to prepare for or conduct the arbitration hearing on the merits, or except as necessary in connection with a court application for a preliminary remedy, a judicial challenge to an award or its enforcement, or unless otherwise required by law or judicial decision. Any arbitration proceedings, decision or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) shall have no authority to award consequential, treble, exemplary, or punitive damages of any type or kind regardless of whether such damages may be available under any law or right, with the Parties hereby affirmatively waiving their rights, if any, to recover or claim such damages. In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrators shall award to the prevailing Party or Parties, if any, the costs and attorneys’ fees reasonably incurred in seeking to enforce the application of this Section 8(b) and by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b), any costs incurred by a Party in seeking judicial enforcement of any written decision of the arbitrators shall be chargeable to and borne exclusively by the Party against whom such court order is obtained. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties and judgment upon any award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Judicial Reference. Without limiting the provisions in Section 8(b), if Section 8(b) is deemed ineffective or unenforceable in any respect, any dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its performance, breach, or termination (including the existence, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the applicability of any statute of limitation period) (each, a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Sections 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or their successor sections (a “Reference Proceeding”), which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Dispute. As a condition precedent to initiating a Reference Proceeding with respect to any Dispute, the Parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 8(c)(i).
i. Notice of Dispute. Prior to initiating the Reference Proceeding, a Party (the “Disputing Party”) shall provide the other Parties (the “Responding Parties”) with a written notice of each issue in dispute, a proposed means for resolving each such issue, and support for such position (the “Notice of Dispute”). Within ten (10) Days after receiving the Notice of Dispute, the Responding Parties shall provide the Disputing Party with a written Notice of each additional issue (if any) with respect to the dispute raised by the Notice of Dispute, a proposed means for resolving every issue in dispute, and support for Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
7 such position (the “Dispute Response”). Thereafter, the Parties shall meet to discuss the matter and attempt in good faith to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute. If the Parties do not resolve the dispute by unanimous agreement within sixty (60) Days after receipt of the Dispute Response, (the “Negotiation Period”), then any Party may provide to the other Parties written notice of intent for judicial reference (the “Impasse Notice”) in accordance with the further provisions of this Section 8(c). ii. Applicability; Selection of Referees.
(A) Within ten days of the delivery of an Impasse Notice, each of MSCG and Project Participant shall nominate one (1) referee. The two (2) referees (the “Party-Appointed Referees”) shall appoint a third referee (the “Third Referee”).
The Party-Appointed Referees shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the electric energy business in the United States, with at least ten (10) years of electric industry experience as a practicing attorney. The Third Referee shall be an active or retired California state or federal judge. Each of the Party-Appointed Referees and the Third Referee shall be impartial and independent of each of the Parties and of the other referees and not employed by any of the Parties in any prior matter.
(B) If the Party-Appointed Referees are unable to agree on the Third Referee within forty-five (45) Days from delivery of the Impasse Notice, then the Third Referee shall be appointed pursuant to CCP Section 640(b) in an action filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Court”), and with due regard given to the selection criteria above. A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the Parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP Section 170.6, each of Project Participant and MSCG shall have one (1) peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Court.
iii. Discovery; Proceedings.
(A) The Parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the Reference Proceeding. Accordingly, the referees shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (i) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within twenty (20) days after the date of selection of the Third Referee, (ii) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the conference, and (iii) report a statement of decision within twenty (20) days after the matter has been submitted for decision.
(B) Discovery and other pre-hearing procedures shall be conducted as agreed to by the Parties, or if they cannot agree, as determined by the Third Referee after discussion with the Parties regarding the need for discovery and other pre-hearing procedures.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
8 (C) Except as expressly set forth herein, the Third Referee shall determine the manner in which the Reference Proceeding is conducted, including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the Reference Proceeding. The Reference Proceeding, including the trial, shall be conducted at a neutral location selected by the Parties, or if not agreed by the Parties, by the Third Referee, in San Francisco, California.
(D) All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referees, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any Party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referees, and the referees will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The Party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter.
iv. Decision. The referees shall render a written statement of decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of CCP Sections 644 and 645. The decision shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if rendered by a judge of the Court. The Parties intend this general reference agreement to be specifically enforceable in accordance with the CCP. v. Expenses. Each of MSCG and Project Participant shall bear the compensation and expenses of its respective Party-Appointed Referee, own counsel, witnesses, consultants and employees. All other expenses of judicial reference shall be split equally between MSCG and Project Participant.
9. Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all obligations of Issuer under this Agreement, including without limitation all obligations to make payments of any kind whatsoever, are special, limited obligations of Issuer, payable solely from the Trust Estate (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) as and to the extent provided in the Bond Indenture, including with respect to Operating Expenses (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture). Issuer shall not be required to advance any moneys derived from any source other than the Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) and other assets pledged under the Bond Indenture for any of the purposes in this Agreement mentioned. Neither the faith and credit of Issuer nor the taxing power of the State of California or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to payments pursuant to this Agreement. Issuer shall not be directly, indirectly, contingently or otherwise liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims or actions, of any conceivable kind on any conceivable theory, under or by reasons of or in connection with this Agreement, except solely to the extent Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) are received for the payment thereof and may be applied therefor pursuant to the terms of the Bond Indenture.
[Signature Pages to Follow]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Signature Page to Letter Agreement
Very truly yours,
MSES
MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING,
L.L.C.
By:
Name:
Title:
MSCG
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL GROUP INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
ACKNOWLEDGED, ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO as of the date first set forth above:
PARTICIPANT
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By:
Name:
Title:
ISSUER
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
By:
Name:
Title:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF LIMITED ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT FOR THIRD PARTY AS PPA
SUPPLIER
This Limited Assignment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [____] by and among [____], a [____] (“PPA Seller”), East Bay Community Energy Authority, a joint powers authority and a community choice aggregator organized under the laws of the State of California (“PPA Buyer”), and Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MSCG”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, PPA Buyer and PPA Seller are parties to that certain [____], dated as of [____] (the “PPA”);
WHEREAS, in connection with a prepaid electricity transaction between [_______] (“Issuer”) and Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C. (“MSES”), and with effect from and including the Assignment Period Start Date (as defined below), PPA Buyer wishes to transfer by limited assignment to MSCG, and MSCG wishes to accept the transfer by limited assignment of, the Assigned Rights and Obligations (as defined below) for the duration of the Assignment Period (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSCG will receive the Assigned Product and MSCG will deliver the Assigned Product to MSES, which will redeliver the Assigned Product to Issuer for ultimate redelivery to PPA Buyer; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSCG will assume responsibility for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises above and the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, PPA Seller, PPA Buyer and MSCG (the “Parties” hereto; each is a “Party”) agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Definitions.
The following terms, when used in this Agreement and identified by the capitalization of the first letter thereof, have the respective meanings set forth below, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph above. “Assigned Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in Appendix 1.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
2 “Assigned Energy” means any Electricity associated with the Assigned Product to be delivered to MSCG hereunder pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations. “Assigned Monthly Quantity” means the first [___] MWhs delivered in accordance with the PPA by PPA Seller in each Month during the Assignment Period. “Assigned Product” includes all (i) Energy and (ii) Green Attributes (PCC1) (as defined in the PPA) produced by the Facility (as defined in the PPA) associated with the Assigned Monthly Quantity.
“Assigned Product Price” means [NOTE: To be the Day-Ahead Price averaged for each day of the prior month if the assignment occurs after the commencement of the prepay transaction or the fixed price for energy under the PPA if assigned in connection with execution of the prepay transaction.].
“Assigned Rights and Obligations” means (i) the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive the Assigned Monthly Quantity of Assigned Product in each Month during the Assignment Period, as such rights may be limited or further described in the “Further Information” section on Appendix 1, and (ii) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, which right and obligation are transferred and conveyed to MSCG hereunder, but which shall not relieve PPA Buyer of its obligations under the PPA in any respects.
“Assignment Early Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). “Assignment Period” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a). “Assignment Period End Date” means 11:59:59 p.m. pacific prevailing time on [____]. “Assignment Period Start Date” means [_____].
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal Reserve Bank holiday. A Business Day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. local time for the Party sending a notice, or payment, or performing a specified action. “CAISO Tariff” means the California Independent System Operator Corporation Agreement and Tariff, Business Practice Manuals (BPMs), and Operating Procedures, including the rules, protocols, procedures and standards attached thereto, as the same may be amended or modified from time-to-time and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “Claims” means all claims or actions, threatened or filed, and the resulting losses, damages, expenses, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, and court costs, whether incurred by settlement or otherwise, and whether such claims or actions are threatened or filed prior to or after the termination of this Agreement, in each case arising under, in respect of or related in any way to the PPA or any transaction thereunder, except for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation. “Delivered Product Payment Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 3(a).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
3 “Electricity” means three-phase, 60-cycle alternating current electric energy, expressed in megawatt hours (MWh).
“Government Agency” means the United States of America, any state thereof, any municipality, or any local jurisdiction, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, courts, administrative bodies, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies, or instrumentalities.
“Issuer” means [____], a [____] [NOTE: This will be the JPA or other entity formed for purposes of issuing municipal bonds for the prepaid transaction.]. “Inter-SC Trade” or “IST” has the meaning set forth in the CAISO Tariff. “Month” means a calendar month.
“MSCG” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “MSES” means Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, or Government Agency.
“PPA Buyer” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “PPA Seller” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Prepaid Agreement” means that certain Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement dated as of [____] by and between MSES and Issuer.
“Prepay Power Supply Contract” means that certain Prepay Power Supply Contract dated [____] by and between PPA Buyer and Issuer.
“Receivables” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(e). “Retained Rights and Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 3. “Scheduling Coordinator” or “SC” means an entity certified by the CAISO as qualifying as a Scheduling Coordinator pursuant to the CAISO Tariff for the purposes of undertaking the functions specified in “Responsibilities of a Scheduling Coordinator,” of the CAISO Tariff, as amended from time to time.
2. Transfer and Undertakings.
(a) PPA Buyer hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to MSCG all right, title and interest in and to the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive delivery of the Assigned Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
4 Product during the Assignment Period. In connection with this assignment, PPA Buyer hereby delegates to MSCG the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period. (b) PPA Seller hereby consents and agrees to PPA Buyer’s assignment, transfer and conveyance of all right, title and interest in and to the Assigned Product and Assigned Rights and Obligations to MSCG and the exercise and performance by MSCG of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period.
(c) MSCG hereby accepts such assignment, transfer and conveyance of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period and agrees to perform any such Assigned Rights and Obligations due from it during the Assignment Period to the extent expressly set forth in this Agreement.
3. Limited Assignment.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the Assigned Rights and Obligations include only a portion of PPA Buyer’s rights and obligations under the PPA, and that all rights and obligations arising under the PPA that are not expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations shall be “Retained Rights and Obligations”, and (ii) the Retained Rights and Obligations include all rights and obligations of PPA Buyer arising during the Assignment Period except the rights and obligations expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations. In this regard:
(a) Limited to Delivered Product Payment Obligation; Invoicing. i. MSCG’s sole obligation to PPA Seller will be to pay the Assigned Product Price (as defined in the PPA) to PPA Seller for the Assigned Product delivered during each Month of the Assignment Period on each applicable payment date under Section [__] of the PPA for a quantity up to, but not exceeding, the Assigned Monthly Quantity (the “Delivered Product Payment Obligation”). To the extent MSCG fails to pay the Delivered Product Payment Obligation by the due date for payment set forth in the PPA, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, PPA Buyer agrees that it remains responsible for such payment; provided that, to the extent PPA Buyer makes a payment to PPA Seller with respect to the Delivery Product Payment Obligation because MSCG has failed to pay the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, PPA Seller will have no further claim against MSCG for such amounts, and MSCG will be obligated to pay such amounts to PPA Buyer.
ii. PPA Buyer shall remain solely responsible for any payment obligations other than the Delivered Product Payment Obligation due under the PPA during the Assignment Period (the “Retained Payment Obligation”). Any Claims arising or existing in connection with or related to the PPA, whether related to performance by PPA Seller, PPA Buyer or MSCG, and whether arising before, during or after the Assignment Period, in each case excluding the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, will be included in the Retained Rights and Obligations and any such Claims will be resolved exclusively between PPA Seller and PPA Buyer in accordance with the PPA.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
5 iii. Promptly following PPA Buyer’s receipt of each monthly invoice from PPA Seller during the Assignment Period and, in any event, no later than seven days thereafter, PPA Buyer shall deliver (i) a copy of such monthly invoice and the related supporting data to MSCG (ii) a statement to each of MSCG and the custodian described below indicating (A) the total amount due to PPA Seller under the PPA for such Month (the “Monthly Gross Amount”); (B) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation; and (C) the Retained Payment Obligation, which (I) shall be determined by subtracting the Delivered Product Payment Obligation from the Monthly Gross Amount and (II) shall reflect an amount due from PPA Buyer to the extent it is a positive number and an amount due to PPA Buyer to the extent it is a negative number. The Delivered Product Payment Obligation and Retained Payment Obligation shall be administered by a custodian who will pay (1) the Monthly Gross Amount to PPA Seller on each payment due date and (2) the absolute value of the Retained Payment Obligation to PPA Buyer to the extent such amount is negative for any given Month.
(b) Scheduling. All scheduling of Electricity associated with Assigned Product and other communications related to the PPA shall take place between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller pursuant to the terms of the PPA; provided that (i) title to Assigned Product will pass to MSCG upon delivery by PPA Seller at the Assigned Delivery Point in accordance with the PPA; (ii) immediately thereafter, title to such Assigned Product will pass to MSES, Issuer and then to PPA Buyer upon delivery by MSCG at the same point where title is passed to MSCG pursuant to clause (i) above; (iii) PPA Buyer will be deemed to be acting as MSCG’s agent with regard to scheduling Assigned Energy; provided, however, that PPA Buyer shall be entitled to retain for its own account all CAISO revenues associated with delivery of the Assigned Product to CAISO, including where PPA Buyer is acting as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility (as defined in the PPA) and through scheduling of ISTs; and (iv) (A) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide copies to MSCG of (I) any notice of force majeure delivered under the PPA and (II) any notice of a default or of a breach or other event that, if not cured within an applicable grace period, could result in a default; (B) PPA Seller will provide copies to MSCG of annual forecasts and monthly forecasts and generation reports delivered under the PPA; and (C) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller, as applicable, will provide copies to MSCG of any other information reasonably requested by MSCG relating to Assigned Product.
(c) Amendments. PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide written notice (including copies thereof) of any amendment, waiver, supplement, modification, or other changes to the PPA to MSCG relating to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, and the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change will not have any effect on MSCG’s rights or obligations under this Agreement until and unless MSCG receives written notice thereof.
(d) Setoff of Receivables. Pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement, MSES has agreed to purchase the rights to payment of the net amounts owed by PPA Buyer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract (“Receivables”) in the case of non-payment by PPA Buyer. To the extent any such Receivables relate to Assigned Product purchased by MSCG pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, MSES may sell such Receivables to MSCG and MSCG may transfer such Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) to PPA Seller and apply the face amount of such Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
6 Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) as a reduction to any Delivered Product Payment Obligations; provided, however, that at no time shall PPA Seller be required to pay MSCG for any amounts by which such Receivables exceed any Delivered Product Payment Obligations then due and owed to PPA Seller.
4. Forward Contract.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes a “forward contract” and that the Parties shall constitute “forward contract merchants” within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
5. Assignment Period; Assignment Early Termination.
(a) Assignment Period. The “Assignment Period” shall begin on the Assignment Period Start Date and extend until the Assignment Period End Date; provided that in no event shall the Assignment Period extend past an Assignment Early Termination Date. (b) Early Termination. An “Assignment Early Termination Date” will occur under the following circumstances and as of the dates specified below:
i. the assignment of the Prepay Power Supply Contract by PPA Buyer or Issuer pursuant to Article XIII thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of such assignment;
ii. the suspension, expiration, or termination of performance of the PPA by either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller for any reason other than the occurrence of Force Majeure under and as defined in the PPA, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of PPA Seller’s last performance under the PPA following such suspension, expiration, or termination;
iii. the election of MSCG in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date as a result of (a) any event or circumstance that would give either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller the right to terminate or suspend performance under the PPA (regardless of whether PPA Buyer or PPA Seller exercises such right) or (b) the execution of an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change to the PPA that adversely affects the Assigned Rights and Obligations or MSCG’s rights or obligations under this Agreement (provided that MSCG shall not have a right to terminate under this clause (b) to the extent that MSCG (i) receives prior notice of such change and (ii) provides its written consent thereto), which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by MSCG to PPA Buyer and PPA Seller;
iv. termination or suspension of deliveries for any reason other than force majeure under the Prepaid Agreement or Prepay Power Supply Contract, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of the last deliveries under the relevant contract following such suspension or termination; Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
7 v. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if MSCG fails to pay when due any amounts owed to PPA Seller in respect of any Delivered Product Payment Obligation and such failure continues for five Business Days following receipt by MSCG of written notice thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSCG, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable; vi. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if either (a) an involuntary case or other proceeding is commenced against MSCG seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed, or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing is entered and continued unstayed and in effect, in any such event, for a period of 60 days, or (b) MSCG commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or MSCG consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of MSCG or any substantial part of its property, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the earliest date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSCG, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable; vii. either MSCG or PPA Buyer may designate an Assignment Early Termination Date with written notice to the other Parties to the extent that MSCG and PPA Buyer have mutually agreed upon a replacement Assignment Agreement (as defined in the Prepay Power Supply Contract) that will replace the Assigned Rights and Obligations hereunder immediately following the termination hereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur effective as of the end of the Month preceding the commencement of the “Assignment Period” under the replacement Assignment Agreement as specified in the notice from MSCG or PPA Buyer to the other Parties; and viii. PPA Buyer may deliver written notice of termination to the other Parties if any change, event or effect occurs, including but not limited a change in applicable laws or regulations, any issues with the PPA Seller or the PPA, a dispute under the PPA or other similar circumstance, that individually or collectively have or are reasonably expected by Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
8 PPA Buyer to have a material adverse effect upon (A) the PPA Buyer, (B) its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Prepay Power Supply Contract, or the PPA, or (C) the benefit the PPA Buyer is receiving by assigning the Assigned Rights and Obligations, with such Assignment Early Termination Date to be the date set forth in a written notice delivered by PPA Buyer to the other Parties; provided that (x) PPA Buyer will provide notice to the other Parties as soon as is reasonably possible that PPA Buyer anticipates exercising this termination right, and (y) PPA Buyer shall exercise commercially reasonable efforts to propose and agree with MSCG upon a replacement Assignment Agreement prior to exercising this termination right.
(c) Reversion of Assigned Rights and Obligations. The parties acknowledge and agree that upon the occurrence of an Assignment Early Termination Date the Assigned Rights and Obligations will revert from MSCG to PPA Buyer. Any Assigned Rights and Obligations that would become due for payment or performance on or after such Assignment Early Termination Date shall immediately and automatically revert from MSCG to PPA Buyer, provided that (i) MSCG shall remain responsible for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation with respect to any Assigned Product delivered to MSCG prior to the Assignment Early Termination Date, and (ii) any legal restrictions on the effectiveness of such reversion (whether arising under bankruptcy law or otherwise) shall not affect the occurrence of the Assignment Early Termination Date.
6. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Copy of PPA. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSCG that a true, complete, and correct copy of the PPA is attached hereto as Appendix 3. (b) No Default. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSCG that no event or circumstance exists (or would exist with the passage of time or the giving of notice) that would give either of them the right to terminate the PPA or suspend performance thereunder. (c) Other. Each of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller represents and warrants to each other and to MSCG that:
i. it has made no prior transfer (whether by way of security or otherwise) of any interest in the Assigned Rights and Obligations; and ii. all obligations of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller under the PPA required to be performed on or before the Assignment Period Start Date have been fulfilled. (d) Representations. Each Party represents to each of the other Parties:
i. Status. It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing.
ii. Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
9 Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance. iii. No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the incurrence by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement, will not result in any violation of, or conflict with: (i) any term of any material contract or agreement applicable to it; (ii) any of its charter, bylaws, or other constitutional documents; (iii) any determination or award of any arbitrator applicable to it; or (iv) any license, permit, franchise, judgment, writ, injunction or regulation, decree, order, charter, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Government Agency, applicable to it or any of its assets or properties or to any obligations incurred by it or by which it or any of its assets or properties or obligations are bound or affected, and shall not cause a breach of, or default under, any such term or result in the creation of any lien upon any of its properties or assets. iv. Consents. All consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, registrations, declarations, filings or giving of notice to, obtaining of any licenses or permits from, or taking of any other action with respect to, any Person or Government Agency that are required to have been obtained by such Party with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the due authorization of such Party and its governing body and any approval or consent of any security holder of such Party or any holder (or any trustee for any holder) of any indebtedness or other obligation of such Party, have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with. v. Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).
vi. Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and as to whether this Agreement is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other Parties as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into this Agreement; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Agreement. It is entering into this Agreement as a bona-fide, arm’s-length transaction involving the mutual exchange of consideration and, once executed by all Parties, considers this Agreement a legally enforceable contract. No communication (written or oral) received from any of the other Parties shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of this Agreement. vii. Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
10 understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of this Agreement. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of this Agreement. viii. Status of Parties. None of the other Parties is acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of this Agreement.
7. Counterparts.
This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.
8. Costs and Expenses.
The Parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and as a result of the negotiation, preparation, and execution of this Agreement.
9. Amendments.
No amendment, modification, or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by an electronic transmission) and executed by each of the Parties or confirmed by emails or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.
10. Notices.
Any notice, demand, statement or request required or authorized by this Agreement to be given by one Party to another shall be in writing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. It shall be sent by email transmission, courier, or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service) to each of the notice recipients and addresses for each of the other Parties designated in Appendix 2 hereto. Any such notice, demand, or request shall be deemed to be given (i) when sent by email transmission, or (ii) when actually received if delivered by courier or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service). Each Party shall have the right, upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the other Parties, to change its address at any time, and to designate that copies of all such notices be directed to another person at another address. The Parties may mutually agree in writing at any time to deliver notices, demands or requests through alternate or additional methods.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may at any time notify the other Parties that any notice, demand, statement or request to it must be provided by email transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any communications delivered by means other than email transmission during such time shall be ineffective.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties under this Agreement will be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without reference to any conflicts of laws provisions that would direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws; provided, however, that the authority of PPA Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
11 Buyer to enter into and perform its obligations under this agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state of California.
(b) U.S. Resolution Stay. The Parties hereby confirm that they are adherents to the ISDA 2018 U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol (“ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol”), the terms of the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol are incorporated into and form a part of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be deemed a Protocol Covered Agreement for purposes thereof. For purposes of incorporating the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, MSCG shall be deemed to be a Regulated Entity, and PPA Buyer and PPA Seller each shall be deemed to be an Adhering Party. In the event of any inconsistences between this Agreement and the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol will prevail.
(c) Reserved.
(d) Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by final, non-appealable binding arbitration in San Francisco, California before three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration shall be administered by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of arbitration, each of MSCG and PPA Buyer shall select one person to act as arbitrator, and the two so-selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator (the “chairperson”) within thirty (30) days of the commencement of the arbitration. If either MSCG or PPA Buyer is unable or fails to select one person to act as arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS.
If the MSCG and PPA Buyer-selected arbitrators are unable or fail to agree upon a chairperson, the chairperson shall be appointed by JAMS. The chairperson shall be a person who has experience in renewable energy-related transactions, and none of the arbitrators shall have been previously employed by any Party or have any direct pecuniary interest in any Party or the subject matter of the arbitration, unless such conflict is expressly acknowledged and waived in writing by all of the Parties. The Parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and any award, including any hearing(s), except as may be necessary to prepare for or conduct the arbitration hearing on the merits, or except as necessary in connection with a court application for a preliminary remedy, a judicial challenge to an award or its enforcement, or unless otherwise required by law or judicial decision. Any arbitration proceedings, decision or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) shall have no authority to award consequential, treble, exemplary, or punitive damages of any type or kind regardless of whether such damages may be available under any law or right, with the Parties hereby affirmatively waiving their rights, if any, to recover or claim such damages. In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrators shall award to the prevailing Party or Parties, if any, the costs and attorney’s fees reasonably incurred in seeking to enforce the application of this Section 11(d) and by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(d), any costs incurred by a Party in seeking judicial enforcement of any written decision of the arbitrators shall be chargeable to and borne exclusively by the Party against whom such court order is obtained. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties and judgment upon any award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
12 (e) Judicial Reference. Without limiting the provisions in Section 11(d), if Section 11(d) is deemed ineffective or unenforceable in any respect, any dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its performance, breach, or termination (including the existence, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the applicability of any statute of limitation period) (each, a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Sections 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or their successor sections (a “Reference Proceeding”), which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Dispute. As a condition precedent to initiating a Reference Proceeding with respect to any Dispute, the Parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 11(e)(i).
i. Notice of Dispute. Prior to initiating the Reference Proceeding, a Party (the “Disputing Party”) shall provide the other Parties (the “Responding Parties”) with a written notice of each issue in dispute, a proposed means for resolving each such issue, and support for such position (the “Notice of Dispute”). Within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Dispute, the Responding Parties shall provide the Disputing Party with a written Notice of each additional issue (if any) with respect to the dispute raised by the Notice of Dispute, a proposed means for resolving every issue in dispute, and support for such position (the “Dispute Response”). Thereafter, the Parties shall meet to discuss the matter and attempt in good faith to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute. If the Parties do not resolve the dispute by unanimous agreement within sixty 60 days after receipt of the Dispute Response, (the “Negotiation Period”), then any Party may provide to the other Parties written notice of intent for judicial reference (the “Impasse Notice”) in accordance with the further provisions of this Section 11.
ii. Applicability; Selection of Referees.
(A) Within 10 days of the delivery of an Impasse Notice, each of MSCG and PPA Buyer shall nominate one (1) referee. The two (2) referees (the “Party-Appointed Referees”) shall appoint a third referee (the “Third Referee”, together with the Party-Appointed Referees, the “Referees”). The Party-Appointed Referees shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the electric energy business in the United States, with at least ten (10) years of electric industry experience as a practicing attorney. The Third Referee shall be an active or retired California state or federal judge. Each of the Party-Appointed Referees and the Third Referee shall be impartial and independent of each of the Parties and of the other referees and not employed by any of the Parties in any prior matter. (B) If the Party-Appointed Referees are unable to agree on the Third Referee within 45 days from delivery of the Impasse Notice, then the Third Referee shall be appointed pursuant to CCP Section 640(b) in an action filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Court”), and with due regard given to the selection criteria above. A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the Parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP Section 170.6, each of PPA Buyer and MSCG shall have one (1) peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Court.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
13 iii. Discovery; Proceedings.
(A) The Parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the Reference Proceeding. Accordingly, the referees shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (i) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within 20 days after the date of selection of the Third Referee, (ii) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within 180 days after the date of the conference, and (iii) report a statement of decision within 20 days after the matter has been submitted for decision. (B) Discovery and other pre-hearing procedures shall be conducted as agreed to by the Parties, or if they cannot agree, as determined by the Third Referee after discussion with the Parties regarding the need for discovery and other pre-hearing procedures. (C) Except as expressly set forth herein, the Third Referee shall determine the manner in which the Reference Proceeding is conducted, including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the Reference Proceeding. The Reference Proceeding, including the trial, shall be conducted at a neutral location selected by the Parties, or if not agreed by the Parties, by the Third Referee, in San Francisco, California.
(D) All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referees, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any Party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referees, and the referees will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The Party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter.
iv. Decision. The referees shall render a written statement of decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of CCP Sections 644 and 645. The decision shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if rendered by a judge of the Court. The Parties intend this general reference agreement to be specifically enforceable in accordance with the CCP. v. Expenses. Each of MSCG and PPA Buyer shall bear the compensation and expenses of its respective Party-Appointed Referee, own counsel, witnesses, consultants and employees. All other expenses of judicial reference shall be split equally between MSCG and PPA Buyer.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Signature Page to Limited Assignment Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.
[PPA SELLER]
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL GROUP INC.
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 1 - 1
Appendix 1
Assigned Rights and Obligations
PPA: Renewable Power Purchase Agreement dated as of [____], by and between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller
Assigned Delivery Point: [Facility PNode/Settlement Point (as defined in the PPA)] Further Information: PPA Seller shall continue to transfer the WREGIS Certificates associated with all Renewable Energy Credits corresponding to all Facility Energy under the PPA, provided that the transferee of such WREGIS Certificates may be changed from time to time in accordance with the written instructions of both MSCG and PPA Buyer upon fifteen (15) Business Days’ notice, which change shall be effective as of the first day of the next calendar month, unless otherwise agreed. Terms with initial capitalization used in this paragraph but not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meaning set forth in the PPA. [Include additional requirements, if any]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 2 - 1
Appendix 2
Notice Information
[To be completed before signing.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 3 - 1
Appendix 3
Copy of Power Sales Contract
[To be attached.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LIMITED ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT FOR MSCG AS PPA SUPPLIER This Limited Assignment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [____] by and among Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PPA Seller”), East Bay Community Energy Authority, a joint powers authority and a community choice aggregator organized under the laws of the State of California (“PPA Buyer”), California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority and a public entity of the State of California established pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Article 1, Chapter 5, Division 7, Title 1, Section 6500 et seq. of the California Government Code, as amended) (“Issuer”), and Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“MSES”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, PPA Buyer and PPA Seller are parties to that certain [____], dated as of [____] (the “PPA”);
WHEREAS, in connection with a prepaid electricity transaction between Issuer and MSES, and with effect from and including the Assignment Period Start Date (as defined below), PPA Buyer wishes to transfer by limited assignment to MSES, and MSES wishes to accept the transfer by limited assignment of, the Assigned Rights and Obligations (as defined below) for the duration of the Assignment Period (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSES will receive the Assigned Product and MSES will deliver the Assigned Product to MSES, which will redeliver the Assigned Product to Issuer for ultimate redelivery to PPA Buyer; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSES will assume responsibility for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises above and the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, Issuer, PPA Seller, PPA Buyer and MSES (the “Parties” hereto; each is a “Party”) agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Definitions.
The following terms, when used in this Agreement and identified by the capitalization of the first letter thereof, have the respective meanings set forth below, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph above. “Assigned Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in Appendix 1.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
2 “Assigned Energy” means any Electricity associated with the Assigned Product to be delivered to MSES hereunder pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations. “Assigned Quantity” means all Assigned Product delivered in accordance with the PPA by PPA Seller in each year during the Assignment Period. “Assigned Product” includes all [Specified Source Energy]/[Carbon Free Energy] (as defined in the PPA) associated with the Assigned Quantity. “Assigned Product Price” means the [Energy Price]/[Flat Price] (as defined in the PPA and specified in Appendix 1).
“Assigned Rights and Obligations” means (i) the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive the Assigned Quantity of Assigned Product during the Assignment Period, as such rights may be limited or further described in the “Further Information” section on Appendix 1, and (ii) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, which right and obligation are transferred and conveyed to MSES hereunder.
“Assignment Early Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). “Assignment Period” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a). “Assignment Period End Date” means 11:59:59 p.m. pacific prevailing time on [____]. “Assignment Period Start Date” means [_____].
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal Reserve Bank holiday. A Business Day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. local time for the Party sending a notice, or payment, or performing a specified action. “CAISO Tariff” means the California Independent System Operator Corporation Agreement and Tariff, Business Practice Manuals (BPMs), and Operating Procedures, including the rules, protocols, procedures and standards attached thereto, as the same may be amended or modified from time-to-time and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “Claims” means all claims or actions, threatened or filed, and the resulting losses, damages, expenses, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, and court costs, whether incurred by settlement or otherwise, and whether such claims or actions are threatened or filed prior to or after the termination of this Agreement, in each case arising under, in respect of or related in any way to the PPA or any transaction thereunder, except for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation. “Delivered Product Payment Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 3(a). “Electricity” means three-phase, 60-cycle alternating current electric energy, expressed in megawatt hours (MWh).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
3 “Government Agency” means the United States of America, any state thereof, any municipality, or any local jurisdiction, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, courts, administrative bodies, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies, or instrumentalities.
“Issuer” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Inter-SC Trade” or “IST” has the meaning set forth in the CAISO Tariff. “Month” means a calendar month.
“MSES” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, or Government Agency.
