Exhibit 4.5
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Between
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(as Guarantor)
and
The First National Bank of Chicago
(as Trustee)
dated as of
______________, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions........................................... 2
ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.01. Trust Indenture Act; Application...................... 5
SECTION 2.02. Lists of Holders...................................... 5
SECTION 2.03. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee...................... 5
SECTION 2.04. Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee................. 6
SECTION 2.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent...... 6
SECTION 2.06. Events of Default; Waiver............................. 6
SECTION 2.07. Event of Default; Notice.............................. 6
SECTION 2.08. Conflicting Interests................................. 7
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.01. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee............ 7
SECTION 3.02. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee................... 9
SECTION 3.03. Indemnity............................................. 11
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility........................ 12
SECTION 4.02. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the
Guarantee Trustee.................................... 13
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Page
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ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.01. Guarantee............................................. 13
SECTION 5.02. Waiver of Notice and Demand........................... 14
SECTION 5.03. Obligations Not Affected.............................. 14
SECTION 5.04. Rights of Holders..................................... 15
SECTION 5.05. Guarantee of Payment.................................. 15
SECTION 5.06. Subrogation........................................... 15
SECTION 5.07. Independent Obligations............................... 16
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.01. Subordination......................................... 16
SECTION 6.02. Pari Passu Guarantees................................. 16
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.01. Termination.......................................... 16
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01. Successors and Assigns............................... 17
SECTION 8.02. Amendments........................................... 17
SECTION 8.03. Notices.............................................. 17
SECTION 8.04. Benefit.............................................. 18
SECTION 8.05. Interpretation....................................... 18
SECTION 8.06. Governing Law........................................ 19
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE/*/
Section of Section of
Trust Indenture Act Guarantee
of 1939, as amended Agreement
------------------- ----------
310(a)...................................................... 4.01(a)
310(b)...................................................... 4.01(c), 2.08
310(c)...................................................... Inapplicable
311(a)...................................................... 2.02(b)
311(b)...................................................... 2.02(b)
311(c)...................................................... Inapplicable
312(a)...................................................... 2.02(a)
312(b)...................................................... 2.02(b)
313......................................................... 2.03
314(a)...................................................... 2.04
314(b)...................................................... Inapplicable
314(c)...................................................... 2.05
314(d)...................................................... Inapplicable
314(e)...................................................... 1.01, 2.05, 3.02
314(f)...................................................... 2.01, 3.02
315(a)...................................................... 3.01(d)
315(b)...................................................... 2.07
315(c)...................................................... 3.01
315(d)...................................................... 3.01(d)
316(a)...................................................... 1.01, 2.06, 5.04
316(b)...................................................... 5.03
316(c)...................................................... 8.02
317(a)...................................................... Inapplicable
317(b)...................................................... Inapplicable
318(a)...................................................... 2.01(b)
318(b)...................................................... 2.01
318(c)...................................................... 2.01(a)
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/*/ This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Guarantee
Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or
provisions.
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
-------------------
This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of __________ __, 1995, is executed
and delivered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a California corporation (the
"Guarantor"), and The First National Bank of Chicago, a banking association
organized under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the "Guarantee
Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time
of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of PG&E Capital I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of _________ __, 1995 among the Issuer Trustees
named therein, the Guarantor, as Depositor, and the Holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
issuing up to $___________ aggregate liquidation preference of its ____%
Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (liquidation
preference $25 per preferred security) (the "Preferred Securities") representing
preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer and having
the terms set forth in the Trust Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the
proceeds thereof will be used to purchase the Debentures (as defined in the
Trust Agreement) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with The First
National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee under the Trust Agreement, as
trust assets; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase Preferred Securities
the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent
set forth herein, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the
Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee Agreement for
the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Preferred Securities.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. As used in this Guarantee Agreement, the
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terms set forth below shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the
following meanings. Capitalized or otherwise defined terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Trust Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
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direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
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foregoing.
"Common Securities" means the securities representing common
beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.
"Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Guarantee Agreement; provided, however,
that, except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the
Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such
default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Trust Agreement) required to be paid on the
Preferred Securities, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand
available therefor, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid
Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), with respect
to the Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer to the extent
the Issuer shall have funds on hand available therefor, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary termination, winding-up or liquidation of the Issuer,
unless Debentures are distributed to the Holders, (a) the aggregate of the
liquidation preference of $25 per Preferred Security plus accrued and
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unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment to the
extent the Issuer shall have funds on hand available to make such payment or, if
different, (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for
distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the
"Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The First National Bank of Chicago, until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee Agreement and thereafter means each such
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Holder" means any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have
given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not
include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.
"Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of __________, 1995, as
supplemented and amended to date between the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer")
and The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee.
"List of Holders" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(a).
"Majority in liquidation preference of the Securities" means, except
as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by the Holder(s), voting
separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation preference of all
then outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the Issuer.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, the
President, a Senior Vice President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person, and
delivered to the Guarantee Trustee. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with
respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this
Guarantee Agreement shall include:
(a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate
has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each
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officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate and upon which the
statements contained therein are based;
(c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such
officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee,
any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the
Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, any
Trust Officer or Assistant Trust Officer or any other officer of the Corporate
Trust Department of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions
similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also
means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to
whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Senior Indebtedness" means Senior Indebtedness as defined in the
Indenture.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee
possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.01.
"Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
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ARTICLE II
TRUST INDENTURE ACT
SECTION 2.01. Trust Indenture Act; Application.
--------------------------------
(a) This Guarantee Agreement is subject to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Guarantee
Agreement and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.
(b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Guarantee
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section
310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.
SECTION 2.02. Lists of Holders.
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(a) The Guarantor shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee (a) semiannually, on or before January 15 and July 15 of
each year, a list, in such form as the Guarantee Trustee may reasonably
require, of the names and addresses of the Holders ("List of Holders") as
of a date not more than 15 days prior to the delivery thereof, and (b) at
such other times as the Guarantee Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Guarantor of any such request, a List of
Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is
furnished, in each case to the extent such information is in the possession
or control of the Guarantor and is not identical to a previously supplied
list of Holders or has not otherwise been received by the Guarantee Trustee
in its capacity as such. The Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of
Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under
Section 311(a), Section 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.
SECTION 2.03. Reports by the Guarantee Trustee. Within 60 days after
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December 31 of each year, the Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders
such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any,
in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture
Act. The Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section
313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SECTION 2.04. Periodic Reports to Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantor
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shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee, the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Holders such documents, reports and information, if any, as required by
Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and the compliance certificate required
by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the
times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.
SECTION 2.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. The
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Guarantor shall provide to the Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance
with such conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Guarantee Agreement
that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust
Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer
pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers'
Certificate.
SECTION 2.06. Events of Default; Waiver. The Holders of a Majority
-------------------------
in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of
the Holders, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such
waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this
Guarantee Agreement, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent therefrom.
SECTION 2.07. Event of Default; Notice.
------------------------
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence
of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to
the Holders, notices of all Events of Default known to the Guarantee
Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such
notice, provided, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of a
Guarantee Payment, the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors, the executive
committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of
the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such
notice is in the interests of the Holders.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received
written notice, or a Responsible Officer charged with the
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administration of the Trust Agreement shall have obtained written notice,
of such Event of Default.
SECTION 2.08. Conflicting Interests. The Trust Agreement shall be
---------------------
deemed to be specifically described in this Guarantee Agreement for the purposes
of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
ARTICLE III
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.01. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
------------------------------------------
(a) This Guarantee Agreement shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee
for the benefit of the Holders, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not
transfer this Guarantee Agreement to any Person except a Holder exercising
his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.04(iv) or to a Successor Guarantee
Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and
interest of the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor
Guarantee Trustee, upon acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of
its appointment hereunder, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be
effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee Agreement for the benefit of
the Holders.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have
occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically
set forth in this Guarantee Agreement, and no implied covenants shall be
read into this Guarantee Agreement against the Guarantee Trustee. In case
an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived
pursuant to Section 2.06), the Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement, and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof,
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as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the
conduct of his or her own affairs.
