Exhibit 1
$100,000,000 Series E 6.25% Senior Notes
due September 30, 2010
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
September 8, 1998
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Alabama Power Company, an Alabama corporation (the "Company"),
confirms its agreement (the "Agreement") with Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co., acting as
the representative (the "Representative") of the underwriters named in Schedule
I hereto (the "Underwriters", which term shall include any underwriter
substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), with respect to the
sale by the Company and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and
not jointly, of $100,000,000 principal amount of the Series E 6.25% Senior Notes
due September 30, 2010 (the "Senior Notes") as set forth in Schedule I hereto.
The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make
a public offering of the Senior Notes as soon as the Underwriters deem advisable
after this Agreement has been executed and delivered. The Senior Notes will be
issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 1, 1997, as heretofore
supplemented (the "Base Indenture"), between the Company and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by a fifth supplemental
indenture to the Base Indenture relating to the Senior Notes (the "Supplemental
Indenture," and together with the Base Indenture and any other amendments or
supplements thereto, the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee.
SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Company represents
and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:
(a) A registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (File Nos. 333-53299,
000-00000-00, 000-00000-00 and 333-53299-03), in respect of the Senior
Notes and certain other securities has been prepared and filed in
accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"); such registration statement, as amended, and any
post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered or
to be delivered to the Underwriters, has been declared effective by the
Commission in such form (except that copies of the registration statement,
as amended, and any post-effective amendment delivered to the Underwriters
need not include exhibits but shall include all documents incorporated by
reference therein); and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such
registration statement has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose
has been initiated or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened by
the Commission (any preliminary prospectus, as supplemented by a
preliminary prospectus supplement, included in such registration statement
or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and
regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act, being hereinafter called
a "Preliminary Prospectus"); such registration statement, as it became
effective, including the exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by
reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 at the time such
registration statement became effective, being hereinafter called the
"Registration Statement"; the prospectus relating to the Senior Notes, in
the form in which it was included in the Registration Statement at the time
it became effective, being hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any
reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be
deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference
therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act, as of the date
of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any
reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed
after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case
may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), and incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or
Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any amendment to the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include any annual
report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934
Act after the effective date of the Registration Statement that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement; and the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented in final form by a prospectus supplement
relating to the Senior Notes in the form in which it is filed with the
Commission, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act in accordance with
Section 3(g) hereof, including any documents incorporated by reference
therein as of the date of such filing, being hereinafter called the "Final
Supplemented Prospectus".
(b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or
Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission, complied in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder, and as of such time of filing, when
read together with the Prospectus, none of such documents contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further
documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any
further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents are filed with the
Commission, will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and,
when read together with the Prospectus as it otherwise may be amended or
supplemented, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that the Company makes no warranty or
representation to the Underwriters with respect to: (A) any statements or
omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Company by the Underwriters expressly for use in the Preliminary
Supplemented Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus; or (B) any
information set forth in the Preliminary Supplemented Prospectus or the Final
Supplemented Prospectus under the captions "Description of the Series E Senior
Notes - Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" and "The
Insurer." (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and the Final
Supplemented Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, when any such post-effective
amendments are declared effective or supplements are filed with the Commission,
as the case may be, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1939 Act (hereinafter defined) and
the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and
will not, (i) as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto and (ii) as of the applicable filing date as
to the Final Supplemented Prospectus and any Prospectus as further amended or
supplemented, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except that the
Company makes no warranties or representations with respect to (A) that part of
the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statements of Eligibility
(Form T-1) (collectively, the "Form T-1") under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended (the "1939 Act"), (B) statements or omissions made in the
Registration Statement or the Final Supplemented Prospectus in reliance upon and
in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the
Underwriters expressly for use therein or (C) any information set forth in the
Final Supplemented Prospectus under the captions "Description of the Series E
Senior Notes - Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" and
"The Insurer." (d) With respect to the Registration Statement, the conditions
for use of Form S-3, as set forth in the General Instructions thereof, have been
satisfied. (e) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Registration Statement and the Final Supplemented Prospectus, except as
otherwise stated therein, there has been no material adverse change in the
business, properties or financial condition of the Company. (f) The Company is a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Alabama
and has due corporate authority to carry on the public utility business in which
it is engaged and to own and operate the properties used by it in such business,
to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture
and to issue and sell the Senior Notes to the Underwriters. (g) This Agreement
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. (h) The
Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing Date, will
have been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and, assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee, the
Indenture will, on the Closing Date, constitute a valid and binding obligation
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms
except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (1) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, receivership, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or (2)
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding at law or in equity) (the "Enforceability Exceptions"); the
Indenture will conform in all material respects to all statements relating
thereto contained in the Final Supplemented Prospectus; and, on the Closing
Date, the Indenture will have been duly qualified under the 1939 Act. (i) The
issuance and delivery of the Senior Notes have been duly authorized by the
Company and, on the Closing Date, the Senior Notes will have been duly executed
by the Company and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the
Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as described in the Final
Supplemented Prospectus, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms,
except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by the
Enforceability Exceptions, will be in the form contemplated by, and entitled to
the benefits of, the Indenture and will conform in all material respects to all
statements relating thereto in the Final Supplemented Prospectus. (j) The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the
Indenture and the Senior Notes and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated herein and therein and compliance by the Company with
its obligations hereunder and thereunder shall have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and do not and will not
result in any violation of the charter or bylaws of the Company, and do not and
will not conflict with, or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions
of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of
any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company under
(A) any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it may be
bound or to which any of its properties may be subject (except for conflicts,
breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be
materially adverse to the Company or materially adverse to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement), or (B) any existing applicable law, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or decree of any government, governmental
instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, or any regulatory body or
administrative agency or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the
Company, or any of its properties. (k) The Company has duly authorized all
necessary action to be taken by it for the procurement of an irrevocable
financial guarantee insurance policy (the "Insurance Policy") issued by MBIA
Insurance Corporation (the "Insurer"), insuring the payment of principal and
interest on the Senior Notes, when due. (l) No authorization, approval, consent
or order of any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary in
connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of the Senior Notes or the
transactions by the Company contemplated in this Agreement, except (A) such as
may be required under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder; (B)
such as may be required under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended (the "1935 Act"); (C) the qualification of the Indenture under the 1939
Act; (D) the approval of the Alabama Public Service Commission (the "Alabama
Commission"); and (E) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or
qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws.
