EXHIBIT
2.1
CONFORMED
COPY
=============================================================================================================================================
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
FPL
GROUP, INC.,
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
and
CF
MERGER
CORPORATION
Dated
as
of December 18, 2005
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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|
|
ARTICLE
I
The
Merger
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|
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SECTION
1.01. The Merger
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2
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SECTION
1.02. Closing
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2
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|
SECTION
1.03. Effective Time of the Merger
|
2
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|
SECTION
1.04. Effects of the Merger
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2
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|
SECTION
1.05. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
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3
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|
SECTION
1.06. Board of Directors; Officers
|
3
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|
SECTION
1.07. Post-Merger Operations
|
3
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|
ARTICLE
II
Effect
of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the Constituent Corporations;
Exchange of Certificates
|
|
|
SECTION
2.01. Effect on Capital Stock
|
4
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SECTION
2.02. Exchange of Certificates
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4
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ARTICLE
III
Representations
and Warranties
|
|
|
SECTION
3.01. Representations and Warranties of Constellation and Merger
Sub
|
7
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|
SECTION
3.02. Representations and Warranties of FPL Group
|
28
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|
ARTICLE
IV
Covenants
|
|
|
SECTION
4.01. Covenants of Constellation
|
46
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|
SECTION
4.02. Covenants of FPL Group
|
52
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|
SECTION
4.03. No Solicitation by Constellation
|
58
|
|
SECTION
4.04. No Solicitation by FPL Group
|
62
|
|
SECTION
4.05. Other Actions
|
66
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|
SECTION
4.06. Coordination of Dividends
|
66
|
|
ARTICLE
V
Additional
Agreements
|
|
|
SECTION
5.01. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement;
Shareholders/Stockholders
Meetings
|
66
|
|
SECTION
5.02. Letters of FPL Group’s Accountants
|
67
|
|
SECTION
5.03. Letters of Constellation’s Accountants
|
68
|
|
SECTION
5.04. Access to Information; Confidentiality; Effect of
Review
|
68
|
|
SECTION
5.05. Regulatory Matters; Reasonable Best Efforts
|
69
|
|
SECTION
5.06. FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted
Stock, FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards,
and FPL Group Stock Plans
|
70
|
|
SECTION
5.07. Constellation Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted
Stock and Constellation Performance Units
|
72
|
|
SECTION
5.08. Employee Matters
|
75
|
|
SECTION
5.09. Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance
|
76
|
|
SECTION
5.10. Fees and Expenses
|
77
|
|
SECTION
5.11. Public Announcements
|
83
|
|
SECTION
5.12. Affiliates
|
83
|
|
SECTION
5.13. NYSE Listing
|
83
|
|
SECTION
5.14. Shareholder Litigation
|
83
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|
SECTION
5.15. Tax Treatment
|
83
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|
SECTION
5.16. Transfer Taxes
|
83
|
|
SECTION
5.17. Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements
|
84
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|
SECTION
5.18. Stock Split
|
84
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|
ARTICLE
VI
Conditions
Precedent
|
|
|
SECTION
6.01. Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the
Merger
|
84
|
|
SECTION
6.02. Conditions to Obligations of Constellation and Merger
Sub
|
85
|
|
SECTION
6.03. Conditions to Obligations of FPL Group
|
86
|
|
SECTION
6.04. Frustration of Closing Conditions
|
87
|
|
ARTICLE
VII
Termination,
Amendment and Waiver
|
|
|
SECTION
7.01. Termination
|
87
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|
SECTION
7.02. Effect of Termination
|
90
|
|
SECTION
7.03. Amendment
|
90
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|
SECTION
7.04. Extension; Waiver
|
90
|
|
SECTION
7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver
|
91
|
ii
|
ARTICLE
VIII
General
Provisions
|
|
|
SECTION
8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties
|
91
|
|
SECTION
8.02. Notices
|
91
|
|
SECTION
8.03. Definitions
|
92
|
|
SECTION
8.04. Interpretation
|
93
|
|
SECTION
8.05. Counterparts
|
94
|
|
SECTION
8.06. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
94
|
|
SECTION
8.07. Governing Law
|
94
|
|
SECTION
8.08. Assignment
|
94
|
|
SECTION
8.09. Enforcement
|
94
|
|
SECTION
8.10. Severability
|
95
|
|
SECTION
8.11. Waiver of Jury Trial
|
95
|
Exhibit A-1 Form
of
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Constellation
Exhibit
A-2 Form
of
Articles Supplementary of Constellation
Exhibit B Form
of
By-laws of Constellation
Exhibit C Corporate
Governance of Constellation
Exhibit D Form
of
Affiliate Letter
iii
GLOSSARY
OF DEFINED TERMS
|
Term
|
Section
|
|
409A
Authorities
|
3.01(k)(x)
|
|
affiliate
|
8.03(a)
|
|
Agreement
|
Preamble
|
|
AJCA
|
3.01(k)(x)
|
|
Applicable
PSCs
|
3.01(d)(ii)(J)
|
|
Articles
of Merger
|
1.03
|
|
Atomic
Energy Act
|
3.01(d)(ii)(F)
|
|
BGE
|
3.01(e)(ii)
|
|
capital
stock
|
8.03(b)
|
|
Certificates
|
2.02(b)
|
|
Closing
|
1.02
|
|
Closing
Date
|
1.02
|
|
Code
|
Recitals
|
|
Confidentiality
Agreement
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Consents
|
3.01(d)(ii)(L)
|
|
Constellation
|
Preamble
|
|
Constellation
Acquisition Agreement
|
4.03(b)(v)
|
|
Constellation
Adverse Recommendation Change
|
4.03(b)(i)
|
|
Constellation
Applicable Period
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Constellation
Approved VaR Limit
|
3.01(q)
|
|
Constellation
Articles
|
1.05(a)
|
|
Constellation
By-laws
|
1.05(b)
|
|
Constellation
Capital Stock
|
3.01(b)(i)
|
|
Constellation
Charter Amendment
|
1.05(a)
|
|
Constellation
Common Stock
|
Recitals
|
|
Constellation
Disclosure Letter
|
3.01(ii)
|
|
Constellation
DRIP
|
3.01(b)(ii)
|
|
Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement
|
3.01(l)(ii)(B)
|
|
Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan
|
3.01(l)(ii)(A)
|
|
Constellation
Employee Stock Options
|
3.01(b)(i)(C)
|
|
Constellation
ERISA Affiliate
|
3.01(l)(ii)(D)
|
|
Constellation
Fair Market Value
|
5.07(ii)(A)
|
|
Constellation
Financial Statements
|
3.01(e)(iii)
|
|
Constellation
Information Notice
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Constellation
Joint Venture
|
3.01(a)(ii)(B)
|
|
Constellation
Material Business
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Constellation
Material Business Subsidiary
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Constellation
Nuclear Facilities
|
3.01(o)
|
|
Constellation
Other Equity-Based Award
|
3.01(b)(ii)
|
|
Constellation
Performance Stock Awards
|
3.01(b)(ii)
|
|
Constellation
Performance Units
|
3.01(b)(i)
|
|
Constellation
Preferred Stock
|
3.01(b)(i)
|
iv
|
Term
|
Section
|
|
Constellation
Required Statutory Approvals
|
3.01(d)(ii)(L)
|
|
Constellation
Restricted Stock
|
3.01(b)(i)(A)
|
|
Constellation
Restricted Units
|
3.01(b)(i)(C)
|
|
Constellation
Savings Plan
|
3.01(b)(ii)
|
|
Constellation
SEC Reports
|
3.01(e)(i)
|
|
Constellation
Stock Plans
|
3.01(b)(i)(C)
|
|
Constellation
Stockholder Approval
|
3.01(r)(i)
|
|
Constellation
Stockholders Meeting
|
5.01(c)
|
|
Constellation
Superior Proposal
|
4.03(b)
|
|
Constellation
Takeover Proposal
|
4.03(a)
|
|
Constellation
Taxpayers
|
3.01(k)(i)(A)
|
|
Constellation
Termination Fee
|
5.10(b)(iv)
|
|
Constellation
Trading Guidelines
|
3.01(q)
|
|
Constellation
Voting Debt
|
3.01(b)(iii)
|
|
DOE
|
3.01(e)(iv)
|
|
EEOC
|
3.01(m)
|
|
Effective
Time
|
1.03
|
|
employee
benefit plan
|
3.01(l)(ii)(C)
|
|
Environmental
Claim
|
3.01(n)(v)(A)
|
|
Environmental
Laws
|
3.01(n)(v)(B)
|
|
Environmental
Permit
|
3.01(n)(v)(C)
|
|
Equity
Interests
|
3.01(a)(ii)(A)
|
|
ERISA
|
3.01(l)(ii)(A)
|
|
Exchange
Act
|
3.01(d)(ii)(B)
|
|
Exchange
Agent
|
2.02(a)
|
|
Exchange
Fund
|
2.02(a)
|
|
Exchange
Ratio
|
2.01(b)
|
|
FBCA
|
1.01
|
|
FCC
|
3.01(d)(ii)(K)
|
|
FCC
Pre-Approvals
|
3.01(d)(ii)(K)
|
|
FERC
|
3.01(d)(ii)(E)
|
|
Filed
Constellation SEC Reports
|
3.01(i)
|
|
Filed
FPL Group SEC Reports
|
3.02(i)
|
|
Final
Order
|
6.02(d)
|
|
Form S-4
|
3.01(d)(ii)(B)
|
|
FPL
|
3.02(e)(ii)
|
|
FPL
Group
|
Preamble
|
|
FPL
Group Acquisition Agreement
|
4.04(b)(iv)(D)
|
|
FPL
Group Adjusted Awards
|
5.06(b)
|
|
FPL
Group Adjusted Option
|
5.06(a)(i)
|
|
FPL
Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Award
|
5.06(a)(iii)
|
|
FPL
Group Adjusted Restricted Stock
|
5.06(a)(ii)
|
|
FPL
Group Adverse Recommendation Change
|
4.04(b)(i)(D)
|
|
FPL
Group Applicable Period
|
4.04(a)
|
|
FPL
Group Approved VaR Limit
|
3.02(q)
|
v
|
Term
|
Section
|
|
FPL
Group Capital Stock
|
3.02(b)(i)
|
|
FPL
Group Common Stock
|
Recitals
|
|
FPL
Group Disclosure Letter
|
3.02(ii)
|
|
FPL
Group DRIP
|
3.02(b)(i)(G)
|
|
FPL
Group Employee Benefit Agreement
|
3.02(l)(ii)(B)
|
|
FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan
|
3.02(l)(ii)(A)
|
|
FPL
Group Employee Stock Options
|
3.02(b)(i)(C)
|
|
FPL
Group Equity Units
|
3.02(b)(i)(F)
|
|
FPL
Group ERISA Affiliate
|
3.02(l)(ii)(C)
|
|
FPL
Group Financial Statements
|
3.02(e)(iii)
|
|
FPL
Group Information Notice
|
4.04(a)
|
|
FPL
Group Joint Venture
|
3.02(a)(ii)
|
|
FPL
Group Material Business
|
4.04(a)
|
|
FPL
Group Material Business Subsidiary
|
4.04(a)
|
|
FPL
Group Nuclear Facilities
|
3.02(o)
|
|
FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Award
|
3.02(b)(ii)
|
|
FPL
Group Preferred Stock
|
3.02(b)(i)
|
|
FPL
Group Required Statutory Approvals
|
3.02(d)(ii)(L)
|
|
FPL
Group Restricted Stock
|
3.02(b)(i)(A)
|
|
FPL
Group Restricted Units
|
3.02(b)(i)(C)
|
|
FPL
Group Rights
|
3.02(b)(i)(E)
|
|
FPL
Group Rights Agreement
|
3.02(b)(i)(E)
|
|
FPL
Group SEC Reports
|
3.02(e)(i)
|
|
FPL
Group Series A Preferred Stock
|
3.02(b)(i)(E)
|
|
FPL
Group Shareholder Approval
|
3.02(r)(i)
|
|
FPL
Group Shareholders Meeting
|
5.01(b)
|
|
FPL
Group Stock Plans
|
3.02(b)(i)(C)
|
|
FPL
Group Superior Proposal
|
4.04(b)
|
|
FPL
Group Takeover Proposal
|
4.04(a)
|
|
FPL
Group Taxpayers
|
3.02(k)(i)(A)
|
|
FPL
Group Termination Fee
|
5.10(c)
|
|
FPL
Group Thrift Plans
|
3.02(b)(i)(A)
|
|
FPL
Group Trading Guidelines
|
3.02(q)
|
|
FPL
Group Unvested ESOP Stock
|
3.02(b)(i)(A)
|
|
FPL
Group Voting Debt
|
3.02(b)(iii)
|
|
FPSC
|
3.01(d)(ii)(J)
|
|
GAAP
|
3.01(e)(iii)
|
|
Gexa
Warrants
|
3.02(b)(i)(H)
|
|
Governmental
Authority
|
3.01(d)(i)(B)
|
|
Hazardous
Materials
|
3.01(n)(v)(D)
|
|
HSR
Act
|
3.01(d)(ii)(A)
|
|
Initial
Termination Date
|
7.01(b)(i)
|
|
Injured
Party
|
7.02
|
|
I.R.S.
|
3.01(k)(iii)
|
|
Joint
Proxy Statement
|
3.01(d)(ii)(B)
|
vi
|
Term
|
Section
|
|
Joint
Venture
|
3.01(a)(ii)(A)
|
|
knowledge
|
8.03(c)
|
|
Laws
|
3.01(d)(i)(B)
|
|
Lien
|
3.01(b)(vi)
|
|
material
adverse effect
|
8.03(d)
|
|
material
subsidiary
|
8.03(e)
|
|
Merger
|
Recitals
|
|
Merger
Consideration
|
2.02(a)
|
|
Merger
Sub
|
Preamble
|
|
MGCL
|
3.01(b)(ii)
|
|
MPSC
|
3.01(d)(ii)(J)
|
|
NLRB
|
3.01(m)
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan
|
3.01(k)(x)
|
|
NRC
|
3.01(d)(ii)(F)
|
|
NYSE
|
3.01(d)(ii)(D)
|
|
Options
|
3.01(b)(iv)
|
|
Orders
|
3.01(d)(i)(B)
|
|
ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice
|
8.03(f)
|
|
PBGC
|
3.01(l)(iv)
|
|
Permits
|
3.01(j)
|
|
person
|
8.03(g)
|
|
Plan
|
3.01(l)(ii)(C)
|
|
Pre-Closing
Service
|
5.08(c)
|
|
Power
Act
|
3.01(d)(ii)(E)
|
|
Release
|
3.01(n)(v)(E)
|
|
Restraints
|
6.01(b)(ii)
|
|
SEC
|
3.01(i)
|
|
Securities
Act
|
3.01(e)(i)
|
|
Share
Issuance
|
3.01(r)(i)(B)
|
|
SOX
|
3.01(e)(i)
|
|
Split
Ratio
|
3.01(r)(i)
|
|
Stock
Split
|
3.01(r)(i)
|
|
subsidiary
|
8.03(h)
|
|
Surviving
Corporation
|
1.01
|
|
Tax
Return
|
3.01(k)(xi)
|
|
Taxes
|
3.01(k)(xi)
|
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
5.16
|
|
VaR
|
3.01(q)
and 3.02(q)
|
|
WARN
|
3.01(m)
|
vii
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of December 18, 2005 (this “Agreement”),
among
FPL GROUP, INC., a Florida corporation (“FPL
Group”),
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation (“Constellation”),
and
CF MERGER CORPORATION, a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
of
Constellation (“Merger
Sub”).
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub
have approved the consummation of the business combination provided for in
this
Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into FPL Group
(the
“Merger”),
with
FPL Group as the surviving corporation, whereby, subject to the terms of
Article II, each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of FPL
Group (including, except as the context otherwise requires, the associated
FPL
Group Rights) (the “FPL
Group Common Stock”)
will
be converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into the
right to receive one share of common stock, no par value per share, of
Constellation (the “Constellation
Common Stock”);
WHEREAS,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, Constellation shall effect the Stock
Split, pursuant to which, among other things, each issued and outstanding share
of Constellation Common Stock will be converted (assuming the effectiveness
of
the Merger) into 1.444 shares of Constellation Common Stock;
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub
have (a) approved this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby and (b) determined that the terms of this Agreement,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in
the
best interests of their respective corporations and their respective
shareholders and stockholders;
WHEREAS,
FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also
to
prescribe various conditions to the Merger; and
WHEREAS,
for United States Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (a) the
Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”),
(b) this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby, adopted as a “plan of
reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code, and
(c) FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will each be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties
agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
The
Merger
SECTION
1.01. The
Merger.
Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the
Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into FPL Group in accordance
with the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”).
FPL
Group shall be the surviving corporation (the “Surviving
Corporation”)
in the
Merger and shall continue its corporate existence under the Laws of the State
of
Florida and shall succeed to and assume all of the rights and obligations of
Merger Sub and FPL Group in accordance with the FBCA. As a result of the Merger,
FPL Group shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Constellation. The effects
and the consequences of the Merger shall be as set forth in
Section 1.04.
SECTION
1.02. Closing.
The
closing of the Merger (the “Closing”)
shall
take place at the offices of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth
Avenue, New York, New York 10019 at 10:00 a.m. on the third business
day following the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
waiver by the party or parties entitled to the benefits thereof) of all the
conditions set forth in Article VI (other than any condition that by its
nature cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but subject to satisfaction of
any
such condition), or at such other place, time and date as shall be agreed in
writing between FPL Group and Constellation; provided,
however,
that if
all the conditions set forth in Article VI shall not have been satisfied
(or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived by the party or parties
entitled to the benefits thereof) on such third business day, then the Closing
will take place on the first business day on which all such conditions shall
have been satisfied (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waived
by
the party or parties entitled to the benefits thereof). The date on which the
Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing
Date”.
SECTION
1.03. Effective
Time of the Merger.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing
Date,
the parties shall file articles of merger (the “Articles
of Merger”)
executed in accordance with, and containing such information as is required
by,
Section 607.1105 of the FBCA with the Department of State of the State of
Florida and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the FBCA.
The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger is
duly
filed with the Department of State of the State of Florida or such other time
as
specified in the Articles of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective
being
hereinafter referred to as the “Effective
Time”).
SECTION
1.04. Effects
of the Merger.
The
Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the
FBCA.
2
SECTION
1.05. Articles
of Incorporation and By-laws.
(a) The
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Constellation (the
“Constellation
Articles”),
as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated
(the “Constellation
Charter Amendment”)
immediately prior to the Effective Time to read in the form of Exhibit A-1
hereto until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable
Law.
Constellation shall file the Articles Supplementary attached hereto as Exhibit
A-2 with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of
Maryland immediately prior to the filing of the Constellation Charter
Amendment.
(b)
The
By-laws of Constellation, as amended (the “Constellation
By-laws”),
as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be amended and restated
at
the Effective Time to read in the form of Exhibit B hereto until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein, in the Constellation Articles or by
applicable Law.
(c)
The
Restated Articles of Incorporation of FPL Group, as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by
applicable Law.
(d)
The
By-laws of FPL Group, as amended, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein, in the articles of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, or by applicable Law.
SECTION
1.06. Board
of Directors; Officers.
(a) At
the Effective Time, (i) the Board of Directors of Constellation, the
committees of the Board of Directors of Constellation and the chairpersons
thereof and certain other governance matters shall be as set forth in Exhibit
C
hereto and (ii) the senior officers (other than as set forth in Exhibit C
hereto) of Constellation shall be such persons agreed to by FPL Group and
Constellation prior to the Effective Time.
(b)
From
and after the Effective Time, the individuals designated by FPL Group and
Constellation immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors
and
officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly
elected or appointed and qualified.
SECTION
1.07. Post-Merger
Operations.
Following the Effective Time, Constellation shall conduct its operations in
accordance with the following:
(a)
Name.
Constellation’s name shall remain unchanged.
(b)
Dual
Headquarters.
Constellation shall maintain dual headquarters in Juno Beach, Florida and
Baltimore, Maryland in accordance with Exhibit C.
(c)
Charities.
The
parties agree that provision of charitable contributions and community support
in their respective service areas serves a number of their
3
important
corporate goals. During the ten-year period immediately following the Effective
Time, Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole intend to continue
to
provide charitable contributions and community support within the service areas
of the parties and each of their respective subsidiaries at levels substantially
comparable to the levels of charitable contributions and community support
provided, directly or indirectly, by FPL Group and its subsidiaries and
Constellation and its subsidiaries within their service areas during the
24-month period immediately prior to the Effective Time.
ARTICLE
II
Effect
of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the
Constituent
Corporations; Exchange of Certificates
SECTION
2.01. Effect
on Capital Stock.
At the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of
the holder of any shares of FPL Group Common Stock, any shares of Constellation
Common Stock or any shares of common stock of Merger Sub:
(a)
Cancellation
of Certain FPL Group Common Stock.
Each
share of FPL Group Common Stock that is owned by FPL Group or Constellation
shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
no
consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
(b)
Conversion
of FPL Group Common Stock.
Each
issued and outstanding share of FPL Group Common Stock (other than shares to
be
cancelled in accordance with Section 2.01(a)) shall be automatically
converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into the
right
to receive one fully paid and nonassessable share of Constellation Common Stock
(the “Exchange
Ratio”).
As of
the Effective Time, all such shares of FPL Group Common Stock shall no longer
be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease
to
exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of FPL
Group Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except
the right to receive the shares of Constellation Common Stock to be issued
or
paid in consideration therefor upon the surrender of such certificate in
accordance with Section 2.02(b), and the right to receive dividends and
other distributions in accordance with Section 2.02(c), in each case,
without interest.
(c)
Conversion
of Merger Sub Common Stock.
Each
issued and outstanding share of capital stock of Merger Sub shall be
automatically converted into and become one fully paid and nonassessable share
of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION
2.02. Exchange
of Certificates.
(a)
Exchange
Agent.
As of
the Effective Time, Constellation shall enter into an agreement with such bank
or trust company as may be mutually agreed to by FPL Group and Constellation
(the “Exchange
4
Agent”),
which
agreement shall provide that Constellation shall deposit with the Exchange
Agent
as of the Effective Time, in trust for the benefit of the holders of
Certificates, certificates representing the shares of Constellation Common
Stock
(such shares of Constellation Common Stock being hereinafter referred to
as the
“Merger
Consideration”,
and
together with any dividends or other distributions with respect thereto with
a
record date after the Effective Time, collectively being hereinafter referred
to
as the “Exchange
Fund”)
issuable pursuant to Section 2.01(b) in exchange for the shares of FPL
Group Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time.
(b)
Exchange
Procedures.
As soon
as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall
mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates that immediately
prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of FPL Group Common
Stock (the “Certificates”)
whose
shares were converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration
pursuant to Section 2.01(b), (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange
Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as FPL Group
and
Constellation may reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for use in
surrendering the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon
surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together
with
such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as may
reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, the holder of such Certificate
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate representing
that number of whole shares of Constellation Common Stock that such holder
has
the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article II and
certain dividends or other distributions in accordance with
Section 2.02(c), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be
cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of FPL Group Common Stock
that is not registered in the transfer records of FPL Group, a certificate
representing the proper number of shares of Constellation Common Stock may
be
issued to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so
surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or
otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such issuance
shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the issuance of
shares of Constellation Common Stock to a person other than the registered
holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of Constellation
that such Tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.02, each Certificate shall be deemed at any
time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such
surrender the Merger Consideration which the holder thereof has the right to
receive in respect of such Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this
Article II and certain dividends or other distributions in accordance with
Section 2.02(c). No interest shall be paid or will accrue on the Merger
Consideration or any cash payable to holders of Certificates pursuant to the
provisions of this Article II.
(c)
Distributions
with Respect to Unexchanged Shares.
No
dividends or other distributions with respect to Constellation Common Stock
with
a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any
unsurrendered Certificate
5
with
respect to the shares of Constellation Common Stock issuable hereunder in
respect thereof, and all such dividends and other distributions shall be
paid by
Constellation to the Exchange Agent and shall be included in the Exchange
Fund,
in each case until the surrender of such Certificate in accordance with this
Article II. Subject to the effect of applicable escheat or similar Laws,
following surrender of any such Certificate to the Exchange Agent for
cancellation there shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing
whole shares of Constellation Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without
interest, (i) promptly after the time of such surrender, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Constellation Common
Stock
and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such
surrender and with a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with
respect to such whole shares of Constellation Common Stock.
(d)
No
Further Ownership Rights in FPL Group Common Stock.
All
shares of Constellation Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange
of
Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II (and any
dividends or other distributions, in each case, pursuant to this
Article II) shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of FPL Group Common Stock
theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject,
however,
to FPL
Group’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions
expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement with a record date prior
to
the Effective Time that may have been declared or made by FPL Group on such
shares of FPL Group Common Stock that remain unpaid at the Effective Time,
and
there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books
of FPL Group of the shares of FPL Group Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to Constellation or the Exchange Agent for any
reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this
Article II, except as otherwise provided by Law.
(e)
Termination
of Exchange Fund.
Any
portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of the
Certificates for 12 months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to
Constellation, upon demand, and any holders of the Certificates who have not
theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to
Constellation for payment of their claim for Merger Consideration, any dividends
or other distributions with respect to Constellation Common Stock.
(f)
No
Liability.
None of
Constellation, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent or any of their
respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall be liable to any
person in respect of any shares of Constellation Common Stock, any dividends
or
other distributions with respect thereto, in each case delivered to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
Law.
If any Certificate shall not have been surrendered prior to five years after
the
Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger
Consideration or any dividends or other distributions payable to the holder
of
such Certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
Governmental Authority), any such
6
Merger
Consideration, dividends or other distributions in respect of such Certificate
shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of
Constellation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled thereto.
(g)
Investment
of Exchange Fund.
The
Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed
by Constellation, on a daily basis. Any interest and other income resulting
from
such investments shall be paid to Constellation.
(h)
Lost
Certificates.
If any
Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by Constellation or the Exchange Agent,
the
posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as Constellation
or
the Exchange Agent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall issue
in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger
Consideration and, if applicable, any unpaid dividends and distributions on
shares of Constellation Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof, in each
case pursuant to this Agreement.
(i)
Withholding
Taxes.
Each of
the parties and the Exchange Agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold
from
amounts otherwise payable under this Article II any amounts that it is
required to deduct and withhold with respect to such payments under any
provision of Tax Law. Any amounts so deducted and withheld will be treated
for
all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect
of
which such deduction and withholding was made.
ARTICLE
III
Representations
and Warranties
SECTION
3.01. Representations
and Warranties of Constellation and Merger Sub.
Except
(i) to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is apparent
therefrom, as set forth in the Constellation SEC Reports filed by Constellation
with, or furnished by Constellation to, the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”)
at any
time on or after January 1, 2004 through the date of this Agreement and publicly
available prior to the date of this Agreement (the “Filed
Constellation SEC Reports”),
other
than risk factor disclosure contained in any such Filed Constellation SEC Report
under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Forward Looking Statements” or any similar
sections and any disclosure of risks that are predictive or forward looking
in
nature (provided that nothing in the Filed Constellation SEC Reports shall
be
deemed to qualify, or be deemed to have been disclosed for the purposes of,
Section 3.01(b) or 3.01(c)), or (ii) as set forth in the letter dated the date
of this Agreement delivered to FPL Group by Constellation concurrently with
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Constellation
Disclosure Letter”)
(with
specific reference to the particular Section or subsection of this Agreement
to
which the information set forth in such letter relates; provided,
however,
that
any information set forth in one section of the Constellation
7
Disclosure
Letter shall be deemed to apply to each other section or subsection thereof
to
the extent that it is apparent on the face of the applicable disclosure that
such information is applicable to such other section or subsection without
reference to any underlying documentation), Constellation and Merger Sub
represent and warrant to FPL Group as follows:
(a)
Organization
and Qualification.
(i) Each
of Constellation and its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that
recognize the concept of good standing) under the Laws of its jurisdiction
of
organization and has full power and authority to conduct its business as and
to
the extent now conducted and to own, use and lease its assets and properties,
except for such failures to be so organized, existing and in good standing
(with
respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) or to
have
such power and authority that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had
and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation. Each of Constellation and its subsidiaries, including Merger
Sub,
is duly qualified, licensed or admitted to do business and is in good standing
(with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good
standing) in each jurisdiction in which the ownership, use or leasing of
its assets and properties, or the conduct or nature of its business, makes
such
qualification, licensing or admission necessary, except for such failures to
be
so qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing (with respect to
jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
Section 3.01(a) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter sets forth as of the
date of this Agreement the name and jurisdiction of organization of each
material subsidiary of Constellation.
(ii)
Section 3.01(a) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter sets forth a
description as of the date of this Agreement of all Constellation Joint
Ventures, including (A) the name of the project associated with each such
Constellation Joint Venture and (B) a brief description of the principal
line or lines of business conducted by each such entity. For purposes of this
Agreement:
(A)
“Joint
Venture”
of
a
person shall mean any person that is not a subsidiary of such first person,
in
which such first person or one or more of its subsidiaries owns directly or
indirectly any share, capital stock, partnership, membership or similar interest
of any person or any Option therefor (together, “Equity
Interests”),
other
than Equity Interests that represent less than 5% of each class of the
outstanding voting securities or other Equity Interests of such second person;
and
(B)
“Constellation
Joint Venture”
shall
mean any Joint Venture of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries in which
the
invested capital associated with Constellation=s
or its
subsidiaries=
interest
exceeds $100,000,000, as reasonably determined by Constellation.
8
(iii)
Except
for interests in the subsidiaries of Constellation, the Constellation Joint
Ventures and interests acquired after the date of this Agreement without
violating any covenant contained herein, Constellation does not directly or
indirectly own any shares of capital stock, other voting securities or Equity
Interests in any person, in which the invested capital associated with such
interest individually as of the date of this Agreement exceeds $100,000,000,
as
reasonably determined by Constellation. Merger Sub (A) does not directly or
indirectly own any shares of capital stock, other voting securities or Equity
Interests in any person and (B) does not hold and has not held any material
assets or incurred any material liabilities.
(b)
Capital
Stock.
(i)
Without giving effect to the Constellation Charter Amendment or the Stock Split,
the authorized capital stock of Constellation consists of 250,000,000 shares
of
Constellation Common Stock and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the “Constellation
Preferred Stock”
and,
together with the Constellation Common Stock, the “Constellation
Capital Stock”).
At
the close of business on, December 12, 2005, (A) 178,584,853 shares of
Constellation Common Stock were issued and outstanding, of which
1,010,481 shares were subject to future vesting requirements or risk of
forfeiture back to Constellation or a right of repurchase by Constellation
(collectively, “Constellation
Restricted Stock”),
(B) no shares of Constellation Common Stock were held by Constellation in
its treasury and (C) 12,476,987 shares of Constellation Common Stock
were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the 2002 Senior Management
Long-Term Incentive Plan, Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan, Management
Long-Term Incentive Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan (such plans,
collectively, the “Constellation
Stock Plans”),
of
which 8,058,432 shares were subject to outstanding options to purchase
shares of Constellation Common Stock with a weighted average exercise price
of
$36.23 per share (such outstanding options, together with any options to
purchase shares of Constellation Common Stock granted after December 12, 2005,
under the Constellation Stock Plans, the “Constellation
Employee Stock Options”),
306,136 shares of Constellation Common Stock were reserved for the purpose
of settling outstanding unit awards which vest based on the achievement of
Constellation performance goals granted under the Constellation Stock Plans
(such unit awards, together with any unit awards granted after December 12,
2005, the “Constellation
Performance Units”)
and
273,145 shares of Constellation Common Stock were subject to restricted stock
unit awards granted under the Constellation Stock Plans (such unit awards,
together with any other restricted stock unit awards granted after
December 12, 2005, the “Constellation
Restricted Units”).
The
authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding, all
of
which are beneficially owned by Constellation.
(ii)
Except as set forth in Section 3.01(b)(i) above, at the close of business on
December 12, 2005, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities or
Equity Interests of Constellation were issued, reserved for issuance,
outstanding or held by Constellation in its treasury. As of the date of this
Agreement, (A) except as set forth in Section 3.01(b)(i) above, there were
no outstanding options, stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights,
performance awards, units, dividend equivalent awards, rights to
9
receive
shares of Constellation Common Stock on a deferred basis, rights to purchase
or
receive Constellation Common Stock or other rights that are linked to the value
of Constellation Common Stock (each, a “Constellation
Other Equity-Based Award”)
issued
or granted by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to any current or former
director, officer, employee or consultant of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries and (B) no shares of Constellation Restricted Stock or
Constellation Restricted Units were subject to performance-based vesting
criteria (collectively, the “Constellation
Performance Stock Awards”).
All
outstanding shares of Constellation Common Stock are, and all shares which
may
be issued pursuant to the exercise of Constellation Employee Stock Options
and
the vesting of Constellation Performance Units and Constellation Restricted
Units will be, when issued in accordance with the terms thereof, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
or
issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal,
preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision
of
the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”),
the
articles of incorporation of Constellation as in effect from time to time,
the
by-laws of Constellation as in effect from time to time, or any contract to
which Constellation is a party or otherwise bound. During the period from
December 12, 2005, to the date of this Agreement, there have been no
issuances, reservations for issuance or grants by Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries of any shares of Constellation Capital Stock (including
Constellation Restricted Stock) or other voting securities or Equity Interests
of Constellation (other than issuances or grants of shares of Constellation
Common Stock pursuant to (i) the Constellation Shareholder Investment Plan
(the
“Constellation
DRIP”),
(ii)
the Constellation Employee Savings Plan, the Constellation Represented Employee
Savings Plan for Nine Mile Point and the Constellation Non-Represented Employee
Savings Plan for Nine Mile Point (collectively, the “Constellation
Savings Plans”)
in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (iii) the exercise
of Constellation Employee Stock Options outstanding on December 12, 2005, as
required by their terms as in effect on December 12, 2005).
