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4.2. ERMUSR 07-12-2011S' Elk River~~ Municipal Utilities 1.3069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Boz 430 Elk River, MN 55330-0430 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING Phone: 763.441.2020 Eax: 763.441.8099 TO: FROM: Ells River Municipal Utilities Commission Troy Adams, P.E. -Utilities Director John Dietz -Chair Daryl Thompson -Vice Chair Al Nadeau -Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: Jul 12, 2011 4.2 SUBJECT: CAPX2020 Brookin s Project Update BACKGROUND: In May 2006, the Utilities Commission authorized joining Midwest Municipal Transmission Group (MMTG) to explore the potential to obtain ownership in the transmission system. In February 2007, ERMU entered into an agreement to participate through Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (CMMPA) in the CAPX2020 Brookings-Twin Cities Transmission Project. In March 2011, the Commission and Council both approved Resolutions authorizing the Utilities participating in the Brookings Project through CMMPA for an amount not to exceed $7,140,953 without further action. This maximum investment amount was based on CMMPA being awarded an increased project share from 2.2% to 5%. In May it was finalized that CMMPA would be awarded an increase project share from 2.2% to 3.6%. This results in ERMU shaze increasing from $1,993,134 to approximately $4,961,495. Delano Municipal Utilities (Delano), a participant in the CAPX2020 Brookings project through CMMPA, has requested to be released from the project contract. Six of the participants investing in this project through CMMPA, including ERMU, have expressed interest in acquiring Delano's share. For ERMU, acquiring a share of Delano's ownership would not cause ERMU to exceed the maximum investment amount of $7,140,953 approved by the Commission and Council. If the same allocation method used for the project investment share is applied to Delano's share, ERMU would acquire approximately $687,679 of Delano's available $1,581,822. This would bring ERMU's share to approximately $5,649,174, well under the maximum approved $7,140,953. The method for the allocation of Delano's share has not been decided by the six participants yet. In June 2011, the Utilities Commission approved execution of the Delano transfer agreement contingent upon ERMU legal counsel review. DISCUSSION: A consensus on acceptable terms for the transfer of Delano's shaze has been accepted by the six participants, Delano, and CMMPA. A transfer agreement based on these terms has been drafted and is currently being circulated for legal counsels' and governing bodies' approval. This transfer agreement is attached for review. This agreement has already been reviewed by ERMU's and the City of Elk River's legal counsel and already reflects the recommended changes. This agreement is not yet final as all participating parties have not submitted comments, but it is believed to be substantially complete. One item to note is the termination date specified in Sections 501(a) and (b) of the agreement is subject to change to sometime in 2012 due to a delay in a MISO ruling being deferred to December 2011. This transfer agreement has been submitted to the City Council on the July 11~' consent agenda for their review and approval. ACTION REQUESTED: No Action required at this time. Agreement to Transfer Election Share TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE 1 ........................................................................................................................2 Section 101. Tenn .....................................................................................................2 Section 102. Definitions ............................................................................................2 ARTICLE 2 ........................................................................................................................4 Section 201. Assignment of Transferred Rights .......................................................4 Section 202. Acceptance and Assumption of Transferred Rights; Consideration ....................................................................................................4 Section 203. Obligations Retained by Delano ..........................................................5 ARTICLE 3 ........................................................................................................................5 Section 301. Apportionment of Transferred Rights, Assumed Development Costs, and Reimbursement Amount ...........................................5 Section 302. CMMPA Financing and Billing Treatment of Reimbursement Amount and Assumed Development Costs ...........................5 ARTICLE 4 ........................................................................................................................6 Section 401. Waivers and Releases by Delano .........................................................6 Section 402. Waivers and Releases by the Acquiring Cities ....................................6 Section 403. Consent, Waivers, and Releases by CMMPA ......................................7 ARTICLE 5 7 Section 501. Definition of Termination Conditions ..................................................7 Section 502. Effect of the Occurrence of a Termination Condition ..........................8 ARTICLE 6 ........................................................................................................................8 Section 601. Termination, Amendment, and Waiver ...............................................8 