SECTION 2. SALE AND DELIVERY TO THE UNDERWRITERS; CLOSING.
(a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and
subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell
to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to
purchase from the Company, the principal amount of Senior Notes set forth in
Schedule I to this Agreement opposite the name of such Underwriter (plus any
additional amount of Senior Notes that such Underwriter may become obligated to
purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof), at a price equal to
98.00% of the principal amount thereof.
(b) Payment for and delivery of certificates for the Senior Notes shall be made
at the offices of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000 at 10:00 A.M., Atlanta time, on September 17, 1998 (unless
postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10) or such other time,
place or date as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriters and the Company (such
time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the "Closing Date").
Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer in federal funds at the
Closing Date against delivery of the Senior Notes to the Underwriters.
The delivery of the Senior Notes shall be made in fully
registered form, registered in the name of CEDE & CO., to the offices of The
Depository Trust Company in New York, New York or its designee, and the
Underwriters shall accept such delivery.
The certificate(s) for the Senior Notes will be made available
for examination by the Underwriters not later than 12:00 Noon, New York time, on
the last business day prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company covenants with the
Underwriters as follows:
(a) The Company, on or prior to the Closing Date, will deliver to the
Underwriters conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed
and of all amendments thereto, heretofore or hereafter made, including any
post-effective amendment (in each case including all exhibits filed therewith,
and including unsigned copies of each consent and certificate included therein
or filed as an exhibit thereto, except exhibits incorporated by reference,
unless specifically requested). As soon as the Company is advised thereof, it
will advise the Underwriters orally of the issuance of any stop order under the
1933 Act with respect to the Registration Statement, or the institution of any
proceedings therefor, of which the Company shall have received notice, and will
use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and to
secure the prompt removal thereof, if issued. The Company will deliver to the
Underwriters sufficient conformed copies of the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus and the Final Supplemented Prospectus and of all supplements and
amendments thereto (in each case without exhibits) for distribution to the
Underwriters and, from time to time, as many copies of the Prospectus and the
Final Supplemented Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request for the
purposes contemplated by the 1933 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
(b) The Company will furnish the Underwriters with copies of each amendment and
supplement to the Final Supplemented Prospectus relating to the offering of the
Senior Notes in such quantities as the Underwriters may from time to time
reasonably request. If, during the period (not exceeding nine months) when the
delivery of a prospectus shall be required by law in connection with the sale of
any Senior Notes by an Underwriter, any event relating to or affecting the
Company, or of which the Company shall be advised in writing by the
Underwriters, shall occur, which in the opinion of the Company or of
Underwriters' counsel should be set forth in a supplement to or an amendment of
the Final Supplemented Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to make the
Final Supplemented Prospectus not misleading in the light of the circumstances
when it is delivered, or if for any other reason it shall be necessary during
such period to amend or supplement the Final Supplemented Prospectus or to file
under the 1934 Act any document incorporated by reference in the Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus in order to comply with the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act,
the Company forthwith will (i) notify the Underwriters to suspend solicitation
of purchases of the Senior Notes and (ii) at its expense, make any such filing
or prepare and furnish to the Underwriters a reasonable number of copies of a
supplement or supplements or an amendment or amendments to the Final
Supplemented Prospectus which will supplement or amend the Final Supplemented
Prospectus so that, as supplemented or amended, it will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the
Final Supplemented Prospectus is delivered, not misleading or which will effect
any other necessary compliance. In case any Underwriter is required to deliver a
prospectus in connection with the sale of any Senior Notes after the expiration
of the period specified in the preceding sentence, the Company, upon the request
of such Underwriter, will furnish to such Underwriter, at the expense of such
Underwriter, a reasonable quantity of a supplemented or amended prospectus, or
supplements or amendments to the Final Supplemented Prospectus, complying with
Section 10(a) of the 1933 Act. During the period specified in the second
sentence of this subsection, the Company will continue to prepare and file with
the Commission on a timely basis all documents or amendments required under the
1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, that the Company
shall not file such documents or amendments without also furnishing copies
thereof prior to such filing to the Underwriters and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP. (c)
The Company will endeavor, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the
Senior Notes for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such
states and the other jurisdictions of the United States as the Underwriters may
designate; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to qualify
as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or
to file a consent to service of process or to file annual reports or to comply
with any other requirements in connection with such qualification deemed by the
Company to be unduly burdensome. (d) The Company will make generally available
to its security holders as soon as practicable but not later than 45 days after
the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement of the Company
(in form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 of the rules and regulations
under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the
first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the "effective date"
(as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement. (e) During a period of
15 days from the date of this Agreement, the Company will not, without the
Underwriters' prior written consent, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to
sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any Senior
Notes or any security convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for
the Senior Notes or any debt securities substantially similar to the Senior
Notes (except for the Senior Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement). (f) As
soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event within
the time prescribed by Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, to file the Final
Supplemented Prospectus with the Commission and to advise the Underwriters of
such filing and to confirm such advice in writing. SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF
EXPENSES. The Company will pay all expenses incidental to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited to, the expenses of
(i) the printing and filing of the Registration Statement as originally filed
and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of
the certificate(s) for the Senior Notes, (iii) the fees and disbursements of the