“PPA Buyer” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “PPA Seller” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Prepaid Agreement” means that certain Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement dated as of [____] by and between MSES and Issuer.
“Prepay Power Supply Contract” means that certain Prepay Power Supply Contract dated [____] by and between PPA Buyer and Issuer.
“Receivables” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(e). “Retained Rights and Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 3. “Scheduling Coordinator” or “SC” means an entity certified by the CAISO as qualifying as a Scheduling Coordinator pursuant to the CAISO Tariff for the purposes of undertaking the functions specified in “Responsibilities of a Scheduling Coordinator,” of the CAISO Tariff, as amended from time to time.
2. Transfer and Undertakings.
(a) PPA Buyer hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to MSES all right, title and interest in and to the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive delivery of the Assigned Product during the Assignment Period. In connection with this assignment, PPA Buyer hereby delegates to MSES the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period. (b) PPA Seller hereby consents and agrees to PPA Buyer’s assignment, transfer and conveyance of all right, title and interest in and to the Assigned Product and Assigned Rights and Obligations to MSES and the exercise and performance by MSES of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
4 (c) MSES hereby accepts such assignment, transfer and conveyance of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period and agrees to perform any such Assigned Rights and Obligations due from it during the Assignment Period to the extent expressly set forth in this Agreement.
3. Limited Assignment.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the Assigned Rights and Obligations include only a portion of PPA Buyer’s rights and obligations under the PPA, and that all rights and obligations arising under the PPA that are not expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations shall be “Retained Rights and Obligations”, and (ii) the Retained Rights and Obligations include all rights and obligations of PPA Buyer arising during the Assignment Period except the rights and obligations expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations. In this regard:
(a) Limited to Delivered Product Payment Obligation; Invoicing. i. MSES’s sole obligation to PPA Seller will be to pay the Assigned Product Price to PPA Seller for the Assigned Product delivered during each Month of the Assignment Period on each applicable payment date under Section [4.2] of the Confirmation to the PPA for a quantity determined under this Section 3(a)i (the “Delivered Product Payment Obligation”). PPA Buyer shall remain solely responsible for any payment obligations other than the Delivered Product Payment Obligation due under the PPA during the Assignment Period (the “Retained Payment Obligation”). For purposes of determining the Delivered Product Payment Obligation and other related payment obligations during the Assignment Period, each Party acknowledges and agrees as follows:
(A) the PPA provides for the delivery of the Assigned Quantity on an annual basis, but, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Assigned Quantity shall be settled on a monthly basis by multiplying the [Hourly Quantity (as defined in the PPA)] the number CAISO Energy Delivery Hours (as defined in the PPA) in each month (the “Settlement Monthly Quantity”), for purposes of determining amounts due under this Agreement, the Prepay Power Supply Contract and the Prepaid Agreement for each month of the Assignment Period (as futher described below); (B) regardless of the Assigned Quantity actually delivered in any month during the Assignment Period, (I) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation shall be an amount equal to the result of (x) the Settlement Monthly Quantity, multiplied by (y) the Assigned Product Price; and (II) the payment due from PPA Buyer to Issuer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract shall be an amount equal to the result of (x) the Settlement Monthly Quantity, multiplied by (y) the Contract Price (as defined in the Prepay Power Supply Contract); and
(C) to the extent that (I) an amount less than the Annual Quantity (as defined in the PPA) has been delivered as of the end of December for any year during the Assignment Period or (II) an Assignment Early Termination Date occurs and the Assigned Quantity actually delivered prior to such date is less than the Settlement Monthly Quantity through such date (any such shortfall amount under Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
5 clauses (I) or (II), an “Assigned Shortfall Quantity”), then PPA Buyer will be deemed to have remarketed the Assigned Shortfall Quantity in a Private Business Sale (as defined in Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement), and MSES will record any such Assigned Shortfall Quantity as a Ledger Entry on the Private Business Sales Ledger (as each such term is defined in Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement effective as of the first day of the month of December or the month in which an Assignment Early Termination Date occurs, as applicable; provided in addition that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Prepaid Agreement, MSES shall have no remarketing payment obligations with respect to any such Assigned Shortfall Quantity.
ii. PPA Seller shall deliver each monthly invoice and related supporting data during the Assignment Period to each of PPA Buyer and MSES, and each such invoice shall indicate (A) the total amount due to PPA Seller under the PPA for such Month (the “Monthly Gross Amount”); (B) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation; and (C) the Retained Payment Obligation, which (I) shall be determined by subtracting the Delivered Product Payment Obligation from the Monthly Gross Amount and (II) shall reflect an amount due from PPA Buyer to the extent it is a positive number and an amount due to PPA Buyer to the extent it is a negative number; provided in addition that any payment adjustments or subsequent reconciliations occurring after the date that is 10 days prior to the payment due date for a monthly invoice will be resolved solely between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller. The Delivered Product Payment Obligation and Retained Payment Obligation shall be administered by a custodian who will pay (1) the Monthly Gross Amount to PPA Seller on each payment due date and (2) the absolute value of the Retained Payment Obligation to PPA Buyer to the extent such amount is negative for any given Month.
(b) Retained Rights and Obligations. Any Claims (other than the Delivered Product Payment Obligation or a failure to perform the same) arising or existing in connection with or related to the PPA, whether related to performance by PPA Seller, PPA Buyer or MSES, and whether arising before, during or after the Assignment Period, in each case excluding the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, will be included in the Retained Rights and Obligations and any such Claims will be resolved exclusively between PPA Seller and PPA Buyer in accordance with the PPA.
(c) Scheduling. All scheduling of Electricity associated with Assigned Product and other communications related to the PPA shall take place between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller pursuant to the terms of the PPA; provided that (i) title to Assigned Product will pass to MSES upon delivery by PPA Seller at the Assigned Delivery Point in accordance with the PPA; (ii) immediately thereafter, title to such Assigned Product will pass to MSES, Issuer and then to PPA Buyer upon delivery by MSES at the same point where title is passed to MSES pursuant to clause (i) above; (iii) PPA Buyer will be deemed to be acting as MSES’s agent with regard to scheduling Assigned Energy; provided, however, that PPA Buyer shall be entitled to retain for its own account all CAISO revenues associated with delivery of the Assigned Product to CAISO, including where PPA Buyer is acting as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility (as defined in the PPA) and through scheduling of ISTs; and (iv) (A) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide copies to MSES of (I) any notice of force majeure delivered under the PPA and (II) any notice of a default or of a breach Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
6 or other event that, if not cured within an applicable grace period, could result in a default; (B) PPA Seller will provide copies to MSES of annual forecasts and monthly forecasts and generation reports delivered under the PPA; and (C) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller, as applicable, will provide copies to MSES of any other information reasonably requested by MSES relating to Assigned Product.
(d) Amendments. PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide written notice (including copies thereof) of any amendment, waiver, supplement, modification, or other changes to the PPA to MSES relating to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, and the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change will not have any effect on MSES’s rights or obligations under this Agreement until and unless MSES receives written notice thereof.
(e) Setoff of Receivables. Pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement, MSES has agreed to purchase the rights to payment of the net amounts owed by PPA Buyer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract (“Receivables”) in the case of non-payment by PPA Buyer. To the extent any such Receivables relate to Assigned Product purchased by MSES pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, MSES may transfer such Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) to PPA Seller and apply the face amount of such Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) as a reduction to any Delivered Product Payment Obligations; provided, however, that at no time shall PPA Seller be required to pay MSES for any amounts by which such Receivables exceed any Delivered Product Payment Obligations then due and owed to PPA Seller.
(f) Joinder to Intercreditor Agreement. In connection with the execution of this Agreement and as a condition precedent to the effectiveness hereof, Issuer shall execute a joinder to the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement (as defined in the PPA), which will provide Issuer with certain rights under the Security Documents (as defined in the PPA). PPA Buyer agrees that it shall make payments with respect to the Assigned Quantity to Issuer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract on the 20th or preceding business day of the month following deliveries consistent with the terms thereof, and such payments will be made from PPA Buyer’s available funds not pledged to the Special Fund (as defined in the PPA); provided that, in the event PPA Buyer fails to make any such payment when due, PPA Buyer shall cause such payment due to Issuer to be included as Regular Charges (as defined in the Security Documents) on the first Distribution Date Certificate (as defined in the Security Documents) to be issued thereafter. If PPA Buyer fails to do so, Issuer shall dispute such Distribution Date Certificate and otherwise pursue its rights to payment thereon pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement. To the extent Issuer receives any amounts under the Security Documents or Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement in respect of any Receivables purchased by MSES, Issuer shall (i) hold such amounts in trust for the benefit of MSES, (ii) promptly notify MSES thereof and (iii) promptly remit such amounts directly to an account specified by MSES.
4. Forward Contract.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
7 The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes a “forward contract” and that the Parties shall constitute “forward contract merchants” within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
5. Assignment Period; Assignment Early Termination.
(a) Assignment Period. The “Assignment Period” shall begin on the Assignment Period Start Date and extend until the Assignment Period End Date; provided that in no event shall the Assignment Period extend past an Assignment Early Termination Date. (b) Early Termination. An “Assignment Early Termination Date” will occur under the following circumstances and as of the dates specified below:
i. the assignment of the Prepay Power Supply Contract by PPA Buyer or Issuer pursuant to Article XIII thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of such assignment;
ii. the suspension, expiration, or termination of performance of the PPA by either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller for any reason other than the occurrence of Force Majeure under and as defined in the PPA, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of PPA Seller’s last performance under the PPA following such suspension, expiration, or termination;
iii. the election of MSES in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date as a result of (a) any event or circumstance that would give either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller the right to terminate or suspend performance under the PPA (regardless of whether PPA Buyer or PPA Seller exercises such right) or (b) the execution of an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change to the PPA that adversely affects the Assigned Rights and Obligations or MSES’s rights or obligations under this Agreement (provided that MSES shall not have a right to terminate under this clause (b) to the extent that MSES (i) receives prior notice of such change and (ii) provides its written consent thereto), which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by MSES to PPA Buyer and PPA Seller;
iv. termination or suspension of deliveries for any reason other than force majeure under the Prepaid Agreement or Prepay Power Supply Contract, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of the last deliveries under the relevant contract following such suspension or termination; v. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if MSES fails to pay when due any amounts owed to PPA Seller in respect of any Delivered Product Payment Obligation and such failure continues for five Business Days following receipt by MSES of written notice thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSES, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable;
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
8 vi. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if either (a) an involuntary case or other proceeding is commenced against MSES seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed, or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing is entered and continued unstayed and in effect, in any such event, for a period of 60 days, or (b) MSES commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or MSES consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of MSES or any substantial part of its property, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the earliest date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSES, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable;
vii. either MSES or PPA Buyer may designate an Assignment Early Termination Date with written notice to the other Parties to the extent that MSES and PPA Buyer have mutually agreed upon a replacement Assignment Agreement (as defined in the Prepay Power Supply Contract) that will replace the Assigned Rights and Obligations hereunder immediately following the termination hereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur effective as of the end of the Month preceding the commencement of the “Assignment Period” under the replacement Assignment Agreement as specified in the notice from MSES or PPA Buyer to the other Parties; and viii. PPA Buyer may deliver written notice of termination to the other Parties if any change, event or effect occurs, including but not limited a change in applicable laws or regulations, any issues with the PPA Seller or the PPA, a dispute under the PPA or other similar circumstance, that individually or collectively have or are reasonably expected by PPA Buyer to have a material adverse effect upon (A) the PPA Buyer, (B) its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Prepay Power Supply Contract, or the PPA, or (C) the benefit the PPA Buyer is receiving by assigning the Assigned Rights and Obligations, with such Assignment Early Termination Date to be the date set forth in a written notice delivered by PPA Buyer to the other Parties; provided that (x) PPA Buyer will provide notice to the other Parties as soon as is reasonably possible that PPA Buyer anticipates exercising this termination right, and (y) PPA Buyer shall exercise commercially Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
9 reasonable efforts to propose and agree with MSES upon a replacement Assignment Agreement prior to exercising this termination right.
(c) Reversion of Assigned Rights and Obligations. The parties acknowledge and agree that upon the occurrence of an Assignment Early Termination Date the Assigned Rights and Obligations will revert from MSES to PPA Buyer. Any Assigned Rights and Obligations that would become due for payment or performance on or after such Assignment Early Termination Date shall immediately and automatically revert from MSES to PPA Buyer, provided that (i) MSES shall remain responsible for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation with respect to any Assigned Product delivered to MSES prior to the Assignment Early Termination Date, and (ii) any legal restrictions on the effectiveness of such reversion (whether arising under bankruptcy law or otherwise) shall not affect the occurrence of the Assignment Early Termination Date.
6. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Copy of PPA. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSES that a true, complete, and correct copy of the PPA is attached hereto as Appendix 3. (b) No Default. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSES that no event or circumstance exists (or would exist with the passage of time or the giving of notice) that would give either of them the right to terminate the PPA or suspend performance thereunder. (c) Other. Each of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller represents and warrants to each other and to MSES that:
i. it has made no prior transfer (whether by way of security or otherwise) of any interest in the Assigned Rights and Obligations; and ii. all obligations of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller under the PPA required to be performed on or before the Assignment Period Start Date have been fulfilled. (d) Representations. Each Party represents to each of the other Parties:
i. Status. It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing.
ii. Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance. iii. No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the incurrence by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement, will not result in any violation of, or conflict with: (i) any term of any material contract or agreement applicable to it; (ii) any of its charter, bylaws, or other constitutional documents; (iii) any Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
10 determination or award of any arbitrator applicable to it; or (iv) any license, permit, franchise, judgment, writ, injunction or regulation, decree, order, charter, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Government Agency, applicable to it or any of its assets or properties or to any obligations incurred by it or by which it or any of its assets or properties or obligations are bound or affected, and shall not cause a breach of, or default under, any such term or result in the creation of any lien upon any of its properties or assets. iv. Consents. All consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, registrations, declarations, filings or giving of notice to, obtaining of any licenses or permits from, or taking of any other action with respect to, any Person or Government Agency that are required to have been obtained by such Party with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the due authorization of such Party and its governing body and any approval or consent of any security holder of such Party or any holder (or any trustee for any holder) of any indebtedness or other obligation of such Party, have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with. v. Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).
vi. Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and as to whether this Agreement is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other Parties as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into this Agreement; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Agreement. It is entering into this Agreement as a bona-fide, arm’s-length transaction involving the mutual exchange of consideration and, once executed by all Parties, considers this Agreement a legally enforceable contract. No communication (written or oral) received from any of the other Parties shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of this Agreement. vii. Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of this Agreement. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of this Agreement. viii. Status of Parties. None of the other Parties is acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of this Agreement.
7. Counterparts.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
11 This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.
8. Costs and Expenses.
The Parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and as a result of the negotiation, preparation, and execution of this Agreement.
9. Amendments.
No amendment, modification, or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by an electronic transmission) and executed by each of the Parties or confirmed by emails or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.
10. Notices.
Any notice, demand, statement or request required or authorized by this Agreement to be given by one Party to another shall be in writing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. It shall be sent by email transmission, courier, or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service) to each of the notice recipients and addresses for each of the other Parties designated in Appendix 2 hereto. Any such notice, demand, or request shall be deemed to be given (i) when sent by email transmission, or (ii) when actually received if delivered by courier or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service). Each Party shall have the right, upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the other Parties, to change its address at any time, and to designate that copies of all such notices be directed to another person at another address. The Parties may mutually agree in writing at any time to deliver notices, demands or requests through alternate or additional methods.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may at any time notify the other Parties that any notice, demand, statement or request to it must be provided by email transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any communications delivered by means other than email transmission during such time shall be ineffective.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties under this Agreement will be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without reference to any conflicts of laws provisions that would direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws; provided, however, that the authority of PPA Buyer to enter into and perform its obligations under this agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state of California.
(b) U.S. Resolution Stay. The Parties hereby confirm that they are adherents to the ISDA 2018 U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol (“ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol”), the terms of the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol are incorporated into and form a part of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be deemed a Protocol Covered Agreement for purposes thereof. For purposes of incorporating the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, MSES and PPA Seller shall each be deemed to be a Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
12 Regulated Entity, and PPA Buyer shall be deemed to be an Adhering Party. In the event of any inconsistences between this Agreement and the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol will prevail.
(c) Reserved.
(d) Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by final, non-appealable binding arbitration in San Francisco, California before three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration shall be administered by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of arbitration, each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall select one person to act as arbitrator, and the two so-selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator (the “chairperson”) within thirty (30) days of the commencement of the arbitration. If either PPA Seller or PPA Buyer is unable or fails to select one person to act as arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS. If the PPA Seller and PPA Buyer-selected arbitrators are unable or fail to agree upon a chairperson, the chairperson shall be appointed by JAMS. The chairperson shall be a person who has experience in renewable energy-related transactions, and none of the arbitrators shall have been previously employed by any Party or have any direct pecuniary interest in any Party or the subject matter of the arbitration, unless such conflict is expressly acknowledged and waived in writing by all of the Parties. The Parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and any award, including any hearing(s), except as may be necessary to prepare for or conduct the arbitration hearing on the merits, or except as necessary in connection with a court application for a preliminary remedy, a judicial challenge to an award or its enforcement, or unless otherwise required by law or judicial decision. Any arbitration proceedings, decision or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) shall have no authority to award consequential, treble, exemplary, or punitive damages of any type or kind regardless of whether such damages may be available under any law or right, with the Parties hereby affirmatively waiving their rights, if any, to recover or claim such damages. In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrators shall award to the prevailing Party or Parties, if any, the costs and attorney’s fees reasonably incurred in seeking to enforce the application of this Section 11(d) and by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(d), any costs incurred by a Party in seeking judicial enforcement of any written decision of the arbitrators shall be chargeable to and borne exclusively by the Party against whom such court order is obtained. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties and judgment upon any award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Judicial Reference. Without limiting the provisions in Section 11(d), if Section 11(d) is deemed ineffective or unenforceable in any respect, any dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its performance, breach, or termination (including the existence, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the applicability of any statute of limitation period) (each, a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Sections 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or their successor sections (a “Reference Proceeding”), which shall constitute the Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
13 exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Dispute. As a condition precedent to initiating a Reference Proceeding with respect to any Dispute, the Parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 11(e)(i).
i. Notice of Dispute. Prior to initiating the Reference Proceeding, a Party (the “Disputing Party”) shall provide the other Parties (the “Responding Parties”) with a written notice of each issue in dispute, a proposed means for resolving each such issue, and support for such position (the “Notice of Dispute”). Within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Dispute, the Responding Parties shall provide the Disputing Party with a written Notice of each additional issue (if any) with respect to the dispute raised by the Notice of Dispute, a proposed means for resolving every issue in dispute, and support for such position (the “Dispute Response”). Thereafter, the Parties shall meet to discuss the matter and attempt in good faith to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute. If the Parties do not resolve the dispute by unanimous agreement within sixty 60 days after receipt of the Dispute Response, (the “Negotiation Period”), then any Party may provide to the other Parties written notice of intent for judicial reference (the “Impasse Notice”) in accordance with the further provisions of this Section 11.
ii. Applicability; Selection of Referees.
(A) Within 10 days of the delivery of an Impasse Notice, each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall nominate one (1) referee. The two (2) referees (the “Party-Appointed Referees”) shall appoint a third referee (the “Third Referee”, together with the Party-Appointed Referees, the “Referees”). The Party-Appointed Referees shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the electric energy business in the United States, with at least ten (10) years of electric industry experience as a practicing attorney. The Third Referee shall be an active or retired California state or federal judge. Each of the Party-Appointed Referees and the Third Referee shall be impartial and independent of each of the Parties and of the other referees and not employed by any of the Parties in any prior matter. (B) If the Party-Appointed Referees are unable to agree on the Third Referee within 45 days from delivery of the Impasse Notice, then the Third Referee shall be appointed pursuant to CCP Section 640(b) in an action filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Court”), and with due regard given to the selection criteria above. A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the Parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP Section 170.6, each of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller shall have one (1) peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Court.
iii. Discovery; Proceedings.
(A) The Parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the Reference Proceeding. Accordingly, the referees shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (i) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within 20 days after the date of Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
14 selection of the Third Referee, (ii) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within 180 days after the date of the conference, and (iii) report a statement of decision within 20 days after the matter has been submitted for decision. (B) Discovery and other pre-hearing procedures shall be conducted as agreed to by the Parties, or if they cannot agree, as determined by the Third Referee after discussion with the Parties regarding the need for discovery and other pre-hearing procedures. (C) Except as expressly set forth herein, the Third Referee shall determine the manner in which the Reference Proceeding is conducted, including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the Reference Proceeding. The Reference Proceeding, including the trial, shall be conducted at a neutral location selected by the Parties, or if not agreed by the Parties, by the Third Referee, in San Francisco, California.
(D) All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referees, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any Party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referees, and the referees will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The Party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter.
iv. Decision. The referees shall render a written statement of decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of CCP Sections 644 and 645. The decision shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if rendered by a judge of the Court. The Parties intend this general reference agreement to be specifically enforceable in accordance with the CCP. v. Expenses. Each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall bear the compensation and expenses of its respective Party-Appointed Referee, own counsel, witnesses, consultants and employees. All other expenses of judicial reference shall be split equally between PPA Seller and PPA Buyer.
(f) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all obligations of Issuer under this Agreement, including without limitation all obligations to make payments of any kind whatsoever, are special, limited obligations of Issuer, payable solely from the Trust Estate (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) as and to the extent provided in the Bond Indenture, including with respect to Operating Expenses (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture). Issuer shall not be required to advance any moneys derived from any source other than the Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) and other assets pledged under the Bond Indenture for any of the purposes in this Agreement mentioned. Neither the faith and credit of Issuer nor the taxing power of the State of California or any political subdivision Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
15 thereof is pledged to payments pursuant to this Agreement. Issuer shall not be directly, indirectly, contingently or otherwise liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims or actions, of any conceivable kind on any conceivable theory, under or by reasons of or in connection with this Agreement, except solely to the extent Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) are received for the payment thereof and may be applied therefor pursuant to the terms of the Bond Indenture
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Signature Page to Limited Assignment Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL GROUP INC.
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 1 - 1
Appendix 1
Assigned Rights and Obligations
PPA: Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of [____] and the Confirmation thereunder dated as of [____], by and between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller Assigned Delivery Point: [NP15 EZ GEN HUB)]
Assigned Product Price: [To list applicable Energy Price or Flat Price specified in the PPA] Further Information: [Include additional requirements, if any] Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 2 - 1
Appendix 2
Notice Information
[To be completed before signing.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
Appendix 3 - 1
Appendix 3
Copy of Power Sales Contract
[To be attached.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15D
HB Draft 7 April 2022
LIMITED ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This Limited Assignment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [____], 2022 by and among Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PPA Seller”), East Bay Community Energy Authority, a joint powers authority and a community choice aggregator organized under the laws of the State of California (“PPA Buyer”), California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority and a public entity of the State of California established pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Article 1, Chapter 5, Division 7, Title 1, Section 6500 et seq. of the California Government Code, as amended) (“Issuer”), and Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“MSES”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, PPA Buyer and PPA Seller are parties to that certain Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement dated [____], 20[__] and the Specified Source Product Confirmation thereunder dated as of the date hereof (the “PPA”);
WHEREAS, in connection with a prepaid electricity transaction between Issuer and MSES, and with effect from and including the Assignment Period Start Date (as defined below), PPA Buyer wishes to transfer by limited assignment to MSES, and MSES wishes to accept the transfer by limited assignment of, the Assigned Rights and Obligations (as defined below) for the duration of the Assignment Period (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSES will receive the Assigned Product and MSES will deliver the Assigned Product to MSES, which will redeliver the Assigned Product to Issuer for ultimate redelivery to PPA Buyer; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, MSES will assume responsibility for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises above and the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, Issuer, PPA Seller, PPA Buyer and MSES (the “Parties” hereto; each is a “Party”) agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Definitions.
The following terms, when used in this Agreement and identified by the capitalization of the first letter thereof, have the respective meanings set forth below, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph above. “Assigned Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in Appendix 1.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
2 “Assigned Energy” means any Electricity associated with the Assigned Product to be delivered to MSES hereunder pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations. “Assigned Quantity” means all Assigned Product delivered in accordance with the PPA by PPA Seller in each year during the Assignment Period. “Assigned Product” includes all Specified Source Energy and Carbon Free Energy (as such terms are defined in the PPA) associated with the Assigned Quantity. “Assigned Product Price” means the Energy Price (as defined in the PPA and specified in Appendix 1).
“Assigned Rights and Obligations” means (i) the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive the Assigned Quantity of Assigned Product during the Assignment Period, as such rights may be limited or further described in the “Further Information” section on Appendix 1, and (ii) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, which right and obligation are transferred and conveyed to MSES hereunder.
“Assignment Early Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b). “Assignment Period” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a). “Assignment Period End Date” means 11:59:59 p.m. pacific prevailing time on [____], 20[__].
“Assignment Period Start Date” means means 00:00 pacific prevailing time on [____], 2022.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal Reserve Bank holiday. A Business Day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. local time for the Party sending a notice, or payment, or performing a specified action. “CAISO Tariff” means the California Independent System Operator Corporation Agreement and Tariff, Business Practice Manuals (BPMs), and Operating Procedures, including the rules, protocols, procedures and standards attached thereto, as the same may be amended or modified from time-to-time and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “Claims” means all claims or actions, threatened or filed, and the resulting losses, damages, expenses, attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, and court costs, whether incurred by settlement or otherwise, and whether such claims or actions are threatened or filed prior to or after the termination of this Agreement, in each case arising under, in respect of or related in any way to the PPA or any transaction thereunder, except for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation. “Delivered Product Payment Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 3(a).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
3 “Electricity” means three-phase, 60-cycle alternating current electric energy, expressed in megawatt hours (MWh).
“Government Agency” means the United States of America, any state thereof, any municipality, or any local jurisdiction, or any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, courts, administrative bodies, departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, agencies, or instrumentalities.
“Issuer” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Inter-SC Trade” or “IST” has the meaning set forth in the CAISO Tariff. “Month” means a calendar month.
“MSES” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, or Government Agency.
“PPA Buyer” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “PPA Seller” has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Agreement. “Prepaid Agreement” means that certain Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between MSES and Issuer.
“Prepay Power Supply Contract” means that certain Prepay Power Supply Contract dated as of the date hereof by and between PPA Buyer and Issuer. “Receivables” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(e). “Retained Rights and Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 3. “Scheduling Coordinator” or “SC” means an entity certified by the CAISO as qualifying as a Scheduling Coordinator pursuant to the CAISO Tariff for the purposes of undertaking the functions specified in “Responsibilities of a Scheduling Coordinator,” of the CAISO Tariff, as amended from time to time.
2. Transfer and Undertakings.
(a) PPA Buyer hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to MSES all right, title and interest in and to the rights of PPA Buyer under the PPA to receive delivery of the Assigned Product during the Assignment Period. In connection with this assignment, PPA Buyer hereby delegates to MSES the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period. (b) PPA Seller hereby consents and agrees to PPA Buyer’s assignment, transfer and conveyance of all right, title and interest in and to the Assigned Product and Assigned Rights and Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
4 Obligations to MSES and the exercise and performance by MSES of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period.
(c) MSES hereby accepts such assignment, transfer and conveyance of the Assigned Rights and Obligations during the Assignment Period and agrees to perform any such Assigned Rights and Obligations due from it during the Assignment Period to the extent expressly set forth in this Agreement.
3. Limited Assignment.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the Assigned Rights and Obligations include only a portion of PPA Buyer’s rights and obligations under the PPA, and that all rights and obligations arising under the PPA that are not expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations shall be “Retained Rights and Obligations”, and (ii) the Retained Rights and Obligations include all rights and obligations of PPA Buyer arising during the Assignment Period except the rights and obligations expressly included in the Assigned Rights and Obligations. In this regard:
(a) Limited to Delivered Product Payment Obligation; Invoicing. i. MSES’s sole obligation to PPA Seller will be to pay the Assigned Product Price to PPA Seller for the Assigned Product delivered during each Month of the Assignment Period on each applicable payment date under Section 5.2 of the Confirmation to the PPA for a quantity determined under this Section 3(a)i (the “Delivered Product Payment Obligation”). PPA Buyer shall remain solely responsible for any payment obligations other than the Delivered Product Payment Obligation due under the PPA during the Assignment Period (the “Retained Payment Obligation”). For purposes of determining the Delivered Product Payment Obligation and other related payment obligations during the Assignment Period, each Party acknowledges and agrees as follows:
(A) the PPA provides for the delivery of the Assigned Quantity on an annual basis, but, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Assigned Quantity shall be settled on a monthly basis by multiplying the [Hourly Quantity (as defined in the PPA)] the number CAISO Energy Delivery Hours (as defined in the PPA) in each month (the “Settlement Monthly Quantity”), for purposes of determining amounts due under this Agreement, the Prepay Power Supply Contract and the Prepaid Agreement for each month of the Assignment Period (as futher described below); (B) regardless of the Assigned Quantity actually delivered in any month during the Assignment Period, (I) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation shall be an amount equal to the result of (x) the Settlement Monthly Quantity, multiplied by (y) the Assigned Product Price; and (II) the payment due from PPA Buyer to Issuer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract shall be an amount equal to the result of (x) the Settlement Monthly Quantity, multiplied by (y) the Contract Price (as defined in the Prepay Power Supply Contract); and
(C) to the extent that (I) an amount less than the Annual Quantity (as defined in the PPA) has been delivered as of the end of December for any year Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
5 during the Assignment Period or (II) an Assignment Early Termination Date occurs and the Assigned Quantity actually delivered prior to such date is less than the Settlement Monthly Quantity through such date (any such shortfall amount under clauses (I) or (II), an “Assigned Shortfall Quantity”), then PPA Buyer will be deemed to have remarketed the Assigned Shortfall Quantity in a Private Business Sale (as defined in Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement), and MSES will record any such Assigned Shortfall Quantity as a Ledger Entry on the Private Business Sales Ledger (as each such term is defined in Exhibit C to the Prepaid Agreement effective as of the first day of the month of December or the month in which an Assignment Early Termination Date occurs, as applicable; provided in addition that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Prepaid Agreement, MSES shall have no remarketing payment obligations with respect to any such Assigned Shortfall Quantity.
ii. PPA Seller shall deliver each monthly invoice and related supporting data during the Assignment Period to each of PPA Buyer and MSES, and each such invoice shall indicate (A) the total amount due to PPA Seller under the PPA for such Month (the “Monthly Gross Amount”); (B) the Delivered Product Payment Obligation; and (C) the Retained Payment Obligation, which (I) shall be determined by subtracting the Delivered Product Payment Obligation from the Monthly Gross Amount and (II) shall reflect an amount due from PPA Buyer to the extent it is a positive number and an amount due to PPA Buyer to the extent it is a negative number; provided in addition that any payment adjustments or subsequent reconciliations occurring after the date that is 10 days prior to the payment due date for a monthly invoice will be resolved solely between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller. The Delivered Product Payment Obligation and Retained Payment Obligation shall be administered by a custodian who will pay (1) the Monthly Gross Amount to PPA Seller on each payment due date and (2) the absolute value of the Retained Payment Obligation to PPA Buyer to the extent such amount is negative for any given Month.
(b) Retained Rights and Obligations. Any Claims (other than the Delivered Product Payment Obligation or a failure to perform the same) arising or existing in connection with or related to the PPA, whether related to performance by PPA Seller, PPA Buyer or MSES, and whether arising before, during or after the Assignment Period, in each case excluding the Delivered Product Payment Obligation, will be included in the Retained Rights and Obligations and any such Claims will be resolved exclusively between PPA Seller and PPA Buyer in accordance with the PPA.
