Form 8-K
8-K — New ERA Energy & Digital, Inc.
Accession: 0001213900-26-041499
Filed: 2026-04-08
Period: 2026-04-08
CIK: 0002028336
SIC: 1311 (CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS)
Item: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Item: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant
Item: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Item: Other Events
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — ea0285353-8k_newera.htm (Primary)
EX-4.1 — FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK (ea028535301ex4-1.htm)
EX-4.2 — FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (ea028535301ex4-2.htm)
EX-10.1 — TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, DATED APRIL 8, 2026 (ea028535301ex10-1.htm)
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)
8-K — CURRENT REPORT
8-K (Primary)
Filename: ea0285353-8k_newera.htm · Sequence: 1
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2026-04-08
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2026-04-08
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2026-04-08
2026-04-08
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 8, 2026
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Nevada
001-42433
99-3749880
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
200 N. Loraine Street, Suite 1324
Midland, TX
79701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code: (432) 695-6997
Not Applicable
(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))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
NUAI
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants
NUAIW
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
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. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Term Loan Credit
Agreement
On April 8, 2026, Texas Critical Data Centers LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “Borrower”), a subsidiary of New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”
or “New Era”), entered into a Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with Macquarie Equipment Capital
Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Macquarie”), acting as administrative agent and lender (the “Lender”). All capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement.
The Term Loan Agreement provides for a senior secured term loan credit
facility of up to $290,000,000, consisting of the following tranches: (i) a $20,000,000 committed Term Loan A-1, (ii) a $30,000,000 Term
Loan A-2, (iii) a $40,000,000 Term Loan A-3, and (iv) a $200,000,000 Delayed Draw Term Loan (collectively, the “Loans”). The
Loans under each of the Term Loan A-2, the Term Loan A-3, and the Delayed Draw Term Loan are available to the Company solely at the discretion
of the Lender and are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. The Loans mature on April 8, 2029. Each Loan bears interest
at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR plus the Applicable Rate, which is 5.50% per annum for Term Loan A-1 and Term Loan A-2 and 7.75%
per annum for Term Loan A-3 and the Delayed Draw Term Loan.
The Loans are subject to a multiple on invested capital premium (“MOIC”)
as follows: (i) with respect to each repayment or prepayment of any First Stage Loan, (a) if no Second Stage Loan has been funded on or
prior to the date of such repayment or prepayment, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.35 to 1.00 or (b) if a Second Stage Loan
has been funded on or prior to the date of such repayment or prepayment, (1) if such repayment or prepayment is made on or prior to one-hundred
and eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.15 to 1.00, (2) if such repayment or prepayment
is made after one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the Closing Date but on or prior to the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date,
an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.20 to 1.00 and (3) if such repayment or prepayment is made after the one-year anniversary
of the Closing Date, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.30 to 1.00, and (ii) with respect to each repayment or prepayment of
any Second Stage Loan, (a) if such repayment or prepayment is made on or prior to one-hundred and eighty (180) days following the Funding
Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.10 to 1.00, (b) if such repayment or prepayment is
made after one-hundred and eighty (180) days following the Funding Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan but on or prior to the one-year
anniversary of the funding of such Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.15 to 1.00 and (c) if such repayment
or prepayment is made after the one-year anniversary of the Funding Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve
a MOIC of 1.25 to 1.00. The MOIC premium is fully earned upon execution of the Term Loan Agreement and is due and payable upon any repayment,
prepayment, or acceleration of the Loans, including in connection with an Event of Default.
The
proceeds of Term Loan A-1 will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the prepayment of existing indebtedness, and
to pay transaction expenses in connection with the Loan Documents. The proceeds of subsequent Loans will be used to finance improvements
to the Company’s flagship data center project, fund the purchase of equipment expected to be installed and used for improvements
to the site, and pay any other costs, fees, expenses, or amounts related to or in connection with the development and construction of
the project.
The Term Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties,
affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. The Borrower’s obligations under the Term Loan Agreement will be secured
by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all assets of the Borrower. The Term Loan Agreement requires that, no
later than sixty days following the Closing Date, that the Company close an underwritten equity offering resulting in net
proceeds of at least $30 million. If, within six months after the Closing Date, the Data Center Lease has not been executed or the aggregate principal amount of all Loans
drawn under the Term Loan Agreement is less than $50 million, then the Lender may elect for the Borrower to either (i) prepay all outstanding
Loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, the Repayment Premium and all other amounts necessary to cause the Payment in Full
of the Obligations, within five days of receipt of notice of such election, or (ii) repay the Loans in monthly installments in an amount
equal to 1/30th of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement.
Northland Capital Markets acted as capital markets advisor in connection
with the Term Loan Agreement.
The
foregoing description of the Term Loan Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Term Loan Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by
reference.
1
Equity Issuances
From time to time beginning with the initial funding of the Term Loan Agreement,
the Company will issue to the Lender warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common
Stock” and such warrants, the “Warrants”). Under the terms of the Warrants, the Lender will be entitled to purchase
up to 1,164,144 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to the product of (i) 120% multiplied by (ii) the five-day volume weighted
average price of the Company’s Common Stock as of the date of issuance of the Warrants, subject to a minimum price floor of $4.30.
The Warrants will be exercisable at any time or from time to time on
or before April 8, 2031 (the “Expiration Date”). The Warrants will be exercisable for cash only. Under the Term Loan Agreement,
the Company is required to deliver a Warrant to the Lender for an aggregate purchase price of up to 10% of the principal amount of the
applicable Loans funded, subject to certain limitations. The Company’s obligation to issue Warrants ceases once the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of Loans is equal to or greater than $50,000,000.
The foregoing description of the Warrants does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Warrant, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Additionally, the Company will enter into a Subscription Agreement
with the Lender pursuant to which the Company will agree to sell, and the Lender will agree to purchase, 1,000,520 shares of the Company’s
Common Stock at a price per share of $5.00 (such shares of common stock and the Warrants, the “Securities” and such issuances,
the “Equity Issuances”).
Registration Rights
Agreement
In connection with the Equity Issuances, the Company will enter into
a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Lender with respect to the registration of
the Lender’s Securities for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The foregoing description of the Registration Rights
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement,
the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial
Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth
in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into Item 2.03.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of
Equity Securities.
The information set forth
in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into Item 3.02.
The Securities will be issued to the Lender upon an exemption from
registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 8.01 Other Events
Shareholder Litigation
On April 1, 2026, a federal
securities class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas against the Company and members
of management. The complaint alleges violations of federal securities laws on behalf of investors who purchased the Company’s securities
between November 6, 2024 and December 29, 2025. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.
Risk Factor Update
The Company is supplementing
the risk factors previously disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 with the following risk factors.
2
We expect to incur material indebtedness
and face risks associated with the use of debt to fund our business activities, including refinancing, interest rate and default risks.
We expect to incur material
indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement to fund the development of our flagship data center project. Such indebtedness may require
us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash to debt service payments, which reduces the availability of our cash flow to fund working
capital, capital expenditures, expansion efforts, and other general corporate purposes. Additionally, it could limit our ability in the
future to undertake refinancing of our debt or obtain financing for expenditures, acquisitions, development or other general corporate
purposes on terms and conditions acceptable to us, if at all or affect adversely our ability to compete effectively or operate successfully
under adverse economic conditions.
In addition, we may violate
restrictive covenants or fail to meet certain milestones specified in our loan documents, such as obtaining a lease for our flagship project
with the next six months, which would entitle our lenders to accelerate our debt obligations, and our secured lenders or mortgagees may
foreclose on our properties or our interests in the entities that own the properties that secure their loans. Our default under any one
of our loans could result in a cross-default on other indebtedness or contractual obligations. A foreclosure on one or more of our properties
could adversely affect our access to capital, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
We may be unable to refinance
our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our original indebtedness.
It is likely that we will
need to refinance at least a portion of our indebtedness as it matures. If we are unable to refinance or extend principal payments due
at maturity or pay them with proceeds of other capital transactions, then our cash flow may not be sufficient to repay all such maturing
debt. Further, if prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of refinancing, such as the reluctance of lenders to make project
loans, result in higher interest rates upon refinancing, then the interest expense relating to that refinanced indebtedness would increase.
We may be subject to short selling strategies
that may drive down the market price of our common stock.
Short selling occurs when an investor borrows a security and sells it on the
open market, with the intention of buying identical securities at a later date to return to the lender. A short seller hopes to profit
from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares.
Because it is in the short seller’s best interests for the price of the stock to decline, some short sellers publish, or arrange
for the publication of, opinions or characterizations regarding the relevant issuer, its business prospects, and similar matters calculated
to or which may create negative market momentum. Short sellers can publicly attack a company’s reputation and business on a broader
scale via online postings. In the past, the publication of such commentary about us by a self-described short seller has precipitated
a decline in the market price of our common stock, and future similar efforts by other short sellers may have similar effects. Companies
that are subject to unfavorable allegations promoted by short sellers, even if untrue, may have to expend a significant amount of resources
to investigate such allegations and defend themselves.
We are currently, and may continue to be,
subject to securities class action litigation.
In the past, securities class
action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s
securities. This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention
and resources, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition. Additionally, the dramatic increase
in the cost of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance may cause us to opt for lower overall policy limits and coverage
or to forgo insurance that we may otherwise rely on to cover significant defense costs, settlements, and damages awarded to plaintiffs,
or incur substantially higher costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. These factors could make it more difficult for us to attract
and retain qualified executive officers and members of our board of directors.
We are currently a party to
a putative securities class action lawsuit. The complaint, filed on April 1, 2026, names the Company and certain of our management as
defendants. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.
We are subject to considerable timing and
execution risks associated with supply constraints on power for our projects. To the extent we are unable to reach agreements with independent
power providers or find suitable behind-the-meter power arrangements, we will be required to procure power from the public grid.
We are subject to considerable timing and execution risks associated
with supply constraints on power for our projects. To the extent we are unable to reach agreements with independent power providers or
find suitable behind-the-meter power arrangements on a timely basis or at all, we will be required to procure power from the public grid.
Currently, interconnection queues for grid power are experiencing significant delays. To the extent we need grid power to power our projects,
our projected timing for completion of our flagship project and associated cash flow from operations may be materially delayed, which
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
4.1
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock.
4.2
Form of Registration Rights Agreement.
10.1
Term Loan Agreement, dated April 8, 2026.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
Date: April 8, 2026
By:
/s/ E. Will Gray II
E. Will Gray II
Chief Executive Officer
4
EX-4.1 — FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
EX-4.1
Filename: ea028535301ex4-1.htm · Sequence: 2
Exhibit 4.1
Final Form
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY
THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND
HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM REASONABLY
ACCEPTABLE TO COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED DUE TO AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SAID ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS.
Date of Issuance: [●], 202[●]
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
OF
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL,
INC.
(Void after [●], 203[●]1)
This certifies that Macquarie
Equipment Capital Inc., a Delaware corporation, or assigns (“Holder”), for value received, is entitled to purchase
from New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), [●] shares of the Company’s
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), for cash, at a purchase price per share equal to the
Exercise Price (hereinafter defined), as adjusted pursuant to the terms and conditions herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Exercise
Price” means $[●].2 This Warrant is issued in connection with that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of
[●], by and among the Company, Texas Critical Data Centers LLC, and Holder (as may be subsequently amended, restated and supplemented
from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined in this Warrant
shall have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement, unless the context would otherwise require.
Subject to Section 4.3,
this Warrant may be exercised at any time or from time to time up to and including 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on [●], 203[●]3
(the “Expiration Date”), upon surrender to the Company with e-mail delivery to E. Will Gray II at [ ]
(with a copy not constituting notice sent to Katherine Terrell Frank at [ ]) (or at such other location
as the Company may advise Holder in writing) of this Warrant properly endorsed with the form of subscription attached hereto (the “Form
of Subscription”) duly completed and signed and upon payment in cash or wire transfer of immediately available funds of the
aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares for which this Warrant is being exercised determined in accordance with the provisions
hereof. The Exercise Price and the number of shares purchasable hereunder are subject to further adjustment as provided in Section
4 of this Warrant.
1 Note to Draft: To be five years from the date of issuance.
2 Note to Draft: Exercise Price is the product of (i)
one-hundred twenty percent (120%); multiplied by (ii) the amount that is the five (5)-day volume weighted average price of the
Company’s Common Stock as of the date of issuance of this Warrant; provided, however, that in no event shall the
Exercise Price be less than the Minimum Price (as defined by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d)(1)(A)) plus $0.125 on the closing date of the
Loan Agreement (hereinafter defined); and provided further that Exercise Price for the warrant issued in connection with the A-1
Loan shall be calculated as of the Closing Date.
3 Note to Draft: To be five years from the date of issuance.
This Warrant is subject to
the following terms and conditions:
1. Exercise;
Issuance of Certificates; Payment for Shares. This Warrant shall be exercisable at the option of Holder, at any time or from time
to time, on or before the Expiration Date for all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock (but not for a fraction of a share) which
may be purchased hereunder for the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of shares to be purchased. The Company agrees that the shares
of Common Stock purchased under this Warrant shall be and are deemed to be issued to Holder as the record owner of such shares as of the
close of business on the date on which the Form of Subscription shall have been delivered and payment made for such shares. Subject to
the provisions of Section 2, electronic certificates or book entries for the shares of Common Stock so purchased, together with
any other securities or property to which Holder is entitled upon such exercise, shall be delivered to Holder by the Company within a
reasonable time after the rights represented by this Warrant have been so exercised. In case of a purchase of less than all the shares
which may be purchased under this Warrant, the Company shall cancel this Warrant and execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants of
like tenor for the balance of the shares purchasable under this Warrant surrendered upon such purchase to Holder within a reasonable time.
2. Limitation
on Transfer.
(a) This
Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant shall not be transferable except upon the conditions specified in this
Section 2, which conditions are intended to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act. Each Holder of this Warrant
or the Common Stock issuable hereunder will cause any proposed transferee of the Warrant or Common Stock issuable hereunder to agree to
take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and upon the conditions specified in this Section 2. Notwithstanding
the foregoing and any other provision of this Section 2 but subject to the last sentence of Section 2(c), Holder may freely
transfer all or part of this Warrant or the shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant at any time to any Affiliate of the Lender under
the Loan Agreement (each, a “Permitted Transferee”), by giving the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being
transferred setting forth the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the Permitted Transferee and surrendering this Warrant
to the Company for reissuance to the Permitted Transferees(s) (and Holder, if applicable); provided, however, that (i) any
such transfer to a Permitted Transferee shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, (ii) such Permitted
Transferee agrees in writing to take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and conditions of this Warrant and (iii) on or
prior to such transfer, such Permitted Transferee shall deliver to the Company a duly completed and executed Internal Revenue Service
Form W-9 or other tax form establishing an exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.
(b) Each
certificate representing (i) this Warrant, (ii) Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant; and (iii) any other securities
issued in respect of the Common Stock issuable hereunder issued upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation
or similar event, shall (unless otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Section 2 or unless such securities have been registered
and sold under the Securities Act or sold under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act) be stamped or otherwise imprinted with
a legend substantially in the following form (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE
HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH
REGISTRATION OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED DUE TO AN EXEMPTION
THEREFROM UNDER SAID ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
2
(c) Holder
and each person to whom this Warrant is subsequently transferred represents and warrants to the Company (by acceptance of such transfer)
that it will not transfer this Warrant (or securities issuable upon exercise hereof unless a registration statement under the Securities
Act was in effect with respect to such securities at the time of issuance thereof) unless (i) there is an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws covering any such transaction, (ii) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (or any other rule under the Securities Act relating to the disposition of securities), or (iii) the Company receives an opinion of
counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that an exemption from such registration is available. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or any other provision of this Section 2, Holder shall not transfer this Warrant (or securities issuable upon exercise hereof,
or securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of such securities, if any) to any competitor of the Company, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), without the prior written consent of the Company.
3. Shares
to be Fully Paid; Reservation of Shares. The Company covenants and agrees that all shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of this Warrant will, upon issuance and payment of the applicable Exercise Price in accordance with the terms hereof, be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive rights (other than those preemptive rights that have been waived)
of any stockholder and free of all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. The Company further covenants and agrees
that, at all times while this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will have authorized and reserved, for the purpose of enabling it
to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant, a sufficient number of shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock,
or other securities and property, when and as required to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant. The Company
will take all such action as may be necessary to assure that such shares of Common Stock may be issued as provided herein without violation
of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of any domestic securities exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed.
The Company will not take any intentional action which would result in any adjustment of the Exercise Price (as described in Section
4 hereof) (i) if the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable after such action upon exercise of all outstanding warrants,
together with all shares of Common Stock then outstanding and all shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of all options and
upon the conversion of all convertible securities then outstanding, would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock then authorized
by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated from time to time (the “Charter”), or
(ii) if the par value per share of the Common Stock would exceed the Exercise Price.
3
4. Adjustment
of Exercise Price and Number of Shares. The Exercise Price and the number of shares purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events described in this Section 4. Upon each adjustment
of the Exercise Price, Holder shall thereafter be entitled to purchase, at the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment, the number
of shares obtained by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of shares purchasable
pursuant hereto immediately prior to such adjustment, and dividing the product thereof by the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment.
4.1 Subdivision
or Combination of Stock. In case the Company shall at any time subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number
of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case
the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be combined into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect
immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased.
4.2 Dividends.
If at any time or from time to time the holders of Common Stock (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time receivable upon
the exercise of this Warrant) shall have received or become entitled to receive:
(a) Common
Stock, or any shares of stock or other securities whether or not such securities are at any time directly or indirectly convertible into
or exchangeable for Common Stock, or any rights or options to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing by way
of dividend or other distribution;
(b) any
cash paid or payable, including as a cash dividend; or
(c) Common
Stock or other or additional stock or other securities or property (including cash) by way of spin off, split-up, reclassification, combination
of shares or similar corporate rearrangement, (other than shares of Common Stock issued as a stock split, adjustments in respect of which
shall be covered by the terms of Section 4.1 above);
then and in each such case, Holder shall, upon
exercise of this Warrant, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock receivable thereupon, the amount
of Common Stock and other securities and property (including cash in the cases referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above) which such Holder
would hold on the date of such exercise had it been the holder of record of such Common Stock as of the date on which the other holders
of the Company’s Common Stock received or became entitled to receive such shares and/or all other additional stock and other securities
and property.
4
4.3 Change
of Control. In the event of a Change of Control (hereinafter defined), this Warrant shall be automatically exchanged for the maximum
number of shares issuable pursuant to the terms hereof (after taking into account all adjustments described herein) had Holder elected
to exercise this Warrant immediately prior to the closing of such Change of Control, and purchased all such shares pursuant to the cash
exercise provision set forth in Section 1. The Company acknowledges and agrees that Holder shall not be required to make any payment
(cash or otherwise) for such shares as consideration for their issuance pursuant to the terms of the preceding sentence. “Change
of Control” means any sale, license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, any reorganization,
consolidation or merger or other transaction involving the Company where the holders of the Company’s securities before the transaction
beneficially own less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity after the transaction or any acquisition by
any person or group of persons of the power, directly or indirectly, whether or not exercised, to control or direct the Company’s
board of directors or cause the direction of the management or policies of the Company, whether through ownership of equity interests,
by contract, arrangement, understanding or otherwise; provided that an issuance of equity securities for the primary purpose of raising
capital shall not be considered a Change of Control under this Warrant. This Warrant shall terminate upon Holder’s receipt of the
number of shares of the Company’s equity securities described in this Section 4.3.
4.4 Notice
of Adjustment. Upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price, and/or any increase or decrease in the number of shares purchasable upon
the exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof, in accordance with Section 12 hereof. The notice,
which may be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, shall be signed by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
and shall state the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares purchasable
at such price upon the exercise of this Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which
such calculation is based.
4.5 Other
Notices. If at any time:
(a) the
Company shall declare any cash dividend upon its Common Stock;
(b) the
Company shall declare any dividend upon its Common Stock payable in stock or make any special dividend or other distribution to the holders
of its Common Stock;
(c) there
shall be any capital reorganization or reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, or consolidation or merger of the Company
with, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity; or
(d) there
shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company;
then, in any one or more of said cases, the Company
shall give, in accordance with Section 12 hereof, (i) at least 5 days’ prior written notice of the date on which the books
of the Company shall close or a record shall be taken for such dividend or distribution or for determining rights to vote in respect of
any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or other action and (ii)
in the case of any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or other
action, at least 5 days’ written notice of the date when the same shall take place. Any notice given in accordance with the foregoing
clause (i) shall also specify, in the case of any such dividend or distribution, the date on which the holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled thereto. Any notice given in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall also specify the date on which the holders of Common
Stock shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification,
consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or other action as the case may be.
5
4.6 Certain
Events. If any change in the outstanding Common Stock of the Company or any other event occurs as to which the other provisions of
this Section 4 are not strictly applicable or if strictly applicable would not fairly effect the adjustments to this Warrant in
accordance with the essential intent and principles of such provisions, then the Board shall make in good faith an adjustment in the number
and class of shares issuable under this Warrant, the Exercise Price and/or the application of such provisions, in accordance with such
essential intent and principles, so as to protect such purchase rights as aforesaid. The adjustment shall be such as will give Holder
upon exercise for the same aggregate Exercise Price the total number, class and kind of shares as Holder would have owned had this Warrant
been exercised prior to the event and had Holder continued to hold such shares until after the event requiring adjustment.
5. Issue
Tax. The delivery of, and issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of, this Warrant shall be made without
charge to Holder for any documentary, stamp or similar issue tax in respect thereof; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any certificate
in a name other than that of the then Holder being exercised.
6. Closing
of Books. The Company will at no time close its transfer books against the transfer of this Warrant or of any shares of Common Stock
issued or issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of this Warrant.
7. No
Voting Rights; Limitation of Liability. Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as conferring upon Holder the right to
vote or to consent as a stockholder in respect of meetings of stockholders for the election of directors of the Company or any other matters
or any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company. No dividends or interest shall be payable in respect of the Warrant or the interest
represented thereby or the shares purchasable hereunder until, and only to the extent that, this Warrant shall have been exercised; provided,
however, that if any dividends are due or paid at any time on the underlying securities for which this Warrant is exercisable,
then upon exercise, the securities issued to Holder shall be deemed to have accrued, and be paid, identical dividends from the same time
as the outstanding shares for which this Warrant is exercisable were first issued (or, if later, the date of this Warrant). No provisions
hereof, in the absence of affirmative action by Holder to purchase shares of Common Stock, and no mere enumeration herein of the rights
or privileges of Holder hereof, shall give rise to any liability of such Holder for the Exercise Price or as a stockholder of the Company,
whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by its creditors.
8. Registration
Rights Agreement. Holder shall be entitled, with respect to the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this Warrant to the
registration rights set forth in that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [●], by and between the Company and
Holder (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”).
6
9. [Reserved.]
10. Rights
and Obligations Survive Exercise of Warrant. The rights and obligations of the Company, of Holder and of the holder of shares of Common
Stock issued upon exercise of this Warrant, contained in Section 8 shall survive the exercise of this Warrant; provided,
however, that the covenants in Section 8 shall terminate at such time as Holder no longer beneficially owns any shares of
Common Stock issued upon exercise of this Warrant.
11. Modification
and Waiver. This Warrant and any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing
signed by the party against which enforcement of the same is sought.
12. Notices.
Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to Holder or the Company shall be deemed to have
been given (i) upon receipt if delivered personally or by courier or (ii) when the recipient replies to the sender and confirms the recipient
received the sender’s e-mail, to Holder at [ ]
(with a copy not constituting notice sent to Joshua Stevens at [ ]
and Phoebe Yang at [ ]),
and to the Company at [ ]
(with a copy not constituting notice sent to Katherine Terrell Frank at [ ]).
13. Survival
of Certain Obligations. All of the obligations of the Company relating to the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant
shall survive the exercise and termination of this Warrant in accordance with its terms. All of the covenants and agreements of the Company
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of Holder in accordance with their respective terms.
The Company will, at the time of the exercise of this Warrant, in whole or in part, upon request of Holder but at the Company’s
expense, acknowledge in writing its continuing obligation to Holder in respect of any rights (including, without limitation, any right
to registration of the shares of Common Stock) to which Holder shall continue to be entitled after such exercise as a result of Holder
holding securities of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Warrant; provided, that the failure of Holder to make any such
request shall not affect the continuing obligation of the Company to Holder in respect of such rights.
14. Descriptive
Headings and Governing Law. The descriptive headings of the several sections and paragraphs of this Warrant are inserted for convenience
only and do not constitute a part of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of
the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York.
15. Lost
Warrants or Stock Certificates. The Company agrees that upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its transfer
agent of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of any Warrant or stock certificate and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction,
upon receipt by the Company of (i) an affidavit of that fact by the person so claiming such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation, (ii)
an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its transfer agent and (iii) such other documents reasonably requested by the
Company or its transfer agent, the Company at its expense will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate, of like tenor, in
lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant or stock certificate.
7
16. Fractional
Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant. The Company shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share,
pay the holder entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the then effective Exercise Price.