Company's counsel and accountants, (iv) the qualification of the Senior Notes
under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(c) hereof,
including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation
of any blue sky survey (such fees and disbursements of counsel shall not exceed
$3,500), (v) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the
Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto and of
the Prospectus, the Final Supplemented Prospectus, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of
copies of any blue sky survey, (vii) the fee of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. in connection with its review of the offering
contemplated by this Agreement, if applicable, (viii) the fees and expenses of
the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in
connection with the Indenture and the Senior Notes, (ix) any fees payable in
connection with the rating of the Senior Notes, (x) the cost and charges of any
transfer agent or registrar, (xi) the premium payable to the Insurer in
connection with the issuance of the Insurance Policy, and (xii) the cost of
qualifying the Senior Notes with The Depository Trust Company.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9 hereof, the
Underwriters shall pay all other expenses incurred by them in connection with
their offering of the Senior Notes including fees and disbursements of their
counsel, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITER'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligations
of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Senior Notes are subject to
the following conditions:
(a) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall be in effect on the Closing Date and no proceedings for
that purpose shall be pending before, or to the knowledge of the
Company threatened by, the Commission on such date. If filing of the
Final Supplemented Prospectus, or any supplement thereto, is required
pursuant to Rule 424, the Final Supplemented Prospectus, and any such
supplement, shall have been filed in the manner and within the time
period required by Rule 424.
(b) Any required orders of the Commission permitting the transactions
contemplated hereby substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof shall be in full force and effect and shall contain no provision
unacceptable to the Underwriters or the Company (but all provisions of such
order or orders heretofore entered, copies of which have heretofore been
delivered to the Underwriters, are deemed acceptable to the Underwriters and the
Company and all provisions of such order or orders hereafter entered shall be
deemed acceptable to the Underwriters and the Company unless within 24 hours
after receiving a copy of any such order any party to this Agreement shall give
notice to the other parties to the effect that such order contains an
unacceptable provision).
(c) On the Closing Date the Underwriters shall have received:
(1) The opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, general
counsel for the Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Schedule II-A.
(2) The opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, counsel for
the Company, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule II-B. (3) The
opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Cravath, Swaine & Xxxxx, counsel to the
Trustee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule III. (4) The
opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the
Underwriters, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule IV. (5) The
opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Xxxxx Xxxx, counsel to the Insurer,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule V. (6) At the Closing
Date, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the
Final Supplemented Prospectus, any material adverse change in the business,
properties or financial condition of the Company, whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business, and the Underwriters shall have received a
certificate of the President or any Vice President of the Company, and dated as
of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material
adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1 hereof are
true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and
as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and
satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied on or prior to
the Closing Date, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have
been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the
Commission. (7) On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received from
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP a letter dated the Closing Date to the effect that: (A) they
are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the
meaning of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act; (B) in
their opinion, the financial statements audited by them and incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations
under the 1934 Act; and (C) on the basis of certain limited procedures performed
through a specified date not more than five business days prior to the date of
such letter, namely (i) reading the minute books of the Company; (ii) performing
the procedures specified by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants ("AICPA") for a review of interim financial information as described
in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 71, "Interim Financial Information", on
the unaudited financial statements, if any, of the Company incorporated in the
Prospectus and of the latest available unaudited financial statements of the
Company, if any, as of a date subsequent to the date of those incorporated in
the Prospectus; and (iii) making inquiries of certain officials of the Company
who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding such
unaudited financial statements or any specified unaudited amounts derived
therefrom (it being understood that the foregoing procedures do not constitute
an audit performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and
they would not necessarily reveal matters of significance with respect to the
comments made in such letter, and accordingly that Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP make no
representations as to the sufficiency of such procedures for the Underwriters'
purposes), nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that: (1)
any material modifications should be made to the unaudited condensed financial
statements, if any incorporated in the Prospectus, for them to be in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles; (2) such unaudited condensed
financial statements do not comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the 1934 Act as it applies to Form 10-Q
and the related published rules and regulations thereunder; (3) the unaudited
amounts for Operating Revenues, Income Before Interest Charges and Net Income
After Dividends on Preferred Stock and the unaudited Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges Plus Preferred Dividends Requirements
(Pre-Income Tax Basis) set forth in the Prospectus do not agree with the amounts
set forth in or derived from the unaudited financial statements for the same
period or were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with that of
the corresponding audited amounts or ratios included or incorporated by
reference in Registration Statement; (4) as of a specified date not more than
five business days prior to the date of delivery of such letter, there has been
any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any decrease
in net assets as compared with amounts shown in the latest audited balance sheet
incorporated in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes or decreases
which (i) the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur, (ii) are
occasioned by the declaration of dividends, (iii) are occasioned by draw-downs
under existing pollution control financing arrangements, (iv) are occasioned by