(c) Scheduling. All scheduling of Electricity associated with Assigned Product and other communications related to the PPA shall take place between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller pursuant to the terms of the PPA; provided that (i) title to Assigned Product will pass to MSES upon delivery by PPA Seller at the Assigned Delivery Point in accordance with the PPA; (ii) immediately thereafter, title to such Assigned Product will pass to MSES, Issuer and then to PPA Buyer upon delivery by MSES at the same point where title is passed to MSES pursuant to clause (i) above; (iii) PPA Buyer will be deemed to be acting as MSES’s agent with regard to scheduling Assigned Energy; provided, however, that PPA Buyer shall be entitled to retain for its own account all CAISO revenues associated with delivery of the Assigned Product to CAISO, including where Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
6 PPA Buyer is acting as Scheduling Coordinator for the Facility (as defined in the PPA) and through scheduling of ISTs; and (iv) (A) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide copies to MSES of (I) any notice of force majeure delivered under the PPA and (II) any notice of a default or of a breach or other event that, if not cured within an applicable grace period, could result in a default; (B) PPA Seller will provide copies to MSES of annual forecasts and monthly forecasts and generation reports delivered under the PPA; and (C) PPA Buyer and PPA Seller, as applicable, will provide copies to MSES of any other information reasonably requested by MSES relating to Assigned Product.
(d) Amendments. PPA Buyer and PPA Seller will provide written notice (including copies thereof) of any amendment, waiver, supplement, modification, or other changes to the PPA to MSES relating to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, and the Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change will not have any effect on MSES’s rights or obligations under this Agreement until and unless MSES receives written notice thereof.
(e) Setoff of Receivables. Pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement, MSES has agreed to purchase the rights to payment of the net amounts owed by PPA Buyer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract (“Receivables”) in the case of non-payment by PPA Buyer. To the extent any such Receivables relate to Assigned Product purchased by MSES pursuant to the Assigned Rights and Obligations, MSES may transfer such Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) to PPA Seller and apply the face amount of such Receivables (excluding any penalties, late payment fees, late payment interest or other fees, costs or interest included in such Receivables) as a reduction to any Delivered Product Payment Obligations; provided, however, that at no time shall PPA Seller be required to pay MSES for any amounts by which such Receivables exceed any Delivered Product Payment Obligations then due and owed to PPA Seller.
(f) Joinder to Intercreditor Agreement. In connection with the execution of this Agreement and as a condition precedent to the effectiveness hereof, Issuer shall execute a joinder to that certain Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of [____], 20[__], by and among River City Bank, as Collateral Agent, the PPA Providers from time to time party thereto and [Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority] (the “Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement”), which will provide Issuer with certain rights as a PPA Provider and Secured Creditor under the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement), and the Control Agreement (as defined in the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement) (collectively, the “Security Documents”) for the portion of the payments under the Prepay Power Supply Contract with respect to the Assigned Quantity. The Prepay Power Supply Contract shall have the same meaning as “Power Purchase Agreement” under the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement. PPA Buyer agrees that it shall make payments with respect to the Assigned Quantity to Issuer under the Prepay Power Supply Contract on the 20th or preceding business day of the month following deliveries consistent with the terms thereof, and such payments will not be made through the Lockbox Account (as defined in the Security Agreement) but will be made from PPA Buyer’s available funds not pledged as Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement); provided that, in the event PPA Buyer fails to make any such payment when due under Prepay Power Supply Contract with respect to the Assigned Quantity, upon written request of Issuer, PPA Buyer shall Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
7 cause such payment due to Issuer to be included as Regular Charges (as defined in the Security Agreement) on the first Distribution Date Certificate (as defined in the Security Agreement) to be issued at least ten (10) or more Business Days thereafter. If PPA Buyer fails to do so, Issuer may dispute such Distribution Date Certificate and otherwise pursue its rights to payment thereon pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement. To the extent Issuer receives any amounts under the Security Documents or Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement in respect of any Receivables purchased by MSES, Issuer shall (i) hold such amounts in trust for the benefit of MSES, (ii) promptly notify MSES thereof and (iii) promptly remit such amounts directly to an account specified by MSES. Issuer’s rights as a Secured Creditor and PPA Provider under the Security Documents (x) are limited to amounts owed in connection with the Assigned Quantity, (y) shall terminate automatically following the end of the Assignment Period, subject to payment of any amounts then owing to Issuer pursuant to the Prepay Power Supply Contract in connection with the Assigned Quantity, and (z) upon written request from PPA Buyer, provided that PPA Buyer has no further obligations to Issuer, under the Prepay Power Supply Contract, Issuer shall provide a written termination statement as described under Section 7.12(d) of the Security Agreement consenting to termination of Issuer’s rights as a Secured Creditor under the Security Documents, including with respect to the Collateral, and Issuer agrees that such written termination statement shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.
4. Forward Contract.
The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement constitutes a “forward contract” and that the Parties shall constitute “forward contract merchants” within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
5. Assignment Period; Assignment Early Termination.
(a) Assignment Period. The “Assignment Period” shall begin on the Assignment Period Start Date and extend until the Assignment Period End Date; provided that in no event shall the Assignment Period extend past an Assignment Early Termination Date. (b) Early Termination. An “Assignment Early Termination Date” will occur under the following circumstances and as of the dates specified below:
i. the assignment of the Prepay Power Supply Contract by PPA Buyer or Issuer pursuant to Article XIII thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of such assignment;
ii. the suspension, expiration, or termination of performance of the PPA by either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller for any reason other than the occurrence of Force Majeure under and as defined in the PPA, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of PPA Seller’s last performance under the PPA following such suspension, expiration, or termination;
iii. the election of MSES in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date as a result of (a) any event or circumstance that would give either PPA Buyer or PPA Seller the right to terminate or suspend performance under the PPA (regardless of whether PPA Buyer or PPA Seller exercises such right) or (b) the execution Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
8 of an amendment, waiver, supplement, modification or other change to the PPA that adversely affects the Assigned Rights and Obligations or MSES’s rights or obligations under this Agreement (provided that MSES shall not have a right to terminate under this clause (b) to the extent that MSES (i) receives prior notice of such change and (ii) provides its written consent thereto), which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by MSES to PPA Buyer and PPA Seller;
iv. termination or suspension of deliveries for any reason other than force majeure under the Prepaid Agreement or Prepay Power Supply Contract, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur immediately as of the time of the last deliveries under the relevant contract following such suspension or termination; v. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if MSES fails to pay when due any amounts owed to PPA Seller in respect of any Delivered Product Payment Obligation and such failure continues for five Business Days following receipt by MSES of written notice thereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSES, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable;
vi. the election of PPA Seller or PPA Buyer in its sole discretion to declare an Assignment Early Termination Date if either (a) an involuntary case or other proceeding is commenced against MSES seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed, or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing is entered and continued unstayed and in effect, in any such event, for a period of 60 days, or (b) MSES commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent, or MSES consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or consents to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of MSES or any substantial part of its property, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur upon the earliest date set forth in a written notice of such election delivered by PPA Seller or PPA Buyer, as applicable, to MSES, and with a copy to PPA Buyer or PPA Seller, as applicable;
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
9 vii. either MSES or PPA Buyer may designate an Assignment Early Termination Date with written notice to the other Parties to the extent that MSES and PPA Buyer have mutually agreed upon a replacement Assignment Agreement (as defined in the Prepay Power Supply Contract) that will replace the Assigned Rights and Obligations hereunder immediately following the termination hereof, which Assignment Early Termination Date shall occur effective as of the end of the Month preceding the commencement of the “Assignment Period” under the replacement Assignment Agreement as specified in the notice from MSES or PPA Buyer to the other Parties; and viii. PPA Buyer may deliver written notice of termination to the other Parties if any change, event or effect occurs, including but not limited a change in applicable laws or regulations, any issues with the PPA Seller or the PPA, a dispute under the PPA or other similar circumstance, that individually or collectively have or are reasonably expected by PPA Buyer to have a material adverse effect upon (A) the PPA Buyer, (B) its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Prepay Power Supply Contract, or the PPA, or (C) the benefit the PPA Buyer is receiving by assigning the Assigned Rights and Obligations, with such Assignment Early Termination Date to be the date set forth in a written notice delivered by PPA Buyer to the other Parties; provided that (x) PPA Buyer will provide notice to the other Parties as soon as is reasonably possible that PPA Buyer anticipates exercising this termination right, and (y) PPA Buyer shall exercise commercially reasonable efforts to propose and agree with MSES upon a replacement Assignment Agreement prior to exercising this termination right.
(c) Reversion of Assigned Rights and Obligations. The parties acknowledge and agree that upon the occurrence of an Assignment Early Termination Date the Assigned Rights and Obligations will revert from MSES to PPA Buyer. Any Assigned Rights and Obligations that would become due for payment or performance on or after such Assignment Early Termination Date shall immediately and automatically revert from MSES to PPA Buyer, provided that (i) MSES shall remain responsible for the Delivered Product Payment Obligation with respect to any Assigned Product delivered to MSES prior to the Assignment Early Termination Date, and (ii) any legal restrictions on the effectiveness of such reversion (whether arising under bankruptcy law or otherwise) shall not affect the occurrence of the Assignment Early Termination Date.
6. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Copy of PPA. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSES that a true, complete, and correct copy of the PPA is attached hereto as Appendix 3. (b) No Default. PPA Seller and PPA Buyer represent and warrant to MSES that no event or circumstance exists (or would exist with the passage of time or the giving of notice) that would give either of them the right to terminate the PPA or suspend performance thereunder. (c) Other. Each of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller represents and warrants to each other and to MSES that:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
10 i. it has made no prior transfer (whether by way of security or otherwise) of any interest in the Assigned Rights and Obligations; and ii. all obligations of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller under the PPA required to be performed on or before the Assignment Period Start Date have been fulfilled. (d) Representations. Each Party represents to each of the other Parties:
i. Status. It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing.
ii. Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance. iii. No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the incurrence by such Party of its obligations under this Agreement, will not result in any violation of, or conflict with: (i) any term of any material contract or agreement applicable to it; (ii) any of its charter, bylaws, or other constitutional documents; (iii) any determination or award of any arbitrator applicable to it; or (iv) any license, permit, franchise, judgment, writ, injunction or regulation, decree, order, charter, law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Government Agency, applicable to it or any of its assets or properties or to any obligations incurred by it or by which it or any of its assets or properties or obligations are bound or affected, and shall not cause a breach of, or default under, any such term or result in the creation of any lien upon any of its properties or assets. iv. Consents. All consents, approvals, orders or authorizations of, registrations, declarations, filings or giving of notice to, obtaining of any licenses or permits from, or taking of any other action with respect to, any Person or Government Agency that are required to have been obtained by such Party with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the due authorization of such Party and its governing body and any approval or consent of any security holder of such Party or any holder (or any trustee for any holder) of any indebtedness or other obligation of such Party, have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with. v. Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
11 vi. Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and as to whether this Agreement is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other Parties as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into this Agreement; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into this Agreement. It is entering into this Agreement as a bona-fide, arm’s-length transaction involving the mutual exchange of consideration and, once executed by all Parties, considers this Agreement a legally enforceable contract. No communication (written or oral) received from any of the other Parties shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of this Agreement. vii. Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of this Agreement. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of this Agreement. viii. Status of Parties. None of the other Parties is acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of this Agreement.
7. Counterparts.
This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.
8. Costs and Expenses.
The Parties will each pay their own costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and as a result of the negotiation, preparation, and execution of this Agreement.
9. Amendments.
No amendment, modification, or waiver in respect of this Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidenced by an electronic transmission) and executed by each of the Parties or confirmed by emails or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.
10. Notices.
Any notice, demand, statement or request required or authorized by this Agreement to be given by one Party to another shall be in writing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. It shall be sent by email transmission, courier, or personal delivery (including overnight delivery service) to each of the notice recipients and addresses for each of the other Parties designated in Appendix 2 hereto. Any such notice, demand, or request shall be deemed to be given (i) when sent by email transmission, or (ii) when actually received if delivered by courier or personal delivery (including Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
12 overnight delivery service). Each Party shall have the right, upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the other Parties, to change its address at any time, and to designate that copies of all such notices be directed to another person at another address. The Parties may mutually agree in writing at any time to deliver notices, demands or requests through alternate or additional methods.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may at any time notify the other Parties that any notice, demand, statement or request to it must be provided by email transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any communications delivered by means other than email transmission during such time shall be ineffective.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the Parties under this Agreement will be governed by and construed, enforced and performed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, without reference to any conflicts of laws provisions that would direct the application of another jurisdiction’s laws; provided, however, that the authority of PPA Buyer to enter into and perform its obligations under this agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the state of California.
(b) U.S. Resolution Stay. The Parties hereby confirm that they are adherents to the ISDA 2018 U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol (“ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol”), the terms of the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol are incorporated into and form a part of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be deemed a Protocol Covered Agreement for purposes thereof. For purposes of incorporating the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, MSES and PPA Seller shall each be deemed to be a Regulated Entity, and PPA Buyer shall be deemed to be an Adhering Party. In the event of any inconsistences between this Agreement and the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol, the ISDA U.S. Stay Protocol will prevail.
(c) Reserved.
(d) Arbitration. Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by final, non-appealable binding arbitration in San Francisco, California before three (3) arbitrators. The arbitration shall be administered by Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. Within fifteen (15) days after the commencement of arbitration, each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall select one person to act as arbitrator, and the two so-selected arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator (the “chairperson”) within thirty (30) days of the commencement of the arbitration. If either PPA Seller or PPA Buyer is unable or fails to select one person to act as arbitrator, such arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS. If the PPA Seller and PPA Buyer-selected arbitrators are unable or fail to agree upon a chairperson, the chairperson shall be appointed by JAMS. The chairperson shall be a person who has experience in renewable energy-related transactions, and none of the arbitrators shall have been previously employed by any Party or have any direct pecuniary interest in any Party or the subject matter of the arbitration, unless such conflict is expressly acknowledged and waived in writing by all of the Parties. The Parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and any award, including any hearing(s), except as may be necessary to prepare for or conduct the arbitration hearing on the merits, or except as necessary in connection Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
13 with a court application for a preliminary remedy, a judicial challenge to an award or its enforcement, or unless otherwise required by law or judicial decision. Any arbitration proceedings, decision or award rendered hereunder and the validity, effect and interpretation of this arbitration provision shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The arbitrator(s) shall have no authority to award consequential, treble, exemplary, or punitive damages of any type or kind regardless of whether such damages may be available under any law or right, with the Parties hereby affirmatively waiving their rights, if any, to recover or claim such damages. In any arbitration arising out of or related to this Agreement, the arbitrators shall award to the prevailing Party or Parties, if any, the costs and attorney’s fees reasonably incurred in seeking to enforce the application of this Section 11(d) and by the prevailing party in connection with the arbitration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(d), any costs incurred by a Party in seeking judicial enforcement of any written decision of the arbitrators shall be chargeable to and borne exclusively by the Party against whom such court order is obtained. The award shall be final and binding on the Parties and judgment upon any award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Judicial Reference. Without limiting the provisions in Section 11(d), if Section 11(d) is deemed ineffective or unenforceable in any respect, any dispute between the Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or its performance, breach, or termination (including the existence, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the applicability of any statute of limitation period) (each, a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by a reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Sections 638 et seq. of the California Code of Civil Procedure (“CCP”), or their successor sections (a “Reference Proceeding”), which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any Dispute. As a condition precedent to initiating a Reference Proceeding with respect to any Dispute, the Parties shall comply with the provisions of Section 11(e)(i).
i. Notice of Dispute. Prior to initiating the Reference Proceeding, a Party (the “Disputing Party”) shall provide the other Parties (the “Responding Parties”) with a written notice of each issue in dispute, a proposed means for resolving each such issue, and support for such position (the “Notice of Dispute”). Within 10 days after receiving the Notice of Dispute, the Responding Parties shall provide the Disputing Party with a written Notice of each additional issue (if any) with respect to the dispute raised by the Notice of Dispute, a proposed means for resolving every issue in dispute, and support for such position (the “Dispute Response”). Thereafter, the Parties shall meet to discuss the matter and attempt in good faith to reach a negotiated resolution of the dispute. If the Parties do not resolve the dispute by unanimous agreement within sixty 60 days after receipt of the Dispute Response, (the “Negotiation Period”), then any Party may provide to the other Parties written notice of intent for judicial reference (the “Impasse Notice”) in accordance with the further provisions of this Section 11.
ii. Applicability; Selection of Referees.
(A) Within 10 days of the delivery of an Impasse Notice, each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall nominate one (1) referee. The two (2) referees (the “Party-Appointed Referees”) shall appoint a third referee (the “Third Referee”, together with the Party-Appointed Referees, the “Referees”). The Party-Appointed Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
14 Referees shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the electric energy business in the United States, with at least ten (10) years of electric industry experience as a practicing attorney. The Third Referee shall be an active or retired California state or federal judge. Each of the Party-Appointed Referees and the Third Referee shall be impartial and independent of each of the Parties and of the other referees and not employed by any of the Parties in any prior matter. (B) If the Party-Appointed Referees are unable to agree on the Third Referee within 45 days from delivery of the Impasse Notice, then the Third Referee shall be appointed pursuant to CCP Section 640(b) in an action filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the “Court”), and with due regard given to the selection criteria above. A request for appointment of a referee may be heard on an ex parte or expedited basis, and the Parties agree that irreparable harm would result if ex parte relief is not granted. Pursuant to CCP Section 170.6, each of PPA Buyer and PPA Seller shall have one (1) peremptory challenge to the referee selected by the Court.
iii. Discovery; Proceedings.
(A) The Parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the Reference Proceeding. Accordingly, the referees shall be requested, subject to change in the time periods specified herein for good cause shown, to (i) set the matter for a status and trial-setting conference within 20 days after the date of selection of the Third Referee, (ii) if practicable, try all issues of law or fact within 180 days after the date of the conference, and (iii) report a statement of decision within 20 days after the matter has been submitted for decision. (B) Discovery and other pre-hearing procedures shall be conducted as agreed to by the Parties, or if they cannot agree, as determined by the Third Referee after discussion with the Parties regarding the need for discovery and other pre-hearing procedures. (C) Except as expressly set forth herein, the Third Referee shall determine the manner in which the Reference Proceeding is conducted, including the time and place of hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the Reference Proceeding. The Reference Proceeding, including the trial, shall be conducted at a neutral location selected by the Parties, or if not agreed by the Parties, by the Third Referee, in San Francisco, California.
(D) All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referees, except for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter, except that when any Party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before the referees, and the referees will be provided a courtesy copy of the transcript. The Party making such a request shall have the obligation to arrange for and pay the court reporter.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
15 iv. Decision. The referees shall render a written statement of decision setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision shall be entered as a judgment in the court in accordance with the provisions of CCP Sections 644 and 645. The decision shall be appealable to the same extent and in the same manner that such decision would be appealable if rendered by a judge of the Court. The Parties intend this general reference agreement to be specifically enforceable in accordance with the CCP. v. Expenses. Each of PPA Seller and PPA Buyer shall bear the compensation and expenses of its respective Party-Appointed Referee, own counsel, witnesses, consultants and employees. All other expenses of judicial reference shall be split equally between PPA Seller and PPA Buyer.
(f) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all obligations of Issuer under this Agreement, including without limitation all obligations to make payments of any kind whatsoever, are special, limited obligations of Issuer, payable solely from the Trust Estate (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) as and to the extent provided in the Bond Indenture, including with respect to Operating Expenses (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture). Issuer shall not be required to advance any moneys derived from any source other than the Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) and other assets pledged under the Bond Indenture for any of the purposes in this Agreement mentioned. Neither the faith and credit of Issuer nor the taxing power of the State of California or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to payments pursuant to this Agreement. Issuer shall not be directly, indirectly, contingently or otherwise liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims or actions, of any conceivable kind on any conceivable theory, under or by reasons of or in connection with this Agreement, except solely to the extent Revenues (as such term is defined in the Bond Indenture) are received for the payment thereof and may be applied therefor pursuant to the terms of the Bond Indenture
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
Signature Page to Limited Assignment Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL GROUP INC.
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
By: ____________________________
Name:_______________________
Title:________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
Appendix 1 - 1
Appendix 1
Assigned Rights and Obligations
PPA: Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement dated February 12, 2018 and the Specified Source Product Confirmation thereunder dated as of the date hereof, by and between PPA Buyer and PPA Seller
Assigned Delivery Point: [NP15 EZ GEN HUB)]
Assigned Product Price: [CAISO NP15 Day Ahead Index for Hour Ending 01 through Hour Ending 24]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
Appendix 2 - 1
Appendix 2
Notice Information
IF TO PPA
SELLER:
As set forth in the PPA
IF TO MSES: Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C.
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036-8293
Email: [[email protected]]
IF TO ISSUER: California Community Choice Financing Authority 1125 Tamalpais Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
Email: [[email protected]]
IF TO PPA BUYER: As set forth in the PPA
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
Appendix 3 - 1
Appendix 3
Copy of Power Sales Contract
[To be attached.]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15E
1 Chapman Draft 05.09.22
PREPAID ENERGY PROJECT ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This Prepaid Energy Project Administration Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [________], 2022, by and between California Community Choice Financing Authority (“CCCFA”) and East Bay Community Energy Authority (“EBCE”), with respect to the Prepaid Energy Project (defined below). CCCFA and EBCE may be referred to individually herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used herein (including in the following Recitals) have the meanings given to such terms in Section 1.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, EBCE is a “community choice aggregator” under the Public Utilities Code; and WHEREAS, EBCE and certain other community choice aggregators have created CCCFA as a joint exercise of powers authority under and pursuant to the Act and the Joint Powers Agreement; and WHEREAS, CCCFA’s purpose is to assist its Members (as defined in the Joint Powers Agreement), including EBCE, by undertaking the financing or refinancing of energy prepayments that can be financed with tax advantaged bonds and other obligations on behalf of one or more of the Members by, among other things, issuing or incurring Bonds (as such term is defined in the Joint Powers Agreement) and entering into related contracts with Members; and
WHEREAS, CCCFA and EBCE are entering into a Power Supply Contract pursuant to which CCCFA has agreed to supply Energy to EBCE under the terms set forth therein; and WHEREAS, in order to provide such Energy to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract, CCCFA is entering into the Prepaid Agreement with MSES, under which it will make a prepayment to MSES for the purchase and delivery of such Energy; and
WHEREAS, CCCFA will finance the prepayment under the Prepaid Agreement and related costs by issuing the Bonds pursuant to the Indenture; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Act” means Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the California Government Code, being Section 6500 and following, as amended.
“Alternate Energy Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1(a) of the Power Supply Contract.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
2 “Annual Refund” means the annual refund, if any, to be provided to EBCE pursuant to Section 3.2(c) of the Power Supply Contract.
“Assigned Delivery Point” has the meaning specified in the Assignment Agreement. “Assigned Energy” has the meaning specified in the Assignment Agreement. “Assigned Product” means Assigned Energy and associated renewable energy credits, green energy attributes and any other product included in the Assignment Agreement. “Assignment Agreement” means the Initial Assignment Agreement and any subsequent assignment agreement entered into consistent with the Assignment Letter Agreement. “Assignment Letter Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Power Supply Contract. “Base Energy” means Energy to be delivered to an Energy Delivery Point. “Bonds” means the bonds issued by CCCFA pursuant to the Indenture on or about the date of this Agreement in order to finance the prepayment required to be made to MSES under the Prepaid Agreement and related costs of the Prepaid Energy Project, and any bonds issued to refund such bonds.
“CCCFA” means California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint exercise of powers authority created under and pursuant to the Act and the Joint Powers Agreement. “CCCFA Commodity Swap” means the ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule and transaction Confirmation entered into by CCCFA and the swap counterparty named therein, and any replacement swap entered into pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement. “Contract Quantity” means the quantity of Base Energy or Assigned Energy, as applicable, specified in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 of the Power Supply Contract, as such Exhibits A-1 and A-2 may be updated from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Power Supply Contract. “EBCE” means East Bay Community Energy Authority, a community choice aggregator as defined in Section 331.1 of the Public Utilities Code. “Energy” means three-phase, 60-cycle alternating current electric energy, expressed in megawatt-hours.
“Energy Delivery Point” means the delivery point for delivery of EBCE’s Contract Quantity as specified in the Power Supply Contract, and shall include, if applicable, any Assigned Delivery Point and any Alternate Delivery Point for EBCE. “Indenture” means the Trust Indenture, dated as of [_______] 1, 2022, between CCCFA and the Trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. “Initial Assignment Agreement” with respect to EBCE, the initial assignment agreement or agreements specified in the Power Supply Contract.
“Joint Powers Agreement” means the Joint Powers Agreement by and among the Members of CCCFA named therein, including EBCE, providing for the creation, purposes and powers of Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
3 CCCFA, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“MSES” means Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring L.L.C., its successors and permitted assigns.
“Power Supply Contract” means the Power Supply Contract, dated [________], 2022, between CCCFA and EBCE relating to the purchase by EBCE of Energy acquired by CCCFA pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Prepaid Agreement” means the Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement, dated [_______], 2022, between CCCFA, as buyer, and MSES, as seller, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Prepaid Energy Project” means the issuance of the Bonds by CCCFA pursuant to the Indenture, the acquisition of Energy and related undertakings of CCCFA under the Prepaid Agreement and the Indenture, and the sale to EBCE of such Energy and related undertakings of CCCFA under the Power Supply Contract.
“Public Utilities Code” means the Public Utilities Code of the State of California, as amended.
“Qualifying Use Requirements” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of the Power Supply Contract.
“Re-Pricing Agreement” means the Re-Pricing Agreement, dated as of the date of issuance of the Bonds, by and between CCCFA and MSES.
“Schedule”, “Scheduled” or “Scheduling” means the actions of a Party and/or its designated representatives, including each Party’s Transmission Providers, if applicable, of notifying, requesting and confirming to each other the quantity of Energy to be delivered during any given portion of the Delivery Period at a specified Delivery Point. “Tax Certificate and Agreement” means the Tax Certificate and Agreement executed and delivered by CCCFA in connection with the issuance of the Bonds relating to certain federal income tax compliance requirements relating to the Prepaid Energy Project. “Transmission Provider(s)” means any entity or entities transmitting or transporting Energy on behalf of a Party to or from an Energy Delivery Point. “Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and its successors as Trustee under the Indenture.
Section 2. Assignment Agreements. With respect to any Assignment Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree as follows:
(a) as of the date of this Agreement, EBCE has entered into the Initial Assignment Agreement specified in the Power Supply Contract with respect to its entire Contract Quantity; Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
4 (b) subject to the terms of the applicable Assignment Letter Agreement, EBCE may from time to time enter into additional Assignment Agreements with respect to all or a portion of its Contract Quantity; and
(c) EBCE shall determine, independent of CCCFA, when and if any Assignment Agreement is entered into or terminated and the underlying agreement and portion of its Contract Quantity to which such Assignment Agreement relates.
Section 3. Scheduling and Delivery of Assigned Energy. Assigned Energy and any other Assigned Product delivered to CCCFA under the Prepaid Agreement that is attributable to an Assignment Agreement(s) entered into by EBCE shall be attributable to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract, and CCCFA shall have no responsibility for (a) any Scheduling or other operational requirements necessary for the delivery of Assigned Energy to EBCE’s Assigned Delivery Point and the transfer of other Assigned Product to EBCE, or (b) any accounting for under-deliveries or over-deliveries or other record-keeping requirements with respect to any Assigned Energy and other Assigned Product, all of which shall be the sole responsibility of EBCE pursuant to the related Assignment Agreement(s).
Section 4. Qualified Use; Remarketing of Base Energy. As provided in the Power Supply Contract, any portion of EBCE’s Contract Quantity that is not delivered as Assigned Energy is required to be delivered as Base Energy and simultaneously remarketed by MSES pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement. EBCE shall be responsible for accounting for any portion of EBCE’s Contract Quantity deemed delivered as Base Energy and subsequently remarketed, including accounting for any remediation of any such remarketing sales as may be required pursuant to the Qualifying Use Requirements. EBCE agrees to provide to CCCFA any information reasonably requested by it in order to comply with any reporting or record-keeping requirements related to such deemed deliveries and remarketing of Base Energy, including such information relating to compliance with the Qualifying Use Requirements, as may be required pursuant to the Prepaid Agreement, the Indenture or the Tax Certificate and Agreement.
Section 5. CCCFA Commodity Swap. CCCFA shall not take any action to terminate or designate the early termination of the CCCFA Commodity Swap except in accordance with written instructions of EBCE or unless otherwise required under the terms of the Prepaid Agreement.
Section 6. Directions, Consents and Waivers. CCCFA may be requested or required from time to time to provide certain directions, consents, or waivers under the terms of the Prepaid Agreement, the Indenture and the Re-pricing Agreement. In the event any such direction, consent or waiver relates solely to the Contract Quantity and/or Power Supply Contract of EBCE and no event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract, such direction, consent or waiver shall only be provided by CCCFA in accordance with written instructions provided by EBCE.
Otherwise, any such direction, consent or waiver shall only be provided by CCCFA in accordance with written instructions of EBCE.
Section 7. Re-pricing Information. CCCFA shall provide, or cause MSES to provide, to EBCE such information as is required to be provided by MSES to CCCFA in accordance the Re-pricing Agreement at such times as are required under the Re-pricing Agreement.
Section 9. Project Administration Fee; Reimbursement and Refund of Operating Expenses. (a) Under Section 3.2(b) of the Power Supply Contract, EBCE is required to include in its payment to CCCFA in January of each year, commencing [January 2023], an annual Project Administration Fee in the amount specified therein, determined by CCCFA based on the budgeted Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
5 Operating Expenses of CCCFA for the next succeeding annual period. CCCFA agrees to allocate amounts received in respect of the Project Administration Fee to pay Operating Expenses (as defined in the Indenture) as the same become due and payable during such annual period. In the event amounts paid in respect of the Project Administration Fee are not sufficient to pay such Operating Expenses when due, EBCE agrees to pay such additional amounts as are necessary to pay such Operating Expenses upon receipt of notice of the amount due from the Trustee or CCCFA. (b) As soon as practicable following the end of each annual period referred to in paragraph (a), CCCFA agrees to reconcile the amounts received in respect of the Project Administrative Fee for such annual period with the Operating Expenses paid or accrued for such period. In the event that, following each such reconciliation, it is determined that the amounts received in respect of the Project Administration Fee during the applicable annual period exceed Operating Expenses paid or accrued for such period, CCCFA will provide written notice thereof to EBCE and include the amount of such excess in its Annual Refund to EBCE under the Power Supply Contract.
Section 10. Notices. Notices and other information to be provided by a Party to any other Party under this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with Article XVI of the Power Supply Contract.
Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement and the obligations of the Parties hereunder shall be governed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
Section 12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and acknowledged in multiple counterparts and by the Parties in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall be and constitute one and the same instrument.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
6 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING
AUTHORITY
By: ________________________________
Name: ______________________________
Title: _______________________________
EAST BAY COMMUNITY ENERGY AUTHORITY
By: ________________________________
Name: ______________________________
Title: _______________________________
Attachment Staff Report Item 15F
HB Draft 5 May 2022
CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT
This Custodial Agreement (the “Custodial Agreement”), dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and among Natixis, a bank organized under the laws of the Republic of France (the “Swap Counterparty”), California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority and a public entity of the State of California established pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Article 1, Chapter 5, Division 7, Title 1, Section 6500 et seq. of the California Government Code, as amended) (the “Issuer”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, in its capacity as trustee under the Bond Indenture (defined below) (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, in its capacity as custodian hereunder (in such capacity, the “Custodian”).
WHEREAS, Issuer is issuing its Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, [Series 2022A] (the “Bonds”) pursuant to the Trust Indenture, dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Indenture”) between the Issuer and the Trustee; and
WHEREAS, Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“MSES”), as seller, and the Issuer, as purchaser, have entered into a Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement, dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Prepaid Agreement”); and WHEREAS, in connection with the execution of the Prepaid Agreement, the Issuer and Swap Counterparty are entering into an ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of [____], 2022, together with the Schedule, dated as of [____], 2022, and a Confirmation, dated as of [____], 2022, evidencing a commodity price hedging transaction thereunder (such ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule and Confirmation, the “Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement”); and WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, the Swap Counterparty and MSES are entering into a corresponding commodity price hedging transaction pursuant to an ISDA Master Agreement, dated as of [____], 2022, together with the Schedule and Credit Support Annex thereto, dated as of [____], 2022, and a Confirmation, dated as of [____], 2022 (such ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule, Credit Support Annex and Confirmation, the “Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement”); and WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Swap Counterparty and the Custodian propose to enter into this Custodial Agreement in order to administer any payments from Issuer to the Swap Counterparty under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Any capitalized term used herein and not otherwise defined herein (including in the recitals) shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Indenture.