(iii)
There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries having the right to vote on any matters
on which holders of capital stock or other Equity Interests of Constellation
or
any of its subsidiaries may vote (“Constellation
Voting Debt”).
(iv)
Except as set forth above in this Section 3.01(b), as of the date of this
Agreement, there are (A) no options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible
or exchangeable securities, commitments, contracts, arrangements or undertakings
of any kind (together, “Options”)
to
which Constellation or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of
them is bound obligating Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, (1) shares of
capital stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests of, or any security
convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock or other
voting securities or Equity Interests of, Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries or (2) any Constellation Voting Debt and (B) no other
rights the value of which is in any way based on or derived from, or that give
any person the right to receive any economic benefit or right similar to or
derived from the economic benefits and rights accruing to holders of capital
stock or other voting securities or Equity Interests of Constellation or any
of
its subsidiaries. As of the date of
10
this
Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Constellation
or
any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
of
capital stock of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries.
(v)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any voting
agreement with respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock or other
voting securities or Equity Interests of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries.
(vi)
Except as permitted by this Agreement, all of the outstanding shares of capital
stock and other voting securities or Equity Interests of each subsidiary of
Constellation are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
and are owned, beneficially and of record, by Constellation or a subsidiary
of
Constellation, free and clear of any liens, claims, mortgages, encumbrances,
pledges, security interests, equities and charges of any kind (each a
“Lien”)
except
for any Liens granted in connection with project financings.
(vii)
All
of the shares of Constellation Common Stock issuable in exchange for
Certificates in the Merger in accordance with this Agreement will be, when
issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
of preemptive rights. The issuance of such Constellation Common Stock will
be
registered under the Securities Act and registered or exempt from registration
under applicable state securities Laws.
(c)
Authority.
Each of
Constellation and Merger Sub has full corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to
obtaining Constellation Stockholder Approval, to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of Constellation has duly and
validly adopted resolutions (i) approving this Agreement, the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) determining that the terms
of this Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated hereby
are fair to and in the best interests of Constellation and its stockholders,
(iii) declaring the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance
advisable, (iv) directing that the Constellation Charter Amendment and the
Share Issuance be submitted to a vote at a meeting of Constellation’s
stockholders and (v) recommending that Constellation’s stockholders approve
the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance, which resolutions
have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Merger Sub and the consummation
by
Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Constellation and
Merger Sub, including the approval of this Agreement by Constellation as sole
shareholder of Merger Sub. Except as Section 5.07 or Section 5.08 expressly
contemplates further action by the Board of Directors of Constellation, no
other
corporate proceedings on the part of Constellation or its stockholders or Merger
Sub are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Constellation and Merger Sub and the consummation by Constellation
and Merger Sub of the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance,
the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, other than obtaining
Constellation Stockholder
11
Approval.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Constellation
and Merger Sub and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Constellation and Merger Sub enforceable against Constellation and Merger
Sub in
accordance with its terms.
(d)
No
Conflicts; Approvals and Consents.
(i) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Constellation and Merger
Sub
do not, and the performance by each of Constellation and Merger Sub of its
obligations hereunder and the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby will not, conflict with, result in a violation
or breach of, constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or
both) a default under, result in or give to any person any right of payment
or reimbursement, termination, cancellation, modification or acceleration of,
or
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets or
properties of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
Constellation Joint Ventures under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of (A) the articles or certificates of incorporation or by-laws (or other
comparable organizational documents) of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries, or (B) subject to the obtaining of Constellation Stockholder
Approval and the taking of the actions described in paragraph (ii) of
this Section 3.01(d) and obtaining the FPL Group Required Statutory
Approvals (assuming the accuracy of the representations in Section 3.02(d)),
(1) any statute, law, duty or obligation created by common law, rule,
regulation or ordinance (together, “Laws”),
or
any judgment, order, writ or decree (together, “Orders”),
of
any Federal, state, local or foreign government or any court of competent
jurisdiction, administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or instrumentality, domestic, foreign or supranational (each, a
“Governmental
Authority”)
applicable to Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
Constellation Joint Ventures or any of their respective assets or properties,
or
(2) any note, bond, mortgage, security agreement, agreement, indenture,
license, franchise, Permit, concession, contract, lease or other
instrument to which Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
Constellation Joint Ventures is a party or by which Constellation or any of
its
subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures or any of their
respective assets or properties is bound, excluding from the foregoing clause
(B) such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights or Liens that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
(ii)
Except for (A) compliance with, and filings under, the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder (the “HSR
Act”);
(B) the filing with and, to the extent required, the declaration of
effectiveness by the SEC of (1) a proxy statement relating to the approval
of the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance by Constellation’s
stockholders (such proxy statement, together with the proxy statement relating
to the approval of this Agreement by FPL Group’s shareholders, in each case as
amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Joint
Proxy Statement”)
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and
regulations thereunder (the “Exchange
Act”),
(2) the registration statement on Form S-4 prepared in connection with
the issuance of Constellation Common Stock in the Merger (the “Form
S-4”)
and
(3) such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in connection
with this Agreement
12
and
the
transactions contemplated hereby; (C) the filing of documents with
various state securities authorities that may be required in connection with
the
transactions contemplated hereby; (D) such filings with and approvals of
the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
to
permit the consummation of the Stock Split and the listing on the NYSE of
the
shares of Constellation Common Stock that are to be issued pursuant to Article
II; (E) notice to, and the consent and approval of, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”)
under
Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, as amended (the “Power
Act”);
(F) the filing of an application to, and consent and approval of, and
transfer of or issuance of any required licenses and license amendments by,
the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the “NRC”)
under
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the “Atomic
Energy Act”);
(G) the filing of (1) an amendment to the Constellation Articles to
effect the Constellation Charter Amendment immediately prior to the occurrence
of the Effective Time with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation
of
the State of Maryland and (2) appropriate documents with the relevant
authorities of other states in which Constellation is qualified to do business;
(H) the filing of the Articles of Merger and other appropriate merger
documents required by the FBCA with the Department of State of the State
of
Florida and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other
states
in which FPL Group is qualified to do business; (I) compliance with any
such filings as may be required under applicable Environmental Laws; (J) to
the extent required, notice to and the approval of (1) the Maryland Public
Service Commission (“MPSC”)
and
(2) the Florida Public Service Commission (“FPSC”
and,
collectively with the MPSC, the “Applicable
PSCs”);
(K) required pre-approvals (the “FCC
Pre-Approvals”)
of
license transfers with the Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”);
and
(L) such other items as disclosed in Section 3.01(d) of the
Constellation Disclosure Letter (the items set forth above in clauses (A)
through (H) and (J), together with the items identified with an “*” in
Section 3.01(d) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, collectively, the
“Constellation
Required Statutory Approvals”),
no
consent, approval, license, Order or authorization (“Consents”)
or
action of, registration, declaration or filing with or notice to any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required to be obtained or made in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Constellation
and Merger Sub, the performance by Constellation and Merger Sub of their
respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Merger and the
other
transactions contemplated hereby by Constellation or Merger Sub, other than
such
items that the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, individually
or in
the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on Constellation or on Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries.
(e)
SEC
Reports, Financial Statements and Utility Reports.
(i)
Constellation and its subsidiaries have filed or furnished each form, report,
schedule, registration statement, registration exemption, if applicable,
definitive proxy statement and other document (together with all amendments
thereof and supplements thereto) required to be filed or furnished by
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933
and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Securities
Act”)
or the
Exchange Act with the SEC since January 1, 2002 (as such documents have
since the time of their filing or furnishment been amended or supplemented,
the
“Constellation
SEC Reports”).
As of
their respective dates, and after giving effect to any amendments or supplements
thereto, the Constellation SEC
13
Reports
(A) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be,
and,
to the extent in effect and applicable, the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002 (“SOX”)
and
(B) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were
made, not misleading.
(ii)
Each
of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of
Constellation and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (“BGE”)
(or
each former principal executive officer and principal financial officer of
Constellation and BGE, as applicable) has made all certifications required
by
Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906
of SOX and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with
respect to the Constellation SEC Reports. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall
have the meanings given to such terms in SOX. Since the effectiveness of SOX,
neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has arranged any “extensions
of credit” to directors or executive officers within the meaning of
Section 402 of SOX.
(iii)
The
audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements (including, in each case, the notes, if any,
thereto) included in the Constellation SEC Reports (the “Constellation
Financial Statements”)
complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
as in
effect on the respective dates thereof applied on a consistent basis during
the
periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto
and
except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of
the SEC) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal, recurring year-end audit adjustments that
were
not or are not expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, materially
adverse to Constellation) the consolidated financial position of
Constellation and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the respective dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for
the
respective periods then ended.
(iv)
All
filings required to be made by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries since
January 1, 2002, under the Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
and applicable state Laws and regulations, have been filed with the SEC, the
FERC, the Department of Energy (the “DOE”),
the
NRC, the FCC or any applicable state public utility commissions (including,
to
the extent required, the MPSC), as the case may be, including all forms,
statements, reports, agreements (oral or written) and all documents, exhibits,
amendments and supplements pertaining thereto, including all rates, tariffs,
franchises, service agreements and related documents, and all such filings
complied, as of their respective dates, with all applicable requirements of
the
applicable statute and the rules and regulations thereunder, except for filings
the failure of which to make or the failure of which to make in compliance
with
all applicable requirements of the applicable statute and the rules and
regulations thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, have not
14
had
and
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation.
(v)
The
management of Constellation has designed and implemented disclosure controls
and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act), or caused
such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed and implemented under
their supervision, to ensure that material information relating to
Constellation, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the
management of Constellation by others within those entities. Since the date
of
the filing of Constellation’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2005, Constellation’s outside auditors and
the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Constellation have not been
advised of (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which could
reasonably be expected to adversely affect Constellation’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have
a
significant role in Constellation’s internal control over financial reporting.
Since December 31, 2004, any material change in internal control over
financial reporting required to be disclosed in any Constellation SEC Report
has
been so disclosed.
(vi)
Since December 31, 2004, (A) neither Constellation nor any of its
subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Constellation, any director, officer,
employee, auditor, accountant or representative of Constellation or any of
its
subsidiaries has received or otherwise obtained knowledge of any material
complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding
the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods
of
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting
controls relating to periods after December 31, 2004, including any
material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that Constellation or any
of
its subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices
(except for any of the foregoing received after the date of this Agreement
which
have no reasonable basis), and (B) to the knowledge of Constellation, no
attorney representing Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, whether or
not
employed by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, has reported evidence
of a
material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar
violation, relating to periods after December 31, 2004, by Constellation or
any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors
of
Constellation or any committee thereof or to any director or executive officer
of Constellation.
(vii)
Except for BGE, none of Constellation’s subsidiaries is, or has at any time
since January 1, 2003, been, subject to the reporting requirements of
Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(viii)
Constellation is not and, at the Effective Time, will not be, an “ineligible
issuer” as defined in Rule 405 (as amended by SEC Rel. No. 33-8591 as
published in Vol. 70, No. 147 of the Federal Register, page 44722
et. seq. (August 3, 2005)) of the Securities Act.
15
(f)
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
the date of its incorporation, Merger Sub has not carried on any business or
conducted any operations other than the execution of this Agreement, the
performance of its obligations hereunder and matters ancillary thereto. Since
December 31, 2004, to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any
change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had
or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
and during such period there has not been:
(i)
(A)
any granting by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to any current director
or executive officer of Constellation or BGE of any increase in compensation,
bonus, fringe or other benefits, other than (1) increases in fringe or other
benefits that are not material and that are granted in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice or (2) increases in salaries or bonuses
of current directors or executive officers of Constellation or BGE in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) any granting
by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to any current director or executive
officer of Constellation or BGE of any change of control, severance or
termination compensation or benefits or any increase therein, (C) any entry
by
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries into, or any amendment to or
termination of, any Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement with any current
director or executive officer of Constellation or BGE, or (D) any action taken
to fund or in any other way secure the payment, or to accelerate the vesting
or
payment, of a material amount of compensation or benefits under any
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Stock Plan (or any grant
or
award thereunder) or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement;
(ii)
any
change in accounting methods, principles or practices by Constellation or any
of
its subsidiaries materially affecting the consolidated assets, liabilities
or
results of operations of Constellation, except insofar as may have been required
by a change in GAAP; or
(iii)
any
authorization of, or commitment or agreement to take, any of the actions
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(g)
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
As of
the date of this Agreement, except for matters reflected or reserved against
in
the balance sheet (or notes thereto) as of December 31, 2004, included in
the Constellation Financial Statements, neither Constellation nor any of its
subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, fixed or otherwise, or whether due or to become due) of any
nature that would be required by GAAP, as in effect on the date thereof, to
be
reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of Constellation and its consolidated
subsidiaries (including the notes thereto), except liabilities or obligations
(i) that were incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice since December 31, 2004, or (ii) that, individually or
in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have
a
material adverse effect on Constellation. Neither Constellation nor any of
its
subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any
joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or
16
any
similar contract or arrangement (including any contract relating to any
transaction or relationship between or among Constellation and any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including
any
structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person,
on the
other hand or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in
Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC)), where the result, purpose
or effect of such contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction
involving, or material liabilities of, Constellation or any of its subsidiaries,
in Constellation’s or any of its subsidiary’s audited financial statements or
other Constellation SEC Reports.
(h)
Legal
Proceedings.
Except
for environmental matters, which are the subject of Section 3.01(n), as of
the date of this Agreement, (i) there are no actions, suits, arbitrations
or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened
against, relating to or affecting, nor, to the knowledge of Constellation,
are
there any Governmental Authority investigations or audits pending or threatened
against, relating to or affecting, Constellation or any of its subsidiaries
or
any of the Constellation Joint Ventures or any of their respective assets and
properties that, in each case, individually or in the aggregate, have had or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
and (ii) neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to
any Order of any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate,
has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation.
(i)
Information
Supplied.
None of
the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of Constellation
or
Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4
will, at the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is
amended or supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities
Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or (ii) the Joint Proxy Statement will, at the date
it is first mailed to Constellation’s stockholders or FPL Group’s shareholders
or at the time of the Constellation Stockholders Meeting or the FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are
made, not misleading. The Form S-4 and Joint Proxy Statement will comply as
to
form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and
the
rules and regulations thereunder, except that no representation is made by
Constellation or Merger Sub with respect to statements made or incorporated
by
reference therein based on information supplied by or on behalf of FPL Group
for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Joint Proxy
Statement.
(j)
Permits;
Compliance with Laws and Orders.
Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures hold all
permits, licenses, certificates, franchises, approvals, consents, and other
authorizations of all Governmental Authorities (“Permits”)
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses as currently
conducted, except for failures to hold such Permits that, individually or in
the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
17
adverse
effect on Constellation. Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation
Joint Ventures, and their respective businesses as currently conducted, are
in
compliance with the terms of their Permits, except failures so to comply
that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Constellation,
its
subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures, and their respective
businesses as currently conducted, are not in violation of or default under
any
Law or Order of any Governmental Authority, except for such violations or
defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation.
Constellation is, and has been, in compliance in all material respects with
the
provisions of SOX applicable to it on or prior to the date of this Agreement
and
has implemented such programs and has taken all reasonable steps necessary
to
ensure Constellation’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory
and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all provisions of SOX which shall
become
applicable to Constellation after the date of this Agreement. This
Section 3.01(j) does not relate to matters with respect to Taxes, which are
the subject of Section 3.01(k), benefit plans, which are the subject of
Section 3.01(l), Environmental Laws, which are the subject of
Section 3.01(n), and nuclear power plants, which are the subject of
Section 3.01(o).
(k)
Taxes.
(i)
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
(A) each of Constellation, its subsidiaries, any predecessor thereof and
any member of any consolidated group of which any of the foregoing is or has
been a member (together, the “Constellation
Taxpayers”)
has
timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on its behalf, all Tax Returns
required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and
accurate and (B) the Constellation Taxpayers have paid all Taxes required
to be paid by them other than Taxes that are not yet due or that are being
contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings.
(ii)
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
no
deficiency with respect to any Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed
against any Constellation Taxpayer (other than any deficiency that has been
paid
or is being contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings) and no requests
for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending.
(iii)
The
Federal income Tax Returns of the Constellation Taxpayers have been examined
by
and settled with the United States Internal Revenue Service (the “I.R.S.”)
for
all years through 2001. All material assessments for Taxes due with respect
to
such completed and settled examinations or any concluded litigation have been
fully paid.
(iv)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries (A) has been a member of
an affiliated group (or similar state, local or foreign filing group) filing
a
consolidated U.S. Federal income Tax Return (other than the group the common
parent of which is Constellation) or (B) has any liability for the Taxes of
any
18
person
(other than Constellation or any of its subsidiaries) (1) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or
foreign Law), or (2) as a transferee or successor.
(v)
There
are no material Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and
payable) on the assets of any Constellation Taxpayer.
(vi)
Within the past two years, neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries
has
been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a
distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355
of the Code.
(vii)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has been a party to a
transaction that constitutes a “listed transaction”, for purposes of
Section 6011 of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder (or
a similar provision of state Law), that is or may be subject to examination
by
the I.R.S. To the knowledge of Constellation, Constellation has disclosed to
FPL
Group all “reportable transactions” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6011-4(b) (or a similar provision of state Law) to which it or
any of the Constellation subsidiaries has been a party.
(viii)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take
any action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance that
is
reasonably likely to prevent or impede the Merger from constituting a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code.
(ix)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or is bound
by
any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other
than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among Constellation
and its subsidiaries).
19
(x)
Each
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan and each Constellation Employee Benefit
Agreement that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning
of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code (a “Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan”)
subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated in compliance with Section
409A of the Code since January 1, 2005, based upon a good faith, reasonable
interpretation of (A) Section 409A of the Code and (B)(1) the Proposed
Regulations issued thereunder or (2) Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-1
(clauses (A) and (B), together, the “409A
Authorities”).
No
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement
that would be a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section
409A
of the Code but for the effective date provisions that are applicable to Section
409A of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of the American Jobs Creation
Act of 2004, as amended (the “AJCA”),
has
been “materially modified” within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the
AJCA after October 3, 2004, based upon a good faith reasonable interpretation
of
the AJCA and the 409A Authorities.
(xi)
For
purposes of this Agreement:
“Taxes”
means
all forms of taxation, whenever created or imposed, and whether of the United
States or elsewhere, imposed by any level of government or Governmental
Authority, or in connection with any agreement with respect to Taxes, including
any direct or indirect Taxes, whatever their nature, on income or otherwise,
together with all interest, surcharges and penalties imposed with respect to
such amounts.
“Tax
Return”
means
all Tax returns, declarations, statements, reports, schedules, forms and
information to be filed with any level of government or Governmental Authority
of the United States or elsewhere, and any amended Tax return relating to Taxes
(whether or not a payment is required to be made with respect to such
filing).
(l)
Employee
Benefit Plans; ERISA. (i)
Except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had
and
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation, (A) all Constellation Employee Benefit Plans have been
operated, funded and administered in compliance with their terms, the terms
of
any applicable collective bargaining agreements and with all applicable
requirements of Law, including ERISA and the Code, (B) except for regular
contribution, funding and vesting requirements of the Constellation Employee
Benefit Plans, none of Constellation, any of its subsidiaries or any
Constellation ERISA Affiliate has any liabilities or obligations with respect
to
any Constellation Employee Benefit Plans, whether accrued, contingent or
otherwise, nor, to the knowledge of Constellation, are any such liabilities
or
obligations reasonably expected to be incurred, (C) each Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning of
Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and there are no existing
circumstances or events that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect
the qualified status of any such Constellation Employee Benefit Plan,
(D) there
are
no
20
audits,
proceedings, claims or investigations by any Governmental Authority pending
or,
to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened in connection with any
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement,
(E) no litigation has been commenced with respect to any Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement and, to
the
knowledge of Constellation, no such litigation is threatened (other than
routine
claims for benefits in the normal operation of such Constellation Employee
Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement), (F) there have
been
no “prohibited transactions” as defined by Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
of the Code with respect to any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan and (G)
no
“fiduciary” within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA has any liability for
breach of fiduciary duty or any other act or omission with respect to the
investment or administration of the assets of any Constellation Employee
Benefit
Plan.
The
only material Constellation Employee Benefit Agreements and material
Constellation Employee Benefit Plans that exist on the date of this Agreement
are disclosed in Section 3.01(l) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter.
(ii)
As
used herein:
(A)
“Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan”
means
any Plan entered into, established, maintained, sponsored, contributed to or
required to be contributed to by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or
any
Constellation ERISA Affiliate for the benefit of the current or former employees
or directors of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation
ERISA Affiliate and existing on the date of this Agreement or at any time
subsequent thereto and on or prior to the Effective Time, and, in the case
of a
Plan that is subject to Part 3 of Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder (“ERISA”),
Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, at any time during the
five-year period preceding the date of this Agreement, with respect to which
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any other Constellation ERISA
Affiliate has or could reasonably be expected to have any present or future
actual or contingent liabilities;
(B)
“Constellation
Employee Benefit Agreement”
means
(1) any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance, loan,
termination or indemnification agreement between Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current director, executive officer
or
other employee of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand
or
(2) any change of control or other agreement between Constellation or any
of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current director, executive
officer or other employee of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, on the
other hand, the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are
materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Constellation
of a nature contemplated by this Agreement;
(C)
“Plan”
means
any employment, bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, long-term
incentive, pension, profit sharing, retirement,
21
stock
purchase, stock option, stock ownership, stock appreciation, restricted stock,
phantom stock, leave of absence, layoff, vacation, day or dependent care,
legal
services, cafeteria, life, health, medical, accident, disability, workers’
compensation or other insurance, severance, separation, termination, change
of
control or other benefit plan, agreement, practice, policy, program, scheme
or
arrangement of any kind, whether written or oral, including any “employee
benefit plan”
within
the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA; and
(D)
“Constellation
ERISA Affiliate”
means
any person who, on or before the Effective Time, is under common control with
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 414
of the Code.
(iii)
No
event has occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances,
in
connection with any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation.
(iv)
None
of Constellation, any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate
has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any liability to the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”)
or to
any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan that is an “employee pension benefit
plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) under Section 302(c),
4062, 4063, 4064 or 4069 of ERISA, or otherwise as a result of the execution
of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(either alone or in combination with any other subsequent event), and no event
or condition exists or has existed that could reasonably be expected to result
in the incurrence of any such liability by Constellation, any subsidiary or
any
Constellation ERISA Affiliate. No such Constellation Employee Benefit Plan
that
is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA has been completely
or partially terminated or been the subject of a “reportable event” within the
meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA as to which notices would be required to be
filed with the PBGC.
(v)
None
of Constellation, any of its subsidiaries or any Constellation ERISA Affiliate
contributes to, has any obligation to contribute to or has any present or future
actual or contingent liabilities (including withdrawal liability within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA and any liability or obligation under Section
4204 or 4212 of ERISA) with respect to any “multiemployer plan” as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(vi)
The
execution of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will not (either alone or in combination with any other
subsequent event) (A) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of, or
increase the amount of, compensation or benefits due to any current or former
employee, director or officer of Constellation or its subsidiaries,
(B) result in any forgiveness of indebtedness or obligation to fund
benefits with respect to any such employee, director or officer, or
(C) entitle any such employee, director or officer to severance pay,
unemployment compensation or any other payment or other benefit.
(vii)
Other than payments that may be made to the persons listed in
Section 3.01(l)(vii) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter and described
in
22
Section 3.01(l)(vii)
of the Constellation Disclosure Letter, based on Constellation’s reasonable good
faith assumptions, (A) no amount that could be received (whether in cash or
property or the vesting of property) as a result of the Merger or any other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination
with
any other subsequent event) by any employee, officer or director of
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries who is a “disqualified individual” (as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) under any employment,
severance or termination agreement, other compensation arrangement or
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement
would be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in
Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) and (B) no such disqualified
individual is entitled to receive any additional payment (e.g.,
any tax
gross-up or other payment) from Constellation or any other person in the
event
that the excise tax required by Section 4999(a) of the Code is imposed on
such disqualified individual.
(viii)
Neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries maintains, contributes to
or
has any liability with respect to any Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or
Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement that provides any post-employment
or
post-termination health, life or other welfare-type benefits, except where
the
cost thereof is borne entirely by the former employee (or his or her eligible
dependents) or as required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code.
(m)
Labor
and Employee Matters.
Neither
Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any collective
bargaining agreement or other labor agreement with any union or labor
organization. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no disputes pending
or, to the knowledge of Constellation, threatened between Constellation or
any
of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any trade union or other
representative of their respective employees, on the other hand, and there
is no
charge or complaint pending or threatened in writing against Constellation
or
any of its subsidiaries before the National Labor Relations Board (the
“NLRB”),
the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”)
or any
other Governmental Authority responsible for enforcing labor/employment Laws,
except in each case as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation,
and, to the knowledge of Constellation, as of the date of this Agreement, there
are no organizational efforts presently being made involving any of the
employees of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries. From January 1,
2002, to the date of this Agreement, there has been no work stoppage, strike
or
other concerted action by employees of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries
and, to the knowledge of Constellation, no such action has been threatened
in
writing, except in each case as, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had
and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation. Since January 1, 2000, neither Constellation nor any of its
subsidiaries has engaged in any “plant closing” or “mass layoff”, as defined in
the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended,
or
any similar state or local Law (collectively, the “WARN
Act”
or
“WARN”),
without complying with the notice requirements of such Laws, except for such
failures to comply with the notice requirements of such Laws that, individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have
a
material adverse effect on
23
Constellation.
With respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each labor
notice required to have been given under any Law or collective bargaining
agreement has been given or satisfied, other than as, individually or in
the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on
Constellation.
(n)
Environmental
Matters.
Except
for any matters, individually or in the aggregate, that have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation:
(i)
Each
of Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures has
been
and is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii)
Each
of Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures has
obtained all Environmental Permits necessary for the construction of their
facilities and the conduct of their operations as of the date of this Agreement,
as applicable, and all such Environmental Permits are in good standing or,
where
applicable, a renewal application has been timely filed and is pending agency
approval. Constellation, its subsidiaries and the Constellation Joint Ventures
are in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits,
and no such Environmental Permits will be revoked, modified or not renewed
as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii)
There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of Constellation,
threatened:
(iv)
There
have not been any Releases of any Hazardous Material that would reasonably
be
expected to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against Constellation
or
any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures.
(A)
against Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation
Joint Ventures;
(B)
against any person or entity whose liability for such Environmental Claim has
been retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of Law by
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint
Ventures; or
(C)
against any real or personal property or operations that Constellation or any
of
its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures owns, leases or
operates, in whole or in part, or, to the knowledge of Constellation, formerly
owned, leased or operated, in whole or in part.
(iv)
There
have not been any Releases of any Hazardous Material that would reasonably
be
expected to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against Constellation
or
any of its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint Ventures.
(v)
As
used in this Agreement:
(A)
“Environmental
Claim”
means
any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, Orders,
demands, demand letters, directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings
or notices of noncompliance, liability or
24
violation
by any person or entity (including any Governmental Authority) alleging
liability (including potential responsibility or liability for enforcement,
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, removal
costs,
remedial costs, natural resources damages or restoration, property damages,
personal injuries or penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting
from
(1)
the
presence or Release into the environment of any Hazardous Materials at any
location;
(2)
circumstances forming the basis of any violation of, or liability under, any
Environmental Law or Environmental Permit (including any claim for revocation,
modification or non-renewal of any Environmental Permit); or
(3)
any
and all claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution,
indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting
from
the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous
Materials;
(B)
“Environmental
Laws”
means
all applicable Laws, principles of common Law, regulations, ordinances,
directives or Orders relating to pollution, protection of the environment
(including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface
strata), atmospheric emissions, or protection of human health as it relates
to
the environment, including Laws relating to the presence or Release of Hazardous
Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of, or exposure to,
Hazardous Materials;
(C)
“Environmental
Permit”
means
all permits, certificates, licenses, franchises, approvals, consents, emissions
credits, waivers or other authorizations of a Governmental Authority issued
under or pursuant to Environmental Laws;
(D)
“Hazardous
Materials”
means
(a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials and asbestos
in any form; and (b) any other chemical, material, substance or waste that
is prohibited, limited or regulated under any Environmental Law because of
its
dangerous or deleterious properties or characteristics; and
(E)
“Release”
means
any actual or threatened release, spill, emission, leaking, injection, deposit,
disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the atmosphere,
soil,
surface water, groundwater or property.
(o)
Operations
of Nuclear Power Plants.
The
operations of the nuclear generation stations owned or operated, in whole or
part, by Constellation or its subsidiaries or any of the Constellation Joint
Ventures, as applicable (collectively, the “Constellation
Nuclear Facilities”)
are
and have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits,
except for such failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate,
have
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
25
adverse
effect on Constellation. Each of the Constellation Nuclear Facilities maintains,
and is in material compliance with, emergency plans designed to respond to
an
unplanned Release therefrom of radioactive materials and each such plan conforms
with the requirements of applicable Law in all material respects. The plans
for
the decommissioning of each of the Constellation Nuclear Facilities and for
the
storage of spent nuclear fuel conform with the requirements of applicable
Law in
all material respects and, solely with respect to the portion of the
Constellation Nuclear Facilities owned, directly or indirectly, by
Constellation, the funding of decommissioning and storage of spent nuclear
fuel
is consistent with applicable Law. The operations of the Constellation Nuclear
Facilities are not the subject of any outstanding notices of violation or
requests for information from the NRC or any other agency with jurisdiction
over
such facility, except for such notices or requests for information that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on Constellation. Constellation
and
its subsidiaries and each of the Constellation Joint Ventures maintain liability
insurance to the full extent required by Law for operating the Constellation
Nuclear Facilities, and such insurance regarding such facilities remains
in full
force and effect in all material respects.
(p)
Insurance.
Except
for failures to maintain insurance or self-insurance that, individually or
in
the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on Constellation, from January 1, 2004, through the
date of this Agreement, each of Constellation and its subsidiaries has been
continuously insured with financially responsible insurers or has self-insured,
in each case in such amounts and with respect to such risks and losses as are
customary for companies in the United States conducting the business conducted
by Constellation and its subsidiaries during such time period. Neither
Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of
cancellation or termination with respect to any insurance policy of
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, except with respect to any
cancellation or termination that, individually or in the aggregate, has not
had
and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation.
(q)
Trading.
Constellation has established risk parameters, limits and guidelines in
compliance with the risk management policies approved by Constellation’s
corporate risk management committee (the “Constellation
Trading Guidelines”),
and
Constellation’s Board of Directors has approved a VaR limit as set forth in
Section 3.01(q) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter (the “Constellation
Approved VaR Limit”).
Compliance with the Constellation Trading Guidelines is monitored by the Senior
Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of Constellation and is periodically
reviewed with the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Constellation.
Constellation has provided the Constellation Trading Guidelines to FPL Group
prior to the date of this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, (i)
Constellation’s VaR is in compliance with the Constellation Approved VaR Limit,
and Constellation and its subsidiaries are operating in compliance with the
Constellation Trading Guidelines in all material respects and (ii) the aggregate
net positions in the trading portfolio of Constellation and its subsidiaries
would not reasonably be expected to result in a material loss to Constellation
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, based on market prices in existence
as
of the date of this Agreement. From September 30,
26
2005,
to
the date of this Agreement, neither Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries
has, in accordance with its mark-to-market accounting policies, experienced
an
aggregate net loss in the trading portfolio of Constellation and its
subsidiaries that would be material to Constellation and its subsidiaries
taken
as a whole. For purposes of this Section 3.01(q) and Section 4.01(h),
“VaR”
shall
mean the value-at-risk of the mark-to-market portfolio of Constellation and
its
marketing and trading subsidiaries based on a four standard deviation move
in
prices and a one-day holding period.
(v)
Vote
Required.
Assuming
the accuracy of the representation and warranty of FPL Group contained in
Section 3.02(s), (i) the affirmative vote (the “Constellation
Stockholder Approval”)
of
(A) at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Constellation Common
Stock entitled to be cast at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting is the
only
vote of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of Constellation
or its subsidiaries required to effect the Constellation Charter Amendment
whereby, among other things, (1) the number of authorized shares of
Constellation Common Stock will be increased and (2) the Constellation
Common Stock shall be divided (the “Stock
Split”)
such
that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding
share
of Constellation Common Stock shall be automatically converted into (assuming
the effectiveness of the Merger) 1.444 (the “Split
Ratio”)
fully
paid and nonassessable shares of Constellation Common Stock (with the resulting
number of shares held by each registered holder of Constellation Common Stock
being rounded down to the nearest whole number and with each such registered
holder being entitled to receive from Constellation in lieu of any fractional
shares of Constellation Common Stock prior to such rounding down an amount
in
cash (without interest) equal to the product obtained by multiplying
(x) the fraction of a share of Constellation Common Stock to which such
holder (after taking into account all shares of Constellation Common Stock
and
all certificates held immediately prior to the effective time of the Stock
Split
by such holder) would otherwise be entitled to and (y) the closing price
per share of Constellation Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite
Transaction Tape (as reported in The
Wall Street Journal,
or, if
not reported thereby, any other authoritative source) on the last trading day
prior to the date on which the effective time of the Stock Split occurs) and
(B) at least a majority of all shares of Constellation Common Stock casting
votes (provided
that the
total vote cast represents over 50% in interest of all Constellation Capital
Stock entitled to vote) is the only vote or consent or any series or class
of
capital stock of Constellation or its subsidiaries required to approve, in
accordance with the applicable rules of the NYSE, the issuance of Constellation
Common Stock in the Merger (the “Share
Issuance”)
and
(ii) except as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence, the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of capital
stock of Constellation or its subsidiaries is not necessary to consummate any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(s)
Ownership
of FPL Group Capital Stock.
