Date of Report | |
(Date of earliest event reported): | December 14, 2017 |
SEMPRA ENERGY |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
CALIFORNIA | 1-14201 | 33-0732627 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
488 8th AVENUE, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA | 92101 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code | (619) 696-2000 |
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: | |
[ ] | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
[ ] | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
[ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
[ ] | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company [ ] |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ] |
▪ | seven members will be independent directors under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (and those directors shall have no material relationship with Sempra or its affiliates, or any other entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, currently or within the previous 10 years) (the “independent directors”); |
▪ | two members will be designated by Sempra; |
▪ | two members will be appointed by Texas Transmission Investment LLC (“TTI”), which is an investment vehicle owned by third parties unaffiliated with EFH and Sempra and that owns 19.75% of the outstanding membership interests of Oncor; and |
▪ | two members will be current or former officers of Oncor (the “Oncor Officer Directors”), initially Robert S. Shapard and E. Allen J. Nye, Jr., who no later than the closing of the Merger will be the chair of the Oncor board and chief executive officer |
▪ | A majority of the independent directors of Oncor must approve any annual or multi-year budget if the aggregate amount of capital expenditures or operating and maintenance expenditures in such budget is more than a 10% increase or decrease from |
▪ | Oncor will make minimum aggregate capital expenditures equal to at least $7.5 billion over the period from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022 (subject to certain possible adjustments); |
▪ | Sempra has agreed to make, within 60 days after the Merger, its proportionate share of the aggregate equity investment in Oncor in an amount necessary for Oncor to achieve a capital structure consisting of 57.5% long-term debt and 42.5% equity, as calculated for regulatory purposes (until recently, Oncor’s regulatory capital structure required 40% equity, with the remaining 60% as debt); |
▪ | Oncor may not pay any dividends or make any other distributions (except for contractual tax payments) if a majority of its independent directors determines that it is in the best interests of Oncor to retain such amounts to meet expected future requirements; |
▪ | At all times, Oncor will remain in compliance with the debt-to-equity ratio established by the PUCT from time to time for ratemaking purposes, and Oncor will not pay dividends or other distributions (except for contractual tax payments), if that payment would cause its debt-to-equity ratio to exceed the debt-to-equity ratio approved by the PUCT; |
▪ | Sempra will ensure that, as of the closing of the Merger, Oncor’s credit rating by all three major rating agencies will be at or above Oncor’s credit ratings as of June 30, 2017; |
▪ | If the credit rating on Oncor’s senior secured debt by any of the three major rating agencies falls below BBB (or the equivalent), Oncor will suspend dividends and other distributions (except for contractual tax payments), unless otherwise allowed by the PUCT; |
▪ | Without the prior approval of the PUCT, neither Sempra nor any of its affiliates (excluding Oncor) will incur, guaranty or pledge assets in respect of any indebtedness that is dependent on the revenues of Oncor in more than a proportionate degree than the other revenues of Sempra or on the stock of Oncor, and there will be no debt at EFH or EFIH at any time following the closing of the Merger; |
▪ | Neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will lend money to or borrow money from Sempra or any of its affiliates (other than Oncor subsidiaries), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, and neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will share credit facilities with Sempra or any of its affiliates (other than Oncor subsidiaries), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings; |
▪ | Oncor will not seek recovery in rates of any expenses or liabilities related to EFH’s bankruptcy, or (1) any tax liabilities resulting from EFH’s spinoff of its former subsidiary Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, (2) any asbestos claims relating to non-Oncor operations of EFH or (3) any make-whole claims by holders of debt securities issued by EFH or EFIH, and Sempra must file with the PUCT a plan providing for the extinguishment of the liabilities described in items (1) through (3) above, which protects Oncor from any harm; |
▪ | There must be maintained certain “separateness measures” that reinforce the financial separation of Oncor from EFH and EFH’s owners, including a requirement that dealings between Oncor, Oncor Holdings and their subsidiaries with Sempra, any of Sempra’s other affiliates or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, must be on an arm’s-length basis, limitations on affiliate transactions, separate recordkeeping requirements and a prohibition on pledging Oncor assets or stock for any entity other than Oncor; |