2. Appointment of Custodian. The Issuer and the Swap Counterparty hereby appoint The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as Custodian under this Custodial Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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Agreement, with such rights and obligations as are specifically set forth herein. The Custodian hereby accepts such appointment under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
3. Payments Account.
(a) With respect to any net payments required to be made by Issuer to the Swap Counterparty under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, there is hereby established with the Custodian, a payments account designated as the “[____]”, bearing the Custodian’s Account No. [____] (the “Issuer Payments Account”) using the wiring instructions below; and any and all net payments payable by Issuer to the Swap Counterparty pursuant to Section 2(a)(i) of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement shall be paid by wire transfer to and deposited in the Issuer Payments Account. The Swap Counterparty agrees that any payments made by Issuer into the Issuer Payments Account shall be deemed to have been made directly by Issuer to the Swap Counterparty.
The Bank of New York Mellon
New York, NY
ABA: 021000018
Account No.: [____]
FBO: [____]
Attn: Richard Dillard, 904-645-1923
For the avoidance of doubt, payments required to be made by the Swap Counterparty to the Issuer pursuant to the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, payments required to be made by the Swap Counterparty to MSES pursuant to the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement and payments required to be made by MSES to the Swap Counterparty pursuant to the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement are not subject to this Custodial Agreement. (b) Amounts deposited in the Issuer Payments Account shall be held in trust for the benefit of Issuer until applied as set forth in paragraph 3(c) below, and there is hereby granted to Issuer a lien on and security interest in the Issuer Payments Account pending such application.
The Custodian shall not be required to comply with any orders, demands or other instructions from the Swap Counterparty with respect to the Issuer Payments Account including, without limitation, items presented for payment, or any order or instruction directing the disposition of funds or other assets held in or credited to the Issuer Payments Account, except to the extent that amounts on deposit in the Issuer Payments Account are payable to the Swap Counterparty in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, and the Swap Counterparty agrees that prior to the termination of this Custodial Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, it shall have no right to direct the disposition of funds or other assets held in or credited to the Issuer Payments Account, or to withdraw or otherwise obtain funds or other assets held in or credited to the Issuer Payments Account, whether by order or instruction to the Custodian or otherwise, except to the extent that amounts on deposit in the Issuer Payments Account are payable to the Swap Counterparty in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement.
(c) In accordance with this subparagraph (c), the Custodian shall withdraw amounts on deposit in the Issuer Payments Account for the purpose of paying any net amount Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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payable to Swap Counterparty under Section 2(a)(i) of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement on each date on which such amount is due under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, provided that if, prior to any such date, MSES has provided written notice to the Custodian, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, by Electronic Means (defined below) to hold such payment (a “Hold Notice”), the Custodian shall withdraw such amounts only upon confirmation by MSES to the Custodian, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, by Electronic Means (defined below) that the amount payable by the Swap Counterparty to MSES under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement on such date has been paid by the Swap Counterparty in accordance with the terms of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement. Subject to paragraph 3(d) below in the case of any withdrawal by the Custodian from the Issuer Payments Account and payment to MSES in accordance with paragraph 3(d), upon confirmation by the Custodian that MSES has received such payment due from the Swap Counterparty under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement, the Custodian (either automatically or, if a Hold Notice has been delivered, upon Custodian’s receipt of confirmation by MSES in accordance with the preceding sentence) shall withdraw from the Issuer Payments Account the amount due to the Swap Counterparty under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement on such date (or such later date upon which payment from Issuer is received under the terms of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement and this Custodial Agreement) and pay such amount to the Swap Counterparty by wiring funds to the following account:
For the Account of: Natixis (Natixis Capital Market)
Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust
Company Americas, New York (BKTRUS33)
Fedwire: 021001033
Ultimate Beneficiary: NATXFRPPMAR
Account Number: 04437031
(d) Notwithstanding Section 2(a)(iii) of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement or the exercise by or on behalf of MSES of any right of early termination of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement, in the event that any amount due to MSES under Section 2(a)(i) of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement (including any Unpaid Amounts (as defined in Part 5(b) of the Schedule to the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement) payable by the Swap Counterparty under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement) is not paid when due and remains unpaid as of the close of business on the last day of any grace period for such payment under the terms of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement and the Prepaid Agreement, the Custodian shall withdraw from the Issuer Payments Account an amount equal to the amount so due and unpaid under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement and pay such amount to MSES. (e) If at any time the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement terminates or otherwise ceases to be in effect for any reason, then during the period commencing on the date when the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement terminates or ceases to be in effect until the earlier of (i) the date on which both the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement and the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement have been replaced in accordance with Section 17.5 of the Prepaid Agreement and (ii) the date of termination of the Prepaid Agreement (the “Issuer Payments Period”), Issuer shall deposit into the Issuer Payments any and all net payments that would have been payable by the Issuer to Swap Counterparty during the Issuer Payments Period pursuant to Section 2(a)(i) of the Front-End Commodity Swap if the Front-End Commodity Swap had not Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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terminated. Deposits made by Issuer to the Issuer Payments Account in accordance with this Section 3(e) shall be withdrawn by the Custodian and paid to MSES.
4. Custodian. The Custodian shall have (a) no liability under any agreement other than this Custodial Agreement and (b) no duty to inquire as to the provisions of any agreement other than this Custodial Agreement, the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement and the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement. The Custodian may rely upon and shall not be liable for acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, document, instruction or request furnished to it hereunder and reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such document, notice, instruction or request. The Custodian shall have no duty to solicit or compel any payments which may be due to it. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Custodian’s gross negligence or willful misconduct was the cause of any loss. In connection with the execution of any of its powers or the performance of any of its duties hereunder, the Custodian may consult with counsel, accountants and other skilled persons selected and retained by it. The Custodian shall not be liable for anything done, suffered or omitted in good faith by it in accordance with the advice or opinion of any such counsel, accountants or other skilled persons, provided the Custodian exercised due care and good faith in the selection of such person. In the event that the Custodian shall be uncertain as to its duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands from any party hereto which, in its opinion, conflict with any of the provisions of this Custodial Agreement, it shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action and its sole obligation shall be to keep safely all property held in escrow until it shall be directed otherwise in writing by all of the other parties hereto or by a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Custodian may interplead all of the assets held hereunder into a court of competent jurisdiction or may seek a declaratory judgment with respect to certain circumstances, and thereafter be fully relieved from any and all liability or obligation with respect to such interpleaded assets or any action or non-action based on such declaratory judgment. Anything in this Custodial Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Custodian be liable for special, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses or penalties of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), regardless of the form of action. The Custodian may engage and act through agents and attorneys and shall not be liable for the misconduct or negligence of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care. Nothing herein shall obligate or be construed to obligate the Custodian to advance its own funds, or to expend or risk its own funds. The Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken by it in good faith in accordance with instruction received in accordance with this Custodial Agreement, or for the application of funds by or other actions or omissions of other persons. Any permissive right or power granted to the Custodian hereunder shall not be construed as a duty to act. The Custodian shall not be obliged to invest or pay interest on funds held hereunder, unless and except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed in writing. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the perfection of any security interest granted hereunder.
5. Succession. The Custodian may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by giving not less than 30 days’ advance notice in writing of such resignation to the other parties hereto specifying a date when such resignation shall take effect; provided, however, that in the event of such resignation, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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N.A. (“BNYM”) shall at the same time resign from its duties and obligations as custodian under that certain Custodial Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among MSES, the Swap Counterparty, the Trustee and BNYM as custodian thereunder (in such capacity, the “Back-End Custodian”) pertaining to the administration of payments under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement (the “Back-End Swap Custodial Agreement”). Such resignation under this Custodial Agreement shall take effect upon the day specified in such notice unless a successor shall not have been appointed by Issuer and the Swap Counterparty (with the consent of MSES, as provided below) on such date, in which event such resignation shall not take effect until a successor is appointed. Issuer and the Swap Counterparty shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to make such appointment in a timely fashion, provided that any custodian appointed in succession to the Custodian shall be a bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state or a national banking association and shall have capital stock, surplus and undivided earnings aggregating at least $50,000,000 and shall be a bank with trust powers or a trust company willing and able to accept the office on reasonable and customary terms and authorized by law to perform all the duties imposed upon it by this Custodial Agreement; provided, further, however, that such appointment of a successor to the Custodian hereunder shall be subject to the consent of MSES, and such appointed successor hereunder shall be the same custodian appointed as successor to the Back-End Custodian under the Back-End Swap Custodial Agreement. If Issuer and the Swap Counterparty fail or are unable to appoint a successor within sixty (60) days of such notice of resignation, with the consent of MSES, the Custodian shall be entitled to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor. Said court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as such court may deem proper, appoint a successor Custodian. Any corporation or association into which the Custodian may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or association to which all or substantially all of the Custodian’s corporate trust line of business may be transferred, shall be the Custodian under this Custodial Agreement without further act.
6. Fees. Issuer agrees to (a) pay the Custodian reasonable compensation for the services to be rendered hereunder, which compensation shall be $[____] for each year that this Custodial Agreement is in effect, and (b) pay or reimburse the Custodian upon request for all expenses, disbursements and advances, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred or made by it in connection with the preparation, execution, performance, delivery, modification and termination of this Custodial Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge that this provision shall survive the resignation or removal of the Custodian or the termination of this Custodial Agreement.
7. Reimbursement. Issuer agrees to reimburse the Custodian and its directors, officers, agents and employees for any and all loss, liability or expense (including the fees and expenses of in-house or outside counsel and experts and their staffs and all expense of document location, duplication and shipment) arising out of or in connection with (a) the Custodian’s execution and performance of this Custodial Agreement, except to the extent such loss, liability or expense is finally adjudicated to have been primarily caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or its director, officer, agent or employee seeking reimbursement, or (b) its following any instructions or other directions from Issuer, except to the extent that its following any such instruction or direction is expressly forbidden by the terms hereof. The parties hereto acknowledge that this provision shall survive the resignation or removal of the Custodian or the termination of the Custodial Agreement.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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8. Taxpayer Identification Numbers; Tax Matters. Issuer and the Swap Counterparty each represent that its correct taxpayer identification number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority is set forth on the signature page hereof. Any tax returns or reports required to be prepared and filed in connection with the Issuer Payments Account will be prepared and filed by Issuer or the Swap Counterparty, as appropriate, and the Custodian shall have no responsibility for the preparation and/or filing of any tax return with respect to any income earned on the Issuer Payments Account. In addition, any tax or other payments required to be made pursuant to such tax return or filing shall be paid by Issuer or the Swap Counterparty, as appropriate. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for making such payment unless directed to do so in writing by the appropriate authorized party and fully indemnified to the Custodian’s satisfaction.
9. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given and received (a) upon delivery if delivered personally, upon confirmed transmittal if by facsimile and as set forth in the final paragraph of this Section 9 if by e-mail transmission; (b) on the next Business Day if sent by overnight courier; or (c) four (4) Business Days after mailing if mailed by prepaid registered mail, return receipt requested, to the appropriate notice address for Issuer or the Swap Counterparty, as applicable, set forth in the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement. Notices to the Custodian shall be provided to the following address:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Attention: Corporate Trust
Fax: 904.645.1998
Email: [email protected]
Any party may provide a new or different address for such notices if furnished to the other parties in writing by registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the above provisions of this Section 9, in the case of communications delivered to the Custodian pursuant to clause (b) or clause (c) of this Section 9, such communications shall be deemed to have been given on the date received by the Custodian. In the event that the Custodian, in its sole discretion, shall determine that an emergency exists, the Custodian may use such other means of communication as the Custodian deems appropriate.
The Custodian shall have the right to accept and act upon directions given pursuant to this Custodial Agreement, or any other document reasonably relating to the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement, the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement or other matters described herein, delivered using Electronic Means (defined below); provided, however, that each party giving directions to the Custodian hereunder shall provide to the Custodian an incumbency certificate, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2, listing persons with the authority to provide such directions (each an “Authorized Officer”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If a party elects to give the Custodian directions using Electronic Means and the Custodian in its discretion elects to act upon such directions, the Custodian’s understanding of such directions shall be deemed controlling. The parties understand and agree that the Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such directions and that Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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the Custodian shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided by a party to the Custodian have been sent by such Authorized Officer. Each party shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such directions to the Custodian and that all Authorized Officers treat applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Custodian as confidential and with extreme care. The Custodian shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Custodian’s reliance upon and compliance with such directions notwithstanding that such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written direction. Each party agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit directions to the Custodian, including without limitation the risk of the Custodian acting on unauthorized directions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting directions to the Custodian and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting directions; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of directions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Custodian immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.
As used herein, “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Custodian, or another method or system specified by the Custodian as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a party may at any time notify the other parties in accordance with this Custodial Agreement that any subsequent notice or other communication hereunder must be provided by e-mail transmission for a specified period of time or until further notice, and any notices or other communications delivered by means other than e-mail transmission during such time shall be ineffective. Such notice will not be effective unless it includes a valid e-mail address for the party requesting that notices and other communications be delivered by e-mail transmission. Such party will take reasonable steps to ensure the continued availability of such e-mail address for the receipt of notices and other communications hereunder and will promptly notify the other parties in accordance with this Custodial Agreement of a change or modification as to the e-mail address or its availability to receive notices and other communications. Notices or other communications sent by e-mail transmission will be deemed to have been delivered when sent, if sent during the recipient’s business hours, or upon the commencement of the recipient’s business hours, if sent outside of recipient’s business hours; provided that (i) any such notice by e-mail shall not be effective if a “bounce-back”, system error message or other notification of non-delivery is received by the sender and (ii) in such case the noticing party may provide notices and communications by any other means permitted under this Custodial Agreement or may attempt providing notice again by e-mail (and any such follow-up e-mail notice shall be effective under the terms set forth above so long as a non-delivery notice is not received with respect thereto).
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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10. Miscellaneous.
(a) The provisions of this Custodial Agreement may be waived, altered, amended or supplemented, in whole or in part, only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto. (b) Neither this Custodial Agreement nor any right, title or interest hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part by any party, without the prior written consent of the other parties, except as provided in Section 5; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that Issuer shall assign all of its right, title and interest in, to and under this Custodial Agreement in connection with any assignment by Issuer of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement to the assignee thereof, which assignment shall constitute a novation.
(c) This Custodial 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 New York, without regard to any conflicts of law principle that would direct the application of the laws another jurisdiction; provided, however, that the authority of the Issuer to enter into and perform its obligations under this Custodial Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
(d) Each party hereto irrevocably waives any objection on the grounds of venue, forum non-conveniens or any similar grounds and irrevocably consents to service of process by mail or in any other manner permitted by applicable law and consents to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan, or of the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan. The parties further hereby waive any right to a trial by jury with respect to any lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Custodial Agreement.
(e) No party to this Custodial Agreement shall be liable to any other party hereto for losses due to, or if it is unable to perform its obligations under the terms of this Custodial Agreement because of, acts of God, fire, war, terrorism, floods, strikes, electrical outages, equipment or transmission failure, or other causes reasonably beyond its control. (f) This Custodial Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. All signatures of the parties to this Custodial Agreement may be transmitted by facsimile or by digital pdf transmission under the terms set forth in this Section 10(f). The parties agree that the electronic signature of a party to this Custodial Agreement, including all acknowledgements, authorizations, directions, waivers and consents thereto (or any amendment or supplement thereto) shall be as valid as an original signature of such party and shall be effective to bind such party to this Custodial Agreement. The parties agree that any electronically signed document (including this Custodial Agreement) shall be deemed (i) to be “written” or “in writing,” (ii) to have been signed, and (iii) to constitute a record established and maintained in the ordinary course of business and an original written record when printed from electronic files. For purposes hereof, “electronic signature” means a manually signed original signature that is then transmitted by electronic means; “transmitted by electronic means” means sent in the form of a facsimile or sent via the Internet as a pdf (portable document format) or other replicating image attached to an Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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e mail message; and, “electronically signed document” means a document transmitted by electronic means and containing, or to which there is affixed, an electronic signature. Paper copies or “printouts”, if introduced as evidence in any judicial, arbitral, mediation or administrative proceeding, will be admissible as between the parties to the same extent and under the same conditions as other original business records created and maintained in documentary form. Neither party shall contest the admissibility of true and accurate copies of electronically signed documents on the basis of the best evidence rule or as not satisfying the business records exception to the hearsay rule
11. Compliance with Court Orders. In the event that any amount held by the Custodian hereunder shall be attached, garnished or levied upon by any court order, or the delivery thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an order of a court, or any order, judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court affecting the property deposited under this Custodial Agreement, the Custodian is hereby expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to obey and comply with all writs, orders or decrees so entered or issued, which it is advised by legal counsel of its own choosing are binding upon it, whether with or without jurisdiction, and in the event that the Custodian obeys or complies with any such writ, order or decree it shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or corporation, by reason of such compliance notwithstanding that such writ, order or decree may be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.
12. Term; Winding Up. This Custodial Agreement will expire at the later of (i) the receipt of written notice from either Issuer or the Swap Counterparty to the other parties that the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms and (ii) the expiration of the Issuer Payments Period, if any. Any remaining balance in the Issuer Payments Account following written confirmation from MSES that all required payments by the Swap Counterparty to MSES under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement have been received by MSES shall be paid to the Swap Counterparty.
13. Indemnification. Issuer and the Swap Counterparty, jointly and severally, agree to protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless, the Custodian, and its affiliates, and each person who controls the Custodian from and against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, actions, suits, costs, judgments and expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from its acting as Custodian hereunder, except for any such claim, damage, loss, liability, action, suit, cost, judgment or expense resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian; provided, however, that any amounts due under this Section 13 shall not duplicate any other amounts due under this Custodial Agreement, including without limitation amounts due under Section 7 hereof. The obligations of this Section 13 shall survive any resignation or removal of the Custodian and the termination of this Custodial Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Custodian shall have all of the rights (including the indemnification rights), benefits, privileges and immunities granted to the Trustee under the Indenture, all of which are incorporated, mutatis mutandis, into this Custodial Agreement.
14. Patriot Act. Issuer and the Swap Counterparty acknowledge that the Custodian is subject to federal laws, including the Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which the Custodian must Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
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obtain, verify and record information that allows the Custodian to identify Issuer and the Swap Counterparty. Accordingly, prior to opening the Issuer Payments Account described in Section 3 of this Custodial Agreement, the Custodian will ask Issuer and the Swap Counterparty to provide certain information including but not limited to name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help the Custodian identify and verify the identity of Issuer and the Swap Counterparty, such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. Issuer and the Swap Counterparty agree that the Custodian cannot open any account hereunder unless and until the Custodian verifies the identity of Issuer and the Swap Counterparty each in accordance with its CIP. [Signatures appear on the next page]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
[Signature Page of the Custodial Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Custodial Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING
AUTHORITY
By:
Name:
Title:
Taxpayer ID Number: ______________________
NATIXIS
By:
Name:
Title:
Taxpayer ID Number: ______________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
COMPANY, N.A., as Custodian
By:
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST
COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
EXHIBIT A
[LETTERHEAD OF MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.] [Date]
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Attention: Corporate Trust
Fax: 904.645.1998
Email: [email protected]
Re: Custodial Agreement by and among California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”), Natixis (“Swap Counterparty”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Custodian”) dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Custodial Agreement”)
HOLD NOTICE
Pursuant to and in accordance Section 3(c) of the Custodial Agreement, the undersigned Authorized Officer of Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C. does hereby issue this Hold Notice to the Custodian, directing the Custodian to withdraw amounts on deposit in the Issuer Payments Account for the purpose of paying any net amount payable to Swap Counterparty under Section 2(a)(i) of the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement on the immediately subsequent Business Day (as defined in the Indenture) to the date hereof on which such amount is due under the Front-End Commodity Swap Agreement only upon confirmation by MSES to the Custodian in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Custodial Agreement that the amount payable by the Swap Counterparty to MSES under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement on such date has been paid by the Swap Counterparty in accordance with the terms of the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned in the Custodial Agreement.
MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.
By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:
cc: California Community Choice Financing Authority
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
EXHIBIT B-1
[LETTERHEAD OF MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.] [Date]
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
4655 Salisbury Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Attention: Corporate Trust
Fax: 904.645.1998
Email: [email protected]
Re: Custodial Agreement by and among California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”), Natixis (“Swap Counterparty”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Custodian”) dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Custodial Agreement”)
CONFIRMATION
Pursuant to and in accordance Section 3(c) of the Custodial Agreement, the undersigned Authorized MSES Representative does hereby confirm that the full amount of the payment due from Swap Counterparty to MSES under the Back-End Commodity Swap Agreement has been received this day.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned in the Custodial Agreement.
MORGAN STANLEY ENERGY STRUCTURING, L.L.C.
By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:
cc: [_____]
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
EXHIBIT B-2
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF
[_________________________________]
The undersigned, a duly authorized officer of [__________________________], in connection with the Custodial Agreement by and among California Community Choice Financing Authority (“Issuer”), Natixis (“Swap Counterparty”), The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Custodian”) dated as of [____], 2022 (the “Custodial Agreement”), HEREBY CERTIFIES that the persons whose names, titles and signatures appear below are duly qualified and acting representatives of [_______] (“Authorized Representatives”) on the date hereof. Each holds the office set forth beside his/her name, and the signature appearing opposite his/her name is the genuine signature of such Authorized Representative. Only those individuals, or such additional individuals as the undersigned may designate prior to written notice to the Custodian in the future, shall execute and deliver any written instructions, confirmations or certificates on behalf of [_______] in connection with the Custodial Agreement. Custodian shall not be obligated to accept any written instructions, confirmations or certificates executed by an individual other than those listed below or so designated in the future.
NAME TITLE PHONE NO. SIGNATURE
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned in the Custodial Agreement.
[___________] acknowledges that Custodian will accept notices by Electronic Means only if [_________] acknowledges and assumes all risks relating to the use of such notices. [_______] hereby acknowledges and assumes all risks relating to the sending of notices by Electronic Means.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate to be executed for and on behalf of [__________] this ___day of __________. [NAME OF PARTY]
By: _____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15G
OHS DRAFT 3/29/22
4151-0817-6694.2
TRUST INDENTURE
between
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCING AUTHORITY
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
$__________
Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds
Series 2022A-1 (Term Rate)
and
Series 2022A-2 ([SIFMA] Index Rate)
Dated as of __________ 1, 2022
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
-i-4151-0817-6694.2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND GOVERNING LAW ...................................................................3 Section 1.01. Definitions ......................................................................................................3 Section 1.02. Captions ........................................................................................................29 Section 1.03. Rules of Construction ...................................................................................29 Section 1.04. Governing Law .............................................................................................30 Section 1.05. Consents ........................................................................................................30 ARTICLE II. AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF BONDS ......................................................30 Section 2.01. Authorization of Bonds and Refunding Bonds; Application of Proceeds ....30 Section 2.02. Terms of Series 2022A Bonds; Payment ......................................................31 Section 2.03. Conditions for Issuance of Bonds .................................................................33 Section 2.04. Initial Interest Rate Periods; Subsequent Interest Rate Periods ....................34 Section 2.05. Daily Interest Rate Period .............................................................................35 Section 2.06. Weekly Interest Rate Period .........................................................................36 Section 2.07. Term Rate Period .........................................................................................38 Section 2.08. Commercial Paper Interest Rate Periods ......................................................40 Section 2.09. Index Rate Periods ........................................................................................42 Section 2.10. Notice of Conversion ....................................................................................45 Section 2.11. Liquidity Facility ..........................................................................................46 Section 2.12. Provisions Regarding Commodity Swap ......................................................46 Section 2.13. Provisions Regarding Interest Rate Swap .....................................................48 Section 2.14. CPI Index Rate Periods .................................................................................49 ARTICLE III. GENERAL TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF BONDS ............................................52 Section 3.01. Medium of Payment; Form and Date; Letters and Numbers ........................52 Section 3.02. Legends .........................................................................................................53 Section 3.03. Execution and Authentication .......................................................................53 Section 3.04. Exchange, Transfer and Registry ..................................................................54 Section 3.05. Regulations With Respect to Exchanges and Registration of Transfers ......55 Section 3.06. Bonds Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost.................................................55 Section 3.07. Temporary Bonds .........................................................................................56 Section 3.08. Payment of Interest on Bonds; Interest Rights Preserved.............................56 Section 3.09. Book Entry System; Appointment of Securities Depository ........................57 Section 3.10. Subsidy Payments .........................................................................................59 Section 3.11. Limitation of Liability of the Issuer ..............................................................59 ARTICLE IV. REDEMPTION OF BONDS AND TENDER PROVISIONS ..........................................59 Section 4.01. Extraordinary Redemption ............................................................................59 Section 4.02. Sinking Fund Redemption ............................................................................60 Section 4.03. Optional Redemption ....................................................................................62 Section 4.04. Redemption Notice .......................................................................................64 Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Section 4.05. Bonds Redeemed in Part ...............................................................................66 Section 4.06. Redemption at the Election or Direction of Issuer .......................................66 Section 4.07. Redemption Other Than at Issuer’s Election or Direction ...........................66 Section 4.08. Selection of Bonds To Be Redeemed ...........................................................66 Section 4.09. Payment of Redeemed Bonds .......................................................................67 Section 4.10. Cancellation and Destruction of Bonds ........................................................67 Section 4.11. Optional Tender During Daily or Weekly Interest Rate Periods ..................67 Section 4.12. Mandatory Tender for Purchase on Day Next Succeeding the Last Day of Each CP Interest Term ..................................................................................68 Section 4.13. Mandatory Tender for Purchase on the Mandatory Purchase Date, Index Rate Tender Date or Fixed Rate Tender Date ...............................................68 Section 4.14. Mandatory Tender for Purchase on Conversion of Interest Rate Period ......69 Section 4.15. General Provisions Relating to Tenders .......................................................69 Section 4.16. Notice of Mandatory Tender for Purchase ...................................................72 Section 4.17. Irrevocable Notice Deemed to Be Tender of Bond; Undelivered Bonds Deemed Purchased on Mandatory Purchase Date ........................................73 Section 4.18. Remarketing of Bonds; Notice of Interest Rates ..........................................73 Section 4.19. The Remarketing Agent ................................................................................74 Section 4.20. Qualifications of Remarketing Agent; Resignation; Removal .....................74 Section 4.21. Successor Remarketing Agents ....................................................................74 Section 4.22. Tender Agent ................................................................................................75 ARTICLE V. ESTABLISHMENT OF FUNDS AND APPLICATION THEREOF .................................75 Section 5.01. Pledge Effected by This Indenture................................................................75 Section 5.02. Establishment of Funds and Accounts ..........................................................76 Section 5.03. Project Fund ..................................................................................................77 Section 5.04. Revenues and Revenue Fund; Other Amounts .............................................78 Section 5.05. Payments from Revenue Fund ......................................................................79 Section 5.06. Operating Fund .............................................................................................80 Section 5.07. Debt Service Fund—Debt Service Account .................................................81 Section 5.08. Debt Service Fund–Redemption Account ....................................................83 Section 5.09. Commodity Swap Payment Fund .................................................................83 Section 5.10. General Fund.................................................................................................83 Section 5.11. Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund ..............................................................84 Section 5.12. Assignment Payment Fund ...........................................................................85 Section 5.13. Purchases of Bonds .......................................................................................85 Section 5.14. Administrative Fee Fund ..............................................................................85 ARTICLE VI. DEPOSITORIES OF MONEYS, SECURITY FOR DEPOSITS AND INVESTMENT OF FUNDS .........................................................................................................86 Section 6.01. Depositories ..................................................................................................86 Section 6.02. Deposits ........................................................................................................86 Section 6.03. Investment of Certain Funds .........................................................................87 Section 6.04. Valuation and Sale of Investments ...............................................................88 Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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ARTICLE VII. PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF ISSUER ................................................................89 Section 7.01. Payment of Bonds .........................................................................................89 Section 7.02. Extension of Payment of Bonds ...................................................................89 Section 7.03. Offices for Servicing Bonds .........................................................................90 Section 7.04. Further Assurance .........................................................................................90 Section 7.05. Power To Issue Bonds and Pledge the Trust Estate......................................90 Section 7.06. Power To Fix and Collect Fees and Charges for the Sale of Energy............90 Section 7.07. Creation of Liens ..........................................................................................90 Section 7.08. Reserved........................................................................................................91 Section 7.09. Limitations on Operating Expenses and Other Costs. ..................................91 Section 7.10. Amendments to Energy Supply Contracts ....................................................91 Section 7.11. Power Supply Contracts; Energy Remarketing ...........................................92 Section 7.12. Energy Purchase Agreement; Energy Supplier Guaranty .............................93 Section 7.13. Reserved........................................................................................................93 Section 7.14. Commodity Swap .........................................................................................93 Section 7.15. Interest Rate Swap ........................................................................................94 Section 7.16. Accounts and Reports ...................................................................................94 Section 7.17. Payment of Taxes and Charges .....................................................................95 Section 7.18. Tax Covenants ..............................................................................................95 Section 7.19. General ..........................................................................................................96 Section 7.20. Bankruptcy ....................................................................................................96 Section 7.21. Reserved........................................................................................................97 Section 7.22. Replacement of Energy Supplier Guaranty ..................................................97 Section 7.23. Avoidance of Failed Remarketing ................................................................97 ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES ...............................................................97 Section 8.01. Events of Default ..........................................................................................97 Section 8.02. Accounting and Examination of Records After Default ...............................98 Section 8.03. Enforcement of Agreements; Application of Moneys after Default .............98 Section 8.04. Appointment of Receiver ............................................................................100 Section 8.05. Proceedings Brought by Trustee. ................................................................100 Section 8.06. Restriction on Bondholder’s Action ...........................................................101 Section 8.07. Remedies Not Exclusive. ............................................................................101 Section 8.08. Effect of Waiver and Other Circumstances. ...............................................102 Section 8.09. Notice of Default ........................................................................................102 ARTICLE IX. CONCERNING THE FIDUCIARIES ......................................................................102 Section 9.01. Acceptance by Trustee of Duties ................................................................102 Section 9.02. Paying Agents; Appointment and Acceptance of Duties............................102 Section 9.03. Responsibilities of Fiduciaries ....................................................................102 Section 9.04. Evidence on Which Fiduciaries May Act ...................................................104 Section 9.05. Compensation .............................................................................................105 Section 9.06. Certain Permitted Acts ................................................................................105 Section 9.07. Resignation of Trustee ................................................................................105 Section 9.08. Removal of the Trustee ...............................................................................105 Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Section 9.09. Appointment of Successor Trustee .............................................................106 Section 9.10. Transfer of Rights and Property to Successor Trustee ...............................106 Section 9.11. Merger or Consolidation .............................................................................107 Section 9.12. Adoption of Authentication ........................................................................107 Section 9.13. Resignation or Removal of Paying Agent and Appointment of Successor. ...................................................................................................107 Section 9.14. Trustee’s Reliance.......................................................................................107 Section 9.15. Trustee’s Liability .......................................................................................108 Section 9.16. Trustee’s Agents or Attorneys ....................................................................109 Section 9.17. Notice of Lien Filings .................................................................................109 ARTICLE X. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES .........................................................................110 Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Not Requiring Consent of Bondholders .............110 Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures Effective With Consent of Bondholders ............111 Section 10.03. General Provisions ......................................................................................112 ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS .................................................................................................113 Section 11.01. Mailing ........................................................................................................113 Section 11.02. Powers of Amendment................................................................................113 Section 11.03. Consent of Bondholders..............................................................................113 Section 11.04. Notifications by Unanimous Consent .........................................................115 Section 11.05. Exclusion of Bonds .....................................................................................115 Section 11.06. Notation on Bonds ......................................................................................115 ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................................115 Section 12.01. Defeasance ..................................................................................................115 Section 12.02. Evidence of Signatures of Bondholders and Ownership of Bonds .............119 Section 12.03. Moneys Held for Particular Bonds .............................................................119 Section 12.04. Preservation and Inspection of Documents ................................................120 Section 12.05. Parties Interested Herein .............................................................................120 Section 12.06. No Recourse on the Bonds; Non -Liability of the Issuer ............................120 Section 12.07. Publication of Notice; Suspension of Publication ......................................120 Section 12.08. Publication of Notice; Suspension of Publication ......................................120 Section 12.09. Severability of Invalid Provisions...............................................................121 Section 12.10. Holidays ......................................................................................................121 Section 12.11. Notices ........................................................................................................121 Section 12.12. Notices to Rating Agencies.........................................................................122 Section 12.13. Counterparts ................................................................................................122 Section 12.14. Waiver of Jury Trial ....................................................................................122 Section 12.15. Electronic Signatures ..................................................................................123 Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Exhibit A — Form of Bonds
Exhibit B — Form of Index Rate Determination Certificate Exhibit C — [Reserved]
Exhibit D — [Reserved]
Exhibit E — [Reserved]
Schedule I — Initial Project Participants
Schedule II — Scheduled Debt Service Deposits
Schedule III — Terms of Commodity Swaps
Schedule IV — Amortized Value of Series 2022A-1 Bonds
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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TRUST INDENTURE
THIS TRUST INDENTURE, dated as of __________ 1, 2022 (this “Indenture”), is by and between California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority and public entity of the State of California (the “Issuer”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States and authorized to accept and execute trusts of the character herein, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
W ITNESSET H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Act (capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given such terms in Section 1.01 hereof), Central Coast Community Energy, East Bay Community Energy, Marin Clean Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy (each a “Member” and, collectively, the “Members”) entered into a joint powers agreement pursuant to which the Issuer was organized and established for the purpose, among other things, of entering into contracts for electricity and energy services and agreements for services to facilitate the sale and purchase of electricity and other related services, and for issuing bonds to assist the Members in financing such contracts, agreements, purchases, sales and services; and WHEREAS, the Issuer is authorized under the Act to acquire electricity and energy services and enter into agreements for services to facilitate the sale and purchase of electricity and other related services, and to issue revenue bonds to finance the cost of acquisition of such electricity and energy services and other agreements, and is vested with all powers necessary to accomplish the purposes for which it was created; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer has determined to finance the Cost of Acquisition of the Clean Energy Project through the issuance of Bonds pursuant to this Indenture; and WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Indenture has been in all respects duly and validly authorized and approved by resolution of the Board of the Issuer; and WHEREAS, the Trustee is willing to accept the trusts provided for in this Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, and the Issuer and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of the other, for the benefit of the Holders of the Bonds issued pursuant hereto and the other parties secured hereby:
GRANTING CLAUSES
FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the premises, the mutual covenants of the Issuer and the Trustee herein, the purchase of the Bonds by the Holders thereof and the obligations of the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty under the Interest Rate Swap, and in order to secure:
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(i) the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds and the payment of the Interest Rate Swap Payments, in each case according to the tenor and effect of the Bonds and the Interest Rate Swap, and (ii) the performance and observance by the Issuer of all the covenants expressed or implied in this Indenture and in the Bonds,
the Issuer does hereby convey, assign and pledge unto the Trustee and its successors in trust, all right, title and interest of the Issuer in and to the Trust Estate, subject to conveyance, assignment and pledge of the Commodity Swap Payment Fund in favor of the Commodity Swap Counterparty as set forth below, and further subject to the provisions of this Indenture permitting the application thereof for the purposes and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, and all other rights hereinafter granted for the further securing of the Bonds; FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the obligations of the Commodity Swap Counterparty under the Commodity Swap and the mutual covenants of the Issuer and the Commodity Swap Counterparty thereunder, and in order to secure the payment of the Commodity Swap Payments, the Issuer does hereby convey, assign and pledge unto the Trustee and its successors in trust, all right, title and interest of the Issuer in the Commodity Swap Payment Fund and the amounts on deposit therein, subject to the provisions of this Indenture permitting the application thereof for the purposes and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, which conveyance, assignment and pledge shall have priority over the foregoing conveyance, assignment and pledge of the Commodity Swap Payment Fund and the amounts and investments on deposit therein in favor of the Bonds and the Interest Rate Swap Payments; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all the same with all privileges and appurtenances hereby and hereafter conveyed and assigned, or agreed or intended so to be, to the Trustee and its respective successors in said trust and assigns forever;
IN TRUST NEVERTHELESS, upon the terms and trusts herein set forth for the equal and proportionate benefit, security and protection of (i) all Holders of the Bonds without privilege, priority or distinction as to the lien or otherwise of any Bond over any other Bond or the payment of interest with respect to any Bond over the payment of interest with respect to any other Bond, except as otherwise provided herein, and (ii) the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty; and PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Issuer, its successors or assigns shall well and truly pay, or cause to be paid, the principal or Redemption Price, if any, on the Bonds and the interest due or to become due thereon, the Commodity Swap Payments and the Interest Rate Swap Payments, at the times and in the manner provided in the Bonds, the Commodity Swap and the Interest Rate Swap, respectively, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, and shall cause the payments to be made into the Funds as required hereunder, or shall provide, as permitted hereby, for the payment thereof as provided in Section 12.01, and shall well and truly keep and perform and observe all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept, performed and observed by it, and shall pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums of money due or to become due to it in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, then upon such final payments or provisions for such payments by the Issuer, the Bonds, the Commodity Swap and the Interest Rate Swap shall Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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cease to be entitled to any lien, benefit or security under this Indenture, and all covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer to the Holders of the Bonds shall thereupon cease, terminate and be discharged and satisfied; otherwise this Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.