draw-downs and regularly scheduled payments of capitalized lease obligations,
(v) are occasioned by the purchase or redemption of bonds or stock to satisfy
mandatory or optional redemption provisions relating thereto, or (vi) are
disclosed in such letter; and (5) the unaudited amounts for Operating Revenues,
Income Before Interest Charges and Net Income After Dividends Preferred Stock
and the unaudited Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges Plus Preferred Dividend
Requirements (Pre-Income Tax Basis) for any period subsequent to those set forth
in (3) above, which if available shall be set forth in such letter, do not agree
with the amounts set forth in or derived from the unaudited financial statements
for the same period or were not determined on a basis substantially consistent
with that of the corresponding audited amounts or ratios included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. (8) On the Closing Date, counsel
for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions
as it may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling it to pass upon the
issuance and sale of the Senior Notes as herein contemplated and related
proceedings, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations
or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained;
and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and
sale of the Senior Notes as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form
and substance to the Underwriters and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the
Underwriters. (9) That no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement
or the Final Supplemented Prospectus filed subsequent to the date of this
Agreement (including any filing made by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or 14
of the 0000 Xxx) shall be unsatisfactory in form to Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP or
shall contain information (other than with respect to an amendment or supplement
relating solely to the activity of the Underwriters) which, in the reasonable
judgment of the Underwriters, shall materially impair the marketability of the
Senior Notes. (10) The Company shall have performed its obligations when and as
provided under this Agreement. (11) Evidence that the Insurance Policy has been
issued by the Insurer and confirmation that the Senior Notes have been rated at
least Aaa by Xxxxx'x Investors Services, Inc. and at least AAA by Standard &
Poor's Corporation.
If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been
fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated
by the Underwriters by notice to the Company at any time prior to the Closing
Date, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Sections 4, 7 and 9(b) hereof.
SECTION 6. CONDITIONS OF THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
The obligations of the Company shall be subject to the
conditions set forth in the first sentence of Section 5(a) and in Section 5(b).
In case such conditions shall not have been fulfilled, this Agreement may be
terminated by the Company by mailing or delivering written notice thereof to the
Underwriters. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to
any other party except as otherwise provided in Sections 4, 7 and 9(b) hereof.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters
and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act, against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any
of them may become subject under the 1933 Act, 1934 Act or otherwise, and to
reimburse any such Underwriter and such controlling person or persons, if any,
for any legal or other expenses incurred by them in connection with defending
any actions, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus or, if the
Company shall furnish to the Underwriters any amendments or any supplements
thereto, or shall make any filings pursuant to Section 13 or 14 of the 1934 Act
which are incorporated therein by reference, in any Preliminary Prospectus, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus as
so amended or supplemented, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based
upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission which was made in such Registration Statement, Preliminary
Prospectus, Prospectus or Final Supplemented Prospectus in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the
Underwriters for use therein and except that this indemnity with respect to the
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus, if
the Company shall have furnished any amendment or supplement thereto, shall not
inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or of any person controlling such
Underwriter) on account of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
arising from the sale of the Senior Notes to any person if a copy of the
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus
(exclusive of documents incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of
Form S-3), as the same may then be amended or supplemented, shall not have been
sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person with or prior
to the written confirmation of the sale involved and the untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was corrected in the
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus as
supplemented or amended at the time of such confirmation. Each Underwriter
agrees, within ten days after the receipt by it of notice of the commencement of
any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought by it, or by any person
controlling it, from the Company on account of its agreement contained in this
Section 7, to notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof but the
omission of such Underwriter so to notify the Company of any such action shall
not release the Company from any liability which it may have to such Underwriter
or to such controlling person otherwise than on account of the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 7. In case any such action shall be brought
against an Underwriter or any such person controlling such Underwriter and such
Underwriter shall notify the Company of the commencement thereof as above
provided, the Company shall be entitled to participate in (and, to the extent
that it shall wish, including the selection of counsel, to direct) the defense
thereof, at its own expense. In case the Company elects to direct such defense
and select such counsel, any Underwriter or controlling person shall have the
right to employ its own counsel, but, in any such case, the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such controlling
person unless the employment of such counsel has been authorized in writing by
the Company in connection with defending such action. No indemnifying party
shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is
an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement,
compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified
party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not
include any statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure
to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party. In no event shall any
indemnifying party have any liability or responsibility in respect of the
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with
respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim effected without its prior
written consent.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and such of its officers who have signed the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act to
the same extent and upon the same terms as the indemnity agreement of the
Company set forth in Section 7(a) hereof, but only with respect to alleged
untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, the
Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or the Final Supplemented Prospectus, or
such documents as amended or supplemented, in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Underwriter for use
therein. SECTION 8. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS TO SURVIVE
DELIVERY.