Section 602. Notices and Communications ...............................................................8 Section 603. Arbitration ............................................................................................9 Section 604. Governing Law and Venue ..................................................................9 Agreement to Transfer Election Share EXHIBIT A APPORTIONMENT OF TRANFERRED RIGHTS, REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT, AND ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT COSTS AMONG ACQUIRING CITIES EXHIBIT B CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NOTICES EXHIBIT C FORM OF OPINION ii Agreement to Transfer Election Share THIS AGREEMENT is executed by and among the City of Elk River, Minnesota -Elk River Municipal Utilities; the City of Granite Falls, Minnesota, the City of Independence, Iowa -Independence Light and Power, the City of Mountain Lake, Minnesota - Mountain Lake Municipal Utilities, the City of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota -Sleepy Eye Public Utilities, and the City of Springfield, Minnesota -Springfield Public Utilities Commission, (the foregoing, collectively, the "Acquiring Cities"); the City of Delano, Minnesota -Delano Water, Light & Power Commission ("Delano"); and Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency ("CMMPA"). Capitalized terms used in this preamble and in the recitals that follow have the meanings given in the preamble or in Section 102 of this Agreement. WHEREAS, Delano wishes to assign to the Acquiring Cities, and the Acquiring Cities wish to accept assignment of and assume from Delano, the Transferred Rights on the terms set forth in this Transfer Agreement; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the CMMPA -Delano Development Project Agreement, Delano's assignment or other disposition of the Transferred Rights is subject to written consent of CMMPA and CMMPA is willing to consent to assignment in accordance with the terms of this Transfer Agreement; and WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Transfer Agreement to establish the terms governing Delano's assignment to the Acquiring Cities of the Transferred Rights. Now, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows 1 Agreement to Transfer Election Share ARTICLE 1 TERM AND DEFINITIONS Section 101. Term. This Agreement shall take effect on the Effective Date and, unless terminated by written agreement of all of the parties or as provided in Section 502, shall remain in effect until all obligations of the parties hereunder have been fully satisfied. Section 102. Detnitions. As used in this Agreement (including its preamble, recitals, and exhibits), capitalized terms (whether used in the singular or the plural) shall have the meanings specified below: (a) "Acquiring Cities" means the City of Elk River, Minnesota -Elk River Municipal Utilities; the City of Granite Falls, Minnesota; the City of Independence, Iowa -Independence Light and Power; the City of Mountain Lake, Minnesota -Mountain Lake Municipal Utilities; the City of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota -Sleepy Eye Public Utilities; and the City of Springfield, Minnesota - Springfield Public Utilities Commission, collectively. (b) "Additional Brookings Project Participant" means any party, other than one of the Acquiring Cities, that enters into a Downstream Project Agreement with CMMPA. (c) "Assumed Development Costs" has the meaning set forth in Section 202(b) (ii) of this Transfer Agreement. (d) "Brookings Transmission Project" means that portion of the Brookings - Southeast Twin Cities transmission project, as described in the Upstream Project Agreement, with respect to which, pursuant to the Upstream Project Agreement, CMMPA holds ownership and other rights. The term "Brookings Transmission Project" includes (i) any rights held by CMMPA with respect to the development of the Brookings - Southeast Twin Cities transmission project; and (ii) all replacements, restoration, rebuilding, upgrades, capital additions, or modifications to maintain facility transfer capability or reliability after initial commercial operation of the Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities transmission project. (e) "CapX 2020 Brookings Development Agreement" means the CapX Brookings - Southeast Twin Cities Transmission Project Development Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, among CMMPA and such other parties as are identified as "Participants" in such CapX Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities Transmission Project Development Agreement, as the same has been amended and may be further amended from time to time. (t) "Claims" has the meaning set forth in Section 401 of this Transfer Agreement. (g) "Closing Date" means the date as of which the Upstream Project Agreement becomes effective. 