17. Representations
of Holder. With respect to this Warrant, Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
17.1 Experience.
It is experienced in evaluating and investing in companies engaged in businesses similar to that of the Company; it understands that investment
in this Warrant involves substantial risks; it has made detailed inquiries concerning the Company, its business and services, its officers
and its personnel; the officers of the Company have made available to Holder any and all written information it has requested; the officers
of the Company have answered to Holder’s satisfaction all inquiries made by it; in making this investment it has relied upon information
made available to it by the Company; and it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of investment in the Company and it is able to bear the economic risk of that investment.
17.2 Investment.
It is acquiring this Warrant and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant for investment for its own account
and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof. It understands that this Warrant and the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof have not been registered under the Securities Act, nor qualified under applicable state securities
laws.
17.3 Rule
144. It acknowledges that this Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant must be held indefinitely unless
they are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. It has been advised or
is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
17.4 Access
to Data. It has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management and financial affairs with the Company’s
management and has had the opportunity to inspect the Company’s facilities.
17.5 Accredited
Investor. It is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
18. Additional
Representations and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
18.1 Organization,
Good Standing. The Company is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation,
with all requisite power and authority to issue and enter into this Warrant and to perform its obligations hereunder.
18.2 Power
and Authority. The Company has all requisite legal right, power and authority to issue this Warrant and to perform all its obligations
relating thereto.
18.3 Authorization.
All corporate action on the part of the Company, its directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution, delivery and
performance by the Company of this Warrant has been taken.
8
18.4 Consents,
Waiver, Authorization Filings. No consent, waiver or authorization of, or filing with any governmental authority is required in connection
with the issuance of this Warrant.
18.5 Enforceability.
This Warrant is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except
as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
18.6 Exempt
Offering; No Registration. Subject in part to the truth and accuracy of Holder’s representations set forth in Section 17
hereof, the offer, issuance and sale of this Warrant is, and the issuance of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant will be exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and are exempt from the qualification requirements of any applicable state securities
laws; and neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemptions.
18.7 Stock
Issuance. Upon exercise of this Warrant, the Company will cause the issuance of the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the
exercise to be issued in book entry form in the names of Holder, its nominees or assignees, as appropriate at the time of such exercise.
18.8 Charter
Documents. The Company has provided Holder with, or Holder otherwise has public access to, true and complete copies of the Charter,
Bylaws, or other charter document setting forth any rights, preferences and privileges of the Company’s capital stock, each as amended
and in effect on the date hereof.
18.9 Tax
Reporting. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide (at Holder’s expense) any information reasonably
requested by Holder necessary to enable Holder to comply with its U.S. federal income tax reporting obligations.
18.10 No
Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Warrant do not and will not, with or without the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Charter or other document setting forth any rights, preferences
and privileges of the Company’s capital stock, each as amended and in effect on the date hereof, (ii) conflict with or violate any
requirement of law or material Company contract, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien upon any assets of
the Company or (iv) require any action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official, other than (x)
such as have been obtained and remain in full force and effect, and (y) such qualifications or filings under applicable federal and state
securities laws as may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
[Remainder of this page intentionally
left blank; signature page follows]
9
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company
has caused this Warrant to be duly executed by its officer, thereunto duly authorized as of the date of issuance set forth on the first
page hereof.
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
By:
Name:
E. Will Gray II
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
10
MACQUARIE EQUIPMENT CAPITAL INC.
By:
Name:
Josh Stevens
Title:
Division Director
By:
Name:
Greg Fitzgerald
Title:
Division Director
11
FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION
(To be signed only upon exercise
of Warrant)
To: __________________________
☐ The undersigned, the holder of the within Warrant, hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the purchase
right represented by such Warrant for, and to purchase thereunder, ___________ (_________) shares of Common Stock of New Era Energy &
Digital, Inc. and herewith makes payment of ___________ Dollars ($_______) therefor, and requests that the certificates for such shares
be issued in the name of, and delivered to, _____________, whose address is ___________________.
The undersigned acknowledges that it has reviewed
the representations and warranties contained in Section 17 of the Warrant and by its signature below hereby makes such representations
and warranties to the Company.
Dated
Holder:
By:
Its:
(Address)
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, the holder
of the within the Warrant, hereby sells, assigns and transfers all of the rights of the undersigned under the within the Warrant, with
respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered thereby set forth herein below, unto:
Name of Assignee
Address
No. of Shares
Dated
Holder:
By:
Its:
EXHIBIT A
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL,
INC.
Reference is hereby made to
that certain Warrant dated [●], issued by New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”),
to Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc. (“Holder”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meaning(s) ascribed to them in the Warrant, unless the context would otherwise require.
[IF APPLICABLE] The Warrant
provides that the actual number and type of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant and the
Exercise Price are to be determined by reference to one or more events or conditions subsequent to the issuance of the Warrant. Such events
or conditions have now occurred or lapsed, and the Company wishes to confirm the actual number of shares issuable and the Exercise Price.
The provisions of this Supplement to Warrant are incorporated into the Warrant by this reference, and shall control the interpretation
and exercise of the Warrant.
[IF APPLICABLE] Notice is
hereby given pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Warrant that the following adjustment(s) have been made to the Warrant: [describe adjustments,
setting forth details regarding method of calculation and facts upon which calculation is based].
This certifies that
Holder is entitled to purchase from the Company, at Holder’s option, either (i) (_________) fully paid and nonassessable
shares of the Company’s _________ Stock at a price of _______________________ Dollars ($_________) per share or (ii)
(_______________) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s _____________ Stock at a price of
___________________________ Dollars ($__________) per share. The applicable Exercise Price and the number of shares purchasable
under the Warrant remain subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4 of the Warrant.
Executed this ___ day of ______________,
20___.
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
EX-4.2 — FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
EX-4.2
Filename: ea028535301ex4-2.htm · Sequence: 3
Exhibit 4.2
Final Form
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is made and entered into as of [●], by and among New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Parent”),
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Stockholder”) and any Permitted Assignee (as defined
herein) who becomes a party to this Agreement by entering into a joinder agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Parent, the Stockholder and any Permitted Assignee are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively
as the “Parties”.
WHEREAS, Parent and
the Stockholder have entered into that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of [●] (the “Credit Agreement”),
by and among Parent, the Stockholder and Texas Critical Data Centers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”);
WHEREAS, Parent and
the Stockholder have entered into that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of [●] (as the same may be amended or supplemented,
the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which Parent will issue to the Stockholder shares of Common Stock (as defined
below) (the “Equity Issuance”);
WHEREAS, on [●],
in connection with entry into the Credit Agreement, Parent issued and sold to the Stockholder warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock
(the “Warrants” and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, the “Warrant Shares”) (such
issuance, together with the Equity Issuance, the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, upon the consummation
of the Transaction, subject to the terms of the Subscription Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Stockholder shall receive the Warrants
and the Purchased Common Stock (as defined herein) as consideration for entering into the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Parent and
the Stockholder desire to enter into this Agreement, to provide the Stockholder with certain rights relating to the registration of the
Warrants, the Warrant Shares and the shares of Purchased Common Stock to be received by it pursuant to the Transaction.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and the mutual and dependent covenants hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined
Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate”
of a Person means any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is
under common control with, such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled
by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction
of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided
that, for the purposes of this Agreement, the Stockholder shall not be deemed an Affiliate of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, and neither
Parent nor any of its subsidiaries shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Stockholder.
“Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Board”
means the board of directors (or any successor governing body) of Parent.
“Borrower”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Business Day”
means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday for commercial banks in New York, New York.
“Closing Date”
has the meaning given to such term in the Credit Agreement.
“Commission”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency administering the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at the
time.
“Common Stock”
means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent.
“Controlling Person”
means a “controlling person” within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act.
“Credit Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“DTC” has
the meaning set forth in Section 5(n).
“EDGAR”
has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c).
“Exchange Act”
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Governmental Authority”
means any federal, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of such government
or political subdivision, or any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority
(to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of such organization or authority have the force of law), or any arbitrator, court
or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
“Parent”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble and includes Parent’s successors by merger, acquisition, reorganization or otherwise.
“Party”
and “Parties” have the meanings set forth in the preamble.
“Permitted Assignee”
has the meaning set forth in Section 14.
“Person”
means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization,
trust, association or other entity.
2
“Prospectus”
means the prospectus or prospectuses included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes
any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A under
the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of
the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and by all other amendments and supplements
to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.
“Purchased Common
Stock” means the shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold to Stockholder pursuant to the Subscription Agreement.
“Registrable Securities”
means the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, and the Purchased Common Stock beneficially owned by the Stockholder or a Permitted Assignee;
provided, however, that such Warrants, Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Securities
when (i) such Warrants, Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock have been disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement
and the recipient thereof may trade such Warrants, Warrant Shares and shares of Purchased Common Stock without restriction, (ii) such
Warrants, Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock are sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144
under the Securities Act (or any successor rule under the Securities Act) are met and all restrictive legends have been removed from such
Warrants, Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock, (iii) such Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock beneficially owned by the
Stockholder or a Permitted Assignee, on an individual basis, represent less than one percent of the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock then issued and outstanding and such Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock become eligible for immediate sale pursuant to Rule
144 (or any successor rule under the Securities Act) without time, volume or manner of sale restrictions, (iv) such Warrants, Warrant
Shares and Purchased Common Stock have been disposed of in a private transaction pursuant to which the Stockholder’s rights have
not been assigned in accordance with Section 14, or (v) such Warrants, Warrant Shares and Purchased Common Stock cease to
be outstanding.
“Registration Statement”
means any registration statement of Parent, including a Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Rule 144”
means Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto.
“Securities Act”
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Selling Expenses”
means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees
and disbursements of counsel for any holder of Registrable Securities, except for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for
the holders of Registrable Securities required to be paid by Parent pursuant to Section 6.
“Shelf Registration”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
3
“Shelf Registration
Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Shelf Supplement”
means a supplement to a prospectus for the purpose of effecting an offering pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor
rule thereto.
“Stockholder”
has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Subscription Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Transaction”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Underwritten Offering”
means a sale of Common Stock of Parent to an underwriter or underwriters on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public.
“Warrant Shares”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Warrants”
has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
2. Shelf
Registration.
(a) Parent
shall, within 30 calendar days of the Closing Date, file a Registration Statement (the “Shelf Registration Statement”)
under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities by the Stockholder from time to time as permitted
by Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “Shelf Registration”) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause
such Registration Statement to become or be declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof. Following the effective
date of the Shelf Registration Statement, Parent shall notify the Stockholder of the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) The
Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or, if Form S-3 is not then available to Parent, on Form S-1 or
such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of such Registrable Securities and
shall contain a prospectus in such form as to permit the Stockholder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act (or any successor or similar rule adopted by the Commission then in effect) at any time beginning on the effective date
for such Shelf Registration Statement. The Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination
of methods legally available to the Stockholder.
(c) Parent
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to remain continuously effective, and to be supplemented
and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another Registration
Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities by the Stockholder until all of the Registrable Securities have
ceased to be Registrable Securities or the earlier termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.
4
(d) In
connection with the Shelf Registration, the Stockholder agrees (A) to supply any information reasonably requested by Parent in connection
with the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement and/or any other documents relating to the Shelf Registration and (B) to
execute and deliver any agreements and instruments reasonably requested by Parent to effectuate the Shelf Registration, including, without
limitation, questionnaires.
3. Delay
and Suspension Rights. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Parent may postpone or suspend for up to 60 days
the effectiveness or use of the Shelf Registration Statement or the filing of any Shelf Supplement if the Board determines in its reasonable
good faith judgment that such use or filing would: (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate organization,
financing, or securities offering involving Parent; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that Parent has a bona
fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render Parent unable to materially comply with requirements under
the Securities Act or Exchange Act. Parent shall provide prompt written notice to the Stockholder of any delay or suspension pursuant
to this Section 3 (including the anticipated duration thereof, to the extent known), provided that the failure to provide advance notice
shall not be deemed a breach if such delay or suspension is required to prevent premature disclosure of material nonpublic information.
Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resume the use or effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement as promptly as
practicable following the cessation of the circumstances giving rise to such delay or suspension. Parent may delay or suspend under this
Section 3 for not more than a total of 60 days during any 120-day period or 90 days during any 365-day period and shall not exercise its
rights under this Section 3 in a manner intended to circumvent its registration obligations hereunder.
4. Holdbacks;
Other Restrictions and Acknowledgements. In connection with any Underwritten Offering, if requested by the managing underwriter,
each of the Stockholder and any Permitted Assignee participating in such Underwritten Offering agrees to enter into customary agreements
restricting the public sale or distribution of equity securities of Parent (including sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act) during the period commencing on the launch of such offering and continuing for not more than 90 days after the date of the “final”
Prospectus (or “final” prospectus supplement), pursuant to which such Underwritten Offering shall be made, or such lesser
period as is required by the lead managing underwriter(s); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the duration
of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction imposed by the underwriters on the Stockholder
or any Permitted Assignee or the officers or directors on whom a restriction is imposed and (ii) that the restrictions set forth
in this Section 4 shall not apply to any Registrable Securities that are included in such Underwritten Offering by such holder.
5. Registration
Procedures. In connection with its obligations under Section 2, Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to effect the offer and sale of such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act in accordance with the intended method of disposition
thereof, and pursuant thereto Parent shall as soon as reasonably practicable and as applicable:
(a) prepare
and file with the Commission a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts
to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective;
5
(b) prepare
and file with the Commission such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus
used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities subject thereto until the date on which all the Registrable
Securities subject thereto have been sold pursuant to such Registration Statement;
(c) within
a reasonable time before filing such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto with the Commission, furnish
to one counsel selected by the Stockholder included in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto copies
of such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review, comment and approval of such counsel;
(d) notify
each selling holder of Registrable Securities, promptly after Parent receives notice thereof, of the time when such Registration Statement
has been declared effective or a supplement to any Prospectus forming a part of such Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission;
(e) furnish
to each selling holder of Registrable Securities such number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including
each preliminary Prospectus) and any supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits and documents incorporated by reference therein)
and such other documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned
by such seller;
(f) notify
each selling holder of such Registrable Securities, at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, of the happening of any event that would cause the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement to contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit any fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, and, at the request of any such holder, Parent shall prepare and file as soon as practicable a supplement
or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus shall
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(g) provide
a transfer agent and registrar (which may or may not be the same entity) for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective
date of such registration;
(h) cause
such shares of Purchased Common Stock and Warrant Shares to be listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;
(i) otherwise
use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission;
6
(j) use
its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental
agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of Parent to enable the holders of such Registrable
Securities to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with their intended method of distribution thereof;
(k) notify
the holders of Registrable Securities promptly of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or for additional information;
(l) advise
the holders of Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop
order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding
for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal
at the earliest possible moment if such stop order should be issued;
(m) permit
any holder of Registrable Securities which holder, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a Controlling
Person of Parent, to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and to require the insertion therein of language, furnished
to Parent in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included;
(n) cooperate
with the holders of the Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable
Securities to be sold pursuant to such Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and representing such amounts and registered
in such names as the holders of the Registrable Securities may reasonably request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of Registrable
Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, that Parent may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing
physical stock certificates through the use of the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”);
(o) take
no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided, that, to the extent that any prohibition
is applicable to Parent, Parent will take all commercially reasonable action to make any such prohibition inapplicable; and
(p) otherwise
use its commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated
hereby.
6. Expenses.
All expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incurred by Parent in complying with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and in connection
with the registration and disposition of Registrable Securities shall be paid by Parent, including, without limitation, all (i) registration
and filing fees (including, without limitation, any fees relating to filings required to be made with, or the listing of any Registrable
Securities on, any securities exchange or over-the-counter trading market on which the Registrable Securities are listed or quoted); (ii) fees
and expenses of complying with securities and “blue sky” laws (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel
for Parent in connection with “blue sky” qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities) of any domestic jurisdictions,
reasonably requested by the holders of Registrable Securities; (iii) printing expenses; (iv) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses; (v) fees and expenses of Parent’s counsel and accountants; and (vi) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority,
Inc. filing fees (if any). In addition, Parent shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties) and the expense of any annual audits. All Selling Expenses relating to the offer and sale of Registrable
Securities registered under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement shall be borne and paid by the holders of such Registrable Securities,
in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities included in such registration for each such holder.
7
7. Indemnification.
(a) Parent
shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, such holder’s
officers, directors, managers, members, partners, stockholders, employees and affiliates, each underwriter, broker or any other Person
acting on behalf of such holder of Registrable Securities and each other Controlling Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing
Persons, against all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, to which any of the foregoing Persons
may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses arise
out of or are based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus,
preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein (in the case of a Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus or free writing prospectus, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made) not misleading; and shall reimburse such Persons for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any
of them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, action, damage or liability, except insofar as the same are
(i) caused by or contained in any information furnished to Parent by such holder expressly for use therein, (ii) caused by such holder’s
failure to deliver a copy of the Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule
405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any amendments or supplements thereto (if the same was required by applicable
law to be so delivered) after Parent has furnished such holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same prior to any written confirmation
of the sale of Registrable Securities, or (iii) attributable to such holder’s sale of Registrable Securities in violation of applicable
law or any stop order or similar directive of the Commission of which such holder had notice. This indemnity shall be in addition to any
liability Parent may otherwise have.
(b) In
connection with any registration in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such holder shall furnish to Parent in
writing such information as Parent reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to
the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and hold harmless, Parent, each director of Parent, each officer of Parent who shall sign
such Registration Statement, each underwriter, broker or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of Registrable Securities and each
Controlling Person who controls any of the foregoing Persons against any losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses resulting
from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus,
free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
(in the case of a Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus or free writing prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made)
not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so furnished by such holder or such
holder fails to comply with any prospectus delivery requirements or sells Registrable Securities after receiving notice from Parent to
discontinue sales pending an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided, that the obligation
to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, for such holder and shall not exceed an amount equal to the net proceeds (after
underwriting fees, commissions or discounts) actually received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the selling holder may otherwise have.
8
(c) Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action involving a claim referred to in this Section 7,
such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of
the commencement of such action. The failure of any indemnified party to notify an indemnifying party of any such action shall not (unless
such failure shall have a material adverse effect on the indemnifying party) relieve the indemnifying party from any liability in respect
of such action that it may have to such indemnified party hereunder. In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party,
the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense of the claims in any such action that are subject
or potentially subject to indemnification hereunder, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it
may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after written notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, that, if (i) any
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified
party which are additional to or conflict with those available to the indemnifying party, or that such claim or litigation involves or
could have an effect upon matters beyond the scope of the indemnity provided hereunder, or (ii) such action seeks an injunction or
equitable relief against any indemnified party or involves actual or alleged criminal activity, the indemnifying party shall not have
the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party without such indemnified party’s prior written
consent (but, without such consent, shall have the right to participate therein with counsel of its choice) and such indemnifying party
shall reimburse such indemnified party and any Controlling Person of such indemnified party for that portion of the fees and expenses
of any counsel retained by the indemnified party which is reasonably related to the matters covered by the indemnity provided hereunder.
If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it shall not be obligated to pay the fees
and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the
reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified
parties with respect to such claim. In such instance, the conflicting indemnified parties shall have a right to retain one separate counsel
chosen by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in the registration, at the expense of the indemnifying party.
No indemnifying party shall consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement without the prior written consent of the indemnified
party, unless such judgment or settlement (i) includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation and (ii) does not include any statement as to
or any admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) If
the indemnification provided for hereunder is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with
respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand
and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, that the maximum amount of liability in respect
of such contribution shall be limited, in the case of each holder of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds (after
underwriting fees, commissions or discounts) actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant
to such registration. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, whether the violation of the Securities Act
or any other similar federal or state securities laws or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder applicable to Parent and relating to
action or inaction required of Parent in connection with any applicable registration, qualification or compliance was perpetrated by the
indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant hereto
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method or allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to herein. No Person guilty or liable of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
9
8. Participation
in Underwritten Registrations. No Person may participate in any registration hereunder that is underwritten unless such Person
(a) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person or
Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
9. Rule
144 Compliance. With a view to making available to the holders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and any other
rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a holder to sell securities of Parent to the public without registration,
Parent shall:
(a) use
commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;
(b) use
commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of Parent under
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;
(c) furnish
to any holder so long as such holder owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by Parent as to
its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most
recent annual or quarterly report of Parent, unless available in the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval database of the
Commission (“EDGAR”), (iii) such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by Parent as such holder may
reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration and, unless such reports or documents are
available in EDGAR and (iv) the opinion of Parent’s counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the transfer agent
for the Common Stock, relating to such matters as such transfer agent may reasonably request in connection with the removal of any restrictive
legends contained on such Registrable Securities; and
(d) use
commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Stockholder with the removal of any legends contained on such
Registrable Securities required under Rule 144 under the Securities Act; provided that Parent’s obligations hereunder are
subject to the reasonable determination of Parent and Parent’s counsel that any such legend removal complies with the Securities
Act.
10. Recapitalization,
Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Securities. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth
herein with respect to any and all Common Stock of Parent or any successor or assign of Parent (whether by merger, consolidation, sale
of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall
be appropriately adjusted for combinations, splits, recapitalizations, pro rata distributions and the like occurring on or after the date
of this Agreement.
11. Termination.
This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect with respect to the Stockholder, or any Permitted Assignee when such
Person shall no longer beneficially own any Registrable Securities; provided, that the provisions of Section 6 and Section
7 shall survive any such termination.
10
12. Notices.
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given or made as follows:
(a) if
sent by registered or certified mail in the United States return receipt requested, upon receipt;
(b) if
sent by nationally recognized overnight air courier, one (1) Business Day after mailing;
(c) if
sent by facsimile transmission, when transmitted and receipt is confirmed;
(d) if
sent by e-mail transmission, with a copy sent on the same day in the manner provided in Section 12(a), Section 12(b) or
Section 12(c), when transmitted and receipt is confirmed; and if otherwise actually personally delivered, when delivered. All communications
to the Parties shall be sent to the following addresses (or any other address that any such Party may designate by written notice to the
other Party):
If to Parent:
New Era Energy & Digital, Inc.
200 N. Loraine Street, Suite 1324
Midland Texas 79701
Attention: E. Will Gray II
Email: [ ]
With copies (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
845 Texas Avenue, Suite 4700
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Sarah Morgan
Katherine Frank
Email: [ ]
If to Stockholder:
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
660 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
Attention: Joshua Stevens
Email: [ ]
With copies (which shall not constitute
notice) to:
Latham & Watkins
LLP
1271 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Paul Bonewitz
Email: [ ]
If to a Permitted Assignee,
to the address set forth on the applicable joinder agreement signature page.
11
13. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, the Warrants, and the Subscription Agreement, and any related exhibits and schedules thereto, constitute
the sole and entire agreement of the Parties to this Agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all
prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event of any conflict between the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement
shall control.
14. Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Parent may assign this Agreement at any time in connection with a sale or acquisition of Parent, whether
by merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of Parent’s assets, or similar transaction, without the consent of the
other Parties; provided, that the successor or acquiring Person agrees in writing to assume all of Parent’s rights and obligations
under this Agreement. The Stockholder may assign its rights to cause Parent to register Registrable Securities solely to any Affiliate
of the Stockholder or to any transferee listed on Exhibit B hereto (the “Permitted Assignee”), as such Exhibit
B may be amended from time to time by written notice to Parent. The Parent shall be given written notice prior to any such assignment,
stating the name and address of such Permitted Assignee and identifying the Registrable Securities being transferred and, unless already
bound hereby, as a condition to the effectiveness of such assignment, each such Permitted Assignee shall, as a condition to the effectiveness
of such assignment, assume in writing responsibility for its rights and obligations under this Agreement, by executing a joinder agreement
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
15. No
Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable
right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, the Parties
hereto hereby acknowledge that the Persons set forth in Section 7 are express third-party beneficiaries of the obligations of the
Parties hereto set forth in Section 7.
16. Headings.
The headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
17. Amendments
and Waivers. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by Parent and the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities. No waiver by any Party hereto of any default,
misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, regardless of whether intentional, shall be deemed to extend to any prior
or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue
of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
12
18. Severability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in
any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
19. Remedies.
Each holder of Registrable Securities that is a Party hereto in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Parent acknowledges that monetary damages
would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and Parent hereby
agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
20. Governing
Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
may be instituted in the courts of the State of New York, or, if such court shall not have jurisdiction, the courts of the United States
of America for the Southern District of New York, and appropriate appellate courts therefrom, and each Party irrevocably submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by
mail to such Party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought
in any such court. The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding
in such courts, and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought
in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
21. Waiver
of Jury Trial. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement is likely to involve
complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial
by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Party
to this Agreement certifies and acknowledges that (a) no representative of the other Party has represented, expressly or otherwise,
that such other Party would not seek to enforce the foregoing waiver in the event of a legal action, (b) such Party has considered
the implications of this waiver, (c) such Party makes this waiver voluntarily and (d) such Party has been induced to enter into
this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 21.
22. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be
deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.
23. Further
Assurances. Each of the Parties to this Agreement shall, and shall cause their controlled affiliates to, execute and deliver
such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry
out the provisions hereof and to give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
(SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW)
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement
has been executed and delivered as of the date first written above.
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
By:
Name:
E. Will Gray II
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
14
MACQUARIE EQUIPMENT
CAPITAL INC.
