We will not merge into any other corporation or sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of our assets unless (1) the successor or transferee corporation assumes by supplemental indenture our obligations to pay the principal, interest and premium, if any, on all of the debt securities and our obligation to perform every covenant of the Senior Indenture that we are to perform or observe and (2) we or the successor or transferee corporation, as applicable, are not, immediately following such merger, sale or transfer, in default in the performance of any of those covenants. Upon any merger, sale or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets, the successor or transferee corporation will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the Senior Indenture with the same effect as if the successor corporation had been named as us in the Senior Indenture, and we will be released from all obligations under the Senior Indenture. Unless the prospectus supplement that describes a particular series of debt securities provides otherwise with respect to that series, the Senior Indenture will define all or substantially all of our assets as being 50% or more of our total assets as shown on our balance sheet as of the end of the prior calendar year and specifically will permit any sale, transfer or disposition during a calendar year of less than 50% of our total assets without the consent of the holders of the securities. (Sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the Senior Indenture.)
Unless the prospectus supplement that describes a particular series of debt securities provides otherwise with respect to that series, the Senior Indenture will not contain any financial or other similar restrictive covenants.
The Senior Trustee may resign at any time by notifying us in writing and specifying the day upon which the resignation is to take effect. The resignation will not take effect, however, until a successor trustee has been appointed. (Section 8.10 of the Senior Indenture.)
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities may remove the Senior Trustee at any time. In addition, so long as no event of default or event that, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default has occurred and is continuing, we may remove the Senior Trustee upon notice to the holder of each debt security outstanding and appointment of a successor Senior Trustee. (Section 8.10 of the Senior Indenture.)
U.S. Bank National Association is the Senior Trustee. We maintain banking relationships with the Senior Trustee in the ordinary course of business. The Senior Trustee also acts as trustee for our first mortgage bonds discussed above under “Description of the First Mortgage Bonds.”
13
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of securities offered by this prospectus will be issued as fully-registered global securities representing all or part of that series of securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of securities to the holders. Instead, a global security representing that series of securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or its successor, as the depository. The global securities will be registered at the request of DTC in the name of CEDE & Co., DTC’s nominee, or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC.
DTC will keep an electronic record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased securities represented by a global security. Unless a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.
Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of interests will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. The laws of some jurisdictions require that some purchasers take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
We will make payments of principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any, to DTC or its nominee. We, the applicable trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC or its nominee as the owner of the global security for all purposes, including any notices and voting. Accordingly, neither we nor any trustee nor any paying agent will have any direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on a global security to owners of beneficial interests in a global security.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants, or “direct participants,” deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or “DTCC.” DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant either directly or indirectly, an “indirect participant.” Direct participants and indirect participants are referred to collectively as “participants.” The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of global securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, or “beneficial owner,” is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of direct and indirect participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the global securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all securities deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct and indirect participants remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
If a particular series of securities is redeemable at our option or at the option of the holder, redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such series to be redeemed. Redemption proceeds and distributions on global securities will be made to Cede & Co. or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. Upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us, any trustee or any paying agent, DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts in accordance with the holdings information shown on DTC’s records on the payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners of securities will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Payments will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC nor its nominee, any trustee, any paying agent or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements. Payment of redemption proceeds and distributions to Cede & Co. or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC is the responsibility of us, the applicable trustee or the applicable paying agent, disbursement of such payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. or any other DTC nominee will consent or vote with respect to global securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date as identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
Global securities will be exchangeable for corresponding certificated securities registered in the name of persons other than DTC or its nominee if (1) DTC (a) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for any of the global securities or (b) at any time ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (2) an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the applicable series of securities or (3) we execute and deliver to the applicable trustee an order that the global securities will be so exchangeable
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from DTC, and we and any underwriters, dealers or agents are not responsible for the accuracy of the information or for the performance by DTC of its obligations under the rules and procedures governing its operations or otherwise.
Any underwriters, dealers or agents of any securities may be direct participants of DTC.