All representations, warranties and agreements contained in
this Agreement, or contained in certificates of officers of the Company
submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or
controlling person, or by, or on behalf of the Company and shall survive
delivery of the Senior Notes to the Underwriters.
SECTION 9. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
(a) The Representative may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company,
at any time at or prior to the Closing Date if (i) trading in securities on the
New York Stock Exchange shall have been generally suspended, (ii) minimum or
maximum ranges for prices shall have been generally established on the New York
Stock Exchange by the Commission or by the New York Stock Exchange, (iii) a
general banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or New York State
authorities, or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of
major hostilities in which the United States is involved, any declaration of war
by the United States Congress or any other substantial national or international
calamity or emergency affecting the United States, in any such case provided for
in clauses (i) through (iv) with the result that, in the reasonable judgement of
the Underwriters, the marketability of the Senior Notes shall have been
materially impaired.
If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters
pursuant to subsection (a) above or because of any failure or refusal on the
part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions
of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform
its obligations under this Agreement, then in any such case, the Company will
reimburse the Underwriters for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx LLP and for the out of pocket expenses (in an amount not exceeding
$10,000) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the
purchase, sale and delivery of the Senior Notes and, upon such reimbursement,
the Company shall be absolved from any further liability hereunder, except as
provided in Sections 4 and 7.
SECTION 10. DEFAULT BY AN UNDERWRITER
If an Underwriter shall fail on the Closing Date to purchase
the Senior Notes that it is obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the
"Defaulted Securities"), the non-defaulting Underwriter shall have the right,
within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for the non-defaulting
Underwriter, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all,
of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the
terms herein set forth. If, however, the non-defaulting Underwriter shall not
have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(a) if the principal amount of Defaulted Securities does not
exceed 10% of the Senior Notes, the non-defaulting Underwriter shall be
obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof, or
(b) if the principal amount of Defaulted Securities exceeds
10% of the Senior Notes, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the
part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any
defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.
In the event of any such default which does not result in a
termination of this Agreement, either the non-defaulting Underwriter or the
Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period not
exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration
Statement or Final Supplemented Prospectus or in any other documents or
arrangements.
SECTION 11. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by
any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be
directed to the Representative at Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Xxx Xxxxxx, Registration; notices to the
Company shall be mailed to 000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, 00000, Attention: Corporate Secretary, with a copy to Southern Company
Services, Inc., 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
SECTION 12. PARTIES. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors. Nothing
expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the
Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers
and directors referred to in Section 7 and their heirs and legal
representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and
all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Company and their respective
successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their
heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or
corporation. No purchaser of Senior Notes from the Underwriters shall be deemed
to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW
AND TIME. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be
performed in said State. Except as otherwise set forth herein, specified times
of day refer to New York City time. SECTION 14. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may
be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement between the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
By: ______________________________
Title:
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written
XXXXXXX, SACHS & CO.,
as Representative of the Underwriters
By:___________________________
(Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.)
SCHEDULE I
Principal Amount of
NAME OF UNDERWRITER Senior Notes
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co. $75,000,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated 25,000,000
TOTAL $100,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule II-A
[Letterhead of Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP]
___________ __, 199_
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Xxxxx & Co., as Representative
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Series E __ % Senior Notes
Due September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as general counsel to Alabama Power Company (the
"Company") in connection with (i) the Company's issuance of $______ aggregate
principal amount of its Series E __ % Senior Notes due September 30, 2010 (the
"Notes") pursuant to a Senior Note Indenture dated as of December 1, 1997, by
and between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), as heretofore supplemented and as further supplemented by the Fifth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of __________ __, 199_ (collectively, the
"Indenture"); and (ii) the purchase by you of the Notes pursuant to the terms of
an Underwriting Agreement dated _______, 1998, among the Company and you (the
"Underwriters") (the "Underwriting Agreement"). This opinion is being delivered
to you pursuant to Section 5(c)(1) thereof.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
the registration statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-53299, 000-00000-00,
000-00000-00 and 333-53299-03) pertaining to the Notes (the "Registration
Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
the prospectus dated ________, 199_ as supplemented by a final prospectus
supplement dated __________, 199_ (the "Final Supplemented Prospectus"), which
pursuant to Form S-3 incorporates by reference the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
the Company for the fiscal year ended __________________, 199_, the Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarters ended ____________ and the
Current Reports on Form 8-K of the Company dated __________ (the "Exchange Act
Documents"), each as filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act").
In addition, we have examined, and have relied as to matters
of fact upon, the documents delivered to you at the closing (except the Notes,
of which we have examined a specimen), and we have made such other and further
investigations as we deemed necessary to express the opinions hereinafter set
forth.
The Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement are herein
referred to as the "Agreements".
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications
and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion, relying as to matters of
New York law upon the opinion dated the date hereof rendered to you by Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx LLP, that:
1. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing and in
good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Alabama and has
due corporate authority to carry on the public utility business in which it is
engaged and to own and operate the properties used by it in such business and to
enter into and perform its obligations under the Agreements and the Notes.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company.