By:
Name: Josh Stevens
Title: Division Director
By:
Name: Greg Fitzgerald
Title: Division Director
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
15
Exhibit A
FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT TO
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
The undersigned hereby agrees
to be bound by the terms and provisions of that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [●] (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”), by and among New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Parent”), Macquarie
Equipment Capital Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any Permitted Assignee (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) who may become
party thereto from time to time, and to join in the Registration Rights Agreement as if the undersigned were originally a Party thereto.
(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)
Exhibit A-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned
has executed this joinder agreement as of [DATE].
Name:
Address:
Exhibit A-2
Exhibit B
PERMITTED ASSIGNEES
[●]
Exhibit B-1
EX-10.1 — TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, DATED APRIL 8, 2026
EX-10.1
Filename: ea028535301ex10-1.htm · Sequence: 4
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
THE LOANS MAY BE ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES. WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOANS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. PLEASE CONTACT
WILL GRAY OF NEW ERA AT 200 N. LORAINE STREET, SUITE 1324, MIDLAND, TEXAS 79701 FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISSUE PRICE, THE TOTAL AMOUNT
OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF SUCH LOANS.
TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
dated as of April 8, 2026
among
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
TEXAS CRITICAL DATA CENTERS LLC,
as the Borrower,
MACQUARIE EQUIPMENT CAPITAL INC.
as Administrative Agent,
and
the Lender party hereto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1
1.01
Defined Terms
1
1.02
Other Interpretive Provisions
31
1.03
Accounting Terms
32
1.04
[Reserved]
32
1.05
Rounding
32
1.06
Times of Day
33
1.07
Timing of Payment or Performance
33
1.08
Rates
33
ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS
33
2.01
The Loans, the Loan Commitments and the Credit Accommodations
33
2.02
[Reserved]
34
2.03
Maturity and Repayment of Loans
34
2.04
Mandatory Prepayments
35
2.05
Voluntary Prepayments
36
2.06
Interest
36
2.07
[Reserved]
38
2.08
Computation of Interest and Fees
38
2.09
Funding Losses
38
2.10
Evidence of Debt
38
2.11
Payments Generally
39
2.12
Sharing of Payments by Lenders
39
2.13
Investment Unit
40
2.14
Issuance of Warrant
40
ARTICLE III. TAXES, INCREASED COSTS, ETC.
40
3.01
Taxes
40
3.02
Increased Costs
44
3.03
Mitigation Obligations
46
3.04
Special Provisions Applicable to Term SOFR
46
3.05
Compensation for Losses
48
3.06
Illegality
48
3.07
Survival
48
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS
49
4.01
Conditions Precedent to the Closing Date
49
4.02
Conditions to Funding Term Loan A-1
51
4.03
Conditions to Funding Term Loan A-2
52
4.04
Conditions to Funding Term Loan A-3
52
4.05
Conditions to Funding Delayed Draw Term Loans
53
4.06
Conditions to Disbursement from the Blocked Account
54
4.07
Acceptance of Benefits
54
i
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
55
5.01
Existence, Qualification and Power
55
5.02
Authorization; No Contravention
55
5.03
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents
55
5.04
Binding Effect
56
5.05
Financial Statements; Outstanding Indebtedness; No Material Adverse Effect
56
5.06
Litigation
56
5.07
No Default
57
5.08
Ownership of Property
57
5.09
Use of Proceeds
57
5.10
Taxes
57
5.11
ERISA Compliance
57
5.12
Subsidiaries; Equity Interests
58
5.13
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act
58
5.14
Disclosure
58
5.15
Compliance with Laws; OFAC
59
5.16
Solvency
59
5.17
Investments
59
5.18
Security Matters
59
5.19
Organizational Documents
60
5.20
[Reserved]
60
5.21
[Reserved]
60
5.22
Affected Financial Institution
60
5.23
[Reserved]
60
5.24
No Defenses
60
5.25
[Reserved]
60
5.26
Beneficial Ownership Certification
60
5.27
Outbound Investment Rules
60
ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
61
6.01
Financial Statements
61
6.02
Certificates; Reports; Other Information
62
6.03
Notices
62
6.04
Payment of Obligations
63
6.05
Preservation of Existence, Etc.
63
6.06
Maintenance of Properties
63
6.07
Maintenance of Insurance
64
6.08
Compliance with Laws
64
6.09
Books and Records
64
6.10
Inspection Rights
64
6.11
Use of Proceeds
64
6.12
Bank Accounts and Security; Collateral Investment Proceeds
65
6.13
Further Assurances
65
6.14
Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions
65
6.15
New Subsidiaries
66
6.16
Construction of the Project
66
6.17
[Reserved]
67
6.18
Assets
67
6.19
Material Documents.
67
6.20
New Era Equity Contributions
68
6.21
New Era Equity Offerings.
68
6.22
Conditions Subsequent to the Closing Date
68
ii
ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
70
7.01
Liens
70
7.02
Investments
72
7.03
Indebtedness
73
7.04
Fundamental Changes
74
7.05
Dispositions
74
7.06
Restricted Payments
74
7.07
Business Activities; Change in Business
75
7.08
Transactions with Affiliates
75
7.09
Burdensome Agreements
75
7.10
Use of Proceeds
75
7.11
[Reserved]
75
7.12
Amendments of Certain Documents
75
7.13
[Reserved]
75
7.14
Sanctions
76
7.15
Anti-Corruption Laws
76
7.16
[Reserved]
76
7.17
Compliance
76
7.18
Outbound Investment Rules
76
7.19
Accounts
76
7.20
Additional Material Documents
76
7.21
Amendments to Additional Material Documents
76
ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
77
8.01
Events of Default
77
8.02
Remedies Upon Event of Default
79
8.03
Application of Funds
80
ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
80
9.01
Appointment and Authority
80
9.02
Rights as a Lender
81
9.03
Exculpatory Provisions
81
9.04
Reliance by Administrative Agent
82
9.05
Delegation of Duties
83
9.06
Resignation of Administrative Agent
83
9.07
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders
84
9.08
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding
84
9.09
Release of Collateral
85
9.10
Erroneous Payments
86
iii
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
88
10.01
Amendments, Etc.
88
10.02
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication
89
10.03
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement
90
10.04
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
91
10.05
Payments Set Aside
93
10.06
Successors and Assigns
93
10.07
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality
96
10.08
Right of Setoff
97
10.09
Interest Rate Limitation
97
10.10
Counterparts; Effectiveness
97
10.11
Survival of Representations and Warranties
97
10.12
Severability
98
10.13
Replacement of Lenders
98
10.14
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
99
10.15
Waiver of Jury Trial
100
10.16
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility
100
10.17
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents
100
10.18
USA PATRIOT Act
101
10.19
Entire Agreement
101
10.20
Publicity
101
10.21
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions
101
iv
SCHEDULES
1
Aggregate Loan Commitments and Credit
Accommodations and Applicable Percentages
2.01
Lenders
5.05
Existing Indebtedness
5.06
Existing Liens
5.10
Taxes Disclosures
5.12
Subsidiaries; Organizational Chart
6.04
Payment of Obligations Disclosures
6.11
Borrower Account Details
6.12
Controlled Accounts
6.22
Post Closing Obligations
EXHIBITS
A
Form of Loan Notice
B-1-B-4
Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
C
Form of Compliance Certificate
D
Form of Warrants
E
Form of Subscription Agreement
F
Form of Registration Rights Agreement
v
TERM
LOAN AGREEMENT
This TERM LOAN AGREEMENT
(as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof,
this “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 8, 2026, among Texas Critical Data Centers LLC, a Delaware Limited
Liability Company (the “Borrower”), New Era Energy & Digital, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“New Era”)
each Lender (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc., a Delaware corporation, in its capacity
as agent for the Lenders and the other Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, together with its permitted successors and
assigns, the “Administrative Agent”).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
WHEREAS, the Borrower
has requested that the Lenders provide a term loan credit facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set
forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined
Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“A-1 Funding Date”
shall mean the Funding Date in respect of the Term Loan A-1.
“Account”
means a deposit account, money-market or other similar account (whether, in any case, time or demand or interest or non-interest bearing)
or securities account.
“Act” has
the meaning specified in Section 10.18.
“Acceptable Hyperscale
Entity” means a U.S. based investment grade hyperscaler that is (x) rated at least BBB- by S&P or an equivalent Moody’s
rating as of the date of execution of the Data Center Lease or Energy Service Agreement, as applicable (y) is not an Affiliate of New
Era and (z) is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes hereof, the Letter
of Intent Party shall be an Acceptable Hyperscale Entity.
“Additional Material
Document” means, collectively, any contract or agreement (or series of related contracts or agreements) effective as of the
Closing Date or entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary subsequent to the Closing Date that (a) replaces or is entered into in
substitution of an existing Material Document, and any further replacement or substitution thereof, (b) obligates such Person to make
payments in an aggregate amount exceeding (x) prior to the occurrence of the JV Operations Date, $3,000,000 or (y) after the occurrence
of the JV Operations Date, $15,000,000, in either case, over the term of such contract or agreement, (c) has a revenue value to such Person
over its term in excess of (x) prior to the occurrence of the JV Operations Date, $3,000,000 or (y) after the occurrence of the JV Operations
Date, $15,000,000 or (d) the breach or absence of such contract or agreement, including with respect to the development or construction
of the Project, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than the Data Center Lease, Energy Service Agreement,
JV Agreement or Letter of Intent. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Loan Documents shall be deemed to be an Additional Material
Document.
“Administrative Agent”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Administrative Agent’s
Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address set forth in Section 10.02, and, as appropriate, the Administrative
Agent’s bank account as set forth in wire instructions provided by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, or such other address
or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify in writing to the Borrower and the Lenders.
“Administrative Questionnaire”
means an Administrative Questionnaire in form and substance approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial
Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or
is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Aggregate Loan Commitments
and Credit Accommodations” means the sum of the Loan Commitments and Credit Accommodations of all the Lenders, as specified
on Schedule 1 hereto (as the same may be modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof).
“Agreement”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Amortization Trigger
Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(d).
“Anti-Corruption
Laws” means, with respect to any Person, all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to such Person from
time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption (including, without limitation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder).
“Applicable Percentage”
means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the sum of (a) the aggregate unused Aggregate Loan Commitments and Credit
Accommodations at such time plus (b) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans at such time, that is represented by the sum
of (x) such Lender’s unused Loan Commitments and Credit Accommodations at such time, plus (y) the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Loans of such Lender at such time. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such
Lender on Schedule 1 hereto or in any assignment agreement pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
2
“Applicable Rate”
means (x) with respect to the First Stage Loans, a per annum rate equal to 5.50 % and (y) with respect to the Second Stage Loans, a per
annum rate equal to 7.75%.
“Approved Bank”
has the meaning specified in the definition of “Cash Equivalents”.
“Approved Fund”
shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar
extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender
or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises, sub-advises or manages a Lender.
“Assignment and Assumption”
means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of the Administrative Agent), and
accepted by the Administrative Agent, in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness”
means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease Obligation of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on
a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation,
the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other agreement or instrument that would
appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument
were accounted for as a capital lease.
“Bail-In Action”
means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected
Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation”
means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the
Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time that
is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act
2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution
of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration
or other insolvency proceedings).
“Benchmark”
means, initially, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the
Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the
extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 3.04(b).
“Benchmark Replacement”
means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism
for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining
a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities and (b) the related
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such
Benchmark Replacement shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
3
“Benchmark Replacement
Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for
any applicable Available Tenor, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a
positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a)
any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement
of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing
market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement
of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement
Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) in
the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the later of (i) the date of
the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or
the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark
(or such component thereof); or
(b) in
the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the first date on which all Available Tenors
of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available
Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) have been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator
of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined
by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if such Benchmark (or such component
thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided
on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt,
the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect
to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors
of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition
Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) a
public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used
in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark
(or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is
no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
4
(b) a
public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published
component used in the calculation thereof), the FRB, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over
the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark
(or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark
(or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all
Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such
statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or
such component thereof); or
(c) a
public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published
component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not,
or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt,
if the then-current Benchmark has any Available Tenors, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with
respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current
Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition
Start Date” means, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date
and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior
to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective
event is fewer than ninety (90) days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).
“Benchmark Unavailability
Period” means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time,
no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance
with Section 3.04(b) and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes
hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.04(b).
“Beneficial Ownership
Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership
Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Blocked Account”
means any Controlled Account of the Borrower that is identified as such on Schedule 6.12.
5
“Blocked Account
Control Agreement” means a “blocked” account control agreement, among the Borrower, the Cash Management Bank and
the Administrative Agent, which agreement prohibits transfers directed by the Borrower or any Person other than the Administrative Agent
from the Blocked Account and is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and which
provides the Administrative Agent with “control” (as such term is used in Article 9 of the UCC) over the deposit account(s)
or securities account(s) described therein.
“Borrower”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Business Day”
means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day
on which banking institutions in such state are authorized or required by Law to close.
“Capital Lease Obligations”
of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the
right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as
capital leases or finance lease obligations on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be
the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Equivalents”
means to the extent owned by any Person free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens):
(a) (1)
Dollars; and (2) in the case of any such Person which is not organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District
of Columbia, or in the case of any jurisdiction in which any such Person conduct business, such local currencies held by it from time
to time in the ordinary course of business and not for speculation;
(b) obligations
issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States having average
maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States is pledged in support thereof;
(c) time
deposits or eurodollar time deposits with, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or overnight bank deposits of, or letters
of credit issued by, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii) (A) is organized under the Laws of the United States, any state
thereof, the District of Columbia or any member nation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or is the principal
banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia
or any member nation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, and (B)
has combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. domestic banks and $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent
as of the date of determination) in the case of foreign banks (any such bank in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) being
an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities not exceeding 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;
6
(d) commercial
paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note
issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation (other than structured investment vehicles and other than corporations used in structured financing
transactions) rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s,
in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof;
(e) marketable
short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least P-1 or A-1 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or,
if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized
statistical rating agency selected by the Required Lenders);
(f) repurchase
obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b), (c) and (e) above entered into with
any Approved Bank;
(g) securities
with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed (i) by any state, commonwealth or
territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by (ii)
any foreign government, in each case, having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof);
(h) Investments
(other than in structured investment vehicles and structured financing transactions) with average maturities of 12 months or less from
the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aa3 (or the equivalent thereof)
or better by Moody’s;
(i) securities
with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Approved Bank;
(j) Investments,
classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of a Borrower (other than amounts related to current or deferred taxes based on income
or profits, assets held for sale, loans (permitted) to third parties, pension assets, deferred bank fees and derivative financial instruments),
in money market investment programs which are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or which are administered
by financial institutions having capital of not less than $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. domestic banks and $100,000,000 (or the Dollar
equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of foreign banks, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such
that substantially all of such Investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) through (i)
of this definition; and
(k) investment
funds investing at least 90% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (j) above.
In the case of Investments
by any such Person which is not organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or Investments
made in a country outside the United States in which any such Person is operating, Cash Equivalents shall also include (i) investments
of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (k) (other than clause (g)(ii) above) above of foreign
obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings
from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by any such Person which is not organized under
the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management
in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (a) through (k) and in this paragraph.
7
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those specified in clause (a) above; provided
that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clause (a) above as promptly as practicable and in any event within
ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.
“Cash Management
Bank” has the meaning specified in Section 6.12(a).
“Change in Law”
means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation
or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application
thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having
the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith
or in the implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements,
the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities,
in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case, for purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be a “Change in Law”,
regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“Change of Control”
means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) New
Era ceases to own and control directly or indirectly 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower or any other Credit Party;
(b) after
the date hereof, any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(a) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the voting Equity
Interests of New Era; or
(c) after
the date hereof, any person or group of persons acquires the power, directly or indirectly, whether or not exercised, to control or direct
the board of directors or cause the direction of the management or policies of New Era or any Loan Party, whether through ownership of
Equity Interests, by contract, arrangement, understanding or otherwise.
“Closing Date”
means the first date on which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section
10.01.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Collateral”
means all of the “Collateral” or other similar term referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property
that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Parties.
8
“Collateral Documents”
means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Control Agreements and any other collateral assignments, security
agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12, and each
of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien on any assets of a Credit Party in favor of
the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.
“Collateral Investment
Proceeds” is defined in Section 6.12(a).
“Compliance Certificate”
is that certain certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Conforming Changes”
means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark
Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Business Day,”
the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the addition of a concept of “interest period”, timing
and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation
notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative
Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof
by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption
of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion
that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent
decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Connection Income
Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise
taxes or branch profits taxes.
“Contractual Obligation”
means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which
such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
“Control”
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person,
whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise; provided that none of the Administrative Agent
nor the Lenders shall be deemed to “control” any Credit Party. “Controlling” and “Controlled”
have meanings correlative thereto.
“Control Agreement”
means a Deposit Account Control Agreement or a Blocked Account Control Agreement, as applicable.
“Controlled Account”
has the meaning specified in Section 6.12(a).
9
“Credit Accommodations”
means, as to each Lender, its Term Loan A-2 Accommodation, the Term Loan A-3 Accommodation or the Delayed Draw Term Loan Accommodation,
or all such accommodations, as the context requires.
“Credit Party”
means the Borrower and each Guarantor.
“Data Center Lease”
means a lease agreement or equivalent agreement to be entered into after the Closing Date between an Acceptable Hyperscale Entity and
the Borrower (or the JV Entity) and, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Debtor Relief Laws”
means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or
other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default”
means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both,
would be an Event of Default.
“Default Rate”
means, with respect to any Loan, an interest rate equal to the interest rate otherwise then applicable to such Loan plus 2.00%
per month.
“Deferred Prepayment
Date” is defined in Section 2.04(i).
“Delayed Draw Term
Loan” is defined in Section 2.01(a).
“Delayed Draw Term
Loan Availability Period” means the period commencing on the Lease Execution Date and ending on the one-year anniversary of
the Lease Execution Date.
“Delayed Draw Term
Loan Accommodation” means, as to each Lender, its discretion to make a Delayed Draw Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.01 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s
name on Schedule 1 hereto under the caption “Delayed Draw Term Loan Accommodation” or in the Assignment and Assumption
pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with
this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Delayed Draw Term Loan Accommodation is $200,000,000.
“Deposit Account
Control Agreement” means a “springing” account control agreement, among a Loan Party, the Cash Management Bank and
the Administrative Agent, which agreement is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion
and which provides the Administrative Agent with “control” (as such term is used in Article 9 of the UCC) over the deposit
account(s) or securities account(s) described therein.
“Designated Jurisdiction”
means any country, territory, or region to the extent that such country, territory or region itself is the subject of a comprehensive
Sanctions embargo (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea and the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic”
and the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic,” in each case, of Ukraine).
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“Disbursement Date”
means any date on which all the conditions precedent in Section 4.06 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01
and a disbursement is made from any Blocked Account.
“Disposition”
or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions
and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of any property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction
and any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of such Person), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with
or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
“Disqualified Equity
Interest” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interest into which
it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable
(other than solely for Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise
(except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change
of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued
and payable), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for scheduled payment of dividends
in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified
Equity Interests.
“Dividing Person”
has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division”.
“Division”
means the division of the assets, liabilities or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more
Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person
and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
“Dollar”
and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“EEA Financial Institution”
means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an
EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country that is a parent of an institution described in clause (a)
of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution
described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country”
means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority”
means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including
any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Eligible Assignee”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(b)(iii).
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“Energy Service Agreement”
means that certain energy service agreement to be entered into after the Closing Date between an Acceptable Hyperscale Entity and the
Borrower (or the JV Entity) with at least 200MW electrical power that may only be delivered to the Properties, in form and substance acceptable
to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“Environmental Laws”
means federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, Laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions,
grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions, including all common law, relating to pollution or the protection
of health and safety (with respect to human exposure to pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or toxic materials, substances or wastes)
or the environment or the release of any pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or toxic materials, substances or wastes into the environment,
including those related to the treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous wastes, air emissions or discharges to wastewater treatment
systems.
“Environmental Liability”
means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties
or indemnities), of the Borrower resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any applicable Environmental Laws, (b) the generation,
use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure of any Person to any Hazardous
Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other
consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Documents”
means, collectively, the Warrants, the Subscription Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Equity Interests”
means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership
interests or other equity interests, of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, or beneficial interests in such Person
if such Person is a trust, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of
capital stock, limited liability company or membership interests, partnership interests or other equity interests of (or other ownership
or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock, limited liability
company or membership interests, partnership interests or other equity interests of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person
or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares, limited liability company or membership
interests, partnership interests or other equity interests (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests
in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or non-voting, and all securities containing
profit participation features, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights or other similar rights and whether or not such shares,
warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate”
means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b)
or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code or Section
302 of ERISA).
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“ERISA Event”
means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet
all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules or the filing of an application for the waiver of the minimum funding standards
under the Pension Funding Rules; (c) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability pursuant to Section 4063
or 4064 of ERISA or a cessation of operations with respect to a Pension Plan within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (d) a
complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan
is insolvent (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan under,
or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under, Section 4041 of ERISA; (f) the institution by the PBGC
of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (g) any event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA
for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (h) the determination that any Pension Plan
is in at-risk status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA) or that a Multiemployer Plan is
in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA); (i) the imposition
or incurrence of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007
of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (j) the engagement by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in a transaction that
could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (k) the imposition of a lien upon the Borrower pursuant to
Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA; or (l) the making of an amendment to a Pension Plan that could result
in the posting of bond or security under Section 436(f)(1) of the Code.
“Erroneous Payment”
has the meaning specified in Section 9.10(a).
“Erroneous Payment
Subrogation Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 9.10(d).
“EU Bail-In Legislation
Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in
effect from time to time.
“Event of Default”
has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Excluded Accounts”
means (i) payroll, healthcare and other employee wage and benefit accounts and (ii) tax accounts.
“Excluded Property”
has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.
“Excluded Taxes”
means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a
Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each
case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case
of any Lender, its applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or
(ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable
to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Loan Commitment or Credit Accommodation pursuant
to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Loan Commitment or Credit Accommodation
or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01, amounts
with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or
to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply
with Section 3.01(g), and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
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“FASB ASC”
means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“FATCA”
means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is
substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations
thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or
practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such
Sections of the Code.
“Federal Funds Rate”
means, for any day, the greater of (a) the rate calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s Federal funds
transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public
website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the Federal funds
effective rate and (b) the Floor.
“Financial Statements”
means, (i) the unaudited financial statements of New Era for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025,
and (ii) for the interim period from the most recent period, internally prepared, unaudited financial statements of New Era, for each
quarterly period completed prior to 45 days before the Closing Date, all in form and substance satisfactory to Lenders.
“First Stage Loans”
means each Term Loan A-1 and Term Loan A-2.
“Flood
Insurance Requirements” means Administrative Agent has received evidence indicating whether the improvements or any part
thereof on any real property required to be subject to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent are or will be located within a
“Special Flood Hazard Area” as designated on maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and, if so, a
flood notification form signed by Borrower and evidence that a flood insurance policy or policies are in place for such improvements
on the real property and contents or other Collateral therein, as applicable, all in form, substance and amount satisfactory to
Administrative Agent and at a minimum in compliance with applicable Flood Laws.
“Flood Laws”
means the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of
1994, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012, as such statutes may be amended or re-codified from time to time, any substitutions,
any regulations promulgated under such Flood Laws, and all other legal requirements relating to flood insurance.
“Floor”
means three percent (3.00%) per annum.
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“Foreign Lender”
means a Lender that is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“Foreign Plan”
means any employee pension benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary with respect to employees employed outside the United States (other than any governmental arrangement).
“FRB” means
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
“Funding Date”
means the date on which all the conditions precedent in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04 or 4.05, as applicable, are satisfied
or waived in accordance with Section 10.01, and Term Loan A-1, Term Loan A-2, Term Loan A-3 and/or Delayed Draw Term Loan, as
applicable, are funded on such date.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.
“Governmental Authority”
means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any
agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the
European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guarantee”
means, as to any Person, without duplication, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic
effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other monetary obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”)
in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay
(or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease
property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation
of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or
any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the
obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee
against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other
monetary obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other monetary obligation is assumed by such Person (or any
right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided that the term “Guarantee”
shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed
to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which
such Guarantee is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for which such person may be liable, whether singly
or jointly, pursuant to the terms of the instrument evidencing such Guarantee) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by the guaranteeing Person
in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
15
“Guarantor(s)”
means New Era and each Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than the JV Entity or any of its subsidiaries).
“Guaranty”
means the Guaranty, dated on or after the date hereof, by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties.