DTC.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of the first mortgage bonds and debt securities (referred to collectively in this section as “debt securities”) offered by this prospectus. This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Treasury Regulations”), administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to change and to different interpretations. Changes to any of the foregoing authorities could apply on a retroactive basis, and could affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below. We will not seek a ruling from the IRS with respect to the matters discussed in this section, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described below.
This summary does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular investor’s circumstances, and does not discuss any aspect of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation or any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of the debt securities. This summary addresses only debt securities purchased at initial issuance at the original issue price and held as capital assets and does not address U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as:
| ● | securities dealers or brokers, or traders in securities electing mark-to-market treatment; |
| | banks, thrifts, or other financial institutions; |
| | regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts; |
| | tax-exempt organizations; |
| | persons holding our debt securities or shares, as applicable, as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “synthetic security” or “conversion transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or as part of some other integrated investment; |
| | partnerships or other pass-through entities; |
| | persons required to pay the alternative minimum tax; |
| | certain former citizens or residents of the United States; |
| | U.S. persons who invest in foreign corporations that are classified as “passive foreign investment companies” or “controlled foreign corporations” for U.S. federal income tax purposes that purchase the debt securities; or |
| | “U.S. Holders” (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. |
In addition, with respect to a particular offering of debt securities, the discussion below must be read with the discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences that may appear in the applicable prospectus supplement for that offering. When we use the term “holder” in this section, we are referring to a beneficial owner of the debt securities.
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of debt securities that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes is, (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if (A) a United States court has the authority to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. An individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of the United States by reason of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year).
A “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of a debt security that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is not a U.S. Holder or a partnership.
If a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds debt securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership holding debt securities, and partners in such a partnership, should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the debt securities by the partnership.
THE DISCUSSION OF THE MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR PERSON. ACCORDINGLY, ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest. Except as set forth below, interest on debt securities generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income from domestic sources at the time that such interest is paid or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Original Issue Discount. Special tax rules apply to debt securities issued with “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“OID debt securities”). In general, debt securities with a maturity of greater than one year will be treated as issued with OID if the “issue price” of the debt securities is less than their “stated redemption price at maturity” unless the amount of such difference is de minimis (less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity). Regardless of the regular method of accounting used by a U.S. Holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes, OID generally must be accrued into gross income on a constant-yield basis, in advance of the receipt of the cash attributable to such OID.
The “issue price” of debt securities will be the initial offering price to the public at which a substantial amount of the debt securities is sold for cash (ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers). The “stated redemption price at maturity” of debt securities is the sum of all payments to be made on the debt securities other than “qualified stated interest” payments. A “qualified stated interest” payment is stated interest that is unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed rate (appropriately taking into account the length of the interval between payments).
For OID debt securities having a term of more than one year, the amount of OID includible in gross income by a U.S. Holder of the OID debt securities is the sum of the “daily portions” of OID with respect to the OID debt securities for each day during the taxable year in which such U.S. Holder held the OID debt securities. The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to such accrual period.
The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period is generally equal to the excess (if any) of (i) the product of the “adjusted issue price” of the OID debt securities at the beginning of such accrual period and the yield to maturity of the OID debt securities, as determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period, over (ii) the sum of any qualified stated interest payments allocable to the accrual period. For this purpose, accrual periods may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the OID debt securities, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs at the beginning or the end of an accrual period.
The adjusted issue price of OID debt securities at the start of any accrual period is equal to the issue price, increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period, and reduced by any prior payments with respect to the OID debt securities that were not qualified stated interest payments. The following rules apply to determine the amount of OID allocable to an accrual period:
| | if an interval between payments of qualified stated interest contains more than one accrual period, the amount of qualified stated interest payable at the end of the interval is allocated on a pro rata basis to each accrual period in the interval, and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of each accrual period in the interval must be increased by the amount of any qualified stated interest that has accrued prior to the beginning of the first day of the accrual period but is not payable until the end of the interval;
|
| | if the accrual period is the final accrual period, the amount of OID allocable to the final accrual period is the difference between the amount payable at maturity (other than a payment of qualified stated interest) and the adjusted issue price of the debt security at the beginning of the final accrual period; and |
| | if all accrual periods are of equal length, except for an initial shorter accrual period or an initial and a final shorter accrual period, the amount of OID allocable to the initial accrual period may be computed under any reasonable method. |
Under the constant-yield method for accruing OID, a U.S. Holder generally will have to include in gross income increasingly greater amounts of OID in successive accrual periods.