▪ | No transaction costs or transition costs related to the Merger (excluding Oncor employee time) will be borne by Oncor’s customers nor included in Oncor’s rates; |
▪ | Sempra will continue to hold indirectly at least 51% of the ownership interests in Oncor and Oncor Holdings for at least five years following the closing of the Merger, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the PUCT; and |
▪ | Oncor will provide bill credits to customers in an amount equal to 90% of any interest rate savings achieved due to any improvement in its credit ratings or market spreads compared to those as of June 30, 2017 until final rates are set in the next Oncor base rate case filed after PUCT Docket No. 46957 (except that savings will not be included in credits if already realized in rates); and one year after the Merger, Oncor will provide bill credits to its customers equal to 90% of any synergy savings until final rates are set in the next Oncor base rate proceeding after PUCT Docket No. 46957, at which time any total synergy savings shall be reflected in Oncor’s rates. |
SEMPRA ENERGY, | |
(Registrant) | |
Date: December 14, 2017 | By: /s/ Trevor I. Mihalik |
Trevor I. Mihalik Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer | |
JOINT REPORT AND APPLICATION OF ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC AND SEMPRA ENERGY FOR REGULATORY APPROVALS PURSUANT TO PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262, AND 39.915 | § § § § § § § | BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS |
A. | Transaction: |
1. | In the Joint Report and Application filed in this docket, Applicants seek Commission approval for Sempra to acquire the approximately 80.03 percent interest in Oncor (“Transaction”) indirectly held by Energy Future Holdings Corp. (“EFH”). At a future date, Sempra may acquire the 19.75 percent interest held by Texas Transmission Investment LLC (the “Minority Member”) and the 0.22 percent interest held by Oncor Management Investment LLC (“OMI”). Prior to Sempra acquiring the Minority Member’s interests, Sempra must receive Commission approval of the transaction, and the Signatories agree the terms set forth in Sections I.B – J of this Stipulation shall apply to both the approximately 80.03 percent and the 19.75 percent interest. None of the rights afforded the Minority Member in the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Oncor Electric Delivery Company, dated November 5, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, dated February 18, 2009, and that certain Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, dated July 27, 2015 (as amended, the “Oncor LLC Agreement”) will be changed or revised as a result of the Stipulation or the amendments to be proposed to the Oncor LLC Agreement. The Oncor LLC Agreement will not be amended prior to closing. The Signatories agree that the substantial benefits of Sempra’s acquisition of EFH’s approximately 80.03 percent interest in Oncor, many of which are described in this Stipulation, demonstrate that Sempra has addressed all |
2. | The Signatories agree that, based on requirements of this Stipulation, the Transaction is in the public interest in accordance with PURA §§ 39.262(l)-(m) and 39.915. The Signatories specifically agree that the Transaction will not adversely affect Oncor’s reliability of service, availability of service, or cost of service. |
3. | The Signatories also agree that, based on the requirements of this Stipulation, the Transaction is in the public interest in accordance with PURA § 14.101. The Signatories specifically agree that the Transaction will not (a) result in the transfer of jobs to workers outside of Texas, (b) adversely affect the health or safety of the utility’s customers or employees, or (c) result in a decline in service. The Signatories also agree that the Transaction will result in no Oncor property or other assets being sold, transferred, or otherwise affected. |
B. | Board: |
1. | Separate Boards. The Signatories agree that at closing and thereafter, Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC (“Oncor Holdings”) and Oncor will have separate boards of directors that will not include any employees of Sempra competitive affiliates in Texas, any members from the boards of directors of Sempra’s competitive affiliates in Texas, or any individuals with direct responsibility for the management or strategies of such competitive affiliates. |
2. | Independent Board. Upon the consummation of the Transaction, the Signatories agree that Oncor will have a board of directors comprised of thirteen (13) directors, and Oncor Holdings will have a board of directors comprised of ten (10) directors. A majority of the Oncor Holdings’ board members and Oncor’s board members will qualify as “independent” in all material respects in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (which are set forth in Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual) from Sempra and its subsidiaries or affiliated entities and any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, and also have no material relationship with Sempra or its |