“Hazardous Materials”
means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum
or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes
and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Indebtedness”
means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities
in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements
or other similar instruments;
(b) all
direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under or in respect of (i) letters of credit (including standby and commercial),
bankers’ acceptances, demand guarantees and similar independent undertakings and (ii) surety bonds, performance bonds and similar
instruments issued or created by or for the account of such Person;
(c) net
obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(d) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable in the ordinary
course of business and not overdue by more than 90 days, (ii) management fees paid or accrued, accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business, and purchase price adjustments and earn-outs, unless, in each case, such obligation becomes fixed or is required to
appear in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (iii) royalty payments made in the ordinary
course of business in respect of licenses (to the extent such licenses are not prohibited hereby), (iv) any accruals for payroll and other
non-interest bearing liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business, and (v) deferred rent obligations);
(e) indebtedness
(excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising
under conditional sales or other title retention agreements and mortgage, industrial revenue bond, industrial development bond and similar
financings), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f) all
Attributable Indebtedness;
16
(g) (i)
all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests and (ii) all other obligations of such Person to purchase,
redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person or any warrant,
right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary
or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and
(h) all
Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the
Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself
a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness
provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of any net obligations under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed
to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) that
is expressly made non-recourse or limited-recourse (limited solely to the assets securing such Indebtedness) to such Person shall be deemed
to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered
thereby as determined by such Person in good faith. The amount of any Indebtedness that is issued at a discount to its initial principal
amount shall be calculated based on the initial stated principal amount thereof without giving effect to any such discounts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
“Indebtedness” shall not include (a) in respect of New Era, any plugging, abandonment, decommissioning and other asset retirement
obligations (including obligations reflected as asset retirement obligations under GAAP) and reflected on the balance sheet of New Era
or (b) any liability for Taxes, including any excise taxes, withholding taxes, penalties and interest related thereto.
“Indemnified Taxes”
means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of
any Credit Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
“Information”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
“Interest Payment
Date” means, with respect to each Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar month and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period”
means, with respect to the Loans, (a) initially, the period commencing on the date the Loans are disbursed and ending on the first Interest
Payment Date thereafter, and (b) thereafter, the period commencing on the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date and ending on the
subsequent Interest Payment Date.
“Investment”
means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or
other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution
to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another
Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor incurs
Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (h) of the definition of “Indebtedness” in respect of such other Person,
or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property
and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. For purposes
of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases
or decreases in the value of such Investment but giving effect to any returns or distributions of capital or repayment of principal actually
received in cash by such Person with respect thereto.
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“IRS” means
the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“JV Entity”
means a Delaware limited liability company formed by the Borrower (together with one or more other parties) in connection with the Project,
substantially in accordance with the terms contemplated by the JV Term Sheet and the organization of which is approved by the Administrative
Agent in its sole discretion.
“JV Agreement”
means a limited liability company agreement or equivalent thereof among the Borrower and one or more other parties regarding the formation
and governance of the JV Entity, substantially in accordance with the terms contemplated by the JV Term Sheet and in form and substance
acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
“JV Amendments”
has the meaning specified in Section 7.21.
“JV Operations Date”
means the date on which the JV Entity has been duly formed in accordance with the JV Agreement and has begun developing the Project in
a manner consistent with this Agreement as amended by the JV Amendments.
“JV Term Sheet”
means a term sheet setting forth the initial proposed terms in respect of the JV Agreement that is attached to the Letter of Intent, in
form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“JV Transfer”
means the contribution by the Borrower to the JV Entity of the Properties and such other assets, permits, licenses, franchises and Material
Documents related to the Properties or the Project, in exchange for Equity Interests in the JV Entity, in each case, in a manner acceptable
to the Administrative Agent.
“Laws”
means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances,
codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental
Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties,
requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having
the force of law.
“Lease Execution
Date” means, the date of due execution of the Data Center Lease.
“Lender”
means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become party hereto pursuant to an Assignment
and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context
requires otherwise, the term “Lenders” does not include the Administrative Agent in its capacity as the Administrative Agent.
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“Lending Office”
means, as to any Lender, such Lender’s address set forth in Section 10.02, and, as appropriate, such Lender’s bank
account as set forth in wire instructions provided by such Lender to the Borrower, or such other office or offices or account of such
Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire or as a Lender may from time to time notify in writing the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such
Lender or such Affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Lender shall include its applicable Lending Office.
“Letter of Intent”
means that certain letter of intent, dated as of March 24, 2026, by and among New Era and the other parties thereto (including the “Letter
of Intent Party”).
“Letter of Intent
Party” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Letter of Intent”.
“Lien”
means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, security deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, right-of-way or
other encumbrance on title to real property, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or
preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially
the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Loan(s)”
means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower hereunder (including, without limitation, all Loans and each PIK Portion) and
“Loans” is the collective reference to all extensions of credit by the Lenders to the Borrower hereunder.
“Loan Commitment”
means the Term Loan A-1 Loan Commitment.
“Loan Documents”
means, collectively, this Agreement (including schedules and exhibits hereto), each Note, the Collateral Documents, the Guaranty, the
Control Agreements, and any amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or to any other Loan Document or waivers hereof or to any
other Loan Document.
“Loan Notice”
means an irrevocable notice of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A, specifying (a) the requested date of the borrowing
of the Loans (which shall be a Business Day), (b) the principal amount of the Loans to be borrowed, (c) the Loan Commitment or Credit
Accommodation to which the relevant Loan relates and (d) the account or accounts, and corresponding wire instructions, to which the proceeds
of such Loans shall be deposited.
“Loan Parties”
means the Borrower and each Guarantor (other than New Era).
“Margin Stock”
means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X.
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“Master Agreement”
has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract”.
“Material Adverse
Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities
(actual or contingent) condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) a material adverse effect on
(i) the ability of the Credit Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their Obligations or their obligations under each Loan Document to
which it is a party, (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Credit Party of any Loan Document to which
it is a party or (iii) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, the Administrative Agent or any Lender under
any Loan Document; or (c) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the enforceability or priority of the Administrative
Agent’s Liens with respect to all or a material portion of the Collateral.
“Material Documents”
means (a) the Data Center Lease, (b) the Energy Service Agreement, (c) the Letter of Intent (including the JV Term Sheet), (d) the JV
Agreement and (e) any Additional Material Documents.
“Maturity Date”
has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(a).
“Maximum Rate”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.09.
“Minimum Requirements”
has the meaning specified in Section 6.22(a)(iv).
“MOIC”
means for any repayment or prepayment of Loans, a multiple of invested capital based on (i) without duplication, the sum of (in each case
(other than the original issue discount and fees) solely to the extent paid in cash), all interest (other than default interest), premiums
(including any Repayment Premium), principal (including any scheduled payments and the repayment or prepayment of such on the applicable
date of determination) and other payments received in cash by the Lenders in respect of such Loans being repaid or prepaid since the applicable
date of borrowing as the numerator and (ii) the principal amount of such Loans being repaid or prepaid as of such date, as the denominator;
provided that, such calculation shall exclude cash or other returns in respect of other interests the Lenders or their affiliate
may hold in any Credit Party or any affiliate thereof (including Equity Interests).
“Moody’s”
means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Mortgage”
means, with respect to each of the Properties, a first priority mortgage, deed of trust or local equivalent executed and delivered by
the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, as security for the Secured Obligations and encumbering each parcel of real property, the improvements
thereon and all personal property owned by the Borrower and encumbered by a Mortgage.
“Multiemployer Plan”
means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
makes or is obligated to make contributions, during the preceding five plan years has made or been obligated to make contributions or
has any liability.
20
“Net
Cash Proceeds” means (a) in connection with any Disposition or Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the
form of cash and Cash Equivalents actually received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any such proceeds received by way
of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise,
but only as and when such cash or Cash Equivalents is received) of such Disposition or Recovery Event, net of
(i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking or other consulting fees and brokerage and sales
commissions paid to third parties that are not Affiliates of the Borrower, (ii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment
of Indebtedness or other Contractual Obligation secured by a Lien permitted hereunder on any asset which is the subject of such
Disposition or Recovery Event (other than any Lien pursuant to a Collateral Document), and all accrued interest, premiums and fees
incurred and payable in connection with the repayment of such Indebtedness or other Contractual Obligation and (iii) Taxes paid
or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof and, without duplication, any Permitted Tax Distributions made with cash
proceeds available to the Borrower from sources other than the cash in the Blocked Account as a result thereof; and (b) in
connection with any issuance or sale of debt or equity securities or instruments or the incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash
proceeds actually received from such issuance or incurrence, net of any required reserves, reasonable attorneys’ fees,
investment banking or other consulting fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary
fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith and any Taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result
thereof and, without duplication, any Permitted Tax Distributions made with cash proceeds available to the Borrower from sources other
than the cash in the Blocked Account as a result thereof.
“New Era”
has the meaning given to it in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“New Era Contribution
Amount” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.20.
“Note”
means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing the Loan made by such Lender, in form reasonably satisfactory
to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
“Obligations”
means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, each Credit Party arising under any Loan Document
or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due
or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against a
Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding,
regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations include
(a) the obligation to pay principal, interest, any premiums, charges, expenses, fees, indemnities and other amounts payable by a
Credit Party under any Loan Document, including Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights and (b) the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse
any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that is required to be reimbursed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to
any Loan Document.
“OFAC”
means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Organization Documents”
means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive
documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of
formation or organization and operating or limited liability company agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture,
trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and
any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable
Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation
or organization of such entity.
21
“Other Connection
Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient
and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party
to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction
pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes”
means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made
under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest
under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to
an assignment.
“Outbound Investment
Rules” means the regulations administered and enforced, together with any related public guidance issued, by the United States
Treasury Department under U.S. Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023, or any similar law or regulation; as of the date of this Agreement,
and as codified at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq.
“Participant”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
“Participant Register”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
“Payment in Full”
or “Paid in Full” means the payment in full in cash of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification
obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted) and termination of all Loan Commitments or Credit Accommodations
under the Loan Documents.
“PBGC”
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension Funding
Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum funding standards with respect to Pension Plans and set forth
in Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
“Pension Plan”
means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by a Borrower and any
ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA
or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
“Perfection Certificate”
means the Perfection Certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Loan Parties on the Closing Date or at any time thereafter in connection
with this Agreement and each Security Agreement.
“Perfection Requirement”
is entry into any Control Agreement, the filing of a financing statement, delivery of any physical collateral, entry in a public register
or the giving of notice in any jurisdiction necessary to perfect Administrative Agent’s security interests created by, and with
the priority required by, any Collateral Document, as applicable.
22
“Permitted Encumbrances”
means, with respect to any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary:
(a) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, licenses, permits, surface leases, subleases
and similar encumbrances affecting real property that are incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not materially impair the
use of such Property for its intended purpose;
(b) minor defects or irregularities in title, including encroachments, overlaps, discrepancies, shortages
in area, and boundary line disputes, in each case that do not materially impair the use of the affected Property for its intended purpose;
(c) restrictions imposed by law, including building codes,
environmental, safety and land use laws and regulations that will be complied with by the use of the Property for its intended use;
(d) rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of, or to require
the use of, any Property; and
(e) any matters disclosed on any survey, title commitment or title policy delivered to the Administrative
Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Permitted Indebtedness”
has the meaning specified in Section 7.03.
“Permitted Tax Distributions”
means:
(a) distributions by the Borrower to any direct or indirect parent entity of the Borrower (including New Era)
to pay franchise, excise and similar Taxes and other fees, Taxes (excluding,
for the avoidance of doubt, income Taxes) and expenses, in each case, required to maintain its (or any of its direct or indirect parent’s)
corporate or legal existence or privilege of doing business; and
(b) with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) in which the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries
is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes
whose common parent is a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower (including New Era) or in which the Borrower is a disregarded entity
or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by a parent that is taxable as a C corporation
for such income tax purposes (a “Tax Group”), distributions by the Borrower to any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower
(including New Era) to pay such U.S. federal, state or local Taxes of such Tax Group or such direct or indirect parent entity that are
attributable to the taxable income, revenue, gross receipts, or margin of the Borrower and/or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries in an amount not to exceed the amount that
the Borrower and any such Subsidiaries would have been required to pay in respect of such relevant U.S. federal, state or local Taxes
for such taxable period if the Borrower and such Subsidiaries had paid such Taxes if they had been a stand-alone consolidated, combined,
unitary or similar group separately from any such parent company (or, if there are no such Subsidiaries, on a separate company basis)
for all relevant taxable periods (taking into account any carryovers and carrybacks of tax attributes (such as net operating losses) of
the Borrower and any such Subsidiaries for any taxable periods beginning after the date of this Agreement and without duplication of any
such Taxes paid directly by the Loan Parties to a Governmental Authority).
23
“Permitted Investments”
has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
“Permitted Liens”
has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
“Permitted New Era
Bond Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness issued, incurred or otherwise obtained by New Era in respect of (x) one or more series
of senior unsecured notes or subordinated notes (in each case issued in a public offering or a Rule 144A or other private placement) or
(y) any unsecured notes issued by New Era that are convertible into a fixed number (subject to customary anti dilution adjustments, “make
whole” increases and other customary changes thereto) of shares of common stock of New Era (or other securities or property following
a merger event or other change of the common stock of New Era), cash or any combination thereof (with the amount of such cash or such
combination determined by reference to the market price of such common stock or such other securities); provided that (i) both immediately
prior to and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom,
(ii) such Indebtedness matures after, and does not require any scheduled amortization or other scheduled or otherwise required payments
of principal prior to, and does not permit any Credit Party to elect optional redemption or optional acceleration that would be settled
on a date prior to, the date that is ninety one (91) days after the Maturity Date (it being understood that neither (x) any provision
requiring an offer to purchase such Indebtedness as a result of change of control or other fundamental change nor (y) any early conversion
of any Permitted New Era Bond Indebtedness in accordance with the terms thereof, in either case, shall violate the foregoing restriction),
(iii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than a Loan Party (which guarantees, if such Indebtedness
is subordinated, shall be expressly subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms not less favorable to the Lenders than the subordination
terms of such subordinated Indebtedness), (iv) the terms, conditions and covenants of such Indebtedness must be customary for convertible
Indebtedness of such type (as determined by the board of directors of New Era, or a committee thereof, in good faith) and (v) the terms
and conditions of such Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive to New Era and its Subsidiaries (when taken as a whole) than the
terms and conditions of this Agreement (when taken as a whole).
“Person”
means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental
Authority or other entity.
“PIK Portion”
is defined in Section 2.06(c)(ii).
“Plan”
means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained for employees of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or any such plan to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees or with
respect to which the Borrower has any liability.
“Pledge Agreement”
means the pledge agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among New Era and the Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended,
restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
24
“Project”
means the hyperscale data center facility being developed and constructed by the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries (including the JV Entity)
on the Properties for an Acceptable Hyperscale Entity tenant.
“Properties”
means (a) the 235 acre tract as described in that certain Special Warranty Deed recorded in the official public records of Ector
County, Texas under document no. 2025-00014469, (b) the 205 acre tract as described in that certain Special Warranty Deed recorded
in the official public records of Ector County, Texas under document no. 2025-00024528, and (c) all real property acquired by the
Borrower after the Closing Date.
“Recipient”
means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any Lender, as applicable.
“Recovery Event”
means the actual receipt of any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding
(excluding business interruption insurance, any indemnity payments payable to the Borrower and, for the avoidance of doubt any third party
liability insurance), in each case, in excess of $3,000,000, relating to any asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof.
“Register”
has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
“Registration Rights
Agreement” means that certain registration rights agreement regarding the purchase of common stock of New Era in the form of
Exhibit F.
“Regulation D”
means Regulation D of the FRB, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation T”
means Regulation T of the FRB, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation U”
means Regulation U of the FRB, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation X”
means Regulation X of the FRB, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Related Parties”
means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, direct and indirect owners, employees,
agents, consultants, trustees, administrators, managers, attorneys, accountants, legal and financial advisors, service providers and representatives
of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Relevant Governmental
Body” means the FRB and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB and/or
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, in each case, any successor thereto.
25
“Repayment Premium”
means (a) with respect to each repayment or prepayment of any First Stage Loan, (x) if no Second Stage Loan has been funded on or prior
to the date of such repayment or prepayment, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.35 to 1.00 or (y) if a Second Stage Loan has
been funded on or prior to the date of such repayment or prepayment, (1) if such repayment or prepayment is made on or prior to one-hundred
and eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.15 to 1.00, (2) if such repayment or prepayment
is made after one-hundred and eighty (180) days after the Closing Date but on or prior to the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date,
an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.20 to 1.00 and (3) if such repayment or prepayment is made after the one-year anniversary
of the Closing Date, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.30 to 1.00, and (b) with respect to each repayment or prepayment of any
Second Stage Loan, (1) if such repayment or prepayment is made on or prior to one-hundred and eighty (180) days following the Funding
Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.10 to 1.00, (2) if such repayment or prepayment is
made after one-hundred and eighty (180) days following the Funding Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan but on or prior to the one-year
anniversary of the funding of such Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve a MOIC of 1.15 to 1.00 and (3) if such repayment
or prepayment is made after the one-year anniversary of the Funding Date of the relevant Second Stage Loan, an amount sufficient to achieve
a MOIC of 1.25 to 1.00.
“Reportable Event”
means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30)-day notice period has been
waived.
“Required Lenders”
means, at any time, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans
at such time.
“Resignation Effective
Date” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06(a).
“Resolution Authority”
means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Responsible Officer”
means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, managing partner, chief financial officer, executive vice president, treasurer,
assistant treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, controller, partner, director, or principal (or an equivalent role of any of the
foregoing) of the Borrower or any Guarantor, as applicable, or other authorized signatory. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed
by a Responsible Officer of (a) the Borrower or (b) a Guarantor, as applicable, shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized
by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or other action on the part of the applicable Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable,
and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower or a Guarantor, as the case may be.
“Restricted Payment”
means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property, including the issuance of any option, warrant
or other right to acquire any such dividend or distribution) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person
or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property, including the issuance of any option, warrant
or other right to acquire any such dividend or distribution), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase,
redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on
account of any return of capital to any Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof).
26
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.
“Sanction(s)”
means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government,
including those administered by OFAC, or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or
His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.
“SEC” means
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Second Stage Loans”
means each Term Loan A-3 and Delayed Draw Term Loan.
“Secured Parties”
means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time
to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons (including any Related Parties) the Obligations owing to which are
or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.
“Security Agreement”
means the all asset Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent,
as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof.
“Sharon AI Indebtedness”
means the outstanding principal amount under the Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated as of the Closing Date between Sharon AI,
Inc. and New Era.
“Sharon Refinancing”
shall mean the payment in full of the Sharon AI Indebtedness and the release of guarantees and collateral in connection therewith.
“SOFR”
means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator”
means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Loan”
means a Loan bearing interest based on Term SOFR.
“Solvent”
and “Solvency” mean, as to any Person as of any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of
the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the
present fair saleable value of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person
on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts
or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (d) such Person is not engaged
in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would
constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in
light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability.
27
“Specified Permitted
Liens” means Liens permitted under clauses (c), (e), (g) and (j) of Section 7.01.
“Subscription Agreement”
means that certain subscription agreement providing
for the purchase of New Era’s common Equity Interests in the form of Exhibit E.
“Subsidiary”
of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other business entity of which a majority
of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (in the case of a trust, the
trustee) (but other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially
owned by such Person, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall
refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower (including the JV Entity) the formation or acquisition of which by the Borrower
shall require the consent of the Lenders.
“Swap Contract”
means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps,
commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options
or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions,
cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency
options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter
into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all
transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of
master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement,
or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”),
including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
“Swap Termination
Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and
termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced
in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or
more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender
or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Synthetic Lease
Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease,
or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including sale and leaseback transactions), in each case, creating obligations
that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would
be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
28
“Taxes”
means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees
or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term Loan A-1”
is defined in Section 2.01(a).
“Term Loan A-1 Commitment”
means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make a Term Loan A-1 to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1 hereto under
the caption “Term Loan A-1 Commitment” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto,
as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Term Loan
A-1 Commitment on the Closing Date is $20,000,000. The Term Loan A-1 Commitment of each Lender shall permanently reduce to zero at 5:00
p.m. Eastern time on the A-1 Funding Date.
“Term Loan A-2”
is defined in Section 2.01(a).
“Term Loan A-2 Availability
Period” means the period commencing on the A-1 Funding Date and ending on the date that is five (5) months after the Closing
Date.
“Term Loan A-2
Accommodation” means, as to each Lender, its discretion to make a Term Loan A-2 to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.01 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such
Lender’s name on Schedule 1 hereto under the caption “Term Loan A-2 Accommodation” or in the Assignment and
Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in
accordance with this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Term Loan A-2 Accommodation is $30,000,000.
“Term Loan A-3”
is defined in Section 2.01(a).
“Term Loan A-3 Availability
Period” means the period commencing on the later of the A-1 Funding Date and the Lease Execution Date and ending on September
8, 2026.
“Term Loan A-3 Accommodation”
means, as to each Lender, its discretion to make a Term Loan A-3 to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01
in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on
Schedule 1 hereto under the caption “Term Loan A-3 Accommodation” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to
which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
The aggregate amount of the Term Loan A-3 Accommodation is $40,000,000.
29
“Term SOFR”
means, on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one (1) month on the day (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination
Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Date, as such rate is
published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Term SOFR
Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark
Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for
such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such
Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government
Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day;
provided, further, that if Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Term SOFR shall be deemed
to be equal to the Floor for purposes of this Agreement.
“Term SOFR Administrator”
means an administrator or publisher of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
“Term SOFR Determination
Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.
“Term SOFR Reference
Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.
“Threshold Amount”
means $3,000,000.
“Title Insurance
Policy” means one or more lender’s policies of title insurance (or a marked up unconditional title insurance commitment
having the effect of a policy of title insurance) for which all applicable premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and
expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of such policies have been paid insuring the Lien of such Mortgages
as a valid first mortgage on the applicable Properties which policies or marked commitments shall (w) be in such amounts and with such
endorsements and coverages as are reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, (x) effect coverage against insurable losses from existing
and subsequent mechanics’ or materialmens’ liens without exception therefor or pursuant to applicable endorsements, (y) be
issued by a title insurance company reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and (z) be subject to no Liens other than Permitted
Liens and otherwise be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent.
“UCC” means
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or
non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a
jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such
other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
“UK Financial Institution”
means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom
Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated
by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates
of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means
the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
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“Unadjusted Benchmark
Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“United States”
and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“U.S. Tax Compliance
Certificate” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.01(g) (B)(III).
“Vulture Fund”
means a hedge fund, vulture fund, distressed debt fund, private equity fund or similar fund whose principal business or principal portfolio
or investment strategy is to invest in loans or debt securities at highly discounted prices in the secondary market and take legal action
against the borrowers or issuers of such loans or debt securities for debt recovery.
“Warrants”
means a warrant to purchase common stock of New Era in the form of Exhibit D.
“Withholding Agent”
means any Credit Party and the Administrative Agent.
“Write-Down and Conversion
Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution
Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers
are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution
Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or
any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations
of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised
under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related
to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.02 Other
Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such
other Loan Document:
(a) All
terms defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings used herein when used in any Loan Document or any certificate, report or other
document made or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, unless otherwise defined in such other document. The definitions of terms herein
shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include
the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including”
shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have
the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference
to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement,
instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments,
supplements or modifications expressly set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall
be construed to include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,”
“hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer
to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles,
Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements,
Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, unless expressly specified otherwise, (v) any reference
to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference
to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time, (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning
and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract
rights and (vii) unless the context otherwise required, the word “or” is not exclusive.
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(b) In
the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from
and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;”
and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c) Section
headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d) Any
reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar
term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company or other Person, or an allocation of assets to a series
of a limited liability company or other Person (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer,
consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with
a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company or other Person shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each
division of any limited liability company or other Person that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute
such a Person or entity).
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally.
Except as expressly provided for herein, all accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity
with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement
shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent
with that used in preparing the Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness
shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20
on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Changes
in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan
Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall negotiate
in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the
approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed
in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation
between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.04 [Reserved].
1.05 Rounding. Any
financial ratios required to be maintained by a Borrower pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific
action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying
the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to
the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
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1.06 Times of Day; Business
Day. Unless otherwise specified in the Loan Documents, time references are to time in New York City. When the performance of any
covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or required on a day that is not a Business Day, then, unless expressly provided otherwise
herein or in another Loan Document, the date of such performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.
1.07 Timing of Payment
or Performance. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, when the payment of any obligation or
the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on (or before) a day which is not a Business
Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in the definition of “Interest Period”) or performance shall extend
to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension shall be reflected in the computation of interest or fees, as the case
may be.
1.08 Rates. The Administrative
Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (a) the continuation of, administration
of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, any
component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement
rate thereto (including any then-current Benchmark or any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics
of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant
to Section 3.04(b), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity
as, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect,
implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes, in each case, except to the extent resulting from the Administrative Agent’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct or material breach of any Loan Document, in each case, as determined in a final and non-appealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable
discretion to ascertain the Term SOFR Reference Rate or Term SOFR, or any other Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates
referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower,
any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential
damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation
of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service, in each case, except to the extent resulting
from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, in each case, as determined in a final and non-appealable
judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARTICLE
II.
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS
2.01 The
Loans, the Loan Commitments and the Credit Accommodations.