Debt securities may contain provisions allowing the debt securities to be redeemed prior to their stated maturity date at our option or at the option of holders. For purposes of determining yield and maturity, debt securities that may be redeemed prior to their stated maturity date at the option of the issuer generally will be treated from the time of issuance as having a maturity date for U.S. federal income tax purposes on such redemption date if such redemption would result in a lower yield to maturity. Conversely, debt securities that may be redeemed prior to their stated maturity date at the option of the holder generally will be treated from the time of issuance as having a maturity date for U.S. federal income tax purposes on such redemption date if such redemption would result in a higher yield to maturity. If the exercise of such an option does not occur, contrary to the assumptions made as of the issue date, then solely for purposes of the accrual of OID, the debt securities will be treated as reissued on the date of the change in circumstances for an amount equal to their adjusted issue price.
In certain circumstances, if debt securities may be redeemed for an amount in excess of their stated redemption price at maturity, such additional payments may implicate the provisions of the Treasury Regulations relating to “contingent payment debt instruments.” One or more contingencies will not cause the debt securities to be treated as a contingent payment debt instruments if, as of the issue date, each such contingency is considered remote or incidental or another exception applies. We expect that the potential for additional payments on the debt securities will not cause the debt securities to be treated as contingent payment debt instruments under the applicable Treasury Regulations. Our determination is binding on a holder unless such holder discloses its contrary position in the manner required by the applicable Treasury Regulations. However, the IRS may take a different position, which could require a holder to accrue income on its debt securities in excess of stated interest, and to treat any income realized on the taxable disposition of a debt security as ordinary income rather than capital gain. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the debt securities will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. Investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the contingent payment debt instrument rules to the debt securities.
Variable Rate Debt Securities. Treasury Regulations prescribe special rules for “variable rate debt instruments” that provide for the payment of interest based on certain floating or objective rates. In general, debt securities will qualify as variable rate debt instruments (“variable rate debt instruments”) if (i) the issue price of the debt securities does not exceed the total non-contingent principal payments due in respect of the debt securities by more than an amount equal to the lesser of (A) 0.015 multiplied by the product of the total non-contingent principal payments and the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date or (B) 15% of the total non-contingent principal payments, and (ii) the debt securities provide for stated interest, paid or compounded at least annually, at “current values” of (A) one or more “qualified floating rates,” (B) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates, (C) a single “objective rate,” or (D) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a “qualified inverse floating rate.” A current value of a rate is the value of the rate on any date that is no earlier than three months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than one year following that first day.
A “qualified floating rate” is a variable rate if variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the variable rate debt securities are denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified floating rate generally will not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35 can constitute a qualified floating rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified floating rate. In addition, two or more qualified floating rates that can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the term of the variable rate debt securities (e.g., two or more qualified floating rates with values within 25 basis points of each other as determined on the issue date) will be treated as a single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a variable rate that would otherwise constitute a qualified floating rate but that is subject to one or more restrictions such as a maximum stated interest rate (i.e., a cap), a minimum stated interest rate (i.e., a floor) or a restriction on the amount of increase or decrease in the stated interest (i.e., a governor) may, under certain circumstances, fail to be treated as a qualified floating rate unless such restrictions are fixed throughout the term of the variable rate debt securities or are reasonably expected not to have a significant effect on the yield of the variable rate debt securities.
An “objective rate” is a rate that is not itself a qualified floating rate but that is determined using a single fixed formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information. A rate will not qualify as an objective rate if it is based on information that is within the control of the issuer (or a related party) or that is unique to the circumstances of the issuer (or a related party), such as dividends, profits, or the value of the issuer’s stock (although a rate does not fail to be an objective rate merely because it is based on the credit quality of the issuer). An objective rate is a “qualified inverse floating rate” if the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, as long as variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating rate. The Treasury Regulations also provide that if debt securities provide for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed by a variable rate that is either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate and if the variable rate on the issue date is intended to approximate the fixed rate (e.g., the value of the variable rate on the issue date does not differ from the value of the fixed rate by more than 25 basis points), then the fixed rate and the variable rate together will constitute either a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, as the case may be.