a. | Except as indicated in B.2.h., the Oncor Board shall have seven (7) Disinterested Directors, two (2) directors who will be current and/or former officers of Oncor (the “Oncor Officer Directors”) (who, following consummation of the Transaction, will be Robert S. Shapard and E. Allen Nye, Jr.), two (2) directors who will be designated by Sempra, and two (2) directors who will be designated by the Minority Member (as that term is defined in the Oncor LLC Agreement). In order to be eligible as an Oncor Officer Director, a current and/or former officer of Oncor cannot have worked for Sempra and its subsidiaries or affiliated entities (excluding Oncor or Oncor Holdings if the employee is or has been an employee of Oncor) or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings at any time in the ten years previous to that officer being employed by Oncor. This definition will continue for ten years after the date of closing the Transaction. Oncor Holdings, at the direction of the member of Oncor Holdings, shall have the right to nominate and/or seek the removal of the Oncor Officer Directors, with such nomination and/or removal subject to approval by a majority vote of the Oncor Board. |
b. | The Oncor Holdings Board shall have six (6) Disinterested Directors, two (2) directors who will be current and/or former officers of Oncor Holdings (the “Oncor Holdings Officer Directors”) (who, following consummation of the Transaction, will be Robert S. Shapard and E. Allen Nye, Jr.), and two (2) directors who will be designated by Sempra. In order to be eligible as an Oncor Holdings Officer Director, a current and/or former officer of Oncor cannot have worked for Sempra and its subsidiaries or affiliated entities (excluding Oncor or Oncor Holdings if the employee is or has been an employee of Oncor) or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings at any time in the ten years previous to that officer being employed by Oncor. This definition will continue |
c. | The current Disinterested Directors for Oncor and Oncor Holdings will continue to serve, if willing and able, for three years from the closing of the Sempra transaction. Thereafter, two of these Disinterested Directors will roll off the Boards every two years. The Nominating Committee of Oncor Holdings shall determine the order of the departure of these directors and that order will be designed to move toward a mandatory retirement age of 75 years that will apply to new Disinterested Directors. The Nominating Committee’s determination must be approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors on the Oncor Holdings’ Board. Each new Disinterested Director shall have a term of four (4) years and the appointment of such directors will be consistent with the mandatory retirement age. To the extent that either (i) one of the current Disinterested Directors and/or (ii) any new Disinterested Director is removed, retires, or is otherwise unwilling or unable to serve, a replacement new Disinterested Director will be chosen by the Nominating Committee of Oncor Holdings and subject to approval by a majority vote of the remaining Disinterested Directors of Oncor Holdings. Each Disinterested Director’s term may be renewed for only one additional term of four (4) years. |
d. | Oncor Holdings shall have a Nominating Committee composed entirely of Disinterested Directors who are also Disinterested Directors on the Oncor Board. That Nominating Committee shall have sole responsibility for the nomination, renewal of a term, removal or replacement of any Disinterested Director for Oncor Holdings and Oncor. Any such action by the Nominating Committee shall be approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors of Oncor Holdings. |
e. | The duties of the board members of Oncor Holdings and Oncor will be to act in the best interests of Oncor consistent with the approved ring-fence and Delaware Law. The approved ring-fence shall include, without limitation: (i) the final order |
f. | Any change to the size, composition, structure or rights of the boards listed in this Stipulation must first be approved by the Commission. |
g. | The two directors to be designated by Sempra are intended to represent the approximately 80.03 percent indirect interest in Oncor that it proposes to acquire from EFH. To the extent that at some point Sempra chooses to sell or transfer all or any portion of the 80.03 percent interest, the size of the Oncor and Oncor Holdings Boards shall not be increased and Sempra and any new owners will determine how they will allocate the two board seats to which they will be entitled. |
h. | Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, to the extent that Sempra acquires the Minority Member’s interests in Oncor, the two board positions that the Minority Member was entitled to designate shall be eliminated and the number of directors sitting on the Oncor Board shall be reduced by those two positions. |
3. | Independence of Board. The Signatories agree that Oncor Holdings’ and Oncor’s Boards cannot be overruled by the board of Sempra or any of its subsidiaries on dividend policy, the issuance of dividends or other distributions (except for contractual tax payments), debt issuance, capital expenditures, operation and maintenance expenditures, management and service fees, and appointment or removal of board members, provided that such actions may also require the additional approval of Oncor Holdings’ Board. |