(a) Each
Lender severally agrees to make, (i) on the A-1 Funding Date, a single term loan (the “Term Loan A-1”) to the Borrower
in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan A-1 Commitment as shown on Schedule 1, (ii) during the Term Loan A-2
Availability Period and at the discretion of each Lender, a single term loan (the “Term Loan A-2”) to the Borrower
in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan A-2 Accommodation as shown on Schedule 1 and (iii) during the Term
Loan A-3 Availability Period and at the discretion of each Lender, a single term loan (the “Term Loan A-3”) to the
Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Term Loan A-3 Accommodation as shown on Schedule 1. During the Delayed
Draw Term Loan Availability Period and at the discretion of each Lender, each Lender severally agrees to make multiple term loans (the
“Delayed Draw Term Loans”) to the Borrower, in each case in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and
not less than $5,000,000, and in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Lender’s Delayed Draw Term Loan Accommodation
as shown on Schedule 1. For the avoidance of doubt, the Lenders do not commit to provide any Term Loan described above except the
Term Loan A-1 Commitment.
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(b) Upon
satisfaction or waiver of the applicable conditions set forth in Article IV, the Administrative Agent shall make, and the Borrower
hereby directs the Administrative Agent to make, all funds received from the Lenders pursuant to clause (a) above available to the Borrower
in like funds as received by Administrative Agent by wire transfer of such funds to the (x) with respect to the funding of each First
Stage Loan, the Blocked Account and (y) with respect to the funding of each Second Stage Loan, a Controlled Account of the Borrower. Each
applicable Loan Commitment or Credit Accommodation of each Lender shall automatically terminate and permanently be reduced to zero immediately
after the applicable Loan is advanced on Funding Date. Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of the Loans may not be borrowed.
2.02 [Reserved].
2.03 Maturity
and Repayment of Loans.
(a) The Loans shall mature
on April 8, 2029 (the “Stated Maturity Date”) or such earlier date on which the outstanding Loans, together with
all unpaid interest, the Repayment Premium, fees, charges and costs, become due and payable pursuant to Section 8.02 hereof
(the “Accelerated Maturity Date”); provided, however, that if the Stated Maturity Date is not a
Business Day, the Stated Maturity Date of the Loans shall be the preceding Business Day (such Stated Maturity Date or Accelerated
Maturity Date, as applicable, the “Maturity Date”). On the Maturity Date, the aggregate principal amount of the
Loans outstanding on such date and the Repayment Premium on such Loans, together with all other outstanding Obligations shall become
immediately due and payable on such date without notice or demand. Each repayment of the outstanding Loans pursuant to this Section
2.03, Section 2.04 or Section 2.05 shall be applied pro rata in accordance with the Lenders’ Applicable
Percentages.
(b) The
Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders) the Repayment Premium set forth herein as compensation
and liquidated damages for being prepared to make funds available hereunder with respect to the Loans, which Repayment Premium shall be
due and payable, on the date of any payment, prepayment or repayment, or on the date such payment, prepayment or repayment is required
to be made, as applicable, and nonrefundable when made. The parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that the Repayment Premium is
not intended to act as a penalty or to punish the Borrower or its Affiliates for any such payment, repayment or prepayment.
(c) In
addition to all other amounts payable in respect of the Loans (including interest and fees), and in consideration of the Lenders being
prepared to make funds available hereunder with respect to the Loans, the Borrower shall pay to the Lenders the Repayment Premium in accordance
with, and as required under, this Agreement, which Repayment Premium shall be fully earned by the Lenders upon execution of this Agreement
(for the avoidance of doubt, the Repayment Premium shall constitute “Obligations” from and after the Closing Date and shall
be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date or Accelerated Maturity Date whether or not the Loans have been borrowed hereunder). The
Repayment Premium shall become immediately due and payable, and Borrower will pay such premium, as compensation and liquidated damages
to the Lenders for the loss of their investment opportunity and not as a penalty. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that
if the Obligations are accelerated for any reason, including because of an Event of Default (including by operation of law or otherwise),
the commencement of any insolvency proceeding or other proceeding pursuant to any applicable debtor relief laws, sale, disposition or
encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise) or a satisfaction or release by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial
proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means, the Repayment Premium, determined as of the date of acceleration will
also be due and payable as though said Obligations were voluntarily prepaid or repaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the
Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties
as to a reasonable calculation of each Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof. The Repayment Premium payable in accordance with
the immediately preceding sentence shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by the Lenders as the result of any early
termination or repayment of the Loans and the Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances. The Borrower expressly agrees
that: (A) the Repayment Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business
people, ably represented by counsel, (B) the Repayment Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates
at the time payment is made, (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and the Credit Parties giving specific consideration
in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Repayment Premium, and (D) the Repayment Premium represents a good faith, reasonable
estimate and calculation of the lost profits or damages of the Lenders and that it would be impractical and extremely difficult to ascertain
the actual amount of damages to the Lenders or profits lost by the Lenders. The Borrower expressly acknowledges that its agreement to
pay the Repayment Premium as herein described is a material inducement to the Lenders to provide the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations
hereunder and to make the Loans. Furthermore, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Borrower and its respective Affiliates shall
be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to with respect to the Repayment Premium.
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(d) If,
on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date (the “Amortization Trigger Date”), (i) the Data Center Lease
has not been executed or (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Loans drawn under this Agreement is less than $50,000,000, then the
Administrative Agent may, by written notice to the Borrower, elect for the Borrower to either (A) prepay all outstanding Loans, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest, the Repayment Premium and all other amounts necessary to cause the Payment in Full of the Obligations,
within five (5) days of receipt of such notice, or (B) repay the Loans in installments, on the last day of each calendar month ending
after the Amortization Trigger Date (commencing with the first calendar month ending after the Borrower’s receipt of such notice),
in an amount equal to 1/30th of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding under this Agreement as of the Amortization
Trigger Date.
2.04 Mandatory Prepayments.
(a) Terms
of All Prepayments. Upon the prepayment of any Loan (whether such prepayment is an optional prepayment, a mandatory prepayment or
as a result of acceleration), Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender owed a portion of such Loan,
(i) all accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, (ii) all accrued fees, if any, to the date of such prepayment
corresponding to the amount being prepaid, (iii) in connection with any mandatory prepayment, the amount of the Loans prepaid shall be
calculated so that the total principal amount of Loans prepaid and the accrued but unpaid interest on such Loans, shall be equal to the
amount required to be prepaid and (iv) any prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall be accompanied by the corresponding
portion of the Repayment Premium. The Borrower shall provide written notice of any mandatory prepayment no more than ten (10) Business
Days and at least one (1) Business Day in advance thereof.
(b) [Reserved].
(c) [Reserved].
(d) [Reserved].
(e) Mandatory
Prepayment with Respect to Non-Permitted Asset Sales. Upon any Disposition (other than Dispositions permitted under Section 7.05)
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, within three (3) Business Days of the Net Cash Proceeds in respect of such Disposition, the
Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of the Loans, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and Repayment Premium
on the amount of such Loans being prepaid, in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof.
(f) Mandatory
Prepayment with Respect to Non-Permitted Indebtedness. Promptly upon receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (but in any
event within one (1) Business Day of such receipt), the Borrower shall apply 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any incurrence of Indebtedness
that is not permitted pursuant to Section 7.03 to prepay the Loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest and Repayment
Premium on the amount of such Loans being prepaid.
(g) Mandatory
Prepayment with Respect to a Recovery Event. No later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of receipt by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Recovery Event, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans, together with all
accrued and unpaid interest and Repayment Premium on the amount of such Loans being prepaid, in an aggregate amount equal to such Net
Cash Proceeds.
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(h) Application of
Proceeds. The Lenders shall apply any proceeds received pursuant to this Section 2.04 in the following order: (i) first,
to accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the Loans so prepaid as of the date of prepayment together with any
Repayment Premium on the amount of such Loans being prepaid and (ii) second, to principal outstanding amount of the
Loans.
(i) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, if any mandatory prepayment of any Loan would otherwise be required to be made on a date that
is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan, the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent,
defer such mandatory prepayment (or the applicable portion thereof) until the last day of the then-current Interest Period applicable
to such Loan (the “Deferred Prepayment Date”), solely to avoid the incurrence of any breakage costs or similar amounts
that would otherwise be payable under this Agreement. Any such deferred amount shall continue to bear interest at the rate applicable
to the relevant Loan and shall be prepaid in full on the Deferred Prepayment Date, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this clause (i) shall (a) relieve the Borrower of its obligation to make such mandatory prepayment
on the Deferred Prepayment Date, (b) permit the Borrower to defer any mandatory prepayment beyond the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date, or (c) apply to any voluntary prepayment. If the Borrower elects to defer a mandatory prepayment hereunder, the Borrower shall deposit
the deferred amount into a cash collateral account maintained with the Administrative Agent, to be applied on the Deferred Prepayment
Date in satisfaction of such prepayment obligation, unless otherwise agreed by the Required Lenders.
2.05 Voluntary Prepayments.
(a) The
Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent as provided in clause (b) below, at any time or from time to time,
voluntarily prepay the Loans in whole or in part; provided that any such voluntary prepayment of the Loans shall be accompanied
by the Repayment Premium, all accrued and unpaid interest and fee on the amount of the Loans.
(b) The
Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice of a prepayment to be made pursuant to Section 2.04(a) at least ten
(10) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its discretion), and not more than thirty
(30) days, prior to the proposed prepayment date specifying (i) the date of such prepayment and (ii) that such prepayment is to be made
pursuant to Section 2.04(a). The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and
provide to the Borrower notice of the amount of the Loans, the Repayment Premium, all accrued and unpaid interest and fees on the amount
of the Loans and any other amounts payable in respect of the Loans. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such
prepayment on the date specified therein, in the amount specified in the Administrative Agent’s notice of the payment amount.
2.06 Interest.
(a) Interest
Rate. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(b) below and Section 2.07, each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount of each Loan for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of Term SOFR for such Interest Period, plus
the Applicable Rate.
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(b) Default
Rate.
(i) Upon
the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default under clause (a) or (b) of Section 8.01, the Borrower shall pay interest
to the Lenders on all outstanding Obligations hereunder at an interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) Interest
accruing pursuant to the foregoing clause (i), including accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on
past due interest), shall be due and payable by the Borrower to the Lenders upon written demand therefor by the Administrative Agent.
(c) Payment
of Interest.
(i) Accrual
and Payments Generally. Interest on each Loan shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be due and payable monthly in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date applicable to such Loan and at such other times as may be specified herein.
(ii) Payment
in Kind. In respect of the first four Interest Payment Dates occurring after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay the interest
payments due on the Loans on each such Interest Payment Date by adding the amount of such interest payment to the principal balance of
the Loans as of such Interest Payment Date instead of making such payment in cash (the portion of such interest payments added to the
principal balance of the Loans being referred to herein as the “PIK Portion” of such interest payment). From and after
such Interest Payment Date such PIK Portion shall be added to and treated as a portion of the outstanding principal balance of the Loans
for all purposes and shall thereafter accrue interest at the rate applicable to the Loans as provided in this Section 2.06.
(iii) [Reserved].
(iv) Effect
of Judgments; Insolvency Proceedings. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after
judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws.
(d) Term
SOFR Conforming Changes. In connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right,
in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any
further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify
the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Term SOFR.
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2.07 [Reserved].
2.08 Computation of Interest
and Fees; Direct Disbursement. All computations of fees and interest for Loans shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual
days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest
shall accrue daily on each Loan, including the day on which the Loans are made, but shall not accrue on a Loan (or any portion thereof)
for the day on which such Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made
shall, subject to Section 2.11(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate
or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. In addition, if at any time, the Lenders shall
not have received on the date due (giving effect to any grace periods), any payment of interest upon any Loan or any fee described herein,
the Administrative Agent may direct the disbursement of funds from any Controlled Account to the Lenders (or the Administrative Agent
on behalf of the Lenders), in accordance with the terms hereof, to the extent available therein for payment of any such amount.
2.09 Funding Losses.
The Borrower agrees to reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain
or incur as a consequence of:
(a) the
failure of the Borrower to borrow a Loan after the Borrower has given a Loan Notice (unless any conditions specified in such Loan Notice
were not satisfied); or
(b) the
failure of the Borrower to make any prepayment after the Borrower has given a notice of prepayment (unless any conditions specified in
such notice were not satisfied) in accordance with Section 2.03 or Section 2.04;
including from fees payable to terminate any hedging
arrangements or the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
2.10 Evidence of Debt.
The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender in the ordinary course
of business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 10.06(c). The accounts or records
maintained by each Lender shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to
the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise
affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict
between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the Register, the Register shall control in the absence of manifest error.
Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s
Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and
maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
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2.11 Payments Generally.
(a) General.
All payments to be made by the Borrower (including, without limitation, payment of principal, interest, fees, expenses, premiums), indemnities
and reimbursements shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made by wire transfer to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars
and in immediately available funds not later than 4:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute
to each Lender its Applicable Percentage in respect of the Loans (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like
funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 4:00
p.m. may, at the Administrative Agent’s election, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest
or fee shall continue to accrue.
(b) Obligations
of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c)
are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date
required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).
(c) Funding
Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or
to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.12 Sharing of Payments
by Lenders. If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim
or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such
Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents at such time, or such other share as contemplated hereunder or under the other Loan Documents) of payments on account of the
Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such
time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess
of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender
at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents at such time, or such other share as contemplated hereunder or under the other Loan Documents) of payment on account of
the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by
all of the Lenders at such time, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (1) notify the Administrative Agent of such
fact, and (2) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall
be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount
of Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, or such other share as contemplated
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, as the case may be; provided that (A) if any such participations or subparticipations
are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall
be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and (B) the provisions of this Section
shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express
terms of this Agreement, or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in,
any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions
of this Section shall apply).
The Borrower consent to the
foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, that any
Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower’s rights of setoff and
counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.
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2.13 Investment Unit.
Each Credit Party and the Lender hereby agree (i) that the Loans and the applicable warrants between the Lender and New Era, taken together,
comprise an “investment unit” for purposes of Section 1273(c)(2) of the Code, (ii) to allocate the issue price of such investment
unit among the Loans and the applicable warrants in proportion to their fair market value, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section
1.1273-2(h). Each Credit Party and the Lender shall cooperate in good faith to determine the fair market value of the warrants for purposes
of allocating the issue price of the investment unit between the Loans, and the warrants, as described in clause (ii) above. The issue
price of an investment unit may be further adjusted to the extent a portion of the purchase price for the common Equity Interests purchased
pursuant to the Subscription Agreement is reallocated to such investment unit. Each Credit Party and the Lender agree to file all Tax
returns in a manner consistent with any allocation agreed to pursuant to this Section 2.13.
2.14 Issuance of
Warrant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, concurrent with or after delivery of any
Loan Notice and prior to the applicable Funding Date as specified in Article IV, New Era shall deliver (i) a duly completed copy of
each Equity Document, including a Warrant providing for the applicable Lender’s right to purchase common stock of New Era for
an aggregate purchase price of up to ten percent (10%) of the principal amount of the requested Loans pursuant to the such Loan
Notice and (ii) New Era’s signature to each such Warrant in escrow, to be automatically released upon (x) the release of the
applicable Lender’s signature to the same and (y) the occurrence of the Funding Date pursuant to such Loan Notice; provided that,
solely with respect to each Warrant issued pursuant to this Section
2.14, the Borrower’s obligations under this Section 2.14 shall cease to apply once the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of Loans, after giving effect to the Loans requested pursuant to any applicable Loan Notice, is equal to or greater
than $50,000,000.
ARTICLE
III.
TAXES, INCREASED COSTS, ETC.
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Defined
Terms. For purposes of this Section, the term “Law” includes FATCA.
(b) Payments
Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made without
deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion
of the Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable
Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to
the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by
the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such
deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal
to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c) Payment
of Other Taxes by Credit Parties. The Credit Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable
Laws, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
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(d) Indemnification
by Credit Parties. The Credit Parties shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full
amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section)
payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses
arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the
relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with
a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.
(e) Indemnification
by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for
(i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Credit Party has not already indemnified the
Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes
attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance
of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the
Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether
or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount
of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender
hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document
or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent
under this paragraph (e).
(f) Evidence
of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section,
such Credit Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of the receipt issued by such Governmental
Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.
(g) Status
of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made
under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower
or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or
not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation by a Lender (other than such documentation set
forth in paragraphs (g)(ii)(A), (g)(ii)(B) and (g)(ii)(D) of this Section) shall not be required if
in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed
cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
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(ii) Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing,
(A) Any
Lender that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, shall deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter
upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form)
certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any
Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number
of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement
(and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following
is applicable:
(I) in
the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect
to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form)
establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such
tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN
or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant
to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(II) executed
copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(III) in
the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within
the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower (or if the Borrower
is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Borrower’s regarded owner) within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B)
of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower (or if the Borrower is a disregarded entity for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Borrower’s regarded owner) as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax
Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form);
or
(IV) to
the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI,
IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2
or Exhibit B-3, IRS Form W-9, or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable (or any applicable
successor forms); provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign
Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially
in the form of Exhibit B-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
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(C) any
Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number
of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement
(and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other
form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed,
together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent
to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if
a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were
to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of
the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law
and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable
Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations
under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount,
if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments
made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) On
or before the date on which Macquarie Equipment Capital, Inc. (and any successor or replacement Administrative Agent) becomes the Administrative
Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to the Borrower whichever of the following is applicable: (A) if the Administrative Agent is a “United
States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Administrative
Agent is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax or (B) if the Administrative Agent is not a “United States person”
within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, (x) with respect to payments received for its own account, an executed copy of
IRS Form W-8ECI and (y) with respect to payments received on account of any Lender, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY (together with
all required accompanying documentation) certifying that Administrative Agent is either (1) a “qualified intermediary” which
has assumed primary withholding responsibility under Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code and primary IRS Form 1099 reporting and backup withholding
responsibility, or (2) a U.S. branch providing such form as evidence of its agreement with the Borrower to be treated as a United States
person for U.S. federal withholding Tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent
shall not be required to provide any documentation that the Administrative Agent is not legally eligible to deliver as a result of a change
in law after the date such Administrative Agent becomes a party to this Agreement.
Each Lender and the Administrative
Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete
or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
in writing of its legal inability to do so.
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(h) Treatment
of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any
Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this
Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under
this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified
party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying
party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h)
(plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party
is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h),
in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h)
the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have
been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and
the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed
to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential)
to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(i) Tax Treatment. The
Borrower and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes the Loans are debt instruments. Promptly
following the issuance of any Loan, the Borrower shall give prior notice to and reasonably cooperate with the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders if the Borrower intends to determine such Loan is a debt
instrument governed under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-4 (and any related consequences). If applicable, the Borrower will provide
the comparable yield and a projected payment schedule as provided in Section 1.1275-4(b) of U.S. Treasury Regulations within a reasonable
period. The parties hereto agree to file all income tax returns
with respect to this Agreement consistent with this paragraph and shall not take any action or file any income tax return inconsistent
herewith unless required to do so by a change in applicable Law or pursuant to a final determination pursuant to Section 1313(a)(1) of
the Code.
(j) Survival.
Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent
or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations and
the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
3.02 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased
Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose,
modify or deem applicable any reserve (including pursuant to regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum
reserve requirement (including any emergency, special, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency
funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D)), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance
charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender;
44
(ii) subject
any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of
the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, commitments, or other obligations,
or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose
on any Lender any other condition, cost or expense (in each case, other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be
to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining
its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable
by such Lender or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or
other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital
Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s
holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s
capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Loan Commitment and/or
Credit Accommodations of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s
holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies
of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates
for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding
company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive
absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 Business
Days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay
in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section
3.02 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall
not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions
suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased
costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise
to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period
of retroactive effect thereof).
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3.03 Mitigation
Obligations. Each Lender may make its Loan to the Borrower through any Lending Office; provided that the exercise of this
option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any
Lender requests compensation under Section 3.02, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts
to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, then at the request of
the Borrower, such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans
hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment
of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.02,
as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and
would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
3.04 Special Provisions
Applicable to Term SOFR.
(a) Subject
to the provisions set forth in Section 3.04(b) below, if, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any SOFR Loan
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that Term SOFR cannot
be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, or (ii) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request
for a SOFR Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
SOFR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making and maintaining such Loan, and the Required Lenders
have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower
and each Lender. Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make the SOFR Loans,
and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected SOFR Loans or affected Interest
Periods) until the Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (ii), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice.
Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall establish an alternate rate of interest that gives due consideration
to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for loans similar to the Loans in the United States at such
time, and the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate
rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable.
(b) Benchmark
Replacement Setting.
(i) Benchmark
Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition
Event, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement.
Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business
Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as the Administrative
Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement
of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 3.04(b) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition
Start Date.
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(ii) Benchmark
Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement,
the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action
or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(iii) Notices;
Standards for Decisions and Determination. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (1) the implementation
of any Benchmark Replacement and (2) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption
or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower of (x) the removal or reinstatement of
any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 3.04(b)(iv) and (y) the commencement of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination,
decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 3.04(b), including any determination
with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision
to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its
sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly
required pursuant to this Section 3.04(b).
(iv) Unavailability
of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection
with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (1) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference
Rate) and either (I) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from
time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (II) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator
of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or
will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or
analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (2)
if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (1) above either (I) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a
Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (II) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be
representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest
Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed
tenor.
(v) Benchmark
Unavailable Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (i) the
Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of affected SOFR Loans to be made, converted
or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request
into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans and (ii) any outstanding affected SOFR Loans will be deemed to have
been converted to Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. During a Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time
that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark
or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate.
(c) No
Requirement of Matched Funding. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither the Administrative Agent, nor any
Lender, nor any of their Participants, is required actually to match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at Term SOFR or
the Term SOFR Reference Rate.
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3.05 Compensation for
Losses. The Borrower shall promptly compensate the Administrative Agent and each Lender for and hold the Administrative Agent
and Lenders harmless from any loss, cost or expense actually incurred by it with respect to SOFR Loans as a result of:
(a) any
continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any SOFR Loan on a day prior to the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether
voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or
(b) any
failure by the Borrower to prepay, borrow, convert or continue any SOFR Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower;
in each case, excluding any loss of anticipated
profits (including the Applicable Rate) but including any actual and documented loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment
of funds obtained by it to maintain such SOFR Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.
The Administrative Agent or any Lender requesting compensation under this Section 3.05 shall be required to deliver a certificate
to the Borrower that sets forth the amount or amounts that it is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section, the basis therefor and,
in reasonable detail, the manner in which such amount or amounts were determined, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The Borrower shall pay the Administrative Agent or such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate by the subsequent
Interest Payment Date. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by the Administrative Agent on behalf of
the Lenders in connection with the foregoing.
3.06 Illegality. Upon
any Lender determining that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any
Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to SOFR, the Term SOFR
Reference Rate, Term SOFR or Term SOFR, or to determine or charge interest based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or
Term SOFR, then, upon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent) (an “Illegality Notice”),
(a) any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans shall be suspended, and (b)
the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without
reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”, in each case until each affected Lender notifies the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of an Illegality Notice,
the Borrower shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, upon demand from any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay
or, if applicable, convert all SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans shall, if necessary to avoid
such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to clause (c) of the definition of “Base Rate”)
on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if all affected Lenders may lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day,
or immediately, if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such SOFR Loans to such day, in each case until the Administrative
Agent is advised in writing by each affected Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates
based upon SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR or Term SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also
pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
3.07 Survival. All
of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodation,
repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
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ARTICLE
IV.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS
4.01 Conditions Precedent
to the Closing Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent
as determined by the Administrative Agent:
(a) the
Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of
the Lenders:
(i) executed
counterparts of this Agreement;
(ii) an
executed copy of the Letter of Intent attaching the JV Term Sheet;
(iii) [reserved];
(iv) a
certificate from a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party dated as of the Closing Date (i) attaching and certifying as true, complete
and in full force and effect (A) the resolutions of each Credit Party and performance of the Loan Documents by each Credit Party and authorizing
specific officers to execute the Loan Documents on behalf of such Person and (B) copies of the each Credit Party’s Organization
Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented and in effect on the Closing Date, which, with respect to Organization Documents that
are charter documents, are certified as of a recent date (not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date) by an appropriate
governmental official, and (ii) attesting to incumbency, authorization and signatures of each Responsible Officer of each Credit Party
authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(v) [reserved];
(vi) [reserved];
(vii) a
certificate of status with respect to each Credit Party dated within ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date (A) for the jurisdiction
of organization of each Credit Party, and (B) for each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct
of its business requires qualification, in each case, such certificate to be issued by the appropriate officer of such jurisdiction and
to indicate that each Credit Party is in good standing and qualified to engage in business in such jurisdiction;
(viii) a
customary opinion of Vinson & Elkins, LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, dated as of the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative
Agent and each Lender, covering such matters relating to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby as the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall reasonably request and which shall, in any event, expressly permit permitted successors and assigns of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to rely on such opinion;
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(ix) a
certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party dated as of the Closing Date (A) either (x) attaching copies of all consents,
licenses and approvals of any Governmental Authority required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Credit
Party and the validity against such Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which such Credit Party is a party, and such consents, licenses
and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (y) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required, (B) certifying
that (x) the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material
respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified
by materiality in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from
the application of the proceeds thereof, (C) certifying that there has been no event or circumstance since, that has had or would be reasonably
expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2025, (D) certifying that there
are no material actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority
(and, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, none of the foregoing have been threatened in writing), and (E) certifying that no Credit
Party has any Indebtedness outstanding other than Permitted Indebtedness or any Liens on any of their respective assets other than Permitted
Liens.