If variable rate debt securities provide for stated interest at either a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout their term, and such interest is unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually, then all stated interest on such variable rate debt securities will constitute qualified stated interest that is included in gross income by U.S. Holders as received or accrued in accordance with their regular methods of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, such variable rate debt securities generally will not be treated as having been issued with OID unless the variable rate securities are sold at a discount from their stated principal amount, subject to a de minimis exception. In general, the amount of qualified stated interest and OID, if any, that accrues during an accrual period on such variable rate debt securities is determined under the rules described above by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to (i) in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the value as of the issue date of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate), a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the variable rate debt securities. The qualified stated interest allocable to an accrual period is increased (or decreased) if the interest actually paid during an accrual period exceeds (or is less than) the interest that was accrued under the foregoing approach.
For other variable rate debt securities, the timing and amount of OID and qualified stated interest will be determined by converting the variable rate debt securities into “equivalent fixed rate debt instruments.” The conversion of the variable rate debt securities into equivalent fixed rate debt instruments generally involves substituting for any qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate a fixed rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be, as of the issue date, or substituting for any objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate) a fixed rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the variable rate debt securities. In the case of variable rate debt securities that provide for stated interest at a fixed rate in addition to either one or more qualified floating rates or a qualified inverse floating rate, the fixed rate is initially converted into a qualified floating rate (or a qualified inverse floating rate, if the variable rate debt securities provide for a qualified inverse floating rate). Under such circumstances, the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate that replaces the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the variable rate debt securities as of their issue date is approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for either the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to converting the fixed rate into either a qualified floating rate or a qualified inverse rate, the variable rate debt securities are then converted into equivalent fixed rate debt instruments in the manner described above.
Once the variable rate debt securities are converted into equivalent fixed rate debt instruments pursuant to the foregoing rules, the timing and amount of OID and qualified stated interest, if any, are generally determined for the equivalent fixed rate debt instruments by applying the general OID rules to the equivalent fixed rate debt instruments. A U.S. Holder of such variable rate debt securities will account for OID and qualified stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the equivalent fixed rate debt instruments. For each accrual period, appropriate adjustments will be made to the amount of qualified stated interest or OID assumed to have been accrued or paid with respect to the equivalent fixed rate debt instruments in the event that such amounts differ from the actual amount of interest accrued or paid on the variable rate debt securities during the accrual period.
Sale, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of Debt Securities. Upon the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of debt securities, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize U.S.-source gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition (other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as ordinary interest income to the extent not previously included in gross income) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debt securities. In general, the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the debt securities will equal the U.S. Holder’s cost for the debt securities, increased by all accrued OID or market discount previously included in gross income and reduced by any amortized premium and any cash payments previously received in respect of the debt securities other than qualified stated interest payments. Such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, retirement or other taxable disposition the debt securities have been held for more than one year. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals, are eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income taxation in respect of long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Medicare Tax. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. person that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. person’s “net investment income” (in the case of individuals) or “undistributed net investment income” (in the case of estates and trusts) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of individuals) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of estates and trusts) for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A holder’s net investment income will generally include its interest income (including OID, if any) from the debt securities and net gain from the disposition of the debt securities, unless such interest income and net gain is derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). Net investment income may, however, be reduced by properly allocable deductions to such income. U.S. persons that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to their income and gains from the debt securities.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding:
| (a) | payments of principal and interest (including OID, if any) on the debt securities by us or our paying agent to any Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax and federal income tax, provided that: |
| | the Non-U.S. Holder does not own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote; |
| | the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation related, directly or indirectly, to us through stock ownership or a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; |
| | the interest is not considered contingent interest under Section 871(h)(4)(A) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder; |
| | the interest is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (or, if a tax treaty applies, is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States); and |
| | the certification requirement has been fulfilled with respect to the beneficial owner, as discussed below; and |
| (b) | a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of the debt securities, unless: |
| | the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met; or |
| | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States). |