a. | The appointment or removal of the Chief Executive Officer of Oncor and the Chief Financial Officer of Oncor shall require a majority vote of Oncor board of directors, which vote must include the unanimous vote of the Sempra directors. |
b. | The Oncor Board shall have sole responsibility to set the compensation and benefits for all directors and officers of the Company in the manner prescribed by the Board. Compensation and benefits for all Oncor officers, directors, and employees shall in no manner be tied to, reflect, and/or be related to the financial performance of Sempra, any Sempra Affiliates (excluding Oncor), or any direct or indirect owner of Oncor, or the performance of the stock or businesses of Sempra, any Sempra Affiliates, or any direct or indirect owner of Oncor, other than Oncor. |
c. | Neither Oncor Holdings nor Oncor nor any of their subsidiaries may without the prior written consent of Sempra: (1) enter into or authorize any material transactions with a third party outside the ordinary course of business nor enter into any contract, or other similar agreement to effectuate such material transactions; or (2) institute an Oncor bankruptcy filing. |
d. | A majority of the Disinterested Directors of Oncor must approve an annual budget or any multi-year budget if the aggregate amount of such capital expenditures in such budget is more than a 10% decrease or increase from the capital expenditure budget for the immediately prior fiscal year or multi-year period, as applicable. For five years following the close of the Transaction, if the annual or multi-year capital expenditure budget is more than a 10% decrease or increase from the immediately prior fiscal year or multi-year period, as applicable, Oncor shall file a report providing the reasons for the variance consistent with section J(3) of this Stipulation. |
e. | A majority of the Disinterested Directors of Oncor must approve an annual budget or any multi-year budget if the aggregate amount of such operating and maintenance expenditures in such budget is more than a 10% decrease or increase from the operating and maintenance budget for the immediately prior fiscal year or multi-year period, as applicable. |
C. | Dividends: |
1. | Oncor Board’s Right to Determine Dividends. The Signatories agree that the Oncor Board, comprised of a majority of Disinterested Directors, will have the sole right to determine dividends or other distributions, except for contractual tax payments. |
a. | Any amendments or changes to the Dividend Policy must be approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors. |
b. | The Disinterested Directors, acting by majority vote, shall have the authority to prevent Oncor or Oncor Holdings from making any dividend or other distributions, except for contractual tax payments, if they determine that it is in the best interest of Oncor to retain such amounts to meet expected future requirements of Oncor (including continuing compliance with the debt-to-equity ratio described in Section D.5). Additionally, Sempra agrees that neither Sempra nor any of its affiliates will issue stock or ownership interest that supersede the foregoing obligations of Oncor or Oncor Holdings. |
2. | Oncor Credit Ratings and Dividends. To eliminate concerns regarding a negative impact on Oncor resulting from Sempra’s acquisition of Oncor, and in lieu of providing specifics regarding acquisition funding, the Signatories agree to the following: |
a. | Sempra will ensure that, as of the closing of the Transaction, Oncor’s credit ratings at all three major ratings agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Service, or Fitch Ratings) will be at or above Oncor’s credit ratings as of June 30, 2017; and |
b. | If the credit rating by any one of the three major ratings agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Service, or Fitch Ratings) fall below BBB (Baa2) for Oncor senior secured debt, then Oncor will suspend payment of dividends or other distributions, except for contractual tax payments, until otherwise allowed by the Commission. Additionally, Sempra agrees that neither Sempra nor any of its affiliates will issue stock or ownership interest that supersede the foregoing obligations of Oncor. Oncor shall notify the Commission if either Sempra’s or |
D. | Debt: |
1. | Existing Legacy Debt and Liabilities. The Signatories agree that Sempra will extinguish all debt that resides above Oncor at EFIH and EFH, reducing it to zero immediately following the closing of the Transaction and maintaining it at zero going forward. |
2. | No Debt Disproportionally Dependent on Oncor. The Signatories agree that without prior approval of the Commission, neither Sempra nor any affiliate of Sempra (excluding Oncor) will incur, guaranty, or pledge assets in respect of any incremental new debt at the closing or thereafter that is dependent on: (1) the revenues of Oncor in more than a proportionate degree than the other revenues of Sempra; or (2) the stock of Oncor. |
