EXHIBIT 10.15
Execution Counterpart
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS UNDERTAKING AND INDEMNITY
This Hazardous Materials Undertaking and Indemnity (this "Indemnity") is
executed by CALPINE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Indemnitor") in
favor of THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, a Canadian chartered bank ("Scotiabank"), for
itself and as agent for the commercial lending institutions to each of the
Credit Agreements (as defined below) (herein collectively, with their successors
and assigns, the "Lenders"; the Agent, all Issuers and the Lenders are
collectively referred to as the "Indemnified Parties"), with reference to the
following facts:
A. Indemnitor is party to that certain (i) Credit Agreement (the "New
Credit Agreement"), dated as of March 8, 2002, among Indemnitor, the various
financial institutions as are or may become parties thereto (collectively, the
"New Lenders"), The Bank of Nova Scotia, and Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale,
as lead arrangers and bookrunners, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc. and Deutsche Banc
Alex. Xxxxx Inc., as lead arrangers and bookrunners, Bank of America, National
Association, and Credit Suisse First Boston, New York Branch, as lead arrangers
and syndication agents and TD Securities (USA) Inc., as lead arranger and
Scotiabank as joint administrative agent and funding agent, and Citicorp USA,
Inc., as Joint Administrative Agent and (ii) Second Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement (the "Existing Credit Agreement", and together with the New Credit
Agreement, the "Credit Agreements"), dated as of May 23, 2000, among Indemnitor,
the various financial institutions as are or may become parties thereto (the
"Existing Lenders"), Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale, as co-arranger and
syndication agent for the Existing Lenders and the Agent.
B. The Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Guaranty and all other Obligations
owing to any of the Lenders under each of the Credit Agreements are to be
secured by, among other things, all of the right, title and interest of
Indemnitor in the real property and interests comprising the Domestic Gas
Reserves and all fixtures, personal property and other improvements now existing
or to be constructed on any of such properties (such properties, descriptions of
which are attached hereto as Exhibit A, herein collectively called, the
"Properties"), with respect to which Indemnitor has executed counterparts of the
Deed of Trust.
C. Lenders are willing to make the Credit Extensions to Indemnitor upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreements, the Deed of Trust and
the other Loan Documents (collectively, the "Loan Documents") only if the
Indemnified Parties are indemnified and held harmless with respect to any risk
that the Properties may now or in the future be in any way contaminated, or its
use or value impacted by any Hazardous Materials, as defined below.
D. It is a condition precedent to the making of the Term B Loans and
issuance of the Letters of Credit that Indemnitor execute and deliver this
Indemnity.
E. In order to induce the Agent and the Lenders to make the Loans and to
issue or cause to be issued the Letters of Credit, and with the full intention
and
understanding that the Indemnified Parties will rely hereon, Indemnitor
represents, warrants, covenants and agrees as follows:
1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Indemnity, the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:
"Hazardous Materials" means crude or refined oil or fraction thereof,
petroleum substances, petrochemical products, PCBs, asbestos, asbestos
containing materials, urea formaldehyde, salts, flammable explosives,
radioactive materials, hazardous wastes, toxic, mutagenic or pathogenic
substances or related materials, including, without limitation, any substances
defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances," "hazardous
wastes," "hazardous materials," or "toxic substances" under any applicable
federal or state laws or regulations.
"Hazardous Materials Laws" means all federal, state or local laws,
ordinances, regulations, orders and directives pertaining to Hazardous
Materials.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings specified in either or both of the New Credit Agreement and
the Existing Credit Agreement, as context requires.