The terms and conditions upon which the Bonds are to be issued, authenticated, delivered, secured and accepted by all Persons who from time to time shall be or become the Holders thereof, and the trusts and conditions upon which the Revenues, moneys, securities and funds held or set aside under this Indenture, subject to the provisions of this Indenture permitting the application thereof for the purposes and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, are to be held and disposed of, which said trusts and conditions the Trustee hereby accepts, and the respective parties hereto covenant and agree, are as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND GOVERNING LAW
Section 1.01. Definitions. The following terms shall, for all purposes of this Indenture, have the following meanings:
“Account” or “Accounts” means, as the case may be, each or all of the Accounts established in Sections 4.15 and 5.02.
“Accountant’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an independent certified public accountant or a firm of independent certified public accountants, selected by the Issuer, who may be the accountant or firm of accountants who regularly audit the books of the Issuer and must be identified upon selection in writing to the Trustee.
“Act” means the Joint Exercise of Powers Act constituting Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 (commencing with Section 6500), as amended or supplemented from time to time. “Administrative Fee Fund” means the Administrative Fee Fund established in Section 5.02. “Alternate Liquidity Facility” means a Liquidity Facility for a Series of Bonds delivered to the Trustee in substitution for a Liquidity Facility then in effect with respect to such Bonds. “Amortized Value” means, with respect to any Bond to be redeemed when a Term Rate Period is in effect with respect to such Bond, the principal amount of such Bond multiplied by the price of such Bond expressed as a percentage, calculated by a major market maker in municipal securities, as the quotation agent, selected by the Issuer, based on the industry standard method of calculating bond prices (as such industry standard prevailed on the date such Bond began to bear interest at its current Term Rate), with a delivery date equal to the date of redemption of such Bond, a maturity date equal to the earlier of (a) the stated maturity date of such Bond or (b) the Term Rate Tender Date of such Bond and a yield equal to such Bond’s original reoffering yield on the date such Bond began to bear interest at its current Term Rate, which, in the case of the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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initial Term Rate Period for the Series 2022A-1 Bonds and certain dates, produces the amounts for all of the Series 2022A-1 Bonds set forth in Schedule IV; provided that in the case of a redemption of the Series 2022A-1 Bonds pursuant to Section 4.03(b), the Amortized Value of the Series 2022A-1 Bonds shall be the percentage of the principal amount thereof for the applicable redemption date set forth in Section 4.03(b).
“Applicable Factor” means (a) with respect to the initial issuance of a Series of Bonds bearing interest at a SOFR Index Rate, the percentage or factor of the SOFR Index determined by the Underwriter and specified in the Index Rate Determination Certificate for such Series of Bonds, or (b) with respect to a Series of Bonds for which the Interest Rate Period is being converted to a SOFR Index Rate Period (including a change in such Interest Rate Period from one SOFR Index Rate Period to another SOFR Index Rate Period), the percentage or factor of the SOFR Index determined by the Remarketing Agent and specified in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate or Index Rate Continuation Notice, provided in each case that the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel addressing the selection of such percentage or factor. The Applicable Factor shall be determined by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.09(a) and included in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate, and once determined shall remain constant for the duration of the applicable SOFR Index Rate Period.
“Applicable Spread” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds for which the Initial Interest Rate Period is an Index Rate Period, or for any Series of Bonds for which the Interest Rate Period is converted to an Index Rate Period, the margin or spread, which may be positive or negative, determined by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.09(a), on or prior to the Issue Date or Conversion Date for such Bonds, as applicable, and specified in the applicable Supplemental Indenture or Index Rate Determination Certificate, as applicable, which shall be added to the applicable Index (or the product of the Applicable Factor and the applicable Index, as the case may be) to determine the Index Rate. Once so determined, Applicable Spread shall remain constant for the duration of the applicable Index Rate Period. “Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate” means, for the Bonds of any maturity, the “Comparable AAA General Obligations” yield curve rate for the year of such maturity or Mandatory Purchase Date, as applicable, as published by Refinity at least one Business Day and not more than 15 Business Days prior to the date that notice of redemption is required to be given pursuant to Section 4.04. If no such yield curve rate is established for the applicable year, the “Comparable AAA General Obligations” yield curve rate for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the applicable year shall be determined, and the Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from those yield curve rates on a straight line basis. This rate is made available daily by Refinity and is available to its subscribers through the internet address: www.tm3.com. In calculating the Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate, should Refinity no longer publish the “Comparable AAA General Obligations” yield curve rate, then the Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate shall equal the Consensus Scale yield curve rate for the applicable year. The Consensus Scale yield curve rate is made available daily by Municipal Market Analytics and is available to its subscribers through its internet address:
www.mma research.com. In the further event Municipal Market Analytics no longer publishes the Consensus Scale, the Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate shall be determined by a Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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major market maker in municipal securities, as the quotation agent, based upon the rate per annum equal to the annual yield to maturity, calculated using semi-annual compounding, of those tax exempt general obligation bonds rated in the highest Rating Category by Moody’s and S&P with a maturity date equal to the stated maturity date or Mandatory Purchase Date, as applicable, of such Bonds having characteristics (other than the ratings) most comparable to those of such Bonds in the judgment of the quotation agent. The quotation agent’s determination of the Applicable Tax Exempt Municipal Bond Rate shall be final and binding on all parties in the absence of manifest error and may be conclusively relied upon in good faith by the Trustee. “Assignment Payment” means any payment received from the Energy Supplier in connection with an assignment of the Energy Purchase Agreement to a replacement energy supplier.
“Assignment Payment Fund” means the Assignment Payment Fund established in Section 5.02.
“Attesting Party” means an individual authorized by a resolution of the Board to attest the signatures of Authorized Officers.
“Authorized Denominations” means with respect to any (a) Term Rate Period or Index Rate Period, $5,000 and any integral multiple thereof, and (b) Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, Daily Interest Rate Period or Weekly Interest Rate Period, $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $100,000.
“Authorized Newspaper” means The Wall Street Journal or The Bond Buyer or any other newspaper or journal printed in the English language and customarily published on each Business Day devoted to financial news and selected by the Issuer, with prior written notice to and approval of the Trustee, whose decision shall be final.
“Authorized Officer” means (a) the Treasurer/Controller of the Issuer, and (b) any other person or persons designated by the Board by resolution to act on behalf of the Issuer under this Indenture. The designation of such person or persons shall be evidenced by a Written Certificate of the Issuer delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee containing the specimen signature of such person or persons and signed on behalf of the Issuer by its Treasurer/Controller. Such designation as an Authorized Officer shall remain in effect until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives actual written notice from the Issuer to the contrary, accompanied by a new certificate.
“Beneficial Owner” means, with respect to Bonds registered in the Book Entry System, any Person who acquires a beneficial ownership interest in a Bond held by the Securities Depository, and the term “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted accordingly. “BLS” means the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Issuer, or if said Board is abolished, the board, body, commission or agency succeeding to the principal functions thereof or to whom the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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power and duties granted or imposed by this Indenture are given by law, and which shall be identified in a Written Notice of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee. “Bond” or “Bonds” means any of the Bonds and Refunding Bonds authorized by Section 2.01 of, and at any time Outstanding pursuant to, this Indenture. “Bond Counsel” means Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP or any other counsel of nationally recognized standing in matters pertaining to the tax exempt status of interest on obligations issued by states and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities, duly admitted to the practice of law before the highest court of any state of the United States, and selected by the Issuer.
“Bond Payment Date” means each date on which (a) interest on the Bonds is due and payable, (b) an Interest Rate Swap Payment is due, or (c) principal of the Bonds is payable at maturity or pursuant to Sinking Fund Installments.
“Bond Purchase Fund” means the fund by that name established pursuant to Section 4.15(a), including the Remarketing Proceeds Account and the Issuer Purchase Account therein.
“Bond Registrar” means the Trustee and any other bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or national banking association appointed by the Issuer to perform the duties of Bond Registrar under this Indenture. “Bondholder” or “Holder of Bonds” or “Holder” or “Owner” means any Person who shall be the registered owner of any Bond or Bonds.
“Book Entry System” means the system maintained by the Securities Depository and described in Section 3.09.
“Business Day” means any day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday, (b) a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, or the cities in which are located the designated corporate trust offices of the Trustee, the Custodian or a Calculation Agent or the operational office of the Issuer are authorized by law or executive order to close, (c) a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is closed, (d) a day on which the payment system of the Federal Reserve System is not operational, and (e) for purposes of determining the SIFMA Index Rate and the SOFR Index Rate, any day that SIFMA recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for purposes of trading in United States government securities. “Calculation Agent” means, with respect to any Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate, the Calculation Agent with respect to such Bonds appointed by the Issuer, with written notice to the Trustee, pursuant to the applicable Calculation Agent Agreement and the Indenture.
The initial Calculation Agent for the Series 2022A Bonds shall be The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Calculation Agent Agreement” means, with respect to any Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate, such agreement as is entered into by the applicable Calculation Agent and the Issuer with respect to such Series of Bonds providing for the determination of the applicable Index Rate in accordance with Section 2.09 or Section 2.14, as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or modified pursuant to the terms thereof and this Indenture, as applicable.
“Cede” means Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and any successor nominee of DTC with respect to the Bonds pursuant to Section 3.09.
“Clean Energy Project” means the Issuer’s purchase of Energy pursuant to the Energy Purchase Agreement and related contractual arrangements and agreements, and the purchase of any Energy to replace Energy not delivered as required pursuant to the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each period comprised of CP Interest Terms for the Bonds of such Series, during which CP Interest Term Rates are in effect for the Bonds of such Series.
“Commodity Swap” means the ISDA Master Agreement, Schedule and Confirmation between the Issuer and the Commodity Swap Counterparty, or any replacement agreement permitted by Section 2.12(b), pursuant to which the Issuer will pay to the Commodity Swap Counterparty an index based floating price and the Commodity Swap Counterparty will pay to the Issuer a fixed price in relation to the quantities of Energy to be delivered under the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Commodity Swap Counterparty” means Natixis, S. A. and its successors and assigns and the counterparty to any replacement Commodity Swap that meets the requirements of Section 2.12(b).
“Commodity Swap Mandatory Termination Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c)(iii).
“Commodity Swap Payment Fund” means the Commodity Swap Payment Fund established in Section 5.02.
“Commodity Swap Payments” means, as of each scheduled payment date specified in a Commodity Swap, the amount, if any, payable to the Commodity Swap Counterparty by the Issuer (including any such amount paid to the Custodian pursuant to Section 3 of the Issuer Custodial Agreement).
“Commodity Swap Receipts” means, as of each scheduled payment date specified in a Commodity Swap, the amount, if any, payable to the Issuer by the Commodity Swap Counterparty. “Contract Price” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Power Supply Contracts.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Conversion” means (a) a conversion of a Series of Bonds from one Interest Rate Period to another Interest Rate Period, (b) with respect to a Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate, the establishment of a new Index, a new Index Rate and/or a new Index Rate Period and (c) with respect to a Series of Bonds bearing interest in a Term Rate Period, the establishment of a new Term Rate and/or a new Term Rate Period. A Conversion may occur only on a Mandatory Purchase Date.
“Conversion Date” means the effective date of a Conversion of a Series of Bonds and shall occur only on a Mandatory Purchase Date.
“Cost of Acquisition” means all costs of planning, financing, refinancing, acquiring, transmitting, storing and implementing Clean Energy Project, including:
(a) the amount of the prepayment required to be made by the Issuer under the Energy Purchase Agreement;
(b) the amount for deposit into the Capitalized Interest Subaccount of the Debt Service Account for capitalized interest on the Bonds, with such interest being calculated in accordance with the definition of “Debt Service;”
(c) the costs and expenses incurred in the issuance and sale of the Bonds, including, without limitation, legal, financial advisory, accounting, engineering, consulting, municipal advisory, financing, technical, fiscal agent and underwriting costs, fees and expenses, bond discount, rating agency fees, and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of the Bonds and preparation of this Indenture;
(e) all other costs incurred in connection with and properly chargeable to, the acquisition or implementation of the Clean Energy Project; (f) the allowance for working capital requirements of the Issuer with respect to the Clean Energy Project in such amounts as shall be deemed reasonably necessary by the Issuer; and
(g) with respect to any Series of Refunding Bonds, the amounts necessary to purchase, redeem and discharge Bonds being refunded, including the payment of the Purchase Price or the Redemption Price of such Bonds, any necessary deposits to the Debt Service Account, and all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Series of Refunding Bonds, including the costs and expenses described in (e) and (f) above. “CP Interest Term” means, with respect to a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, each period established in accordance with Section 2.08 during which a CP Interest Term Rate is in effect for the Bonds of such Series.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“CP Interest Term Rate” means, with respect to any Bond of a Series of Bonds in the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an interest rate established periodically for each CP Interest Term in accordance with Section 2.08.
“CP Mandatory Purchase Date” means (i) each Mandatory Purchase Date and (ii) the day next succeeding the last day of each CP Interest Term.
“CPI” means, the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI”), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor (“BLS”) and reported on Bloomberg CPURNSA or any successor service (“Bloomberg CPURNSA”). If such index is not then reported by such source but the CPI has otherwise been reported by the BLS, the Calculation Agent will determine the CPI as published by the BLS for such Month using a source it deems to be accurate and appropriate. “CPI Index Rate Formula” means (i) the total of CPI for the applicable Reference Month less CPI for the twelfth month prior to the applicable Reference Month, divided by (ii) CPI for the twelfth month prior to the applicable Reference Month, which formula would be expressed mathematically as ((CPIt — CPIt-12) / CPIt-12), where:
CPIt = CPI for the applicable Reference Month; and
CPIt-12 = CPI for the twelfth month prior to the applicable Reference Month.
All values used in the CPI Index Rate Formula will be truncated to six decimal places and rounded to the nearest fifth decimal place (one hundred thousandth of a percentage point), rounding upwards if the sixth decimal place is five or greater (e.g., 9.876555% (or .09876555) would be rounded up to 9.87656% (or .0987656) and 9.876554% (or .09876554) would be rounded down to 9.87655% (or .0987655)). All percentages resulting from any calculation of the interest rate will be truncated to four decimal places and rounded to the nearest third decimal place (one thousandth of a percentage point), rounding upwards if the fourth decimal place is five or greater (e.g., 9.8765% (or .098765) would be rounded up to 9.877% (or .09877) and 9.8764% (or .098764) would be rounded down to 9.876% (or .09876)). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation on Bonds bearing interest at the CPI Index Rate will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upward).
If the sum of (i) the CPI Index Rate Formula and (ii) the Applicable Spread on any CPI Index Rate Reset Date yields a number equal to or less than zero, the interest rate on such CPI Index Rate Bonds shall be 0.00% (zero percent) for the applicable month. “CPI Index Rate” means the interest rate per annum determined by the Calculation Agent equal to the sum of (a) the result of the CPI Interest Rate Formula, plus (b) the Applicable Spread, as set forth in Section 2.14.
“CPI Index Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each period during which a CPI Index Rate is in effect for such Bonds.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“CPI Index Rate Reset Date” means, the first Business Day of each calendar month. “CPI Interest Period” means the period from and including a CPI Index Rate Reset Date, to but excluding the next following CPI Index Rate Reset Date. “Custodial Agreements” means, collectively, the Energy Supplier Custodial Agreement and the Issuer Custodial Agreement.
“Custodian” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Custodian under the Custodial Agreements and its successors and assigns. “Daily Interest Rate” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, the final daily interest rate for such Bonds determined by the Remarketing Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time pursuant to Section 2.05.
“Daily Interest Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each period during which a Daily Interest Rate is in effect for such Bonds. “Debt Service” means with respect to any Outstanding Bonds, for any particular period of time, an amount equal to the sum of:
(a) all interest payable during such period on such Bonds, but excluding any interest that is to be paid from Bond proceeds on deposit in the Debt Service Account, plus (b) the Principal Installments payable during such period on such Bonds, calculated on the assumption that, on the day of calculation, such Bonds cease to be Outstanding by reason of, but only by reason of, payment either upon maturity or application of any Sinking Fund Installments required by this Indenture; provided that (i) the interest on any Bonds with a related Interest Rate Swap shall be calculated on the basis of the fixed interest rate payable by the Issuer under the Interest Rate Swap, and (ii) principal and interest due on the first day of a Fiscal Year shall be deemed to have been payable and paid on the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year. “Debt Service Account” means the Debt Service Account in the Debt Service Fund established in Section 5.02.
“Debt Service Fund” means the Debt Service Fund established in Section 5.02. “Debt Service Fund Agreement” means any debt service fund agreement, that is a Qualified Investment, among the Trustee, the Issuer and a provider, or between the Issuer and a provider and assigned to the Trustee, relating to amounts deposited in the Debt Service Account of the Debt Service Fund. The initial Debt Service Fund Agreement shall be the Debt Service Account Investment Agreement between the Issuer and Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc., dated __________, 20__.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Debt Service Fund Agreement Guaranty” means any unconditional guaranty, in favor of the Issuer and the Trustee, guarantying the obligations of the provider under any Debt Service Fund Agreement.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.08. “Defeasance Securities” means (a) Government Obligations and (b) to the extent that such deposits or certificates of deposit are Qualified Investments, deposits in interest‑bearing time deposits or certificates of deposit which shall not be subject to redemption or repayment prior to their maturity or due date other than at the option of the depositor or holder thereof or as to which an irrevocable notice of redemption or repayment, or irrevocable instructions have been given to call for redemption or repayment, of such time deposits or certificates of deposit on a specified redemption or repayment date has been given and such time deposits or certificates of deposit are not otherwise subject to redemption or repayment prior to such specified date other than at the option of the depositor or holder thereof, and which are fully secured by Government Obligations to the extent not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. “Depository” means any bank, trust company, national banking association, savings and loan association, savings bank or other banking association selected by the Issuer as a depository of moneys and securities held under the provisions of this Indenture, and may include the Trustee. “Dissemination Agent” means that certain dissemination agent appointed by the Issuer, pursuant to the Continuing Disclosure Undertaking, and any successor Dissemination Agent appointed by the Issuer in accordance with the Continuing Disclosure Undertaking. “DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, and its successors and assigns.
“Early Termination Payment Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 17.4(d) of the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Electronic Means” means the following communication methods: e‑mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder. “Eligible Bonds” means any Bonds other than Bonds which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be owned by, for the account of, or on behalf of the Issuer or a Project Participant.
“EMMA” means the Electronic Municipal Market Access system, the website currently maintained by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and any successor municipal securities disclosure website approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Energy” has the meaning given to such term in the Power Supply Contracts.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Energy Purchase Agreement” means the Prepaid Energy Sales Agreement, dated as of __________, 2022, between the Issuer and the Energy Supplier. “Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund” means the Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund in established in Section 5.02.
“Energy Supplier” means Morgan Stanley Energy Structuring, L.L.C. “Energy Supplier Custodial Agreement” means the Custodial Agreement dated as of the Initial Issue Date among the Commodity Swap Counterparty, the Energy Supplier, the Trustee and the Custodian.
“Energy Supplier Guaranty” means the Morgan Stanley Guarantee, as defined in the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Event of Default” has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.01. “Extraordinary Expenses” means extraordinary and nonrecurring expenses. Termination payments under the Commodity Swap shall not be considered an Extraordinary Expense. “Failed Remarketing” means, (a) with respect to the Bonds on any Mandatory Purchase Date, a failure to either (i) pay the Purchase Price of the Bonds required to be purchased on such date or (ii) redeem such Bonds in whole on such date (including from any funds required from an Assignment Payment to the Assignment Payment Fund) or (b) with respect to the Bonds (i) if, on the last day of the current Reset Period prior to a Mandatory Purchase Date, the Issuer has not entered into a bond purchase agreement, firm remarketing agreement or similar agreement with respect to the remarketing or refunding of such existing Bonds, or (ii) if the conditions of (b)(i) above are satisfied, but the Purchase Price of the Bonds required to be purchased on the Mandatory Purchase Date is not delivered to the Trustee by noon New York City time on the fifth Business Day preceding such Mandatory Purchase Date.
“Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel” means an Opinion of Bond Counsel to the effect that an action proposed to be taken is not prohibited by this Indenture and will not, in and of itself, cause interest on the applicable Bonds to be included in gross income for purposes of federal income taxation.
“Fiduciary” or “Fiduciaries” means the Trustee, the Paying Agents, the Bond Registrar, the Calculation Agents, the Custodian, the tender agent or any or all of them, as may be appropriate.
“Final Fixed Rate Conversion Date” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, the date on which such Bonds begin to bear interest for a Term Rate Period which extends to the Final Maturity Date for such Series of Bonds.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Final Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the Series 2022A Bonds, ___________ 1, 20__ and (b) with respect to any other Series of Bonds, the final Maturity Date set forth in the related Supplemental Indenture.
“Fiscal Year” means (a) the twelve-month period beginning on January 1 of each year and ending on and including the next December 31, or (b) such other twelve-month period established by the Issuer from time to time, upon Written Notice to the Trustee, as its fiscal year. “Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., its successors and assigns, and, if such corporation shall no longer perform the functions of a securities rating agency, “Fitch” shall be deemed to refer to any other nationally recognized securities rating agency designated by the Issuer in a Written Notice delivered to the Trustee.
“Fund” or “Funds” means, as the case may be, each or all of the Funds established in Section 5.02 and Section 4.15.
“General Reserve Fund” means the General Reserve Fund established in Section 5.02. “Government Obligations” means:
(a) Direct obligations of (including obligations issued or held in book entry form on the books of) the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, obligations unconditionally guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of America, and evidences of ownership interests in such direct or unconditionally guaranteed obligations; or
(b) Any bonds or other obligations of any state of the United States of America or of any agency, instrumentality or local governmental unit of any such state which: (i) are not callable at the option of the obligor prior to maturity or as to which irrevocable notice has been given by the obligor to call such bonds or obligations on the date specified in the notice; (ii) are rated in the two highest Rating Categories of S&P and Moody’s; and (iii) are fully secured as to principal and interest and redemption premium, if any, by a fund consisting only of cash or obligations described in clause (a) above, which fund may be applied only to the payment of interest when due, principal of and redemption premium, if any, on such bonds or other obligations on the maturity date or dates thereof or the specified redemption date or dates pursuant to such irrevocable notice, as appropriate; or (c) Any other bonds, notes or obligations of the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof which, if deposited with the Trustee for the purpose described in Section 12.01(c), will result in a rating on the Bonds which are deemed to have been paid pursuant to Section 12.01(c) that is in the same Rating Category of the obligations listed in subsection (a) above.
The determination as to whether any bond, note or other obligation constitutes a Government Obligation shall be made solely at the time of initial investment or purchase; provided that, the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Trustee shall have no responsibility for determining whether any bond, note or other obligation is a Government Obligation.
“Indenture” means this Trust Indenture as from time to time amended or supplemented by Supplemental Indentures in accordance with the terms hereof. “Index” means the SIFMA Index, the SOFR Index or CPI, as applicable. “Index Rate” means a SIFMA Index Rate, SOFR Index Rate or a CPI Index Rate, as applicable.
“Index Rate Determination Certificate” means a Written Certificate delivered by the Issuer in the form of Exhibit B hereto pursuant to Section 2.09(b)(i) or Section 2.14(b)(i). “Index Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, an Interest Rate Period during which the Bonds of such Series bear interest at an Index Rate. “Index Rate Reset Date” means, with respect to (i) the Series 2022A-2 Bonds during the Initial Interest Rate Period, Thursday of each week or, if the SIFMA Index is not issued on Wednesday of such week, the Business Day next succeeding the day on which the SIFMA Index for such week is issued, and (ii) with respect to any other Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate, each date on which the applicable Index Rate is determined by the Calculation Agent based on the change in the applicable Index as of such date, which shall be the date or dates so specified in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate with respect to such Index Rate Period (including, by way of example and not limitation, Thursday of each week, the first Business Day of each calendar month or the first Business Day of a calendar quarter). “Index Rate Tender Date” means, with respect to any Index Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the date so specified in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate with respect to such Index Rate, which date shall be the next-occurring Mandatory Purchase Date, which shall be a date not later than the Final Maturity Date. The Index Rate Tender Date shall always be a Business Day, unless such date is the Final Maturity Date. If a date (other than the Final Maturity Date) that is not a Business Day is specified as an Index Rate Tender Date, then the Index Rate Tender Date shall be the Business Day immediately following such specified date. “Initial Interest Rate Period” means, with respect to the Series 2022A Bonds, the period from the Initial Issue Date to and including __________, 20__; provided that in the event that all of the Series 2022A Bonds are redeemed (or purchased in lieu of redemption) pursuant to Section 4.03, the Initial Interest Rate Period shall end on and as of the day of such redemption or purchase.
“Initial Issue Date” means the date of initial issuance and delivery of the Series 2022A Bonds.
“Initial Mandatory Purchase Date” means __________ 1, 20__, which is the day following the last day of the Initial Interest Rate Period for the Series 2022A Bonds.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Interest Accrual Date” means, with respect to any Bond (a) during any Daily Interest Rate Period or Weekly Interest Rate Period for such Bond, the first day thereof and, thereafter, each Interest Payment Date in respect thereof other than the last such Interest Payment Date during that Daily Interest Rate Period or Weekly Interest Rate Period, as applicable, (b) during any Index Rate Period for such Bond, the first day thereof and, thereafter each Interest Payment Date in respect thereof other than the last such Interest Payment Date during that Index Rate Period, except as otherwise provided in the Supplemental Indenture for such Bond, (c) during any Term Rate Period for such Bond, the first day thereof and, thereafter, each Interest Payment Date in respect thereof other than the last such Interest Payment Date during that Term Rate Period, and (d) for each CP Interest Term for such Bond within a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, the first day thereof. “Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Bond (a) during any Daily Interest Rate Period or Weekly Interest Rate Period for such Bond, the first Business Day of each Month, (b) during any Index Rate Period for such Bond, the first Business Day of each Month, except as otherwise provided by Supplemental Indenture for such Bond, (c) during any Term Rate Period for such Bond, each February 1 and August 1, provided that the first Interest Payment Dade for any Term Rate Period shall be at least ninety (90) days from the first day of such period, (d) during any Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period for such Bond, the day next succeeding the last day of each CP Interest Term for such Bond, (d) any redemption date for such Bond, (e) any Mandatory Purchase Date for such Bond, and (f) the Maturity Date of such Bond. “Interest Rate Determination Certificate” means a certificate of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee no later than 30 days prior to the effective date of the new Interest Rate Period, setting forth the applicable Interest Rate Period and, during such Interest Rate Period, the next occurring Mandatory Purchase Date, and (i) for Bonds bearing interest at a Term Rate, the interest rate(s) for such Bonds during such Interest Rate Period and (ii) for Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate, the Index, the Index Rate Reset Date, the Applicable Spread and the CPI and the CPI Interest Period, if applicable, for such Bonds during such Interest Rate Period. “Interest Rate Period” means a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period, a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, a Term Rate Period or an Index Rate Period.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, all Bonds of a Series shall at all times bear interest in the same Interest Rate Period. All Interest Rate Periods for all Series of Bonds shall terminate on the first to occur of the day prior to (a) the next occurring Mandatory Purchase Date or (b) the Final Maturity Date.