2 Agreement to Transfer Election Share (h) "CMMPA" means the Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, which has heretofore been duly created and incorporated as a municipal corporation and a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota under provisions of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 453, Sections 453.51 to 453.62, as the same has been heretofore or may be hereinafrer amended. (i) "CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement" means the Development Project Agreement between CMMPA and Delano. (j) "Delano" means the City of Delano, Minnesota -Delano Water, Light & Power Commission. (k) "Delano Election Share" means the rights granted to Delano pursuant to the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement. (1) "Development Project Agreement" means one or more Brookings -Twin Cities Development Project Agreements, dated as of February 28, 2007, between CMMPA and a participating city, which establishes terms to facilitate CMMPA's pursuit of development activities related to the Brookings Transmission Project, in each case as the same may be amended from time to time. (m) "Downstream Project Agreement" means one or more Brookings -Twin Cities Transmission Project Agreements between CMMPA and a participating city, which establishes the terms of the participating city's participation in the Brookings Transmission Project, in each case as the same may be amended from time to time. (n) "Effective Date" means June 21, 2011. (o) "Reimbursement Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 202(b)(i) of this Transfer Agreement. (P) "Released Parties" has the meaning set forth in Section 401 of this Transfer Agreement. (q) "Termination Conditions" has the meaning set forth in Section 501 of this Transfer Agreement. (r) "Transfer Agreement" mean this Agreement to Transfer Election Shaze among the City of Elk River, Minnesota -Elk River Municipal Utilities; the City of Granite Falls, Minnesota; the City of Independence, Iowa -Independence Light and Power; the City of Mountain Lake, Minnesota -Mountain Lake Municipal Utilities; the City of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota -Sleepy Eye Public Utilities; and the City of Springfield, Minnesota -Springfield Public Utilities Commission; the City of Delano, Minnesota -Delano Water, Light & Power Commission; and Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (including all Exhibits), as it may be amended from time to time. (s) "Transferred Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section 201(6) of this Transfer Agreement. (t) "Upstream Project Agreement" means the CapX Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities Project Participation Agreement among CMMPA and such other parties as 3 Agreement to Transfer Election Share are identified as "Owners" in such CapX Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities Project Participation Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time. ARTICLE 2 ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF TRANFERRED RIGHTS Section 201. Assignment of Transferred Rights. (a) In consideration of the obligations undertaken by the Acquiring Cities pursuant to Section 202(b) of this Transfer Agreement, and subject to Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, Delano, effective as of the Closing Date, (i) assigns to the Acquiring Cities (collectively, with apportionment among the Acquiring Cities as set forth in Exhibit A to this Transfer Agreement) the Transferred Rights, and (ii) grants the waivers and releases as set forth in Section 401 of this Transfer Agreement. (b) For purposes of this Transfer Agreement, the term "Transferred Rights" means all of Delano's rights under the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement, including (without limitation) Delano's Election Share, and any other rights related to the Brookings Transmission Project, including (without limitation) any rights that might have been granted to or acquired by Delano had Delano entered into a Downstream Project Agreement with CMMPA. Section 202. Acceptance and Assumption of Transferred Rights; Consideration (a) Subject to Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, the Acquiring Cities (collectively, with apportionment among the Acquiring Cities as set forth in Exhibit A to this Transfer Agreement), effective as of the Closing Date, accept assignment of and assume the Transferred Rights. (b) In consideration of the assignment of the Transferred Rights and the waivers and releases as set forth in Section 401 of this Transfer Agreement, and subject to Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, the Acquiring Cities (collectively, with apportionment among the Acquiring Cities as set forth in Exhibit A to this Transfer Agreement): (i) shall pay to the Delano Water, Light & Power Commission, promptly following the Closing Date, the sum of $50,000 (the "Reimbursement Amount") as partial reimbursement for amounts expended or incurred by CMMPA that have been allocated and billed to Delano pursuant to the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement as of the Effective Date; (ii) assume, effective as of the Closing Date, (A) all of Delano's future debt service obligations to CMMPA with respect to amounts that have been expended or incurred by CMMPA and allocated to Delano pursuant to the Development Agreement as of the Effective Date, but have not, as of the Effective Date, been billed to Delano, and (B) all payment and debt service obligations arising from Delano's share of any future amounts 4 Agreement to Transfer Election Share expended or incurred by CMMPA pursuant to the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement, including (without ]imitation) any amounts required to fund the "true-up" of amounts owed by CMMPA to the other parties to the CapX 2020 Brookings Development Agreement resulting from CMMPA electing, pursuant to the CapX 2020 Brookings Development Agreement, to participate in the Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities transmission project at a percentage greater than 2.2% (clauses (A) and (B) of this subpazagraph (ii) together, the "Assumed Development Costs"); and (iii) grant the waivers and releases as set forth in Section 402 of this Transfer Agreement Section 203. Obligations