3. All orders, consents, or other authorizations or approvals of the
Alabama Public Service Commission and the Commission legally required for the
issuance and sale of the Notes have been obtained; such orders are sufficient
for the issuance and the sale of the Notes; the issuance and the sale of the
Notes conform in all material respects with the terms of such orders; and no
other order, consent or other authorization or approval of any Alabama or United
States governmental body (other than in connection or in compliance with the
provisions of the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction, as to which
we express no opinion) is legally required for the issuance and sale of the
Notes in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof
by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject
to the qualifications that the enforceability of the Company's obligations under
the Indenture may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the
Indenture conforms as to legal matters in all material respects to the
description thereof in the Final Supplemented Prospectus.
5. The Notes have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and,
when authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the Indenture and
delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the
qualifications that the enforceability of the Company's obligations under the
Notes may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by
general principles of equity; and the Notes conform as to legal matters in all
material respects to the description thereof in the Final Supplemented
Prospectus.
6. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").
We have not independently verified the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements made or included in the Registration Statement,
the Final Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and take no
responsibility therefor, except as and to the extent set forth in paragraphs 4
and 5 above and in the Final Supplemented Prospectus in the second paragraph
under the caption "Experts". In the course of the preparation by the Company of
the Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange
Act Documents, we participated in conferences with certain officers and
employees of the Company, with other counsel for the Company and with
representatives of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP. Based upon our examination of the
Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act
Documents, our investigations made in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act
Documents and our participation in the conferences referred to above, (i) we are
of the opinion that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date, and
the Final Supplemented Prospectus, as of __________, complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and that the Exchange Act Documents, as
of their respective dates of filing with the Commission, complied as to form in
all material respects with the relevant requirements of the Exchange Act and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, except that in
each case we express no opinion as to the financial statements or other
financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act
Documents, and (ii) nothing came to our attention which gives us reason to
believe that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date (including the
Exchange Act Documents on file with the Commission as of such date), contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading, or that the Final Supplemented Prospectus (including the
Exchange Act Documents) contains any untrue statement therein of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except that in each case we express no opinion or belief with
respect to the financial statements or other financial or statistical data
contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Final
Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and with respect to
information set forth in the Final Supplemented Prospectus under the captions
"Description of the Series E Senior Notes - Book-Entry Only Issuance - The
Depository Trust Company" and "The Insurer."
We are members of the State Bar of Alabama and we do not
express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the laws of such State
and, to the extent set forth herein, the law of the States of New York and the
federal law of the United States.
This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the
above-described transaction. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any
other purpose, or relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our
prior written consent, except that Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP
may rely on this opinion in giving their opinions pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement insofar as such opinion relates to matters of Alabama law.
Yours very truly,
XXXXX & XXXXXXX LLP
Schedule II-B
[Letterhead of XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX LLP]
__________ __, 199_
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Xxxxx & Co., as Representative
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Series E __ % Senior Notes
Due September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Alabama Power Company (the
"Company") in connection with (i) the Company's issuance of $__________
aggregate principal amount of its Series E __% Senior Notes due September 30,
2010 (the "Notes") pursuant to a Senior Note Indenture dated as of December 1,
1997, by and between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), as heretofore supplemented and as further supplemented by the Fifth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of __________ __, 199_ (collectively, the
"Indenture"); and (ii) the purchase by you (the "Underwriters") of the Notes
pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement dated ___________ __, 19__,
among the Company and you (the "Underwriting Agreement"). This opinion is being
delivered to you pursuant to Section 5(c)(2) thereof.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
the registration statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-53299, 000-00000-00,
000-00000-00 and 333-53299-03) pertaining to the Notes (the "Registration
Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
the prospectus dated ___________, 199_ as supplemented by a final prospectus
supplement dated __________, 199_ (the "Final Supplemented Prospectus"), which
pursuant to Form S-3 incorporates by reference the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
the Company for the fiscal year ended _____________, 199_, the Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarters ended ____________ and the Current
Reports on Form 8-K of the Company dated _________ (the "Exchange Act
Documents"), each as filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act").
In addition, we have examined, and have relied as to matters
of fact upon, the documents delivered to you at the closing (except the
certificates representing the Notes, of which we have examined a specimen), and
we have made such other and further investigations as we deemed necessary to
express the opinions hereinafter set forth. In such examination, we have assumed
the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to
original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic
copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
The Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement are herein
referred to collectively as the "Agreements".
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications
and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion, relying as to matters of
Alabama law upon the opinion dated the date hereof rendered to you by Xxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP, and relying as to matters of New York law upon the opinion dated
the date hereof rendered to you by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP, that:
1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Alabama and has due
corporate authority to carry on the public utility business in which it is
engaged, to own and operate the properties used by it in such business and to
enter into and perform its obligations under the Agreements and the Notes.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company.
3. All orders, consents or other authorizations or approvals of the
Alabama Public Service Commission and the Commission legally required for the
issuance and sale of the Notes have been obtained; such orders are sufficient
for the issuance and sale of the Notes; the issuance and sale of the Notes
conform in all material respects with the terms of such orders; and no other
order, consent or other authorization or approval of any Alabama or United
States governmental body (other than in connection or in compliance with the
provisions of the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction, as to which
we express no opinion) is legally required for the issuance and sale of the
Notes in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof
by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject
to the qualifications that the enforceability of the Company's obligations under
the Indenture may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the
Indenture conforms as to legal matters in all material respects to the
description thereof in the Final Supplemented Prospectus.