The certification requirement referred to in subparagraph (a) above will be fulfilled if (i) the beneficial owner of the debt securities certifies on IRS Form W-8BEN or other successor form, under penalties of perjury, that such beneficial owner is not a U.S. person and provides its name and address, and (ii) the beneficial owner files IRS Form W-8BEN or other successor form with the paying agent, or in the case of debt securities held on behalf of the beneficial owner by a securities clearing organization, bank, or other financial institution holding customers’ securities in the ordinary course of it trade or business, such financial institution files with the paying agent a statement that it has received the IRS Form W-8EBN or other successor form from the beneficial owner and furnishes the paying agent with a copy. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding possible additional reporting requirements.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of debt securities is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and interest (including OID) on the debt securities, or gain realized on its sale, retirement or other taxable disposition of the debt securities is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs, will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax on its effectively connected income, generally in the same manner as a U.S. Holder. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders” above. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax (unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain adjustments. In lieu of the certificates described in the preceding paragraph, such a Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide to the paying agent a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or other successor form to claim an exemption from withholding.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
U.S. Holders. In general, a U.S. Holder (other than an exempt recipient) will be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to payments of principal, premium, and interest (including OID) in respect of, and the proceeds from a sale, redemption or other disposition before maturity of the debt securities. In addition, a U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding on such payments if the U.S. Holder (i) fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number to the payor; (ii) has been notified by the IRS of a failure to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or (iii) in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS on a timely basis. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding rules in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
Non-U.S. Holders. In general, we or our paying agent must report to the IRS and to a Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest (including OID) on the debt securities paid to the Non-U.S. Holder and the amount of U.S. federal withholding tax, if any, deducted from those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any associated U.S. federal withholding tax also may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments that we make on the debt securities provided that we or our paying agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person, and we or our paying agent has received from the Non-U.S. Holder an appropriate certification of non-U.S. status (i.e., IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8). Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the payment of the proceeds of a sale of debt securities that is effected within the United States or effected outside the United States through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalty of perjury as to its non-U.S. status, and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the IRS on a timely basis. Non-U.S. Holders of debt securities should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining an exemption, if applicable.
Legislation Affecting Taxation of Debt Securities Held by or through Foreign Entities
Legislation was enacted in 2010, contained in Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, that will impose a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments (as defined below) made to a foreign financial institution, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury to, among other things, collect and provide to it substantial information regarding such institution’s U.S. financial account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on withholdable payments to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the paying agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. “Withholdable payments” include payments of interest (including OID) from sources within the U.S., as well as the gross proceeds from the sale of any property of a type which can produce interest from sources within the U.S. unless the payments of interest or gross proceeds are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business and taxed as such. As enacted, these withholding and reporting obligations generally apply to payments made after December 31, 2012 with respect to any debt securities other than debt securities outstanding on March 18, 2012. Under proposed Treasury regulations, these withholding and reporting requirements will be delayed until January 1, 2014, and withholding on gross proceeds will be delayed until January 1, 2015. Further, withholding will not apply to debt securities outstanding on January 1, 2013, unless such debt securities undergo a significant modification after that date. The proposed Treasury regulations are proposed to be effective on the date of publication of the adoption of the regulations as final regulations. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the legislation and proposed regulations as they apply to the debt securities.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities offered under this prospectus through underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to one or more purchasers. The terms under which the securities are offered and the method of distribution will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities offered under this prospectus may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the “Securities Act,” and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the offered securities by them may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their compensation, including any underwriting discount or commission, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe other terms of the offering, including the initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers.
The distribution of the securities described in this prospectus may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
We may determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement how any auction will be conducted to determine the price or any other terms of the securities, how potential investors may participate in the auction and, where applicable, the nature of the underwriters’ obligations with respect to the auction.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.
Under agreements into which we may enter in connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.Act.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, legal opinions relating to the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be rendered by our counsel, James L. Altman, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of securities, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters, dealers or agents named in a prospectus supplement by Hunton & Williams LLP, New York, New York. James L. Altman is the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Xcel Energy Services Inc., and is the beneficial owner of less than 1% of the common stock of our parent company, Xcel Energy.Energy Inc.