“Interest Rate Swap” means (a) the ISDA Master Agreement, the Schedule thereto and each Confirmation thereunder between the Issuer and the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty, pursuant to which the Issuer agrees to make payments to the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty at a fixed rate of interest and the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty agrees to make payments to the Issuer at a floating rate equal to the rate of interest borne by a related Series of Variable Rate Bonds, in each case with a notional amount equal to the Outstanding principal amount of such Series of Bonds, and (b) any replacement interest rate swap agreement permitted by Section 2.13(b), in each case as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented, modified or amended pursuant to the terms thereof and this Indenture, as applicable; provided that, as long as no Interest Rate Swap has been entered into by the Issuer, all references herein to the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Interest Rate Swap, Interest Rate Swap Counterparty, Interest Rate Swap Receipts and Interest Rate Swap Payments (including, without limitation, Section 7.15) shall be disregarded. “Interest Rate Swap Counterparty” means the counterparty to the Interest Rate Swap or replacement Interest Rate Swap, and any successor and assign thereof, that meets the requirements of Section 2.13(b).
“Interest Rate Swap Payments” means, as of each scheduled payment date specified in the Interest Rate Swap, the amount, if any, payable to the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty by the Issuer.
“Interest Rate Swap Receipts” means, as of each scheduled payment date specified in the Interest Rate Swap, the amount, if any, payable to the Issuer by the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty.
“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
References herein to sections of the Internal Revenue Code include the applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Issue Date” means (a) with respect to the Series 2022A Bonds, the Initial Issue Date, and (b) with respect to any other Series of Bonds, the date of initial issuance and delivery of such Series.
“Issuer” means California Community Choice Financing Authority, a joint powers authority organized pursuant to the laws of the State of California, including without limitation, the Act.
“Issuer Custodial Agreement” means the Custodial Agreement dated as of the Initial Issue Date among the Commodity Swap Counterparty, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Custodian. “Issuer Purchase Account” means the Account by that name in the Bond Purchase Fund. “Liquidity Facility” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, a standby bond purchase agreement, letter of credit or similar facility providing liquidity support for such Series of Bonds and any Alternate Liquidity Facility provided in substitution of the foregoing. “Liquidity Facility Provider” means, with respect to a Liquidity Facility for a Series of Bonds, the commercial bank or other financial institution providing the same and any other commercial bank or other financial institution issuing or providing (or having primary obligation for, or acting as agent for the financial institutions obligated under) an Alternate Liquidity Facility. “Mandatory Purchase Date” means (i) the Initial Mandatory Purchase Date, and (ii) any subsequent date on which Bonds are required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.13 or Section 4.14, respectively.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Maturity Date” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each date upon which principal of such Bonds is due, as set forth in (a) Section 2.02(b) with respect to the Series 2022A Bonds, and (b) the related Supplemental Indenture with respect to any other Series of Bonds. “Maximum Lawful Rate” means the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law. “Maximum Rate” means the lesser of 12% per annum and the Maximum Lawful Rate. “Member” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals to this Indenture. “Minimum Daily Interest Rate” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds bearing interest at a Daily Rate, the minimum rate determined by the Remarketing Agent by 10:00 a.m. New York City time pursuant to Section 2.05.
“Month” means a calendar month.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., its successors and assigns, and, if such corporation shall no longer perform the functions of a securities rating agency, “Moody’s” shall be deemed to refer to any other nationally recognized securities rating agency designated by the Issuer in a Written Notice delivered to the Trustee.
“MWh” means a megawatt-hour.
“Net Participant Shortfall Amount” means, for any Month in which a Project Participant fails to pay the full amount due under its Power Supply Contract in time for such amount to be credited to the Revenue Fund for application pursuant to Section 5.05(a) and the full amount due by such Project Participant is not otherwise paid by the Energy Supplier pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Provisions, an amount equal to the positive result (if any) of (i) such Project Participant’s Payment Deficiency Index Baseline for such Month minus (ii) the greater of (a) such Project Participant’s Payment Deficiency Fixed Baseline for such Month, and (b) the actual amount paid by such Project Participant for such Month, provided that if the foregoing does not result in a positive number, then no Net Participant Shortfall Amount will exist for such Project Participant for such Month.
“Operating Expenses” means, to the extent properly allocable to the Clean Energy Project, (a) the Issuer’s expenses for operation of the Clean Energy Project, including all Rebate Payments, costs, collateral deposits and other amounts (other than Commodity Swap Payments) necessary to maintain any Commodity Swap; and payments required under the Energy Purchase Agreement (which may, under certain circumstances, include imbalance charges and other miscellaneous payments) or required to be incurred under or in connection with the performance of the Issuer’s obligations under the Power Supply Contracts; (b) any other current expenses or obligations required to be paid by the Issuer under the provisions of this Indenture (other than Debt Service on the Bonds and deposits to the General Reserve Fund and the Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund, or any Cost of Acquisition) or by law or required to be incurred under or in connection with the performance of the Issuer’s obligations under the Power Supply Contracts; (c) fees payable by the Issuer with respect to any Remarketing Agreement; (d) the fees and expenses of the Fiduciaries; Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(e) reasonable accounting, legal and other professional fees and expenses, and all other reasonable administrative and operating expenses of the Issuer, which are incurred by the Issuer with respect to the Bonds, this Indenture, or the Clean Energy Project, including but not limited to those relating to the administration of the Trust Estate and compliance by the Issuer with its continuing disclosure obligations, if any, with respect to the Bonds; and (f) the costs of any insurance premiums incurred by the Issuer, including, without limitation, directors and officers liability insurance allocable to the Clean Energy Project; provided that, for purposes of Section 5.05(ii), Operating Expenses shall not include any of the foregoing administrative expenses, fees or other costs described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (f) that are paid from funds on deposit in the Administrative Fee Fund. Commodity Swap Payments, litigation judgments and settlements and indemnification payments in connection with the payment of any litigation judgment or settlement, and Extraordinary Expenses are not Operating Expenses.
“Operating Fund” means the Operating Fund established in Section 5.02. “Opinion of Bond Counsel” means a written opinion of either Bond Counsel or Special Tax Counsel (or written opinions of both of them) addressed to the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion signed by an attorney or firm of attorneys (who may be counsel to the Issuer) selected by the Issuer.
“Optional Purchase Date” means any date on which Bonds are to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.11.
“Outstanding” when used with reference to Bonds, means as of any date, Bonds theretofore or thereupon being authenticated and delivered under this Indenture except:
(a) Bonds cancelled (or portions thereof deemed to have been cancelled) by the Trustee at or prior to such date;
(b) Bonds (or portions of Bonds) for the payment or redemption of which moneys, equal to the principal amount or Redemption Price thereof, as the case may be, with interest to the date of maturity or redemption date, shall be held in trust under this Indenture and set aside for such payment or redemption (whether at or prior to the maturity or redemption date), provided that if such Bonds (or portions of Bonds) are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption shall have been given or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for the giving of such notice as provided in Article IV; (c) Bonds in lieu of or in substitution for which other Bonds shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to Article III or Section 4.06 or Section 11.06; (d) Bonds paid or deemed to have been paid as provided in Section 12.01; and Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(e) Bonds (or portions thereof) deemed to have been purchased pursuant to the provisions of any Supplemental Indenture in lieu of which other Bonds have been authenticated and delivered as provided in such Supplemental Indenture. “Outstanding Sold Receivables” means, in respect of any Project Participant, Put Receivables that have been sold to the Energy Supplier pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Provisions, together with any interest accrued thereon pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Provisions, less any such Put Receivables and interest thereon that has been previously paid or repurchased from the Energy Supplier pursuant to the Receivables Purchase Provisions. “Participants” means those broker dealers, banks and other financial institutions from time to time for which DTC holds Bonds as Securities Depository. “Paying Agent” means the Trustee, its successors and assigns, and any other bank or trust company organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or any national banking association designated as paying agent for the Bonds, and its successor or successors hereafter appointed in the manner provided in this Indenture. “Payment Deficiency Fixed Baseline” means, for any Month and any Project Participant, the amount such Project Participant would have been required to pay for such Month under its Power Supply Contract if the Contract Price for such Month had been determined using an Index Price (as defined under its Power Supply Contract) for such Month equal to the Fixed Price (as defined under the Commodity Swap) for such Month.
“Payment Deficiency Index Baseline” means, for any Month and any Project Participant, the amount required to be paid by such Project Participant for such Month under its Power Supply Contract.
“Person” means any and all natural persons, firms, associations, corporations and public bodies.
“Pledged Funds” means (a) the Project Fund, (b) the Revenue Fund, (c) the Debt Service Fund, (d) the General Reserve Fund, (e) the Assignment Payment Fund and (f) the Commodity Swap Payment Fund, in each case including the Accounts in each of such Funds and in the case of the Commodity Swap Payment Fund, subject to the prior pledge thereof in favor of the Commodity Swap Counterparty.
“Power Supply Contract” means (a) each of the contracts for the sale by the Issuer of Energy from or attributable to the Clean Energy Project to a Project Participant identified on Schedule I, as such contracts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture, and (b) any other contract for the sale by the Issuer of Energy from or attributable to the Clean Energy Project entered into by a Person that becomes a Project Participant in accordance with the assignment and novation requirements set forth in Section 7.10(iv), as such contract may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and this Indenture.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Prepaid Clean Energy Project Administration Agreement” means the Prepaid Clean Energy Project Administration Agreement, dated as of __________, 2022, between the Issuer and East Bay Community Energy Authority, as the same may be amended from time to time. “Prevailing Market Conditions” means, without limitation, the following factors: existing short term market rates for securities, the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes or, as applicable, qualifies the issuer thereof to receive Subsidy Payments or similar benefit; indexes of such short term rates; the existing market supply and demand and the existing yield curves for short term and long term securities for obligations of credit quality comparable to the Bonds, the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes; general economic conditions and financial conditions that may affect or be relevant to the Bonds; and such other facts, circumstances and conditions as the Remarketing Agent, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be relevant to the remarketing of the Bonds at the Purchase Price thereof.
“Principal Installment” means, as of any date of calculation, (a) the principal amount of Bonds due on a certain future date for which no Sinking Fund Installments have been established, or (b) the unsatisfied balance (determined as provided in Section 5.10(c)) of any Sinking Fund Installments due on a certain future date in a principal amount equal to said unsatisfied balance of such Sinking Fund Installments.
“Project Administration Fee” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Energy Supply Contracts.
“Project Fund” means the Project Fund established in Section 5.02. “Project Participant” means (a) a Public Agency that is an Energy purchaser under a Power Supply Contract and identified as a “Project Participant” in Schedule I and (b) any other Person that enters into a Power Supply Contract with the Issuer in accordance with the assignment and novation requirements set forth in Section 7.10(iv). “Public Agency” means a state, a governmental or political subdivision of a state and a corporate instrumentality or public corporation of a state or a subdivision of a state, including without limitation any of their departments or agencies, counties, county boards of education, county superintendents of schools, cities, public corporations, public districts, public commissions or joint powers authorities.
“Purchase Date” means an Optional Purchase Date or a Mandatory Purchase Date, as the case may be.
“Purchase Price” means (a) with respect to any Purchased Bond to be purchased on an Optional Purchase Date, an amount equal to the principal amount of such Bond Outstanding on such date plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, unless such Optional Purchase Date is an Interest Payment Date for such Bond, in which case interest on such Bond shall not be included in the Purchase Price of such Bond but shall be paid to the Owner of such Bond in accordance with the interest payment provisions of this Indenture, (b) except as provided in clause (c) below, with Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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respect to any Purchased Bond to be purchased on a Mandatory Purchase Date, an amount equal to the principal amount of such Bond Outstanding on such date, and (c) in the case of a purchase of a Bond bearing interest at a Term Rate pursuant to Section 4.14 with respect to which the new Interest Rate Period commences prior to the day originally established as the last day of the preceding Term Rate Period, the optional redemption price for such Bond set forth in Section 4.03(b) or in an applicable Supplemental Indenture which would have been applicable to such Bond if the preceding Term Rate Period had continued to the day originally established as its last day. Accrued interest due on any Bonds to be purchased on a Mandatory Purchase Date shall be paid from amounts on deposit in the Debt Service Account of the Debt Service Fund on such date in accordance with Section 5.07.
“Purchased Bonds” means any Bonds required to be purchased on a Purchase Date. “Put Option Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Receivables Purchase Provisions.
“Put Receivable” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of the Receivables Purchase Provisions.
“Qualified Investments” means any of the following investments, if and to the extent that the same are rated (or whose financial obligations to the Issuer receive credit support from an entity rated) at least at the credit rating of the Energy Supplier, or, if the Energy Supplier is not rated, the guarantor of the Energy Supplier (except for (c) below), and are at the time authorized for such purpose by law:
(a) Direct obligations of the United States government or any of its agencies; (b) Obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States government or any of its agencies;
(c) Certificates of deposit, including those placed by a third party pursuant to an agreement between the Trustee and the Issuer, and other evidences of deposit at state and federally chartered banks, savings and loan institutions or savings banks, including the Trustee or any of its affiliates (each having the highest short term rating by each Rating Agency then rating the Bonds) deposited and collateralized as required by law; (d) Repurchase agreements entered into with the United States or its agencies or with any bank, broker dealer or other such entity, including the Trustee and its affiliates, so long as the obligation of the obligated party is secured by a perfected pledge of obligations that meet the conditions set forth in the preamble to this definition of Qualified Investments;
(e) Guaranteed investment contracts, forward delivery agreements, interest rate exchange agreements or similar agreements providing for a specified rate of return over a specified time period; provided, however, that guaranteed investment contracts, forward Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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delivery agreements or similar agreements shall meet the conditions set forth in the preamble to this definition of Qualified Investments;
(f) Direct general obligations of a state of the United States, or a political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, having general taxing powers; (g) Obligations of any state of the United States or a political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, secured solely by revenues received by or on behalf of the state or political subdivision or instrumentality thereof irrevocably pledged to the payment of principal of and interest on such obligations and that meet the conditions set forth in the preamble to this definition of Qualified Investments;
(h) Money market funds registered under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, whose shares are registered under the federal Securities Act of 1933, and having a rating in the highest Rating Category by each Rating Agency at the time of investment, including money market funds of the Trustee and funds for which the Trustee or its affiliates (i) provide investment or other management services and (ii) serve as investment manager, administrator, shareholder, servicing agent and/or custodian or sub-custodian, notwithstanding that (A) the Trustee or its affiliate receives or collects fees from such funds for services rendered, and (B) services performed by the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture may at times duplicate those provided to such funds by the Trustee or its affiliate; or (i) Any other investments permitted by applicable law for the investment of the funds of the Issuer and that meet the conditions set forth in the preamble to this definition of Qualified Investments;
provided, that the Issuer shall monitor, or shall cause to be monitored, ratings and shall determine whether any investment made is or continues to be a Qualified Investment, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever for monitoring ratings or determining whether any investment is or continues to be a Qualified Investment.
“Rating Agency” means Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, or any other rating agency so designated in a Supplemental Indenture that, at the time, rates the Bonds. “Rating Category” means one or more of the generic rating categories of a Rating Agency, without regard to any refinement or gradation of such rating category or categories by a numerical modifier, a plus or minus, or otherwise.
“Rating Confirmation” means evidence satisfactory to the Issuer, so designated in a Written Statement of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee, that upon the effectiveness of any proposed action, all Outstanding Bonds will continue to be assigned at least the same or equivalent ratings (including the same or equivalent numerical, plus or minus, or other modifiers within a Rating Category) by each Rating Agency then rating such Outstanding Bonds.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Rebate Payments” means those portions of moneys or securities held in any Fund or Account that are required to be paid to the United States Treasury Department under the requirements of Section 148(f) of the Internal Revenue Code. “Receivables Purchase Provisions” means (i) initially, the provisions set forth in Exhibit G to the Energy Purchase Agreement, and (ii) any successor provisions for the purchase and sale of receivables in respect of amounts due and unpaid under the Power Supply Contracts and provided in a Written Notice of the Issuer to the Trustee. “Redemption Account” means the Redemption Account in the Debt Service Fund established in Section 5.02.
“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Bond, the amount payable upon redemption thereof pursuant to such Bond or this Indenture. “Reference Month” means, with respect to each CPI Index Rate Reset Date, the third calendar month preceding such CPI Index Rate Reset Date. “Refunding Bonds” means a Series of Bonds authorized to be issued pursuant to Section 2.01(c) for the sole purposes of refunding or defeasing (in accordance with Article XII) in whole a Series of Bonds then Outstanding, and paying the Cost of Acquisition with respect to such Refunding Bonds.
“Regular Record Date” means (i) with respect to any Interest Payment Date in respect of any Daily Interest Rate Period, Weekly Interest Rate Period, Index Rate Period, Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, the Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date, and (ii) with respect to any Interest Payment Date in respect of any Term Rate Period, the 15th day of the Month (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the Month in which such Interest Payment Date falls.
“Remarketing Agent” means, with respect to any Series of Bonds, the entity appointed as the remarketing agent for such Series pursuant to the related Remarketing Agreement and, if applicable, the related Supplemental Indenture.
“Remarketing Agreement” means, with respect to any Series of Bonds, the remarketing agreement, if any, entered into between the Issuer and the Remarketing Agent for such Series of Bonds.
“Remarketing Proceeds Account” means the Account by that name within the Bond Purchase Fund.
“Remarketing Provisions” means the electricity remarketing provisions set forth in Exhibit C to the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Remediation Remarketing Purchase Price” has the meaning given to such term in the Remarketing Provisions.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Re-Pricing Agreement” means the Re-Pricing Agreement dated as of the Initial Issue Date between the Issuer and the Energy Supplier, as the same may be amended in accordance with its terms.
“Reset Period” means Initial Reset Period or Reset Period, as the case may be, each as defined in the Re-Pricing Agreement.
“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, the Custodian or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, any managing director, president, vice president, senior associate, associate or other officer of the Trustee, the Custodian or the Calculation Agent, respectively, within its designated corporate trust office for delivery of notice specified in Section 12.11 (or any successor corporate trust office) customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred at such office because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Revenue Fund” means the Revenue Fund established in Section 5.02. “Revenues” means:
(a) all revenues, income, rents, user fees or charges, and receipts derived or to be derived by the Issuer from or attributable or relating to the ownership and operation of the Clean Energy Project, including all revenues attributable or relating to the Clean Energy Project or to the payment of the costs thereof received or to be received by the Issuer under the Power Supply Contracts and the Energy Purchase Agreement or otherwise payable to the Trustee for the account of the Issuer for the sale and/or transmission of Energy or otherwise with respect to the Clean Energy Project;
(b) interest received or to be received on any moneys or securities (other than moneys or securities held in the Project Fund, moneys or securities held in the Redemption Account in the Debt Service Fund or that portion of moneys in the Operating Fund required for Rebate Payments) held pursuant to this Indenture and paid or required to be paid into the Revenue Fund;
(c) any Commodity Swap Receipts received by the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer; and
(d) any Subsidy Payments received by the Trustee, on behalf of the Issuer, in accordance with Section 3.10 of this Indenture.
provided that, the term “Revenues” shall not include: (u) any Termination Payment pursuant to the Energy Purchase Agreement; (v) any amounts received from the Energy Supplier that are required to be deposited into the Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 5.11; (w) any amounts paid by the Project Participants under a Prepaid Clean Energy Project Administration Agreement; (x) any Assignment Payment received from the Energy Supplier; Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(y) Interest Rate Swap Receipts; and (z) amounts paid by the Project Participants in respect of the Project Administration Fee.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., its successors and assigns, and, if such entity shall no longer perform the functions of a securities rating agency, “S&P” shall be deemed to refer to any other nationally recognized securities rating agency designated by the Issuer in a Written Notice delivered to the Trustee. “Scheduled Debt Service Deposits” means the required monthly deposits to the Debt Service Account in the Debt Service Fund and the required cumulative deposits to the Debt Service Account in the Debt Service Fund in respect of the Debt Service coming due on the Bonds on each Bond Payment Date pursuant to Section 5.05(a)(iii) and as set forth on Schedule II hereto.
Schedule II shall be revised (a) by Written Notice of the Issuer delivered at the time of its designation of each subsequent Interest Rate Period, and (b) by each Supplemental Indenture authorizing the issuance of Refunding Bonds.
“Securities Depository” means DTC, or its nominee, and its successors and assigns. “Series” means the Series 2022A-1 Bonds, Series 2022A-2 Bonds and any other Bonds designated as a Series authorized to be issued hereunder pursuant to Section 2.01. “Series 2022A Bonds” means, together, the Series 2022A-1 Bonds and Series 2022A-2 Bonds.
“Series 2022A-1 Bonds” the Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A-1 (Term Rate) authorized to be issued under Section 2.01.
“Series 2022A-2 Bonds” means the Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A-2 ([SIFMA][SOFR] Index Rate) authorized to be issued under Section 2.01. “SIFMA Index” means the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index, which, for purposes of an Index Rate Reset Date for a Series of Bonds bearing interest at a SIFMA Index Rate, will be the level of such index which is issued weekly and which is compiled from the weekly interest rate resets of tax exempt variable rate issues included in a database maintained by Refinity which meet specific criteria established from time to time by SIFMA and issued on Wednesday of each week, or if any Wednesday is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, such date being the same day the SIFMA Swap Index is expected to be published or otherwise made available to the Calculation Agent. If the SIFMA Index is not available as of any Index Rate Reset Date, the interest rate for such Index Rate Reset Date will be determined using a comparable substitute or replacement index for such Index Rate Reset Date selected and designated by the Issuer in compliance with Section 2.09(b)(v).
“SIFMA Index Rate” means a per annum rate of interest equal to the sum of (a) the SIFMA Index then in effect, plus (b) the Applicable Spread.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“SIFMA Index Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, an Index Rate Period during which such Bonds bear interest at the SIFMA Index Rate. “Sinking Fund Installment” means, for the Series 2022A Bonds, the amounts so designated in Section 4.02, and with respect to any other Series of Bonds, each amount, if any, so designated in the applicable Supplemental Indenture.
“SOFR” means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate reported on the NY Federal Reserve’s Website, or reported by any successor to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as administrator of such Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as of 3:00 p.m. on each SOFR Publish Date representing SOFR as of the SOFR Lookback Date, which will be used to calculate interest for the SOFR Effective Period beginning on the SOFR Effective Date. If SOFR is not available as of any Index Rate Reset Date, the interest rate for such Index Rate Reset Date will be determined using a comparable substitute or replacement index for such Index Rate Reset Date designated by the Issuer in writing (with notice to, and which is available to, the Calculation Agent) in compliance with Section 2.09(b).
“SOFR Accrual Period” means the number of actual days from (but not including) (a) the Initial Issue Date or the preceding SOFR Interest Calculation Date, whichever is most recent, to (and including) (b) the next succeeding SOFR Interest Calculation Date, regardless of the actual number of calendar days in any Month.
“SOFR Effective Date” shall mean each Business Day. Each SOFR Effective Date is an Index Rate Reset Date for all purposes of this Indenture unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
“SOFR Effective Period” means the number of actual days from a SOFR Effective Date to the next SOFR Effective Date.
“SOFR Index Rate” means a daily variable interest rate equal to the sum of (a) the product of SOFR and the Applicable Factor, plus (b) the Applicable Spread on each day of a SOFR Effective Period, not to exceed the Maximum Rate.
“SOFR Index Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, an Index Rate Period during which such Bonds bear interest at the SOFR Index Rate. “SOFR Interest Calculation Date” means the last Business Day of each Month. “SOFR Lookback Date” means the third Business Day immediately preceding each SOFR Effective Date.
“SOFR Publish Date” means the second Business Day immediately preceding each SOFR Effective Date.
“Special Record Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.08.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Special Tax Counsel” means Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP or any other counsel of nationally recognized standing in matters pertaining to the tax-exempt status of interest on obligations issued by states and their political subdivisions, duly admitted to the practice of law before the highest court of any state of the United States, and selected by the Issuer. Bond Counsel may serve as Special Tax Counsel.
“Specified Project Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1 of the Receivables Purchase Provisions.
“State” means the State of California.
“Subsidy Payments” means (a) with respect to a Series of Bonds issued under Section 54AA of the Internal Revenue Code, the amounts relating to such Series of Bonds which are payable by the federal government under Section 6431 of the Internal Revenue Code, which the Issuer has elected to receive under Section 54AA(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (b) with respect to a Series of Bonds issued under any other provision of the Internal Revenue Code that creates a substantially similar direct-pay subsidy program, the amounts relating to such Series of Bonds which are payable by the federal government under the applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code which the Issuer has elected to receive under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
“Supplemental Indenture” means any indenture supplemental to or amendatory of this Indenture executed and delivered by the Issuer and the Trustee in accordance with Article X. “Swap Payment Deficiency” means, as of any date, (a) the amount of the next Commodity Swap Payment expected to become due, minus (b) the amount on deposit in the Commodity Swap Payment Fund; provided, however, that if such difference is a negative number, then the Swap Payment Deficiency shall be zero.
“Tax Agreement” means the Tax Certificate and Agreement of the Issuer with respect to the Bonds dated as of the Initial Issue Date.
“Term Rate” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, a fixed interest rate for each maturity of such Bonds established in accordance with Section 2.07. “Term Rate Conversion Date” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each date on which such Bonds begin to bear interest at a Term Rate pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07, including each date on which a new Term Rate Period is established for such Bonds and the Final Fixed Rate Conversion Date with respect to such Bonds.
“Term Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each period during which a Term Rate is in effect for such Bonds.
“Term Rate Tender Date” means (a) with respect to the initial Term Rate Period for the Series 2022A Bonds maturing on the Final Maturity Date, the Initial Mandatory Purchase Date, and (b) with respect to any other Term Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the date so specified in Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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the related Supplemental Indenture or notice of Conversion to or continuation of such Term Rate Period provided by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.07(b), as applicable, which date shall be a Mandatory Purchase Date pursuant to Section 4.13 and shall not be later than the Final Maturity Date for such Series of Bonds. The Term Rate Tender Date shall always be a Business Day, unless such date is the Final Maturity Date. If a date (other than the Final Maturity Date) that is not a Business Day is specified as a Term Rate Tender Date, then the Term Rate Tender Date shall be the Business Day immediately following such specified date. “Termination Payment” has the meaning given to such term in the Energy Purchase Agreement.
“Trust Estate” means (a) the proceeds of the sale of the Bonds, (b) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under the Power Supply Contracts, except for the right to receive the Project Administration Fee, (c) the Revenues, (d) any Termination Payment or the right to receive such Termination Payment (e) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under the Receivables Purchase Provisions, including payments received from the Energy Supplier pursuant thereto, (f) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under the Energy Supplier Guaranty, (g) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under each Interest Rate Swap and the Interest Rate Swap Receipts, (h) all right, title and interest of the Issuer in, to and under any Debt Service Fund Agreement and Debt Service Fund Agreement Guaranty and (i) the Pledged Funds (which does not include the Administrative Fee Fund, the Energy Remarketing Reserve Fund and the Bond Purchase Fund, and excluding Rebate Payments held in any Fund or Account), including the investment income, if any, thereof subject only to the provisions of this Indenture permitting the application thereof for the purposes and on the terms and conditions set forth herein. “Trustee” means The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. and its successor or successors and any other corporation or national banking association which may at any time be substituted in its place pursuant to this Indenture.
“Undelivered Bond” means any Bond which constitutes an Undelivered Bond under the provisions of Section 4.16.
“Underwriter” means (a) with respect to the Series 2022A Bonds, Morgan Stanley & Co.
LLC, and (b) with respect to any other Series of Bonds, the municipal securities broker dealer engaged by the Issuer to underwrite such Series of Bonds. “Variable Rate Bonds” means Bonds bearing interest at a Daily Interest Rate, a Weekly Interest Rate, CP Interest Term Rates or an Index Rate. “Weekly Interest Rate” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, a variable interest rate established for such Bonds in accordance with Section 2.06. “Weekly Interest Rate Period” means, with respect to a Series of Bonds, each period during which a Weekly Interest Rate is in effect for such Series of Bonds.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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“Written Certificate,” “Written Direction,” “Written Instrument,” “Written Notice,” “Written Request” and “Written Statement” of the Issuer means in each case an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Authorized Officer thereof. Any such instrument and any supporting opinions or certificates may, but need not, be combined in a single instrument with any other instrument, opinion or certificate, and the two or more so combined shall be read and construed so as to form a single instrument. Any such instrument may be based, insofar as it relates to legal, accounting or engineering matters, upon the opinion or certificate of counsel, consultants, accountants or engineers, unless the Authorized Officer signing such Written Certificate, Direction, Instrument, Notice, Request or Statement knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion or certificate with respect to the matters upon which such Written Certificate, Direction, Instrument, Notice, Request or Statement may be based, as aforesaid, is erroneous. The same Authorized Officer, or the same counsel, consultant, accountant or engineer, as the case may be, need not certify to all of the matters required to be certified under any provision of this Indenture, but different Authorized Officers, counsel, consultants, accountants or engineers may certify to different facts, respectively. Every Written Certificate, Direction, Instrument Notice, Request or Statement of the Issuer, and every certificate or opinion of counsel, consultants, accountants or engineers provided for herein shall include:
(a) a statement that the person making such certificate, direction, instrument, notice, request, statement or opinion has read the pertinent provisions of this Indenture to which such certificate, direction, notice, request, statement or opinion relates; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the certificate, direction, instrument, notice, request, statement or opinion is based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion with respect to the subject matter referred to in the instrument to which his or her signature is affixed; and
(d) with respect to any statement relating to compliance with any provision hereof, a statement whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such provision has been complied with.
Section 1.02. Captions. The captions or headings in this Indenture are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope and intent of any provisions of this Indenture.
Section 1.03. Rules of Construction. Except where the context otherwise requires, words of any gender shall include correlative words of the other genders; words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa; and words importing persons shall include firms, associations, trusts, corporations or governments or agencies or political subdivisions thereof. The term “include” and its derivations are not limiting.
References herein to contracts and agreements include all amendments or supplements thereto made in accordance with the terms thereof, and any reference to a party to any such Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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agreement includes all successors and assigns of such party thereunder permitted by the terms hereof and thereof. References herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are references to the Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of and to this Indenture.
Section 1.04. Governing Law. This Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State.
Section 1.05. Consents. Whenever the consent, notice or direction of the Bondholders, the Energy Supplier, the Commodity Swap Counterparty, the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty or the Issuer is required under the terms of this Indenture, such consent, notice or direction, as applicable, shall be evidenced by a written instrument providing for such consent, delivered to the Trustee.
ARTICLE II
AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF BONDS
Section 2.01. Authorization of Bonds and Refunding Bonds; Application of Proceeds. (a) For the purpose of financing the Cost of Acquisition of the Clean Energy Project, the $__________ Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A-1 (Term Rate), which shall bear interest during the Initial Interest Rate Period at a Term Rate, and the $__________ Clean Energy Project Revenue Bonds, Series 2022A-2 ([SIFMA] Index Rate), which shall bear interest during the Initial Interest Rate Period at a [SIFMA] Index Rate, and which shall be entitled to the benefit, protection and security of this Indenture are hereby authorized to be issued.
(b) The proceeds of the Series 2022A Bonds shall be deposited with the Trustee and disbursed, transferred and applied as provided in a Written Request of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee upon the issuance of the Series 2022A Bonds. (c) In addition to the Series 2022A Bonds, there are hereby authorized to be issued by Supplemental Indenture one or more Series of Refunding Bonds for the purpose of refunding any Series of Bonds then Outstanding hereunder, subject to the following conditions:
(i) the Supplemental Indenture providing for issuance of a Series of Refunding Bonds shall set forth (A) the Bonds to be refunded, (B) the Series designation and aggregate principal amount of the Refunding Bonds, (C) the Maturity Dates (which shall be no later than the Final Maturity Date) and any Sinking Fund Installments for the Refunding Bonds, (D) the Scheduled Debt Service Deposits for such Bonds, (E) the initial Interest Rate Period for such Refunding Bonds, and if such Interest Rate Period is to be an Index Rate Period, the applicable Index or CPI, and the Applicable Spread, and (F) such other terms and provisions concerning the Refunding Bonds as are not inconsistent with this Indenture;
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(ii) a Series of Refunding Bonds issued in a Term Rate Period may be sold at a premium;
(iii) the proceeds of a Series of Refunding Bonds (including any sale premium) shall be used exclusively to pay the Cost of Acquisition relating to the Refunding Bonds;
(iv) if such Bonds are Variable Rate Bonds, and if such Bonds are to bear interest at a Daily Interest Rate, a Weekly Interest Rate or CP Interest Term Rates, the Issuer shall have appointed a Remarketing Agent for such Bonds and shall have entered into an Interest Rate Swap with respect to such Series of Bonds; (v) the delivery to the Trustee of an Accountant’s Certificate verifying ongoing cash flow sufficiency and Termination Payment sufficiency, provided that the Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to review the contents thereof and shall receive such Accountant’s Certificate solely as a repository on behalf of Bondholders;
(vi) the delivery to the Trustee of the requests, opinions and documents required by Section 2.03(c); and
(vii) the receipt by the Trustee of a Rating Confirmation with respect to any Bonds Outstanding prior to the issuance of such Refunding Bonds that will remain Outstanding after the issuance thereof.