(d) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be construed to
relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action,
its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except
that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Guarantee Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this
Guarantee Agreement, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee Agreement; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely,
as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the
requirements of this Guarantee Agreement; but in the case of any
such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof or of
the Trust Indenture Act are specifically required to be furnished
to the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be under a
duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of this Guarantee Agreement;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Guarantee Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment
was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
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Majority in liquidation preference of the Preferred Securities
relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any
trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under this
Guarantee Agreement; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall require the
Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Guarantee
Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment
of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement or adequate indemnity against such
risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 3.02. Certain Rights of Guarantee Trustee.
-----------------------------------
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.01:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may rely and shall be fully
protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or
parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by
this Guarantee Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by an
Officers' Certificate unless otherwise prescribed herein.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter
be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting to take
any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is
herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon
receipt of such
9
request from the Guarantee Trustee, shall be promptly delivered by the
Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with legal counsel, and
the written advice or opinion of such legal counsel with respect to
legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it
hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.
Such legal counsel may be legal counsel to the Guarantor or any of its
Affiliates and may be one of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee
shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Guarantee Agreement from any court of competent
jurisdiction.
(v) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to
exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Guarantee
Agreement at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such
Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such adequate
security and indemnity as would satisfy a reasonable person in the
position of the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses
(including attorneys' fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including
such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee;
provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.02(a)(v) shall be
taken to relieve the Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Guarantee Agreement.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any
investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request,
direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in
its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit.
(vii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or
powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through
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its agents or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such
agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(viii) Whenever in the administration of this Guarantee
Agreement the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive
instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking
any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request
instructions from the Holders, (B) may refrain from enforcing such
remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions
are received, and (C) shall be protected in acting in accordance with
such instructions.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any act
or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or
imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which
the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance
with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any
such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority
available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty to act
in accordance with such power and authority.
SECTION 3.03. Indemnity. The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the
---------
Guarantee Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or
expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Guarantee
Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration
of this Guarantee Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending
itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Guarantee Trustee
will not claim or exact any lien or charge on any Guarantee Payments as a result
of any amount due to it under this Guarantee Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 4.01. Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.
------------------------------
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture
Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least
50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and shall be a corporation
meeting the requirements of Section 310(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually,
pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining
authority, then, for the purposes of this Section and to the extent
permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus
of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published.
(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible
to so act under Section 4.01(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately
resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.02(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting
interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,
the Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the
provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SECTION 4.02. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
-----------------------------------------------------
Trustee.
-------
(a) Subject to Section 4.02(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be
appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed until a Successor
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed hereunder shall hold office until
a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its
removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from office
(without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in
writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor,
which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Guarantee Trustee
has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in
writing executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor and the resigning Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and
accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.02 within 60 days after
delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the resigning
Guarantee Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Guarantor, any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may
deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.
ARTICLE V
GUARANTEE
SECTION 5.01. Guarantee. The Guarantor irrevocably and
---------
unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments
(without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by or on behalf of the Issuer),
as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim
which the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a
Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by
the
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Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the
Holders.
SECTION 5.02. Waiver of Notice and Demand. The Guarantor hereby
---------------------------
waives notice of acceptance of the Guarantee Agreement and of any liability to
which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to
require a proceeding first against the Guarantee Trustee, Issuer or any other
Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment,
notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.
SECTION 5.03. Obligations Not Affected. The obligations, covenants,
------------------------
agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement shall in
no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of
any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied
agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities
to be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions (other than an extension of time for payment
of Distributions that results from the extension of any interest payment
period on the Debentures as so provided in the Indenture), Redemption
Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms
of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time for the performance of
any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the
Preferred Securities;
(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or
extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of
any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or
readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer
or any of the assets of the Issuer;
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(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby
or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute
a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the
intent of this Section 5.03 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain the
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.
SECTION 5.04. Rights of Holders. The Guarantor expressly
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acknowledges that: (i) this Guarantee Agreement will be deposited with the
Guarantee Trustee to be held for the benefit of the Holders; (ii) the Guarantee
Trustee has the right to enforce this Guarantee Agreement on behalf of the
Holders; (iii) the Holders of a Majority in liquidation preference of the
Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of this Guarantee Agreement or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee Agreement; and (iv) if the
Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this Guarantee Agreement as above provided,
any Holder may, after a period of 30 days has elapsed from such Holder's written
request to the Guarantee Trustee to enforce this Guarantee Agreement, institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under
this Guarantee Agreement, without first instituting a legal proceeding against
the Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person.
