CREDIT AGREEMENT

Loan Agreement

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This Loan Agreement involves

NICOR INC | ABN AMRO BANK NV | ABN AMRO INCORPORATED | BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH | JP MORGAN SECURITIES INC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA | NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY | NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY | SEAWAY NATIONAL BANK | SUNTRUST BANK | US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | WACHOVIA BANK, NA, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

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Title: CREDIT AGREEMENT
Governing Law: New York Date: 11/1/2007
Industry: Natural Gas Utilities Law Firm: Latham Watkins Sector: Utilities

Nicor Inc.

Form 10-Q
Exhibit 10.01

EXECUTION VERSION

210-DAY

CREDIT AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF

October 18, 2007

AMONG

NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY,

as Borrower,

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

ABN AMRO BANK N.V.,

as Syndication Agent,

and

WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

and

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH,,

as Documentation Agents

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. and ABN AMRO INCORPORATED,

as Joint Lead-Arrangers and Bookrunners

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(This Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement)

PAGE

SECTION 1.	DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	...1

Section 1.1	Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	...1
Section 1.2	Interpretation.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	13

SECTION 2.	THE CREDITS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	13

Section 2.1	The Revolving Loan Commitment......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	13
Section 2.2	Applicable Interest Rates....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	14
Section 2.3	Minimum Borrowing Amounts...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	16
Section 2.4	Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates Applicable to Loans..................................................................................................................................................	16
Section 2.5	Interest Periods.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	18
Section 2.6	Maturity of Loans.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	18
Section 2.7	Prepayments..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	19
Section 2.8	Default Rate...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	19
Section 2.9	Evidence of Debt..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	20
Section 2.10	Funding Indemnity...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	20
Section 2.11	Commitments.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	21
Section 2.12	Increase in the Aggregate Commitments..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................	22

SECTION 3.	FEES AND EXTENSIONS...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	23

Section 3.1	Fees.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	23
Section 3.2	Extensions..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	24

SECTION 4.	PLACE AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS...............................................................................................................................................................................................................	25

SECTION 5.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................................................................................................................................................................................................	26

Section 5.1	Corporate Organization and Authority.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................	26
Section 5.2	Subsidiaries...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	26
Section 5.3	Corporate Authority and Validity of Obligations............................................................................................................................................................................................................	27
Section 5.4	Financial Statements............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	27
Section 5.5	No Litigation; No Labor Controversies.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................	27
Section 5.6	Taxes.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28
Section 5.7	Approvals..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28
Section 5.8	ERISA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28
Section 5.9	Government Regulation.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28

Section 5.10	Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28
Section 5.11	Environmental Warranties..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	28
Section 5.12	Ownership of Property; Liens............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30
Section 5.13	Compliance with Agreements............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30
Section 5.14	Full Disclosure......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30
Section 5.15	Solvency................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30

SECTION 6.	CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30

Section 6.1	Initial Borrowing...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	30
Section 6.2	All Borrowings.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	31

SECTION 7.	COVENANTS........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	32

Section 7.1	Corporate Existence; Material Subsidiaries......................................................................................................................................................................................................................	32
Section 7.2	Maintenance.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	32
Section 7.3	Taxes......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	32
Section 7.4	ERISA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	32
Section 7.5	Insurance...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	33
Section 7.6	Financial Reports and Other Information.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................	33
Section 7.7	Lender Inspection Rights....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	35
Section 7.8	Conduct of Business...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	35
Section 7.9	Liens.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	35
Section 7.10	Use of Proceeds; Regulation U..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	37
Section 7.11	Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets................................................................................................................................................................................................................	38
Section 7.12	Environmental Matters........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	38
Section 7.13	Investments, Acquisitions, Loans, Advances and Guaranties....................................................................................................................................................................................	39
Section 7.14	Restrictions on Indebtedness............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	40
Section 7.15	Leverage Ratio......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	40
Section 7.16	[Intentionally Omitted]........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	41
Section 7.17	Dividends and Other Shareholder Distributions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................	41
Section 7.18	No Negative Pledges...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	41
Section 7.19	Transactions with Affiliates...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	41
Section 7.20	Compliance with Laws.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42
Section 7.21	Derivative Obligation..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42
Section 7.22	Sales and Leasebacks..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42
Section 7.23	OFAC; BSA..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42