Neither
Constellation nor any of its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, or other
affiliates beneficially owns any shares of FPL Group Common Stock or any other
class or series of FPL Group Capital Stock. None of Constellation or any of
its
“affiliates” or “associates” is, or has been within the two-year period
immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, an
27
"interested
shareholder” of FPL Group as those terms are defined in Section 607.0901 of
the FBCA.
(t)
State
Anti-Takeover Statutes.
Assuming
the accuracy of the representation and warranty of FPL Group contained in
Section 3.02(s), Constellation has taken all necessary actions, if any, so
that the provisions of Sections 3-602 and 3-702 of the MGCL will not,
before the termination of this Agreement, apply to this Agreement, the Merger
or
the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(u)
Joint
Venture Representations.
Each
representation or warranty made by Constellation in this Section 3.01
relating to a Constellation Joint Venture that is neither operated nor managed
by Constellation or a Constellation subsidiary shall be deemed made only to
the
knowledge of Constellation.
(v)
Opinion
of Financial Advisor.
Constellation has received the opinions of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., each dated the date of this Agreement
to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement and based upon and subject
to the matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio, assuming the prior
effectiveness of the Stock Split, is fair from a financial point of view to
the
holders of Constellation Common Stock.
(w)
Brokers.
No
broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other person, other than Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Goldman, Sachs & Co., the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by Constellation, is entitled to any broker’s,
finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection
with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement based
upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Constellation or Merger
Sub.
SECTION
3.02. Representations
and Warranties of FPL Group.
Except
(i) to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is apparent
therefrom, as set forth in the FPL Group SEC Reports filed by FPL Group with,
or
furnished by FPL Group to, the SEC at any time on or after January 1, 2004
through the date of this Agreement and publicly available prior to the date
of
this Agreement (the “Filed
FPL Group SEC Reports”),
other
than risk factor disclosure contained in any such Filed FPL Group SEC Report
under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Forward Looking Statements” or any similar
sections and any disclosure of risks that are predictive or forward looking
in
nature (provided that nothing in the Filed FPL Group SEC Reports shall be deemed
to qualify, or be deemed to have been disclosed for the purposes of,
Section 3.02(b) or 3.02(c)) or (ii) as set forth in the letter dated
the date of this Agreement delivered to Constellation by FPL Group concurrently
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “FPL
Group Disclosure Letter”)
(with
specific reference to the particular Section or subsection of this Agreement
to
which the information set forth in such letter relates; provided,
however,
that
any information set forth in one section of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter
shall be deemed to apply to each other section or subsection thereof to the
extent that it is apparent on the face of the applicable disclosure that such
information is applicable to such other section or subsection without reference
to any underlying documentation), FPL Group represents and warrants to
Constellation as follows:
28
(a)
Organization
and Qualification.
(i) Each
of FPL Group and its subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of
good
standing) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has full power
and authority to conduct its business as and to the extent now conducted and
to
own, use and lease its assets and properties, except for such failures to be
so
organized, existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that
recognize the concept of good standing) or to have such power and authority
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. Each of FPL Group
and
its subsidiaries is duly qualified, licensed or admitted to do business and
is
in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept
of
good standing) in each jurisdiction in which the ownership, use or leasing
of its assets and properties, or the conduct or nature of its business, makes
such qualification, licensing or admission necessary, except for such failures
to be so qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing (with respect
to
jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. Section 3.02(a) of
the FPL Group Disclosure Letter sets forth as of the date of this Agreement
the
name and jurisdiction of organization of each material subsidiary of FPL
Group.
(ii)
Section 3.02(a) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter sets forth a description
as of the date of this Agreement of all FPL Group Joint Ventures, including
(A) the name of each such entity and (B) a brief description of the
principal line or lines of business conducted by each such entity. For purposes
of this Agreement “FPL
Group Joint Venture”
shall
mean any Joint Venture of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries in which the
invested capital associated with FPL Group=s
or its
subsidiaries=
interest
exceeds $100,000,000, as reasonably determined by FPL Group.
(iii)
Except for interests in the subsidiaries of FPL Group, the FPL Group Joint
Ventures and interests acquired after the date of this Agreement without
violating any covenant contained herein, FPL Group does not directly or
indirectly own any shares of capital stock, other voting securities or Equity
Interests in any person, in which the invested capital associated with such
interest individually as of the date of this Agreement exceeds $100,000,000,
as
reasonably determined by FPL Group.
(b)
Capital
Stock.
(i) The
authorized capital stock of FPL Group consists of 800,000,000 shares of FPL
Group Common Stock and 100,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share (the “FPL
Group Preferred Stock”
and,
together with the FPL Group Common Stock, the “FPL
Group Capital Stock”).
At
the close of business on December 12, 2005,
(A) 394,846,985 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were issued and
outstanding, of which 1,024,245 shares were subject to future vesting
requirements or risk of forfeiture back to FPL Group or a right of repurchase
by
FPL Group (collectively, “FPL
Group Restricted Stock”;
provided,
however,
that FPL
Group Restricted Stock shall not include any shares of FPL Group Common Stock
that have been allocated to participant accounts (which are accounted for in
units composed of undivided interests in FPL Group Common Stock and cash) under
the leveraged employee stock ownership plan provisions of the FPL
Group
29
Group
Employee Thrift Plan and the FPL Group Group Bargaining Unit Employee Thrift
Plan (together, the “FPL
Group Thrift Plans”)
but
are subject to forfeiture by the participants and a return to unallocated
status
under the relevant vesting provisions (collectively, the “FPL
Group Unvested ESOP Stock”)),
(B) no shares of FPL Group Common Stock were held by FPL Group in its
treasury, (C) 21,500,000 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were
reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the FPL Group Amended and
Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan,
the
Gexa Corporation 2002 Non-Employee Director Option Plan, Gexa Corporation
Amended and Restated 2004 Incentive Plan and the Gexa Corporation Stock Option
Agreement with James Burke dated October 27, 2003 (such plans, collectively,
the
“FPL
Group Stock Plans”),
of
which (1) 7,341,059 shares were subject to outstanding options to
purchase shares of FPL Group Common Stock with a weighted average exercise
price
of $27.39 per share granted under the FPL Group Stock Plans (such outstanding
options, together with any options to purchase shares of FPL Group Common
Stock
granted after December 12, 2005, under the FPL Group Stock Plans, the
“FPL
Group Employee Stock Options”)
and
(2) 2,070,000 shares were subject to deferred stock awards, “phantom”
stock awards or other restricted stock unit awards, in each case required
to be
settled in shares of FPL Group Common Stock (such unit awards, together with
any
other such awards granted after December 12, 2005, the “FPL
Group Restricted Units”),
(D) 11,136,536 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were reserved and
available for issuance pursuant to the FPL Group Thrift Plans,
(E) 3,000,000 shares of FPL Group Preferred Stock were designated
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “FPL
Group Series A Preferred Stock”)
and
reserved for issuance in accordance with the Rights Agreement dated as of
July 1, 1996, as amended, by and between FPL Group and Computershare
Investment Services, LLC, as successor Rights Agent (the “FPL
Group Rights Agreement”),
pursuant to which FPL Group has issued rights (the “FPL
Group Rights”)
to
purchase such shares of FPL Group Series A Preferred Stock,
(F) 17,880,016 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were reserved and are
subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding purchase contracts in connection
with 10,120,000 Equity Units issued by FPL Group in June 2002 (the “FPL
Group Equity Units”),
(G) 6,887,882 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were reserved for
issuance under the FPL Group Dividend Reinvestment and Common Share Purchase
Plan (the “FPL
Group DRIP”)
and
(H) 139,472 shares of FPL Group Common Stock were reserved and are
subject to issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants issued by Gexa Corporation
(“the Gexa
Warrants”).
(ii)
Except as set forth in Section 3.02(b)(i) above, at the close of business
on December 12, 2005, no shares of capital stock or other voting securities
or Equity Interests of FPL Group were issued, reserved for issuance, outstanding
or held by FPL Group in its treasury. As of the date of this Agreement, except
as set forth in Section 3.02(b)(i) above, there were no outstanding options,
stock appreciation rights, “phantom” stock rights, performance awards, units,
dividend equivalent awards, rights to receive shares of FPL Group Common Stock
on a deferred basis, rights to purchase or receive FPL Group Common Stock or
other rights that are linked to the value of FPL Group Common Stock (each,
a
“FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Award”)
issued
or granted by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries to any current or former
director, officer, employee
30
or
consultant of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries. For the avoidance of
doubt,
the term “FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards” shall include FPL Group
Restricted Units. All outstanding shares of FPL Group Common Stock are, and
all
shares which may be issued pursuant to the exercise of FPL Group Employee
Stock
Options will be, when issued in accordance with the terms thereof, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject
to or
issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal,
preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision
of
the FBCA, the articles of incorporation of FPL Group as in effect from time
to
time, the by-laws of FPL Group as in effect from time to time, or any contract
to which FPL Group is a party or otherwise bound. During the period from
December 12, 2005, to the date of this Agreement, there have been no issuances,
reservations for issuance or grants by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries
of
any shares of FPL Group Capital Stock (including FPL Group Restricted Stock)
or
other voting securities or Equity Interests of FPL Group (other than issuances
or grants of shares of FPL Group Common Stock pursuant to (i) the FPL Group
DRIP, (ii) the FPL Group Thrift Plans in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and (iii) the exercise of FPL Group Employee
Stock
Options and the Gexa Warrants outstanding on December 12, 2005, as required
by
their terms as in effect on December 12, 2005).
(iii)
There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of
FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries having the right to vote on any matters on
which holders of capital stock or other Equity Interests of FPL Group or any
of
its subsidiaries may vote (“FPL
Group Voting Debt”).
(iv)
Except as set forth above in this Section 3.02(b), as of the date of this
Agreement, there are (A) no Options to which FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating FPL Group
or
any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, (1) shares of capital stock or other voting securities
or Equity Interests of, or any security convertible or exercisable for or
exchangeable into any capital stock or other voting securities or Equity
Interests of, FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or (2) any FPL Group
Voting Debt and (B) no other rights the value of which is in any way based
on or derived from, or that give any person the right to receive any economic
benefit or right similar to or derived from the economic benefits and rights
accruing to holders of capital stock or other voting securities or Equity
Interests of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries. As of the date of this
Agreement, there are not any outstanding contractual obligations of FPL Group
or
any of its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares
of
capital stock of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries.
(v)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any voting agreement
with respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock or other voting
securities or Equity Interests of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries.
(vi)
Except as permitted by this Agreement, all of the outstanding shares of capital
stock and other voting securities or Equity Interests of each subsidiary of
FPL
Group are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
are
owned,
31
beneficially
and of record, by FPL Group or a subsidiary, free and clear of any Liens
except
for any Liens granted in connection with project financings.
(c)
Authority.
FPL
Group has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement,
to
perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to obtaining FPL Group
Shareholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
Board of Directors of FPL Group has duly and validly adopted resolutions
(i) adopting this Agreement and approving this Agreement, the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) determining that the terms
of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
are
fair to and in the best interests of FPL Group and its shareholders,
(iii) directing that this Agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of
FPL Group’s shareholders and (iv) recommending that FPL Group’s
shareholders approve this Agreement, which resolutions have not been
subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way. Except as Section
5.06
or 5.08 expressly contemplates further action by the Board of Directors of
FPL
Group, no other corporate proceedings on the part of FPL Group or its
shareholders are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by FPL Group and the consummation by FPL Group of the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby, other than obtaining FPL Group
Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by FPL Group and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation
of
FPL Group enforceable against FPL Group in accordance with its
terms.
(d)
No
Conflicts; Approvals and Consents.
(i) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by FPL Group do not, and the
performance by FPL Group of its obligations hereunder and the consummation
of
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, conflict
with, result in a violation or breach of, constitute (with or without notice
or
lapse of time or both) a default under, result in or give to any person any
right of payment or reimbursement, termination, cancellation, modification
or
acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any
of
the assets or properties of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of
the
FPL Group Joint Ventures under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions
of
(A) the articles or certificates of incorporation or by-laws (or other
comparable organizational documents) of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries, or (B) subject to the obtaining of FPL Group Shareholder
Approval and the taking of the actions described in paragraph (ii) of
this Section 3.02(d) and obtaining the Constellation Required Statutory
Approvals (assuming the accuracy of the representations in Section 3.01(d)),
(1) any Laws or Orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures or
any
of their respective assets or properties, or (2) any note, bond, mortgage,
security agreement, agreement, indenture, license, franchise, Permit,
concession, contract, lease or other instrument to which FPL Group or any of
its
subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures is a party or by which
FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures or
any
of their respective assets or properties is bound, excluding from the foregoing
clause (B) such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, rights or Liens
that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
32
(ii)
Except for (A) compliance with, and filings under, the HSR Act;
(B) the filing with, and to the extent required, the declaration of
effectiveness by the SEC of (1) the Joint Proxy Statement with the SEC
pursuant to the Exchange Act, (2) the Form S-4 and (3) such
reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (C) the filing of
documents with various state securities authorities that may be required in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; (D) such filings with
and approvals of the NYSE to permit the consummation of the Stock Split and
the
listing on the NYSE of the shares of Constellation Common Stock that are to
be
issued pursuant to Article II; (E) notice to, and the consent and
approval of, FERC under Section 203 of the Power Act; (F) the filing
of an application to, and consent and approval of, and transfer of or issuance
of any required licenses and license amendments by, the NRC under the
Atomic Energy Act; (G) the filing of (1) an amendment to the
Constellation Articles to effect the Constellation Charter Amendment immediately
prior to the occurrence of the Effective Time with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland and (2) appropriate
documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which Constellation
is qualified to do business; (H) the filing of the Articles of Merger and
other appropriate merger documents required by the FBCA with the Department
of
State of the State of Florida and appropriate documents with the relevant
authorities of other states in which FPL Group is qualified to do business;
(I) compliance with any such filings as may be required under applicable
Environmental Laws; (J) to the extent required, notice to and the approval
of,
the Applicable PSCs; (K) the FCC Pre-Approvals; and (L) such other
items as disclosed in Section 3.02(d) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter
(the items set forth above in clauses (A) through (H) and (J), together
with the items identified with an “*” in Section 3.02(d) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, collectively, the “FPL
Group Required Statutory Approvals”),
no
Consents or action of, registration, declaration or filing with or notice
to any Governmental Authority is necessary or required to be obtained or made
in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FPL Group,
the
performance by FPL Group of its obligations hereunder or the consummation of
the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby by FPL Group, other than
such items that the failure to make or obtain, as the case may be, individually
or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group or on Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries.
(e)
SEC
Reports, Financial Statements and Utility Reports.
(i) FPL
Group and its subsidiaries have filed or furnished each form, report, schedule,
registration statement, registration exemption, if applicable, definitive proxy
statement and other document (together with all amendments thereof and
supplements thereto) required to be filed or furnished by FPL Group or any
of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act with
the
SEC since January 1, 2002 (as such documents have since the time of their
filing or furnishment been amended or supplemented, the “FPL
Group SEC Reports”).
As of
their respective dates, and after giving effect to any amendments or supplements
thereto, the FPL Group SEC Reports (A) complied as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, as the case may be, and, to the extent in effect and applicable, the
requirements of SOX and (B) did not contain any untrue statement of
a
33
material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
(ii)
Each
of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of FPL
Group and Florida Power & Light Company (“FPL”)
(or
each former principal executive officer and principal financial officer of
FPL
Group and FPL, as applicable) has made all certifications required by
Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906
of SOX and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder with
respect to the FPL Group SEC Reports. For purposes of the preceding sentence,
“principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the
meanings given to such terms in SOX. Since the effectiveness of SOX, neither
FPL
Group nor any of its subsidiaries has arranged any “extensions of credit” to
directors or executive officers within the meaning of Section 402 of
SOX.
(iii)
The
audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements (including, in each case, the notes, if any, thereto)
included in the FPL Group SEC Reports (the “FPL
Group Financial Statements”)
complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with
GAAP as in effect on the respective dates thereof applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes
thereto and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the
unaudited interim financial statements, to normal, recurring year-end audit
adjustments that were not or are not expected to be, individually or in the
aggregate, materially adverse to FPL Group) the consolidated financial position
of FPL Group and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the respective dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for
the
respective periods then ended.
(iv)
All
filings required to be made by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries since
January 1, 2002, under the Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
and applicable state Laws and regulations, have been filed with the SEC, the
FERC, the DOE, the NRC, the FCC or any applicable state public utility
commissions (including, to the extent required, the FPSC), as the case may
be,
including all forms, statements, reports, agreements (oral or written) and
all
documents, exhibits, amendments and supplements pertaining thereto, including
all rates, tariffs, franchises, service agreements and related documents, and
all such filings complied, as of their respective dates, with all applicable
requirements of the applicable statute and the rules and regulations thereunder,
except for filings the failure of which to make or the failure of which to
make
in compliance with all applicable requirements of the applicable statute and
the
rules and regulations thereunder, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had
and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group.
(v)
The
management of FPL Group has designed and implemented disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act), or caused
such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed and implemented
under
34
their
supervision, to ensure that material information relating FPL Group, including
its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the management of FPL Group
by
others within those entities. Since the date of the filing of FPL Group’s most
recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2005, to FPL Group’s outside auditors and the audit committee
of the Board of Directors of FPL Group have not been advised of (A) any
significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation
of
internal control over financial reporting which could reasonably be expected
to
adversely affect FPL Group’s ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that
involves management or other employees who have a significant role in FPL
Group’s internal control over financial reporting. Since December 31, 2004,
any material change in internal control over financial reporting required
to be
disclosed in any FPL Group SEC Report has been so disclosed.
(vi)
Since December 31, 2004, (A) neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of FPL Group, any director, officer,
employee, auditor, accountant or representative of FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries has received or otherwise obtained knowledge of any material
complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding
the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods
of
FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting
controls relating to periods after December 31, 2004, including any
material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that FPL Group or any of
its
subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices
(except for any of the foregoing received after the date of this Agreement
which
have no reasonable basis), and (B) to the knowledge of FPL Group, no
attorney representing FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, whether or not
employed by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, has reported evidence of
a
material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar
violation, relating to periods after December 31, 2004, by FPL Group or any
of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of
FPL
Group or any committee thereof or to any director or executive officer of FPL
Group.
(vii)
Except for FPL, none of FPL Group’s subsidiaries is, or has at any time since
January 1, 2003, been, subject to the reporting requirements of
Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(viii)
FPL Group is not and, at the Effective Time, will not be, an “ineligible issuer”
as defined in Rule 405 (as amended by SEC Rel. No. 33-8591 as
published in Vol. 70, No. 147 of the Federal Register, page 44722
et. seq. (August 3, 2005)) of the Securities Act.
(f)
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
December 31, 2004 to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any
change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had
or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group,
and
during such period there has not been:
(i)
(A) any granting by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries to any current
director or executive officer of FPL Group or FPL of any increase in
35
compensation,
bonus, fringe or other benefits, other than (1) increases in fringe or other
benefits that are not material and that are granted in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice or (2) increases in salaries or bonuses
of current directors or executive officers of FPL Group or FPL in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, (B) any granting by FPL
Group
or any of its subsidiaries to any current director or executive officer of
FPL
Group or FPL of any change of control, severance or termination compensation
or
benefits or any increase therein, (C) any entry by FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries into, or any amendment to or termination of, any FPL Group Employee
Benefit Agreement with any current director or executive officer of FPL Group
or
FPL, or (D) any action taken to fund or in any other way secure the payment,
or
to accelerate the vesting or payment, of a material amount of compensation
or
benefits under any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Stock Plan
(or
any grant or award thereunder) or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement;
(ii)
any
change in accounting methods, principles or practices by FPL Group or any of
its
subsidiaries materially affecting the consolidated assets, liabilities or
results of operations of FPL Group, except insofar as may have been required
by
a change in GAAP; or
(iii)
any
authorization of, or commitment or agreement to take, any of the actions
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(g)
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
As of
the date of this Agreement, except for matters reflected or reserved against
in
the balance sheet (or notes thereto) as of December 31, 2004, included in
the FPL Group Financial Statements, neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, fixed or otherwise, or whether due or to become due) of any
nature that would be required by GAAP, as in effect on the date thereof, to
be
reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of FPL Group and its consolidated
subsidiaries (including the notes thereto), except liabilities or obligations
(i) that were incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice since December 31, 2004, or (ii) that, individually or
in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have
a
material adverse effect on FPL Group. Neither FPL Group nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any
joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar contract or
arrangement (including any contract relating to any transaction or relationship
between or among FPL Group and any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
any
unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose
or
limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand or any “off-balance sheet
arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the
SEC)), where the result, purpose or effect of such contract is to avoid
disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of,
FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, in FPL Group’s or any of its subsidiary’s
audited financial statements or other FPL Group SEC Reports.
36
(h)
Legal
Proceedings.
Except
for environmental matters, which are the subject of Section 3.02(n), as of
the date of this Agreement, (i) there are no actions, suits, arbitrations
or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of FPL Group, threatened against,
relating to or affecting, nor, to the knowledge of FPL Group, are there any
Governmental Authority investigations or audits pending or threatened against,
relating to or affecting, FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the
FPL
Group Joint Ventures or any of their respective assets and properties that,
in
each case, individually or in the aggregate, have had or would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, and (ii) neither
FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any Order of any
Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group.
(i)
Information
Supplied.
None of
the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of FPL Group for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at
the time the Form S-4 is filed with the SEC, at any time it is amended or
supplemented or at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, or (ii) the Joint Proxy Statement will, at the date it is
first mailed to FPL Group’s shareholders or Constellation’s stockholders or at
the time of the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting or the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not
misleading. The Form S-4 and Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form
in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the
rules
and regulations thereunder, except that no representation is made by FPL Group
with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based
on
information supplied by or on behalf of Constellation or Merger Sub for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Joint Proxy
Statement.
(j)
Permits;
Compliance with Laws and Orders.
FPL
Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures hold all Permits
necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses as currently
conducted, except for failures to hold such Permits that, individually or in
the
aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group
Joint
Ventures, and their respective businesses as currently conducted, are in
compliance with the terms of their Permits, except failures so to comply that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group, its
subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures, and their respective businesses
as currently conducted, are not in violation of or default under any Law or
Order of any Governmental Authority, except for such violations or defaults
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group is, and
has
been, in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of SOX
applicable to it on or prior to the date of this Agreement and has implemented
such programs and has taken all reasonable steps
37
necessary
to ensure FPL Group’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory
and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all provisions of SOX which shall
become
applicable to FPL Group after the date of this Agreement. This
Section 3.02(j) does not relate to matters with respect to Taxes, which are
the subject of Section 3.02(k), benefit plans, which are the subject of
Section 3.02(l), Environmental Laws, which are the subject of
Section 3.02(n), and nuclear power plants, which are the subject of
Section 3.02(o).
(k)
Taxes.
(i)
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group,
(A) each of FPL Group, its subsidiaries, any predecessor thereof and any
member of any consolidated group of which any of the foregoing is or has been
a
member (together, the “FPL
Group Taxpayers”)
has
timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on its behalf, all Tax Returns
required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and
accurate and (B) the FPL Group Taxpayers have paid all Taxes required to be
paid by them other than Taxes that are not yet due or that are being contested
in good faith in appropriate proceedings.
(ii)
Except as, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group, no
deficiency with respect to any Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed
against any FPL Group Taxpayer (other than any deficiency that has been paid
or
is being contested in good faith in appropriate proceedings), and no requests
for waivers of the time to assess any such Taxes are pending.
(iii)
The
Federal income Tax Returns of the FPL Group Taxpayers have been examined by
and
settled with the I.R.S. for all years through 1987. All material assessments
for
Taxes due with respect to such completed and settled examinations or any
concluded litigation have been fully paid.
(iv)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an
affiliated group (or similar state, local or foreign filing group) filing a
consolidated U.S. Federal income Tax Return (other than the group the common
parent of which is FPL Group) or (B) has any liability for the Taxes of any
person (other than FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries) (1) under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or
foreign Law), or (2) as a transferee or successor.
(v)
There
are no material Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes not yet due and
payable) on the assets of any FPL Group Taxpayer.
(vi)
Within the past two years, neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has
been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a
distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355
of the Code.
38
(vii)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has been a party to a transaction
that constitutes a “listed transaction”, for purposes of Section 6011 of
the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder (or a similar provision
of state Law), that is or may be subject to examination by the I.R.S. To the
knowledge of FPL Group, FPL Group has disclosed to Constellation all “reportable
transactions” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)
(or a similar provision of state Law) to which it or any of the FPL Group
subsidiaries has been a party.
(viii)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any
action or knows of any fact, agreement, plan or other circumstance that is
reasonably likely to prevent or impede the Merger from constituting a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code.
(ix)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by
any
Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other
than
such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among FPL Group and
its
subsidiaries).
(x)
Each
FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan and each FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement
that is a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A of
the
Code has been operated in compliance with Section 409A of the Code since January
1, 2005, based upon a good faith, reasonable interpretation of the 409A
Authorities. No FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit
Agreement that would be a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to
Section 409A of the Code but for the effective date provisions that are
applicable to Section 409A of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of the
AJCA, has been “materially modified” within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B)
of the AJCA after October 3, 2004, based on a good faith, reasonable
interpretation of the AJCA and the 409A Authorities.
(l)
Employee
Benefit Plans; ERISA.
(i)
Except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had
and
would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group,
(A) all FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans have been operated, funded and
administered in compliance with their terms, the terms of any applicable
collective bargaining agreements and with all applicable requirements of Law,
including ERISA and the Code, (B) except for regular contribution, funding
and vesting requirements of the FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans, none of FPL
Group, any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate has any
liabilities or obligations with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plans,
whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, nor, to the knowledge of FPL Group,
are any such liabilities or obligations reasonably expected to be incurred,
(C) each FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified
within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and there
are no existing circumstances or events that would reasonably be expected to
adversely affect the qualified status of any such FPL Group Employee Benefit
Plan, (D) there
are
no audits, proceedings, claims
39
or
investigations by any Governmental Authority pending or, to the knowledge
of FPL
Group, threatened in connection with any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan
or FPL
Group Employee Benefit Agreement, (E) no litigation has been commenced with
respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit
Agreement and, to the knowledge of FPL Group, no such litigation is threatened
(other than routine claims for benefits in the normal operation of such FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement), (F)
there
have been no “prohibited transactions” as defined by Section 406 of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan
and
(G) no “fiduciary” within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA has any
liability for breach of fiduciary duty or any other act or omission with
respect
to the investment or administration of the assets of any FPL Group Employee
Benefit Plan.
The
only material FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreements and material FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plans that exist on the date of this Agreement are disclosed
in
Section 3.02(l) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter.
(ii) As
used herein:
(A)
“FPL
Group Employee Benefit Plan”
means
any Plan entered into, established, maintained, sponsored, contributed to
or
required to be contributed to by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or
any FPL
Group ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of the current or former employees
or
directors of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA
Affiliate and existing on the date of this Agreement or at any time subsequent
thereto and on or prior to the Effective Time, and, in the case of a Plan
that
is subject to Part 3 of Title I of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code
or Title IV of ERISA, at any time during the five-year period preceding the
date of this Agreement, with respect to which FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries or any other FPL Group ERISA Affiliate has or could reasonably
be
expected to have any present or future actual or contingent liabilities;
(B)
“FPL
Group Employee Benefit Agreement”
means
(1) any employment, deferred compensation, consulting, severance, loan,
termination or indemnification agreement between FPL Group or any of its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current director, executive officer
or
other employee of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand or
(2) any change of control or other agreement between FPL Group or any of
its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current director, executive officer
or other employee of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand,
the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially
altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving FPL Group of a nature
contemplated by this Agreement; and
(C)
“FPL
Group ERISA Affiliate”
means
any person who, on or before the Effective Time, is under common control with
FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 414 of
the Code.
40
(iii)
No
event has occurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances,
in
connection with any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group.
(iv)
None
of FPL Group, any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate has
incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any liability to the PBGC
or
to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan that is an “employee pension benefit
plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) under Section 302(c),
4062, 4063, 4064 or 4069 of ERISA, or otherwise as a result of the execution
of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(either alone or in combination with any other subsequent event), and no event
or condition exists or has existed that could reasonably be expected to result
in the incurrence of any such liability by FPL Group, any subsidiary or any
FPL
Group ERISA Affiliate. No such FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan that is subject
to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA has been completely or partially
terminated or been the subject of a “reportable event” within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA as to which notices would be required to be filed with
the
PBGC.
(v)
None
of FPL Group, any of its subsidiaries or any FPL Group ERISA Affiliate
contributes to, has any obligation to contribute to or has any present or future
actual or contingent liabilities (including withdrawal liability within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA and any liability or obligation under Sections
4204 or 4212) with respect to any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section
3(37) of ERISA.
(vi)
The
execution of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will not (either alone or in combination with any other
subsequent event) (A) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of, or
increase the amount of, compensation or benefits due to any current or former
employee, director or officer of FPL Group or its subsidiaries, (B) result
in any forgiveness of indebtedness or obligation to fund benefits with respect
to any such employee, director or officer, or (C) entitle any such
employee, director or officer to severance pay, unemployment compensation or
any
other payment or other benefit.
(vii)
Other
than payments that may be made to the persons listed in
Section 3.02(l)(vii) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter and described in
Section 3.02(l)(vii) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, based on FPL
Group’s reasonable good faith assumptions, (A) no amount that could be
received (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result
of
the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either
alone or in combination with any other subsequent event) by any employee,
officer or director of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries who is a
“disqualified individual” (as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.280G-1) under any employment, severance or termination agreement,
other compensation arrangement or FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group
Employee Benefit Agreement would be characterized as an “excess parachute
payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) and (B) no
such disqualified individual is entitled to receive any additional payment
(e.g.,
any tax
gross-up or other payment) from
41
FPL
Group
or any other person in the event that the excise tax required by
Section 4999(a) of the Code is imposed on such disqualified
individual.
(viii)
Neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or
has
any liability with respect to any FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group
Employee Benefit Agreement that provides any post-employment or post-termination
health, life or other welfare-type benefits, except where the cost thereof
is
borne entirely by the former employee (or his or her eligible dependents) or
as
required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code.
(m)
Labor
and Employee Matters.
Neither
FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining
agreement or other labor agreement with any union or labor organization. As
of
the date of this Agreement, there are no disputes pending or, to the knowledge
of FPL Group, threatened between FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, on the
one hand, and any trade union or other representative of their respective
employees, on the other hand, and there is no charge or complaint pending or
threatened in writing against FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries before the
NLRB, the EEOC or any other Governmental Authority responsible for enforcing
labor employment Laws except in each case as, individually or in the aggregate,
have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group, and, to the knowledge of FPL Group, as of the date of
this
Agreement, there are no organizational efforts presently being made involving
any of the employees of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries. From
January 1, 2002, to the date of this Agreement, there has been no work
stoppage, strike or other concerted action by employees of FPL Group or any
of
its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of FPL Group, no such action has been
threatened in writing, except in each case as, individually or in the aggregate,
have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group. Since January 1, 2000, neither FPL Group nor any
of its subsidiaries has engaged in any “plant closing” or “mass layoff”, as
defined in WARN, without complying with the notice requirements of such Laws,
except for such failures to comply with the notice requirements of such Laws
that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group. With respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each labor notice required to
have
been given under any Law or collective bargaining agreement has been given
or
satisfied, other than as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL Group.
(n)
Environmental
Matters.
Except
for any matters, individually or in the aggregate, that have not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group:
(i)
Each
of FPL Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures has been and
is
in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(ii)
Each
of FPL Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures has obtained
all
Environmental Permits necessary for the construction of their
42
facilities
and the conduct of their operations as of the date of this Agreement, as
applicable, and all such Environmental Permits are in good standing or, where
applicable, a renewal application has been timely filed and is pending agency
approval. FPL Group, its subsidiaries and the FPL Group Joint Ventures are
in
compliance with all terms and conditions of such Environmental Permits, and
no
such Environmental Permits will be revoked, modified or not renewed as a
result
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(iii)
There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of FPL Group,
threatened:
(A)
against FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint
Ventures;
(B) against any person or entity whose liability for such Environmental Claim
has been retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of Law by
FPL
Group or any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures;
or
(C) against any real or personal property or operations that FPL Group or any
of
its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures owns, leases or operates
in whole or in part, or, to the knowledge of FPL Group, formerly owned, leased
or operated, in whole or in part.
