EXHIBIT 4-I
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1998, BY AND BETWEEN ATLANTIC CITY
ELECTRIC COMPANY AS GUARANTOR, AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
Atlantic City Electric Company
(as Guarantor)
and
The Bank of New York
(as Trustee)
dated as of
October 1, 1998
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
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Section of Section of
Trust Indenture Act Guarantee
of 1939, as amended Agreement
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--------
310(a)............................................................ 4.01(a)
310(b)............................................................ 4.01(c), 2.08
310(c)............................................................ Inapplicable
311(a)............................................................ 2.02(b)
311(b)............................................................ 2.02(b)
311(c)............................................................ Inapplicable
312(a)............................................................ 2.02(a)
312(b)............................................................ 2.02(b)
313............................................................... 2.03
314(a)............................................................ 2.04
314(b)............................................................ Inapplicable
314(c)............................................................ 2.05
314(d)............................................................ Inapplicable
314(e)............................................................ 1.01, 2.05,
3.02
314(f)............................................................ 2.01, 3.02
315(a)............................................................ 3.01(c)
315(b)............................................................ 2.07
315(c)............................................................ 3.01
315(d)............................................................ 3.01(c)
316(a)............................................................ 5.04(a), 2.06
316(b)............................................................ 5.03
316(c)............................................................ 2.02
317(a)............................................................ Inapplicable
317(b)............................................................ Inapplicable
318(a)............................................................ 2.01(b)
318(b)............................................................ 2.01
318(c)............................................................ 2.01(a)
_____________
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I...................DEFINITIONS 1
SECTION 1.01 Definitions............................................ 1
ARTICLE II..................TRUST INDENTURE ACT 3
SECTION 2.01 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act...................... 3
SECTION 2.02 Lists of Holders of Preferred Securities............... 3
SECTION 2.03 Reports by the Guarantee Trustee....................... 4
SECTION 2.04 Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee.................. 4
SECTION 2.05 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent....... 4
SECTION 2.06 Events of Default; Waiver.............................. 4
SECTION 2.07 Event of Default; Notice............................... 4
ARTICLE III.................POWERS, DUTIES AND
RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE 5
SECTION 3.01 Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee............. 5
SECTION 3.02 Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.................... 6
SECTION 3.03 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.. 8
ARTICLE IV..................GUARANTEE TRUSTEE 9
SECTION 4.01 Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility......................... 9
SECTION 4.02 Compensation and Reimbursement......................... 9
SECTION 4.03 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of
Guarantee Trustee...................................... 10
ARTICLE V...................GUARANTEE 11
SECTION 5.01 Guarantee.............................................. 11
SECTION 5.02 Waiver of Notice and Demand............................ 11
SECTION 5.03 Obligations Not Affected............................... 12
SECTION 5.04 Rights of Holders...................................... 12
SECTION 5.05 Guarantee of Payment................................... 13
SECTION 5.06 Subrogation............................................ 13
SECTION 5.07 Independent Obligations................................ 13
ARTICLE VI..................SUBORDINATION 13
SECTION 6.01 Subordination.......................................... 13
ARTICLE VII.................TERMINATION 14
SECTION 7.01 Termination............................................ 14
ARTICLE VIII................MISCELLANEOUS 14
SECTION 8.01 Successors and Assigns................................. 14
SECTION 8.02 Amendments............................................. 14
SECTION 8.03 Notices................................................ 14
SECTION 8.04 Benefit................................................ 16
SECTION 8.05 Interpretation......................................... 16
SECTION 8.06 Governing Law.......................................... 16
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT ("Guarantee Agreement"), dated as of October
1, 1998, is executed and delivered by Atlantic City Electric Company, a New
Jersey corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York, a New York
banking corporation, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of
the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities
(as defined herein) of Atlantic Capital II, a Delaware statutory business trust
(the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of October 1, 1998, between the Company, as
Depositor, the Trustees of the Issuer named therein and the several Holders, as
defined therein, the Issuer is issuing as of the date hereof $25,000,000
aggregate liquidation amount of its 7-3/8% Trust Preferred Capital Securities
(the "Preferred Securities") and $773,200 aggregate liquidation amount of its
Common Securities (the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred
Securities, the "Securities") representing undivided beneficial ownership
interests in the Issuer and having the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities are to be issued for sale by the
Issuer and the proceeds, together with the proceeds from the sale of the Common
Securities of the Issuer, are to be invested in $25,773,200 principal amount of
Debentures (as defined in the Trust Agreement); and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Securities, the
Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set
forth herein, to pay to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for the
benefit of the Holders from time to time.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION I.01 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the
terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the
following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Trust Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
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"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment obligations under this Guarantee Agreement.
"Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments or
distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Securities, to the
extent not paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (a) any accumulated and
unpaid Distributions that are required to be paid on such Securities but only if
and to the extent that the Property Trustee has available in the Payment Account
funds sufficient to make such payment, (b) the Redemption Price with respect to
the Securities called for redemption by the Issuer but only if and to the extent
that the Property Trustee has available in the Payment Account funds sufficient
to make such payment, (c) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-
up or termination of the Issuer (unless the Debentures are distributed to the
Holders of such Securities), the lesser of (i) the aggregate of the Liquidation
Amount and all accumulated and unpaid Distributions on the Securities to the
date of payment, and (ii) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available
for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (the "Liquidation
Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant
to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" shall mean any Person in whose name any Securities are
registered in the Securities Registrar; provided, however, that, in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not
include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of October 1, 1998, between
the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and The Bank of New York, as trustee,
pursuant to which the Debentures are issued.
"Officer's Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of
the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any
Officer's Certificate or Opinion of Counsel delivered with respect to compliance
with a condition or covenant provided for in this Guarantee Agreement shall
include:
(a) a statement that the officer signing such Officer's Certificate
or the counsel rendering such Opinion of Counsel has read the covenant or
condition and the definitions relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by such officer or such counsel in rendering the
Officer's Certificate or the Opinion of Counsel;
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(c) a statement that such officer or counsel has made such
examination or investigation as, in such officer's or such counsel's
opinion, is necessary to enable such officer or counsel to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such officer or
counsel, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be
counsel for the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Guarantor, or an employee
thereof, who shall be acceptable to the Guarantee Trustee.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee,
any officer of the Guarantee Trustee assigned by the Guarantee Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.01.
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION II.01 CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.
If any provision of this Guarantee Agreement limits, qualifies or
conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be
included in this Guarantee Agreement by, or is otherwise governed by, any of the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such other provision shall control; and
if any provision hereof otherwise conflicts with the Trust Indenture Act, the
Trust Indenture Act shall control.
SECTION II.02 LISTS OF HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES.
(a) Semiannually, not later than January 15 and July 15 in each year,
commencing January 15, 1999, and at such other times as the Guarantee Trustee
may request in writing, the Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to
the Guarantee Trustee information as to the names and addresses of the Holders,
and the Guarantee Trustee shall preserve such information and similar
information received by it in any other capacity and afford to the Holders
access to information received by it in any other capacity and afford to the
Holders access to information so preserved by it, all to such extent, if any,
and in such manner as shall be required by the Trust Indenture Act.
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(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act (subject to the provisions of Section
311(b) of such Act) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION II.03 REPORTS BY THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. Not later than 60
days after July 1 of each year, commencing July 1, 1999, the Guarantee Trustee
shall provide to Holders such reports as are required by Section 313(a) of the
Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section
313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with
the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION II.04 PERIODIC REPORTS TO GUARANTEE TRUSTEE. The Guarantor
shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Commission and the Holders such
documents, reports, compliance certificates and information as may be required
by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act to be provided by the Guarantor
Trustee to such Persons in the form, in the manner and at the times required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information
and documents by the Company to the Trustee is for informational purposes only
and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of
any information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer's
Certificates). The Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee the
compliance certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act
in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314(a)(4) of the
Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION II.05 EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The
Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance
with any conditions precedent provided for in this Guarantee Agreement as and to
the extent required by Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any
certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section
314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act may be given in the form of an Officer's
Certificate.
SECTION II.06 EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER. The Holders of a majority
in liquidation amount of Outstanding Preferred Securities may, by vote, on
behalf of all of the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its
consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist,
and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured,
for every purpose of this Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION II.07 EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE.
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall give notice of any Event of Default
hereunder to the Holders in the manner and to the extent required to do so by
the Trust Indenture Act, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or
waived.
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(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written
notice of such Event of Default.