3. | No Transaction-Related Debt at Oncor or Oncor Holdings. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will incur, guaranty, or pledge assets in respect of any incremental new debt related to financing the Transaction at the closing or thereafter. Oncor’s financial integrity will be protected from the separate operations of Sempra’s and affiliates of Sempra, including but not limited to Sempra’s affiliated retail electric provider (“REP”) or generation company, if any. |
4. | Cross-Default Provisions, Financial Covenants or Rating Agency Triggers. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will include in any of their debt or credit agreements cross-default provisions between Oncor’s and Oncor Holdings’ securities and the securities of Sempra or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries (excluding Oncor), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings. Oncor and Oncor Holdings will not include in their debt or credit agreements any financial covenants or rating agency triggers related to Sempra or any other Sempra affiliate, or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings. |
5. | Debt-to-Equity Ratio. The Signatories agree that Oncor’s debt-to-equity ratio (as determined by the Commission) shall at all times remain in compliance with the debt-to-equity ratio established from time to time by the Commission for ratemaking purposes. Oncor will make no payment of dividends or other distributions, except for contractual tax payments, where such dividends or other distributions would cause Oncor to be out of compliance with the Commission-approved debt-to-equity ratio. Additionally, Sempra agrees that neither Sempra nor any of its affiliates will issue stock or ownership interest that supersede the foregoing obligations of Oncor. |
6. | No Inter-Company Debt. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will enter into any inter-company debt transactions with Sempra affiliates (other than Oncor subsidiaries), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, following consummation of the Transaction. |
7. | No Inter-Company Lending. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will lend money to or borrow money from Sempra or Sempra’s affiliates (other than Oncor subsidiaries), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings. |
8. | Credit Facility. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor Holdings will share credit facilities with Sempra or Sempra’s affiliates (other than Oncor subsidiaries), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings. |
9. | No Pledging of Assets/Stock. The Signatories agree that Oncor’s assets or stock shall not be pledged by Oncor Holdings, Sempra or any Sempra affiliate, or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, for any entity other than Oncor. |
10. | No Recovery of Affiliate REP Bad Debt. The Signatories agree that for so long as any Sempra REP is affiliated with Oncor, Oncor will not seek to recover from its customers any costs incurred as a result of a bankruptcy of any Sempra REP. |
11. | Credit Rating Registration. The Signatories agree that Oncor will, except as otherwise approved by the Commission, be registered with major nationally and internationally recognized bond rating agencies, including Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investor Service, and Fitch Ratings. Oncor’s ratings shall reflect the ring-fence provision contemplated herein in order to provide Oncor with a stand-alone (non-linked) credit rating. |
12. | Stand-Alone Credit Rating. Except as may be otherwise ordered by the Commission, Sempra shall take the actions necessary to ensure the existence of an Oncor stand-alone credit rating. |
E. | Bankruptcy Liabilities: |
1. | Bankruptcy Expenses and Liabilities. The Signatories agree that Oncor will not seek recovery in rates of any expenses or liabilities related to EFH’s bankruptcy. The Signatories further agree that Oncor will not seek recovery in rates of amounts resulting from any: (1) tax liabilities resulting from the spin-off of Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC; (2) asbestos claims relating to non-Oncor operations of or under EFH; or (3) make-whole claims by creditors of EFH or EFIH set forth in the EFH and EFIH Plan of Reorganization. Oncor’s customers will not be required to pay for these items. Sempra will file with the Commission within thirty (30) days of closing a plan that provides for the extinguishment of liabilities as they arise from EFH and EFIH for items (1), (2), and (3) stated in this paragraph, which protects Oncor from any harm. |
F. | Non-Consolidation: |
1. | Non-Consolidation Legal Opinion. The Signatories agree that Sempra will obtain a non-consolidation legal opinion that provides that, in the event of a bankruptcy of Sempra or any affiliate of Sempra, a bankruptcy court would not consolidate the assets and liabilities of Oncor with Sempra or any affiliate of Sempra. |
G. | CAPEX: |