(iv)
There have not been any Releases of any Hazardous Material that would reasonably
be expected to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against FPL Group
or
any of its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures.
(o)
Operations
of Nuclear Power Plants.
The
operations of the nuclear generation stations owned or operated, in whole or
part, by FPL Group or its subsidiaries or any of the FPL Group Joint Ventures,
as applicable (collectively, the “FPL
Group Nuclear Facilities”)
are
and have been conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws and Permits,
except for such failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate,
have
not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on FPL Group. Each of the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities maintains, and is in
material compliance with, emergency plans designed to respond to an unplanned
Release therefrom of radioactive materials and each such plan conforms with
the
requirements of applicable Law in all material respects. The plans for the
decommissioning of each of the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities and for the storage
of spent nuclear fuel conform with the requirements of applicable Law in all
material respects and, solely with respect to the portion of the FPL Group
Nuclear Facilities owned, directly of indirectly, by FPL Group, the funding
of
decommissioning and storage of spent nuclear fuel is consistent with applicable
Law. The operations of the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities are not the subject
of
any outstanding notices of violation or requests for information from the NRC
or
any other agency with jurisdiction over such facility, except for such notices
or requests for information that,
43
individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to
have a
material adverse effect on FPL Group. FPL Group and its subsidiaries and
each of
the FPL Group Joint Ventures maintain liability insurance to the full extent
required by Law for operating the FPL Group Nuclear Facilities, and such
insurance regarding such facilities remains in full force and effect in all
material respects.
(p)
Insurance.
Except
for failures to maintain insurance or self-insurance that, individually or
in
the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on FPL Group, from January 1, 2004, through the
date of this Agreement, each of FPL Group and its subsidiaries has been
continuously insured with financially responsible insurers or has self-insured,
in each case in such amounts and with respect to such risks and losses as are
customary for companies in the United States conducting the business conducted
by FPL Group and its subsidiaries during such time period. Neither FPL Group
nor
any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination
with respect to any insurance policy of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries,
except with respect to any cancellation or termination that, individually or
in
the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on FPL Group.
(q)
Trading.
FPL
Group has established risk parameters, limits and guidelines in compliance
with
the risk management policies approved by the Finance and Investment Committee
of
the Board of Directors of FPL Group (the “FPL
Group Trading Guidelines”)
and
the Chief Executive Officer of FPL Group has approved a VaR limit as set forth
in Section 3.02(q) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter (the “FPL
Group Approved VaR Limit”).
Compliance with the FPL Group Trading Guidelines is monitored by the Exposure
Management Committee of FPL Group and reported to the Chief Executive Officer
of
FPL Group and is reviewed annually with the Finance and Investment Committee
of
the Board of Directors of FPL Group. FPL Group has provided the FPL Group
Trading Guidelines to Constellation prior to the date of this Agreement. As
of
the date of this Agreement, (i) FPL Group’s VaR is in compliance with the FPL
Group Approved VaR Limit, and FPL Group and its subsidiaries are operating
in
compliance with the FPL Group Trading Guidelines in all material respects and
(ii) the aggregate net positions in the trading and managed hedge portfolio
(i.e.,
mark-to-market positions excluding non-qualifying hedges) of FPL Group and
its
subsidiaries would not reasonably be expected to result in a material loss
to
FPL Group and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, based on market prices in
existence as of the date of this Agreement. From September 30, 2005, to the
date of this Agreement, neither FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries has,
in
accordance with its mark-to-market accounting policies, experienced an aggregate
net trading loss in FPL Group’s trading and managed hedge portfolio
(i.e.,
mark-to-market positions excluding non-qualifying hedges) that would be material
to FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. For purposes of this Section
3.01(q) and Section 4.02(h), “VaR”
shall
mean the value-at-risk of the mark-to-market trading and managed hedge portfolio
(i.e.,
mark-to-market positions excluding non-qualifying hedges) of FPL Group and
its
marketing and trading subsidiaries based on a two standard deviation move in
prices and a one-day holding period.
44
(r)
Vote
Required.
Assuming
the accuracy of the representation and warranty of Constellation contained
in
Section 3.01(s), (i) the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
the outstanding shares of FPL Group Common Stock entitled to be cast at the
FPL
Group Stockholder Meeting (the “FPL
Group Shareholder Approval”)
is the
only vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of the capital stock
of FPL Group or its subsidiaries required to approve this Agreement and
(ii) except as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence, the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of the capital
stock of FPL Group or its subsidiaries is not necessary to consummate any of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(s)
Ownership
of Constellation Capital Stock.
Neither
FPL Group nor any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates beneficially owns
any
shares of Constellation Common Stock or any other class or series of
Constellation Capital Stock. None of FPL Group or any of its “affiliates” or
“associates” is, or has been within the two-year period immediately prior to the
date of this Agreement, an “interested stockholder” of Constellation as those
terms are defined in Section 3-601 of the MGCL.
(t)
State
Anti-Takeover Statutes.
Assuming
the accuracy of the representation and warranty of Constellation contained
in
Section 3.01(s), FPL Group has taken all necessary actions, if any, so that
the provisions of Article VI of the restated articles of incorporation of
FPL Group, as amended through the date of this Agreement, and the provisions
of
Sections 607.0901 and 607.0902 of the FBCA will not, before the termination
of this Agreement, apply to this Agreement, the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated hereby.
(u)
Joint
Venture Representations.
Each
representation or warranty made by FPL Group in this Section 3.02 relating
to a FPL Group Joint Venture that is neither operated nor managed by FPL Group
or a FPL Group subsidiary shall be deemed made only to the knowledge of FPL
Group.
(v)
Opinion
of Financial Advisor.
FPL
Group has received the opinions of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated and Lehman Brothers Inc., each dated the date of this
Agreement to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement and based upon
and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio, assuming
the
prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, is fair from a financial point of view
to the shareholders of FPL Group.
(w)
Brokers.
No
broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other person, other than Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Lehman Brothers Inc.,
the fees and expenses of which will be paid by FPL Group, is entitled to any
broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in
connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of FPL
Group.
(x)
Rights
Agreement.
FPL
Group has taken all actions necessary so that the execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby
do
not and will not result in the grant of any
45
increased
rights to any person under the FPL Group Rights Agreement or enable, require
or
cause the FPL Group Rights to be exercised, distributed or triggered. The
Board
of Directors of FPL Group has approved an amendment to the FPL Group Rights
Agreement to provide that the FPL Group Rights will terminate upon the Effective
Time.
ARTICLE
IV
Covenants
SECTION
4.01. Covenants
of Constellation.
From and
after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Constellation
covenants and agrees as to itself and its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub,
that (except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, as set
forth in Section 4.01 of the Constellation Disclosure Letter or to the
extent that FPL Group shall otherwise previously consent in
writing):
(a)
Ordinary
Course.
Constellation and each of its subsidiaries shall conduct their businesses in
all
material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Constellation and
its subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact
in
all material respects their present business organizations, to maintain in
effect all existing Permits, subject to prudent management of workforce and
business needs, to keep available the services of their key officers and
employees, to maintain their assets and properties in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, to maintain insurance on their
tangible assets and businesses in such amounts and against such risks and losses
as are currently in effect, to preserve their relationships with Governmental
Authorities, customers and suppliers and others having significant business
dealings with them and to comply in all material respects with all Laws, Orders
and Permits of all Governmental Authorities applicable to them.
(b)
Charter
Documents.
Constellation shall not amend or propose to amend its, or other than in a manner
that would not materially restrict the operation of their businesses, its
subsidiaries’, articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other comparable
organizational documents).
(c)
Dividends.
Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i)
declare, set aside or pay any dividends on or make other distributions in
respect of any of Constellation Capital Stock or share capital, except:
(A) that
Constellation may continue the declaration and payment of regular quarterly
cash
dividends on Constellation Common Stock, not to exceed $0.335 per share, with
usual record and payment dates for such dividends in accordance with past
dividend practice; provided,
that
(1) the per share amount of the regular quarterly cash dividends on
Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2006 calendar year may exceed
$0.335 by up to 13%, (2) the per share amount of the regular quarterly
46
cash
dividends on Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2007 calendar
year
may exceed by up to 13% the per share amount of the final regular quarterly
cash
dividend on Constellation Common Stock declared during the 2006 calendar
year in
accordance with clause (1) above, and (3) if the Effective Time does not
occur
between a record date and payment date of a regular quarterly dividend, a
special dividend may be declared and paid in respect of Constellation Common
Stock with respect to the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs with
a
record date in such quarter and on or prior to the date on which the Effective
Time occurs, which dividend does not exceed an amount equal to the product
of
(i) a fraction the (x) numerator of which is equal to the number of
days between the last payment date of a regular quarterly dividend and the
record date of such special dividend (excluding such last payment date but
including the record date of such special dividend) and (y) the denominator
of which is equal to the number of days between the last payment date of
a
regular quarterly dividend and the same calendar day in the third month after
the month in which such last payment date occurred (excluding such last payment
date but including such same calendar day), multiplied by (ii) the then
permitted quarterly dividend per share,
(B) for
the declaration and payment of dividends by a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Constellation solely to its parent, or by a direct or indirect
partially owned subsidiary of Constellation (provided that Constellation or
a
Constellation subsidiary receives or is to receive its proportionate share
of
such dividend or distribution), and
(C) for
the declaration and payment of regular cash dividends with respect to preferred
stock of Constellation’s subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement and in accordance with their terms as in effect as of the date of
this
Agreement or permitted to be issued under the terms of this Agreement,
and
(ii)
except for the Stock Split, split, combine, reclassify or take similar action
with respect to any of its capital stock or share capital or issue or authorize
or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
in
substitution for shares of its capital stock or comprised in its share capital,
(iii)
adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for
or
authorizing such liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, or
(iv)
except as disclosed in Section 4.01(c)(iv) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter, directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any
shares of Constellation Capital Stock, any other voting securities or Equity
Interest of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, any Constellation Voting
Debt, any Constellation Other Equity-Based Award or any Option with respect
to
any of the foregoing except:
47
(A) in
connection with intercompany purchases of capital stock or share capital,
(B) for
the purpose of funding the Constellation Stock Plans or dividend reinvestment
and stock purchase plans,
(C) upon
forfeiture of shares of Constellation Restricted Stock for no consideration,
(D) mandatory
repurchases or redemptions of preferred stock of Constellation’s subsidiaries in
accordance with the terms thereof, or
(E) in
connection with the refinancing of capital stock at a lower cost of
funds.
(d)
Share
Issuances.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(d) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter,
Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to
(i) issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the issuance, delivery
or sale of, any shares of Constellation Capital Stock, any other voting security
or Equity Interest of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, any
Constellation Voting Debt, any Constellation Restricted Unit, any Constellation
Performance Unit, any Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards or any Option
with
respect to any of the foregoing (other than (A) the issuance of
Constellation Common Stock upon the exercise of Constellation Employee Stock
Options or the vesting of Constellation Restricted Units or Constellation
Performance Units in accordance with their terms (provided
that the
number of shares of Constellation Common Stock that may be issued pursuant
to
the vesting of Constellation Performance Units does not exceed the number of
shares subject to Constellation Performance Units on the date of this Agreement
(as set forth in Section 3.01(b)(i)(C))), (B) the issuance of
Constellation Common Stock in respect of the vesting or exercise of
Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the Constellation Stock
Plans, the terms of which contemplate such issuance of Constellation Common
Stock, in accordance with their terms, (C) the grant of Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted
Units, Constellation Performance Units and Constellation Other Equity-Based
Awards pursuant to the Constellation Stock Plans in accordance with their terms
providing for the issuance of up to 5,100,000 additional shares, in
aggregate, of Constellation Common Stock or equivalents thereof (provided,
however,
that
any Constellation Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock,
Constellation Restricted Units, Constellation Performance Units and
Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards granted after the date of this Agreement
shall be granted on terms pursuant to which such Constellation Employee Stock
Options, Constellation Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted Units,
Constellation Performance Units and Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards
(1) shall not vest on the Constellation Stockholder Approval or otherwise
in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby,
(2) shall not be cashed out or terminated in connection with the occurrence
of the transactions contemplated hereby, (3) shall not entitle the holders
thereof to any future grants of stock options or other awards
48
(including
any “replacement option” grants), whether in connection with the occurrence of
the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, and (4) shall be
adjusted at the Effective Time to reflect the Stock Split), (D) the
pro
rata issuance by a subsidiary of its capital stock to its stockholders and
(E)
the issuances of Constellation Common Stock pursuant to (1) the Constellation
DRIP and (2) the Constellation Savings Plan in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or (ii) modify or amend any right of any
holder of outstanding shares of Constellation Capital Stock, any other voting
security or Equity Interest of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries,
any
Constellation Voting Debt, any Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards or
any
Option with respect to any of the foregoing, in each case other than to give
effect to Section 5.07.
(e)
Acquisitions;
Capital Expenditures.
(i)
Except for acquisitions identified in Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation
Disclosure Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation,
purchase or otherwise) any person or assets, if (A) the amount to be
expended pursuant thereto exceeds $250,000,000 in any one transaction (or series
of related transactions) or $400,000,000 in the aggregate for all such
acquisitions (provided that if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on
or
prior to December 31, 2006, then the aggregate limit set forth in this clause
(A) shall automatically be increased from $400,000,000 to $650,000,000) or
(B) any such acquisition is reasonably likely, alone or together with any
other condition or event, to materially delay the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction of
such conditions.
(ii)
Except for (A) capital expenditures identified in
Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter,
(B) capital expenditures made in accordance with Constellation =s
capital
expenditure plan included in Section 4.01(e) of the Constellation
Disclosure Letter, (C) capital expenditures (1) required by Law or
Governmental Authorities or (2) incurred in connection with the repair or
replacement of facilities destroyed or damaged due to casualty or accident
(whether or not covered by insurance), and (D) other capital expenditures
in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $125,000,000 on or prior to December
31, 2006, and (y) if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior
to
December 31, 2006, $125,000,000 from and after January 1, 2007, Constellation
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any capital
expenditures.
(f)
Dispositions.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(f) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries
to,
sell, lease, grant any security interest in or otherwise dispose of or encumber
any of its assets or properties or agree to do so, other than
(i) dispositions of obsolete equipment or assets or dispositions of assets
being replaced, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent
with
past practice, (ii) dispositions by Constellation of its utility assets in
accordance with the terms of restructuring and divestiture plans mandated or
approved by applicable local or state regulatory agencies, (iii)
(A) dispositions having an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 on or
prior to December 31, 2006, and (B) if the Effective Time shall not have
occurred
49
on
or
prior to December 31, 2006, dispositions not counted against the foregoing
clause (A) having an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 from and
after January 1, 2007, (iv) grants of Liens in connection with project
financings or (v) grants of Liens by BGE in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice in connection with the issuance of indebtedness
permitted by Section 4.01(g).
(g)
Indebtedness.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(g) of the Constellation Disclosure
Letter, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries
to,
(i) incur or guarantee any indebtedness or enter into any “keep well” or
other agreement to maintain any financial condition of another person or enter
into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing
(including any capital leases, “synthetic” leases or conditional sale or other
title retention agreements) other than (A) short-term borrowings (including
under revolving credit facilities) in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $300,000,000 outstanding at any time for working capital and cash
collateral purposes if incurring such short-term borrowings is not reasonably
likely to cause the long-term credit rating of Constellation, whether prior
to
or after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, as determined
by
any nationally recognized credit agency, to fall below investment grade
(provided
that if
the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to December 31, 2006,
then the aggregate limit set forth in this clause (A) shall automatically
be increased from $300,000,000 to $500,000,000), (B) letters of credit
obtained in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if
obtaining such letter of credit is not reasonably likely to cause the long-term
credit rating of Constellation, whether prior to or after giving effect to
the
transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized
credit agency, to fall below investment grade, (C) borrowings made in
connection with the refunding of existing indebtedness or refinancing of capital
stock (including any pre-funding or exchange) or any financing associated with
any regulatory asset created by any Law or Order of a Governmental Authority
enacted, adopted or issued after the date of this Agreement, (D) borrowings
to finance capital expenditures or acquisitions permitted pursuant to
Section 4.01(e), (E) continuation of guarantees existing as of the
date of this Agreement, or (F) new guarantees entered into in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice if providing such guarantee
is
not reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit rating of Constellation,
whether prior to or after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby,
as determined by any nationally recognized credit agency, to fall below
investment grade; or (ii) make any loans or advances to any other person
except Constellation or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Constellation, other than loans or advances in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$100,000,000.
(h)
Marketing
of Energy; Trading.
Constellation shall operate in compliance with the Constellation Trading
Guidelines in all material respects. In the event of any non-compliance,
Constellation shall take appropriate action to cure such non-compliance. The
Constellation Trading Guidelines may be amended from time to time by
Constellation’s corporate risk management committee to reflect Constellation’s
business operations, provided that no such amendment may increase the
Constellation Approved VaR Limit in effect on the date of this Agreement. If,
at
any time, Constellation’s VaR exceeds the Constellation Approved VaR
Limit,
50
Constellation
shall notify FPL Group of such exceedance and shall take appropriate action
to
reduce Constellation’s VaR to the Constellation Approved VaR Limit.
(i)
Employee
Benefits.
Except
as required by the terms of any collective bargaining agreement or Constellation
Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement, in each
case
as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or as required by Law (including
the
409A Authorities), or as disclosed in Section 4.01(i) of the
Constellation Disclosure Letter, or as otherwise specifically contemplated
by
this Agreement, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, (i) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any
Constellation Employee Benefit Plan or Constellation Employee Benefit Agreement
(other than any amendment that is immaterial or administrative in nature),
or
(ii) except for increases in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, increase in any manner the compensation or benefits of
any
director, executive officer or other employee, or pay any benefit not required
by any plan or arrangement in effect as of the date of this Agreement;
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not restrict Constellation or its
subsidiaries from (A) entering into or making available to newly hired
officers and employees or to officers and employees in the context of promotions
based on job performance or workplace requirements, in each case in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, plans, agreements, benefits
and compensation arrangements (including incentive grants) that have,
consistent with past practice, been made available to newly hired or promoted
officers and employees in similar positions (provided,
however,
that,
any change of control, severance or termination compensation or benefits granted
or materially increased pursuant to this clause (A) shall not vest in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), (B) entering into or
amending collective bargaining agreements with existing collective bargaining
representatives or newly certified bargaining units regarding mandatory subjects
of bargaining under applicable Law, in each of the cases described in this
clause (B) in a manner consistent with past practice to the extent
permitted by Law or (C) selectively increasing compensation of an employee
to
competitive levels on a defensive basis in an effort to retain such employee;
provided
that
such employee is not an executive officer and has no involvement in any such
compensation decision, it being understood that increases applicable to a broad
group of employees are not included within the scope of this
clause (C).
(j)
Regulatory
Status.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(j) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter,
Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, agree
or consent to any material agreements or material modifications of existing
agreements or course of dealings with any Governmental Authority in respect
of
the operations of their businesses, except (i) as required by Law to renew
Permits or agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or (ii) to effect the consummation of the Merger to the extent
such agreements or modifications are not reasonably likely, individually or
in
the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on Constellation or to
materially delay the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction of such
conditions.
51
(k)
Accounting.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(k) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter,
Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make
any changes in their accounting methods, or methods of accounting for Tax
purposes, materially affecting the reported consolidated assets, liabilities
or
results of operations of Constellation, except as required by Law or
GAAP.
(l)
Insurance.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.01(l) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter,
Constellation shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, maintain with
financially responsible insurance companies (or through self-insurance,
consistent with past practice) insurance in such amounts and against such risks
and losses as are customary for companies engaged in their respective
businesses.
(m)
Taxes.
Except
as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Constellation, Constellation shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to (i) settle any claim, action or proceeding relating to
Taxes or (ii) make any Tax election (clause (k) and this
clause (m) being the sole provisions of this Section 4.01 governing
Tax matters).
(n)
Merger
Sub Actions.
Constellation shall not permit Merger Sub to take, or to commit to take, any
action except for actions in connection with the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby as expressly set forth in this
Agreement.
SECTION
4.02. Covenants
of FPL Group.
From and
after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, FPL Group covenants
and agrees as to itself and its subsidiaries that (except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, as set forth in Section 4.02
of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter or to the extent that Constellation shall
otherwise previously consent in writing):
(a)
Ordinary
Course.
FPL
Group and each of its subsidiaries shall conduct their businesses in all
material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, FPL Group and its
subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact in
all
material respects their present business organizations, to maintain in effect
all existing Permits, subject to prudent management of workforce and business
needs, to keep available the services of their key officers and employees,
to
maintain their assets and properties in good working order and condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, to maintain insurance on their tangible assets
and businesses in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are
currently in effect, to preserve their relationships with Governmental
Authorities, customers and suppliers and others having significant business
dealings with them and to comply in all material respects with all Laws, Orders
and Permits of all Governmental Authorities applicable to them.
(b)
Charter
Documents.
FPL
Group shall not amend or propose to amend its, or, other than in a manner that
would not materially restrict the operation of
52
their
businesses, its subsidiaries’, articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other
comparable organizational documents).
(c)
Dividends.
FPL
Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare,
set aside or pay any dividends on or make other distributions in respect of
any
of FPL Group Capital Stock or share capital, except:
(A) that
FPL Group may continue the declaration and payment of regular quarterly cash
dividends on FPL Group Common Stock, not to exceed $0.355 per share, with usual
record and payment dates for such dividends in accordance with past dividend
practice; provided
that
(1) the per share amount of the regular quarterly cash dividends on FPL
Group Common Stock declared during the 2006 calendar year may exceed $0.355
by
up to 6%, (2) the per share amount of the regular quarterly cash dividends
on
FPL Group Common Stock declared during the 2007 calendar year may exceed by
up
to 6% the per share amount of the final regular quarterly cash dividend declared
during 2006 in accordance with clause (1) above, and (3) if the Effective
Time does not occur between a record date and payment date of a regular
quarterly dividend, a special dividend may be declared and paid in respect
of
FPL Group Common Stock with respect to the quarter in which the Effective Time
occurs with a record date in such quarter and on or prior to the date on which
the Effective Time occurs, which dividend does not exceed an amount equal to
the
product of (i) a fraction the (x) numerator of which is equal to the
number of days between the last payment date of a regular quarterly dividend
and
the record date of such special dividend (excluding such last payment date
but
including the record date of such special dividend) and (y) the
denominator of which is equal to the number of days between the last payment
date of a regular quarterly dividend and the same calendar day in the third
month after the month in which such last payment date occurred (excluding such
last payment date but including such same calendar day), multiplied by
(ii) the then permitted quarterly dividend per share,
(B) for
the declaration and payment of dividends by a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of FPL Group solely to its parent, or by a direct or indirect
partially owned subsidiary of FPL Group (provided that FPL Group or a FPL Group
subsidiary receives or is to receive its proportionate share of such dividend
or
distribution), and
(C) for
the declaration and payment of regular cash dividends with respect to preferred
stock of FPL Group’s subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of this Agreement
and in accordance with their terms as in effect as of the date of this Agreement
or permitted to be issued under the terms of this Agreement,
and
53
(ii)
split, combine, reclassify or take similar action with respect to any of its
capital stock or share capital or issue or authorize or propose the issuance
of
any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares
of
its capital stock or comprised in its share capital,
(iii)
adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for
or
authorizing such liquidation or a dissolution, merger, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, or
(iv)
except as disclosed in Section 4.02(c)(iv) of the FPL Group Disclosure
Letter, directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any
shares of FPL Group Capital Stock, any other voting security or Equity Interest
of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, any FPL Group Voting Debt, any FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Award or any Option with respect to any of the
foregoing except:
(A) in
connection with intercompany purchases of capital stock or share capital,
(B) for
the purpose of funding the FPL Group Stock Plans or dividend reinvestment and
stock purchase plans,
(C) upon
forfeiture of shares of FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Unvested ESOP
Stock for no consideration,
(D) mandatory
repurchases or redemptions of preferred stock of FPL Group’s subsidiaries in
accordance with the terms thereof, or
(E) in
connection with the refinancing of capital stock at a lower cost of
funds.
(d)
Share
Issuances.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(d) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL Group
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to (i) issue,
deliver or sell, or authorize or propose the issuance, delivery or sale of,
any
shares of FPL Group Capital Stock, any other voting security or Equity Interest
of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, any FPL Group Voting Debt, or any
FPL
Group Other Equity-Based Awards or any Option with respect to any of the
foregoing (other than (A) the issuance of FPL Group Common Stock upon the
exercise of FPL Group Employee Stock Options and Gexa Warrants in accordance
with their terms, (B) the issuance of FPL Group Common Stock in respect of
the vesting or exercise of FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards granted under
the
FPL Group Stock Plans, the terms of which contemplate such issuance of FPL
Group
Common Stock, in accordance with their terms, (C) the grant of FPL Group
Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards pursuant to the FPL Group Stock Plans in accordance with
their terms, providing for the issuance of up to 5,500,000 additional
shares, in aggregate, of FPL Group Common Stock or equivalents thereof
(provided,
however,
that
any FPL Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group
Other Equity-Based Awards granted after
54
the
date
of this Agreement shall be granted on terms pursuant to which such FPL Group
Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards (1) shall not vest on the FPL Group Shareholder Approval
or
otherwise in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (2) shall not be cashed out or terminated in connection with the
occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby, (3) shall not entitle
the holders thereof to any future grants of stock options or other awards
(including any “replacement option” grants), whether in connection with the
occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, and
(4) shall, at the Effective Time, be converted into options or other
equity-based awards to acquire or in respect of, as applicable, Constellation
Common Stock in the manner contemplated by Section 5.06), (D) the
issuance of FPL Group Preferred Stock in respect of FPL Group Rights,
(E) the pro rata issuance by a subsidiary of its capital stock to its
shareholders, (F) the issuance of FPL Group Common Stock in accordance with
the terms of the FPL Group Equity Units and (G) the issuance of FPL Group Common
Stock pursuant to (1) the FPL Group DRIP and (2) the FPL Group Thrift Plans
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
(ii) modify or amend any right of any holder of outstanding shares of FPL
Group Capital Stock, any other voting security or Equity Interest of FPL Group
or any of its subsidiaries, any FPL Group Voting Debt, any FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards or any Option with respect to any of the foregoing, in
each
case other than to give effect to Section 5.06.
(e)
Acquisitions;
Capital Expenditures.
(i)
Except for acquisitions identified in Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation,
purchase or otherwise) any person or assets, if (A) the amount to be
expended pursuant thereto exceeds $250,000,000 in any one transaction (or series
of related transactions) or $400,000,000 in the aggregate for all such
acquisitions (provided that if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on
or
prior to December 31, 2006, then the aggregate limit set forth in this clause
(A) shall automatically be increased from $400,000,000 to $650,000,000) or
(B) any such acquisition is reasonably likely, alone or together with any
other condition or event, to materially delay the satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or prevent the satisfaction of
such conditions.
(ii)
Except for (A) capital expenditures identified in
Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, (B) capital
expenditures made in accordance with FPL Group=s
capital
expenditure plan included in Section 4.02(e) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, (C) capital expenditures (1) required by Law or
Governmental Authorities or (2) incurred in connection with the repair or
replacement of facilities destroyed or damaged due to casualty or accident
(whether or not covered by insurance), and (D) other capital expenditures
in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $125,000,000 on or prior to
December 31, 2006, and (y) if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on
or
prior to December 31, 2006, $125,000,000 from and after January 1, 2007, FPL
Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any
capital expenditures.
55
(f)
Dispositions.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(f) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter,
FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, sell,
lease, grant any security interest in or otherwise dispose of or encumber any
of
its assets or properties or agree to do so, other than (i) dispositions of
obsolete equipment or assets or dispositions of assets being replaced, in each
case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
(ii) dispositions by FPL Group of its utility assets in accordance with the
terms of restructuring and divestiture plans mandated or approved by applicable
local or state regulatory agencies, (iii) (A) dispositions having an
aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 on or prior to December 31, 2006,
and (B) if the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or prior to
December 31, 2006, dispositions not counted against the foregoing
clause (A) having an aggregate value of less than $150,000,000 from and
after January 1, 2007, (iv) grants of Liens in connection with project
financings or (v) grants of Liens by FPL in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice in connection with the issuance of indebtedness
permitted by Section 4.02(g).
(g)
Indebtedness.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(g) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter,
FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to,
(i) incur or guarantee any indebtedness or enter into any “keep well” or
other agreement to maintain any financial condition of another person or enter
into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing
(including any capital leases, “synthetic” leases or conditional sale or other
title retention agreements) other than (A) short-term borrowings (including
under revolving credit facilities) incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice if incurring such short-term borrowings is not
reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit rating of FPL Group, whether
prior to or after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, as
determined by any nationally recognized credit agency, to fall below investment
grade, (B) letters of credit obtained in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice if obtaining such letter of credit is not
reasonably likely to cause the long-term credit rating of FPL Group, whether
prior to or after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, as
determined by any nationally recognized credit agency, to fall below investment
grade, (C) borrowings made in connection with the refunding of existing
indebtedness or refinancing of capital stock (including any pre-funding or
exchange) or any financing associated with any regulatory asset created by
any
Law or Order of a Governmental Authority enacted, adopted or issued after the
date of this Agreement, (D) borrowings to finance capital expenditures or
acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 4.02(e), (E) continuation
of guarantees existing as of the date of this Agreement or (F) new
guarantees entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past
practice if providing such guarantee is not reasonably likely to cause the
long-term credit rating of FPL Group, whether prior to or after giving effect
to
the transactions contemplated hereby, as determined by any nationally recognized
credit agency, to fall below investment grade or (ii) make any loans or
advances to any other person except FPL Group or any direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group, other than loans or advances in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000.
56
(h)
Marketing
of Energy; Trading.
FPL
Group shall operate in compliance with the FPL Group Trading Guidelines in
all
material respects. In the event of any non-compliance, FPL Group shall take
appropriate action to cure such non-compliance. The FPL Group Trading Guidelines
may be amended from time to time by FPL Group’s corporate risk management
committee to reflect FPL Group’s business operations, provided that no such
amendment may increase the FPL Group Approved VaR Limit in effect on the date
of
this Agreement. If, at any time, FPL Group’s VaR exceeds the FPL Group Approved
VaR Limit, FPL Group shall notify Constellation of such exceedance and shall
take appropriate action to reduce FPL Group’s VaR to the FPL Group Approved VaR
Limit.
(i)
Employee
Benefits.
Except
as required by the terms of any collective bargaining agreement or FPL Group
Employee Benefit Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement, in each case
as
in effect on the date of this Agreement, or as required by Law (including the
409A Authorities), or as disclosed in Section 4.02(i) of the FPL Group
Disclosure Letter, or as otherwise specifically contemplated by this Agreement,
FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to,
(i) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any FPL Group Employee Benefit
Plan or FPL Group Employee Benefit Agreement (other than any amendment that
is
immaterial or administrative in nature), or (ii) except for increases in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, increase in
any
manner the compensation or benefits of any director, executive officer or other
employee, or pay any benefit not required by any plan or arrangement in effect
as of the date of this Agreement; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall not restrict FPL Group or its
subsidiaries from (A) entering into or making available to newly hired
officers and employees or to officers and employees in the context of promotions
based on job performance or workplace requirements, in each case in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, plans, agreements, benefits
and compensation arrangements (including incentive grants) that have,
consistent with past practice, been made available to newly hired or promoted
officers and employees in similar positions (provided,
however,
that,
any change of control, severance or termination compensation or benefits granted
or materially increased pursuant to this clause (A) shall not vest in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement),
(B) entering into or amending collective bargaining agreements with
existing collective bargaining representatives or newly certified bargaining
units regarding mandatory subjects of bargaining under applicable Law, in each
of the cases described in this clause (B), in a manner consistent with past
practice to the extent permitted by Law or (C) selectively increasing
compensation of an employee to competitive levels on a defensive basis in an
effort to retain such employee; provided that such employee is not an executive
officer and has no involvement in any such compensation decision, it being
understood that increases applicable to a broad group of employees are not
included within the scope of this clause (C).
(j)
Regulatory
Status.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(j) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL
Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, agree or
consent to any material agreements or material modifications of existing
agreements or course of dealings with any Governmental Authority in respect
of
the
57
operations
of their businesses, except (i) as required by Law to renew Permits or
agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
or
(ii) to effect the consummation of the Merger to the extent such agreements
or modifications are not reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate,
to
have a material adverse effect on FPL Group or to materially delay the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(d) or 6.03(d) or
prevent the satisfaction of such conditions.
(k)
Accounting.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(k) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL
Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to, make any
changes in their accounting methods, or methods of accounting for Tax purposes,
materially affecting the reported consolidated assets, liabilities or results
of
operations of FPL Group, except as required by Law or GAAP.
(l)
Insurance.
Except
as disclosed in Section 4.02(l) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter, FPL
Group shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, maintain with financially
responsible insurance companies (or through self-insurance, consistent with
past
practice) insurance in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are
customary for companies engaged in their respective businesses.
(m)
Taxes.
Except
as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on FPL
Group, FPL Group shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to
(i) settle any claim, action or proceeding relating to Taxes or
(ii) make any Tax election (clause (k) and this clause (m) being
the sole provisions of this Section 4.02 governing Tax
matters).
SECTION
4.03. No
Solicitation by Constellation.