Retained by Delano. Except for the Reimbursement Amount and Assumed Development Costs as set forth in Section 202(b) of this Transfer Agreement and except to the extent released pursuant to Sections 402 and 403 of this Transfer Agreement, Delano retains all obligations and liabilities arising under the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement before the Effective Date, including (without limitation) responsibility for the balance of amounts expended or incurred by CMMPA that have been allocated and billed to Delano pursuant to the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement as of the Effective Date. ARTICLE 3 APPORTIONMENT, FINANCING, AND BILLING Section 301. Apportionment of Transferred Rights, Assumed Development Costs, and Reimbursement Amount. The Transferred Rights and Assumed Development Costs shall be apportioned among the Acquiring Cities in the manner set forth in Part 1 of Exhibit A to this Transfer Agreement; provided, however, that payment by the Acquiring Cities to CMMPA with respect to the Assumed Development Costs shall be made in accordance with paragraph (b) of Section 302 of this Transfer Agreement. Each Acquiring City shall be responsible for that portion of the Reimbursement Amount set forth opposite its name in Part 2 of Exhibit A to this Transfer Agreement; provided, however, that CMMPA shall make delivery of the Reimbursement Amount to the Delano Water, Light & Power Commission as provided in Section 302(a) of this Transfer Agreement, and payment by the Acquiring Cities to CMMPA with respect to the Reimbursement Amount shall be made in accordance with paragraph (b) of Section 302 of this Transfer Agreement. Section 302. CMMPA Financing and Billing Treatment of Reimbursement Amount and Assumed Development Costs. (a) Promptly following the Closing Date, CMMPA shall deliver to the Delano Water, Light & Power Commission, on behalf of the Acquiring Cities and subject to pazagraph (b) of this Section 302, the Reimbursement Amount. 5 Agreement to Transfer Election Share (b) From the Effective Date to and through the Closing Date, CMMPA shall not include, in amounts billed by CMMPA to any Acquiring City pursuant to such Acquiring City's Development Project Agreement, any portion of either the Reimbursement Amount or the Assumed Development Costs, but rather shall treat such Acquiring City's portion of each the Reimbursement Amount and the Assumed Development Costs as constituting a portion of the "Monthly Transmission Project Costs" (as that term is defined in the Downstream Project Agreement) to be paid by such Acquiring City pursuant to the terms of its Downstream Project Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Transfer Agreement shall preclude CMMPA from billing, or limit CMMPA's rights to bill, any Acquiring City for costs other than the Reimbursement Amount or the Assumed Development Costs in accordance with the terms of such Acquiring City's Development Project Agreement. ARTICLE 4 WAIVERS AND RELEASES; CMMPA CONSENT Section 401. Waivers and Releases by Delano. Except as otherwise provided in Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, Delano irrevocably and forever (a) releases each of the Acquiring Cities, CMMPA, and each Additional Brookings Project Participant (collectively, the "Released Parties"), from any damages, losses, liability, claims, demands, remedies, and causes of action of any kind whatsoever (collectively, "Claims"), (b) waives any rights it may have pursuant to the terms of the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement or otherwise to participate or claim any interest in the Brookings Transmission Project ,and (c) covenants not to sue the Released Parties with respect to any Claims, in each case arising from or related to the Brookings Transmission Project. The foregoing release, waiver, and covenant not to sue includes, without limitation, (i) all Claims for reimbursement with respect to amounts (other than the Reimbursement Amount) paid by Delano pursuant to the CMMPA- Delano Development Project Agreement, and (ii) all Claims based on corporate law, tort, tortious course of conduct, contract, obligations of "good faith," public policy, common law, equity, or any other legal theory and applies to all actual, direct, special, punitive, exemplary, consequential, incidental, and indirect losses and damages, including those based on lost or prospective profits, expenses, fines, penalties, interest, assessments, judgments, attorneys' and investigative fees and costs, and all other equitable, compensatory, or punitive relief. Section 402. Waivers and Releases by the Acquiring Cities. Except as otherwise provided in Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, the Acquiring Cities irrevocably and forever (a) release Delano from and waive any Claims, and (b) covenant not to sue Delano with respect to any Claims, in each case arising from or related to Delano's decision not to enter into a Downstream Project Agreement or otherwise further participate in the Brookings Transmission Project. The foregoing release, waiver, and covenant not to sue includes, without limitation, (i) all Claims for damages for 6 Agreement to Transfer Election Share breach of Section 202 of the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement, and (ii) all Claims based on corporate law, tort, tortious course of conduct, contract, obligations of "good faith," public policy, common law, equity, or any other legal theory and applies to all actual, direct, special, punitive, exemplary, consequential, incidental, and indirect losses and damages, including