The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company’sCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
Set forth below is an estimate of the approximate amount of our fees and expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) in connection with the issuance of the securities:
| Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | | $ | 17,190 | |
| Blue Sky fees | | | 5,500 | |
| Accountant’s fees and expenses | | | 75,000 | |
| Registrant counsels’ fees and expenses | | | 75,000 | |
| Trustees’ fees and expenses | | | 5,000 | |
| Printing and engraving costs | | | 15,000 | |
| Rating agencies’ fees and expenses | | | 175,000 | |
| Mortgage registration | | | 20,000 | |
| Miscellaneous | | | 12,310 | |
| Total fees and expenses | | $ | 400,000 | |
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | | $ | 25,760 | |
| Blue Sky fees | | | 11,000 | |
| Accountant’s fees and expenses | | | 130,000 | |
| Registrant counsels’ fees and expenses | | | 160,000 | |
| Trustees’ fees and expenses | | | 12,000 | |
| Printing and engraving costs | | | 40,000 | |
| Rating agencies’ fees and expenses | | | 300,000 | |
| Mortgage registration | | | 160,000 | |
| Miscellaneous | | | 36,240 | |
| Total fees and expenses | | $ | 875,000 | |
* All items are estimated except the first.
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Sections 180.0850 through 180.0859 of the Wisconsin Statutes permit indemnification of officers and directors of domestic or foreign corporations under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to authorization contained in the registrant’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, Section 7 of Article II of the Bylaws of the registrant contains provisions for indemnification of its directors and officers consistent with the provisions of Section 180.0850 through 180.0859 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
The registrant has obtained insurance policies indemnifying it and its directors and officers against certain civil liabilities and related expenses.
| Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
1.011.01* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the first mortgage bonds.bonds (Exhibit 1.01 to the Company’s Form S-3 (No. 333-182404) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2012). |
1.021.02* | | Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to the senior unsecured debt securities.securities (Exhibit 1.02 to the Company’s Form S-3 (No. 333-182404) filed with the SEC on June 28, 2012). |
4.01 | | Supplemental and Restated Trust Indenture, dated March 1, 1991, between Northern States Power Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Successor Trustee, providing for the issuance of First Mortgage Bonds. (Incorporated by reference to ExhibitBonds (Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report onCompany’s Form 10-Q (File No. 001-03140) for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1991). |
4.02 | 4.02* | Form of Supplemental Indenture establishing a series of first mortgage bonds under the Trust Indenture referenced in Exhibit 4.01 above, as supplemented.supplemented (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(7) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement onCompany’s Form S-3 (No. 333-151868) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2008 (No. 333-151868))2008). |
| 4.03 | | Form of First Mortgage Bonds (included in the Form of Supplemental Indenture referenced in Exhibit 4.02 above). |
4.044.04* | | Trust Indenture, dated September 1, 2000, between Northern States Power Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Successor Trustee, providing for the issuance of Senior Unsecured Debt Securities. (Incorporated by reference to Securities (Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant’s Current Report onCompany’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 25, 2000 (No. 001-03140)). |
4.05 | 4.05* | Form of Supplemental Indenture establishing a series of senior unsecured debt securities under the Trust Indenture referenced in Exhibit 4.04 above, as supplemented. supplemented (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(3) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement onCompany’s Form S-3 (No. 333-151868) filed with the SEC on June 24, 2008 (No. 333-151868))2008). |
| 4.06 | | Form of Senior Unsecured Debt Securities (included in the Form of Supplemental Indenture in Exhibit 4.05 above). |
| 5.01 | | Opinion of James L. Altman regarding the validity of certain securities. |
| 12.01 | | Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12.01 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012 (No. 001-03140)). |
| 23.01 | | Consent of James L. Altman (included in Exhibit 5). |
| 23.02 | | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
| 24.01 | | Power of Attorney. |
| 25.01 | | Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, as Successor Trustee under the Trust Indenture relating to first mortgage bonds referenced in Exhibit 4.01 above and the Trust Indenture relating to the senior unsecured debt securities referenced in Exhibit 4.04 above, each as supplemented. |
*Incorporated by reference.
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on June 28, 2012.December 13, 2013.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.