(a) Constellation, its subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, and their
respective representatives immediately shall cease and cause to be terminated
any activities, discussions or negotiations existing as of the date of this
Agreement with respect to any Constellation Takeover Proposal. Constellation
shall not, nor shall it authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor
shall it authorize or permit any director, officer, employee, investment banker,
financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other advisor, agent or
representative of Constellation or any of its subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage (including by way
of furnishing information), or knowingly take any other action designed to
facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes or
is
reasonably likely to lead to a Constellation Takeover Proposal or
(ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any negotiations or
substantive discussions regarding, or furnish to any person any information
with
respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any Constellation Takeover
Proposal; provided,
however,
that
if, at any time prior to receipt of the Constellation Stockholder Approval
(the
“Constellation
Applicable Period”),
the
Board of Directors of Constellation determines in good faith, after consultation
with its legal and financial advisors, that (x) a Constellation Takeover
Proposal that was not solicited by it and that did not otherwise result from
a
breach of this Section 4.03(a) is, or is reasonably likely to result in, a
Constellation Superior Proposal, and (y) that the failure to take any of the
actions described in clauses (A) or (B) below with respect to any such
Constellation Takeover Proposal would be reasonably likely to result in a breach
of the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors of Constellation to
58
the
stockholders of Constellation under applicable Law, then Constellation shall
promptly (but in any event within 24 hours following the time of such
determination and prior to taking the actions set forth in clauses (A) and
(B)
below) provide to FPL Group written notice that shall (i) state expressly
that
(1) it has received a Constellation Takeover Proposal and (2) Constellation’s
Board of Directors has made the determination set forth in clauses (x) and
(y)
above with respect to such Constellation Takeover Proposal and (ii) also
contain such additional information as required by Section 4.03(c), if not
already provided pursuant to such section (such notice, the “Constellation
Information Notice”)
and
subject to its continuing compliance with Section 4.03(c), Constellation
may (A) furnish information with respect to Constellation and its
subsidiaries to the person making such Constellation Takeover Proposal (and
its
representatives) pursuant to a customary confidentiality and standstill
agreement containing terms no less favorable to Constellation than those
set
forth in the Confidentiality Agreement (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”)
dated
September 6, 2005, between Constellation and FPL Group (provided
that
such confidentiality agreement shall not in any way restrict Constellation
from
complying with its disclosure obligations under this Agreement, including
with
respect to such proposal; provided further,
that to
the extent permitted by Law Constellation will provide to FPL Group copies
of
all written confidential information regarding the businesses of Constellation
and its subsidiaries provided by Constellation to the person making such
Constellation Takeover Proposal promptly following delivery thereof to such
person unless such information has previously been provided to FPL Group,
in
which case Constellation shall only be obligated to promptly provide to FPL
Group a list of such information provided by Constellation to such person)
and
(B) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such Constellation
Takeover Proposal.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Constellation
Takeover Proposal”
means
any bona fide inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to
(i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business or
businesses that constitutes 10% or more of the net revenues, net income or
the
assets (including equity securities) of Constellation and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole (a “Constellation
Material Business”),
(ii) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any
class of voting securities of Constellation or any subsidiary of Constellation
owning, operating or controlling a Constellation Material Business (a
“Constellation
Material Business Subsidiary”),
(iii) any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result
in any person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of voting securities
of Constellation or any Constellation Material Business Subsidiary or
(iv) any merger (including any triangular merger), consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving Constellation or any Constellation Material Business Subsidiary as
a
result of which a third party or the stockholders of a third party would acquire
10% or more of the voting securities of Constellation or such Constellation
Material Business Subsidiary, in each case other than the transactions,
including divestitures, contemplated by this Agreement or transactions solely
among wholly owned subsidiaries of Constellation.
(b) Except
as contemplated by this Section 4.03, neither the Board of Directors of
Constellation nor any committee thereof shall (i) (A) recommend the
approval or adoption of any Constellation Takeover Proposal, (B) withdraw
or modify, in
59
a
manner
adverse to FPL Group, the recommendation by such Board of Directors or such
committee of the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance or any
other transaction contemplated hereby, (C) recommend that the stockholders
of Constellation reject the Constellation Charter Amendment or the Share
Issuance or (D) resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any of the
actions set forth in clauses (A) through (C) above (each such action set
forth in this Section 4.03(b)(i) being referred to herein as a
“Constellation
Adverse Recommendation Change”),
(ii) approve or adopt, or resolve, agree or propose publicly to approve or
adopt, any Constellation Takeover Proposal, (iii) withdraw or modify, or
resolve, agree or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse
to
FPL Group, the approval or adoption by such Board of Directors or such committee
of this Agreement, the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance,
the
Merger or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) determine that
the
Constellation Charter Amendment or the Share Issuance is no longer advisable
to
the extent such determination is necessary in order to validly submit the
Charter Amendment or the Share Issuance to Constellation stockholders at
the
Constellation Stockholders Meeting or (v) cause or permit Constellation to
enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement,
joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or any other agreement (each,
a
“Constellation
Acquisition Agreement”)
related to any Constellation Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality
and
standstill agreement referred to in, and in accordance with,
Section 4.03(a)), or resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any such
actions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Constellation Applicable
Period, the Board of Directors of Constellation may make a Constellation
Adverse
Recommendation Change, if (x) it determines in good faith, after consulting
with
outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would be reasonably
likely
to result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors
of
Constellation to the stockholders of Constellation under applicable Law and
(y)
the Board of Directors of Constellation has provided to FPL Group seven business
days prior written notice of its intent to effect a Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change (which notice shall include the reasonable details
regarding the cause for, and nature of, the Constellation Adverse Recommendation
Change) and, if requested by FPL Group, negotiated in good faith with FPL
Group
during such seven business day period regarding revisions to this Agreement
that
would avoid such Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change; provided
that, if
there are less than seven business days remaining in the Constellation
Applicable Period, references to “seven business days” in this clause (y) shall
be deemed to be the number of business days, if any, remaining in the
Constellation Applicable Period.
Notwithstanding
any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, Constellation shall
nevertheless submit the Constellation Charter Amendment and the Share Issuance
to the stockholders of Constellation for the purpose of obtaining the
Constellation Stockholder Approval at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting
and
nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve Constellation of such
obligation, unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance
with
its terms prior to the Constellation Stockholders Meeting.
For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Constellation
Superior Proposal”
means
any written Constellation Takeover Proposal that the Board of Directors of
60
Constellation
determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to Constellation’s
stockholders than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement after taking into account, among other things:
(i)
all
financial considerations and financial aspects of such Constellation Takeover
Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii)
all
strategic considerations, including whether such Constellation Takeover Proposal
is more favorable from a long-term strategic standpoint,
(iii)
all
legal and regulatory considerations of such Constellation Takeover Proposal
and
the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(iv)
the
identity of the third party making such Constellation Takeover
Proposal,
(v)
the
conditions and likelihood of completion of such Constellation Takeover Proposal
as compared to the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby (taking
into account any necessary regulatory approvals),
(vi)
whether such Constellation Takeover Proposal is likely to impose material
obligations on Constellation (or the post-closing entity in which Constellation
stockholders will hold securities) in connection with obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals,
(vii)
whether such Constellation Takeover Proposal is subject to a financing condition
and the likelihood of such Constellation Takeover Proposal being financed,
and
(viii)
the payment of any Constellation Termination Fee, if relevant,
provided
that in
the definition of “Constellation Takeover Proposal” in Section 4.03(a) (x) all
of the references to “10%” shall be deemed to be references to “50%,” (y) the
reference to “or any subsidiary of Constellation owning, operating or
controlling a Constellation Material Business” shall be deemed to be deleted and
(z) all of the references to “Constellation Material Business Subsidiary” shall
be deemed to be deleted.
(c)
In
addition to the obligations of Constellation set forth in paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this Section 4.03, to the extent permitted by Law Constellation
shall provide prompt written notice to FPL Group of (i) any request for
information by any person who has made or who the Board of Directors or any
senior executive officer of Constellation in good faith believes is reasonably
likely to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal or (ii) any Constellation
Takeover Proposal, in either case within
61
24 hours
of such request for information or the receipt of such Constellation Takeover
Proposal, which notice shall specify the principal terms and conditions of
such
request or Constellation Takeover Proposal and the identity of the person
making
such request or Constellation Takeover Proposal, and Constellation shall
keep
FPL Group promptly informed of the status and details (including amendments
or
proposed amendments, other than as to non-substantive or immaterial matters)
of
any such request or Constellation Takeover Proposal.
(d)
Nothing contained in this Section 4.03 shall prohibit or restrict
Constellation from (i) taking and disclosing to its stockholders a position
contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from
making any disclosure to Constellation’s stockholders if, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of Constellation, after consultation with
outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be inconsistent with its
obligations under applicable Law or (ii) taking actions permitted by
Section 4.01(f).
SECTION
4.04. No
Solicitation by FPL Group.
(a) FPL Group, its subsidiaries and their respective representatives
immediately shall cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions
or negotiations existing as of the date of this Agreement with respect to any
FPL Group Takeover Proposal. FPL Group shall not, nor shall it authorize or
permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize or permit any
director, officer, employee, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant or other advisor, agent or representative of FPL Group or any of
its
subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly
encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or knowingly take any
other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal
that constitutes or is reasonably likely to lead to a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal or (ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any
negotiations or substantive discussions regarding, or furnish to any person
any
information with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any FPL
Group Takeover Proposal; provided,
however,
that
if, at any time prior to receipt of the FPL Group Shareholder Approval (the
“FPL
Group Applicable Period”),
the
Board of Directors of FPL Group determines in good faith, after consultation
with its legal and financial advisors, that (x) a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal that was not solicited by it and that did not otherwise result from
a
breach of this Section 4.04(a) is, or is reasonably likely to result in, a
FPL Group Superior Proposal, and (y) that the failure to take any of the
actions described in clauses (A) or (B) below with respect to any such FPL
Group Takeover Proposal would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of
the
fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors of FPL Group to the shareholders
of FPL Group under applicable Law, then FPL Group shall promptly (but in any
event within 24 hours following the time of such determination and prior to
taking the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) below) provide to
Constellation written notice that shall (i) state expressly that (1) it has
received a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and (2) FPL Group’s Board of Directors
has made the determination set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above with
respect to such FPL Group Takeover Proposal and (ii) also contain such
additional information as required by Section 4.04(c), if not already
provided pursuant to such section (such notice, the “FPL
Group Information Notice”)
and
subject to its continuing compliance with Section 4.04(c), FPL Group may
(A) furnish information with respect to FPL Group and
62
its
subsidiaries to the person making such FPL Group Takeover Proposal (and its
representatives) pursuant to a customary confidentiality and standstill
agreement containing terms no less favorable to FPL Group than those set
forth
in the Confidentiality Agreement (provided
that
such confidentiality agreement shall not in any way restrict FPL Group from
complying with its disclosure obligations under this Agreement, including
with
respect to such proposal; provided further,
that to
the extent permitted by Law FPL Group will provide to Constellation copies
of
all written confidential information regarding the businesses of FPL Group
and
its subsidiaries provided by FPL Group to the person making such FPL Group
Takeover Proposal promptly
following delivery thereof to such person unless such information has previously
been provided to Constellation, in which case FPL Group shall only be obligated
to promptly provide to Constellation a list of such information provided
by FPL
Group to such person) and (B) participate in discussions or negotiations
regarding such FPL Group Takeover Proposal.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “FPL
Group Takeover Proposal”
means
any bona fide inquiry, proposal or offer from any person relating to
(i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business or
businesses that constitutes 10% or more of the net revenues, net income or
the
assets (including equity securities) of FPL Group and its subsidiaries, taken
as
a whole (a “FPL
Group Material Business”),
(ii) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of 10% or more of any
class of voting securities of FPL Group or any subsidiary of FPL Group owning,
operating or controlling a FPL Group Material Business (a “FPL
Group Material Business Subsidiary”),
(iii) any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result
in any person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of voting securities
of FPL Group or any FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary or (iv) any
merger (including any triangular merger), consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving
FPL
Group or any FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary as a result of which a
third
party or the stockholders of a third party would acquire 10% or more of the
voting securities of FPL Group or such FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary,
in each case other than the transactions, including divestitures, contemplated
by this Agreement or transactions solely among wholly owned subsidiaries of
FPL
Group.
(b) Except
as contemplated by this Section 4.04, neither the Board of Directors of FPL
Group nor any committee thereof shall (i) (A) recommend the approval
or adoption of any FPL Group Takeover Proposal, (B) withdraw or modify, in
a manner adverse to Constellation, the recommendation by such Board of Directors
or such committee of this Agreement, the Merger or any other transaction
contemplated hereby, (C) recommend that the shareholders of FPL Group
reject this Agreement or (D) resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any
of the actions set forth in clauses (A) through (C) above (each such action
set forth in this Section 4.04(b)(i) being referred to herein as a
“FPL
Group Adverse Recommendation Change”),
(ii) approve or adopt, or resolve, agree or propose publicly to approve or
adopt, any FPL Group Takeover Proposal, (iii) withdraw or modify, or
resolve, agree or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse
to
Constellation, the approval or adoption by such Board of Directors or such
committee of this Agreement, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated
hereby, (iv) determine that this Agreement or the Merger is no longer
advisable to the
63
extent
such determination is necessary in order to validly submit the Agreement
to FPL
Group shareholders at the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting or (v) cause or
permit FPL Group to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle,
acquisition agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or
any
other agreement (each, a “FPL
Group Acquisition Agreement”)
related to any FPL Group Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality
and
standstill agreement referred to in, and in accordance with,
Section 4.04(a)), or resolve, agree or propose publicly to take any such
actions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the FPL Group Applicable Period,
the Board of Directors of FPL Group may make a FPL Group Adverse Recommendation
Change, if (x) it determines in good faith, after consulting with outside
counsel, that the failure to take such action would be reasonably likely
to
result in a breach of the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors
of FPL
Group to the shareholders of FPL Group under applicable Law, and (y) the
Board of Directors of FPL Group has provided to Constellation seven business
days prior written notice of its intent to effect a FPL Group Adverse
Recommendation Change (which notice shall include the reasonable details
regarding the cause for, and nature of, the FPL Group Adverse Recommendation
Change) and, if requested by Constellation, negotiated in good faith with
Constellation during such seven business day period regarding revisions to
this
Agreement that would avoid such FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change;
provided
that, if
there are less than seven business days remaining in the FPL Group Applicable
Period, references to “seven business days” in this clause (y) shall
be deemed to be the number of business days, if any, remaining in the FPL
Group
Applicable Period.
Notwithstanding
any FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change, FPL Group shall nevertheless submit
this Agreement to the shareholders of FPL Group for the purpose of obtaining
the
FPL Group Shareholder Approval at the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting and nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to relieve FPL Group of such obligation, unless
this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms prior
to
the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting.
For
purposes of this Agreement, a “FPL
Group Superior Proposal”
means
any written FPL Group Takeover Proposal that the Board of Directors of FPL
Group
determines in good faith (after consultation with a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to FPL Group’s
shareholders than the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement after taking into account, among other things:
(i)
all
financial considerations and financial aspects of such FPL Group Takeover
Proposal and the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii)
all
strategic considerations, including whether such FPL Group Takeover Proposal
is
more favorable from a long-term strategic standpoint,
64
(iii)
all
legal and regulatory considerations of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal and
the
Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby,
(iv)
the
identity of the third party making such FPL Group Takeover
Proposal,
(v)
the
conditions and likelihood of completion of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal
as
compared to the Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby (taking into
account any necessary regulatory approvals),
(vi)
whether such FPL Group Takeover Proposal is likely to impose material
obligations on FPL Group (or the post-closing entity in which FPL Group
shareholders will hold securities) in connection with obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals,
(vii)
whether such FPL Group Takeover Proposal is subject to a financing condition
and
the likelihood of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal being financed,
and
(viii)
the payment of any FPL Group Termination Fee, if relevant,
provided
that in
the definition of “FPL Group Takeover Proposal” in Section 4.04(a) (x) all
references to “10%” shall be deemed to be references to “50%”, (y) the
reference to “or any subsidiary of FPL Group owning, operating or controlling a
FPL Group Material Business” shall be deemed to be deleted and (z) all the
references to “FPL Group Material Business Subsidiary” shall be deemed to be
deleted.
(c)
In
addition to the obligations of FPL Group set forth in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section 4.04, to the extent permitted by Law FPL Group shall
provide prompt written notice to Constellation of (i) any request for
information by any person who has made or who the Board of Directors or any
senior executive officer of FPL Group in good faith believes is reasonably
likely to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal or (ii) any FPL Group Takeover
Proposal, in either case within 24 hours of such request for information or
the receipt of such FPL Group Takeover Proposal, which notice shall specify
the
principal terms and conditions of such request or FPL Group Takeover Proposal
and the identity of the person making such request or FPL Group Takeover
Proposal and FPL Group shall keep Constellation promptly informed of the status
and details (including amendments or proposed amendments, other than as to
non-substantive or immaterial matters) of any such request or FPL Group Takeover
Proposal.
(d)
Nothing contained in this Section 4.04 shall prohibit or restrict FPL Group
from (i) taking and disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated
by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any
disclosure to FPL Group’s shareholders if, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of FPL Group, after consultation with outside counsel,
failure so to disclose would be
65
inconsistent
with its obligations under applicable Law or (ii) taking actions permitted
by Section 4.02(f).
SECTION
4.05. Other
Actions.
Constellation, Merger Sub and FPL Group shall not, and shall not permit any
of
their respective subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or that would
reasonably be expected to, cause or result in (i) any of the
representations and warranties of such party set forth in this Agreement that
is
qualified as to materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such
representations and warranties that is not so qualified becoming untrue in
any
material respect or (iii) any condition to the Merger set forth in
Article VI not being satisfied. Each of Constellation and FPL Group shall
give the other prompt written notice of any (x) representation or warranty
of such person that becomes inaccurate to the extent such inaccuracy, either
alone or together with other inaccuracies, would reasonably be expected to
result in a failure of the conditions set forth in Section 6.02(a) or
6.03(a), as applicable, or (y) material breach by such person of any
covenant.
SECTION
4.06. Coordination
of Dividends.
From the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Constellation and FPL Group
shall coordinate with the other regarding the declaration and payment of
dividends in respect of shares of Constellation Common Stock and FPL Group
Common Stock and the record dates and payment dates relating thereto, it being
the intention of Constellation and FPL Group that no holder of Constellation
Common Stock or FPL Group Common Stock shall receive two dividends, or fail
to
receive one dividend, for any single calendar quarter with respect to its shares
of Constellation Common Stock or FPL Group Common Stock, as the case may be,
and/or any shares of Constellation Common Stock any such holder receives in
exchange therefor pursuant to the Merger.
ARTICLE
V
Additional
Agreements
SECTION
5.01. Preparation
of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholders/Stockholders
Meetings.
(a) As
soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, FPL Group and
Constellation shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement
and
Constellation shall prepare and file with the SEC the Form S-4, in which
the Joint Proxy Statement will be included. Each of FPL Group and Constellation
shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Form S-4 declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing.
FPL Group will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy
Statement to be mailed to its shareholders, and Constellation will use its
reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to
its
stockholders, in each case as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4 is
declared effective under the Securities Act. Constellation shall also take
any
action required to be taken under any applicable state or provincial securities
Laws in connection with the issuance of Constellation Common Stock in the Merger
and each party shall furnish all information concerning itself and its
shareholders and stockholders, respectively, as may be reasonably requested
in
connection with any such
66
action.
Constellation will advise FPL Group, promptly after it receives notice thereof,
of the time when the Form S-4 has become effective or any supplement or
amendment has been filed, the issuance of any stop order, the suspension
of the
qualification of the Constellation Common Stock issuable in connection with
the
Merger for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC
for
amendment of the Joint Proxy Statement or the Form S-4 or comments thereon
and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information.
If
prior to the Effective Time any event occurs with respect to FPL Group,
Constellation or any subsidiary of FPL Group or Constellation, respectively,
or
any change occurs with respect to information supplied by or on behalf of
FPL
Group or Constellation, respectively, for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement
or the Form S-4 that, in each case, is required to be described in an
amendment of, or a supplement to, the Joint Proxy Statement or the
Form S-4, FPL Group or Constellation, as applicable, shall promptly notify
the other of such event, and FPL Group or Constellation, as applicable, shall
cooperate with each other in the prompt filing with the SEC of any necessary
amendment or supplement to the Joint Proxy Statement and the Form S-4 and,
as required by Law, in disseminating the information contained in such amendment
or supplement to FPL Group’s shareholders and to Constellation’s
stockholders.
(b)
FPL
Group shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this
Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
shareholders (the “FPL
Group Shareholders Meeting”)
for
the purpose of obtaining the FPL Group Shareholder Approval. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, FPL Group agrees that (i) its obligations
pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.01(b) shall not be
affected by (A) the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or
communication to FPL Group of any FPL Group Takeover Proposal or (B) any
FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change, and (ii) no FPL Group Takeover Proposal
shall be presented to FPL Group’s shareholders for approval at the FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting.
(c)
Constellation shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of
this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
stockholders (the “Constellation
Stockholders Meeting”)
for
the purpose of obtaining the Constellation Stockholder Approval. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Constellation agrees that (i) its
obligations pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.01(c) shall
not be affected by (A) the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure
or communication to Constellation of any Constellation Takeover Proposal or
(B) any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, and (ii) no
Constellation Takeover Proposal shall be presented to Constellation’s
stockholders for approval at the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting.
(d)
FPL
Group and Constellation will use their reasonable best efforts to hold the
Constellation Stockholders Meeting and the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting on
the
same date and as soon as practicable after the date of this
Agreement.
SECTION
5.02. Letters
of FPL Group’s Accountants.
FPL
Group shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to
Constellation two letters from
67
FPL
Group’s independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days
before the date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated
a date within two business days before the Closing Date, each addressed to
Constellation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Constellation
and customary in scope and substance for comfort letters delivered by
independent public accountants in connection with registration statements
similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION
5.03. Letters
of Constellation’s Accountants.
Constellation shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered
to
FPL Group two letters from Constellation’s independent accountants, one dated a
date within two business days before the date on which the Form S-4 shall
become effective and one dated a date within two business days before the
Closing Date, each addressed to FPL Group, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to FPL Group and customary in scope and substance for comfort
letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION
5.04. Access
to Information; Confidentiality; Effect of Review. (a)
Access.
Subject
to the Confidentiality Agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable Law
each
of FPL Group and Constellation shall, and shall cause each of its respective
subsidiaries to, afford to the other party, and to the officers, employees,
accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of such
other
party, pursuant to integration policies to be adopted by the integration leaders
designated by each of Constellation and FPL Group, reasonable access during
normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective Time to all
their
respective properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records
and,
during such period, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of FPL
Group
and Constellation shall, and shall cause each of its respective subsidiaries
to,
(i) confer on a regular and reasonable basis with one or more
representatives of the other party to discuss material operational and
regulatory matters and the general status of its ongoing operations for purposes
related to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including, without limitation, a party’s assessment of the proper accounting
for such transactions, any public disclosures that a party is required to make
regarding such transactions and reasonable access to management and systems
needed for integration planning) or the fulfillment of its obligations under
this Agreement, (ii) advise the other party of any change or event that has
had
or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on such party
and (iii) furnish promptly all other information concerning its business,
properties and personnel, in each case as such other party may reasonably
request in connection with activities relating to the completion of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the fulfillment of its
obligations under this Agreement; provided,
however,
that
(A) no actions shall be taken pursuant to this Section 5.04(a) that (x)
would result in a waiver of the attorney/client privilege or (y) could
reasonably be expected to result in violation of applicable Law, including
antitrust Laws, and (B) each of the parties shall, without being deemed to
have violated this Section 5.04, be permitted to continue to limit the other
party’s access to its wholesale competitive supply business, retail competitive
supply business and wind business to aggregated information per business line
that takes due account of competitive considerations. Subject to the
Confidentiality Agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, each
of
FPL Group and Constellation, so long as
68
consistent
with its confidentiality obligations under its applicable agreements, shall
use
its reasonable best efforts to cause each FPL Group Joint Venture and each
Constellation Joint Venture, respectively, to afford access and take such
other
actions as would be required under the previous sentence as if it was a
subsidiary of FPL Group or Constellation, as the case may be. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if a party requests access to proprietary information of the
other party, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to materially
impair the competitive position or operations of the other party if the Closing
were not to occur (giving effect to the requesting party’s obligations under the
Confidentiality Agreement), such information shall only be disclosed to the
extent reasonably agreed upon by the chief financial officers (or their
designees) of FPL Group and Constellation. Section 5.04(a) of each of the
Constellation Disclosure Letter and the FPL Group Disclosure Letter sets
forth
additional procedures regarding access to information. All information exchanged
pursuant to this Section 5.04(a) shall be subject to the Confidentiality
Agreement.
(b)
Effect
of Review.
No
review pursuant to this Section 5.04 shall have an effect for the purpose
of determining the accuracy of any representation or warranty given by any
of
the parties hereto to any of the other parties hereto.
SECTION
5.05. Regulatory
Matters; Reasonable Best Efforts.
(a)
Regulatory
Approvals.
Each
party hereto shall cooperate and promptly prepare and file all necessary
documentation, applications, notices, petitions and filings, and shall use
reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals and authorizations
of
all Governmental Authorities, necessary or advisable to consummate and make
effective, in the most expeditious manner reasonably practicable, the Merger
and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the FPL Group
Required Statutory Approvals and the Constellation Required Statutory Approvals;
provided,
however,
that
FPL Group shall have primary responsibility for the preparation and filing
of
any related applications, filings or other materials with the FPSC and,
provided
further,
that
Constellation shall have primary responsibility for the preparation and filing
of any related applications, filings or other materials with the MPSC. FPL
Group
shall have the right to review and approve in advance all characterizations
of
the information relating to FPL Group, on the one hand, and Constellation shall
have the right to review and approve in advance all characterizations of the
information relating to Constellation, on the other hand, in either case, that
appear in any application, notice, petition or filing made in connection with
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. FPL Group
and Constellation agree that they will consult and cooperate with each other
with respect to the obtaining of all such necessary approvals and authorizations
of Governmental Authorities.
(b)
Further
Actions.
Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the
parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with
the other parties in doing, all things reasonably necessary or advisable to
consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner reasonably
practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including (i) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings, whether judicial
69
or
administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including seeking to have any
stay
or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental
Authority vacated or reversed, and (ii) the execution and delivery of any
additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, as used in this Section 5.05, “reasonable best efforts”
shall not include nor require any party to (i) sell, or agree to sell, hold
or agree to hold separate, or otherwise dispose or agree to dispose of any
asset, in each case if such sale, separation or disposition or agreement with
respect thereto would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on such party or on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) conduct or agree to
conduct its business in any particular manner if such conduct or agreement
with
respect thereto would individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on such party or on Constellation and its
prospective subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(c)
State
Anti-Takeover Statutes.
Without
limiting the generality of Section 5.05(b), FPL Group and Constellation
shall (i) take all action necessary to ensure that no state anti-takeover
statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes applicable to the Merger,
this Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and (ii) if any state anti-takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation becomes applicable to the Merger, this Agreement or any other
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, take all action necessary to ensure
that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may
be
consummated as promptly as reasonably practicable on the terms contemplated
by
this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or
regulation on the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
SECTION
5.06. FPL
Group Employee Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock, FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards, and FPL Group Stock Plans.
(a)
Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of FPL Group (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the FPL Group Stock Plans) shall adopt
such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the
following:
(i)
adjust the terms of all outstanding FPL Group Employee Stock Options granted
under the FPL Group Stock Plans, whether vested or unvested, as necessary to
provide that, at the Effective Time, each FPL Group Employee Stock Option
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted
automatically, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into
an
option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under
such FPL Group Employee Stock Option, including vesting, a number of shares
of
Constellation Common Stock equal to the number of shares of FPL Group Common
Stock subject to such FPL Group Employee Stock Option immediately before the
Effective Time at an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per
share of such FPL Group Employee Stock Option immediately before the Effective
Time (each, as so adjusted, a “FPL
Group Adjusted Option”);
70
(ii)
provide that each share of FPL Group Restricted Stock shall be converted,
subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split, into one share of
Constellation Restricted Stock (each such share, as so adjusted, the
“FPL
Group Adjusted Restricted Stock”),
on
the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such share of FPL Group
Restricted Stock, including vesting;
(iii)
adjust the terms of all outstanding FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards, whether
vested or unvested, as necessary to provide that each such FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Award outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be
amended and converted, subject to the prior effectiveness of the Stock Split,
into an equity or equity-based award in respect of a number of shares of
Constellation Common Stock (each, a “FPL
Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Award”)
equal
to the number of shares of FPL Group Common Stock subject to such FPL Group
Other Equity-Based Award immediately before the Effective Time, on the same
terms and conditions as were applicable to such FPL Group Other Equity-Based
Award, including vesting, and, if such FPL Group Other Equity-Based Award is
subject to an exercise or subscription price, the exercise or subscription
price
per share of such FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Award shall be equal
to
the exercise or subscription price per share of such FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Award immediately before the Effective Time (rounded up to the
nearest whole cent);
(iv)
use
reasonable best efforts to ensure (A) that the conversion pursuant to
Section 2.01(b) of any FPL Group Common Stock held by any director or
officer of FPL Group who is subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act,
(B) the conversion pursuant to this Section 5.06(a) of any FPL Group
Employee Stock Options held by any such director or officer of FPL Group into
FPL Group Adjusted Options and (C) the conversion pursuant to this
Section 5.06(a) of any FPL Group Restricted Stock or FPL Group Other
Equity-Based Awards held by any such director or officer of FPL Group into
FPL
Group Adjusted Restricted Stock or FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Awards,
in each case will be eligible for exemption under Rule 16b-3(e);
and
(v)
make
such other changes to the FPL Group Stock Plans as FPL Group and Constellation
may agree are appropriate to give effect to the Merger.
(b)
As
soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Constellation shall deliver to
the
holders of FPL Group Adjusted Options, FPL Group Adjusted Restricted Stock
and
FPL Group Adjusted Other Equity-Based Awards (collectively, the “FPL
Group Adjusted Awards”)
appropriate notices setting forth such holders’ rights pursuant to the FPL Group
Stock Plans and the agreements evidencing the grants of such FPL Group Adjusted
Awards, and stating that such FPL Group Adjusted Awards and the related
agreements shall be assumed by Constellation and shall continue in effect on
the
same terms and conditions, including with respect to vesting (subject to the
adjustments required by this Section 5.06 after giving effect to the
Merger).
71
(c)
Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement and except to the extent
required under the respective terms of the FPL Group Employee Stock Options,
FPL
Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards, all restrictions
or limitations on transfer and vesting with respect to such FPL Group Employee
Stock Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other Equity-Based
Awards, to the extent that such restrictions or limitations shall not have
already lapsed, shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the
applicable FPL Group Adjusted Awards after giving effect to the Merger and
the
assumption of such awards by Constellation as set forth above.
(d)
Notwithstanding any provision of Section 5.06(a), FPL Group Employee Stock
Options, FPL Group Restricted Stock and FPL Group Other Equity-Based Awards
granted after the date of this Agreement, as permitted by Section 4.02(d),
(i) shall not vest on the FPL Group Stockholder Approval or otherwise in
connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby,
(ii) shall not be cashed out or terminated in connection with the
occurrence of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) shall not entitle
the holders thereof to any future grants of stock options or other awards
(including any “replacement option” grants), (iv) shall be converted at the
Effective Time into FPL Group Adjusted Awards and (v) shall otherwise
remain in full force and effect and be eligible to become vested in accordance
with their terms following the Effective Time.
(e)
At
the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, the FPL Group Stock Plans shall
be
deemed assumed by Constellation, with the result that all obligations of FPL
Group under the FPL Group Stock Plans, including with respect to awards
outstanding at the Effective Time under the FPL Group Stock Plans, shall be
obligations of Constellation following the Effective Time. Prior to the
Effective Time, Constellation shall take all necessary actions for the
assumption of the FPL Group Stock Plans by Constellation, including the
reservation, issuance and listing of Constellation Common Stock in a number
at
least equal to the number of shares of Constellation Common Stock that will
be
subject to FPL Group Adjusted Awards. As promptly as practicable following
the
Effective Time, Constellation shall use reasonable best efforts to prepare
and
file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or another
appropriate form) registering a number of shares of Constellation Common Stock
determined in accordance with the preceding sentence. Such registration
statement shall be kept effective (and the current status of the prospectus
or
prospectuses required thereby shall be maintained) at least for so long as
FPL
Group Adjusted Awards remain outstanding.
SECTION
5.07. Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock and Constellation
Performance Units.