those based on lost or prospective profits, expenses, fines, penalties, interest, assessments, judgments, attomeys' and investigative fees and costs, and all other equitable, compensatory, or punitive relief. Section 403. Consent, Waivers, and Releases by CMMPA. Consistent with Section 1006 of the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement, CMMPA consents to the assignment by Delano to the Acquiring Cities of the Transferred Rights, effective as of the Closing Date, provided that the assignment is made in accordance with this Transfer Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 502 of this Transfer Agreement, CMMPA irrevocably and forever (a) releases Delano from and waives any Claims, and (b) covenants not to sue Delano with respect to any Claims, in each case arising from or related to Delano's decision not to enter into a Downstream Project Agreement or otherwise further participate in the Brookings Transmission Project. The foregoing release, waiver, and covenant not to sue includes, without limitation, (i) all Claims for damages for breach of Section 202 of the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement, and (ii) all Claims based on corporate law, tort, tortious course of conduct, contract, obligations of "good faith," public policy, common law, equity, or any other legal theory and applies to all actual, direct, special, punitive, exemplary, consequential, incidental, and indirect losses and damages, including those based on lost or prospective profits, expenses, fines, penalties, interest, assessments, judgments, attomeys' and investigative fees and costs, and all other equitable, compensatory, or punitive relief. ARTICLE 5 TERMINATION CONDITIONS Section 501. Definition of Termination Conditions. As used in this Transfer Agreement, the term "Termination Conditions" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following: (a) a determination made on or before December 31, 2011 by the parties to the CapX 2020 Brookings Development Agreement that the Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities transmission project will not proceed; (b) the failure of the Closing Date to occur on or before December 31, 2011; or (c) the failure of any one or more of the Acquiring Cities to execute and become bound by, as of the Closing Date, a Downstream Project Agreement, unless those Acquiring Cities that have executed Downstream Project Agreements elect to assume all of the Transferred Rights that would have otherwise been transferred to those Acquiring Cities that failed to execute and become bound by Downstream Project Agreements. 7 Agreement to Transfer Election Share Section 502. Effect of the Occurrence of a Termination Condition. Delano acknowledges and agrees that (a) the Acquiring Cities' willingness to accept assignment of and assume the Transferred Rights is contingent, among other things, upon execution of the Upstream Project Agreement providing for the construction, ownership, and operation of the Brookings -Southeast Twin Cities transmission project, and (b) CMMPA's willingness Co consent to the transfer to the Acquiring Cities of the Transferred Rights is contingent, among other things, upon execution of Downstream Project Agreements by all of the Acquiring Cities. Accordingly, if any of the Termination Conditions occur, then (i) this Transfer Agreement shall be void as if never entered into, (ii) all rights, obligations, and liabilities of Delano under the CMMPA- Delano Development Project Agreement shall be retained by Delano, and (iii) neither the Acquiring Cities nor CMMPA shall have any obligations to Delano with respect to the Transferred Rights, except those obligations of CMMPA specifically set forth in the CMMPA-Delano Development Project Agreement at the time of its execution. ARTICLE 6 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 601. Termination, Amendment, and Waiver. (a) This Transfer Agreement shall not be subject to termination by any party under any circumstances, whether based upon the default of another party under this Transfer Agreement, or any party's default under any other instrument, or otherwise, except as specifically provided in this Transfer Agreement. (b) This Transfer Agreement (including its Exhibits) may be amended only by a written instrument specifically referring to this Transfer Agreement, executed and delivered by all of the parties. (c) No term, condition, warranty, representation, or covenant contained in this Transfer Agreement may be waived except by a written instrument executed by the party waiving compliance. Any such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given and shall not be deemed a waiver of any other provision or of the same breach or default upon any recurrence. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right conferred by this Transfer Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. Section 602. Notices and Communications. Any formal notice, demand, approval, proposal, protest, direction or request provided for in this Transfer Agreement to be delivered, given, or made to a party shall be deemed delivered, given, or made if delivered in writing in person or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed to the party and at the address specified in Exhibit B to this Transfer Agreement or delivered in such other manner as may be agreed upon from time to time by the parties. A party may change 8 Agreement to Transfer Election Share such designation, at any time and from time to time, by giving notice to the other parties in accordance with this Section 602. Any formal notice; demand or request to be delivered, given or under this Transfer Agreement must specifically reference this Transfer Agreement. Section 603. Arbitration. In the event that a dispute arises among any of the parties as to the interpretation or performance of this Transfer Agreement, then upon written request of a party, representatives with settlement authority for each of the parties shall meet in person and confer in good faith to resolve the dispute. Any dispute under this Transfer Agreement may be submitted to arbitration at the request of any party provided that all of the other parties agree. Copies of any such request shall be given to all parties and shall specify the issue or issues in dispute. Within ten days after receipt of such a request the parties shall confer and attempt to agree upon appointment of a single arbitrator. If such agreement is not accomplished, any party may request the American Arbitration Association to appoint an arbitrator. The arbitrator shall conduct a heazing within thirty days thereafter, unless such time is extended by agreement of parties, shall notify the parties of his or her decision, stating his or her reasons for such decision, in writing, and separately listing his or her findings of fact and conclusions of law. The arbitrator shall not have power to amend, add to, or remove provisions from this Transfer Agreement. Subject to such limitation, the decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties except that either party may exercise available statutory rights under Minnesota law to petition a court of competent jurisdiction for review of the arbitrator's decision. The prevailing party or parties in a disputed matter shall be entitled to recover from the other party or parties its or their reasonable legal fees and other costs of azbitration and court proceedings. Section 604. Governing Law and Venue. This Transfer Agreement is made under and shall be governed by the law of the State of Minnesota, exclusive of principles related to choice of law. Venue for any proceeding concerning this Transfer Agreement shall be in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Minnesota. Section 605. Obligations of Good Faith and Fair Dealing. Each party acknowledges and agrees that in performing this Transfer Agreement, it has an obligation of good faith and fair dealing. The provisions of this Section 605 shall apply, without limitation, to the governing bodies, employees, and consultants of each of the parties. Section 606. Severability. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Transfer Agreement shall be finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the remainder of this Transfer Agreement shall be unaffected by such adjudication and all of the remaining provisions of this Transfer Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as though such section, paragraph, clause or provision or any part thereof so adjudicated to be invalid 9 Agreement to Transfer Election Share had not been included herein. However, the parties shall attempt to negotiate provisions that reasonably substitute for the invalid provision in order to place the parties in the position that they would have been had the stricken clause or provision not been found invalid. Section 607. Assignment of Transfer Agreement. This Transfer Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon the parties to this Transfer Agreement and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, no party may take any action to effect an assignment, lease, sale, or other transfer of this Transfer Agreement, or any interest or rights conferred herein, without the prior written consent of all of the other parties. Section 608. Confidentiality of Information. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to reasonably protect the confidentiality of information exchanged by the parties under this Transfer Agreement that is (i) treated by the providing party as non-public, and (ii) labeled or otherwise clearly identified as confidential. Section 609. Duly Authorized Signatories; Binding Effect of Execution. Each party, as to its signatory, hereby represents and warrants that the individual executing this Transfer Agreement on its behalf is duly authorized to do so, and that, by such execution set forth on the signature page to this Transfer Agreement, such party is hereby duly and lawfully bound by this Transfer Agreement. Section 610. Delivery of Opinions. On or before the Closing Date, each Acquiring City shall famish to CMMPA and to Delano an opinion by an attorney or firm of attorneys, addressed to CMMPA and Delano, to the effect of the matters set forth on Exhibit C hereto. On or before the Closing Date, Delano shall furnish to CMMPA and to each Acquiring City an opinion by an attorney or firm of attorneys, addressed to CMMPA and the Acquiring Cities, to the effect of the matters set forth on Exhibit C hereto. Section 611. Entire Agreement. This Transfer Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, and courses of conduct and dealings between the parties with respect to its the subject matter. 