2. Representations and Warranties. Without limiting the generality of any
of the representations or warranties contained in the other Loan Documents,
Indemnitor hereby represents and warrants to the Agent and the other Indemnified
Parties that, except as disclosed on Exhibit B hereto, as of the date of this
Indemnity and continuing thereafter,
(a) the Properties and each portion thereof (including the underlying
groundwater) are not and have not been a site for the use, generation,
manufacture, discharge, assembly, processing, storage, release, disposal or
transportation to or from of any Hazardous Materials, except in connection
with the production, storage and transportation of crude oil, natural gas,
other hydrocarbons and petroleum, and other petroleum products in the
ordinary course of Indemnitor's business;
(b) the Properties and each portion thereof (including the underlying
groundwater) are presently in compliance in all material respects with all
Hazardous Materials Laws, including, without limitation, those relating to
exposure to Hazardous Materials, the labeling, storage and containment of
Hazardous Materials, and air, soil and surface and ground water conditions;
(c) there have been no past, and there are no pending or, to
Indemnitor's knowledge, threatened
(i) claims, complaints, notices or requests for information
received by Indemnitor with respect to any alleged violation of any
Environmental Law, including Hazardous Materials Laws, that, singly or
in
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the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, or
(ii) complaints, notices or inquiries to Indemnitor regarding
potential liability under any Environmental Law, including Hazardous
Materials Laws, that, singly or in the aggregate, may reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) there have been no unremediated Releases of Hazardous Materials
at, on or under any property (including the Properties) now or previously
owned or leased by Indemnitor that, singly or in the aggregate, result in,
or may reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) Indemnitor has been issued and is in material compliance with all
permits, certificates, approvals, licenses and other governmental
authorizations relating to environmental matters and necessary for its
businesses;
(f) no property (including the Properties) now or previously owned or
leased by Indemnitor is listed or proposed for listing (with respect to
owned property only) on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on
the CERCLIS or on any similar state list of sites requiring investigation
or clean-up;
(g) Indemnitor has not directly transported or directly arranged for
the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any location which is
listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to
CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list or which is the subject
of federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations
which may lead to material claims against Indemnitor for any remedial work,
damage to natural resources or personal injury, including claims under
CERCLA;
(h) there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable asbestos present
at any property (including the Properties) now or previously owned or
leased by Indemnitor that, singly or in the aggregate, result in, or may
reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(i) no conditions exist at, on or under any property (including the
Properties) now or previously owned or leased by Indemnitor which, with the
passage of time, or the giving of notice or both, would give rise to
liability under any Environmental Law, which liability would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
3. Covenants. Indemnitor hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as any
obligation under any of the Loan Documents or otherwise in connection with the
Loans is outstanding:
(a) Indemnitor shall not permit the Properties or any portion of any
parcel thereof to be a site for the use, generation, manufacture,
discharge, assembly, processing, storage, Release, disposal or
transportation to or from of
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Hazardous Materials except (i) as disclosed on Exhibit B hereto, (ii) in
such quantities and as may be necessary for the production, storage and
transportation of crude oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons (as defined
in the Deed of Trust) in the ordinary course of Indemnitor's business as
conducted on the Effective Date, (iii) as necessary or required to develop
the Properties in the ordinary course of Indemnitor's business and (iv) as
may be necessary to respond to any emergency, each of which excepted
activities will be conducted in a manner designed to minimize environmental
risk;
(b) Indemnitor shall keep and maintain the Properties and each portion
of any parcel thereof in compliance in all material respects with all
Environmental Laws, including Hazardous Materials Laws (and to the extent
there are violations of such laws existing as of the date hereof which are
disclosed on Exhibit B, with the remediation plans and work plans listed on
Exhibit B), and otherwise shall not cause or permit the Properties or any
portion of any parcel thereof to be in violation, in any material respect,
of such laws;
(c) As to any claim or matter not disclosed on Exhibit B, Indemnitor
shall immediately advise the Agent in writing of:
(i) any and all enforcement, cleanup, removal or other
governmental or regulatory actions instituted, completed or threatened
against Indemnitor or the Properties pursuant to any applicable
Environmental Laws, including Hazardous Materials Laws that, singly or
in the aggregate, have, or may reasonably be expected to have, a
Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) any and all material claims made or threatened by any third
party against Indemnitor or the Properties relating to any claim,
liability, cause of action, nuisance, fine, penalty, charge,
administrative or judicial order or proceeding, judgment, remedial
action or cleanup requirement, enforcement, damage, contribution, cost
recovery, compensation, loss or injury resulting from any Hazardous
Materials that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or may reasonably be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect (the matters set forth in
Sections 3(c)(i) and (ii) hereof are hereinafter referred to as
"Hazardous Materials Claims");
(iii) any change in any claim or matter disclosed in Exhibit B
that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or may reasonably be expected
to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(iv) For the purpose of protecting the collateral given to secure
the Obligations, the Agent shall have the right to join and
participate in, as a party if it so elects, any legal proceedings or
actions initiated in connection with any Hazardous Materials Claims
and to have its reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in connection
therewith paid by Indemnitor;
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(d) Indemnitor shall not, without the Agent's prior written consent
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), take any