(a)
Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Constellation (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the Constellation Stock Plans) shall
adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect
the following:
(i)
all
unvested Constellation Employee Stock Options granted under the Constellation
Stock Plans on or prior to the date of this Agreement and
72
outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall immediately vest at the Effective
Time;
(ii) each holder of a Constellation Employee Stock Option granted under the
Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 2002 Senior Management Long-Term
Incentive Plan on or prior to the date of this Agreement and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time will become entitled, immediately
following the Effective Time, to receive, in full satisfaction of the rights
of
such holder with respect thereto, an amount in cash equal to (A) the excess,
if
any, of the fair market value (as defined in the applicable Constellation Stock
Plan) (the “Constellation
Fair Market Value”)
per
share of Constellation Common Stock over the exercise price per share of
Constellation Common Stock subject to such Constellation Employee Stock Option
(as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split), multiplied by (B) the number of shares
of Constellation Common Stock subject to such Constellation Employee Stock
Option (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split); provided
that
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(ii) shall be subject to any
required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption therefrom
and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective Time, without
interest;
(iii)
all
outstanding Constellation Employee Stock Options granted under the Management
Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan, regardless of
whether they were granted before, on or after the date of this Agreement,
(A) shall be adjusted at the Effective Time to reflect the Stock Split and
shall otherwise remain in full force, (B) shall not be cashed out or
terminated in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (C) shall not entitle the holders thereof to any future grants of
stock options or other awards (including any “replacement option” grants) and
(D) shall be eligible to continue to become vested, if unvested immediately
following the Effective Time, and be exercised in accordance with their terms
following the Effective Time;
(iv) each share of
Constellation Restricted Stock and each Constellation Restricted Unit granted
under the Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 2002 Senior Management
Long-Term Incentive Plan on or prior to the date of this Agreement that is
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that, in each case, is
not a
Constellation Performance Stock Award (A) shall be adjusted at the Effective
Time in accordance with Section 5.18 to reflect the Stock Split and (B)
shall immediately vest at the Effective Time, with the holder of such vested
share of Constellation Restricted Stock or Constellation Restricted Unit
becoming entitled, immediately following the Effective Time, to receive, in
full
satisfaction of the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount
in cash equal to the Constellation Fair Market Value of one share of
Constellation Common Stock (as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split);
provided
that
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(iv)(B) shall be subject to
any
required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption therefrom
and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective Time without
interest;
73
(v)
each share of Constellation
Restricted Stock and each Constellation Restricted Unit granted under the
Management Long-Term Incentive Plan or the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan
on or
prior to the date of this Agreement that is outstanding immediately prior
to the
Effective Time, regardless of whether or not such award is a Constellation
Performance Stock Award, in each case, shall be adjusted at the Effective
Time
in accordance with Section 5.18 to reflect the Stock Split and
(A) each such share of Constellation Restricted Stock and each such
Constellation Restricted Unit that becomes vested at the Effective Time pursuant
to the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan shall immediately
vest
at the Effective Time, with the holder of such vested share of Constellation
Restricted Stock or vested Constellation Restricted Unit becoming entitled,
immediately following the Effective Time, to receive, in full satisfaction
of
the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount in cash equal
to
the Constellation Fair Market Value of one share of Constellation Common
Stock
(as adjusted to reflect the Stock Split) (provided
that
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(v)(A) shall be subject to
any
required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption therefrom
and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective Time without interest),
and (B) each such share of Constellation Restricted Stock and each such
Constellation Restricted Unit that does not become vested at the Effective
Time
pursuant to the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan shall remain
in
full force and effect and be eligible to become vested in accordance with
its
terms following the Effective Time; and
(vi)
(A) each Constellation Performance
Unit granted under the Constellation Stock Plans on or prior to the date of
this
Agreement that becomes vested at the Effective Time pursuant to the terms of
the
applicable Constellation Stock Plan (based upon the number of months from the
start of the applicable performance period to the Effective Time) shall
immediately vest at the Effective Time, with the holder of each such
Constellation Performance Unit becoming entitled to receive, in full
satisfaction of the rights of such holder with respect to such award, an amount
in cash equal to $2; provided
that
amounts payable pursuant to this Section 5.07(a)(vi) (A) shall be subject
to any required withholding of taxes or proof of eligibility for exemption
therefrom and shall be paid out within 30 days after the Effective Time without
interest and (B) each Constellation Performance Unit granted on or prior to
the date of this Agreement that does not become vested at the Effective Time
pursuant to the terms of the applicable Constellation Stock Plan shall expire
at
the Effective Time and the holder thereof shall be entitled to no further
payments or benefits with respect thereto.
(b)
Notwithstanding any provision of the preceding Section 5.07(a), Constellation
Employee Stock Options, Constellation Restricted Stock, Constellation Restricted
Units, Constellation Performance Units and Constellation Other Equity-Based
Awards granted after the date of this Agreement, as permitted by Section
4.01(d), (i) shall not vest on the Constellation Stockholder Approval or
otherwise in connection with the occurrence of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (ii) shall not
74
be
cashed
out or terminated in connection with the occurrence of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (iii) shall not entitle the holders thereof to any future
grants of stock options or other awards (including any “replacement option”
grants), (iv) shall be adjusted at the Effective Time to reflect the Stock
Split
and (v) shall otherwise remain in full force and effect and shall be eligible
to
become vested in accordance with their terms following the Effective
Time.
(c)
The
Board of Directors of Constellation (or, if appropriate, any committee
administering the Constellation Stock Plans) shall use reasonable best efforts
to ensure (i) that the adjustment to reflect the Stock Split in accordance
with Section 5.18 of any Constellation Common Stock held by any director or
officer of Constellation who is subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act, (ii) that the cash-out of any Constellation Employee Stock Options and
Constellation Restricted Stock held by any such director or officer of
Constellation that are cashed out in accordance with Section 5.07(a) and
(iii) that the adjustment of any Constellation Employee Stock Options,
Constellation Restricted Stock and Constellation Other Equity-Based Awards
held
by such director or officer of Constellation that are adjusted to reflect the
Stock Split in accordance with Section 5.07(a) or Section 5.07(b), in
each case will be eligible for exemption under Rule 16b-3(e).
SECTION
5.08. Employee
Matters.
(a)
Following the Effective Time, Constellation will (subject to Sections 5.06,
5.07, this Section 5.08 and Section 5.09), and will cause its
subsidiaries to (i) honor all obligations under any contracts, agreements,
collective bargaining agreements, plans and commitments (as such may be amended
in accordance with this Agreement) of FPL Group and its subsidiaries that exist
on the date of this Agreement (or as established or amended in accordance with
or permitted by this Agreement) that apply to any current or former employee,
or
current or former director, of FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries and
(ii) continue to honor all obligations under any contracts, agreements,
collective bargaining agreements, plans and commitments (as such may be amended
in accordance with this Agreement) of Constellation and its subsidiaries that
exist on the date of this Agreement (or as established or amended in accordance
with or permitted by this Agreement) that apply to any current or former
employee, or current or former director, of Constellation or any of its
subsidiaries, including the obligation to issue “replacement options” as
described in Section 4.01(i) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter;
provided,
however,
that
the undertakings set forth in this Section 5.08(a) are not intended to
prevent Constellation and its subsidiaries from enforcing such contracts,
agreements, collective bargaining agreements, plans and commitments (as such
may
be amended in accordance with this Agreement) in accordance with their
respective terms, including any reserved right to amend, modify, suspend, revoke
or terminate any such contract, agreement, collective bargaining agreement
or
commitment.
(b)
At
the Effective Time, it shall be the intent of Constellation, that (subject
to
obligations under applicable Law and applicable collective bargaining
agreements) (i) any reductions in the employee work force of Constellation
and its subsidiaries shall be made on a fair and equitable basis (as determined
by Constellation and its subsidiaries), in light of the circumstances and the
objectives to be achieved,
75
giving
consideration to previous work history, job experience and qualifications and
such other factors as Constellation and its subsidiaries consider appropriate,
without regard to whether employment prior to the Effective Time was with FPL
Group and its subsidiaries or Constellation and its subsidiaries, and any
employees whose employment is terminated or whose jobs are eliminated by
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries during such period shall be entitled
to
participate on a fair and equitable basis (as determined by Constellation and
its subsidiaries) in the job opportunity and employment placement programs
offered by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries for which they are eligible
and (ii) employees shall be entitled to participate in all job training,
career development and educational programs of Constellation and its
subsidiaries for which they are eligible, and shall be entitled to fair and
equitable consideration (as determined by Constellation and its subsidiaries)
in
connection with any job opportunities with Constellation and its subsidiaries,
in each case without regard to whether employment prior to the Effective Time
was with FPL Group and its subsidiaries or Constellation and its
subsidiaries.
(c)
Subject to its obligations under applicable Law and applicable collective
bargaining agreements, Constellation and its subsidiaries shall give credit
under each of their respective employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements
to employees for all service prior to the Effective Time with FPL Group or
its
subsidiaries, as applicable, or any predecessor employer (to the extent that
such credit was given by FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable)
(“Pre-Closing
Service”)
for
all purposes for which such service was taken into account or recognized by
FPL
Group or its subsidiaries, as applicable (including for benefit accrual purposes
under any defined benefit pension plans), but not to the extent crediting such
service would result in duplication of benefits. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Constellation and its subsidiaries shall only be required to provide credit
for
Pre-Closing Service for benefit accrual purposes under a defined benefit pension
plan if such plan is a FPL Group Employee Benefit Plan or if such plan has
assumed the assets or liabilities of a FPL Group Employee Benefit
Plan.
SECTION
5.09. Indemnification,
Exculpation and Insurance.
(a)
Constellation agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable
Law,
all rights to indemnification and exculpation from liabilities for acts or
omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor
of
the current or former directors, officers, employees or fiduciaries under
benefit plans currently indemnified by FPL Group and its subsidiaries or by
Constellation and its subsidiaries, as provided in their respective articles
or
certificates of incorporation, by-laws (or comparable organizational documents)
or other agreements providing indemnification shall survive the Merger and
shall
continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. In addition,
from and after the Effective Time, directors, officers, employees and
fiduciaries under benefit plans currently indemnified by FPL Group or its
subsidiaries or by Constellation and its subsidiaries who become or remain
directors, officers, employees or fiduciaries under benefit plans of
Constellation will be entitled to the indemnity rights and protections afforded
to directors, officers, employees and fiduciaries under benefit plans of
Constellation.
76
(b)
For
six years after the Effective Time, Constellation shall, or shall cause the
Surviving Corporations to, maintain in effect the directors and officers
liability (and fiduciary) insurance policies currently maintained by
Constellation and FPL Group covering acts or omissions occurring prior to the
Effective Time with respect to those persons who are currently covered by
Constellation’s or FPL Group’s, as the case may be, directors and officers
liability insurance policies on terms with respect to such coverage and in
amounts no less favorable than those set forth in the relevant policy in effect
on the date of this Agreement. If such insurance coverage cannot be maintained,
Constellation shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, maintain
the
most advantageous policies of directors and officers insurance otherwise
obtainable.
(c)
The
provisions of Section 5.09(a) (i) are intended to be for the benefit
of, and will be enforceable by, each indemnified party, his or her heirs and
his
or her representatives and (ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution
for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such person
may have by contract or otherwise.
SECTION
5.10. Fees
and Expenses.
(a)
Except as provided in this Section 5.10, all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses,
whether or not the Merger is consummated, except that each of Constellation
and
FPL Group shall bear and pay one-half of the costs and expenses incurred in
connection with (i) the filing, printing and mailing of the Form S-4
and the Joint Proxy Statement (including SEC filing fees) and (ii) the
filings of the premerger notification and report forms under the HSR Act
(including filing fees).
(b)
In
the event that
(i)
following the Constellation Stockholder Approval, a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior
executive officer of Constellation or shall have been made directly to
Constellation’s stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an
intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal
and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either Constellation or FPL
Group
pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i),
(ii) prior
to or during the Constellation Stockholders Meeting (or any subsequent meeting
of Constellation stockholders at which it is proposed that the Constellation
Charter Amendment or the Share Issuance be approved), a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been publicly disclosed or any person shall have publicly
announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation
Takeover Proposal and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either
Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(iii),
or
(iii) this
Agreement is terminated by FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(f)(i)
77
then
subject to clauses (A), (B) and (C) below, Constellation shall pay FPL Group,
upon the first to occur of such events, a fee equal to $425,000,000 (the
“Constellation
Termination Fee”)
in
immediately available funds minus any amounts as may have been previously paid
by Constellation pursuant to Section 5.10(d) and any fee as may have been
previously paid pursuant to clause (B) of the next sentence.
Notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary:
(A)
no
Constellation Termination Fee shall be payable to FPL Group
(I)
pursuant to Section 5.10 (b)(i) unless prior to the 12 month
anniversary of such termination Constellation or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any Constellation Acquisition Agreement or consummates any Constellation
Takeover Proposal,
(II)
pursuant to Section 5.10 (b)(ii) unless prior to the 24 month
anniversary of such termination Constellation or any of its subsidiaries enters
into any Constellation Acquisition Agreement or consummates any Constellation
Takeover Proposal or
(III)
pursuant to Section 5.10 (b)(iii) unless (x) a Constellation Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior
executive officer of Constellation or shall have been made directly to
Constellation’s stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an
intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover
Proposal, (y) thereafter there shall occur a Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the 24 month anniversary of the
termination of this Agreement by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i)
Constellation or any of its subsidiaries enters into any Constellation
Acquisition Agreement or consummates any Constellation Takeover Proposal,
(for
the
purposes of this clause (A), the terms “Constellation
Acquisition Agreement”
and
“Constellation
Takeover Proposal”
shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in Section 4.03 except that the
references to “10%” in the definition of “Constellation Takeover Proposal” in
Section 4.03(a) shall be deemed to be references to “35%”);
(B)
If
(x) a Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board
of
Directors or any senior executive officer of Constellation or shall have been
made directly to Constellation’s stockholders or any person shall have publicly
announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a Constellation
Takeover Proposal, (y) thereafter there shall occur a Constellation Adverse
Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the termination of this Agreement by
FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i), the Constellation Stockholders
Meeting shall have occurred and the Constellation Stockholder Approval shall
not
have been obtained, then Constellation shall promptly after
such Constellation Stockholder Approval was not obtained pay
to
78
FPL
Group
a fee equal to $100,000,000 (which fee shall not be reduced by any amounts
paid
by Constellation pursuant to Section 5.10(d)), and
(C)
if
this Agreement is terminated by FPL Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i) as
a result of the Board of Directors of Constellation (or any committee thereof)
having made a Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change primarily due to
adverse conditions, events or actions of or relating to FPL Group that would
result in the failure of a condition to each of Constellation’s and Merger Sub’s
obligations to effect the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
to be satisfied, then the Constellation Termination Fee and/or the $100,000,000
fee described in clause (B) above shall not be payable and in any related
judicial, court or tribunal proceeding, whether brought or initiated by FPL
Group or Constellation, Constellation shall have the burden of proving that
such
Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change was primarily due to such adverse
conditions, events or actions of or relating to FPL Group.
In
any
event, the aggregate amount paid by Constellation pursuant to this Section
5.10(b) and Section 5.10(d) shall not exceed $425,000,000.
Any
Constellation Termination Fee or other amount that becomes payable by
Constellation pursuant to this Section 5.10(b) shall be paid as promptly as
possible after
the
occurrence of the last requirement triggering such payment hereunder
by
wire
transfer of immediately available funds.
(c)
In
the event that
(i)
following the FPL Group Shareholder Approval, a FPL Group Takeover Proposal
shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior executive
officer of FPL Group or shall have been made directly to FPL Group’s
shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and thereafter this
Agreement is terminated by either Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(i),
(ii)
prior to or during the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting (or any subsequent meeting
of FPL Group shareholders at which it is proposed that this Agreement be
approved), a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have been publicly disclosed
or
any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not
conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal and thereafter this Agreement
is terminated by either Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(ii), or
(iii)
this Agreement is terminated by Constellation pursuant to
Section 7.01(e)(i),
then
subject to clauses (A), (B) and (C) below FPL Group shall pay Constellation,
upon the first to occur of such events, a fee equal to $650,000,000 (the
“FPL
Group Termination Fee”)
in
immediately available funds minus any amounts as may have been
79
previously
paid by FPL Group pursuant to Section 5.10(e) and any fee as may have been
previously paid pursuant to clause (B) of the next sentence.
Notwithstanding
any provision herein to the contrary:
(A)
no
FPL Group Termination Fee shall be payable to Constellation
(I) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (c)(i) unless prior to the 12 month anniversary
of such termination FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries enters into any FPL
Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group Takeover
Proposal,
(II) pursuant
to Section 5.10 (c)(ii) unless prior to the 24 month anniversary
of such termination FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries enters into any FPL
Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group Takeover Proposal
or
(III)
pursuant to Section 5.10 (c)(iii) unless (x) a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior
executive officer of FPL Group or shall have been made directly to FPL Group’s
shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal, (y) thereafter there
shall occur a FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change and (z) prior to the
24 month anniversary of the termination of this Agreement by Constellation
pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i) FPL Group or any of its subsidiaries enters
into
any FPL Group Acquisition Agreement or consummates any FPL Group Takeover
Proposal,
(for
the
purposes of this clause (A), the terms “FPL
Group Acquisition Agreement”
and
“FPL
Group Takeover Proposal”
shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in Section 4.04 except that the
references to “10%” in the definition of “FPL Group Takeover Proposal” in
Section 4.04(a) shall be deemed to be references to “35%”),
(B)
if
(x) a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of
Directors or any senior executive officer of FPL Group or shall have been made
directly to FPL Group’s shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced
an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal,
(y) thereafter there shall occur a FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change
and
(z) prior to the termination of this Agreement by Constellation pursuant to
Section 7.01(e)(i), the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting shall have occurred
and the FPL Group Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained, then FPL
Group shall promptly after
such FPL Group Shareholder Approval was not obtained pay
to
Constellation a fee equal to $100,000,000 (which fee shall not be reduced by
any
amounts paid by FPL Group pursuant to Section 5.10(e)), and
(C)
if
this Agreement is terminated by Constellation pursuant to
Section 7.01(e)(i) as a result of the Board of Directors of FPL Group (or
any committee thereof) having made a
80
FPL
Group
Adverse Recommendation Change primarily due to adverse conditions, events or
actions of or relating to Constellation that would result in the failure of
a
condition to FPL Group’s obligation to effect the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby to be satisfied, then the FPL Group Termination
Fee and/or the $100,000,000 fee described in clause (B) above shall not be
payable and in any related judicial, court or tribunal proceeding, whether
brought or initiated by FPL Group or Constellation, FPL Group shall have the
burden of proving that such FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change was
primarily due to such adverse conditions, events or actions of or relating
to
Constellation.
In
any
event, the aggregate amount paid by FPL Group pursuant to this Section 5.10(c)
and Section 5.10(e) shall not exceed $650,000,000.
Any
FPL
Group Termination Fee or other amount that becomes payable by FPL Group pursuant
to this Section 5.10(c) shall be paid as promptly as possible after
the
occurrence of the last requirement triggering such payment hereunder
by
wire
transfer of immediately available funds.
(d)
If
this Agreement is terminated (A) by Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(i) (and following the Constellation Stockholder Approval a
Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of
Directors of Constellation or any of its senior executive officers or shall
have
been made directly to Constellation’s stockholders or any person shall have
publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a
Constellation Takeover Proposal), (B) by Constellation or FPL Group pursuant
to
Section 7.01(b)(iii) (after the public disclosure of a Constellation
Takeover Proposal or the announcement by any person of the intention (whether
or
not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal) or (C) by FPL
Group pursuant to Section 7.01(f)(i) (if at any time prior to the
Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change, a Constellation Takeover Proposal
shall have been made known to the Board of Directors or any senior executive
officer of Constellation or shall have been made directly to Constellation’s
stockholders or any person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether
or not conditional) to make a Constellation Takeover Proposal), in the case
of
each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), unless Constellation has
previously paid the Constellation Termination Fee in full, Constellation shall
reimburse FPL Group promptly upon demand, but in no event later than three
business days after the date of such demand, by wire transfer of immediately
available funds, for all reasonable out-of-pocket third-party fees and expenses
incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, FPL Group in connection with the Merger
or
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all reasonable
out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside counsel, investment banking firms,
outside accountants, third-party experts and third-party consultants to FPL
Group; provided,
however,
that
Constellation shall not be obligated to reimburse expenses pursuant to this
Section 5.10(d) in excess of $40,000,000 in the aggregate unless
Constellation is or shall have been required to pay FPL Group the $100,000,000
fee described in clause (B) of the second sentence of Section 5.10(b) (in which
event the $40,000,000 limitation on Constellation’s reimbursement obligation
shall not apply).
81
(e)
If
this Agreement is terminated (A) by Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(i) (and following the FPL Group Shareholder Approval a FPL
Group Takeover Proposal shall have been made known to the Board of Directors
of
FPL Group or any of its senior executive officers or shall have been made
directly to FPL Group’s shareholders or any person shall have publicly announced
an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal), (B) by Constellation or FPL Group pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(ii) (after the public disclosure of a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal or the announcement by any person of the intention (whether or not
conditional) to make a FPL Group Takeover Proposal) or (C) by Constellation
pursuant to Section 7.01(e)(i) (if at any time prior to the FPL Group Adverse
Recommendation Change, a FPL Group Takeover Proposal shall have been made known
to the Board of Directors or any senior executive officer of FPL Group or shall
have been made directly to FPL Group’s shareholders or any person shall have
publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make a FPL
Group
Takeover Proposal), in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and
(C), unless FPL Group has previously paid the FPL Group Termination Fee in
full,
FPL Group shall reimburse Constellation promptly upon demand, but in no event
later than three business days after the date of such demand, by wire transfer
of immediately available funds, for all reasonable out-of-pocket third-party
fees and expenses incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, Constellation in
connection with the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of outside counsel,
investment banking firms, outside accountants, third-party experts and
third-party consultants to Constellation; provided,
however,
that
FPL Group shall not be obligated to reimburse expenses pursuant to this
Section 5.10(e) in excess of $40,000,000 in the aggregate unless the FPL
Group is or shall have been required to pay Constellation the $100,000,000
fee
described in clause (B) of the second sentence of Section 5.10(c) (in which
event the $40,000,000 limitation on FPL Group’s reimbursement obligation shall
not apply).
(f)
Constellation acknowledges that the agreements contained in
Sections 5.10(b) and 5.10(d) are an integral part of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, FPL Group
would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if Constellation fails
promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to Section 5.10(b) or 5.10(d), and,
in order to obtain such payment, FPL Group commences a suit that results in
a
judgment against Constellation for the fees set forth in Section 5.10(b) or
5.10(d), Constellation shall pay to FPL Group its costs and expenses (including
attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with such suit, together with
interest on the amount of the fee at the prime rate of Citibank N.A. in effect
on the date such payment was required to be made.
(g)
FPL
Group acknowledges that the agreements contained in Sections 5.10(c) and
5.10(e) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and that, without these agreements, Constellation would not enter into this
Agreement; accordingly, if FPL Group fails promptly to pay the amount due
pursuant to Section 5.10(c) or 5.10(e), and, in order to obtain such
payment, Constellation commences a suit that results in a judgment against
FPL
Group for the fees set forth in Section 5.10(c) or 5.10(e), FPL Group shall
pay to Constellation its
82
costs
and
expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses) in connection with such suit,
together with interest on the amount of the fee at the prime rate of Citibank
N.A. in effect on the date such payment was required to be made.
SECTION
5.11. Public
Announcements.
Constellation and FPL Group will consult with each other before issuing, and
provide each other the reasonable opportunity to review, comment upon and concur
with, any press release or other public statements with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and shall
not
issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation, except as any party, after consultation with counsel, may
determine is required by applicable Law.
SECTION
5.12. Affiliates.
As soon
as practicable after the date of this Agreement, FPL Group shall deliver to
Constellation, a letter identifying all persons who are, at the time this
Agreement is submitted for approval by the shareholders of FPL Group,
“affiliates” of FPL Group for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities
Act. FPL Group shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such person
to deliver to Constellation as of the Closing Date, a written agreement
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.
SECTION
5.13. NYSE
Listing.
Constellation shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of
Constellation Common Stock issuable to FPL Group’s shareholders as contemplated
by this Agreement to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement,
and in any event prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION
5.14. Shareholder
Litigation.
Each of
Constellation and FPL Group shall give the other the reasonable opportunity
to
consult concerning the defense of any shareholder litigation against
Constellation or FPL Group, as applicable, or any of their respective directors
relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION
5.15. Tax
Treatment.
It is
intended that (a) the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, (b) this Agreement will
constitute a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361
of the Code, and (c) FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will each be a
party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the
Code. For tax purposes, each of FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub will
report the Merger in a manner consistent with this Section. Each of
Constellation and FPL Group shall not, and shall not permit any of their
respective subsidiaries to, voluntarily take any action, or fail to take any
action, that would, or would reasonably be expected to, result in (i) the
inability of the Merger to constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code or (ii) the inability of Constellation or
FPL Group to obtain the opinions of counsel referred to in Sections 6.02(c)
and 6.03(c).
SECTION
5.16. Transfer
Taxes.
All
stock transfer, real estate transfer, documentary, stamp, recording and other
similar Taxes (including interest, penalties and additions to any such Taxes)
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
83
transactions
contemplated hereby (“Transfer
Taxes”)
shall
be paid by FPL Group or the Surviving Corporation. For the avoidance of doubt,
in no case shall Transfer Taxes be paid by shareholders of either FPL Group
or
Constellation.
SECTION
5.17. Standstill
Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements.
During
the period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, neither
Constellation nor FPL Group shall terminate, amend, modify or waive any
provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which it or any
of
its respective subsidiaries is a party unless required by applicable Law
(including the Board of Directors fiduciary obligations) other than any
immaterial terminations, amendments, modifications or waivers. During such
period, Constellation or FPL Group, as the case may be, shall enforce, to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, the provisions of any such
agreement, including by obtaining injunctions to prevent any breaches of such
agreements and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions
thereof.
SECTION
5.18. Stock
Split.
Constellation shall take all actions necessary to cause the Stock Split to
become effective immediately prior to the Effective Time (provided that
Constellation’s obligation to cause the Stock Split to become effective shall be
subject to the prior satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by
applicable Law), as applicable, of each of the conditions to the respective
obligation of each party to effect the Merger set forth in Article VI
(other than Section 6.01(e))).
ARTICLE
VI
Conditions
Precedent
SECTION
6.01. Conditions
to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger.
The
respective obligation of each party to effect the Merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a)
Shareholder/Stockholder
Approvals.
Each of
the Constellation Stockholder Approval and the FPL Group Shareholder Approval
shall have been obtained.
(b)
No
Injunctions or Restraints.
No
(i) temporary restraining order or preliminary or permanent injunction or
other Order by any Federal or state court of competent jurisdiction preventing
consummation of the Merger or (ii) applicable Federal or state Law
prohibiting consummation of the Merger (collectively, “Restraints”)
shall
be in effect.
(c)
Form S-4.
The
Form S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall not
be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop
order.
(d)
NYSE
Listing.
The
shares of Constellation Common Stock issuable to FPL Group’s shareholders as
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved for listing on the
NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance.
84
(e)
Stock
Split.
The
Stock Split shall have become effective.
SECTION
6.02. Conditions
to Obligations of Constellation and Merger Sub.
The
obligation of each of Constellation and Merger Sub to effect the Merger is
further subject to satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions:
(a)
Representations
and Warranties.
(i) The
representations and warranties of FPL Group set forth herein shall be true
and
correct both when made and at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and
as
of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in
which case as of such date), except where the failure of such representations
and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any
limitation as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect” set forth therein)
(A) does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or
in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on FPL Group and (B) would not
reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term value of FPL Group
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(ii)
The
representations and warranties of FPL Group set forth in Section 3.02(b)
shall be true and correct in all material respects both when made and at
and as
of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the extent
expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such
date).
(b)
Performance
of Obligations of FPL Group.
FPL
Group shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required
to
be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date.
(c)
Tax
Opinion.
Constellation shall have received from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to
Constellation, on the Closing Date, its opinion, dated as of such date, stating
that (i) the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) that each of FPL Group,
Constellation and Merger Sub will be a “party to the reorganization” within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel
for Constellation shall be entitled to rely upon representations of officers
of
Constellation, FPL Group and Merger Sub substantially in the form set forth
in
Section 6.02(c) of the Constellation Disclosure Letter.
(d)
Statutory
Approvals.
The
Constellation Required Statutory Approvals and the FPL Group Required Statutory
Approvals shall have been obtained (including, in each case, the expiration
or
termination of the waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR
Act applicable to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement) at or prior to the Effective Time, such approvals shall have become
Final Orders and such Final Orders shall not impose terms or conditions that,
individually or in the aggregate, (i) would reasonably be expected to have
a
material adverse effect on (A) Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries, (B) Constellation or (C) FPL Group and (ii) would
reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term value of
(A) Constellation and its prospective subsidiaries taken as a whole,
(B) Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
85
(C) FPL
Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. A “Final
Order”
means
action by the relevant Governmental Authority that has not been reversed,
stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or suspended, with respect to which any
waiting period prescribed by Law before the transactions contemplated hereby
may
be consummated has expired, and as to which all conditions to the consummation
of such transactions prescribed by Law, regulation or Order have been
satisfied.
(e)
No
Material Adverse Effect.
Except
as disclosed in the Filed FPL Group SEC Reports or Section 3.02(f) of the
FPL Group Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2004, there shall not have
been any change, event or development that, individually or in the aggregate,
(i) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on FPL Group and (ii) would reasonably be expected to materially
decrease the long-term value of FPL Group and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(f)
Closing
Certificates.
Constellation shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer
of FPL Group, dated the Effective Time, to the effect that, to such officer’s
knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.02(a), 6.02(b) and
6.02(e) have been satisfied.
SECTION
6.03. Conditions
to Obligations of FPL Group.
The
obligation of FPL Group to effect the Merger is further subject to satisfaction
or waiver of the following conditions:
(a)
Representations
and Warranties.
(i) The
representations and warranties of Constellation and Merger Sub set forth herein
shall be true and correct both when made and at and as of the Closing Date,
as
if made at and as of such time (except to the extent expressly made as of an
earlier date, in which case as of such date), except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect
to any limitation as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect” set forth
therein) (A) does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Constellation
and
(B) would not reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term
value of Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(ii)
The
representations and warranties of Constellation and Merger Sub set forth in
Section 3.01(b) shall be true and correct in all material respects both
when made and at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time
(except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as
of
such date).
(b)
Performance
of Obligations of Constellation.
Constellation shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
Date.
(c)
Tax
Opinion.
FPL
Group shall have received from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to
FPL Group, on the Closing Date, its opinion, dated as of such date, stating
that
(i) the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the
86
meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code and (ii) that each of FPL Group,
Constellation and Merger Sub will be a “party to the reorganization” within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel
for FPL Group shall be entitled to rely upon representations of officers of
Constellation, FPL Group and Merger Sub substantially in the form set forth
in
Section 6.03(c) of the FPL Group Disclosure Letter.
(d)
Statutory
Approvals.
The
Constellation Required Statutory Approvals and the FPL Group Required Statutory
Approvals shall have been obtained (including, in each case, the expiration
or
termination of the waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR
Act applicable to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement) at or prior to the Effective Time, such approvals shall have become
Final Orders and such Final Orders shall not impose terms or conditions that,
individually or in the aggregate, (i) would reasonably be expected to have
a
material adverse effect on (A) Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries, (B) Constellation or (C) FPL Group and (ii) would
reasonably be expected to materially decrease the long-term value of
(A) Constellation and its prospective subsidiaries taken as a whole,
(B) Constellation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (C) FPL
Group and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(e)
No
Material Adverse Effect.
Except
as disclosed in the Filed Constellation SEC Reports or Section 3.01(f) of
the Constellation Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2004, there shall
not have been any change, event or development that, individually or in the
aggregate, (i) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Constellation and (ii) would reasonably be expected to
materially decrease the long-term value of Constellation and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
(f)
Closing
Certificates.
FPL
Group shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of
Constellation, dated the Effective Time, to the effect that, to such officer’s
knowledge, the conditions set forth in Sections 6.03(a), 6.03(b) and
6.03(e) have been satisfied.
SECTION
6.04. Frustration
of Closing Conditions.
Neither
Constellation, Merger Sub nor FPL Group may rely on the failure of any condition
set forth in Section 6.01, 6.02 or 6.03, as the case may be, to be
satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s material breach of this
Agreement, or failure to use reasonable best efforts to consummate the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement subject to the
qualifications set forth in Section 5.05.
ARTICLE
VII
Termination,
Amendment and Waiver
SECTION
7.01. Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time,
only:
87
(a) by
mutual written consent of Constellation, Merger Sub and FPL Group;
(b) by
either Constellation or FPL Group:
(i) if
the Merger shall not have been consummated by December 31, 2006 (the
“Initial
Termination Date”);
provided,
however,
that
the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b)(i)
shall not be available to any party whose failure to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement results in the failure of the Merger to be
consummated by such time; and provided,
further,
that,
if on the Initial Termination Date the conditions to the Closing set forth
in
Sections 6.01(b), 6.02(d) and/or 6.03(d) shall not have been fulfilled but
all other conditions to the Closing shall have been fulfilled or shall be
capable of being fulfilled, then the Initial Termination Date shall be extended
to June 30, 2007;
(ii) if
the FPL Group Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a FPL Group
Shareholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof;
(iii) if
the Constellation Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a
Constellation Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment
or postponement thereof;
(iv) if
any Restraint having any of the effects set forth in Section 6.01(b) shall
be in effect and shall have become final and nonappealable; provided
that the
party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.01(b)(iv) shall have used its reasonable best efforts to prevent
the entry of and to remove such Restraint; or
(v) if
any condition to the obligation of such party to consummate the Merger set
forth
in Section 6.02 (in the case of Constellation) or in Section 6.03 (in
the case of FPL Group) becomes incapable of satisfaction prior to the Initial
Termination Date (or, if the Initial Termination Date is extended in accordance
with the second proviso to Section 7.01(b)(i), such date as extended);
provided,
however,
that
the failure of any such condition to be capable of satisfaction is not the
result of a material breach of this Agreement by the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement.