10 Agreement to Transfer Election Share IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Transfer Agreement as of the day of , 2011. CENTRAL MINNESOTA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY By Title: President By Title: Secretary THE CITY OF DELANO, MINNESOTA - DELANO WATER, LIGHT & POWER COMMISSION By Title: Mayor Dale Graunke By Title: Chairman Larry Bartels THE CITY OF ELK RIVER, MINNESOTA -ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES By Title: By Title: THE CITY OF GRANITE FALLS, MINNESOTA By Title: By 11 Agreement to Transfer Elecrion Share THE CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, IOWA -INDEPENDENCE LIGHT AND POWER By Title: By THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN LAKE, MINNESOTA -MOUNTAIN LAKE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES By By Title: THE CITY OF SLEEPY EYE, MINNESOTA -SLEEPY EYE PUBLIC UTILITIES sy Title: By Title: THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, MINNESOTA -SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION By Title: By Title 12 Agreement to Transfer Election Share EXHIBIT A APPORTIONMENT OF TRANFERRED RIGHTS, REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT, AND ASSUMED DEVELOPMENT COSTS AMONG ACQUIRING CITIES Part 1: The Transferred Rights and Assumed Development Costs shall be apportioned among the Acquiring Cities as set forth in the following table: Share of Transferred Rights Resulting Share of and Assumed Brookings Trans- Name of Ac uirin Ci Develo ment Costs mission Pro'ect City of Elk River, Minnesota -Elk River Munici al Utilities Cit of Granite Falls, Minnesota City of Independence, Iowa -Independence Li ht and Power City of Mountain Lake, Minnesota -Mountain Lake Munici al Utilities City of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota -Sleepy Eye Public Utilities City of Springfield, Minnesota -Springfield Public Utilities Commission Part 2: The Reimbursement Amount shall be apportioned among the Acquiring Cities as set forth in the following table: Name of Ac uirin Ci Share of Reimbursement Amount Cit of Elk River, Minnesota -Elk River Munici al Utilities $ Cit of Granite Falls, Minnesota $ Cit of Inde endence, Iowa -Inde endence Li ht and Power $ Cit of Mountain Lake, Minnesota -Mountain Lake Munici al Utilities $ Cit of Slee E e, Minnesota - Slee E e Public Utilities $ Cit of S rin field, Minnesota - S rin field Public Utilities Commission $ Total: $50,000 13 Agreement to Transfer Election Share EXHIBIT B CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NOTICES CMMPA: DELANO: Chief Executive Officer City of Delano Central Minnesota Municipal Power 234 2°d Street North Agency PO Box 108 459 South Grove Street Delano, MN 55328 Blue Earth, Minnesota 56013 and: with a copy to: Delano Water, Light & Power Commission Michael M. Gavin 11 West Bridge Avenue 1017 Hennepin Ave. N. PO Box 65 Glencoe, MN 55336 Delano, MN 55328 m ag vinna goslawfirm.com. ELK RIVER: GRANITE FALLS: INDEPENDENCE: MOUNTAIN LAKE: SLEEPY EYE: SPRINGFIELD: 14 Agreement to Transfer Election Share EXHIBIT C FORM OF OPINION In accordance with Section 610 of this Transfer Agreement, each of the Acquiring Cities shall furnish to CMMPA and Delano, and Delano shall furnish to CMMPA and to the Acquiring Cities, an opinion by an attorney or firm of attorneys to the effect that: (a) Valid Existence. The City is a municipal corporation or other eligible person or entity duly created and validly existing pursuant to the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Minnesota or other State of the United States, or is otherwise organized and authorized as a party to the Transfer Agreement. (b) Performance. The City has full legal right and authority to enter into the Transfer Agreement and to carry out its obligations thereunder. (c) Authorization, Execution. At meetings duly called and held at which quorums were present and acting throughout, the governing body of the City duly approved the Transfer Agreement and its execution and delivery on behalf of the City, the Transfer Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the appropriate officers of the City, and assuming that the other parties have all the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Transfer Agreement, the Transfer Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the City enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, however, to the effect of, and to restrictions and limitations imposed by or resulting from, bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally. (No opinion need be rendered as to the availability of any particulaz remedy.) (d) No Violation, Etc. The execution and delivery of the Transfer Agreement by the City, the performance by the City of its obligations thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein do not and will not contravene any provision of the Charter or Certificate of Incorporation or any other organizational document of the City and any amendment thereto under which the City is organized and presently operating or any existing law or any existing order, injunction, judgment, decree, rule or regulation of any court or administrative agency having jurisdiction over the City or its property or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any existing bond resolution, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement to which the City is a party or by which it or its property is bound. (e) Annrovals. All approvals, consents or authorizations of, or registrations or filings with, any governmental or public agency, authority or person required on the part of the City in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Transfer Agreement have been obtained or made. (f) Liti ag lion. To the knowledge of such attorney or firm of attorneys after due inquiry, there is no litigation or other proceedings pending or threatened in any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction (either State or Federal) questioning the creation, organization or existence of the City or the validity, legality or enforceability of the Transfer Agreement. 15