(x) (A) searches
of UCC filings in the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as applicable, of each Credit Party in each jurisdiction where a filing
would need to be made in order to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, copies of the financing
statements on file in such jurisdictions and evidence that no Liens exist and (B) customary tax lien, judgment and bankruptcy searches;
(xi) except as
otherwise provided in Section 6.22(a), the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected first priority (subject to Specified
Permitted Liens) security interest in the Collateral granted under the Collateral Documents, and completed UCC financing statements
in respect of each Loan Party shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing in such Loan Party’s
jurisdiction of formation, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral to the extent that such
security interest may be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement;
(xii) a
certificate attesting to the Solvency of the Credit Parties taken as a whole before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated
by the Loan Documents, from the chief financial officer (or authorized representative performing similar functions) of the Borrower; and
(xiii) so
long as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing at least ten Business Days prior to the Closing Date,
the Administrative Agent and any Lender shall have received, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, (i) all documentation
and other information with respect to each Credit Party that is required by governmental entities under the applicable “know your
customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and (ii) with respect to the Borrower, to the
extent that it qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, one Beneficial Ownership
Certification.
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(b) The
Borrower shall have paid (and hereby agrees to pay on the Closing Date) any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date hereunder,
including pursuant to clause (c) below.
(c) The
Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented fees, and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender) for which
invoices (in the case of legal fees and expenses) have been received by Borrower at least three Business Days in advance of the Closing
Date.
(d) There
shall have been no event or circumstance since December 31, 2025 that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) The
Lenders shall have completed their business, legal, regulatory and collateral due diligence the results of which shall be satisfactory
to Lenders.
4.02 Conditions to Funding
Term Loan A-1. The obligation of each Lender to fund its Term Loan A-1 Commitment on the A-1 Funding Date is subject to satisfaction
(or waiver) of the following conditions precedent as determined by the Administrative Agent:
(a) the
Administrative Agent shall have received an executed Loan Notice, at least two (2) Business Days prior to the A-1 Funding Date;
(b) the Administrative
Agent shall have received an executed copy of each Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein;
(c) the Administrative
Agent shall have received an executed copy of each Equity Document as required pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof, and evidence of the consummation of all actions required to be taken
thereunder;
(d) the
Administrative Agent shall have received evidence in form and substance satisfactory to it that New Era shall have closed an underwritten offering of at least $50,000,000 with one or more underwriters;
(e) the Borrower shall
have delivered a copy of a duly executed Control Agreement in respect of the Blocked Account and each other Controlled Account; and
(f) (x)
the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified by materiality
in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application
of the proceeds thereof.
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4.03 Conditions to Funding
Term Loan A-2. Each Lender may, in its sole discretion, fund its Term Loan A-2 Accommodation during the Term Loan A-2 Availability
Period subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of certain conditions precedent as determined by the Administrative Agent including:
(a) the
Administrative Agent shall have received an executed Loan Notice, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed Funding Date;
(b) if
applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have received an executed copy of the Warrants as required pursuant to Section 2.14
hereof, and evidence of the consummation of all actions required to be taken
thereunder;
(c) the
Borrower shall have delivered a copy of a duly executed Control Agreement in respect of the Blocked Account (if not provided
previously and still in effect);
(d) the Borrower shall have
paid all reasonable and documented fees, and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders for which invoices (in the case of legal fees and expenses) have been received by Borrower at least three Business
Days in advance of the Funding Date;
(e) (x)
the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified by materiality
in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application
of the proceeds thereof; and
(f) there
shall have been no event or circumstance that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect.
4.04 Conditions to Funding
Term Loan A-3. Each Lender may, in its sole discretion, fund its Term Loan A-3 Accommodation during the Term Loan A-3 Availability
Period subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent as determined by the Administrative Agent:
(a) the
Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Data Center Lease;
(b) the
Administrative Agent shall have received an executed Loan Notice, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed Funding Date;
(c) if
applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have received an executed copy of the Warrants as required pursuant to Section 2.14
hereof, and evidence of the consummation of all actions required to be taken
thereunder;
(d) the
Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented fees, and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for which invoices (in the case of legal fees and expenses) have been received by Borrower
at least three Business Days in advance of the Funding Date;
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(e) (x)
the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified by materiality
in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application
of the proceeds thereof; and
(f) there
shall have been no event or circumstance that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect.
4.05 Conditions to Funding
Delayed Draw Term Loans. Each Lender may, in its sole discretion, fund a Loan Notice requesting a Delayed Draw Term Loan during
the Delayed Draw Term Loan Availability Period subject to satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions precedent as determined
by the Administrative Agent:
(a) the Borrower shall
have delivered a copy of a duly executed Control Agreement in respect of the Blocked Account (if not provided previously and still
in effect);
(b) the
Borrower shall have delivered a copy of a duly executed Data Center Lease to the Administrative Agent;
(c) the
Term Loan A-3 Accommodation shall have been previously or concurrently funded by the Lenders;
(d) an
executed Loan Notice, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed Funding Date;
(e) if
applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have received an executed copy of the Warrants as required pursuant to Section 2.14
hereof, and evidence of the consummation of all actions required to be taken
thereunder;
(f) the
Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented fees, and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for which invoices (in the case of legal fees and expenses) have been received by Borrower
at least three Business Days in advance of the Funding Date;
(g) (x)
the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified by materiality
in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application
of the proceeds thereof; and
(h) and
there shall have been no event or circumstance that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.06 Conditions to Disbursement
from the Blocked Account. Any disbursement of the Loans or other proceeds from the Blocked Account (other than the making of a Restricted
Payment utilizing the proceeds of the New Era Contribution Amount pursuant to the proviso to Section 7.06) is subject to satisfaction
(or waiver) of the following conditions precedent as determined by the Administrative Agent:
(a) in
respect of the initial disbursement after the A-1 Funding Date from the Blocked Account of the proceeds of Term Loan A-1, on or prior
to the date of such initial disbursement, the Sharon Refinancing shall have occurred or shall occur simultaneously therewith;
(b) the
Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of
the Lenders: (i) invoices (if applicable) with respect to the payments in respect of permitted uses of proceeds of the Loans as set forth
in Section 6.11, and (ii) a written request from the Borrower with respect to the disbursement of funds from the Blocked Account,
containing the proposed date of such disbursements, the destination account information and such other details as a reasonably required
to effectuate the disbursement;
(c) the
Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented fees, and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket charges and disbursements of counsel
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender) for which
invoices (in the case of legal fees and expenses) have been received by the Borrower at least three Business Days in advance of the Funding
Date;
(d) (x)
the representations and warranties of each Credit Party contained in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects
(except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified by materiality
in the text thereof) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Loans or from the application
of the proceeds thereof;
(e) there
shall have been no event or circumstance since December 31, 2025 that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and
(f) the
Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent a customary liability insurance certificate and property
insurance certificate and corresponding endorsements naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as additional
insured or lender loss payee, as applicable.
4.07 Acceptance of Benefits.
The acceptance of the benefits of the Loans shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower to each of the Lenders that
all the applicable conditions specified above are satisfied (unless waived) as of the time such Loans are made.
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ARTICLE
V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Credit Party represents
and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as and when required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document (to the extent
made on the date any Loans are provided hereunder, both before and after giving effect to the making of such Loans and the application
of the proceeds thereof) including on the Closing Date, the Funding Date or any Disbursement Date, that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification
and Power. Each Credit Party (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction
of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations,
material consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business as currently conducted and (ii) execute, deliver
and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable,
in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business
necessitates such qualification.
5.02 Authorization; No
Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Credit Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party and the
borrowing of the Loans hereunder by the Borrower (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary limited partnership, limited liability
company or other organizational action, and (b) do not (i) contravene the terms of the Organization Documents of any Credit Party; (ii)
conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of, or result in the creation of (or the requirement to create) any Lien
(other than in favor of the Administrative Agent) under, or require any payment to be made under (x) any Contractual Obligation to which
a Credit Party is a party or affecting any Credit Party or their respective properties or (y) any order, injunction, writ or decree of
any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which any such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any material applicable
Law applicable to any such Credit Party. No such Contractual Obligation exists that would prohibit or otherwise restrict any Credit Party
from granting a Lien under the Collateral Documents on its Collateral, and no provision thereof applicable to any Credit Party limits
or prohibits Administrative Agent or any Lender from exercising any of their respective rights and remedies under the Loan Documents.
5.03 Governmental Authorization;
Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental
Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement
against, any Credit Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by a Credit Party of the Liens granted by them
pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including
the first priority nature thereof, subject to Specified Permitted Liens) or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender
of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, other than
(i) authorizations, approvals, consents, actions, exemptions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made
and are in full force and effect and (ii) filings or other actions to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents.
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5.04 Binding Effect.
This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each
Credit Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal,
valid and binding obligation of each Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party that is party thereto in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings
in equity or at law).
5.05 Financial
Statements; Outstanding Indebtedness; No Material Adverse Effect
(a) The
Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise
expressly noted therein and (ii) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Borrower as of the date thereof
and Borrower’s results of operations, cash flows and changes in partners’ capital for the period covered thereby in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein and subject to the absence
of footnotes and normal year end audit adjustments in the case of unaudited financial statements, in each case, consistent with past practice.
(b) The
statement of financial condition of New Era dated December 31, 2025, and the related schedule of investments, statement of operations, statement
of cash flows and statement of changes in partners’ capital for the fiscal year ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present,
in all material respects, the financial condition of the Borrower, as of the date thereof and its results of operations, cash flows for
the period covered thereby.
(c) No
Loan Party has any Indebtedness as of the Closing Date except as set forth on Schedule 5.05, and Schedule 5.05 sets forth
all Indebtedness of each Loan Party and as of the Closing Date and setting forth the obligor(s), obligee(s), and any guarantor or security
therefor.
(d) Since
December 31, 2025, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06 Litigation. There
are no material actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the applicable Credit Party, threatened
in writing, at Law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any of them, or any of their respective
properties or revenues that purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby. As of the Closing Date, there are no Liens on assets of any Credit Party, other than those set forth on Schedule
5.06 and Permitted Encumbrances.
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5.07 No Default. No
Credit Party is in default under, or with respect to, any (x) Contractual Obligation that obligates such Credit Party to make payments
equal to or in excess of $3,000,000 over the term of such Contractual Obligation or (y) Material Document, and no Person (other than
a Credit Party) is in default under any (x) Contractual Obligation that obligates such Person to make payments equal to or in excess
of $3,000,000 over the term of such Contractual Obligation or (y) Material Document, in each case that is in effect on the date this
representation is made. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or any other Loan Document.
5.08 Ownership of Property;
Funds. Each Loan Party has good record title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, or easements or other limited property
interests in, all real property necessary in the ordinary conduct of its business, subject to Permitted Liens, and except for minor defects
in title that do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business or to utilize such assets for their intended purposes;
it being understood that following the JV Transfer, the Properties shall be owned by the JV Entity and not by the Loan Parties.
5.09 Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans in compliance with Section 6.11.
5.10 Taxes. Except
as otherwise set forth on Section 5.10 of the Taxes Disclosures, each Credit Party (if applicable) has timely filed all federal and state
income and other material Tax returns required to be filed by such Person, and have timely paid all material Taxes (whether or not shown
on any such Tax return) levied or imposed upon it or its properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except Taxes that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently taken and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance
with GAAP. There is no proposed Tax assessment or other Tax claim against any Credit Party that would reasonably be expected to, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal
income tax purposes.
5.11 ERISA Compliance.
(a) (i)
Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state laws,
(ii) each Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter
or is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the
Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS and (iii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, nothing
has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.
(b) There
are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing material claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental
Authority, with respect to any Plan. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with
respect to any Plan that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, material liability to a Credit Party.
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(c) No
ERISA Event has occurred, and the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate is not aware of any material fact, event or circumstance that, either
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in a material ERISA Event with respect to any Pension
Plan.
(d) To
the extent applicable, each material Foreign Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements
of any and all applicable requirements of Law and has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.
The Borrower have not incurred any material obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign Plan. The
present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Foreign Plan that is funded, determined as of the
end of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower or Subsidiary, as applicable, on the basis of actuarial assumptions, each of
which is reasonable, did not exceed the current value of the property of such Foreign Plan by a material amount, and for each Foreign
Plan that is not funded, the obligations of such Foreign Plan are properly accrued.
5.12 Subsidiaries; Equity
Interests. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries and New Era has no Subsidiaries other than as set forth on Part (a) of Schedule
5.12 (including any updates made to such Schedule in accordance with Section 6.02(d) hereof), all of the outstanding Equity
Interests in each Subsidiary has been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) validly issued,
are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Borrower free and clear of all Liens, except those created under the Collateral
Documents. Attached as Part (b) of Schedule 5.12 is an organizational chart of the Loan Parties showing the Loan Parties
and each of their subsidiaries, in each case, as of the Closing Date or such later date as such Schedule is updated in accordance with
Section 6.02(d) hereof). All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant
with respect to such ownership interests) validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by New Era free and clear of
all Liens, except those created under the Collateral Documents.
5.13 Margin Regulations;
Investment Company Act.
(a) The
Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying
Margin Stock (within the meaning of Regulation U) or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. Following
the application of the proceeds of the Loans, not more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower will be Margin Stock, and the
Borrower does not have present intention that Margin Stock will constitute more than 25% of the value of such assets.
(b) No
Credit Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” under,
and within the meaning of, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
5.14 Disclosure. Each
Credit Party has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all material agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions
to which it is subject, and all other matters known to it. No written report, financial statement, certificate or other written information
furnished by or on behalf of a Credit Party (other than (i) information of a general economic or industry-specific nature and (ii) financial
projections, budgets, estimates, forecasts and other forward-looking information) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document
contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading. With respect to projected financial information and pro
forma financial information furnished by or on behalf of a Credit Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby, the Borrower represents only that such information and projections were prepared in good faith
based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time; it being understood and agreed, however, that such information and projections
are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, that such information and projections are subject to significant uncertainties
and contingencies, many of which are beyond the preparer’s control, that no assurances can be given that any particular projection
will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such information and projections may differ significantly
from the projected results and such differences may be material.
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5.15 Compliance with Laws;
OFAC.
(a) Each
Credit Party is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees
applicable to it or to its business or properties, except in such instances in which such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction
or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently taken.
(b) None
of the Credit Parties or its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or
representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned 50% or more in aggregate, or controlled (as such term is defined
by the relevant Sanctions) by one or more individuals or entities that are (i) the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on
OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant Sanctions authority or (iii) located,
organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. The Credit Parties have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable Sanctions and have instituted and maintained, or are subject to, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve
compliance with such Sanctions.
(c) Each
Credit Party, each applicable Subsidiary and their respective directors, officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Borrower,
the agents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, has for the past five (5) years conducted their businesses in compliance in all material
respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other applicable anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions
applicable to the Credit Parties or their activities and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and
achieve compliance with such laws.
5.16 Solvency. The
Credit Parties on a consolidated basis, taken as a whole, are Solvent.
5.17 Investments.
The Loan Parties do not own any Investments except for Permitted Investments.
5.18 Security Matters.
(a) Each
Loan Party has good title to (or valid leasehold interests in) its respective assets, free and clear of any and all Liens except Permitted
Liens. Subject to the Perfection Requirements, the Administrative Agent’s Lien is a first priority (subject only to any Permitted
Liens) perfected security interest in the Collateral of each applicable Loan Party, securing the Obligations, enforceable against the
applicable Loan Party and all third parties, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally and to general principles of equity and principles of good faith and fair dealing.
(b) Each
Loan Party has full power and authority to grant such security interest to the Administrative Agent in its respective Collateral.
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5.19 Organizational Documents.
The Organizational Documents of each Credit Party, are in full force and effect in the form presented to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders as of the Closing Date. There are no provisions in any such Organizational Documents restricting a Credit Party from entering
into and performing its respective obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.
5.20 [Reserved].
5.21 [Reserved].
5.22 Affected Financial
Institution. No Credit Party is an Affected Financial Institution.
5.23 [Reserved].
5.24 No Defenses. The
Borrower knows of no default or circumstance that with the passage of time or the giving of notice, could constitute a default under
its or any Credit Party’s Organizational Documents.
5.25 [Reserved].
5.26 Beneficial
Ownership Certification. To the extent any Lender has requested a Beneficial Ownership Certification, as of (a) the Closing
Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 is true and
correct in all respects and (b) as of the date delivered, the information included in each updated Beneficial Ownership
Certification delivered pursuant to Section 6.03 is true and correct in all respects.
5.27 Outbound
Investment Rules. None of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a ‘covered foreign person’
as that term is used in the Outbound Investment Rules. None of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries currently
engages, or has any present intention to engage in the future, directly or knowingly indirectly, in (a) a “covered
transaction”, as such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (b) any activity or transaction that would constitute
a “covered transaction”, as such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if any of the Credit Parties or any
of their respective Subsidiaries were a U.S. Person or (c) any other activity that would result in the Administrative Agent or any
Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited
by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.
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ARTICLE
VI.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Loan Commitment
and Credit Accommodations have expired or been terminated and all Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Credit Party covenants
and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
6.01 Financial Statements.
The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (who shall distribute to each Lender):
(a) as
soon as available, and in any event (A) within the time periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the SEC for the filing of annual
reports on Form 10-K (including any automatic extension or grace period available thereunder) or (B) if New Era is no longer subject to
filing requirements under the Exchange Act, within one hundred-twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year of New Era (or, in the
case of (A) or (B), such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent), a consolidated balance sheet of New Era and the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if any), as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations,
changes in partners’ capital and cash flows of New Era and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if any), for such fiscal year, all
in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of any independent registered
public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing or other independent registered public accounting firm approved by the Administrative
Agent, which report and opinion (i) shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and (ii) shall not be subject
to any “going concern” explanatory paragraph or like qualification or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such
audit (except as may be required as a result of (x) the impending maturity of any Indebtedness, or (y) changes in accounting principles
or practices reflecting changes in GAAP and required or approved by the Borrower’s independent registered public accounting firm);
(b) as
soon as available, and in any event (A) within the time periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the SEC for the filing of annual
reports on Form 10-Q (including any automatic extension or grace period available thereunder) or (B) if New Era is no longer subject to
filing requirements under the Exchange Act, within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of New
Era (or, in the case of (A) or (B), such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent), a consolidated balance sheet of
New Era and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if any), as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements
of income or operations of New Era and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if any), as applicable, for such fiscal quarter and for the
portion of the fiscal year then ended, and consolidated statements of cash flows of New Era and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (if
any), for the portion of the fiscal year then ended, all in reasonable detail and, subject to Section 1.03, certified by a Responsible
Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of
New Era and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments
and the absence of footnotes;
(c) together
with each of the quarterly and annual financial statements required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under
Section 6.01(a) and Section 6.01(b), a duly executed Compliance Certificate, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;
and
(d) promptly
(and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after the receipt thereof, copies of all financial statements, reports and other material
information and other material correspondence sent to or received by any Credit Party and/or the JV Entity, including, without limitation,
notices of default, and any notice containing any reference to misconduct of any Credit Party and/or the JV Entity.
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6.02 Certificates; Reports;
Other Information. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (who shall distribute to each Lender), in form and scope
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) promptly,
and in any event within five (5) Business Days after any written request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of
any management letters or written recommendations by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the or any audit
of any Credit Party or the JV Entity;
(b) promptly,
and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, copies of each written notice
or other written correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation
or inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Credit Party or the JV Entity;
(c) promptly,
and in any event within five (5) Business Days after (i) receipt thereof by any Credit Party or the JV Entity (including copies of all
material written notices, requests, statements, reports or other documents received or furnished under or pursuant to any Organization
Documents of any Credit Party or the JV Entity and (ii) the furnishing thereof by the JV Entity or the Borrower to its limited partners,
each quarterly letter delivered to its limited partners or other equity holders and the schedule of Investments;
(d) promptly,
and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after (i) the formation or acquisition of any Subsidiary, an updated part (a) of Schedule
5.12 showing such new Subsidiaries; (ii) the making of any Investment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, an updated part (b) of Schedule
5.12 showing such new Investment; and (iii) any change occurs such that the organizational chart of any Credit Party or JV Entity
referred to in Section 5.12 hereof is no longer accurate, an updated organizational chart showing each Credit Party and each other Subsidiary;
(e) promptly
but no later than two (2) Business Days after the delivery of the same to the board of directors (or an equivalent governing body), (x)
copies of financial statements and information prepared by the management of any Credit Party or the JV Entity (y) reports and budgets
and all information and documents in connection with the Project.
6.03 Notices. The
Borrower shall promptly, and in any event within two (2) Business Days after the occurrence thereof, notify the Administrative Agent
of:
(a) promptly
on the earlier of (a) the date on which the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, or
(b) the date on which the Borrower ought reasonably to have become aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Default, having
regard to the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and the conduct of its business in accordance with prudent business practice,
the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) the
occurrence of any Recovery Event;
(c) any
breach, dispute, event of default (howsoever described) or right of termination arising under any of the Material Documents;
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(d) of
any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) the
occurrence of any material ERISA Event;
(f) of
any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary; and
(g) of
any changes to the beneficial ownership information set forth in any Beneficial Ownership Certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders; the Borrower understands and acknowledges that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders rely on such true, accurate
and up-to-date beneficial ownership information to meet Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ regulatory obligations to
obtain, verify and record information about the beneficial owners of its legal entity customers.
Each notice pursuant to Section
6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached,
if any.
6.04 Payment of Obligations.
Except as otherwise set forth in Section 6.04 of the Payment of Obligations Disclosures, each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent or in default: (i) all material Tax liabilities, assessments
and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted (which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject
to any such Lien) and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by such entity; (ii) all material lawful claims
which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien (other than Specified Permitted Liens) upon its property; (iii) all Indebtedness, as and
when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions or grace periods contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing
such Indebtedness; and (iv) all other material obligations and liabilities.
6.05 Preservation of Existence,
Etc. (a) Each Credit Party shall preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under
the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except in connection with a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05,
and (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all other rights, privileges (including its good standing where applicable in the relevant
jurisdiction), permits, licenses and franchises material to the ordinary conduct of such Credit Party and such Credit Party’s business,
except, in the case of this clause (b), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; it being understood that following the JV Transfer, permits, licenses and franchises related to the Properties or the Project
shall be maintained by the JV Entity.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties.
Each Credit Party shall maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and in each case preserve and protect all of its material properties
and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and
condemnation excepted, and use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.
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6.07 Maintenance of Insurance.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies
insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged
in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other
Persons.
6.08 Compliance with Laws.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiaries to, comply (a) with the requirements of Regulations T, U and X of the
FRB and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (b) with material requirements of all other Laws applicable to it or its business or
properties and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or properties.
6.09 Books and Records.
(a) Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and
correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets
and business of any Credit Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material
conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary,
as the case may be.
6.10 Inspection Rights.
Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiaries and/or the JV Entity to, permit representatives and independent contractors
of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their respective corporate,
financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and
accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants (including in respect of the Project), all at the expense of
the Borrower, upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably requested
by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the right, upon reasonable notice, to visit and inspect
any assets of any Credit Party and/or the JV Entity, from time to time and the Borrower shall facilitate such visit and inspection with
any warehousemen or Persons as requested by the Administrative Agent; it being understood that following the JV Transfer, inspection
of the Properties and the Project shall be subject to the terms of the JV Agreement. (a) If a Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing at the time of such visit or inspection, the Borrower shall pay for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by such employees, consultants, advisers or agents of Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with such visit or inspection.
Except as expressly set forth in clause (b) below, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (collectively) shall not exercise
such rights more than one time during any calendar year, and (b) when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender
(or any of its respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any
time during normal business hours without advance notice.
6.11 Use of Proceeds The
Borrower shall use the proceeds of Term Loan A-1 (i) for general corporate proceeds, which may include the prepayment of existing
indebtedness, and (ii) to pay transaction expenses in connection with the Loan Documents. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the
Loans (other than Term Loan A-1) to (i) to fund the purchase of the Properties, including all associated closing costs, title fees,
and legal expenses, (ii) to finance improvements to the Properties, (iii) to fund the purchase of equipment expected to be installed
and used for the improvements of the Properties and (iv) to pay any other costs, fees, expenses, or amounts related to or in
connection with the development and construction of the Project. The Loans shall be funded into the Blocked Account subject to the
conditions set forth in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05 and 4.06, as applicable. The Loans from the Blocked Account shall be
disbursed subject to the conditions set out in Section 4.06 directly to the Borrower on behalf of the Borrower in accordance with
the account details and instructions provided by the Borrower.
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6.12 Bank Accounts and
Security; Collateral Investment Proceeds.