(c)
by
Constellation, if FPL Group shall have breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform
(A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in
Section 6.02(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being cured by FPL
Group or is not
88
cured
by
FPL Group within 75 days following receipt of written notice from
Constellation of such breach or failure to perform;
(d)
by
FPL Group, if Constellation shall have breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform
(A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in
Section 6.03(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being cured by
Constellation or is not cured by Constellation within 75 days following receipt
of written notice from FPL Group of such breach or failure to
perform;
(e)
by
Constellation, if the Board of Directors of FPL Group (or any committee thereof)
(i) shall make any FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change or
(ii) shall fail to reaffirm its recommendation of this Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby within 15 business days
of
receipt of Constellation’s written request at any time when a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal shall have been made and not rejected by the Board of Directors of
FPL
Group (provided,
that,
such 15 business day period shall be extended for 10 business days
following any material modification to such FPL Group Takeover Proposal
occurring after the receipt of Constellation’s written request and provided,
further,
that
such 15 business day period shall recommence each time a FPL Group Takeover
Proposal has been made following the receipt of Constellation’s written request
by a person that had not made a FPL Group Takeover Proposal prior to the receipt
of Constellation’s written request), provided,
that,
in the event that (x) the Board of Directors of FPL Group publicly rescinds
and repudiates any FPL Group Adverse Recommendation Change and reaffirms its
recommendation of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby prior to the FPL Group Shareholders Meeting or (y) the
FPL Group Shareholder Approval is obtained at the FPL Group Shareholders
Meeting, Constellation shall no longer be entitled to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 7.01(e) if it has not done so prior to such
rescission, repudiation and reaffirmation or such FPL Group Shareholder
Approval, as the case may be; or
(f)
by
FPL Group, if the Board of Directors of Constellation (or any committee thereof)
(i) shall make any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change or
(ii) shall fail to reaffirm its recommendation of the Constellation Charter
Amendment, the Share Issuance and the other transactions contemplated hereby
within 15 business days of receipt of FPL Group’s written request at any
time when a Constellation Takeover Proposal shall have been made and not
rejected by the Board of Directors of Constellation (provided,
that
such 15 business day period shall be extended for 10 business days
following any material modification to such Constellation Takeover Proposal
occurring after the receipt of FPL Group’s written request and provided,
further,
that
such 15 business day period shall recommence each time a Constellation
Takeover Proposal has been made following the receipt of FPL Group’s written
request by a person that had not made a Constellation Takeover Proposal prior
to
the receipt of
89
FPL
Group’s written request), provided,
that,
in the event that (x) the Board of Directors of Constellation publicly
rescinds and repudiates any Constellation Adverse Recommendation Change and
reaffirms its recommendation
of the Constellation Charter Amendment, the Share Issuance and the other
transactions contemplated hereby
prior to
the Constellation Stockholders Meeting or (y) the Constellation Stockholder
Approval is obtained at the Constellation Stockholders Meeting, FPL Group shall
no longer be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 7.01(f) if it has not done so prior to such rescission, repudiation
and reaffirmation or such Constellation Stockholder Approval, as the case may
be.
SECTION
7.02. Effect
of Termination.
In the
event of termination of this Agreement by either Constellation or FPL Group
as
provided in Section 7.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become null and
void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of
Constellation, Merger Sub or FPL Group, other than the provisions of
Section 3.01(w), Section 3.02(w), the last sentence of
Section 5.04(a), Section 5.10, Section 5.11, this
Section 7.02 and Article VIII, which provisions survive such
termination, and except to the extent that such termination results from the
breach by a party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements set forth in this Agreement, (other than a breach of such party’s
representations or warranties that is not willful), in which case such
termination shall not relieve any party of any liability or damages resulting
from its breach of this Agreement (including any such case in which the FPL
Group Termination Fee or the Constellation Termination Fee is, or any expenses
of Constellation or FPL Group in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement are, payable pursuant to Section 5.10 to Constellation or
FPL Group, as the case may be (the “Injured
Party”),
to
the extent any such liability or damage suffered by the Injured Party exceeds
the amount of any such payment pursuant to Section 5.10 to the Injured
Party).
SECTION
7.03. Amendment.
This
Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time before or after the
Constellation Stockholder Approval or the FPL Group Shareholder Approval;
provided,
however,
that
after any such approval, there shall not be made any amendment that by Law
requires further approval by the stockholders and shareholders, respectively,
of
Constellation or FPL Group without the further approval of such respective
stockholders and shareholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by
an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties.
SECTION
7.04. Extension;
Waiver.
At any
time prior to the Effective Time, a party may (a) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties,
(b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the
other parties contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant
to this Agreement or (c) subject to the proviso of Section 7.03, waive
compliance by the other parties with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such
extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement
to
assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute
a waiver of such rights.
90
SECTION
7.05. Procedure
for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver.
A
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, an amendment of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.03 or an extension or material waiver
pursuant to Section 7.04 shall, in order to be effective, require, in the
case of Constellation or FPL Group, action by its Board of Directors or duly
authorized designee of its Board of Directors. Termination of this Agreement
prior to the Effective Time shall not require the approval of the stockholders
of FPL Group or the shareholders of Constellation.
ARTICLE
VIII
General
Provisions
SECTION
8.01. Nonsurvival
of Representations and Warranties.
None of
the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This
Section 8.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties that
by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
SECTION
8.02. Notices.
All
notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (as of the time of delivery or,
in
the case of a telecopied communication, of confirmation) if delivered
personally, telecopied (which is confirmed) or sent by overnight courier
(providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or
at
such other address for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):
(a)
if to
FPL Group, to
FPL
Group, Inc.
700
Universe
Boulevard
P.O.
Box
14000
Juno
Beach, FL
33408
Telecopy
No.: (561) 691-2988
Attention:
Edward F. Tancer
Vice
President and General
Counsel
with
a
copy to:
Cravath,
Swaine & Moore LLP
825
Eighth
Avenue
New
York, NY
10019
Telecopy
No.: (212) 474-3700
Attention: Philip
A. Gelston, Esq.
Sarkis
Jebejian,
Esq.
91
(b)
if to
Constellation or Merger Sub, to
Constellation
Energy Group, Inc.
750
E. Pratt
Street
Baltimore,
MD
21202
Telecopy
No.: (410) 783-3609
Attention:
Irving Yoskowitz
Executive
Vice
President and General Counsel
with
a
copy to:
Kirkland
& Ellis LLP
655
Fifteenth Street,
N.W.
Washington,
D.C.
20005-5793
Telecopy
No.: (202) 879-5200
Attention:
George P. Stamas, Esq.
SECTION
8.03. Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a)
an
“affiliate”
of
any
person means another person that directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such first person, where “control”
means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor, or
otherwise;
(b)
“capital
stock”
or
“shares
of capital stock”
means
(a) with respect to a corporation, as determined under the Laws of the
jurisdiction of organization of such entity, capital stock or such shares of
capital stock; (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability
company, or similar entity, as determined under the Laws of the jurisdiction
of
organization of such entity, units, interests, or other partnership or limited
liability company interests; or (c) any other equity ownership or
participation;
(c)
“knowledge”
of
any
party means the actual knowledge, as of the date the applicable representation
is made, of the executive officers (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-7 of
the
Exchange Act) of such party;
(d)
“material
adverse effect”
means,
when used in connection with FPL Group or Constellation, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts (i) that is materially adverse to the
business, assets, properties, financial condition or results of operations
of
such person and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (and of Constellation and
its
prospective subsidiaries taken as a whole in the case of
92
references
to a “material adverse effect on Constellation and its prospective
subsidiaries”) other than any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of
facts arising out of or resulting from (A) (1) general economic conditions
in the United States or conditions of the financial or commodities markets
in
general or (2) conditions generally affecting the industries or business
segments in which the applicable person or any of its subsidiaries operates,
in
the case of each of clauses (1) and (2), to the extent not
disproportionately affecting the applicable person as compared to other
similarly situated persons, (B) the public announcement of the Merger or the
other transactions contemplated hereby, and (C) changes to GAAP, or
(ii) that prevents such person from performing its material obligations
under this Agreement or prevents consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(e)
“material
subsidiary”
of
any
person as of a given date means any “significant subsidiary” (as such term is
defined under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) of such person.
(f)
“ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice”
means
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, as such past
practice may be reasonably affected by, or change in reasonable response to,
(i)
the growth of the applicable person’s business (or applicable segment thereof)
and/or (ii) changes in commodities prices.
(g)
“person”
means
any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, limited liability
company, trust, joint venture, association, Governmental Authority or other
entity; and
(h)
“subsidiary”
of
any
person means another person, an amount of the voting securities, other voting
ownership or voting partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at
least a majority of its board of directors or other governing body (or, if
there
are no such voting interests, 50% or more of the Equity Interests of which)
is
owned directly or indirectly by such first person.
SECTION
8.04. Interpretation.
When a
reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, Subsection, Exhibit or
Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section or Subsection of, or an Exhibit
or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents
and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation”. The words “hereby”, “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as
a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The words “date
hereof” shall refer to the date of this Agreement. The term “or” is not
exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree
to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply
“if”. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular
as well as the plural forms of such terms. Any agreement or instrument
93
defined
or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to
herein means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified
or supplemented. References to a person are also to its permitted successors
and
assigns.
SECTION
8.05. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be
considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or
more counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other
parties.
SECTION
8.06. Entire
Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) and
the
Confidentiality Agreement (i) constitute the entire agreement, and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and
(ii) except for the provisions of Section 5.09, are not intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties any rights or
remedies.
SECTION
8.07. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with (a) the Laws
of
the State of Maryland with respect to matters, issues and questions relating
to
the fiduciary duties of the board of directors and officers of Constellation,
(b) the Laws of the State of Florida with respect to matters, issues and
questions relating to the Merger or the fiduciary duties of the board of
directors and officers of FPL Group, and (c) the Laws of the State of Delaware
with respect to all other matters, issues and questions regardless of the Laws
that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of
Laws.
SECTION
8.08. Assignment.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this
Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or
otherwise by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of
the
other party. Any attempted or purported assignment in violation of the preceding
sentence shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever. Subject to the
preceding two sentences, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the
benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors
and assigns.
SECTION
8.09. Enforcement.
The
parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of
the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement and to seek to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions of this Agreement in any Delaware state court, or in any Federal
court located in the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity. In addition, each of
the
parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out
of or
related to this Agreement or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment
in
respect hereof brought by any other party hereto or its successors or assigns
may be brought and determined in any Federal court located in the State of
Delaware or Court of Chancery in and for New Castle County in the State of
Delaware, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its
property, unconditionally, with regard to
94
any
such
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any action, suit
or
proceeding relating thereto except in such courts). Each of the parties agrees
further to accept service of process in any manner permitted by such courts.
Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees
not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise,
in
any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally
subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other
than
the failure lawfully to serve process, (b) that it or its property is
exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process
commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior
to
judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment
or
otherwise), (c) to the fullest extent permitted by Law, that (i) the
suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient
forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or
(iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in
or by such courts, and (d) any right to a trial by jury.
SECTION
8.10. Severability.
If any
term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of
being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.
Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal
or
incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith
to
modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as
closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law in an
acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are
fulfilled to the extent possible.
SECTION
8.11. Waiver
of Jury Trial.
Each
party to this Agreement waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
Law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any action, suit
or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
95
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, FPL Group, Constellation and Merger Sub have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.
|
FPL
GROUP, INC.,
|
|
|
by
|
|
|
/s/
Lewis Hay, III
|
|
|
Name:
Lewis Hay, III
Title:
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.,
|
|
|
by
|
|
|
/s/
Mayo A. Shattuck, III
|
|
|
Name:
Mayo A. Shattuck, III
Title:
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
CF
MERGER CORPORATION,
|
|
|
by
|
|
|
/s/
Charles A. Berardesco
|
|
|
Name:
Charles A. Berardesco
Title:
Senior Vice President
|
|
EXHIBIT
A-1
TO
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
ARTICLES
OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office in
Baltimore, Maryland (which is hereinafter called the “Corporation”), hereby
certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland
that:
FIRST: The
Corporation desires to amend its Charter as currently in effect and, as so
amended, restate its Charter as currently in effect. The provisions set forth
in
these Articles of Amendment and Restatement and in the Articles Supplementary
filed as of [_____]1
are all
the provisions of the Charter of the Corporation as currently in effect, as
so
amended. From time to time, the Corporation may elect by resolution of the
Board, pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, to be or not to be subject to any or
all
provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General Corporation
Law.
SECOND: The
Charter of the
Corporation is hereby amended by striking each of the Articles of the existing
Charter of the Corporation in their entirety (other than the Articles
Supplementary filed as of [_____]), and by substituting in lieu thereof the
following:
“FIRST:
Corporate Name. The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is
Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
“SECOND:
Principal Office; Resident Agent. The post office address of
the principal office of the Corporation in this State is 750 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The post office address of the other principal office
of the Corporation is 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408. The
names and post office address of the Resident Agent of the
1
This
refers to the Articles Supplementary to be filed prior to the filing of
this
Charter.
Corporation
in this State are The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 300 E. Lombard Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Said Resident Agent is a Maryland
corporation.
“THIRD:
Purposes. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or
promoted are:
(a) To
conduct or promote the energy business, including, but not limited to, the
gas
and electric energy business.
(b) To
engage
in and carry on any other business which may conveniently be conducted in
conjunction with any business of the Corporation, or otherwise, or that may
benefit the interests of the Corporation.
(c) To
have
and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effectuate any or all of
the
purposes for which the Corporation is formed.
(d) In
general, to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may
be
organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland.
The
foregoing purposes shall, except when otherwise expressed, be in no way limited
or restricted by the terms of any other clause of this or any other article
of
the Charter or of any amendment thereto, and shall each be regarded as
independent, and construed as powers as well as purposes.
The
Corporation shall be authorized to exercise and enjoy all of the powers, rights
and privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by the general laws
of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, and the enumeration of
the
foregoing powers and purposes shall not be deemed to exclude any powers, rights
or privileges so granted or conferred.
“FOURTH:
Duration. The duration of the Corporation is
perpetual.
“FIFTH:
Board of Directors.
(a) Management
of Corporation. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
(b) Number.
The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than seven (7) members. The
actual number of Directors shall be as set forth in the by-laws.
(c) Vacancy.
(i) Subject
to Section 11(c)(i) of Article III of the by-laws of the Corporation as such
section is in effect on [ ]2 ,
any
vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from any cause other than an
increase in the number of Directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining
Directors although such majority is less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
Director.
(ii) Any
vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number
of
Directors may be filled only by a majority of the Board of
Directors.
(d) Removal.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class separately entitled to elect
one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors may be
removed from office at any time, but only for cause (as defined below) and
then
only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
combined voting power of all classes of shares of capital stock entitled to
vote
in the election for directors voting together as a single class.
As
used
in this Charter, “cause” shall mean dishonesty, fraud, intentional material
damage to the property or business of the Corporation, commission (resulting
in
conviction) of a felony or other actions not meeting the standard of care
required of directors under the Maryland General Corporation Law.
(e) Other
Voting Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article FIFTH,
whenever the holders of any class or series of stock issued by the Corporation
shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect Directors
at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office,
filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed
by the terms of the Charter applicable thereto.
“SIXTH:Capital
Stock.
(a) The
total
amount of capital stock which this corporation is authorized to issue is
[_______][(______)] shares, classified as follows:
(i) [_______][(______)]
shares are Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, all of which are
authorized but unissued and unclassified Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock
may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors
is
authorized, by resolution adopted and filed in accordance with the Maryland
General Corporation Law, to fix
2
This [ ]
will be the date of the Effective Time.
the
number of shares in each series, the designation thereof, the voting powers,
votes per share (which, in any case, shall be no greater than one vote per
share), preferences, relative participating, optional or other rights thereof,
conversion rights, redemption, put and sinking fund provisions, the
qualifications or restrictions thereon, dividend rights, and the terms or
conditions of redemption, of each series and the variations in such voting
powers and preferences and rights as between series. Any shares of any class
or
series of Preferred Stock purchased, exchanged, converted or otherwise acquired
by the Corporation, in any manner whatsoever, shall be retired and cancelled
promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their
cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without
designation as to series, and may be reissued as part of any series of Preferred
Stock created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject
to
the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth in these Articles of
Incorporation or in such resolution or resolutions; and
(ii) the
balance, [_______][(______)] shares without par value, is
Common Stock of which [_______][(______)] shares have either
been issued and are now outstanding or have been reserved for issuance and
[_______][(______)] shares are authorized but unissued and
unreserved.
(b)
The
following is a description of the preferences, conversion and other rights,
voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and
terms and conditions of redemption of the Common Stock of the Corporation:
(i) Each
share of Common Stock shall have one vote, and, except as otherwise provided
in
respect of any class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified, the
exclusive voting power for all purposes shall be vested in the holders of the
Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting
rights.
(ii) Subject
to the provisions of law and any preferences of any class of stock hereafter
classified or reclassified, dividends, including dividends payable in shares
of
another class of the Corporation’s stock, may be paid ratably on the Common
Stock at such time and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may deem
advisable.
(iii) In
the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled,
together with the holders of any other class of stock hereafter classified
or
reclassified not having a preference on distributions in the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation,
to share ratably in the net assets of the Corporation remaining, after payment
or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation
and the amount to which the holders of any class of stock hereafter classified
or reclassified having a preference on distributions in the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall be entitled.
“SEVENTH: Powers
of the Corporation. The following provisions are hereby adopted for the
purpose of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation
and
its Directors and stockholders:
(a) The
Board
of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to authorize the issuance
from time to time of shares of its stock of any class, whether now or hereafter
authorized, or securities convertible into shares of its stock of any class,
whether now or hereafter authorized, without the approval of the stockholders
of
the Corporation for such consideration as is determined by the Board of
Directors in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision contained in the Charter, the Board of Directors of the
Corporation may authorize the issuance of some or all of the shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock of any or all classes or series authorized under the
Charter without certificates. This authorization shall not affect shares already
represented by certificates outstanding until they are surrendered to the
Corporation.
(c) No
stockholder of the Corporation shall have preferential or preemptive rights
to
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any stock or other securities
of
the Corporation, now or hereafter authorized, and any and all preemptive rights
are hereby denied.
(d) The
Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment of its
Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment which
alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any
outstanding stock.
(e) The
Board
of Directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock of the
Corporation (whether or not such shares have been previously classified or
reclassified) by setting or changing in any one or more respects, from time
to
time before issuance of such shares, the class and series designations of shares
of capital stock or setting or changing the preferences, conversion and other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications
or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares.
(f) With
respect to any corporate action to be taken by the Corporation which, under
the
Maryland General Corporation Law, would (in the absence of this subparagraph
(f)) require
the
authorization or approval of a greater proportion than a majority of all votes
entitled to be cast for such action to be effective and valid, such corporate
action shall be effective and valid if authorized or approved by at least a
majority of all the votes entitled to be cast thereon, after due authorization
and/or approval and/or advice of such action by the Board of Directors as
required by law.
(g) The
enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board of Directors
included in the foregoing shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference
to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other Article
of the Charter, or construed as or deemed by inference or otherwise in any
manner to exclude or limit any powers conferred upon the Board of Directors
under the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in
force.
“EIGHTH: Indemnification
and Limitation of Liability.
(a) (i)
The
Corporation shall indemnify
(A) its
then
current and former Directors and Officers, whether serving the Corporation
or at
its request any other entity, to the full extent required or permitted by the
general laws of the State of Maryland, now or hereafter in force, including
the
advance of expenses, under the procedures and to the full extent permitted
by
law, and
(B) other
employees and agents, to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of
Directors or the Corporation’s by-laws and be permitted by law.
(ii) The
foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled.
(iii) The
Board
of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out these
indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and
amend from time to time such by-laws, resolutions or contracts implementing
such
provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted
by
law. No amendment of the Charter of the Corporation or repeal of any of its
provisions shall limit or eliminate the right to indemnification provided
hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment
or repeal.
(b) To
the
fullest extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as amended
or
interpreted, no then current or former Director or Officer of the Corporation
shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money
damages. No amendment of
the
Charter of the Corporation or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or
eliminate the limitation on liability provided to Directors and Officers
hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment
or repeal.
THIRD: The
authorized stock of the Corporation before this amendment was 275,000,000
shares, consisting of 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value,
and
25,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. The authorized
stock of the Corporation after this amendment will be [____]
shares, [______] of which are initially Common Stock, without
par value and [______] of which are initially Preferred Stock,
par value $0.01 per share. The aggregate par value of all shares having a par
value was $250,000 before the amendment and is $_____ as amended. The shares
of
capital stock of the Corporation are divided into classes, and the description,
as amended and restated, of each class, including the preferences, conversion
and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends,
qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, if any, is set forth
in
Article SIXTH.
FOURTH: The
foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter of the Corporation has been
advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the
Corporation.
FIFTH: The
resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation authorize these
Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be executed on their behalf by
[name, TITLE] of the Corporation and attested by [name,
TITLE.]
SIXTH: The
current number of Directors of the Corporation is [number of directors
immediately prior to the Effective Time] and the names of those
currently in office who shall act until their successors are duly chosen and
qualified are as follows: [names of directors immediately prior to the
Effective Time].
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. has caused these presents
to
be signed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized [Vice
President/TITLE] of the Corporation, and its corporate seal to be
hereto affixed, duly attested by its [Treasurer/TITLE] on ___,
200_, who each hereby (i) acknowledge that the execution of these Articles
of
Amendment and Restatement is the act of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. and
(ii) state that to the best of their respective knowledge, information and
belief, the matters and facts set forth herein are true in all material
respects, such statement being made under the penalties of perjury.
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
By:___________________________
Name,
Title
SEAL: CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
INCORPORATED
September
22, 1995
Attest: _______________________
Name,
Title
EXHIBIT
A-2
TO
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
ARTICLES
SUPPLEMENTARY
Constellation
Energy Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office in
Baltimore City, Maryland (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), hereby
certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the
“MSDAT”) that:
FIRST:
The Corporation previously elected to be subject to Sections 3-803 and 3-805
of
the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) pursuant to Articles
Supplementary filed by the Corporation with the MSDAT on July 19,
1999.
SECOND:
The Corporation previously elected to be subject to Sections 3-804(b) and
Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed by the
Corporation with the MSDAT on November 21, 2001.
THIRD:
Pursuant to Sections 3-802(a)(2) and 3-802(b)(3) of the MGCL, the Corporation
elects not to be subject to Section 3-803 of the MGCL.
FOURTH:
Pursuant to Section 3-802(a)(2) of the MGCL, the Corporation elects to remain
subject to Sections 3-804(b), 3-804(c) and 3-805 of the MGCL.
FIFTH:
The foregoing matters have been approved by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation by resolution in the manner and by the vote required by law.
Stockholder approval is not required for the filing of these Articles
Supplementary.
[Signatures
on following page]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Constellation Energy Group, Inc. has caused these presents
to
be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and
witnessed by its Secretary on ___________, 200___.
| WITNESS: | CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC. | ||
| By | |||
| [NAME], Secretary | [NAME], Chief Executive Officer | ||
THE
UNDERSIGNED, Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Group, Inc., who
executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary
of
which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges in the name and
on
behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and hereby certifies that the matters and
facts set forth herein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof
are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.
| [NAME], Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT
B
TO
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
of
CONSTELLATION
ENERGY GROUP, INC.
Amended
and Restated as of ______, 200__
Adopted
as of _________, 200__ to be effective as of the Effective Time (as defined
in
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December __, 2005, as it may
be
amended or restated from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the
Corporation, FPL Group, Inc. (“FPL Group”) and CF Merger
Corporation.
ARTICLE
I
OFFICES
AND HEADQUARTERS
Section
1. - Name.
The
name
of the corporation is Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (the
“Corporation”).
Section
2. - Offices.
The
Corporation shall maintain principal offices at 750 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202 and at 700
Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, Florida 33408.
The
Corporation may also have other offices at such other places, either within
or
without the State of Maryland or the State of Florida, as the Board of Directors
of the Corporation (the “Board”) may determine or as the activities of the
Corporation may require.
Section
3. - Headquarters.
During
the period from the Effective Time until the fifth anniversary of the Effective
Time (the “Fifth Anniversary”) or the consummation by the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries of a business combination in which a third-party is entitled
to
designate three or more members of the Board, the Corporation will maintain
dual
headquarters in Juno Beach, Florida and Baltimore, Maryland.
ARTICLE
II
STOCKHOLDERS
Section
1. - Place of Meetings.
Meetings
of stockholders of the Corporation shall be held at such places, either within
or without the State of Maryland or
the
State of Florida, as
may be
fixed from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of meeting or
in a
duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section
2. - Annual Meetings.
The
Annual Meeting of the stockholders for the election of Directors and for the
transaction of general business shall be held on any date during the period
of
May 1 through May 31 as determined from year to year by the Board. The time
and
location of the meeting shall be determined by the Board. Failure to hold an
Annual Meeting does not invalidate the Corporation’s existence or affect any
otherwise valid corporate acts.
The Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation shall prepare, or cause to be prepared,
an
annual report containing a full and correct statement of the affairs of the
Corporation, including a balance sheet and a financial statement of operations
for the preceding fiscal year, which shall be submitted to the stockholders
at
or prior to the Annual Meeting.
Section
3. - Special Meetings.
Special
meetings of the stockholders may be held in Baltimore, Maryland, Juno Beach,
Florida or in any county within the State of Maryland or the State of Florida
or
in which the Corporation provides service or owns property upon call by the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or
a
majority of the Board whenever they deem expedient, or by the Secretary upon
the
written request of the holders of shares entitled to not less than a majority
of
all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Such request of the
stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and the matters
proposed to be acted on and shall be delivered to the Secretary, who shall
inform such stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and
mailing such notice of the meeting, and upon payment to the Corporation of
such
costs the Secretary shall give notice stating the purpose or purposes of the
meeting to all stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. The business
at
all special meetings shall be confined to that specifically named in the notice
thereof.
Section
4. - Notice and Waiver; Organization of Meeting.
When
stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting whether
special or annual, written, printed or electronic notice of every meeting shall
be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting and each other
stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. The notice shall state the place,
day, and hour of such meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is called. The notice of any meeting shall
be
given, personally, by mail or electronically, not less than 10 or more than
90
days before the date of the meeting.
Any
notice given by the Corporation to a stockholder is effective if given by a
single notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to all stockholders
who
share an address if the Corporation gives notice, in writing or by electronic
transmission, to the stockholder of its intent to give a single notice and
the
stockholder consents to receiving a single notice or fails to object in writing
within 60 days after the Corporation gives notice to the stockholder of its
intent to give a single notice. A stockholder may revoke consent given, whether
affirmative or implied, by written notice to the Corporation. The notice shall
state the time of the meeting, the place of the meeting, if any, and the means
of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may
be
deemed to be present in person and may vote at the meeting and, if the meeting
is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by statute, the
purpose of the meeting. Notice is given to a stockholder when it is personally
delivered to the stockholder, left at the stockholder’s residence or usual place
of business, mailed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it
appears on the records of the Corporation or transmitted to the stockholder
by
an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which
the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. If the Corporation has
received a request from a stockholder that notice not be sent by electronic
transmission, the Corporation may not provide notice to the stockholder by
electronic transmission. Notice given by electronic transmission shall be
considered ineffective if the Corporation is unable to deliver two consecutive
notices and the inability to deliver the notices becomes known to the Secretary,
an Assistant Secretary, the transfer agent or other person responsible for
giving the notice. The inadvertent failure to deliver any notice by electronic
transmission does not invalidate any meeting or other action. An affidavit
of
the Secretary, the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that notice
has been given by a form of electronic transmission, in the absence of actual
fraud, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the
affidavit.
The
business at all special meetings shall be confined to that specifically named
in
the notice thereof.
When
a
meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of
the
adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting
at
which the adjournment is taken unless the adjournment is to a date more than
120
days after the original record date, or, if after the adjournment, a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, in which circumstances a notice of
the
adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to
vote
at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any
business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Notice
of
any meeting of stockholders may be waived before or after the meeting in writing
or by electronic transmission by any stockholder entitled to notice of such
meeting. Attendance at a meeting by any stockholder, in person or by proxy,
shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of
the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened.
All
meetings of the stockholders shall be called to order by the Chairman of the
Board, or in his or her absence by the Chief Executive Officer, the President
or
a Vice President; or in the case of the absence of such Officers, then by any
stockholder. The party calling the meeting to order shall be Chairman of the
meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, if present, shall act as secretary
of
the meeting, unless some other person shall be elected by the stockholders
at
the meeting to act as secretary. An accurate record of the meeting shall be
kept
by the secretary thereof, and placed in the record books of the
Corporation.
Section
5. - Order of Business.
(a) At
any
Annual Meeting, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought
before the Annual Meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board, or (ii)
by
any stockholder who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section
5.
(b) For
nominations or other business to be brought properly before an Annual Meeting
by
a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper
written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s
notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal office
of
the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the
anniversary of the date on which notice of the prior year’s Annual Meeting was
given to stockholders in accordance with Section 4 of this Article II. Notices
sent by facsimile or electronically will not be accepted by the Secretary of
the
Corporation. To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the
Secretary shall set forth in writing as to each matter the stockholder proposes
to bring before the Annual Meeting:
(i) as
to
each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a Director, all information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or any applicable successor
provisions thereto, including such person’s written consent to being named in
the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected; and
as
to the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address, as they appear
on
the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such nomination and the
class and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially
owned by the stockholder.
(ii) as
to any
other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the
meeting:
(A) a
brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting
and
the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting;
(B) the
name
and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder
proposing such business;
(C) the
class
and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned
by
the stockholder; and
(D) any
material interest of the stockholder in such business.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at
an
Annual Meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 5 of Article II. The Chairman of an Annual Meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare at the Annual Meeting that business was not
properly brought before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the provisions
of
this Section 5 of Article II and, if the Chairman should so determine, he or
she
shall so declare at the Annual Meeting and any such business not properly
brought before the Annual Meeting shall not be transacted.
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section, a stockholder shall also comply with
all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section. Nothing in
this Section shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request
inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule
14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
Section
6. - Quorum.
At
any
meeting of the stockholders the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders
entitled to cast a majority of the votes thereat shall constitute a quorum
for
the transaction of business.
When
a
quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent
withdrawal of any stockholders.
The
stockholders present, although less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting
to
another time or place; provided that notice of such adjourned meeting is given
in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of this Article II.
Section
7. - Voting; Proxies.
At
all
meetings of the stockholders each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote
for
each share of Common Stock standing in his or her name and, when the Preferred
Stock is entitled to vote, such number of votes as shall be provided in the
Charter of the Corporation for each share of Preferred Stock standing in his
or
her name, and the votes shall be cast by stockholders in person or by lawful
proxy. However, no proxy shall be voted 11 months after the date thereof, unless
the proxy provides for a longer period.
Section
8. - Control Shares.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Charter of the Corporation or these By-Laws, Title
3,
Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (or any successor statute)
shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the
Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time,
whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal,
such
statute
may, to the extent provided by any successor by-law, apply to any prior or
subsequent control share acquisition.
Section
9. - Method of Voting.
All
elections and all other questions shall be decided by a majority of the votes
cast, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, except as expressly provided
otherwise by the general laws of the State of Maryland or the Charter and except
that Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.
Section
10. - Ownership of its Own Stock.
Shares
of
capital stock of the Corporation held by either (i) the Corporation or (ii)
another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the
election of Directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly,
by the Corporation (a “Controlled Corporation”), shall neither be entitled to
vote nor be counted for quorum purposes. Nothing in this Section 10 shall be
construed as limiting the right of the Corporation or any Controlled Corporation
to vote stock of the Corporation held by it in a fiduciary
capacity.
Section
11. - Inspectors.
The
Board, in advance of any meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more
individual inspectors or one or more entities that designate individuals as
inspectors to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If an inspector
or
inspectors are not appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but
need
not, appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person who may be appointed
as
an inspector fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment
made by the Board in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the chairman
of
the meeting. The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares
outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting,
the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive
votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions
arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes,
ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Each such report
shall be in writing and signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there
is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one
inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.
The
report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at
the
meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence
thereof.
Section
12. - Record
Date for Stockholders; Closing of Transfer Books.
The
Board
may fix, in advance, a date as the record for the determination of the
stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders,
or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or entitled to the allotment
of
any rights, or for any other proper purpose. Such date in any case shall not
be
more than 90 days (and in the case of a meeting of stockholders not less than
10
days) prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such
determination of stockholders is to be taken (other than in the case of an
adjournment). Only stockholders of record on such date shall be entitled to
notice of or to vote at such meeting or to receive such dividends or rights,
as
the case may be. In lieu of fixing a record date the Board may close the stock
transfer books of the Corporation for a period not exceeding 20 nor less than
10
days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or not exceeding 20
days
preceding any other of the above mentioned events.
ARTICLE
III
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Section
1. - Powers of Directors.