1. | Capital Expenditure. The Signatories agree that Oncor shall make minimum capital expenditures equal to a budget of at least $7.5 billion over the five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, and ending December 31, 2022, subject to the following adjustments to the extent reported to the Commission in Oncor’s earnings monitor report: Oncor may reduce capital spending due to conditions not under Oncor’s control, including, without limitation, siting delays, cancellations of projects by third-parties, weaker than expected economic conditions, or if Oncor determines that a particular expenditure would not be prudent. |
H. | Cybersecurity: |
1. | Cybersecurity Expenditure. The Signatories agree that Oncor shall make minimum cybersecurity expenditures equal to a budget of $35 million over the five-year period beginning January 1, 2018, and ending December 31, 2022. Oncor shall work cooperatively with other Sempra entities with respect to cybersecurity issues. |
I. | Affiliate Issues: |
1. | Affiliate Asset Transfer. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor Holdings nor Oncor will transfer any material assets or facilities to any affiliates (other than Oncor Holdings, Oncor, and their subsidiaries, which are hereinafter referred to as the “ring-fenced entities”), other than a transfer that is on an arm’s-length basis consistent with the Commission’s affiliate standards applicable to Oncor, regardless of whether such affiliate standards would apply to the particular transaction. |
2. | Arm’s-Length Relationship. The Signatories agree that each of the ring-fenced entities will maintain an arm’s-length relationship with Sempra or Sempra’s affiliates (other than the ring-fenced entities), or any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings, consistent with the Commission’s affiliate standards applicable to Oncor. The Signatories agree that Sempra will provide the Commission access to the books and records of Sempra or Sempra affiliates as necessary to facilitate Commission audit or review of any affiliate transactions as between Oncor and Sempra or Sempra affiliates, consistent with PURA § 14.154. |
3. | Separate Books and Records. The Signatories agree that each of the ring-fenced entities will maintain accurate, appropriate, and detailed books, financial records and accounts, including checking and other bank accounts, and custodial and other securities safekeeping accounts that are separate and distinct from those of any other entity. |
4. | FERC Preemption. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Sempra nor Sempra’s affiliates will assert before the Commission or a Texas court of competent jurisdiction that the Commission is preempted pursuant to the Federal Power Act (e.g., under a FERC tariff) from making a determination regarding the cost recovery of affiliate costs sought to be allocated to Oncor. |
J. | Additional Agreements: |
1. | Holding Company. The Signatories agree that Oncor Holdings will be retained between Sempra and Oncor. |
2. | Continued Ownership. The Signatories agree that Sempra will hold indirectly at least 51% of Oncor and Oncor Holdings’ total outstanding membership interests, including any minority interests, for a period of no less than five years after the closing date of the Transaction, unless specifically authorized by the Commission. |
3. | Compliance Report. The Signatories agree that for a period of five years after the closing date of the Transaction, Oncor will make annual reports to the Commission regarding its compliance with the terms stated in this Stipulation. |
4. | Name/Logo. The Signatories agree that Sempra will maintain a name and logo for Oncor that is separate and distinct from the names of Sempra’s REP and wholesale generation companies or any other current or future Texas competitive affiliate, if any. Any Sempra REP, wholesale generation company, or any other current or future Texas competitive affiliate will not use the Oncor name, trademark, brand, logo, or any other brand identifying features; nor will Oncor engage in joint marketing, advertising, or promotional efforts with any Sempra REP, wholesale generation company, or any other current or future Texas competitive affiliate, in a manner that is inconsistent with the Public Utility Regulatory Act and the Commission’s affiliate rules. |
5. | Headquarters/Management. The Signatories agree that Oncor will maintain its separate headquarters and management in Dallas, Texas. Local management will remain the primary point of contact on all regulatory and operational matters. Oncor will maintain its current level of management and operations in Texas. Oncor shall not move the location of or change reporting relationships of Oncor executives, or materially alter Texas staff responsibilities for functions Oncor now performs in Texas, except as approved by the Commission. |
6. | Oncor Senior Management Succession Plan. The Signatories agree that, effective no later than the closing of the Transaction, Robert S. Shapard will assume the role of Executive Chairman or Chairman of the Oncor Board, and E. Allen Nye, Jr. will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Oncor. |
7. | Texas Utility. The Signatories agree that Oncor will continue to operate solely within the state of Texas as a public utility subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the Commission. |