(a) Controlled
Accounts. Subject to Section 6.12(b), the Loan Parties shall at all times maintain all of their Accounts at one or more of
the banks, securities intermediaries, financial institution or other applicable Person set forth on Schedule 6.12 (each, a “Cash
Management Bank”) and cause their deposit, securities and other Accounts that at any time or from time to time contain any assets
of any Loan Party, including, without limitation, proceeds of Investments owned directly or indirectly by a Loan Party (such proceeds
of Investments being referred to herein as “Collateral Investment Proceeds”) to be deposited in an Account with a Cash
Management Bank and, other than with respect to Excluded Accounts, be subject to a Control Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent,
for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Required Lenders (each
such Account, a “Controlled Account”). As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Accounts other than the Controlled
Accounts as set out on Schedule 6.12 hereto.
(b) Collateral
Investment Proceeds to Controlled Accounts. Each Loan Party shall ensure that all Collateral Investment Proceeds (whether by way of
dividend, distribution, redemption, payment on Indebtedness, sale, lease, transfer, or other disposal or liquidation of all or part of
any asset) shall be paid or credited to a Controlled Account immediately and in any event no later than the next Business Day after the
date of receipt thereof.
6.13 Further Assurances.
Each Loan Party shall, promptly upon the request by the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered
in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record,
re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments
as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan
Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject the assets intended to be Collateral to the Liens now or hereafter
intended to be granted by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any
of the Liens intended to be created under the Collateral Documents and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect
and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties
under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is or is
to be a party and (c) perform any other undertakings for which the Administrative Agent, from time to time shall reasonably require.
6.14 Anti-Corruption Laws;
Sanctions. Each Credit Party shall conduct, and cause each Subsidiary to conduct, its businesses in compliance in all material respects
with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and other applicable anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions
applicable to the Credit Parties or their activities and with all applicable Sanctions, and shall maintain policies and procedures or
have policies that are maintained on their behalf, in each case designed to promote and achieve compliance with such anti-corruption
laws and Sanctions.
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6.15 New Subsidiaries.
Upon the formation or acquisition of any new direct or indirect Subsidiary by the Borrower after the Closing Date (other than the JV
Entity), which shall only be made with the express prior written consent of the Lenders, the Loan Parties shall, at the Loan Parties’
expense:
(a) within
ten (10) days after such formation or acquisition, cause such Subsidiary, and cause each direct and indirect parent of such Subsidiary
(if it has not already done so), to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty or guaranty supplement, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, guaranteeing the other Loan Parties’ obligations under the Loan Documents;
(b) within
ten (10) days after such formation or acquisition, furnish to the Administrative Agent a description of the personal property of such
Subsidiary, in detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(c) within
fifteen (15) days after such formation or acquisition, cause such Subsidiary and each direct and indirect parent of such Subsidiary (if
it has not already done so) to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Security Agreement (or supplements
thereto), a Perfection Certificate, and other security and pledge agreements, as specified by and in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent (including delivery of all certificates, if any, representing the Equity Interests in and of such Subsidiary,
securing payment of all the Obligations of such Subsidiary or such parent, as the case may be, under the Loan Documents and constituting
Liens on all such interests and personal properties;
(d) within
fifteen (15) days after such formation or acquisition, cause such Subsidiary and each direct and indirect parent of such Subsidiary (if
it has not already done so) to take whatever action (including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and the giving
of notices) may be necessary or advisable in the opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Administrative Agent (or in any representative
of the Administrative Agent designated by it) valid and subsisting Liens on the properties purported to be subject to the Security Agreement
and security and pledge agreements delivered pursuant to this Section 6.15, enforceable against all third parties in accordance with their
terms; and
(e) within
twenty (20) days after such formation or acquisition, deliver to the Administrative Agent, upon the request of the Administrative Agent
in its sole discretion, a signed copy of a favorable opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of
counsel for the Loan Parties acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to the matters contained in clause (i), (iii), and (iv) above,
and as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
6.16 Construction of the
Project. Each Loan Party shall (i) ensure that all work done on the Project is done in a good and workmanlike manner and in all material
respects, except as otherwise provided herein, in accordance with prudent industry practice, applicable permits and applicable laws,
(ii) make or cause to be made all contracts and do or cause to be done all things necessary for the acquisition, construction, equipping
and the completion, and all other milestones required to be completed under any applicable construction contracts in all material respects
with the applicable plans and specifications. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall, to the extent
prudent and commercially reasonable, diligently pursue and enforce all of its material rights and remedies under the Material Documents,
it being understood that following the JV Transfer, construction of the Project shall be governed by the JV Agreement.
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6.17 [Reserved]
6.18 Assets.
(a) Additional
Assets. Upon the acquisition of any property by any Loan Party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Equity Interests in the JV
Entity acquired in connection with the JV Transfer), if such property, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, shall not already
be subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties,
then the Borrower shall, at the Borrower’s expense:
(i) within
fifteen (15) days after such acquisition, furnish to the Administrative Agent a description of the property so acquired in detail satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent;
(ii) within
fifteen (15) days after such acquisition, cause the applicable Loan Party to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a supplement
to the Security Agreement and other security and pledge agreements as specified by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, securing payment of all the Obligations of the applicable Loan Party under the Loan Documents and constituting
Liens on all such properties;
(iii) except
with respect to acquisitions of real property, within fifteen (15) days after such acquisition cause the Borrower to take whatever action
(including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and the giving of notices) may be necessary or advisable in the
opinion of the Administrative Agent to vest in the Administrative Agent (or in any representative of the Administrative Agent designated
by it) valid and subsisting Liens on such property, enforceable against all third parties; and
(iv) if
such additional asset is real property, then within sixty (60) days of such acquisition, cause the applicable Loan Party to take the actions
described in Section 6.22(a)(i)-(iv).
(b) Actions
After Default. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or Event
of Default, each Loan Party shall, at the Loan Parties’ expense, within fifteen (15) days after such request, duly execute and deliver,
and cause each applicable Loan Party (if it has not already done so) to duly execute and deliver, to the Administrative Agent deeds of
trust, trust deeds, deeds to secure debt, Security Agreement supplements and other security and pledge agreements, as specified by and
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including delivery of all certificates, if any, representing the Equity
Interests in and of each Subsidiary), securing payment of all the Obligations of the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents and constituting
Liens on all such properties.
6.19 Material
Documents. The Borrower shall take all reasonable and necessary action to maintain the Material Documents in full force and
effect in accordance with its terms in all material respects.
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6.20 New
Era Equity Contributions.
(a) On
and after the A-1 Funding Date and until the Lease Execution Date, New Era shall contribute net cash proceeds of at least $5,000,000 to
the common equity of Borrower commencing with the fifth (5th) day following the A-1 Funding Date and on each one-month anniversary
thereof until the Lease Execution Date has occurred.
(b) If
at any time following the Closing Date, (v) the Letter of Intent is terminated or otherwise expires, (w) the Borrower announces its decision
to permanently abandon or indefinitely suspend negotiations in respect of establishing the JV Entity, (x) New Era and the Borrower have
materially amended terms of the JV Agreement compared to that proposed in the JV Term Sheet without the consent of the Administrative
Agent, (y) the proposed counterparty to the JV Agreement has provided written notice to a Credit Party that it will no longer participate
in the negotiations regarding the JV Agreement, or (z) the Borrower or the proposed counterparty to the JV Agreement abandons or suspends
negotiations in respect of establishing the JV Entity, in each case, as reasonably determined by the Borrower then, in each case, (i)
the Borrower shall provide notice of the occurrence of such event to the Administrative Agent and (ii) within 5 Business Days after the
receipt of the notice specified in clause (i), New Era shall contribute net cash proceeds of at least $20,000,000 to the common equity
of the Borrower. Cash amounts received by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 6.20 (the “New Era Contribution Amounts”)
shall be deposited in the Blocked Account and shall be subject to the conditions to disbursement specified in Section 4.06.
6.21 New
Era Equity Offerings.
(a) No
later than sixty (60) Business Days following the Closing Date, New Era shall have established an “at-the-market” program
on an effective registration statement with an aggregate offering price of at least $100 million.
(b) No
later than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, New Era shall have closed one or more sales of equity securities resulting in gross
proceeds of at least $30 million.
6.22 Conditions Subsequent
to the Closing Date.
(a) Mortgages;
Title. Within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date or such shorter period specified below, the Borrower shall have delivered, or cause
to have been delivered, to the Lender the following with respect to each of the Properties:
(i) one (1) Mortgage
for each of the Properties and, to the extent required by Lender, a UCC-1 filing to be filed against the Borrower;
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(ii) a local counsel
opinion verifying that the Mortgage for such Property creates a valid and perfected lien thereon and is valid, binding, and enforceable
against the Borrower;
(iii) evidence reasonably
acceptable to Administrative Agent that Borrower has ordered an updated survey in respect of the Properties within thirty (30) days of
the Closing Date;
(iv) the Title Insurance
Policies along with (y) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Lender of payment by the Borrower of all applicable premiums, search and
examination charges, escrow charges and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the Title Insurance Policies;
and (z) such affidavits, certificates, reports, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including a
so-called “gap” indemnification) as shall be required to induce the title company to issue the Title Insurance Policies; and
(v) a survey of each
of the Properties (x) prepared by a licensed surveyor reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (y) dated or re-certificated
not earlier than four (4) months prior to the date of such delivery or such other date as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, together with a “no change” affidavit or certification to Administrative Agent and the title company in sufficient
form to permit the title company to delete the standard survey exception and provide such survey related endorsements as Administrative
Agent shall require, (z) certified to the Administrative Agent and the title company, which certification shall be in the unaltered form
of certification set forth in the Minimum Requirements or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (d) complying
with current “Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys,” jointly established and adopted by
American Land Title Association, and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (except for such deviations as are reasonably acceptable
to the Administrative Agent), provided that surveys including Items 1, 3, 4, 6(a), 6(b), 7(a), 7(b), 7(c), 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17,
18, 19 and 20 of Table A of the current “Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys” (the “Minimum
Requirements”) shall be deemed sufficient for purposes of this requirement, and with respect to the Project under active
construction, such survey may not depict improvements that are not completed as of the date of the field work provided that such field
work was completed not earlier than four (4) months prior to the date of such certification or re-certification or such other date as
may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
(v) (i) a “Life-of-Loan”
Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each of the Properties, and (ii) in the event
any such property is located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a Special Flood
Hazard Area, (A) a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance, duly executed by the applicable Credit
Party and (B) evidence of satisfaction of the Flood Insurance Requirements.
(b) Furnish to
the Administrative Agent such items or take such actions as are set forth on Schedule 6.22 that were not delivered or taken
on or prior to the Closing Date within the applicable time periods set forth on such Schedule 6.22 (which time periods may
be extended at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent).
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ARTICLE
VII.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Loan Commitment
and Credit Accommodations have expired or been terminated and all Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, the Credit Parties covenant
and agree with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
7.01 Liens. The Credit
Parties shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon (x) in the case of any Credit Party, any property, assets or
revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, of any Credit Party, and (y) any of the Collateral, other than pursuant to a Loan
Document or as described in clause (e) below with respect to the financial institutions holding the Controlled Accounts, or sign
or file or suffer to exist under the UCC of any jurisdiction a financing statement that names a Credit Party as debtor, or assign any
accounts or other right to receive income, other than the following (“Permitted Liens”):
(a) Liens
pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens
disclosed on Schedule 5.06 on assets existing on the Closing Date securing the Indebtedness described on such schedule and any
Lien granted as a replacement or substitute therefor;
(c) Liens
for taxes not yet delinquent or Liens for taxes which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted,
if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) Liens
in favor of financial institutions arising in connection with a Credit Party’s deposit or investment accounts held at such institutions
to secure customary fees and charges;
(e) Liens
of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction
covering only the items being collected upon;
(f) Permitted
Encumbrances;
(g) Liens
in respect of property of a Credit Party imposed by requirements of law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do
not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, landlords’, workmen’s,
suppliers’, repairmen’s and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise
pertaining to Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(g) which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of the
property of the Credit Parties, taken as a whole, and do not materially impair any of the rights or interests of the Secured Parties or
the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Credit Parties, taken as a whole, and which, if they secure obligations that are
then due and unpaid, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP;
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(h) Liens
(x) imposed by requirements of law or deposits made in connection therewith in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security legislation, (y) incurred in the ordinary course of business to
secure the performance of statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids,
government contracts, (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or (z) arising by virtue of deposits made in the ordinary
course of business to secure liability for premiums to insurance carriers; provided that (i) with respect to clauses (x), (y) and (z)
of this paragraph (h), such Liens are for amounts not yet due and payable or delinquent or, to the extent such amounts are so due and
payable, such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP, which proceedings or orders entered in connection with such proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture
or sale of the property subject to any such Lien and (ii) to the extent such Liens are not imposed by requirements of law, such Liens
shall in no event encumber any property other than cash and Cash Equivalents;
(i) Liens
securing reimbursement obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances; provided that such Liens
attach only to unrestricted cash deposited in connection therewith;
(j) bankers’
Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts
maintained by any such Credit Party, in each case granted in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which
such accounts are maintained, securing amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements,
including those involving pooled accounts and netting arrangements; provided that, unless such Liens are nonconsensual and arise
by operation of law, in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;
(k) Liens
on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof granted in the ordinary course of business to secure the financing of insurance premiums
with respect thereto under Section 7.03(g);
(l) Liens
(i) incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the purchase or shipping of goods or assets (or the related assets
and proceeds thereof), which Liens are in favor of the seller or shipper of such goods or assets and only attach to such goods or assets,
and (ii) in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law and which are not yet due;
(m) Liens
on leased property arising under operating leases and any precautionary UCC filings with respect thereto;
(n) Liens
securing plugging, abandonment, decommissioning and other asset retirement obligations of the Borrower; and
(o) Liens
securing trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business.
For the avoidance of doubt,
Liens securing obligations excluded from the definition of “Indebtedness” pursuant to Article I shall be deemed Permitted
Liens for purposes of this Section 7.01, in each case subject to the limitations set forth in the definition of “Permitted Liens.”
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7.02 Investments.
New Era shall not make or hold any Investment in the Borrower unless in the form of an equity capital contribution. The Loan Parties
shall not make or hold any Investment other than the following (“Permitted Investments”):
(a) (i)
Investments existing on the Closing Date that are disclosed as described in Section 5.12;
(b) acquisitions
of any equipment or asset in connection with the Project from the funds deposited in any Controlled Account other than the Blocked Account,
subject to the requirements of Section 6.18(a);
(c) Investments
consisting of Cash Equivalents on deposit in a Controlled Account or any other bank account permitted to be held by a Credit Party or
Subsidiary thereof;
(d) Investments
constituting equity capital contributions from the Borrower to any Subsidiary, if any;
(e) the
Borrower (i) acquiring and holding accounts receivables owing to any of them if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business
and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary terms, (ii) endorsing negotiable instruments held for collection in the ordinary
course of business or (iii) making lease, utility and other similar deposits in cash in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Investments
consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower;
(g) Investments
in connection with the formation of the JV Entity and the JV Transfer; provided that (i) prior to the JV Operations Date, each
such Investment shall require the express written consent of the Administrative Agent and, (ii) on or after the JV Operations Date, a
duly executed pledge of the Borrower’s Equity Interests in the JV Entity shall be in effect and delivered to the Administrative
Agent.
(h) to
the extent constituting an Investment, Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.03, Liens permitted by Section 7.01, transactions
permitted by Section 7.04, and Dispositions permitted by Section 7.05;
(i) Investments made
solely with capital contributions to the Borrower by New Era (other than capital contributions made pursuant to Section
6.20); and
(j) Investments
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000 at any time outstanding.
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7.03 Indebtedness.
The Credit Parties shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except (the “Permitted Indebtedness”):
(a) Indebtedness
under the Loan Documents;
(b) Indebtedness
of New Era in respect of any Permitted New Era Bond Indebtedness; provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Permitted New
Era Bond Indebtedness outstanding at any time shall not exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) to the extent the Net Cash Proceeds of any Permitted
New Era Bond Indebtedness exceed $10,000,000, the Borrower shall apply 100% of such excess Net Cash Proceeds to prepay the Loans, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest and Repayment Premium on the amount of such Loans being prepaid, within five (5) Business Days of
the receipt thereof;
(c) Indebtedness
outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 5.05;
(d) Indebtedness
in respect of (x) appeal bonds or similar instruments and (y) payment, bid, performance or surety bonds, or other similar bonds, completion
guarantees, or similar instruments, workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefit insurance claims,
self insurance obligations, letters of credit, and bankers acceptances issued for the account of any the Borrower, in each case listed
under this clause (y), in the ordinary course of business, and including guarantees or obligations of any the Borrower with respect to
letters of credit supporting such appeal, payment, bid, performance or surety or other similar bonds, completion guarantees, or similar
instruments, workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefit insurance claims, self insurance obligations
and bankers acceptances (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);
(e) Indebtedness
in respect of netting services or overdraft protection or otherwise in connection with deposit or securities accounts in the ordinary
course of business;
(f) Indebtedness
consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case,
in the ordinary course of business;
(g) Indebtedness
(i) resulting from a bank or other financial institution honoring a check, draft or similar instrument in the ordinary course of
business or (ii) arising under or in connection with cash management services in the ordinary course of business;
(h) unsecured
Indebtedness representing any Taxes to the extent such Taxes are being contested by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves are being maintained by the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(i) Sharon
AI Indebtedness; provided that on or prior to the date of the initial disbursement from the Blocked Account, the Sharon Refinancing
shall have occurred or shall occur simultaneously therewith; and
(j) Indebtedness in
respect of trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business; and provided, however, and notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Credit Parties shall not incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness where such Indebtedness has direct or
indirect recourse under collateral security to the assets of any Credit Party or any Collateral, other than liens permitted by Section
7.01.
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7.04 Fundamental Changes.
No Credit Party shall merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose (including pursuant to a Division)
of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter
acquired) to or in favor of any such Person or form or acquire any subsidiaries or enter into any joint venture, in each case, other
than in respect of the purposes of establishing the JV Entity.
7.05 Dispositions.
The Borrower shall not make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:
(a) Investments
expressly permitted by Section 7.02 and Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.01;
(b) use
of cash and disposition of Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business to the extent expressly permitted by the terms of this
Agreement;
(c) [reserved];
(d)
Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or
similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Borrower;
(e) sale,
discounts of or forgiveness of customer delinquent notes or accounts receivable (including, in all events, the disposition of delinquent
accounts receivable pursuant to any factoring arrangement) in the ordinary course of business in connection with settlement, collection
or compromise thereof;
(f) any
other Disposition with the prior written consent of the Lenders; and
(g) the
making of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 7.06.
7.06 Restricted Payments.
(a) The Borrower will not
declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, other
than (i) with the prior written consent of the Lenders, (ii) Restricted Payments to New Era solely for purposes of effecting the
Sharon Refinancing; provided that, for any such Restricted Payment financed with the proceeds available in the Blocked Account, (x)
the requirements of Section 4.06 shall have been fulfilled and (y) the Borrower may only use the proceeds of Term Loan A-1
for such purposes up to an aggregate amount not exceeding $20,000,000, (iii) Restricted Payments to New Era solely if the Sharon AI
Indebtedness has been repaid in full; provided that, (x) the requirements of Section 4.06 shall have been fulfilled, (y) the
Borrower may only use the proceeds of Term Loan A-1 in an aggregate amount not exceeding $20,000,000 to make such Restricted Payment
and (z) such Restricted Payment shall be made within ten (10) Business Days of the Sharon Refinancing (as may be extended by the
Administrative Agent) for purposes of replenishing cash used by New Era to effect the Sharon Refinancing; or (iv) Permitted Tax
Distributions made with cash proceeds available to the Borrower from sources other than the cash in the Blocked Account; provided that, at any time on or after the execution of the Energy Service Agreement, if the Borrower has
received the New Era Contribution Amounts pursuant to Section 6.20 hereof then the Borrower may make a Restricted Payment to
New Era in the aggregate amount no greater than the aggregate amount of New Era Contribution Amounts made prior to such Restricted
Payment.
(b) New
Era will not declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do
so, other than with the prior written consent of the Lenders.
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7.07 Business Activities;
Change in Business.
(a) The
Credit Parties shall not engage in any business other than the businesses currently engaged in by any Credit Party on the Closing Date
or reasonably related thereto; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit the JV Transfer or the business contemplated in the Letter
of Intent.
(b) No
Credit Party shall (i) (A) change the jurisdiction of registration or incorporation of the Borrower, or (B) change the organizational
structure or type of such Person; or (ii) without at least ten (10) Business Days prior written notice to Administrative Agent and the
Lenders (or such shorter notice period as the Administrative Agent may agree), (A) change the legal name of such Person, or (B) change
any registration, formation or incorporation number (if any) assigned by the jurisdiction of registration, formation or incorporation
of such Person.
(c) The
Borrower shall not form or acquire any Subsidiary without the express written consent of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
7.08 Transactions
with Affiliates. The Loan Parties will not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, enter into any
transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower (including New Era), except for (a) payments for the purchase or sale of
goods, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business not to exceed an aggregate amount equal to $250,000
per fiscal quarter and (b) payments funded with the proceeds of cash contributions made by New Era to such Loan Party (other than
cash contributions made pursuant to Section 6.20).
7.09 Burdensome Agreements.
The Credit Parties will not, enter into, assume or permit to exist any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement and any other
Loan Document) that limits the ability: to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure the Obligations
or to incur or repay the Obligations.
7.10 Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower shall not use the proceeds of the Loans, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately,
to purchase or carry Margin Stock (within the meaning of Regulation U) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.11 [Reserved].
7.12 Amendments of Certain
Documents. No Credit Party shall, nor shall they permit any Subsidiary to, without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent, agree to any amendments, waivers, supplements or other modifications or take any other action with respect to the terms or provisions
of their respective Organization Documents, in each case, that would either individually or collectively, be materially adverse to the
interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in their respective capacities as such under the Loan Documents.
7.13 [Reserved].
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7.14 Sanctions. The
Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend or
contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities
of or business with any Person that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions in violation of applicable Sanctions, or
in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Administrative
Agent or otherwise, of Sanctions.
7.15 Anti-Corruption Laws.
The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan for any
purpose which would violate the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other applicable anti-corruption legislation in
other jurisdictions applicable to the Credit Parties or their activities.
7.16 [Reserved].
7.17 Compliance. No
Credit Party shall, nor shall they permit any Subsidiary to, (a) be required to be registered as an “investment company”
or a company “controlled by” an “investment company”, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
(b) with respect to the Borrower, undertake as one of its important activities extending credit to purchase or carry Margin Stock (as
defined in Regulation U), or use the proceeds of any Loan for that purpose.
7.18 Outbound
Investment Rules. The Credit Parties will not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, (a) be or become a “covered foreign
person”, as that term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) engage, directly or knowingly indirectly, in (i) a
“covered transaction”, as such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (ii) any activity or transaction that
would constitute a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if any of the
Borrower were a U.S. Person or (iii) any other activity that would cause the Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound
Investment Rules.
7.19 Accounts. Other
than Excluded Accounts, no Loan Party shall have any deposit accounts, commodities accounts, or securities accounts other than the
Controlled Accounts or the Blocked Account.
7.20 Additional
Material Documents. The Borrower shall not enter into any Additional Material Document without the prior written consent of the
Required Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
7.21 Amendments to
Additional Material Documents. The Borrower shall not without prior written consent of the Required Lenders (such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), amend, supplement, waive, consent to, assign, replace, terminate, assign such
Person’s right thereunder, or otherwise modify the Energy Service Agreement or any other Material Document other than (a)
ministerial or technical amendments that are not adverse to the Borrower or the Lenders, (b) solely with respect to any extensions
of the term of (but for the avoidance of doubt, not any delivery milestone under) any Material Document, and (c) assignment of any
Material Document to the JV Entity in connection with the JV Transfer.
Notwithstanding anything contained
in this Agreement, prior to and contemporaneous with the occurrence of the JV Operations Date, the parties to this Agreement shall negotiate
an amendment to this Agreement (including to this Article VII) to permit the JV Entity to have operational flexibility to fulfil
its obligations to develop the Project on terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Lenders (such amendment or amendments, the
“JV Amendments”).
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ARTICLE
VIII.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default.
If any of the following events (each, an “Event of Default”) shall occur:
(a) Non-Payment.
The Borrower fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or applicable Repayment Premium
with respect to any Loan, or (ii) within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, or any fee or any
other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific
Covenants.
(i) A
Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 6.01(a)(A), 6.01(b)(A), 6.01(c)
or Article VII; or
(ii) A
Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.01(a)(B), 6.01(b)(B),
6.01(d), 6.02(c), 6.03(a), 6.05(a), 6.08, 6.11, 6.12, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.19,
6.20 or a Guarantor fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in the Guaranty and such failure continues
for five Business Days; provided, with respect to a failure by a Credit Party to perform or observe Section 6.19 solely
in respect of an Additional Material Document (and, for the avoidance of doubt, no other Material Document), then the applicable Credit
Party shall have sixty (60) days to enter into a substantially similar agreement in accordance with prudent industry practice, applicable
permits and applicable laws; or
(c) Other
Defaults. A Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b)
above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or
(d) Representations
and Warranties. Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party in or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or any waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in
any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof, or any waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect
in any material respect (or, in the case of any such representation or warranty under this Agreement or any other Loan Document already
qualified by materiality, such representation or warranty shall prove to have been incorrect) when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default.