SECTION 5.05. Guarantee of Payment. This Guarantee Agreement creates
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a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This Guarantee Agreement will not
be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full (without
duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer) or upon distribution of
Debentures to Holders as provided in the Trust Agreement.
SECTION 5.06. Subrogation. The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all
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(if any) rights of the Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid
to the Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee Agreement and shall have
the right to waive payment by the Issuer pursuant to Section
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5.01; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent
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required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any
rights which it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity,
reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this
Guarantee Agreement, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due
and unpaid under this Guarantee Agreement. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION 5.07. Independent Obligations. The Guarantor acknowledges
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that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer
with respect to the Preferred Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable
as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the
terms of this Guarantee Agreement notwithstanding the occurrence of any event
referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.03 hereof.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS AND SUBORDINATION
SECTION 6.01. Subordination. This Guarantee Agreement will
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constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all liabilities of the Guarantor, including
the Debentures, except those made pari passu or subordinate to the Guarantee
expressly by their terms.
SECTION 6.02. Pari Passu Guarantees. This Guarantee Agreement shall
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rank pari passu with any similar Guarantee Agreements issued by the Guarantor on
behalf of the holders of Preferred Securities issued by PG&E Capital II, PG&E
Capital III and PG&E Capital IV.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Guarantee Agreement shall terminate
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and be of no further force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption
Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) the distribution of Debentures to the
Holders in exchange for all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance
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with the Trust Agreement upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, this Guarantee Agreement will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder must restore payment
of any sums paid with respect to Preferred Securities or this Guarantee
Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.01. Successors and Assigns. All guarantees and agreements
----------------------
contained in this Guarantee Agreement shall bind the successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the
benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. Except in
connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that is
permitted under Article Eight of the Indenture and pursuant to which the
assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the
Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 8.02. Amendments. Except with respect to any changes which
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do not adversely affect the rights of the Holders in any material respect (in
which case no consent of the Holders will be required), this Guarantee Agreement
may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of not less than a
Majority in liquidation preference of all the outstanding Preferred Securities.
The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement concerning meetings of the
Holders shall apply to the giving of such approval.
SECTION 8.03. Notices. Any notice, request or other communication
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required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, duly signed by
the party giving such notice, and delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class
mail as follows:
(a) if given to the Guarantor, to the address set forth below or such
other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
77 Beale Street
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94120
Facsimile No: (415) 973-7000
Attention: Treasurer
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(b) if given to the Issuer, in care of the Guarantee Trustee, at the
Issuer's (and the Guarantee Trustee's) address set forth below or such
other address as the Guarantee Trustee on behalf of the Issuer may give
notice to the Holders:
PG&E Capital I
c/o Pacific Gas and Electric Company
77 Beale Street
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94120
Facsimile No: (415) 973-7059
Attention: Treasurer
with a copy to:
First National Bank of Chicago
One First National Plaza
Suite 0126
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126
Facsimile No: (312) 407-4656
Attention: Corporate Trust Services Division
(c) if given to any Holder, at the address set forth on the books and
records of the Issuer.
All notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given when received
in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.04. Benefit. This Guarantee Agreement is solely for the
-------
benefit of the Holders and is not separately transferable from the Preferred
Securities.
SECTION 8.05. Interpretation. In this Guarantee Agreement, unless
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the context otherwise requires:
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(a) Capitalized terms used in this Guarantee Agreement but not
defined in the preamble hereto have the respective meanings assigned to
them in Section 1.01;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee Agreement has the same
meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee Agreement" or "this Guarantee
Agreement" are to this Guarantee Agreement as modified, supplemented or
amended from time to time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee Agreement to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee Agreement unless
otherwise specified;
(e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning
when used in this Guarantee Agreement unless otherwise defined in this
Guarantee Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires;
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa;
and
(g) the masculine, feminine or neuter genders used herein shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders.
SECTION 8.06. GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT SHALL BE
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GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
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THIS GUARANTEE AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first
above written.
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
By:
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Name:
Title:
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as Guarantee
Trustee
By:
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Name:
Title:
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