5. The Notes have been duly authorized and executed by the Company and,
when authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the Indenture and
delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting
Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the
qualifications that the enforceability of the Company's obligations under the
Notes may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Notes conform as to
legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof in the Final
Supplemented Prospectus.
6. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended.
We have not independently verified the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements made or included in the Registration Statement,
the Final Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and take no
responsibility therefor, except as and to the extent set forth in paragraphs 4
and 5 above. In the course of the preparation by the Company of the Registration
Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act Documents, we
participated in conferences with certain officers and employees of the Company,
with other counsel for the Company, with representatives of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP
and with your counsel. Based upon our examination of the Registration Statement,
the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act Documents, our
investigations made in connection with the preparation of the Registration
Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act Documents and
our participation in the conferences referred to above, (i) we are of the
opinion that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date, and the Final
Supplemented Prospectus, as of _______________, complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and that the Exchange Act Documents, as
of their respective dates of filing with the Commission, complied as to form in
all material respects with the relevant requirements of the Exchange Act and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, except that in
each case we express no opinion as to the financial statements or other
financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act
Documents, and (ii) nothing came to our attention which gives us reason to
believe that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date (including the
Exchange Act Documents on file with the Commission as of such date), contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading, or that the Final Supplemented Prospectus (including the
Exchange Act Documents) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except that in each case we express no opinion or belief with
respect to the financial statements or other financial or statistical data
contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Final
Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and with respect to
information set forth in the Final Supplemented Prospectus under the captions
"Description of the Series E Senior Notes - Book-Entry Only Issuance - The
Depository Trust Company" and "The Insurer."
We are members of the State Bar of Georgia and we do not
express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of
Georgia and the federal law of the United States and, to the extent set forth
herein, the laws of the States of Alabama and New York.
This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the
above-described transaction. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any
other purpose, or relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our
prior written consent.
Yours very truly,
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX LLP
Schedule III
[Letterhead of Cravath, Swaine & Xxxxx]
__________ __, 199_
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Xxxxx & Co., as Representative
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Alabama Power Company
000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
MBIA Insurance Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Alabama Power Company
Series E __ % Senior Notes
Due September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to The Chase Manhattan Bank (the
"Bank") in connection with (a) the Senior Note Indenture, dated as of December
1, 1997 as heretofore supplemented (the "Original Indenture"), between Alabama
Power Company (the "Company") and the Bank, as Trustee, and (b) the Fifth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of ___________ (together with the Original
Indenture, herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Bank, as
Trustee.
In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents,
records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the
purpose of this opinion, including copies of the Indenture and certain
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Bank.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
i) the Bank has been duly incorporated and is
validly existing as a banking corporation in good standing under the laws of
the State of New York;
ii) the Bank has the corporate trust power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its duties under the Indenture, has
duly executed and delivered the Indenture, and, insofar as the laws governing
the trust powers of the Bank are concerned and assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery thereof by the Company, the Indenture constitutes a
legal, valid and binding agreement of the Bank, enforceable against the Bank in
accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting
creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and to general
principles of equity (including, without limitation, concepts of materiality,
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing), regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law;
iii) the execution, delivery and performance by
the Bank of the Indenture does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the
charter or bylaws of the Bank; and
iv) no approval, authorization or other action
by, or filing with, any governmental authority of the United States of America
or the State of New York having jurisdiction over the trust powers of the Bank
is required in connection with the execution and delivery by the Bank of the
Indenture or the performance by the Bank of its duties thereunder, except such
as have been obtained, taken or made.
We are admitted to practice only in the State of New York, and
we express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than the laws of
the State of New York and the Federal law of the United States of America. We
are furnishing this opinion to you solely for your benefit. This opinion is not
to be relied upon by any other person or used, circulated, quoted or otherwise
referred to for any other purpose.
Very truly yours,
CRAVATH, SWAINE & XXXXX
Schedule IV
[Letterhead of XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX LLP]
__________ __, 199_
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co., as Representative
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Series E __ % Senior Notes
Due September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have represented you (the "Underwriters") in connection
with (i) the issuance by Alabama Power Company (the "Company") of $____________
of its Series E __ % Senior Notes (the "Notes") pursuant to a Senior Note
Indenture dated as of December 1, 1997, by and between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), as heretofore supplemented and as
further supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of __________
__, 199_ (collectively, the "Indenture"); and (ii) the purchase by you of the
Notes pursuant to the terms of an Underwriting Agreement dated ________________,
1998, among the Company and the Underwriters (the "Underwriting Agreement").
This opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Section 5(c)(4) thereof.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined
the registration statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-53299, 000-00000-00,
000-00000-00 and 333-53299-03) pertaining to the Notes (the "Registration
Statement"), filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
the prospectus dated ________, 199_, as supplemented by a final prospectus
supplement dated _________, which pursuant to Form S-3 incorporates by reference
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended
________________, 199_, the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of the Company for
the quarters ended _________ the Current Reports on Form 8-K of the Company,
dated __________ (the "Exchange Act Documents"), each as filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
In addition, we have examined, and have relied as to matters
of fact upon, the documents delivered to you at the closing (except the Notes,
of which we have examined a specimen), and we have made such other and further
investigations as we deemed necessary to express the opinions hereinafter set
forth. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, and the
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
The Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement are herein
referred to as the "Agreements".
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications
and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion, relying as aforesaid and
as to all matters covered hereby which are governed by or dependent upon the law
of the State of Alabama upon the opinion of Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, dated the date
hereof and addressed to you that:
1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Alabama and has due corporate authority to carry on the public utility business
in which it is engaged and to own and operate the properties used by it in such
business and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Agreements and
the Notes.
2. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
the Underwriting Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action, and the Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company.
3. All orders, consents, or other authorizations or approvals
of the Alabama Public Service Commission and the Commission legally required for
the issuance and sale of the Notes have been obtained; such orders are
sufficient for the issuance and sale of the Notes; the issuance and sale of the
Notes conform in all material respects with the terms of such orders; and no
other order, consent or other authorization or approval of any Alabama or United
States governmental body (other than in connection or in compliance with the
provisions of the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction, as to which
we express no opinion) is legally required for the issuance and sale of the
Notes in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.
4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and legally binding
instrument of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
its terms, subject to the qualifications that the enforceability of the
Company's obligations under the Indenture may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law); and the Indenture conforms as to legal matters in all
material respects to the description thereof in the Final Supplemented
Prospectus.
5. The Notes have been duly authorized and executed by the
Company and, when authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided in the
Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriter pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject
to the qualifications that the enforceability of the Company's obligations under
the Notes may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and
by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Notes conform as to
legal matters in all material respects to the description thereof in the Final
Supplemented Prospectus.
6. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
We have not independently verified the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements made or included in the Registration Statement,
the Final Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and take no
responsibility therefor, except as and to the extent set forth in paragraphs 4
and 5 above. In the course of the preparation by the Company of the Registration
Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus and the Exchange Act Documents, we
participated in conferences with certain officers and employees of the Company,
with representatives of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx LLP and with counsel to the Company.
Based upon our examination of the Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented
Prospectus and the Exchange Act Documents, our investigations made in connection
with the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Final Supplemented
Prospectus and our participation in the conferences referred to above, (i) we
are of the opinion that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date,
and the Final Supplemented Prospectus, as of ___________, complied as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the applicable rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder and that the Exchange Act
Documents, as of their respective dates of filing with the Commission, complied
as to form in all material respects with the relevant requirements of the
Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, except that in each case we express no opinion as to the financial
statements or other financial or statistical data contained or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, the Final Supplemented Prospectus or
the Exchange Act Documents, and (ii) nothing came to our attention which gives
us reason to believe that the Registration Statement, as of its effective date
(including the Exchange Act Documents on file with the Commission as of such
date), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that the Final Supplemented Prospectus
(including the Exchange Act Documents) contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, except that in each case we express no opinion or belief
with respect to the financial statements or other financial or statistical data
contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Final
Supplemented Prospectus or the Exchange Act Documents and with respect to
information set forth in the Final Supplemented Prospectus under the captions
"Description of the Series E Senior Notes - Book-Entry Only Issuance - The
Depository Trust Company" and "The Insurer."
We are members of the State Bar of New York and we do not
express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of
New York and the federal law of the United States, and to the extent set forth
herein, the law of the State of Alabama.
This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the
above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose
or relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our prior written
consent except that Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP may rely on
this opinion in giving their opinions pursuant to Section 5 of the Underwriting
Agreement, insofar as such opinions relate to matters of New York law, and Xxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP may rely on this opinion in giving its opinion pursuant to
Sections 102, 302 and 904 of the Indenture, insofar as such opinion relates to
matters of New York law.
Very truly yours,
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX LLP
___________, 1998
Page 2
Schedule V
[Letterhead of Xxxxx Xxxx]
__________ __, 199_
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.
Prudential Securities Incorporated
c/o Goldman, Xxxxx & Co., as Representative
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Alabama Power Company
000 Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
The Chase Manhattan Bank
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Series E __ % Senior Notes
Due September 30, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to the MBIA Insurance Corporation (the
"Corporation") in connection with the issuance of Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy No. _____ (the "Policy") relating to $___,000,000 ALABAMA POWER COMPANY
Series E ____% Senior Notes due September 30, 2010.
We are familiar with and have examined a copy of the Policy and such
other relevant documents as we have deemed necessary.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:
1. The Corporation is a stock insurance corporation, duly
incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of New
York, and is licensed and authorized to issue the Policy under the laws
of the State of New York.
2. The Policy has been duly executed and is a valid and
binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable in accordance with
its terms except that the enforcement of the Policy may be limited by
laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
receivership and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
3. The Policy is not required to be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
4. The statements set forth under the caption "THE POLICY" in
the Prospectus Supplement dated September __, 1998 (the "Prospectus
Supplement") insofar as such statements constitute a description of the
Policy, accurately summarize the Policy.
We have not reviewed and render no opinion with respect to any
financial information contained in the Prospectus Supplement.
Very truly yours,