Any Credit Party (i) fails to make any payment beyond the applicable grace period, if any, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required
prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than the Obligations) having an aggregate
principal amount of more than the Threshold Amount, or (ii) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any
such Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than the Obligations) beyond the applicable grace period, if any, or contained in any instrument
or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, and in each case, the effect of which default or other
event causes such Indebtedness or Guarantee to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise),
or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to
become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
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(f) Insolvency
Proceedings, Etc. (i) An involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (x) liquidation,
reorganization or other relief in respect of any Credit Party or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Debtor Relief
Law now or hereafter in effect or (y) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official
for any Credit Part or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed
for a period of sixty (60) days or more days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or (ii)
a Credit Party shall (1) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief
under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, (2) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate
manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this clause (f), (3) apply for or consent to the appointment of
a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for a Credit Party or for a substantial part of its assets,
(4) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (5) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors or (6) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
(g) Inability
to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails
generally to pay its debts as they become due (or takes any corporate or similar action for the purpose of the foregoing), or (ii) any
writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of their respective
properties and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within sixty (60) days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments.
There is entered against any Credit Party (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as
to all such judgments or orders) exceeding $3,000,000 in any fiscal year (excluding any amounts reflected as liabilities on the balance
sheet of the Borrower as of the Closing Date)(to the extent not covered by (A) insurance by an insurer that does not dispute coverage
and for which a claim has been submitted, is in the process of being submitted or is intended to be submitted promptly, or (B) a third
party indemnification agreement under which the indemnifying party has accepted responsibility and would reasonably be expected to remain
solvent after satisfying such indemnification obligation) or (ii) any one or more material non-monetary final judgments and, in either
case, (x) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (y) there is a period of sixty (60) consecutive
days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i) ERISA.
(i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in liability of any Credit Party to a Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount,
or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment
payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess
of the Threshold Amount; or
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(j) Invalidity
of Loan Documents. Any material provision of any Loan Document or, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason
other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or the satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force
and effect; or any Credit Party or any other Person contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document;
or any Credit Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document to which
it is a party, or purports to revoke, terminate (other than in accordance with the terms thereof) or rescind any provision of any Loan
Document to which it is a party; or
(k) Change
of Control. There occurs any Change of Control;
(l) Collateral
Documents. (i) Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or 6.12 shall for any reason
(other than pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document or as a direct and exclusive result of an action or a failure to act by the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders) cease to create a valid and perfected first priority (subject to Specified Permitted Liens) security interest on
the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or (ii) any depository institution or securities intermediary, as applicable, closes the
Controlled Account or provides notice to the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its intention to close any Controlled Account or otherwise
terminate a Control Agreement without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent;
(m) Breach
of Material Documents. The Borrower or the JV Entity shall be in breach of material any obligation, or a material default by such
Person shall have occurred and be continuing, under any Material Document and such breach or default shall continue unremedied for the
cure period provided under such Material Document and, in each case unless waived by the appropriate party; provided that, for the avoidance
of doubt, the Borrower or the JV Entity, prior to waiving any such breach or default, shall have obtained the written consent of the Required
Lenders; or
(n) Termination.
Any Material Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on any of the Persons party thereto or otherwise not be in full
force and effect, as the case may be, except upon fulfillment of such party’s obligations thereunder or upon termination in accordance
with its terms and not as a result of a default thereunder.
8.02 Remedies Upon Event
of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, acting at the request of, or may, with
the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) terminate
the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations, and thereupon the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations shall terminate immediately;
(b) declare
the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document including the Repayment Premium with respect to such outstanding Loans to be immediately due
and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit
Party; and
(c) exercise
on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents;
provided, however, that upon the
occurrence of an event described in Section 8.01(f) or (g), the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations shall automatically
terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically
become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender and in each case without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Credit Party.
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8.03 Application of Funds.
After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and
payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of
that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements
of counsel to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.04 and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative
Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment
of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the
Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders pursuant to Section 10.04 and amounts payable
under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to
them;
Third, to payment of
that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents including
the Repayment Premium with respect to the outstanding Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described
in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth, to payment
of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective
amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
Last, the balance,
if any, after all of the Obligations have been Paid in Full, to the relevant Credit Party or as otherwise required by Law.
ARTICLE
IX.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority.
(a) Each of the Lenders
hereby irrevocably appoints Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc. to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under
the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as
are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. Except with respect to Section 9.06, Section 9.09 and the proviso in Section 9.10(d), (i) the
provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (ii) no Credit Party shall
have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term
“agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is
not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law.
Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship
between contracting parties.
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(b) The
Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any
and all Liens on Collateral granted by the Credit Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as
are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents,
sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing
any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies
thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX
and Article X (including Section 10.04(c)), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral
agent” under the Loan Documents, as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to (i) execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect
to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto (including any intercreditor agreement), as contemplated
by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents and acknowledge and agree that any such action
by the Administrative Agent shall bind the Lenders and (ii) negotiate, enforce or settle any claim, action or proceeding affecting the
Lenders in their capacity as such, at the direction of the Required Lenders, which negotiation, enforcement or settlement will be binding
upon each Lender.
9.02 Rights as a Lender.
If also a Lender, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a
Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender”
or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving
as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity as a Lender. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with any
Credit Party or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account
therefor to the Lenders.
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions.
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents,
and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall
not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall
not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly
contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the
Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents);
provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel,
may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance
of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law;
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(c) shall
not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Lender any credit or other
information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Credit
Party or any of their respective Affiliates, that is communicated to, obtained or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent or any
of its Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders
by the Administrative Agent herein;
(d) shall
not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number
or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under
the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be
deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is
given in writing to the Administrative Agent by a Credit Party or a Lender;
(e) shall
not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection
with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or
thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other
terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability,
effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction
of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered
to the Administrative Agent; and
(f) shall
not be responsible for the existence, genuineness, value or sufficiency of any of the Collateral or for the validity, creation, perfection,
priority, maintenance, continuation or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral (including any obligation to prepare, record,
file, re-record or re-file any financing statement, perfection statement, continuation statement or any other instrument in any public
office), for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title
to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral, for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise
as to the maintenance of the Collateral or for the preservation of any rights against any third parties with respect to the Collateral,
it being understood and agreed that it shall be the obligation of each Credit Party to make any such filings.
9.04 Reliance by Administrative
Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request,
certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website
posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.
The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the
proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making
of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition
is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the
making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants
and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any
such counsel, accountants or experts.
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9.05 Delegation of Duties.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document
by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform
any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions
of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and
shall apply to their respective activities in connection herewith. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence
or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable
judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
9.06 Resignation of Administrative
Agent.
(a) The
Administrative Agent may resign as the Administrative Agent upon ten (10) days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt
of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor.
If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days
after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier date as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders)
(the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf
of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications and requirements set forth above. Whether or not a
successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(b) With
effect from the Resignation Effective Date (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations (other
than in respect of any surviving confidentiality obligations) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of
any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring
Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed)
and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring Administrative Agent, all payments, communications
and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly,
until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s
appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity
payments or other amounts owed to the retiring Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date), and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations (other than in respect of any surviving confidentiality obligations)
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable
by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be in an amount substantially consistent with market practice. After the retiring
Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04
shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative
Agent and (ii) after such resignation for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents,
including (A) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (B) in respect
of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.
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9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative
Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that the Administrative Agent has not made any representation or warranty
to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review
of the affairs of any Credit Party of any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative
Agent to any Lender as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent has disclosed material information in its (or its Related
Parties’) possession. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated
hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Lender also acknowledges
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and
based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals
and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or
any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business,
prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Credit Parties. Each Lender represents and
warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring
or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring
or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender, and not for the purpose
of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention
of the foregoing. Each Lender represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold
commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person
exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities,
is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.
9.08 Administrative Agent
May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or any other judicial
proceeding relative to the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be
due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made
any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated), by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to
file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations
that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders
and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent
under Sections 2.07 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to
collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee,
liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments
to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.07 and 10.04.
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Nothing contained herein shall
be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to
vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
The Secured Parties hereby
irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations
(including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure
or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral
(a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123
or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject
or (b) at any other sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction
of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Law. In connection with
any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable
basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable
basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim
amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments
of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative
Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance
of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition
vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by
the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions
by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (a) through (g) of Section 10.01 of this Agreement), (iii) the Administrative Agent
shall be authorized to assign the relevant Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Lenders, as a result of
which each of the Lenders shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued
by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured
Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (iv) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle
are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations
assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall
automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition
vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the
need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.
9.09 Release of Collateral.
Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.08, each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent agrees, (a) to enter into and sign for and on behalf of the Lenders as Secured Parties the Collateral Documents
for the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, and (b) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative
Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon Payment in Full of all Obligations, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or
otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document
to a Person that is not a Loan Party, (iii) that constitutes Excluded Property, or (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing
in accordance with Section 10.01. With respect to any property that is contributed to the JV Entity pursuant to Section 7.02(g),
upon the satisfaction of conditions set forth therein, each Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to release any Lien
on such Property upon the Borrower’s request.
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Upon request by the Administrative
Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release its interest in
particular types or items of property pursuant to this Section 9.09. In each case as specified in this Section 9.09, the
Administrative Agent will (and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to), at the Borrower’s expense, execute
and deliver to the Borrower such documents as the Borrower may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from
the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this
Section 9.09. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation
or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative
Agent’s Lien, or any certificate prepared by the Borrower in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible
or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
9.10 Erroneous Payments.
(a) If
the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender (any such Lender or other recipient
(and each of their respective successors and assigns), a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined
in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth
in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates
were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or
not known to such Lender or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment
or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”)
and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain
the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 9.10 and held in trust
for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds
on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days thereafter (or such later
date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any
such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together
with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the
date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative
Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with
banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient
under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Without
limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender (and each of their respective
successors and assigns), agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment
of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different
amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by
the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or
accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such
Lender or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then
in each such case:
(i) it
acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have
been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the
case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and
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(ii) such
Lender shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within
one (1) Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y)
and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail)
and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.10(b).
For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.10(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant
to Section 9.10(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.
(c) Each
Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under
any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender under any Loan Document with respect
to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned
under immediately preceding clause (a).
(d) The
parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous
Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof)
for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case
of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, to the rights and interests of such Lender) under the Loan Documents
with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay,
prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower; provided that this Section 9.10 shall
not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for),
the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had
such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately
preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such
Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from, or on behalf of (including through the exercise
of remedies under any Loan Document), the Borrower for the purpose of a payment on the Obligations.
(e) To
the extent permitted by applicable Law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives,
and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim
by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge
for value” or any similar doctrine.
Each party’s obligations, agreements and
waivers under this Section 9.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations
by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Loan Commitment and Credit Accommodations and/or the repayment, satisfaction
or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
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ARTICLE
X.
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc.
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by a Credit Party
therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower, and acknowledged by the Administrative
Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given;
provided, however, that, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) extend
or increase the Loan Commitment or Credit Accommodation of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender;
(b) postpone
any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest,
fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each
Lender entitled to such payment;
(c) reduce
the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on any Loan (other than a waiver of the Default Rate), or any fees, premiums
or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default
Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;
(d) change
Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each
Lender;
(e) change
any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number
or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent
hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
(f) release
all or substantially all of the Collateral (other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents) in any transaction or series
of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;
(g) release
all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty or any other Guarantee of the Obligations, without the written consent of each Lender;
or
(h) subordinate
(x) the Liens securing any of the Obligations on all or substantially all of the Collateral to the Liens on the Collateral securing any
other Indebtedness or (y) any Loans in contractual right of payment to any other Indebtedness, in either the case of subclause (x) or
(y), without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected;
and, provided further, that no amendment,
waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
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10.02 Notices; Effectiveness;
Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices
Generally. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight
courier service or sent by electronic mail as follows:
(i) if
to the Borrower, to:
200 N. Loraine, Suite 1324
Midland, TX 79701
Attention: Will Gray
E-mail: [ ]
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Vinson & Elkins
LLP
The Grace Building
1114 Avenue of the
Americas, 32nd Floor
New York, New York
10036
Attention: Melissa Raciti-Knapp
Email: [ ]
(ii) if
to the Administrative Agent or any Lender party hereto on the date of this Agreement:
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
660 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
Attention: Joshua Stevens
E-mail: [ ]
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Latham & Watkins LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Paul Bonewitz
E-mail: [ ]
(iii) if
to any other Lender, to the address or electronic mail address specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate,
notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices
that may contain material non-public information relating to the Credit Parties).
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Notices and other communications sent by hand
or overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, notices
and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received when sent (unless the sender receives an error message that
such email failed to be delivered); provided that if such electronic notice, email or other communication is not sent during the
normal business hours of the recipient, such electronic notice, e-mail or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening
of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
(b) Change
of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address for notices and other communications hereunder
by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure
that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, and electronic mail address to which
notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.
(c) Reliance
by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices purportedly
given under the Loan Documents by or on behalf of any one or more of the Credit Parties even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner
specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof,
as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Each Credit Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each
Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person
on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Credit Party. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with
the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative
Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising,
any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each
other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.
Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection
with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02
for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent
from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08, or (c) any Lender
from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor
Relief Laws relative to the Credit Parties; provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative
Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative
Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding
proviso, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by
the Required Lenders.
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10.04 Expenses; Indemnity;
Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs
and Expenses. Each Credit Party agrees to pay or reimburse (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred
by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees,
charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution,
delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions
hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, or any Lender (including the out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel
for the Administrative Agent or any Lender) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights, whether through negotiations,
legal proceedings or otherwise) (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights or remedies under
this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all reasonable search, filing, recording and title insurance
charges and fees related thereto, and other related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring
or negotiations in respect of such Loans or the Loan Documents. The agreements in this Section 10.04(a) shall survive Payment in Full
and the resignation or removal of the Administrative Agent. All amounts due under this Section 10.04(a) shall be paid within ten (10)
days of receipt by the Borrower of an invoice relating thereto.
(b) Indemnification
by the Credit Parties. Each Credit Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each
Lender, and each Affiliate of the Agent of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”)
against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, demands, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, disbursements and related expenses (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to the actual, reasonable
and documented out-of-pocket fees, disbursements and other charges of one primary counsel, selected by the Administrative Agent, to the
Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, one regulatory counsel and one local counsel to the Indemnitees, taken as
a whole, in any relevant jurisdiction (and, in the case of an actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional counsel to the
affected Indemnitees to the extent they are similarly situated)) incurred by an Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of (i) the execution, delivery or enforcement, of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related
Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section
3.01), (ii) any Loan or Commitment or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence
or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental
Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation
or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation
for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding), whether brought by a third party or by any
Credit Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE
OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not,
as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, demands, actions,
judgments, suits, disbursements or related expenses are (A) determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (B)
arises out of any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding that is brought by such Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other
than any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding that is brought by or against the Administrative Agent acting as the Administrative
Agent) that does not involve any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates. Without limiting the provisions of Section
3.01, this Section 10.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any taxes that represent losses, claims, damages,
etc. arising from any non-Tax claim. The agreements in this Section 10.04(b) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Administrative
Agent, the replacement of any Lender and Payment in Full.
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(c) Reimbursement
by Lenders. To the extent that the Credit Parties for any reason fail to pay in full any amount required under Section 10.04(a)
or Section 10.04(b) to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), each Lender severally agrees
to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s Applicable Percentage at such time) of such unpaid amount
(including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on
such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is
sought); provided, that, the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case
may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related
Party acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under
this Section 10.04(c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).
(d) Waiver
of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Credit Party shall assert, and each Credit Party
hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages
(as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document
or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds
thereof; provided, however, that nothing in this sentence shall limit the indemnification obligations of the Borrower under
Section 10.04(b). No Indemnitee referred to in Section 10.04(b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended
recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications,
electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby except to the extent having resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such
Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment.
(e) Payments.
All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(f) Survival.
The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of
the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
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10.05 Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of a Credit Party is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative
Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff
had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication)
of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date
such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members
of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from time to time. The obligations of the Lenders
under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the Payment in Full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors
and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b),
(ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of
a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(e) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party
hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than
the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.06(d)
and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Related Parties and other Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments
by Lenders. Subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) above, any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees
all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans at the time owing to it);
provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Assignment
and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption.
The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(ii) Consent.
The consent of Borrower shall be required for any assignment or transfer by any Lender of any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement; provided that (a) such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed except in the case of assignment to a Vulture
Fund, in which case such consent shall be in the sole discretion of the Borrower and (b) no such consent shall be required (i) for an
assignment or transfer to an Affiliate or an Approved Fund of a Lender or (ii) if an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g)
has occurred and is continuing.
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(iii) No
Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to a Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries,
or (B) to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a
natural Person) (any such assignee meeting these conditions, an “Eligible Assignee”).
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by
the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06(c), from and after the recordation date specified in each Assignment and Assumption,
the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption,
have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations (other than confidentiality obligations that survive such
assignment) under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights
and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 3.01, 3.02, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such
assignment). Upon request, and the surrender by the assigning Lender of its Note (if one has been issued to the assigning Lender), the
Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or
obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.06 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as
a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.06(d).
(c) Register.
The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of the Administrative
Agent’s Offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Loan Commitment of, and the Credit Accommodations of, and principal
amounts (and related stated interest amounts) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).
The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall
treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.
The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable
prior written notice.
(d) Participations.
Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of or notice to the Borrower, sell participations to any Person (other than (A) a natural
Person, or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person or (B)
any Credit Party or any of its respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of
such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of the Loans owing to it); provided
that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible
to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under
this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard
to the existence of any participation.
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Any agreement or instrument
pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant,
agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant.
The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 (subject to the requirements and limitations
therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section
3.01(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) and 3.02 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired
its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest
by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b); provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of
Sections 3.03 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under Section 10.06(b) and (B) shall not be entitled to receive
any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.02, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired
the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results
from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees,
at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of
Section 3.03 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits
of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a
non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal
amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant
Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register
(including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters
of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish
that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) or Proposed Section 1.163-5(b)
of the United States Treasury Regulations (or, in each case, any amended, successor or final version). The entries in the Participant
Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant
Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance
of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant
Register.
(e) Certain
Pledges. Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge,
all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation
A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.24; and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or
security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) any Lender shall
be permitted to pledge or grant a security interest in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights hereunder including, but not limited
to, any Loans (without the consent of, or notice to or any other action by, any other party hereto) to secure the obligations of such
Lender or any of its Affiliates to any Person providing any loan, letter of credit or other extension of credit to or for the account
of such Lender or any of its Affiliates and any agent, trustee or representative of such Person and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall
be permitted to pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its rights hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including,
but not limited to, rights to payment (without the consent of, or notice to or any other action by, any other party hereto), to secure
the obligations of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates to any Person providing any loan, letter of credit to or for the
account of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates and any agent, trustee or representative of such Person.
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10.07 Treatment of Certain
Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees not to disclose any Information (as defined
below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates, its Related Parties, its direct and indirect owners or investors
and prospective owners or investors of it, and its affiliated funds (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is
made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the
extent required or compelled by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including
any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) (in which case such Person shall, except
with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any Governmental Authority or regulatory or self-regulatory
authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, use commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent permitted by applicable
requirements of Law, to inform the Borrower promptly in advance thereof), (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations
or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case such Person shall, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted
by bank accountants or any Governmental Authority or regulatory or self-regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority,
use commercially reasonable efforts, to the extent permitted by applicable requirements of Law, to inform the Borrower promptly in advance
thereof), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document
or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder,
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions at least as restrictive as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant
in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee
invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 3.03 or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap,
derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement
or payments hereunder, (g) with the written consent of the Borrower, or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Section, (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective
Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the not in breach of any confidentiality obligations owing to the Borrower
or (z) is independently discovered or developed by the Administrative Agent or such Lender without utilizing any Information received
from the Borrower or otherwise violating the terms of this Section 10.07.
For purposes of this Section 10.07, “Information”
means all information received from any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof hereunder relating to any Credit Party, Subsidiary thereof
or any of their respective businesses other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a
nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this confidentiality
provision shall prohibit any person from disclosing or providing any information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to
any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization in connection with a routine examination without any notification to any
person; provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, agrees that it will notify the Borrower as soon as
practicable in the event of any such disclosure by such person unless such notification is prohibited by applicable law.
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10.08 Right of Setoff.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its respective Affiliates is hereby authorized
at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency)
at any time held by, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by, such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the
credit or the account of a Credit Party against any and all of Obligations of a Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document owing to such Lender or its respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate
shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent
or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such
deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender and its respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition
to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees
to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure
to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents
shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the
Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied
to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest
contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent
permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest,
(b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts
the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
10.10 Counterparts; Effectiveness.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which
shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Except as provided in Section
4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative
Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery
of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement and each other Loan Document by facsimile or other electronic imaging
means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement
and such other Loan Document.
10.11 Survival of Representations
and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant
hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations
and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by
the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had
notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of any Loan, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as
any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to
which no claim has been asserted).
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10.12 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity
and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby
and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid
provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity
of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.13 Replacement of Lenders.
If any circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may,
at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate,
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all
of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.02) and obligations
under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be
another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) such
Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees,
and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding
principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(b) in
the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.02 or payments required to be made pursuant
to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(c) such
assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such
assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower
to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
Each party hereto agrees that (i) an assignment
required pursuant to this Section 10.13 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the assignee and (ii) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such
assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following
the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to
evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender; provided, further that any such documents shall
be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.
98
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction;
Etc.
(a) GOVERNING
LAW. This Agreement and, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN, the other Loan Documents and
any claims, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating
to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of NEW YORK (INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAWS, BUT OTHERWISE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES).
(b) SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION. EACH PERSON PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION
OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO
OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO
OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING
MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED
IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY CREDIT PARTIES OR ITS RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER
OF VENUE. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION
THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES,
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE
OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY MAIL OR COURIER IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN
SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED
BY APPLICABLE LAW.
99
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY
IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE,
AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,
SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary
Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment,
waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’
understanding, that: (i)(A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Credit Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) each Credit Party has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors
to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each Credit Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms,
risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii)(A) the Administrative Agent and each
Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been,
is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for any Credit Party or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and
(B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to any Credit Party or any of its Affiliates with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ
from those of any Credit Party and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose
any of such interests to any Credit Party or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases
any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or
fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
10.17 Electronic Execution
of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,”
and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby (including without limitation Assignments and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Loan Notices, waivers and consents)
shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms
approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect,
validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to
the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act,
the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act; provided, that any Note delivered pursuant hereto shall have an original wet-ink signature.
100
10.18 USA PATRIOT Act.
Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as defined below) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby
notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October
26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which
information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent,
as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to
comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations,
including the Act.
10.19 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the final agreement among the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of
prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements among the parties.
10.20 Publicity. The
Borrower shall not, and the Borrower shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or other public disclosure using
the name, logo or otherwise referring to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, or the Loan Documents,
in each case, without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, except to the extent required to do
so under applicable Law and then, only after consulting with the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable.
10.21 Acknowledgement
and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in
any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any
Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the
write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to
be bound by:
(a) the application
of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder that may be payable
to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution;
(b) the effects
of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a
reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a
conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution,
its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments
of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
or
(iii) the
variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution
Authority.
[Signature Pages Follow]
101
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWER:
TEXAS CRITICAL DATA CENTERS LLC
By:
/s/ E. Will Gray II
Name:
E. Will Gray II
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
NEW ERA ENERGY & DIGITAL, INC.
By:
/s/ E. Will Gray II
Name:
E. Will Gray II
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
MACQUARIE EQUIPMENT CAPITAL INC., as
Administrative Agent
By:
/s/ Josh Stevens
Name:
Josh Stevens
Title:
Division Director
By:
/s/ Greg Fitzgerald
Name:
Greg Fitzgerald
Title:
Division Director
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
LENDER:
MACQUARIE EQUIPMENT CAPITAL INC.
By:
/s/ Josh Stevens
Name:
Josh Stevens
Title:
Division Director
By:
/s/ Greg Fitzgerald
Name:
Greg Fitzgerald
Title:
Division Director
[Signature Page to Loan Agreement]
Schedule 1
Aggregate Loan Commitments and Credit Accommodations
and Applicable Percentages
Lender
Term Loan A-1 Commitment
Applicable Percentage
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
$20,000,000.00
100%
Aggregate Loan Commitment
$20,000,000.00
100%
Lender
Term Loan A-2 Accommodation
Applicable Percentage
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
$30,000,000.00
100%
Aggregate Credit Accommodation
$30,000,000.00
100%
Lender
Term Loan A-3 Accommodation
Applicable Percentage
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
$40,000,000.00
100%
Aggregate Credit Accommodation
$40,000,000.00
100%
Lender
Delayed Draw Term Loan Accommodation
Applicable Percentage
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
$200,000,000.00
100%
Aggregate Credit Accommodation
$200,000,000.00
100%
Schedule 2.01
Lenders
Macquarie Equipment Capital Inc.
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