remedial action in response to the presence of any Hazardous Materials on,
under, or about the Properties (except (i) with respect to oil, gas and
other Hydrocarbons, in the ordinary course of Indemnitor's business, or
(ii) as may be necessary to respond to any emergency), nor enter into any
settlement agreement, consent decree, or other compromise in respect of any
Hazardous Material Claim in excess of $250,000;
(e) Annually, at the time Indemnitor's audited financial statements
are required to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to the Credit
Agreements, Indemnitor shall deliver to the Agent a report discussing
significant issues or concerns arising, or measures taken, during the
preceding year and those contemplated for the following year relating to
compliance with Hazardous Materials Laws and Environmental Laws, including,
without limitation, compliance with any then effective order of the
Regional Water Quality Control Board (or other lead agency) pertaining to
the characterization, abatement and remediation of soil and groundwater
contamination of the Properties;
(f) To the extent that Indemnitor has the right to do so, Indemnitor
shall permit the Agent or its agents, at the cost and expense of
Indemnitor, to enter upon the Properties and all parts thereof, for the
purpose of investigating and inspecting the condition and operation
thereof, and shall permit reasonable access to the field offices and other
offices, including the principal place of business, of Indemnitor to
inspect and examine the Properties and to inspect, review and reproduce as
necessary any books, records, accounts, contracts or other documents of
Indemnitor;
(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (f), the
Agent shall have the right, subject to any existing contractual
restrictions binding on Indemnitor and on twenty-four (24) hours prior
notice to Indemnitor, to cause such persons and entities as the Agent may
designate to enter the Properties to conduct (at the cost and expense of
Indemnitor), or to cause Indemnitor to conduct (at the cost and expense of
Indemnitor), such tests and investigations as the Agent deems necessary to
determine whether any hazardous substance or solid waste is being
generated, transported, stored, or disposed of in accordance with
applicable Environmental Laws. Such tests and investigations may include,
without limitation, underground borings, ground water analyses and borings
from the floors, ceilings and walls of any improvements located on the
Properties. This Section 3(g) shall not be construed to affect or limit the
obligations of Indemnitor pursuant to Section 4 hereof;
(h) The Agent shall have no duty to visit or observe the Properties or
to conduct tests, and no site visit, observation or testing by the Agent
shall impose any liability on the Agent, nor shall Indemnitor or any other
Obligor be entitled to rely on any visit, observation or testing by the
Agent in any respect. The Agent may, in its discretion, disclose to
Indemnitor or any other Person, including any
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governmental agency, any report or finding made as a result of, or in
connection with, any site visit, observation or testing by the Agent.
Indemnitor agrees that the Agent makes no warranty or representation to
Indemnitor or any other Obligor regarding the truth, accuracy or
completeness of any such report or findings that may be so disclosed.
Indemnitor also acknowledges that, depending upon the results of any site
visit, observation or testing by the Agent and disclosed to Indemnitor,
Indemnitor may have a legal obligation to notify one or more governmental
agencies of such results, that such reporting requirements are
site-specific, and are to be evaluated by Indemnitor without advice or
assistance from the Agent; and
(i) Cooperate fully with any environmental consultant retained by the
Agent to prepare reports on the Properties.
4. Continuing Indemnity. Indemnitor hereby agrees to indemnify, hold
harmless and defend (by one law firm reasonably satisfactory to the Agent unless
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) the Agent and the
other Indemnified Parties and its and their directors, officers, employees,
agents, successors and assigns (collectively, "Indemnitees") from and against
any and all claims (including without limitation third party claims for personal
injury or real or personal property damage), losses, damages, liabilities,
fines, penalties, charges, administrative and judicial proceedings (including
informal proceedings) and orders, judgments, remedial action requirements,
enforcement actions of any kind, and all costs and expenses incurred in
connection therewith (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' and/or
paralegals' fees and expenses), including, but not limited to, all costs
incurred in connection with any investigation or monitoring of site conditions
or any clean-up, remedial, removal or restoration work by any federal, state or
local government agency, arising directly or indirectly, in whole or in part,
out of (i) the presence on or under the Properties of any Hazardous Materials,
or any escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission or Release of any
Hazardous Materials on, under or from the Properties, or (ii) any activity
carried on or undertaken on or off the Properties, whether prior to or during
the term of the Loans, and whether by Indemnitor or any predecessor in title or
any employees, agents, contractors or subcontractors of Indemnitor or any
predecessor in title, or any third persons at any time occupying or present on
the Properties, in connection with the handling, treatment, removal, storage,
decontamination, clean-up, transport or disposal of any Hazardous Materials that
at any time are located or present on or under or that at any time migrate,
flow, percolate, diffuse or in any way move onto or under the Properties;
provided however, that nothing herein shall require Indemnitor to indemnify
Indemnitees for any matter arising solely from the gross negligence or wilful
misconduct of the Agent. The foregoing indemnity shall further apply to any
residual contamination on or under the Properties, or affecting any natural
resources, and to any contamination of any property or natural resources arising
in connection with the generation, use, handling, storage, transport or disposal
of any such Hazardous Materials, and irrespective of whether any of such
activities were or will be undertaken in accordance with applicable laws,
regulations, codes and ordinances. It is expressly understood and agreed that
the indemnity provided for herein shall survive: (i) the repayment of the Loans
and the release of or reconveyance
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(whether full or partial) of the Deed of Trust; or (ii) the acquisition of title
to all or any portion of the Properties by the Agent, or any successor in
interest to the Agent, or any nominee or designee of any of them, by foreclosure
under or transfer in lieu of foreclosure of the Deed of Trust, whether or not
the same is otherwise in satisfaction of Indemnitor's obligations in connection
with the Loan.
5. Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of this Indemnity.
6. Governing Law. This Indemnity shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent
preempted by Federal Law. Indemnitor irrevocably agrees that any legal action or
proceeding with respect to this Indemnity may be brought in a court of competent
jurisdiction of the State of New York or of the United States of America, as the
Agent may elect, and by execution and delivery of this Indemnity the Indemnitor
hereby irrevocably submits to each such jurisdiction; and agrees that final
judgment against the Indemnitor in any such action or proceeding shall be
conclusive and may be enforced in any jurisdiction within the United States
including, without limitation, the State of New York, by suit on the judgment, a
certified copy of which shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and of the
amount of the indebtedness owed.
7. Indemnitor Waivers. Indemnitor waives: (a) any defense based upon any
legal disability to enter into the Credit Agreements or other defense of
Indemnitor under the Credit Agreements; (b) any defense based on any lack of
authority of the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to
act on behalf of Indemnitor or any principal of Indemnitor, or any defect in the
formation of Indemnitor or any principal of Indemnitor; (c) any defense based
upon the application of the proceeds of the Loans by Indemnitor for purposes
other than the purposes represented by Indemnitor to the Agent or intended or
understood by Agent or Indemnitor; (d) any defense based upon Agent's election,
in any proceeding instituted under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, of the
application of Section 111(b)(2) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code or any successor
statute; (e) any defense based upon any borrowing or any grant of security
interest under Section 364 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code; (f) presentment,
demand, protest and notice of any kind; and (g) the benefit of any statute of
limitations affecting the liability of Indemnitor hereunder or the enforcement
hereof.
8. Other Provisions.
(a) This Indemnity is a Loan Document executed pursuant to the New
Credit Agreement and shall be construed, administered and applied in
accordance with the terms and provisions thereof (including [Article XI]
thereof).
(b) All notices pursuant to this Indemnity shall be delivered at the
times, in the manner and to the addressees as set forth in Section 11.2 of
each of the Credit Agreements.
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(c) No amendment to or waiver of any provision of this Indemnity nor
consent to any departure by Indemnitor herefrom shall be effective unless
the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and Indemnitor.
(d) This Indemnity shall be binding on and for the benefit of, the
parties hereto, together with their respective successors and assigns.
(e) The obligations of Indemnitor hereunder shall survive any
termination of this Indemnity and the termination of all the Commitments.
The representations and warranties made by Indemnitor in this Agreement
shall survive the execution and delivery of this Indemnity.
(f) Any provision of this Indemnity which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such provision and such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this
Indemnity or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in
any other jurisdiction.
(g) The various headings of this Indemnity are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Indemnity or any provisions hereof.
(h) This Indemnity may be executed by the parties hereto in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of
which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement. This
Indemnity shall become effective when counterparts hereof executed on
behalf of Indemnitor and the Agent shall have been received by the Agent.
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Dated: as of May 9, 2002
"Indemnitor"
CALPINE CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
"Agent"
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Agent
By______________________________________
Name:
Title:_______________________________
EXHIBIT A
to
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL UNDERTAKING AND INDEMNITY
--------------------------------------------
Legal Description of Properties
EXHIBIT B
to
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL UNDERTAKING AND INDEMNITY
--------------------------------------------
Description of Hazardous
Materials On Properties, etc.
None