(d) No bonds, other than the Bonds and any Refunding Bonds, may be issued pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 2.02. Terms of Series 2022A Bonds; Payment. (a) The Series 2022A Bonds shall be dated as of the date of the initial authentication and delivery thereof, shall bear interest from such date, payable on each Interest Payment Date, and shall be subject to redemption as provided in Article IV. The principal and Redemption Price of and interest on the Series 2022A Bonds shall be payable by the Trustee at its designated corporate trust office and such banking institution is hereby appointed Paying Agent and Bond Registrar for the Bonds; provided that interest on the Bonds may be paid, at the option of the Issuer, by check payable to the order of the Person entitled thereto, and mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the address of such Person as shall appear on the books of the Bond Registrar as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such Interest Payment Date, whether or not such Regular Record Date is a Business Day, which books the Bond Registrar shall keep for such purposes at its designated corporate trust office.
Upon the written request of any Owner of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more in aggregate principal amount of Bonds received by the Trustee prior to the applicable Regular Record Date (which request shall remain in effect until rescinded in writing by such Owner), interest shall be paid on each Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account maintained in any bank or trust company in the United States of America that is a member of the Federal Reserve System designated in writing by such Owner. The principal and Redemption Price of and interest on all Bonds shall also be payable at any other place which may be provided Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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for such payment by the appointment of any other Paying Agent or Paying Agents as permitted by this Indenture. The Issuer shall provide Written Notice to the Trustee of the appointment of any additional Paying Agent.
(b) The Series 2022A Bonds shall mature on the Maturity Dates in the principal amounts, subject to Sinking Fund Installments as set forth in Section 4.02. The Initial Interest Rate Period for the Series 2022A-1 Bonds shall be a Term Rate Period, the Initial Interest Rate Period for the Series 2022A-2 Bonds shall be an Index Rate Period ([SIFMA][SOFR] Index) and the Series 2022A Bonds shall bear interest during such Interest Rate Periods at the rates set forth below:
SERIES 2022A-1 BONDS
MATURITY DATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
INTEREST
RATE
$ %
SERIES 2022A-2 BONDS
MATURITY DATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
INDEX APPLICABLE
SPREAD [/FACTOR]
$ [SIFMA][SOFR]
Index
__ basis points
(c) Interest on the Series 2022A Bonds shall be payable to the date on which such Bonds shall have been paid in full. Interest on the Series 2022A-1 Bonds shall be computed on the basis Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Series 2022A-2 Bonds shall be computed on the basis of a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable, and the actual number of days elapsed. Interest on the Series 2022A Bonds shall be payable on each Interest Payment Date for the period commencing on the immediately preceding Interest Accrual Date for such period and ending on the day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. The first Interest Payment Date for the Series 2022A-1 Bonds is _________ 1, 2022. The first Interest Payment Date for the Series 2022A-2 Bonds is __________ 1, 2022.
(d) The initial interest rates for the Bonds of each Series and the determination for such Bonds of the Daily Interest Rate, the Weekly Interest Rate, the Index Rate or the Term Rate and each CP Interest Term and CP Interest Term Rate by the applicable Calculation Agent or Remarketing Agent for such Bonds, as the case may be, and shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee, the Remarketing Agent and the Owners of the Bonds. (e) In connection with any Term Rate Conversion Date of a Series of Bonds, the Sinking Fund Installments, if any, established for such Series pursuant to the applicable Supplemental Indenture may be re-designated as Maturity Dates and Sinking Fund Installments for such Bonds on the Term Rate Conversion Date for such Bonds as provided for in the applicable Supplemental Indenture.
Section 2.03. Conditions for Issuance of Bonds. The Bonds of each Series shall be executed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee and thereupon shall be authenticated by the Trustee and delivered upon the Written Direction of the Issuer, but only upon the receipt by the Trustee of:
(a) A copy, certified by an Authorized Officer, of a resolution and/or evidence of any other official actions taken by the Issuer that authorize the execution and delivery of the Bonds of such Series, together with a Written Request as to the authentication and delivery of the Bonds of such Series, signed by an Authorized Officer; (b) An Opinion or Opinions of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Issuer has the right and power to authorize and enter into this Indenture, the Power Supply Contracts, the Energy Purchase Agreement, the Commodity Swap and any Interest Rate Swap, and (ii) the Power Supply Contracts, the Energy Purchase Agreement, the Commodity Swap and any Interest Rate Swap have been duly and lawfully authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by, and validity and binding effect upon, the other parties thereto) are valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, and no other authorization for the Power Supply Contracts, the Energy Purchase Agreement, the Commodity Swap or any Interest Rate Swap is required; provided, that such Opinion(s) of Counsel may take customary exceptions, including as to the effect of, or for restrictions or limitations imposed by or resulting from, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, debt adjustment, moratorium, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, the application of equitable principles, the exercise of judicial discretion, limitations on legal remedies against public entities in the State, and the valid exercise of the sovereign police Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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powers of the State and of the constitutional power of the United States of America and may state that no opinion is being rendered as to the availability of any particular remedy; (c) An Opinion of Bond Counsel to the effect that (i) the Bonds of such Series constitute the valid and binding limited obligations of the Issuer; (ii) this Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by, and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of, the Issuer; and (iii) this Indenture creates a valid pledge to secure the payment of principal of and interest on the Bonds, of the Trust Estate, subject to the provisions of this Indenture permitting the application thereof for the purposes and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture; provided, that such Opinion of Bond Counsel may take customary exceptions, including as to the effect of, or for restrictions or limitations imposed by or resulting from, bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, debt adjustment, moratorium reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, the application of equitable principles, the exercise of judicial discretion, limitations on legal remedies against public entities in the State, and the valid exercise of the sovereign police powers of the State, and may state that no opinion is being rendered as to the availability of any particular remedy under the financing documents;
(d) An opinion of Special Tax Counsel to the effect that, if applicable, interest on the Bonds of such Series is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from State of California personal income taxes (it being agreed that if Special Tax Counsel also serves as Bond Counsel, the opinion described in this clause (d) may be consolidated with the Opinion of Bond Counsel described in the preceding clause (c));
(e) Executed or certified copies of the Power Supply Contracts with each of the Project Participants specified on Schedule I;
(f) An opinion of counsel to each of the initial Project Participants to the effect that the Power Supply Contract between such Project Participant and the Issuer has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Project Participant, is the valid and binding obligation of such Project Participant and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to customary assumptions and exceptions with respect to enforceability and such additional exceptions as may be agreed to by the Issuer and the Underwriter; (g) A rating on the Bonds from at least one Rating Agency.
Section 2.04. Initial Interest Rate Period; Subsequent Interest Rate Periods. (a) The Series 2022A Bonds shall be initially issued in the Interest Rate Period set forth in Section 2.02(b).
Upon the purchase of the Series 2022A Bonds on a Mandatory Purchase Date, the Interest Rate Period for each Series of the Series 2022A Bonds may be converted to to a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period, a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period, a Term Rate Period or a combination thereof, as provided in this Article II. In the event that two or more Interest Rate Periods are so established, the Series 2022A Bonds shall, by Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Supplemental Indenture, be divided into separate Series or sub-Series corresponding to such Interest Rate Periods.
(b) In the manner hereinafter provided, the term of each Series of Bonds will be divided into consecutive Interest Rate Periods during each of which such Bonds shall bear interest at the Daily Interest Rate, the Weekly Interest Rate, CP Interest Term Rates, Term Rates or an Index Rate; provided, however, that the Interest Rate Period shall be the same for all Bonds of a Series, and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Bond shall bear interest in excess of the Maximum Rate. The initial Interest Rate Period for any Series of Bonds (other than the Initial Interest Rate Period for the Series 2022A Bonds) shall be established pursuant to the related Supplemental Indenture.
Section 2.05. Daily Interest Rate Period.
(a) Determination of Daily Interest Rates. During each Daily Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the Bonds of such Series shall bear interest at the Daily Interest Rate, which shall be determined by the Remarketing Agent on or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Business Day for such Business Day. The Remarketing Agent will advise the Trustee by Electronic Means of the final Daily Interest Rate by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day such rate is determined. The Daily Interest Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the Remarketing Agent to be the minimum interest rate which, if borne by the Bonds of the applicable Series, would enable the Remarketing Agent to sell the Bonds of such Series on that Business Day at a price (without regard to accrued interest) equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof. With respect to any day that is not a Business Day, the Daily Interest Rate for that day shall be the same Daily Interest Rate established for the immediately preceding Business Day. In the event the Remarketing Agent fails to establish a Daily Interest Rate for any Business Day, then the Daily Interest Rate for that Business Day shall be the Daily Interest Rate for the immediately preceding Business Day if the Daily Interest Rate for the immediately preceding Business Day was established by the Remarketing Agent. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(d), in the event that the Daily Interest Rate for the immediately preceding Business Day was not determined by the Remarketing Agent, or in the event that the Daily Interest Rate determined by the Remarketing Agent shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of law, then the Daily Interest Rate shall be deemed to be equal to the SIFMA Index on the Business Day such Daily Interest Rate would otherwise be determined as provided herein for such Daily Interest Rate Period. (b) Conversion to Daily Interest Rate Period. Subject to Section 2.10, at any time the Issuer, in a Written Direction of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), may elect that a Series of Bonds shall bear interest at a Daily Interest Rate. Such direction of the Issuer shall specify the proposed effective date of such Conversion to a Daily Interest Rate Period, which shall be a Business Day not earlier than the 30th day following the second Business Day after receipt by the Trustee of the Written Direction of the Issuer, and either (A) in the case of a Conversion from a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Term Rate Period, the day immediately following the last day of such Interest Rate Period, or (B) a day on which all of the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section
4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture. In addition, such direction shall be accompanied by a form of notice required by Section 2.05(c) and the form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the effective date of the Conversion to the Daily Interest Rate Period. Upon the Conversion of any Series of Bonds to the Daily Interest Rate Period and until the day immediately preceding the effective date of the next succeeding Interest Rate Period under the terms of this Indenture, the interest rate borne by such Series of Bonds shall be a Daily Interest Rate as provided in Section 2.05(a). (c) Notice of Conversion to Daily Interest Rate Period. Following timely receipt of a Written Direction of the Issuer directing the Conversion of a Series of Bonds to the Daily Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.05(b), the Trustee shall give notice by first class mail of the Conversion of such Bonds to bear interest in a Daily Interest Rate Period to the Owners of such Bonds not less than 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such Daily Interest Rate Period. Such notice shall state: (i) that the Interest Rate Period for such Bonds will be converted to a Daily Interest Rate Period unless (A) the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Daily Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b) or (B) Bond Counsel shall fail to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as to such Conversion on the applicable Conversion Date; (ii) the proposed Conversion Date to the Daily Interest Rate Period; (iii) that the Bonds of such Series are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the proposed Conversion Date unless the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Daily Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b); and (iv) the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds.
Section 2.06. Weekly Interest Rate Period.
(a) Determination of Weekly Interest Rates. The Weekly Interest Rate for the initial Weekly Interest Rate Period following the issuance of a Series of Bonds bearing interest in a Weekly Interest Rate Period or Conversion of a Series of Bonds to a Weekly Interest Rate Period shall be determined on or prior to the first day of such Weekly Interest Rate Period and shall apply to the period commencing on the first day of such Weekly Interest Rate Period and ending on the succeeding Wednesday (whether or not a Business Day). Thereafter, during each Weekly Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the Bonds of such Series shall bear interest at the Weekly Interest Rate, which shall be determined by the Remarketing Agent by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday of each week during such Weekly Interest Rate Period, or if such day shall not be a Business Day, then on the next succeeding Business Day. Each Weekly Interest Rate so determined shall apply to the period commencing on Thursday (whether or not a Business Day) and ending on the next succeeding Wednesday (whether or not a Business Day), unless such Weekly Interest Rate Period shall end on a day other than Wednesday, in which event the last Weekly Interest Rate for such Weekly Interest Rate Period shall apply to the period commencing on Thursday (whether or not a Business Day) and ending on the last day of such Weekly Interest Rate Period. The Weekly Interest Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the Remarketing Agent to be the minimum interest rate which, Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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if borne by the Bonds of the applicable Series, would enable the Remarketing Agent to sell the Bonds of such Series on the effective date of such rate at a price (without regard to accrued interest) equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof. In the event that the Remarketing Agent fails to establish a Weekly Interest Rate for any week, then the Weekly Interest Rate for such week shall be the same as the Weekly Interest Rate for the immediately preceding week if the Weekly Interest Rate for such preceding week was determined by the Remarketing Agent. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(d), in the event that the Weekly Interest Rate for the immediately preceding week was not determined by the Remarketing Agent, or in the event that the Weekly Interest Rate determined by the Remarketing Agent shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of law, then the interest rate for such week shall be equal to the SIFMA Index on the day such Weekly Interest Rate would otherwise be determined as provided herein for such Weekly Interest Rate Period.
(b) Conversion to Weekly Interest Rate Period. Subject to Section 2.10, at any time, the Issuer, in a Written Direction of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), may elect that a Series of Bonds shall bear interest at a Weekly Interest Rate. Such direction of the Issuer shall specify the proposed effective date of such Conversion to a Weekly Interest Rate Period, which shall be a Business Day not earlier than the later of (a) the 30th day following the second Business Day after receipt by the Trustee of such Written Direction of the Issuer, and either (A) in the case of a Conversion from a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Term Rate Period, the day immediately following the last day of such Interest Rate Period, or (B) a day on which all of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture. In addition, such direction shall be accompanied by a form of notice required by Section 2.06(c) and the form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the effective date of the Conversion to the Weekly Interest Rate Period. Upon Conversion of any Series of Bonds to the Weekly Interest Rate Period and until the day immediately preceding the effective date of the next succeeding Interest Rate Period under the terms of this Indenture, the interest rate borne by such Series of Bonds shall be a Weekly Interest Rate as provided in Section 2.06(a).
(c) Notice of Conversion to Weekly Interest Rate. Following timely receipt of a Written Direction of the Issuer directing the Conversion of a Series of Bonds to the Weekly Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.06(b), the Trustee shall give notice by first class mail of the Conversion of such Bonds to bear interest in a Weekly Interest Rate Period to the Owners of such Bonds not less than 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such Weekly Interest Rate Period. Such notice shall state: (i) that the Interest Rate Period on such Bonds will be converted to a Weekly Interest Rate unless (A) the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Daily Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b) or (B) Bond Counsel shall fail to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as to such Conversion on the applicable Conversion Date; (ii) the proposed Conversion Date to the Weekly Interest Rate Period; and (iii) that the Bonds of such Series are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the proposed Conversion Date unless the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Weekly Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b); and (iv) the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds.
Section 2.07. Term Rate Period.
(a) Determination of Term Rates. For each Term Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, (i) the Issuer may by Written Notice to the Trustee delivered in connection with a Term Rate Conversion Date establish one or more Maturity Dates for the Bonds of such Series and Sinking Fund Installments for any maturities of the Bonds of such Series, and (ii) each maturity of the Bonds of such Series shall bear interest at a Term Rate; provided that the Term Rate, Maturity Dates and Sinking Fund Installments for each maturity of Bonds of any Series upon initial issuance of such Bonds, if any, shall be specified in this Indenture or a Supplemental Indenture providing for the issuance of such Series of Bonds.
The Term Rate for each maturity of Bonds of a Series bearing interest in the Term Rate Period shall be determined by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, on a Business Day no later than the Issue Date or the Term Rate Conversion Date for such Series of Bonds, as applicable. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07(d), each Term Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, to be the minimum interest rate which, if borne by the Bonds of the applicable Series and maturity, would enable the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as the case may be, to sell such Bonds and maturity on such date at a price (without regard to accrued interest) equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof.
If, for any reason, with respect to any Series of Bonds being converted to a Term Rate Period, the Term Rate for such Term Rate Period is not determined by the Remarketing Agent on or prior to the first day of such Term Rate Period, then the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of the applicable Series shall be a Weekly Interest Rate Period and such Weekly Interest Rate Period shall continue until such time as the Interest Rate Period for such Series of Bonds shall have been converted to a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, a Term Rate Period or an Index Rate Period as provided herein.
(b) Conversion to or Continuation of Term Rate Period. Subject to Section
2.10, at any time, the Issuer, in a Written Direction of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), may elect that a Series of Bonds shall bear interest at Term Rates. Such direction of the Issuer shall specify (i) the proposed effective date of the Term Rate Period, which date shall be a Business Day not earlier than the 30th day following receipt by the Trustee of such Written Direction of the Issuer, and either (A) in the case of a Conversion from a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Term Rate Period, the day immediately following the last day of such Interest Rate Period, or (B) a day on which all of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture; (ii) the last day of such Term Rate Period, which day shall be either the day immediately prior to the Final Maturity Date for the applicable Series of Bonds, or a day which both immediately precedes a Business Day and is at least one hundred eighty one (181) days after the effective date of the Term Rate Period; (iii) with respect to any such Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Term Rate Period, may specify redemption prices and periods different than those set forth in this Indenture or the applicable Supplemental Indenture providing for the issuance of such Series of Bonds, subject to the Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as provided in Section 2.07(b)(iii). In addition, such direction shall be accompanied by the form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the Term Rate Conversion Date and by a form of the notice to be mailed by the Trustee as provided in Section 2.07(c).
Upon Conversion of any Series of Bonds to the Term Rate Period and until the day immediately preceding the effective date of the next succeeding Interest Rate Period under the terms of this Indenture, the interest rate or rates borne by such Series of Bonds shall be Term Rates as provided in Section 2.07(a). The day following the last day of any Term Rate Period for a Series of Bonds shall be a Term Rate Tender Date for such Series of Bonds. After the Final Fixed Rate Conversion Date for a Series of Bonds, the Bonds of such Series shall no longer be subject to or have the benefit of the provisions of Section
4.11 through Section 4.22.
(c) Notice of Conversion to or Continuation of Term Rate. Following timely receipt of a Written Direction of the Issuer directing the Conversion of a Series of Bonds to the Term Rate Period as provided in Section 2.07(b), the Trustee shall give notice by first-class mail of the Conversion of such Bonds to bear interest in a (or the establishment of another) Term Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to the Owners of the Bonds of such Series not less than thirty (30) days prior to the proposed effective date of such Term Rate Period. Such notice shall state: (i) that the Interest Rate Period for such Bonds shall be converted to, or continue to be, a Term Rate Period unless (A) the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Term Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b) or (B) Bond Counsel shall fail to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as to such Conversion on the Term Rate Conversion Date; (ii) that such Bonds are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the Term Rate Conversion Date and setting forth the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds; and (iii) that the Bonds of such Series are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the proposed Conversion Date unless the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Term Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b)]; and (iv) the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds.
(d) Sale at Premium or Discount. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section
2.07(a), the Term Rate for each maturity of any Series of Bonds as initially issued, or the Term Rate for each maturity of any other Series of Bonds upon Conversion to a Term Rate Period, shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, to be the interest rate which, if borne by the Bonds of such Series and maturity, would enable the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, to sell the Bonds of such Series and maturity at a price (without regard to accrued interest) which will result in the lowest net interest cost for the Bonds of such Series and maturity, after taking into account any premium or discount at which the Bonds Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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of such Series and maturity are sold by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, provided that:
(i) The Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, certifies in writing to the Trustee and the Issuer that the sale of the Bonds of such Series at the interest rate and premium or discount specified by the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, is expected to result in the lowest net interest cost for such Bonds;
(ii) The Issuer consents in writing to the sale of the Bonds of such Series at such premium or discount;
(iii) In the case of the Bonds of such Series to be sold at a premium, the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, shall transfer the amount of such premium to the Trustee for deposit into such Funds and Accounts as shall be specified in a Written Direction of the Issuer;
(iv) On or before the date of determination of the Term Rates for the Bonds of such Series, the Issuer delivers to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent a form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the Term Rate Conversion Date; and
(v) On or before the Conversion Date, a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel shall have been delivered to the Trustee.
Section 2.08. Commercial Paper Interest Rate Periods.
(a) Determination of CP Interest Terms and CP Interest Term Rates. During each Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, each Bond of such Series shall bear interest during each CP Interest Term for such Bond at the CP Interest Term Rate for such Bond. The CP Interest Term and the CP Interest Term Rate for each Bond need not be the same for any two Bonds of such Series, even if determined on the same date. Each of such CP Interest Terms and CP Interest Term Rates for each Bond shall be determined by the Remarketing Agent no later than the first day of each CP Interest Term. Each CP Interest Term shall be for a period of days within the range or ranges announced as possible CP Interest Terms no later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the first day of each CP Interest Term by the Remarketing Agent. Each CP Interest Term for each Bond of the applicable Series shall be a period of not more than two hundred seventy (270) days, determined by the Remarketing Agent to be the period which, together with all other CP Interest Terms for all Bonds of the applicable Series then Outstanding, will result in the lowest overall interest expense on such Bonds over the next succeeding two hundred seventy (270) days. Each CP Interest Term shall end on either a day which immediately precedes a Business Day or on the day immediately preceding the Final Maturity Date for the applicable Series of Bonds. If, for any reason, a CP Interest Term for any Bond cannot be so determined by the Remarketing Agent, or if the determination of such CP Interest Term is held by a court of law to be invalid or unenforceable, then such Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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CP Interest Term shall be thirty (30) days, but if the last day so determined shall not be a day immediately preceding a Business Day, such CP Interest Term shall end on the first day immediately preceding the Business Day next succeeding such last day, or if such last day would be after the day immediately preceding the Final Maturity Date for the applicable Series of Bonds, shall end on the day immediately preceding such Final Maturity Date. In determining the number of days in each CP Interest Term, the Remarketing Agent shall take into account the following factors: (i) existing short-term, tax-exempt market rates and indices of such short-term rates; (ii) the existing market supply and demand for short-term tax-exempt securities; (iii) existing yield curves for short-term and long-term tax-exempt securities for obligations of credit quality comparable to the Bonds of the applicable Series; (iv) general economic conditions; (v) industry economic and financial conditions that may affect or be relevant to the Bonds of the applicable Series; (vi) the CP Interest Terms of other Bonds of the applicable Series; and (vii) such other facts, circumstances and conditions pertaining to financial markets as the Remarketing Agent, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be relevant.
The CP Interest Term Rate for each CP Interest Term for each Bond in a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the Remarketing Agent to be the minimum interest rate which, if borne by such Bond, would enable the Remarketing Agent to sell such Bond on the effective date of such rate at a price equal to the principal amount thereof. Subject to the provisions of Section
2.10(d), if, for any reason, a CP Interest Term Rate for any Bond in a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period is not so established by the Remarketing Agent for any CP Interest Term, or if such CP Interest Term Rate is determined by a court of law to be invalid or unenforceable, then the CP Interest Term Rate for such CP Interest Term shall be a rate per annum equal to the SIFMA Index on the first day of such CP Interest Term. (b) Conversion to Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period. Subject to Section
2.10, at any time, the Issuer, in a Written Direction of the Issuer to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), may elect that a Series of Bonds shall bear interest at CP Interest Term Rates. Such Written Direction of the Issuer shall specify (i) the proposed effective date of the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, which shall be a Business Day not earlier than the thirtieth (30th) day following the second Business Day after receipt by the Trustee of such direction, and either (A) in the case of a Conversion from a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Term Rate Period, the day immediately following the last day of such Interest Rate Period, or (B) a day on which all of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture. In addition, the Written Direction of the Issuer shall be accompanied by the form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the effective date of the Conversion to the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period and a form of the notice to be mailed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.08(c). Upon Conversion of any Series of Bonds to the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period and until the day immediately preceding the effective date of the next succeeding Interest Rate Period under the terms of this Indenture, each Bond of such Series shall bear interest at a CP Interest Term Rate applicable to the CP Interest Term Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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then in effect for such Bond, which may differ from the CP Interest Term Rate and CP Interest Term applicable to other Bonds of such Series. (c) Notice of Conversion to CP Interest Term Rates. Following timely receipt of a Written Direction of the Issuer directing the Conversion of a Series of Bonds to the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.08(b), the Trustee shall give notice by first class mail of the Conversion of such Bonds to bear interest in a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period to the Owners of the Bonds of the applicable Series not less than thirty (30) days prior to the proposed effective date of such Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period. Such notice shall state: (i) that such Bonds shall bear interest at CP Interest Term Rates unless (A) the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b) or (B) Bond Counsel shall fail to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as to such Conversion on the applicable Conversion Date; (ii) the proposed Conversion Date to the Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period; and (iii) that Bonds of such Bonds are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on such proposed Conversion Date unless the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b); and (iv) the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds. (d) Conversion From Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period. Subject to Section 2.10(b), at any time during a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the Issuer may elect, pursuant to Section 2.05(b), Section 2.06(b), Section
2.07(b) or Section 2.09(c), that such Bonds no longer shall bear interest at CP Interest Term Rates and shall instead bear interest at a Daily Interest Rate, a Weekly Interest Rate, a Term Rate or an Index Rate, as specified in such election. In connection with any such election, and notwithstanding any provision contained in this Section 2.08 to the contrary, each CP Interest Term established by the Remarketing Agent for the Bonds shall end on the same date in order to facilitate the Conversion of such Bonds. The date on which all CP Interest Terms determined for the Bonds end shall be the last day of the then current Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period and the day next succeeding such date shall be the effective date of the Daily Interest Rate Period, Weekly Interest Rate Period, Term Rate Period or Index Rate Period elected by the Issuer for such Bonds.
Section 2.09. Index Rate Periods.
(a) Determination of Applicable Spread and Applicable Factor. In connection with the issuance of a Series of Bonds bearing interest in an Index Rate Period, the Applicable Spread and any Applicable Factor applicable to such Series of Bonds for the duration of the initial Index Rate Period for such Series of Bonds shall be specified in this Indenture or in the Supplemental Indenture providing for the issuance of such Series of Bonds. In connection with the Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to an Index Rate Period, the Remarketing Agent shall determine the Applicable Spread and any Applicable Factor applicable to such Bonds for the duration of the applicable Index Rate Period, and shall specify such Applicable Spread and any Applicable Factor selected by the Issuer in the Index Rate Determination Certificate for the applicable Index Rate Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Period. The Applicable Spread and any Applicable Factor shall be such amount as shall result in the minimum Index Rate (as a rate of interest per annum) which, if borne by the Bonds of the applicable Series as of the first day of the applicable Index Rate Period, under Prevailing Market Conditions, would enable the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, to sell the Bonds on the first day of the applicable Index Rate Period at a price (without regard to accrued interest) equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof. (b) Determination of Index Rate.
(i) During each Index Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, such Bonds shall bear interest at an Index Rate, as specified in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate delivered to the Trustee on the first day of such Interest Rate Period. One Business Day prior to the Initial Issue Date of the Series 2022A-2 Bonds, the [SIFMA][SOFR] Index Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be in effect from and including the Initial Issue Date to (but not including) the first Index Rate Reset Date.
(ii) With respect to each SIFMA Index Rate Period, (A) the Calculation Agent shall determine the SIFMA Index by 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Wednesday or, if such Wednesday is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately succeeding such Wednesday, and (B) the SIFMA Index Rate shall be determined by the Calculation Agent at or before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on each Index Rate Reset Date.
(iii) With respect to each SOFR Index Rate Period, the Calculation Agent shall (A) determine and provide to the Trustee by Electronic Means the SOFR Index by 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on each SOFR Publish Date, and (B) determine and provide to the Trustee by Electronic Means the SOFR Index Rate at or before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on each SOFR Effective Date. (iv) During any Index Rate Period, interest shall be computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year and actual days elapsed. The Calculation Agent shall calculate and provide by Electronic Means to the Issuer and the Trustee the amount of interest due and payable on each Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate at least one Business Day prior to each Interest Payment Date, which in the case of a Series of Bonds bearing interest at the SOFR Index Rate shall be the SOFR Interest Calculation Date. The amount of interest due on a Series of Bonds bearing interest at the SIFMA Index Rate on any Interest Payment Date shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the calendar month immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. The amount of interest due on a Series of Bonds bearing interest at the SOFR Index Rate on any Interest Payment Date shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the SOFR Accrual Period immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. All percentages resulting from any step in the calculation of interest on a Series of Bonds while in an Index Rate Period will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest ten thousandth of a percentage point (i.e., to five decimal places) with five hundred thousandths of a percentage Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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point rounded upward, and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation of interest on such Bonds while in an Index Rate Period will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one‑half cent being rounded upward). (v) In determining the interest rate that any Bond shall bear as provided in this Section 2.09, neither the Underwriter nor the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, the Calculation Agent, nor the Trustee shall have any liability to the Issuer or the Holder of such Bond, except for its own negligence or willful misconduct.
(vi) If, during any Index Rate Period, the Index or rate used to determine an Index Rate is not reported by the relevant source at the time necessary for determination of such Index Rate or otherwise ceases to be available, the Issuer or its independent financial advisor (as applicable) shall determine a replacement or substitute Index Rate (as applicable), including any alternative rate and any adjustments, and promptly provide the same via Electronic Means to the Calculation Agent and the Trustee, together with the effective date of the substitute or replacement Index Rate, which substitute or replacement must be consistent with any corresponding substitute or replacement index designated pursuant to the relevant Interest Rate Swap.
(c) Conversion to or Continuation of Index Rate Period. Subject to Section
2.10, at any time, the Issuer, in a Written Direction of the Issuer delivered to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), may elect that a Series of Bonds shall bear interest at an Index Rate. Such direction of the Issuer shall specify the proposed effective date of the Index Rate Period, which date shall be a Business Day not earlier than the 30th day following the second Business Day after receipt by the Trustee of the Written Direction of the Issuer, and either (A) in the case of a Conversion from a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Term Rate Period, the day immediately following the last day of such Interest Rate Period, or (B) a day on which all of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture; (ii) the last day of such Index Rate Period, which day shall be either the day immediately prior to the Final Maturity Date for the applicable Series of Bonds, or a day which immediately precedes a Business Day. In addition, such direction of the Issuer shall be accompanied by the form of a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel proposed to be delivered on the Conversion Date and a form of the notice to be mailed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.09(d).
(d) Notice of Conversion to or Continuation of Index Rate. Following timely receipt of a Written Direction of the Issuer directing the Conversion of a Series of Bonds to the Index Rate Period as provided in Section 2.09(b), the Trustee shall give notice by first-class mail of the Conversion of such Bonds to bear interest in a (or the establishment of another) Index Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to the Owners of the Bonds of such Series not less than thirty (30) days prior to the proposed effective date of such Index Rate Period. Such notice shall state: (i) that the Interest Rate Period for such Bonds shall be converted to, or continue to be, an Index Rate Period unless (A) the Issuer rescinds its Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to an Index Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b) or (B) Bond Counsel shall fail to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel as to such Conversion on the Index Rate Conversion Date; (ii) that such Bonds are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the Index Rate Conversion Date and setting forth the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds; and (iii) that the Bonds of such Series are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the proposed Conversion Date unless the Issuer rescinds its election to convert the Interest Rate Period for the Bonds of such Series to an Index Rate Period as provided in Section 2.10(b); and (iv) the applicable Purchase Price and the place of delivery for purchase of such Bonds.
Section 2.10. Notice of Conversion. (a) In the event that the Issuer shall elect to convert the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period, a Term Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period as provided in this Article II, then the Written Direction of the Issuer required to be delivered to the Trustee by the applicable provision of this Article II shall be given by registered or certified mail, or by Electronic Means.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Article II, in connection with any Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, the Issuer shall have the right to deliver to the Trustee and the Remarketing Agent (if any), on or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the effective date of any such Conversion a Written Direction of the Issuer to the effect that the Issuer elects to rescind its election to make such Conversion. If the Issuer rescinds its election to make such Conversion, then the Interest Rate Period shall not be converted and the Bonds of the applicable Series shall continue to bear interest in the Daily Interest Rate Period, Weekly Interest Rate Period, Term Rate Period, Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period or Index Rate Period, as the case may be, as in effect immediately prior to such proposed Conversion, and the Term Rate Tender Date or Index Rate Tender Date, if applicable, for any such Series of Bonds shall also remain unchanged from that in effect immediately prior to such proposed Conversion.