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION III.01 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee
for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer
this Guarantee Agreement or any rights hereunder to any Person except a Holder
exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.04 or to a Successor
Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and
interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall vest automatically in any Successor
Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective
whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant
to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee
Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or
waived pursuant to Section 2.06), and is actually known to a Responsible Officer
of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the same
degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own
affairs.
(c) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its
own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee
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Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely,
as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however, that
in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to
examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the
requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee or such
Responsible Officer was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts
upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in
liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available
to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee
Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such
risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly provided, every provision of
this Guarantee Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of
or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of
Sections 3.01(b) and 3.01(c).
SECTION III.02 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01:
(i) the Guarantee Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected
in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument,
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opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or
document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;
(ii) any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this
Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer's
Certificate;
(iii) whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take
any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and rely upon an Officer's Certificate which, upon
receipt of such request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly
delivered by the Guarantor;
(iv) the Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its
choice, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel of
such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such
advice or opinion; such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any
of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees; the Guarantee
Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
concerning the administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any
court of competent jurisdiction;
(v) the Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee
Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such
Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate
security and indemnity as would satisfy a reasonable person in the
position of the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including
such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee;
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 3.02(a)(v)
shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default, of its obligation under the last sentence of
Section 3.01(b) hereof to exercise the rights and powers vested in it
by this Guarantee Agreement;
(vi) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by
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it to be genuine, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters
as it may see fit;
(vii) the Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(viii) whenever in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive
instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking
any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request
instructions from the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of
the Preferred Securities, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy
or right or taking such other action until such instructions are
received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with such
instructions;
(ix) the Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any
recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any
financing or continuation statement or any tax or securities form) (or
any rerecording, refiling or reregistration thereof); and
(x) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action
taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and
reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or
rights or powers conferred upon it by this Guarantee.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or
acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it
in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Guarantee
Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law,
to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or
obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee
shall be construed to be a duty.
SECTION III.03 NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF GUARANTEE.
The recitals contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall be taken as
the statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION IV.01 GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY.
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the
laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof
or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional
trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus
of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District
of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of
the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for
the purposes of this Section 4.01(a)(ii), the combined capital and
surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital
and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible
to so act under Section 4.01(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign
in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.03(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions
of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. For the purposes of Section
310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the
Guarantee Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the Securities of
any series shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its
capacity as trustee in respect of Securities of any other series, or as trustee
under the Junior Subordinated Indenture dated as of October 1, 1996, the Amended
and Restated Trust Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996, the Guarantee
Agreement dated as of October 1, 1996 relating to the Company's 8.25% Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, the Trust Agreement and the
Indenture.
SECTION IV.02 COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.
The Guarantor agrees:
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(a) to pay the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such reasonable
compensation as the Guarantor and the Guarantee Trustee shall from time to time
agree for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust);
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Guarantee Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements
and advances incurred or made by the Guarantee Trustee in accordance with the
provisions of this Guarantee Agreement (including the reasonable compensation
and expenses of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(c) to indemnify each of the Guarantee Trustee and any predecessor
Guarantee Trustee for, and to hold it harmless from and against, any and all
loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes
based upon the income of the Guarantee Trustee) incurred without negligence or
bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance of
the trust created by, or the administration of, this Guarantee Agreement,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any its powers or
duties hereunder.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Section, the Guarantee Trustee shall have a lien prior to the
Preferred Securities upon all the property and funds held or collected by the
Guarantee Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of
principal of, and premium (if any) or interest on, particular obligations of the
Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement.
In addition to the rights provided to each Trustee to the provisions
of the immediately preceding paragraph of this Section 4.02, when a Trustee
incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default
resulting from a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Trust, the expenses
(including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Guarantee Agreement.
SECTION IV.03 APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF GUARANTEE
TRUSTEE.
(a) Subject to Section 4.03(b), unless an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Guarantee Trustee may be removed without cause
at any time by the Guarantor.
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(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to
the Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until
a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or
resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for
prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not
take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has
accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee
Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.03 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after
prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor
Guarantee Trustee.
(e) The Guarantor shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Guarantee Trustee and each appointment of a successor Guarantee
Trustee to all Holders in the manner provided in Section 8.03 hereof. Each
notice shall include the name of the successor Guarantee Trustee and the address
of its Corporate Trust Office.