8. | Reliability. The Signatories agree that for purposes of Substantive Rule 25.52, system average interruption duration index (“SAIDI”) and system average interruption frequency index (“SAIFI”) standards should be calculated for Oncor’s current service area based on Oncor’s forced interruption performance for years 2014, 2015, and 2016, which correspond to three-year averages of 0.87667 for SAIFI and 86.53667 for SAIDI, and should be in compliance with Ordering Paragraph No. 13 of the Commission’s final order in Docket No. 47469, Joint Report and Application of Sharyland Utilities, L.P., Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C, and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC for Transfer of Facilities, Transfer of Rights under and Amendment of Certificates of Convenience and Necessity, and for Other Regulatory Approvals. These standards should go into effect starting with the calendar year 2018. |
9. | Reports of SAIDI and SAIFI to Commission. The Signatories agree that Oncor will report its actual system-level SAIDI and SAIFI statistics to the Commission in its |
10. | Transaction Costs. The Signatories agree that none of the transaction costs will be borne by Oncor’s customers, nor will Oncor seek to include transaction costs in rates. For purposes of this agreement, “Transaction Costs” are those incremental costs paid to advance or consummate the Transaction. Examples of Transaction Costs include, but are not limited to: Sempra employee time and expenses; Oncor change of control payments; any tax liability incurred as a result of the Transaction; certain executive severance costs related to the Transaction; and third-party costs, including bank advisors, external legal advisors, rating agencies, and expert witnesses and consultants in each case paid to advance or consummate the Transaction. Transaction Costs do not include Oncor employee time. |
11. | Transition Costs. The Signatories agree that no Sempra employee time and expenses, third party costs, fees, expenses or costs of the transition (“Transition Costs”) will be borne by Oncor’s customers, nor will Oncor seek to include Transition Costs in rates. Transition Costs are those costs necessary to integrate the two companies, whether incurred before or after Day 1, including the one-time transition costs being incurred whether directly or indirectly through affiliate charges to transition Oncor to ownership by Sempra and to integrate Oncor’s operations and systems with those of Sempra. Provided, however, that Transition Costs do not include Oncor employee time, costs to achieve savings or synergies or costs that reflect reasonable and necessary costs in providing service to the public. “Costs to achieve” reflect reasonable and necessary amounts incurred to realize operating enhancements, efficiency gains, or costs reduction initiatives. |
12. | Workforce. The Signatories agree that, for two years after closing, each current Oncor employee who is employed on the closing date will be provided: (a) a base salary or wage rate no less favorable than the base salary or wage rate provided to such employee immediately prior to the closing date; (b) aggregate incentive compensation |
13. | Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Signatories agree that, with respect to any Oncor employee whose terms and conditions of employment are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the terms and conditions of such employment will continue to be governed by the terms of the applicable collective bargaining agreement, as may be modified from time to time. |
14. | Code of Conduct. Oncor will file with the Commission for authority to amend and update its Code of Conduct to incorporate all applicable conditions and limitations on affiliate transactions required by this Stipulation. Oncor will conduct its activities in compliance with a proposed updated Code of Conduct that will govern interactions between Oncor and its Sempra affiliates and any entity with a direct or indirect ownership interest in Oncor or Oncor Holdings. The provisions of the updated Code of Conduct that address competitive affiliates will apply to Sempra Gas and Power Marketing and any other Sempra affiliate to the extent they provide services or sell products in a competitive energy-related market in Texas. |
15. | Commission Jurisdiction. The Signatories agree that Oncor and Oncor Holdings will not own, operate, or construct capital assets outside of ERCOT without prior approval from the Commission or take any other action that would impair the Commission’s regulatory jurisdiction. Neither Oncor, Oncor Holdings, Sempra nor their respective affiliates will take any action that would subject ERCOT assets to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”); provided, however, that FERC continues to have jurisdiction under sections 210, 211, and 212 of the Federal Power Act (“FPA”) and may direct transmission and interconnection services over certain |
16. | Texas Reliability Entity. The Signatories agree that Oncor will not seek to have another NERC Regional Entity other than the Texas Reliability Entity serve as the lead regional entity responsible for monitoring Oncor’s activities and ensuring compliance with NERC Reliability Standards. |