(c) No Conversion of a Series of Bonds from one Interest Rate Period to another, and no continuation or establishment of a new Term Rate Period or Index Rate Period, shall take effect under this Indenture unless each of the following conditions, to the extent applicable, shall have been satisfied:
(i) the Trustee shall have received a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel with respect to such Conversion;
(ii) with respect to any Series of Bonds bearing interest at an Index Rate or a Term Rate, no Conversion may occur with respect to such Bonds earlier than (A) the Business Day following the last day of the applicable Interest Rate Period or (B) a day on which all of the Outstanding Bonds of such Series are subject to optional redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(b) or an applicable Supplemental Indenture; Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(iii) in the case of any Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period or a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, prior to the Conversion Date the Issuer shall have appointed a Remarketing Agent and shall have executed and delivered a Remarketing Agreement with respect to such Series of Bonds, and shall have obtained a Liquidity Facility with respect to such Series of Bonds as required by Section 2.11;
(iv) in the case of a Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to an Index Rate Period, prior to the Conversion Date the Issuer shall have appointed a Calculation Agent and executed and delivered a Calculation Agent Agreement with respect to such Series of Bonds; and
(v) the remarketing proceeds available on the Conversion Date shall not be less than the amount required to purchase all of the Bonds of such Series at the applicable Purchase Price (unless the Issuer in its sole discretion elects to transfer to the Trustee the amount of such deficiency on or before the Conversion Date). (d) If any condition to the Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds shall not have been satisfied, then the Interest Rate Period shall not be converted and the Bonds of the applicable Series shall continue in the Daily Interest Rate Period, Weekly Interest Rate Period, Index Rate Period, Term Rate Period, or Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, as the case may be, as in effect immediately prior to such proposed Conversion (provided, that the period of any such continuing Term Rate Period shall be one year), and the Bonds of such Series shall continue to be subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the date which would have been the effective date of the Conversion as provided in Section 4.14.
Section 2.11. Liquidity Facility. In connection with the issuance of any Series of Bonds, or the Conversion of any Series of Bonds, to bear interest in a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, the Issuer shall obtain a Liquidity Facility for such Series of Bonds, and the Issuer may elect to obtain a Liquidity Facility for any Series of Bonds bearing interest in a Term Rate Period or an Index Rate Period. Provisions concerning any Liquidity Facility so obtained with respect to such Series of Bonds shall be set forth in a Supplemental Indenture.
Section 2.12. Provisions Regarding Commodity Swap. (a) In connection with the Clean Energy Project, the Issuer shall enter into the initial Commodity Swap with the Commodity Swap Counterparty. The following shall apply to such Commodity Swap:
(i) The method for the calculation of the Commodity Swap Payments and Commodity Swap Receipts, as applicable, and the scheduled payment dates therefor, are set forth in Schedule III hereto.
(ii) Commodity Swap Payments shall be made by the Trustee (for the account of the Issuer) from the Commodity Swap Payment Fund.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(iii) Commodity Swap Receipts shall be payable directly to the Trustee (for the account of the Issuer) and shall be deposited directly into the Revenue Fund. (b) The following shall apply with respect to restrictions on replacement and termination of the Commodity Swap:
(i) Except as provided in clause (iii) below, the Issuer agrees that it will not exercise any right to declare an early termination date under the Commodity Swap unless either (A) the Issuer has entered into a replacement Commodity Swap in accordance with clause (ii) or (iii) below, and such replacement Commodity Swap will be effective as of such early termination date and cover price exposure from and after such early termination date, or (B) the Issuer causes or permits the termination of the Energy Purchase Agreement prior to or as of such early termination date.
(ii) The Issuer may replace the Commodity Swap (and any related guaranty of the Commodity Swap Counterparty’s obligations thereunder) with a similar agreement for the same hedging purposes with an alternate Commodity Swap Counterparty at any time upon delivery to the Trustee of a Rating Confirmation.
(iii) If the Commodity Swap is subject to termination (or, in the case of clause (B) below, is terminated) by either party in accordance with its terms, then (A) the Issuer may, subject to clause (i) above, terminate the Commodity Swap if the Issuer has the right to do so, and (B) the Issuer may enter into a replacement Commodity Swap with an alternate Commodity Swap Counterparty without Rating Confirmation, but only if the replacement Commodity Swap is identical in all material respects to the existing Commodity Swap, except for the identity of the Commodity Swap Counterparty, and (1) the replacement Commodity Swap Counterparty (or its credit support provider under the Commodity Swap) is then rated at least the lower of (a) the credit rating of the Energy Supplier, or if the Energy Supplier is not rated, the guarantor of the Energy Supplier or (b) the rating then assigned by each Rating Agency to the Bonds, or (2) the Commodity Swap Counterparty provides such collateral and security arrangements as the Issuer shall determine to be necessary, and (3) in either case, the replacement Commodity Swap Counterparty enters into a replacement Energy Supplier Custodial Agreement with the Energy Supplier and the Custodian that is identical in all material respects to the existing Energy Supplier Custodial Agreement.
(c) The following shall apply with respect to the mandatory termination of the Commodity Swap and Energy Purchase Agreement:
(i) Upon the occurrence of a Commodity Swap Mandatory Termination Event, the Issuer shall (A) notify the Energy Supplier of such event pursuant to Section 17.5(a) of the Energy Purchase Agreement, and (B) in accordance with Section 17.5(a) of the Energy Purchase Agreement, use its good faith efforts to replace the Commodity Swap with an alternate Commodity Swap, subject to the conditions of subsection (b)(ii) above, during the 120 day replacement period contemplated by Section 17.5(a) of the Energy Purchase Agreement or any period that the Custodian, under the terms of the Custodial Agreements, Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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is making payments (an “Alternate Replacement Period”), provided that any such Alternate Replacement Period shall end on the earlier of the date on which the Custodian ceases making payments under the Custodial Agreements and the date of the sixth consecutive monthly payment by the Custodian.
(ii) If the Issuer is unable to enter into an alternate Commodity Swap pursuant to clause (i)(B) above during such 120-day replacement period or Alternate Replacement Period, as applicable, the Issuer shall (A) designate an Early Termination Date for the Energy Purchase Agreement in accordance with Section 17.4(b) of the Energy Purchase Agreement, with such Early Termination Date occurring immediately at the end of such replacement period, and (B) unless the Commodity Swap has been terminated automatically pursuant to Section 6(a) thereof, designate an early termination date for the Commodity Swap pursuant to Section 6(a) thereof with such early termination date occurring concurrently with the Early Termination Date under the Energy Purchase Agreement described in clause (A) above.
(iii) A “Commodity Swap Mandatory Termination Event” occurs if the Commodity Swap becomes terminable by the Issuer pursuant to Part 1(h)(ii) (failure to pay after cure period) of the Schedule to the Commodity Swap.
Section 2.13. Provisions Regarding Interest Rate Swap. (a) In connection with the issuance of any Variable Rate Series of Bonds, or the Conversion of any Series of Bonds, to bear interest in a Daily Interest Rate Period, a Weekly Interest Rate Period, an Index Rate Period or a Commercial Paper Interest Rate Period, the Issuer shall enter into an Interest Rate Swap with an Interest Rate Swap Counterparty. The following shall apply to the Interest Rate Swap:
(i) The method for the calculation of the Interest Rate Swap Payments and Interest Rate Swap Receipts, as applicable, and the scheduled payment dates therefor are set forth in the Interest Rate Swap;
(ii) Interest Rate Swap Payments shall be made by the Trustee (for the account of the Issuer) from the Debt Service Account on parity with principal and interest payments on Bonds; and
(iii) Interest Rate Swap Receipts shall be payable directly to the Trustee (for the account of the Issuer) and shall be deposited directly into the Debt Service Account. (b) The following shall apply with respect to restrictions on replacement and termination of the Interest Rate Swap:
(i) The Issuer agrees that it will not exercise any right to declare an early termination date under the Interest Rate Swap unless either (A) the Issuer has entered into a replacement Interest Rate Swap in accordance with clause (ii) and (iii) below, and such replacement Interest Rate Swap will be effective as of such early termination date and cover interest rate exposure from and after such early termination date, or (B) in all other Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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cases, the Energy Purchase Agreement will terminate prior to or as of such early termination date.
(ii) The Issuer may replace the Interest Rate Swap (and any related guaranty of the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty’s obligations thereunder) with a similar agreement for the same hedging purposes with an alternate Interest Rate Swap Counterparty at any time upon delivery to the Trustee of a Rating Confirmation.
(iii) If the Interest Rate Swap is subject to termination (or, in the case of clause (B) below, is terminated) by either party in accordance with its terms, then (A) the Issuer may, subject to clause (i) above, terminate the Interest Rate Swap if the Issuer has the right to do so, and (B) the Issuer may enter into a replacement Interest Rate Swap with an alternate Interest Rate Swap Counterparty without Rating Confirmation, but only if the replacement Interest Rate Swap is identical in all material respects to the existing Interest Rate Swap, except for the identity of the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty, and (1) the alternate Interest Rate Swap Counterparty (or its credit support provider under the Interest Rate Swap) is then rated at least the lower of (a) the credit rating of the Energy Supplier, or if the Energy Supplier is not rated, the guarantor of the Energy Supplier or (b) at least as highly as the rating then assigned by each Rating Agency to the Bonds, or (2) the Interest Rate Swap Counterparty provides such collateral and security arrangements as the Issuer shall determine to be necessary.
Section 2.14. CPI Index Rate Periods. The provisions of this Section 2.14 shall apply to Index Rate Bonds bearing interest in a CPI Index Rate Period. (a) Determination of Applicable Spread. In connection with the issuance of a Series of Bonds bearing interest at a CPI Index Rate, or the Conversion of the Interest Rate Period for a Series of Bonds to a CPI Index Rate Period, the Underwriter or Remarketing Agent, as applicable, shall determine the Applicable Spread for such Bonds for the duration of the applicable CPI Index Rate Period, and such Applicable Spread shall be specified in the Supplemental Indenture or Index Rate Determination Certificate for the applicable CPI Index Rate Period. The Applicable Spread for a CPI Index Rate Period shall be such amount as shall result in the minimum interest rate(s) which, if borne by the Bonds of the applicable Series as of the first day of the applicable CPI Index Rate Period, under Prevailing Market Conditions, would enable the Underwriter or the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, to sell the Bonds at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of such Bonds on the first day of the applicable CPI Index Rate Period. (b) Determination of CPI Index Rate.
(i) During any CPI Index Rate Period for a Series of Bonds, such Bonds shall bear interest at the CPI Index Rate, determined using the CPI Index Rate Formula and the Applicable Spread, as specified in the applicable Index Rate Determination Certificate delivered to the Trustee on the first day of such CPI Index Rate Period.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(ii) The Calculation Agent shall by noon, New York time, on each CPI Index Rate Reset Date (or, if such CPI Index Rate Reset Date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) determine the CPI Index Rate for the CPI Interest Rate Period that begins on such CPI Index Rate Reset Date. The Calculation Agent shall also calculate and provide to the Issuer and the Trustee the amount of interest due and payable on each Interest Payment Date for the applicable Series of Bonds at least two Business Days prior to such Interest Payment Date.
The Calculation Agent shall furnish each CPI Index Rate so determined to the Issuer and the Trustee by Electronic Means not later than each CPI Index Rate Reset Date. Upon the written request of any Holder, the Trustee shall confirm the CPI Index Rate then in effect. All percentages resulting from any step in the calculation of interest on a Series of Bonds while in a CPI Index Rate Period will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest hundred thousandth of a percentage point (i.e., to five decimal places) with five millionths of a percentage point rounded upward, and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculation of interest on such Bonds while in an Index Rate Period will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one‑half cent being rounded upward).
(iii) During any CPI Index Rate Period, interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30 day calendar months. (iv) In determining the interest rate that any Bond shall bear as provided in this Section 2.14, neither the Underwriter nor the Remarketing Agent, as applicable, the Calculation Agent, nor the Trustee shall have any liability to the Issuer or the Holder of such Bond, except for its negligence or willful misconduct. (v) If the CPI is not reported on Bloomberg CPURNSA for a particular month by 11:00 a.m. on a CPI Index Rate Reset Date, but the CPI has otherwise been published by the BLS, the Calculation Agent will determine the CPI as published by the BLS for such month using a source it deems to be accurate and appropriate. If the CPI is not published by the BLS for a particular month by 11:00 a.m. on a CPI Index Rate Reset Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the CPI with reference to an index number based on the last twelve-month change in the CPI available and announced by the Department of the Treasury for its Inflation-Indexed Securities as described at 62 Federal Register 846-874 (January 6, 1997) (the “Treasury Inflation-Indexed Securities Regulation”) or, if no such index number is announced, in accordance with general market practice at the time.
(vi) In calculating CPIt and CPIt-12, the Calculation Agent will use the most recently available value of the CPI determined as described above on the applicable Interest Reset Date, even if such value has been adjusted from a prior reported value for the relevant month. However, if a value of CPIt and CPIt-12 used by the Calculation Agent on any Interest Reset Date to determine the interest rate on the CPI Bonds (an “Initial CPI Value”) is subsequently revised by the BLS, the Calculation Agent will continue to use the Initial CPI Value for all purposes Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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hereunder, and the interest rate on the related CPI Index Rate Reset Date, as determined based upon the Initial CPI Value, will not be revised. (c) CPI Index Rate Continuation.
(i) On any Mandatory Purchase Date pursuant to Section 4.13 and unless the Issuer has given notice with respect to the Conversion of the Bonds to an Interest Rate Period other than the CPI Index Rate Period, the Issuer may establish a new CPI Index Rate Period and a new CPI Index Rate for the Bonds with such right to be exercised by delivery of an Index Rate Continuation Notice to the Trustee no less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the new CPI Index Rate Period. The CPI Index Rate Continuation Notice shall be accompanied by a letter of Bond Counsel to the effect that Bond Counsel expects to be able to deliver a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel on the effective date of the new CPI Index Rate Period.
(ii) Any establishment of a new CPI Index Rate and CPI Index Rate Period for a Series of Bonds pursuant to paragraph (i) above must comply with the following conditions:
(A) the first day of such new CPI Index Rate Period must be a Mandatory Purchase Date for such Bonds pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.13, and such Bonds shall be required to be tendered for purchase on such date;
(B) the first day of such new CPI Index Rate Period must be a Business Day; and
(C) no new CPI Index Rate shall become effective unless (x) the Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel referred to in paragraph (i) above is delivered on the first day of the new CPI Index Rate Period and (y) there is no Failed Remarketing on the Mandatory Purchase Date on which such new CPI Index Rate Period is to become effective.
(iii) Upon receipt by the Trustee of a CPI Index Rate Continuation Notice from an Authorized Officer, as soon as practicable, but in any event not less than 10 Business Days prior to the first day of the proposed CPI Index Rate Period, the Issuer (or any dissemination agent appointed by the Issuer) shall give notice by first class mail or by Electronic Means via EMMA to the Holders of the Bonds of the applicable Series, which notice shall state in substance:
(A) that a new CPI Index Rate Period and CPI Index Rate is to be established for such Bonds and the proposed effective date of such new CPI Index Rate Period (which date shall be the Mandatory Purchase Date for such Bonds pursuant to Section 4.13), and that such new CPI Index Rate Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Period and CPI Index Rate will become effective on such date if the conditions specified in this Section 2.14 are satisfied on or before such date; (B) that all Bonds of the applicable Series are subject to mandatory tender for purchase on the applicable Mandatory Purchase Date pursuant to Section 4.13 (whether or not the proposed new CPI Index Rate Period becomes effective on such date) at the Purchase Price, which shall be specified therein;
(C) the first day of the new CPI Index Rate Period;
(D) that the new CPI Index Rate Period and CPI Index Rate for the Bonds shall not be established unless a Favorable Opinion of Bond Counsel is delivered to the Trustee on the first day of the new CPI Index Rate Period and no Failed Remarketing occurs on such date; (E) the CUSIP numbers or other identification information of the Bonds of the applicable Series; and
(F) that, to the extent that there shall be on deposit with the Trustee on the first day of the new CPI Index Rate Period an amount of money sufficient to pay the Purchase Price thereof, all the Bonds not delivered to the Trustee on or prior to such date shall be deemed to have been properly tendered for purchase and shall cease to constitute or represent a right on behalf of the Holder thereof to the payment of principal thereof or interest thereon and shall represent and constitute only the right to payment of the Purchase Price on deposit with the Trustee, without interest accruing thereon after such date.
(d) End of CPI Index Rate Period. In the event the Issuer has not given a CPI Index Rate Continuation Notice or other Written Notice with respect to the Conversion of Bonds to an Interest Rate Period other than a CPI Index Rate Period, in either case at the time required by this Indenture, or if the conditions to the effectiveness of a new CPI Index Rate Period and new CPI Index Rate set forth above are not satisfied, including as a result of the Remarketing Agent’s failure to establish a CPI Index Rate as herein provided, then the Bonds of the applicable Series shall be purchased on the applicable Mandatory Purchase Date pursuant to Section 4.13 and a Failed Remarketing shall be deemed to have occurred and the Bonds shall not be remarketed.
ARTICLE III
GENERAL TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF BONDS
Section 3.01. Medium of Payment; Form and Date; Letters and Numbers. (a) The Bonds shall be payable, with respect to interest, principal and Redemption Price, in any coin or currency Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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of the United States of America which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
(b) The Bonds may be issued only in the form of fully registered Bonds without coupons, in Authorized Denominations. The Bonds shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, and may be printed, engraved, typewritten or otherwise produced. (c) Unless the Issuer shall otherwise direct, the Bonds shall be numbered from one upward, with a separate designation for each Series.
Section 3.02. Legends. The Bonds may contain or have endorsed thereon such provisions, specifications and descriptive words not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be necessary or desirable to comply with custom, the rules of any securities exchange or commission or brokerage board, or otherwise, as may be determined by the Issuer prior to the authentication and delivery thereof.
Section 3.03. Execution and Authentication. (a) The parties agree that the Electronic Signature of a party to this Indenture, including all acknowledgements, authorizations, directions, waivers and consents thereto (or any amendment or supplement thereto) shall be as valid as an original signature of such party and shall be effective to bind such party to this Indenture. The parties agree that any Electronically Signed document (including this Indenture) shall be deemed (i) to be “written” or “be in writing,” (ii) to have been signed, and (iii) to constitute a record established and maintained in the ordinary course of business and an original written record when printed from electronic files. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Signature” or “Electronically Signed” means a manually signed original signature that is then transmitted by Electronic Means and containing, or to which there is affixed, an Electronic Signature. (b) The Bonds shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer by the manual or facsimile signature of the Chair or any other Authorized Officer of the Issuer, and attested by the manual or facsimile signature of the Secretary of the Issuer or any other Authorized Officer. In case any one or more of the officers who shall have signed any of the Bonds shall cease to be such officer before the Bonds so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, such Bonds may, nevertheless, be authenticated and delivered as herein provided, and may be issued as if the Persons who signed such Bonds had not ceased to hold such offices. Any Bond may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such Persons as at the time of the execution of such Bonds shall be duly authorized or hold the proper office in the Issuer, although at the date borne by the Bonds such Persons may not have been so authorized or have held such office.
(c) The Bonds shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication, in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, executed manually by the Trustee. Only such Bonds as shall bear thereon such certificate of authentication shall be entitled to any right or benefit under this Indenture, and no Bond shall be valid or obligatory for any purpose until such certificate of authentication shall have been duly executed by the Trustee. Such certificate of the Trustee upon any Bond executed on behalf of the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Bond so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture and that the Holder thereof is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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(d) The parties agree that the Electronic Signature of a party to this Indenture, including all acknowledgements, authorizations, directions, waivers and consents thereto (or any amendment or supplement thereto) shall be as valid as an original signature of such party and shall be effective to bind such party to this Indenture. The parties agree that any Electronically Signed Document (including this Indenture) shall be deemed (i) to be “written” or “in writing,” (ii) to have been signed, and (iii) to constitute a record established and maintained in the ordinary course of business and an original written record when printed from electronic files. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Signature” means a manually signed original signature that is then transmitted by Electronic Means; “transmitted by Electronic Means” means sent in the form of a facsimile or sent via the Internet as a pdf (portable document format) or other replicating image attached to an e-mail message; and, “Electronically Signed Document” means a document transmitted by Electronic Means and containing, or to which there is affixed, an Electronic Signature. Paper copies or “printouts,” if introduced as evidence in any judicial, arbitral, mediation or administrative proceeding, will be admissible as between the parties to the same extent and under the same conditions as other original business records created and maintained in documentary form. Neither party shall contest the admissibility of true and accurate copies of Electronically Signed Documents on the basis of the best evidence rule or as not satisfying the business records exception to the hearsay rule.
Section 3.04. Exchange, Transfer and Registry. (a) The Bonds shall be registered and transferred only upon the books of the Issuer, which shall be held and controlled by the Bond Registrar and kept for such purposes at the designated corporate trust office of the Bond Registrar, and may be transferred by the registered owner thereof in person or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender thereof together with a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Bond Registrar duly executed by the registered owner or its duly authorized attorney and in compliance with the applicable terms of this Indenture. The transferor shall also provide, or cause to be provided, to the Trustee all information reasonably required by the Trustee to allow it to comply with any applicable federal, state or local tax reporting obligations, including, without limitation, any cost-basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on such information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. Upon the registration of transfer of any Bond, the Issuer shall issue in the name of the transferee a new Bond or Bonds of the same Series, aggregate principal amount and maturity as the surrendered Bond.
(b) The registered owner of any Bond or Bonds of one or more denominations shall have the right to exchange such Bond or Bonds for a new Bond or Bonds of any denomination then authorized for such Bond or Bonds of the same Series, aggregate principal amount and maturity of the surrendered Bond or Bonds. Such Bond or Bonds shall be exchanged by the Issuer for a new Bond or Bonds upon the request of the registered owner thereof in person or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender of such Bond or Bonds together with a written instrument requesting such exchange, in form satisfactory to the Bond Registrar duly executed by the registered owner or its duly authorized attorney.
(c) The Issuer and each Fiduciary may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Bond shall be registered upon the Bond registration books maintained by the Bond Registrar as the absolute owner of such Bond, whether such Bond shall be overdue or not, for the purpose of Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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receiving payment of, or on account of, the principal and Redemption Price, if any, of and interest on such Bond and for all other purposes, and all such payments so made to any such registered owner or upon its order shall be valid and effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability upon such Bond to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, and neither the Issuer nor any Fiduciary shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 3.05. Regulations With Respect to Exchanges and Registration of Transfers. In all cases in which the privilege of exchanging or registering the transfer of Bonds is exercised, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Bonds in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. All Bonds surrendered in any such exchanges or registration of transfer shall forthwith be delivered to the Trustee and cancelled or retained by the Trustee. Prior to every such exchange or registration of transfer of Bonds, whether temporary or definitive, the Issuer or the Bond Registrar may require the Holder to pay an amount sufficient to reimburse it for any tax, fee or other governmental charge required to be paid with respect to such exchange or transfer. Every applicable person that transfers Bonds in any such exchange or transfer shall also timely provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligation, including without limitation any cost-basis reporting obligations under section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information. Unless otherwise provided in a Supplemental Indenture, neither the Issuer nor the Bond Registrar shall be required (a) to register the transfer or exchange of Bonds for the period next preceding any Interest Payment Date for the Bonds, beginning with the Regular Record Date for such Interest Payment Date and ending on such Interest Payment Date, or for the period next preceding any date for the proposed payment of Defaulted Interest with respect to such Bonds beginning with the Special Record Date for the date of such proposed payment and ending on the date of such proposed payment, (b) to register the transfer or exchange of Bonds for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of any notice of redemption of such Bonds and ending on the day of such mailing, or (c) to register the transfer or exchange of any Bonds called for redemption. Every Person that transfers Bonds shall timely provide or cause to be timely provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost-basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 3.06. Bonds Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen or Lost. If any Bond becomes mutilated or is lost, stolen or destroyed, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a new Bond of like Series, date of issue, maturity date, principal amount and interest rate per annum as the Bond so mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, provided that (a) in the case of such mutilated Bond, such Bond is first surrendered to the Trustee, (b) in the case of any such lost, stolen or destroyed Bond, there is first furnished evidence of such loss, theft or destruction in form satisfactory to the Trustee together with indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee, (c) all other reasonable requirements of the Issuer and the Trustee are complied with, and (d) expenses in connection with such transaction are paid by the Holder. Any Bond surrendered for registration or transfer shall be cancelled. Any such new Bonds issued pursuant to this Section in substitution for Bonds alleged to be destroyed, stolen or lost shall constitute original additional contractual Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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obligations on the part of the Issuer, whether or not the Bonds so alleged to be destroyed, stolen or lost be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be equally secured by and entitled to equal and proportionate benefits with all other Bonds issued under this Indenture, in any moneys or securities held by the Issuer or any Fiduciary for the benefit of the Bondholders.
Section 3.07. Temporary Bonds. (a) Until the definitive Bonds are prepared, the Issuer may execute, in the same manner as is provided in Section 3.03, and upon the request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of definitive Bonds, but subject to the same provisions, limitations and conditions as the definitive Bonds, one or more temporary Bonds substantially of the tenor of the definitive Bonds in lieu of which such temporary Bond or Bonds are issued, and with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate to temporary Bonds. The Issuer at its own expense shall prepare and execute and, upon the surrender of such temporary Bonds for exchange and the cancellation of such surrendered temporary Bonds, the Trustee shall authenticate and, without service charge to the Holder thereof (except a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto), deliver in exchange therefor, definitive Bonds of the same aggregate principal amount and maturity as the temporary Bonds surrendered. Until so exchanged, the temporary Bonds shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and security as definitive Bonds authenticated and issued pursuant to this Indenture.
(b) All temporary Bonds surrendered in exchange either for another temporary Bond or Bonds or for a definitive Bond or Bonds shall be forthwith cancelled by the Trustee.
Section 3.08. Payment of Interest on Bonds; Interest Rights Preserved. Interest on any Bond which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Bond is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date.
Any interest on any Bond which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (hereinafter, “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Person who was the registered owner on the relevant Regular Record Date; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Issuer to the Persons in whose names the Bonds are registered at the close of business on a date (hereinafter, the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Bond Registrar in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Bond and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agents an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to and approved in writing by the Paying Agents for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Section provided. Thereupon the Bond Registrar shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days or less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Bond Registrar of the written notice of the proposed payment. The Bond Registrar shall promptly notify the Issuer of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Bondholder at its address as it appears upon the registry books, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Bond delivered under this Indenture upon registration or transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Bond shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Bond.
Section 3.09. Book Entry System; Appointment of Securities Depository. All Bonds shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, as Securities Depository, and held in the custody or for the account of the Securities Depository. A single certificate will be issued and delivered to the Securities Depository for each maturity of Bonds, and the Beneficial Owners will not receive physical delivery of Bond certificates except as provided in this Indenture. For so long as the Securities Depository shall continue to serve as securities depository for the Bonds as provided herein, all transfers of Beneficial Ownership interests will be made by book entry only, and no investor or other party purchasing, selling or otherwise transferring Beneficial Ownership of Bonds is to receive, hold or deliver any Bond certificate. In connection with any proposed transfer outside the Book Entry System, the Issuer or the Securities Depository shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Trustee all information reasonably required by the Trustee to allow it to comply with any applicable federal, state or local tax reporting obligations, including, without limitation, any cost-basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on such information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
The Issuer may, with Written Notice to the Trustee but without the consent of any Bondholders, appoint a successor Securities Depository and enter into an agreement with the successor Securities Depository, to establish procedures with respect to a Book Entry System for the Bonds not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture. Any successor Securities Depository shall be a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Issuer and the Trustee may rely conclusively upon (i) a certificate of the Securities Depository as to the identity of the Participants in the Book Entry System with respect to the Bonds, and (ii) a certificate of any such Participant as to the identity of, and the respective principal amount of the Bonds beneficially owned by the Beneficial Owners.
Whenever, during the term of the Bonds, the Beneficial Ownership of any Series thereof is determined by a book entry at the Securities Depository, the requirements in this Indenture of holding, delivering or transferring such Bonds shall be deemed modified to require the appropriate Person to meet the requirements of the Securities Depository as to registering or transferring the book entry to produce the same effect. Any provision hereof permitting or requiring delivery of the Bonds shall, while such Bonds are in such Book Entry System, be satisfied by the notation on the books of the Securities Depository in accordance with applicable state law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any security (including any transfers between or among Securities Depository Participants or Beneficial Owners) other than to require delivery of Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein with respect to the rights of Participants and Beneficial Owners, when a Book Entry System is in effect, the Issuer and the Trustee may treat the Securities Depository (or its nominee) as the sole and exclusive owner of the Bonds registered in its name for the purposes of payment of the principal, Redemption Price or Purchase Price of and interest on such Bonds or portion thereof to be redeemed or purchased, of giving any notice permitted or required to be given to the Bondholders under this Indenture and of voting, and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Issuer nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or obligations to the Securities Depository, any Participant, any Beneficial Owner or any other Person which is not shown on the bond register, with respect to (a) the accuracy of any records maintained by the Securities Depository or any Participant; (b) the payment by the Securities Depository or by any Participant of any amount due to any Beneficial Owner in respect of the principal amount, Redemption Price or Purchase Price of, or interest on, any Bonds; (c) the delivery of any notice by the Securities Depository or any Participant; (d) the selection of the Beneficial Owners to receive payment in the event of any partial redemption of any of the Bonds; or (e) any other action taken by the Securities Depository or any Participant. The Trustee shall pay all principal or Redemption Price of and interest on the Bonds registered in the name of Cede only to or “upon the order of” the Securities Depository (as that term is used in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State and New York), and all such payments shall be valid and effective to fully satisfy and discharge the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the principal, Redemption Price or purchase price of and interest on such Bonds to the extent of the sum or sums so paid.
The Book Entry System may be discontinued by the Trustee and the Issuer, at the Written Direction and expense of the Issuer, and the Issuer and the Trustee will cause the delivery of Bond certificates to such Beneficial Owners of the Bonds and registered in the names of such Beneficial Owners as shall be specified to the Trustee by the Securities Depository in writing, under the following circumstances:
(i) The Securities Depository determines to discontinue providing its service with respect to any Bonds and no successor Securities Depository is appointed as described above. Such a determination may be made at any time by giving 30 days’ written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law; or
(ii) The Issuer determines, with written notice to the Trustee, not to continue the Book Entry System through a Securities Depository for the Bonds.
When the Book Entry System is not in effect, all references herein to the Securities Depository shall be of no further force or effect.
In connection with any proposed transfer outside the Book Entry System of the Securities Depository, the Securities Depository and the Issuer shall provide or cause to be provided to the Attachment Staff Report Item 15H
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Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation cost-basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Section 3.10. Subsidy Payments. In the event that one or more Series of Bonds are issued which qualify the Issuer to receive Subsidy Payments and the Issuer, in a Supplemental Indenture, pledges such Subsidy Payments to the repayment of the principal of, and interest on, the Bonds, then, to the extent such Subsidy Payments are received by the Trustee, they shall constitute Revenues under the Indenture.
Section 3.11. Limitation of Liability of the Issuer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Bonds, all obligations of the Issuer to make payments of any kind pursuant to this Indenture are special, limited obligations of the Issuer, payable solely from, and secured solely by, the Trust Estate as and to the extent provided herein. The Issuer shall not be required to advance any moneys derived from any source other than the Revenues and other assets pledged under this Indenture for any of the purposes in this Indenture mentioned, whether for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Bonds or for any other purpose of this Indenture. Neither the faith and credit of the Issuer nor the taxing power of the State or any political subdivision thereof is pledged to payments pursuant to this Indenture or the Bonds. The Issuer shall not be directly, indirectly, contingently or otherwise liable for any costs, expenses, losses, damages, claims or actions, of any conceivable kind on any conceivable theory, under or by reasons of or in connection with this Indenture or the Clean Energy Project, except solely to the extent Revenues are received for the payment thereof.