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION V.01 GUARANTEE. The Guarantor irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments
(without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer),
as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim
which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a
Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by
the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the
Holders.
SECTION V.02 WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND. The Guarantor hereby
waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to
which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to
require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person before
proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
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SECTION V.03 OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED. The obligation of the
Guarantor to make the Guarantee Payments under this Guarantee Agreement shall in
no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of
any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Securities to be
performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or
any other sums payable under the terms of the Securities or the extension
of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of,
or in connection with, the Securities (other than an extension of time for
payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or
other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment
period on the Debentures permitted by the Indenture);
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Securities, or
any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of
any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of
any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or
readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer
or any of the assets of the Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the
intent of this Section 5.03 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Guarantee Trustee or the Holders to give
notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of
any of the foregoing.
SECTION V.04 RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. The Guarantor expressly
acknowledges that: (a) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the
Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (b) if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guarantee Trustee has the right to
enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the Holders; (c)
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the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Outstanding Securities
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee
Agreement or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee
under this Guarantee Agreement; and (d) any Holder may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this
Guarantee Agreement without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee, or any other person or entity.
SECTION V.05 GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT. This Guarantee Agreement creates
a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not
be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without
duplication).
SECTION V.06 SUBROGATION. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all
(if any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid
to the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights which
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee Agreement,
if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts of Guarantee Payments are due
and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION V.07 INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS. The Guarantor acknowledges
that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer
with respect to the Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as
principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.03.
ARTICLE VI
SUBORDINATION
SECTION VI.01 SUBORDINATION. This Guarantee Agreement will
constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
Nothing in this Section 6.01 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Guarantee Trustee under or pursuant to Section 4.02.
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Trust
Agreement, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to receive
Guarantee Payments hereunder shall be subordinated to the rights of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Guarantee.
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ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION VII.01 TERMINATION. Subject to Section 4.02 hereof, this
Guarantee Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon:
(a) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Securities, (b) the distribution
of Debentures to Holders in exchange for all of the Securities or (c) full
payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon
liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guarantee
Agreement will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may
be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment of any sums paid with respect
to the Securities or under this Guarantee Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION VIII.01 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All guarantees and
agreements contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors,
assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall
inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Securities then outstanding. Except
in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that
is permitted under Article Eleven of the Indenture, the Guarantor shall not
assign its obligations hereunder.
SECTION VIII.02 AMENDMENTS. This Guarantee Agreement may be amended
only by an instrument in writing entered into by the Guarantor and the Guarantee
Trustee. Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely
affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be
required), this Guarantee Agreement may only be amended with the prior written
approval of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate liquidation
amount of all of the outstanding Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the
Trust Agreement concerning meetings of Holders shall apply to the giving of such
approval. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require that the Guarantee
Trustee enter into any amendment of this Guarantee Agreement.
SECTION VIII.03 NOTICES. Any notice, request or other communication
required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by
the party giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class
mail as follows:
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(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such
other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Guarantee Trustee
and the Holders of the Preferred Securities:
Atlantic City Electric Company
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Treasurer
(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustees,
at the Issuer's (and the Administrative Trustees') address set forth below
or such other address as the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Issuer may give notice of to the Guarantee Trustee and the Holders:
Atlantic Capital II
c/o Treasury Department,
Atlantic City Electric Company
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Administrative Trustees
(c) if given to the Guarantee Trustee, to the address set forth below
or such other address as the Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the
Guarantor and the Holders of the Preferred Securities:
The Bank of New York
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ - ▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
(d) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the
Securities Register.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
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SECTION VIII.04 BENEFIT. This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the
benefit of the Holders and, subject to Section 3.01(a), is not separately
transferable from the Preferred Securities.
SECTION VIII.05 INTERPRETATION. In this Guarantee Agreement, unless
the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
(b) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or
amended from time to time;
(c) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;
(d) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(e) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
and
(f) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION VIII.06 GOVERNING LAW. This Guarantee Agreement shall be
governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York (without regard to conflict of laws principles).
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first
above written.
Atlantic City Electric Company
By: _________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
The Bank of New York,
as Guarantee Trustee
By: _________________
Name:
Title:
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