The
business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction
of
the Board which shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation,
except such as are expressly conferred upon or reserved by the stockholders
by
law, by Charter, or by these By-Laws. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the
Board shall appoint the Officers for the conduct of the business of the
Corporation, determine their duties and responsibilities.
Section
2. - Number of Directors.
The
Corporation shall have at least seven (7) Directors; provided that the Board,
and only the Board, may alter the number of Directors from time to time so
long
as such number does not exceed 20. Each Director will be required to be elected
at each Annual Meeting.
Section
3. - Vacancies.
If
for
any reason any or all of the Directors cease to be Directors, such event shall
not terminate the Corporation or affect these By-Laws or the powers of the
remaining Directors hereunder (even if fewer than three Directors remain).
Subject to Section 11 of this Article III, except as may be provided by the
Board after the Second Anniversary (as defined in Section 11 of this Article
III) in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy
on the Board may be filled only by a majority of the remaining Directors, even
if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum. Any Director elected
to
fill a vacancy shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified at the
next Annual Meeting.
Section
4. - Resignation and Retirement.
Any
Director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice
to
the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein, if any, or if no time is specified therein, then upon receipt of such
notice by the Corporation; and, unless otherwise provided therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
No
person who shall have attained the age of 72 years by the date of election
shall
be eligible for election as a Director of the Corporation, and no Director
who
shall have attained the age of 70 years by the date of election shall be
eligible for election as Chairman of the Board.
Section
5. - Meetings of the Board.
A
regular
meeting of the Board shall be held immediately after the Annual Meeting of
stockholders or any special meeting of the stockholders at which the Board
is
elected, and thereafter regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such
dates during the year as may be designated from time to time by the Board.
Meetings of the Board may be held in the Baltimore, Maryland vicinity or in
the
Juno Beach, Florida vicinity or elsewhere, as ordered by the Board. Of all
such
meetings (except the regular meeting held immediately after the election of
Directors) the Secretary shall give notice to each Director personally or by
telephone, facsimile or electronically directed to, or by written notice
deposited in the mails addressed to, his or her residence or business address
at
least 48 hours before such meeting.
Special
meetings may be held at any time or place upon the call of any two Directors
or
the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer by notices as above.
In
the event all of the Directors in office waive notice of any meeting in writing
at or before the meeting, the meeting may be held without the aforesaid advance
notices.
Section
6
- Attendance at Board Meetings.
The
Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board, or, in his or her absence,
the Chief Executive Officer shall preside. If at any meeting none of the
foregoing persons is present, the Directors present shall designate one of
their
number to preside at such meeting.
Section
7. - Telephone Meetings Permitted.
Members
of the Board, or any committee, may participate in a meeting thereof by means
of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment in which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section
8. - Quorum.
A
majority of the Directors in office shall constitute a quorum of the Board
for
the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting, a
majority of the Directors present may adjourn to any time and place they may
see
fit.
Section
9. - Committees.
The
Board
is authorized to appoint from among its members, one or more committees as
it
may, from time to time, deem advisable and to delegate to such committee or
committees any of the powers of the Board that it may lawfully
delegate. The
audit
committee shall have, at a minimum, the number of members required by applicable
law or stock exchange listing standards. The Directors shall annually elect
members of the Board to be the members of each committee. The members of the
committees shall hold their offices for one year and until their successors,
whom shall be appointed in accordance with this Section 9, are elected and
qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. All vacancies in
said
committees shall be filled by the Board subject to the restrictions on
membership contained in this Section 9. The purposes and authority of each
committee shall be as set forth in applicable law, board resolution or committee
charter. Any such charter shall be approved annually by the Board.
Section
10. - Fees and Expenses.
Each
member of the Board, other than salaried Officers and employees, shall be paid
an annual retainer fee, payable in such amount as shall be specified from time
to time by the Board. Each Committee Chair shall be paid an annual retainer
fee,
payable in such amount as shall be specified from time to time by the
Board.
Each
member of the Board, other than salaried Officers and employees, shall be paid
such fee as shall be specified from time to time by the Board for attending
each
regular or special meeting of the Board and for attending, as a committee
member, each meeting of any committee appointed by the Board. Each member shall
be paid reasonable traveling expenses incident to attendance at
meetings.
Section
11. - Special Board and Corporate Governance Provisions.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Article III or elsewhere in these
By-Laws:
|
(a)
|
As
of the Effective Time and until at least the second anniversary of
the
Effective Time (the “Second Anniversary”), the number of Directors that
shall constitute the entire Board shall be fifteen (15). As of the
Effective Time, the Board shall consist of six (6) Constellation
Designated Directors (as defined below) and nine (9) FPL Group Designated
Directors (as defined below).
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(b)
|
The
term “Constellation Designated Director” means (a) any person serving as a
Director of the Corporation immediately prior to the Effective Time
and
who continues as a Director of the Corporation at the Effective Time
in
accordance with Exhibit C of the Merger Agreement and (b) any person
who
becomes a Director of the Corporation following the Effective Time
pursuant to Section 11(c) of this Article III and is designated by
a
majority of the Constellation Designated Directors serving at such
time.
The term “FPL Group Designated Director” means (a) any person serving as a
director of FPL Group immediately prior to the Effective Time and
who
becomes a Director of the Corporation at the Effective Time in accordance
with Exhibit C of the Merger Agreement and (b) any person who becomes
a
Director of the Corporation following the Effective Time pursuant
to
Section 11(c) of this Article III and is designated by a majority
of the
FPL Group Designated Directors serving at such
time.
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(c)
|
Until
the Second Anniversary (i) the Board shall take all necessary action
to
ensure that any vacancy of a position on the Board that was held
by (A) a
Constellation Designated Director be promptly filled by a person
designated by a majority of the Constellation Designated Directors
remaining on the Board at such time and (B) a FPL Group Designated
Director be promptly filled by a person designated by a majority
of the
FPL Group Designated Directors remaining on the Board at such time
and
(ii) with respect to each election of Directors by stockholders of
the
Corporation, the Board shall nominate for election to fill each position
held prior to such election (x) by a Constellation Designated Director,
a
person designated by a majority of the Constellation Designated Directors
serving at such time, and (y) by a FPL Group Designated Director,
a person
designated by a majority of the FPL Group Designated Directors serving
at
such time.
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(d)
|
Until
the Second Anniversary or such earlier time as either MS or LH is
no
longer a Director, neither LH nor MS shall attend, or be permitted
to
attend, any meeting of the Board (or any formal meeting of a group
of
Directors) or any meeting of any committee of the Board without the
other
unless (i) each of LH and MS has been invited to attend such meeting,
(ii)
at least 70% of the members of the entire Board (rounded up to the
nearest
whole number) has requested that LH or MS attend such meeting without
the
other or (iii) either LH or MS, having been invited to attend such
meeting
is unable to do so due to his serious illness or temporary
disability.
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(e)
|
As
of the Effective Time, the Board shall appoint an audit committee,
a
compensation committee, a finance and investment committee, a governance
and nominating committee and a nuclear power committee. As of the
Effective Time, these shall be the standing committees of the Board.
Until
the Second Anniversary (i) there shall be no executive committee
of the
Board, (ii) a FPL Group Designated Director shall serve as the chairperson
of the Audit Committee, the Finance and Investment Committee and
the
Governance and Nominating Committee, (iii) a Constellation Designated
Director shall serve as the chairperson of the Compensation Committee
and
the Nuclear Power Committee, (iv) the chairperson of the Governance
and
Nominating Committee will also serve as Presiding Director of the
Board,
and (v) the representation of FPL Group Designated Directors and
Constellation Designated Directors on
|
each
such
committee and any other committee shall, be proportional to the representation
of FPL Group Designated Directors and Constellation Designated Directors
on the
entire Board.
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(f)
|
Through
at least the end of the calendar year in which the Fifth Anniversary
occurs, at least two Board meetings shall be held each calendar year
in
(or in the general vicinity of) each of Baltimore, Maryland and Juno
Beach, Florida; provided that if the Effective Time shall occur after
June
30 in a calendar year such requirement shall be inapplicable for
such
calendar year, however, if there are two or more Board meetings after
the
Effective Time in such calendar year, then one Board meeting shall
be
required to be held in such calendar year in (or in the general vicinity
of) each of Baltimore, Maryland and Juno Beach,
Florida.
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(g)
|
Until
the Fifth Anniversary, the affirmative vote, at a duly conveyed meeting
of
the Board, of at least ninety percent (90%) of the members of the
entire
Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number) shall be required
for the
Board or the Corporation, as the case may be, to amend, modify or
adopt a
bylaw, or approve or recommend to the holders of the Corporation’s capital
stock any amendment to these By-Laws or the Charter, that is inconsistent
with the provisions of Section 3 of Article I, Section 11(f) of this
Article III or this Section 11(g) of Article III.
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|
(h)
|
Until
the Second Anniversary, the affirmative vote, at a duly convened
meeting
of the Board, of at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of
the
entire Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number) shall be required
for the Board or the Corporation, as the case may be, to amend, modify
or
adopt a bylaw, or approve or recommend to the holders of the Corporation’s
capital stock any amendment to these By-Laws or the Charter, that
is
inconsistent with the provisions of the third sentence of Section
4 of
this Article III, Sections 11(a) through (e) of this Article III
or this
Section 11(h) of this Article III.
|
ARTICLE
IV
OFFICERS
Section
1. - Officers.
The
Corporation shall have a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer,
a
Chief Financial Officer, a [President], one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer
and a Secretary who shall, in each case, be elected by, and hold office at
the
will of, the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the
Directors. The Board shall also elect from time to time such other Officers
and
Assistant Officers as they may deem necessary for the conduct of the business
and affairs of the Corporation, or the Board by resolution may authorize the
Chief Executive Officer to designate and appoint from time to time such other
Officers and Assistant Officers as he or she may deem necessary for the conduct
of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any two Officers, except those
of President and Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no person
shall sign checks, drafts and promissory notes, or execute, acknowledge or
verify any other instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is
required by law, the Charter, these By-Laws, a resolution of the Board or order
of the Chief Executive Officer to be signed, executed, acknowledged or verified
by two or more Officers. The Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice
President or such other persons as may be designated by the Board, shall sign
all special contracts of the Corporation, countersign checks, drafts and
promissory notes, and such other papers as may be directed by the Board. The
Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, together with
the
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer (if any), shall have authority to sell,
assign
or
transfer and deliver any bonds, stocks or other securities owned by the
Corporation. The Board shall require a fidelity bond to be given by each
Officer, or, in its discretion, the Board may substitute a general blanket
fidelity bond or insurance contract to cover all Officers and
employees.
Section
2. - Duties of the Officers.
(a) Chairman
of the Board
The
Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of
stockholders. The Chairman of the Board shall also have such other powers and
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board.
(b) Chief
Executive Officer
(i)
The
Chief Executive Officer shall have general executive powers, as well as specific
powers conferred by these By-Laws. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such
other powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to
him
or her by the Board. In
the
absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer
shall
perform all the duties of the Chairman of the Board.
(ii)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article IV or elsewhere in
these By-Laws, (A) as of the Effective Time and until at least the third
anniversary of the Effective Time (the “Third
Anniversary”),
(1)
LH shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer [pursuant to an employment
agreement between the Corporation and LH entered into as of the Effective Time
(the “LH Employment Agreement”)], (2) LH shall in such capacity report directly
to the Board and LH will be the only officer or executive of the Corporation
to
report directly to the Board and (3) all officers and executives of the
Corporation will report directly or indirectly to LH and (B) until the
Third Anniversary (1) LH may be removed from his position as Chief Executive
Officer only upon the affirmative vote (excluding LH and MS), at a duly conveyed
meeting of the Board, of at least 70% of the members of the entire Board
(excluding LH and MS) (rounded up to the nearest whole number) and (2) the
affirmative vote (excluding LH and MS), at a duly convened meeting of the Board,
of at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the entire Board (excluding
LH and MS) (rounded up to the nearest whole number) shall be required for the
Board or the Corporation, as the case may be, to amend, modify or terminate
the
LH Employment Agreement or any term thereof or to adopt a bylaw, or approve
or
recommend to the holders of the Corporation’s capital stock any amendment to
these By-Laws or the Articles of Incorporation, that is inconsistent with the
provisions of this Section 2(b)(ii) of Article IV.
(iii)
The
authority of the Board to assign powers and duties to the Chairman of the Board
and to any executive officer of the Corporation other than the Chief Executive
Officer shall in each case be subject to the provisions of the preceding clause
(ii).
(c) President
The
President, if the Chief Executive Officer is not also the President, shall
have
such powers and duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or
by
the Chief Executive Officer.
(d) Chief
Financial Officer
The
Chief
Financial Officer shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time
to
time may be assigned to him or her by the Board or by the Chief Executive
Officer.
(e) Vice
Presidents
Each
Vice
President shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board
or
the Chief Executive Officer, as well as the specific powers assigned by these
By-Laws. A Vice President may be designated by the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer to perform, in the absence of the President, all the duties of the
President.
(f) Treasurer
The
Treasurer shall have the care and the custody of the funds and valuable papers
of the Corporation, and shall receive and disburse all moneys in such a manner
as may be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Treasurer
shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board, or
the
Chief Executive Officer, as well as specific powers assigned by these
By-Laws.
(g) Secretary
The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and Directors and shall
notify the stockholders and Directors of such meetings in the manner provided
in
these By-Laws. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of all such meetings
in books kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall have such other powers
and
duties as may be assigned by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, as well
as the specific powers assigned by these By-Laws.
(h) Other
Officers
Such
other Officers and Assistant Officers as are appointed by the Board, or the
Chief Executive Officer if authorized by the Board pursuant to Section 1 above,
shall exercise such duties and have such powers as by custom and applicable
law
generally pertain to their respective offices as well as such duties and powers
as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may assign.
Section
3. - Terms of Office; Removals and Vacancies.
Except
as
otherwise provided in these By-Laws, any Officer or Assistant Officer may be
removed by a majority of the Board in its sole judgment. Any Officer or
Assistant Officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer may be removed by
the
Chief Executive Officer in his or her sole judgment. In case of removal, the
salary of such Officer or Assistant Officer shall cease, subject to any
preexisting contractual rights. Removal shall be without prejudice to the
contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed, but election or
appointment of an Officer or Assistant Officer shall not of itself create
contractual rights.
Each
Officer or Assistant Officer shall hold office until his or her successor is
elected and qualified or appointed, or until his or her earlier removal or
resignation.
Any
vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board,
or by the Chief Executive Officer if authorized by the Board pursuant to Section
1 above, and the Officer or Assistant Officer so elected or appointed shall
hold
office for the unexpired term in respect of which the vacancy occurred and
until
his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified or
appointed.
In
any
event of absence or temporary disability of any Officer or Assistant Officer
of
the Corporation, the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer if authorized by
the
Board pursuant to Section 1 above, may authorize another person to perform
the
duties of that office.
Section
4. - Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation.
Powers
of
attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments
relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name
of
and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President or any Vice President and any such Officer may, in the name of
and
on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such Officer may
deem
advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders
of
any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such
meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident
to
the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the
Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board may, by
resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or
persons.
ARTICLE
V
INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section
1. - Procedure.
The
Corporation shall indemnify all Directors, Officers and employees to the fullest
extent permitted by the general laws of the State of Maryland, as in effect
from
time to time, and, to the extent permitted thereby, shall pay or reimburse
expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The Corporation will
follow the procedures required by applicable law in determining persons eligible
for indemnification and in making indemnification payments and
advances.
Section
2. - Exclusivity, etc.
The
indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these
By-Laws shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person
seeking indemnification or advance of expenses may be entitled under any law
(common or statutory), or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors or other provision that is consistent with law, both as to action
in
his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
office or while employed or acting as agent for the corporation, shall continue
in respect of all events occurring while a person was a Director or Officer
after such person has ceased to be a Director or Officer, and shall inure to
the
benefits of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
All
rights to indemnification and advance of expenses under the Charter of the
Corporation and hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract between the
Corporation and each Director or Officer of the Corporation who serves or served
in such capacity at any time while this by-law is in effect. Nothing herein
shall prevent the amendment of this by-law, provided that no such amendment
shall diminish the rights of any person hereunder with respect to events
occurring or claims made before its adoption or as to claims made after its
adoption in respect of events occurring before its adoption. Any repeal or
modification of this by-law shall not in any way diminish any rights to
indemnification
or advance of expenses of such Director or Officer or the obligations of the
Corporation arising hereunder with respect to events occurring, or claims made,
while this by-law or any provision hereof is in force.
Section
3. - Severability; Definitions.
The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Article V shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The phrase
“this by-law” in this Article V means this Article V in its
entirety.
ARTICLE
VI
CAPITAL
STOCK
Section
1. - Evidence of Stock Ownership.
Evidence
of ownership of stock in the Corporation may be either pursuant to a
certificate(s) or a statement in compliance with the general laws of the State
of Maryland, each of which shall represent the number of shares of stock owned
by a stockholder in the Corporation. Stockholders may request that their stock
ownership be represented by a certificate(s). In case any Officer who signed
any
certificate, in facsimile or otherwise, ceases to be such Officer of the
Corporation before the certificate is issued, the certificate may nevertheless
be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if the Officer had not
ceased to be such Officer as of the date of its issue.
For
stock
ownership evidenced by a statement, such statement shall be in such form, and
executed, as required from time to time by the general laws of the State of
Maryland.
Section
2. - Transfer of Shares.
Stock
shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by assignment in
writing by the registered holder thereof, his or her legally constituted
attorney, or his or her legal representative, either upon surrender and
cancellation of the certificate(s) therefor, if such stock is represented by
a
certificate, or upon receipt of such other documentation for stock not
represented by a certificate as the Board and the general laws of the State
of
Maryland may, from time to time, require.
Section
3. - Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
No
certificate for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued in place
of
any other certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, except
upon production of such evidence of the loss, theft or destruction and upon
indemnification of the Corporation to such extent and in such manner as the
Board may prescribe.
Section
4. - Transfer Agents and Registrars.
The
Board
shall appoint a person or persons, the Corporation or any incorporated trust
company or companies or any of them, as transfer agents and registrars and,
if
stock is represented by a certificate, may require that such certificate bear
the signatures or the counter-signatures of such transfer agents and registrars,
or either of them.
Section
5. - Stock Ledger.
The
Corporation shall maintain at its principal office, a stock record containing
the names and addresses of all stockholders and the numbers of shares of each
class held by each stockholder.
ARTICLE
VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
1. - Seal.
The
Board
shall provide, subject to change, a suitable corporate seal which may be used
by
causing it, or facsimile thereof, to be impressed or affixed or reproduced
on
the Corporation's stock certificates, bonds, or any other documents on which
the
seal may be appropriate.
Section
2. - Amendments.
Subject
to Sections 11(f) and 11(g) of Article III and Section 2(b)(ii) of Article
IV,
these By-Laws, or any of them, may be amended, altered or repealed, and new
By-Laws may be made or adopted only at any meeting of the Board, by vote of
a
majority of the Directors, or at a meeting of the stockholders, duly called,
by
the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the of the stockholders eligible to
vote
thereon. Pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed with the State Department
of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, the Corporation has elected, by resolution
of the Board, to be subject to Sections 3-804(b), 3-804(c) and 3-805 of the
Maryland General Corporation Law and the following sections of these By-Laws
have been amended to conform to such elections, respectively: Article III,
Section 2, first sentence; Article III, Section 3; and Article II, Section
3,
first sentence, and therefore, such provisions may be amended, altered or
repealed only by resolution of the Board. From time to time, the Corporation
may
elect by resolution of the Board, pursuant to Articles Supplementary filed
with
the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, to be or not
to be
subject to any or all provisions of Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law.
Section
3. - Section Headings and Statutory References.
The
headings of the Articles and Sections of these By-Laws have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of these
By-Laws.
EXHIBIT
C
TO
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE OF CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP, INC.
FOLLOWING
THE EFFECTIVE TIME
Corporate
Name
Following
the Effective Time, the name of the Corporation shall continue to be
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (“Constellation”)
Corporate
Offices
During
the period from the Effective Time until the 5-year anniversary of the Effective
Time, Constellation will maintain dual headquarters in Juno Beach, FL and
Baltimore, MD. The provisions set forth in the previous sentence shall be set
forth in the Constellation By-laws and during the period from the Effective
Time
until the 5 year anniversary of the Effective Time, the sections of the
Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions may not be amended, altered,
repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors of Constellation
(the “Board
of Directors”)
or
Constellation shall not otherwise take any action which would have the effect
of
eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the effect
of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions of such sections without the
affirmative vote of at least 90% of the entire number of directors, rounded
up
to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the Constellation By-laws shall
be
of no further effect after the 5 year anniversary of the Effective Time or
upon
the consummation by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries of a business
combination in which a third-party is entitled to designate three or more
members of the Board of Directors.
Florida
Power & Light Company, the wind energy business and the fossil and
renewables generation business will be headquartered at the Juno Beach
headquarters, and Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and the competitive energy
business will be headquartered at the Baltimore headquarters. The current CEO
of
Constellation, Mr. Mayo A. Shattuck, III, and the current CEO of FPL Group,
Inc.
(“FPL
Group”),
Mr.
Lewis Hay, III, will have offices at both headquarters so as long as such person
continues to be a senior executive of Constellation.
Board
of Directors
As
of the
Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall be declassified so that all
directors shall stand for election at each annual meeting. As of the Effective
Time, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be
15,
comprised of nine FPL Group Directors (as defined below) and six Constellation
Directors (as defined below). As of the Effective Time, the FPL Group Directors
will consist of eight non-executive directors and the CEO of FPL Group, and
the
Constellation Directors will consist of five non-executive directors and the
CEO
of Constellation. The term “FPL
Group Director”
means
(a) any person serving as a director of FPL Group prior to the Effective Time
and who becomes a director of Constellation at the Effective Time in accordance
with this paragraph and (b) any person who becomes a director of Constellation
following the Effective Time pursuant to the next paragraph and is designated
by
a majority of the FPL Group Directors serving at such time. The term
“Constellation
Director”
means
(a) any person serving as a director of Constellation prior to the Effective
Time and who continues as a director of Constellation at the Effective Time
in
accordance with this paragraph
and
(b)
any person who becomes a director of Constellation following the Effective
Time
pursuant to the next paragraph and is designated by a majority of the
Constellation Directors serving at such time.
The
Board
of Directors shall take all necessary action to ensure that any vacancy of
a
position on the Board of Directors that was held by (a) a Constellation Director
be promptly filled by a person designated by a majority of the Constellation
Directors remaining on the Board of Directors at such time and (b) a FPL Group
Director be promptly filled by a person designated by a majority of the FPL
Group Directors remaining on the Board of Directors at such time. With respect
to each election of directors of Constellation by its stockholders, the Board
of
Directors shall nominate for election to fill each position held prior to such
election by a Constellation Director a person designated by a majority of the
Constellation Directors serving at such time and to fill each position held
prior to such election by a FPL Group Director a person designated by a majority
of the FPL Group Directors serving at such time.
The
Constellation By-laws will also provide that no person who shall have attained
the age of 72 years by the date of election shall be eligible for election
as a
director of Constellation, and no director who shall have attained the age
of 70
years by the date of election shall be eligible for election as chairman of
the
Board of Directors.
The
provisions set forth under this subheading “Board of Directors” shall be set
forth in the Constellation By-laws and during the period from the Effective
Time
until the 24 month anniversary of the Effective Time (the “Transition
Period”),
the
sections of the Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions may not
be
amended, altered, repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors
or Constellation shall not otherwise take any action which would have the effect
of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the
effect of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions of this subheading without
the affirmative vote of at least 70% of the entire number of directors, rounded
up to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the Constellation By-laws
shall
be of no further effect after the Transition Period.
Committees
of the Board of Directors and Chairpersons of Committees
As
of the
Effective Time, the Board of Directors will have five standing committees:
Governance & Nominating, Audit, Compensation, Finance & Investment and
Nuclear Power. The Board of Directors will not have an Executive Committee.
During the Transition Period, (a) the chairperson of each of the Governance
& Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Finance & Investment
Committee will be a FPL Group Director, (b) the chairperson of each of the
Compensation Committee and the Nuclear Power Committee will be a Constellation
Director, (c) the chairperson of the Governance & Nominating Committee will
also serve as Presiding Director of the Board of Directors and (d) the
representation of FPL Group Directors and Constellation Directors on each
committee of the Board of Directors will be proportional to the representation
of FPL Group Directors and Constellation Directors, respectively, on the entire
Board of Directors.
The
provisions set forth under this subheading “Committees of the Board of Directors
and Chairpersons of Committees” shall be set forth in the Constellation By-laws
and during the
Transition
Period, the sections of the Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions
may not be amended, altered, repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board
of
Directors or Constellation shall not otherwise take any action which would
have
the effect of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise
modifying the effect of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions of this
subheading without the affirmative vote of at least 70% of the entire number
of
directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the
Constellation By-laws shall be of no further effect after the Transition
Period.
Location
of Board Meetings
During
the period from the Effective Time until at least the 5-year anniversary of
the
Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall hold at least two meetings per
year
in each of Baltimore, MD and Juno Beach, FL or in the general vicinity of such
cities. The Board of Directors may also hold meetings in other locations and
telephonic meetings.
Attendance
at Board Meetings
During
the Transition Period, and so long as Mr. Hay and Mr. Shattuck both continue
to
serve as directors of Constellation, the Board of Directors or any committee
of
the Board of Directors will not permit either Mr. Hay or Mr. Shattuck to attend
any formal meeting of directors (including formal meetings of a group of
directors) or of any committee of the Board of Directors unless (a) both Mr.
Hay
and Mr. Shattuck are invited to attend such meeting, (b) the invitation of
only
Mr. Hay or Mr. Shattuck, as applicable, is issued by at least 70% of the entire
number of directors, rounded up to the nearest whole number or (c) either Mr.
Hay or Mr. Shattuck is unable to attend such meeting due to serious illness
or
temporary disability.
The
provisions set forth under this subheading “Attendance at Board Meetings” shall
be set forth in the Constellation By-laws and during the Transition Period
the
sections of the Constellation By-laws setting forth such provisions may not
be
amended, altered, repealed or waived in any respect, and the Board of Directors
or Constellation shall not otherwise take any action which would have the effect
of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the
effect of, or waiving compliance with, the provisions of this subheading without
the affirmative vote of at least 70% of the entire number of directors, rounded
up to the nearest whole number. Such sections of the Constellation By-laws
shall
be of no further effect after the Transition Period.
General
Governance Matters and Procedures
As
of the
Effective Time and to the extent permitted by applicable law, Constellation
and
the Board of Directors shall approve and adopt the corporate governance
policies, practices and procedures of the board of directors of FPL Group and
shall otherwise adopt the corporate governance and disclosure procedures,
guidelines and standards of FPL Group, in each case in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time.
Chairman
of the Board of Constellation
As
of the
Effective Time, Mr. Shattuck will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Following Mr. Shattuck’s retirement from the position of Chairman, Mr. Shattuck
will continue to serve as a director of Constellation.
Chief
Executive Officer of Constellation
During
the period from the Effective Time until the 3-year anniversary of the Effective
Time, (a) Mr. Hay will be the Chief Executive Officer of Constellation, (b)
Mr.
Hay shall in such capacity report directly to the Board of Directors and Mr.
Hay
will be the only officer or executive of Constellation to report directly to
the
Board of Directors and (c) all officers and executives of Constellation will
report directly or indirectly to Mr. Hay. The provisions set forth in this
paragraph shall be set forth in the employment agreement entered into between
Constellation and Mr. Hay at or prior to the Effective Time.
The
Constellation By-laws shall provide that during the period from the Effective
Time until the three-year anniversary of the Effective Time, the Board of
Directors or Constellation shall not take any action which would have the effect
of eliminating, limiting, restricting, avoiding or otherwise modifying the
roles
and responsibilities of Mr. Hay during such period of time from that set forth
in the preceding paragraph, without the affirmative vote (excluding Mr. Hay
and
Mr. Shattuck) of at least 70% of the entire number of directors (excluding
Mr.
Hay and Mr. Shattuck), rounded up to the nearest whole number. Such provisions
of the Constellation By-laws shall be of no further effect after the three-year
anniversary of the Effective Time.
Management
of Competitive Energy Business
As
of the
Effective Time, Mr. Shattuck will have management responsibilities for
Constellation’s competitive energy business. Mr. Shattuck will also assist Mr.
Hay on strategy issues. The provisions set forth in this paragraph shall be
set
forth in the employment agreement entered into between Constellation and Mr.
Shattuck, which shall have a term of three years.
EXHIBIT
D
TO
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
Form of Affiliate Letter
Dear
Sirs:
The
undersigned, a holder of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the
“FPL
Group Common Stock”),
of
FPL Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), acknowledges that
the undersigned may be deemed an “affiliate” of the Company within the meaning
of Rule 145 (“Rule
145”)
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”),
by
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger
Agreement”)
dated
as of December 18, 2005, among the Company, Constellation Energy Group, Inc.,
a
Maryland corporation (“Constellation”),
and
CF Merger Corporation, a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
of
Constellation (“Merger
Sub”),
Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger”)
and
each share of FPL Group Common Stock will be converted into one share of common
stock, no par value per share, of Constellation (the “Constellation
Common Stock”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the meanings ascribed
to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
If
in
fact the undersigned were an affiliate under the Securities Act, the
undersigned’s ability to sell, assign or transfer the Constellation Common Stock
received by the undersigned in exchange for any shares of FPL Group Common
Stock
pursuant to the Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is registered
under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available.
The undersigned understands that such exemptions are limited and the undersigned
has obtained or will obtain advice of counsel as to the nature and conditions
of
such exemptions, including information with respect to the applicability to
the
sale of such securities of Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated under the Securities
Act. The undersigned understands that Constellation will not be required to
maintain the effectiveness of any registration statement under the Securities
Act for the purposes of resale of Constellation Common Stock by the
undersigned.
The
undersigned hereby represents to and covenants with Constellation that the
undersigned will not sell, assign or transfer any of the Constellation Common
Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for shares of FPL Group Common
Stock pursuant to the Merger except (i) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, (ii) in conformity with the volume and
other
limitations of Rule 145 or (iii) in a transaction which, in the opinion of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to Constellation, or as described in a “no
action” or interpretive letter from the Staff of the SEC, is not required to be
registered under the Securities Act.
In
the
event of a sale or other disposition by the undersigned pursuant to Rule 145
of
Constellation Common Stock received by the undersigned in the Merger, the
undersigned will supply Constellation with evidence of compliance with such
Rule, in the form of a letter in the form of Annex I hereto or the opinion
of
counsel or no-action letter referred to above. The undersigned understands
that
Constellation may instruct its transfer agent to withhold the transfer of any
Constellation Common Stock disposed of by the undersigned, but that (provided
such transfer is not prohibited by any other provision of this letter agreement)
upon receipt of such
evidence
of compliance, Constellation shall cause the transfer agent to effectuate the
transfer of the Constellation Common Stock sold as indicated in such
letter.
Constellation
covenants that it will take all such actions as may be reasonably available
to
it to permit the sale or other disposition of the shares of Constellation Common
Stock by the undersigned under Rule 145 in accordance with the terms
thereof.
The
undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the legend set forth below will be
placed on certificates representing the shares of Constellation Common Stock
received by the undersigned in connection with the Merger or held by a
transferee thereof, which legend will be removed by delivery of substitute
certificates (i) if the undersigned provides evidence of compliance with Rule
145 to Constellation, in the form of a letter in the form of Annex I hereto,
or
(ii) upon receipt of an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to
Constellation from counsel reasonably satisfactory to Constellation to the
effect that such legend is no longer required for purposes of the Securities
Act.
There
will be placed on the certificates for Constellation Common Stock issued to
the
undersigned pursuant to the Merger, or any substitutions therefor, a legend
stating in substance:
“The
shares represented by this certificate were issued pursuant to a transaction
to
which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The shares
may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except in accordance with
Rule
145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, pursuant to a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or in accordance with an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.”
The
undersigned acknowledges that (i) the undersigned has carefully read this letter
and understands the requirements hereof and the limitations imposed upon the
distribution, sale, transfer or other disposition of Constellation Common Stock
and (ii) the receipt by Constellation of this letter is an inducement and a
condition to Constellation’s obligations to consummate the Merger.
Execution
of this letter should not be considered an admission on the part of the
undersigned that the undersigned is an “affiliate” of the Company as described
in the first paragraph of this letter, or as a waiver of any rights the
undersigned may have to object to any claim that the undersigned is such an
affiliate on or after the date of this letter.
Very
truly yours,
Dated:
ANNEX
I
TO
EXHIBIT D
[Name]
On
, the undersigned sold the securities of Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
(“Constellation”)
described below in the space provided for that purpose (the “Securities”).
The
Securities were received by the undersigned in connection with the merger of
CF
Merger Corporation, a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Constellation, with and into FPL Group, Inc., a Florida
corporation.
Based
upon the most recent report or statement filed by Constellation with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Securities sold by the undersigned
were
within the prescribed limitations set forth in paragraph (e) of Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”).
The
undersigned hereby represents that the Securities were sold in “brokers’
transactions” within the meaning of Section 4(4) of the Securities Act or in
transactions directly with a “market maker” as that term is defined in Section
3(a)(38) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The undersigned
further represents that the undersigned has not solicited or arranged for the
solicitation of orders to buy the Securities, and that the undersigned has
not
made any payment in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities to
any
person other than to the broker who executed the order in respect of such
sale.
Very
truly yours,
Dated:
[Space
to
be provided for description of securities.]