17. | Goodwill. The Signatories agree that any costs of goodwill of Sempra or its affiliates (including the pre-existing goodwill recognized by Oncor) will not be included in rate base, cost of capital, or operating expenses in future Oncor ratemaking proceedings. Write-downs or write-offs of goodwill will not be included in the calculation of net income for dividend or other distribution payment purposes. |
18. | Pushdown Accounting. The Signatories agree that Sempra will not elect to apply pushdown accounting for the merger, i.e., the merger will have no impact on Oncor’s assets being acquired; and any incremental goodwill will not be allocated to, or recognized within, Oncor’s balance sheet. |
19. | Tangible and Quantifiable Benefits. The Signatories agree that, at a minimum, Oncor will provide the following tangible and quantifiable benefits associated with the Transaction. Oncor will provide bill credits to electric delivery rates for ultimate credits to customers in an amount equal to 90% of any interest rate savings achieved until final rates are set in the next Oncor base rate case filed after Docket No. 46957. Savings will not be included in credits if already realized in rates. Interest Rate Savings refers to the improvement in Oncor’s borrowing costs post-close relative to those costs as of June 30, 2017 due to improvement in credit ratings and/or improvement in market |
20. | LLC Agreements. The Commission’s final order shall be contingent on the Boards of Oncor Holdings and Oncor approving the amendments to their LLC Agreements to effect the provisions of this Stipulation. The proposed amendments to the Oncor Holdings LLC Agreement and Oncor LLC Agreement will be filed with the Commission. To the extent thereafter that any changes are sought to the amended LLC Agreements filed with the Commission that reflect in any manner whatsoever: (i) the governance structure of either Oncor or Oncor Holdings; (ii) the Ring Fence as reflected in the final order in this Docket No. 47675 including the provisions of this Stipulation adopted in such final order; (iii) the rights and interests of the Minority Member; and/or (iv) the rights and interests of the independent directors as they currently exist, such changes shall be approved in a manner consistent with the |
21. | Competitive Shopping Platforms. The Signatories agree that neither Oncor nor Oncor’s subsidiaries will host or allow the Oncor name, trademark, brand, logo, or other identifying brand features to be used to promote a competitive retail electric shopping website. |
22. | Equity. The Signatories agree that Sempra will make, as promptly as practicable and in no event later than 60 days after closing of the Transaction, its proportionate share of the aggregate equity investment in Oncor then required to achieve an equity to debt ratio to enable Oncor to achieve a capital structure consisting of 42.50% equity and 57.50% long-term debt, as described in Finding of Fact 32 and Conclusion of Law 10 of the final Order in Docket No. 46957. The Signatories agree that Sempra will work in good faith with Oncor’s other members so that the Minority Member as promptly as practicable makes its proportionate share of the above aggregate equity investment. |
23. | Minority Member. The Signatories agree that Sempra will not acquire the interest of the Minority Member (as that term is defined in the Oncor LLC Agreement) in Oncor at the closing of the Transaction. |
24. | Rate Case Commitment. Except as may be otherwise ordered or required by the Commission, statute, or rule, Oncor agrees that it will not file a comprehensive base rate case within two years of a final order in this case. |
25. | Modification of Commission Order. If Oncor and Sempra seek any modification to the Commission Order entered in this Docket 47675 prior to sixty (60) months after the date of the Final Order in Docket 47675, then in any such proceeding, Commission Staff may hire independent consultants selected by the Commission and paid for by Sempra. Sempra shall timely pay the reasonable costs of the services of such consultants as determined by the Commission. The amount that Sempra shall be |
26. | Reservation of Rights. The parties reserve their rights to take any positions in any future proceeding seeking to modify this Stipulation or the Commission Order entered in Docket 47675. |
27. | Except as may be otherwise ordered by the Commission, the authority granted by the Commission in this case expires if the Transaction has not closed within 120 days of the date that the Commission approves this Transaction. |
BY: | /s/ E. Allen Nye, Jr. |
E. Allen Nye, Jr. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC 1616 Woodall Rodgers Freeway Dallas, Texas 75202 allen.nye@oncor.com |
BY: | /s/ Matthew C. Henry |
Matthew C. Henry State Bar No. 00790870 Vinson & Elkins LLP 2001 Ross Avenue Suite 3700 Dallas, Texas 75201 214.220.7726 214.220.7716 (fax) mhenry@velaw.com |
BY: | /s/ Dennis V. Arriola |
Dennis V. Arriola Executive Vice President - Corporate Strategy & External Affairs Sempra Energy 488 8th Avenue HQ16E San Diego, CA 92101 619.696.4888 DArriola@sempra.com |
BY: | /s/ Brian H. Lloyd |
Brian H. Lloyd Executive Director |
BY: | /s/ Margaret Uhlig Pemberton |
Margaret Uhlig Pemberton Division Director, Legal Services |
BY: | /s/ Laurie Barker |
Laurie Barker Special Counsel |
BY: | /s/ Phillip Oldham |
BY: | /s/ Geoffrey M. Gay |