SECTION 8.	EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42

Section 8.1	Events of Default.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	42
Section 8.2	N on-Bankruptcy Defaults...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	44
Section 8.3	Bankruptcy Defaults............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	45

SECTION 9.	CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; TAXES......................................................................................................................................................................................................................	45

Section 9.1	Change of Law.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	45
Section 9.2	Unavailability of Deposits or Inability to Ascertain, or Inadequacy of, LIBOR........................................................................................................................................................	45
Section 9.3	Increased Cost.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	46
Section 9.4	Taxes......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	47
Section 9.5	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders...........................................................................................................................................................................................................	50
Section 9.6	Discretion of Lender as to Manner of Funding..............................................................................................................................................................................................................	50

SECTION 10.	THE AGENT.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	51

Section 10.1	Appointment and Authority..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	51
Section 10.2	Rights as a Lender...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	51
Section 10.3	Exculpatory Provisions.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	51
Section 10.4	Reliance by Administrative Agent....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	52
Section 10.5	Delegation of Duties...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	52
Section 10.6	Resignation of Administrative Agent..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................	52
Section 10.7	Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.........................................................................................................................................................................................	52
Section 10.8	No Other Duties, etc............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54

SECTION 11.	MISCELLANEOUS..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54

Section 11.1	No Waiver of Rights...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54
Section 11.2	Non-Business Day..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54
Section 11.3	Survival of Representations...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54
Section 11.4	Survival of Indemnities.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54
Section 11.5	Set-Off; Sharing of Payments............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	54
Section 11.6	Notices..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	55
Section 11.7	Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution..................................................................................................................................................................................	57
Section 11.8	Successors and Assigns....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	57
Section 11.9	Amendments........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	61
Section 11.10	Headings...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	62
Section 11.11	Expenses; Indemnity; Waiver............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	62
Section 11.12	Entire Agreement.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	63
Section 11.13	Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	63
Section 11.14	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	64
Section 11.15	Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.........................................................................................................................................................................................................	64
Section 11.16	Patriot Act.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................	65

EXHIBITS

A -	Form of Note
B -	Form of Compliance Certificate
C -	Assignment and Assumption
D -	Notice of Borrowing

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Pricing Grid

SCHEDULE 2 Commitments

SCHEDULE 4 Administrative Agent Notice and Payment Info

SCHEDULE 5.2 Schedule of Existing Subsidiaries

SCHEDULE 7.17 Restrictions on Distributions and Existing Negative Pledges

210-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT

210-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of October 18, 2007 among Northern Illinois Gas Company, an Illinois corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the financial institutions from time to time party hereto (each a “ Lender ,” and collectively the “ Lenders ”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in its capacity as agent for the Lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS , the Borrower desires to obtain the several commitments of the Lenders to make available a 210-day revolving credit facility for loans as described herein; and

WHEREAS , the Lenders are willing to extend such commitments subject to all of the terms and conditions hereof and on the basis of the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the recitals set forth above and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.

DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION.

Section 1.1 Definitions . The following terms when used herein have the following meanings:

“ Adjusted LIBOR ” is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

“ Administrative Agent ” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement and includes any successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.6 hereof.

“ Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“ Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with their correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

“ Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement, including all Exhibits and Schedules hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

“ Applicable Margin ” means, at any time (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate Margin and (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the Eurodollar Margin.

“ Applicable Telerate Page ” is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

“ Approved Fund ” means any Fund 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 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 any party whose consent is required by Section 11.8(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit C or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“ Authorized Representative ” means, which respect to the Borrower, those persons whose specimen signature is included in the incumbency certificate provided by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof, or any further or different officer of the Borrower so named by any Authorized Representative of the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent.

“ Base Rate ” is defined in Section 2.2(a) hereof.

“ Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan bearing interest prior to maturity at a rate specified in Section 2.2(a) hereof.

“ Base Rate Margin ” means 0.00%.

“ Borrower ” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

“ Borrowing ” means the total of Loans of a single type advanced, continued for an additional Interest Period, or converted from a different type into such type by the Lenders on a single date and in the case of Eurodollar Loans for a single Interest Period. Borrowings of Loans are made by and maintained ratably for each of the Lenders according to their Percentages. A Borrowing is “advanced” on the day Lenders advance funds comprising such Borrowing to the Borrower, is “continued” on the date a new Interest Period for the same type of Loans commences for such Borrowing and is “converted” when such Borrowing is changed from one type of Loan to the other, all as requested by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.4(a).

“ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which Lenders are not authorized or required to close in New York, New York or Chicago, Illinois and, if the applicable Business Day relates to the borrowing or payment of a Eurodollar Loan, on which banks are dealing in U.S. Dollars in the interbank market in London, England.

“ Capital ” means, as of any date of determination thereof, without duplication, the sum of (A) Consolidated Net Worth plus (B) Consolidated Indebtedness.

“ Capital Lease ” means at any date any lease of Property which, in accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee.

“ Capitalized Lease Obligations ” means, for any Person, the amount of such Person’s liabilities under Capital Leases determined at any date in accordance with GAAP.

“ CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended from time to time.

“ CERCLIS ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Information System List, as amended from time to time.

“ Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, 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 or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

“ Change of Control Event ” means one or more of the following events:

(a) less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall be persons who either (i) were serving as directors on the Closing Date or (ii) were nominated as directors and approved by the vote of the majority of the directors who are directors referred to in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or

(b) the stockholders of the Borrower shall approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower; or

(c) a Person or group of Persons acting in concert (other than the direct or indirect beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of the Borrower as of the Closing Date) shall, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, have become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time) of Voting Stock of the Borrower representing more than twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock or other ownership interests for the election of directors or shall have the right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; or

(d) Except as permitted by Section 7.11, Nicor ceases at any time to own one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock and other equity interest of the Borrower.

“ Closing Date ” means October 18, 2007.

“ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“ Commitment ” and “ Commitments ” are defined in Section 2.1 hereof.

“ Commitment Letter ” means that certain letter dated as of September 26, 2007, among the Borrower, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., ABN AMRO Incorporated, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

“ Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

“ Consolidated Assets ” means all assets which should be listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“ Consolidated Indebtedness ” means, for any Person, all Indebtedness of a Person determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“ Consolidated Net Worth ” means for any Person, as of any time the same is to be determined, the total shareholders’ equity (including both common and preferred) reflected on the balance sheet of such Person after deducting treasury stock determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“ Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

“ Controlled Group ” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

“ Credit Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letters and all other documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.

“ Default ” means any event or condition described in Section 8.1 the occurrence of which would, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, constitute an Event of Default.

“ Derivative Arrangement ” means any agreement (including any master agreement and any agreement, whether or not in writing, relating to any single transaction) that is an interest rate swap agreement, basis swap, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange agreement, rate cap, collar or floor agreement, future agreement, currency swap agreement, cross currency rate swap agreement, swaption, currency option, that relates to fluctuations in raw material prices or utility or energy prices or other costs, or any other similar agreement, including any option to enter into any of the foregoing, or any combination of any of the foregoing. “Derivative

Arrangements” shall include all such agreements or arrangements made or entered into at any time, or in effect at any time, whether or not related to a Loan.

“ Derivative Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, all liabilities of such Person under any Derivative Arrangement (including but not limited to obligations and liabilities arising in connection with or as a result of early or premature termination of a Derivative Arrangement, whether or not occurring as a result of a default thereunder), absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing or incurred or due or to become due.

“ Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative Agent, and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

“ Environmental Laws ” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to (i) the protection of the environment, (ii) the effect of the environment on human health, (iii) emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes into surface water, ground water or land, or (iv) the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.

“ ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations issued thereunder.

“ Eurodollar Loan ” means a Loan bearing interest prior to its maturity at the rate specified in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

“ Eurodollar Margin ” means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto beside the then applicable Level.

“ Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

“ Event of Default ” means any of the events or circumstances specified in Section 8.1 hereof.

“ Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), or similar taxes (including alternative minimum taxes) imposed by a Governmental Authority in jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) as a result of a connection between the Administrative Agent, Lender or other recipient and such jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof), (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States

of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 9.5), any withholding tax that would be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 9.4, except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 9.4.

“ Facility Fee Rate ” means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto beside the then applicable Level.

“ Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to:

(a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the United States Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or

(b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

“ Fee Letters ” means, collectively, (i) that certain letter, dated as of September 21, 2007, among ABN AMRO Bank N.V., ABN AMRO Incorporated and the Borrower and (ii) that certain letter, dated as of September 21, 2007, between J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower.

"5-Year Facility Agreement " means the credit agreement entered into September 13, 2005, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Borrower, Nicor, the financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wachovia Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, ABN AMRO Bank N.V, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Chicago Branch, and The Bank of New York, as documentation agents, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as joint lead-arrangers and bookrunners.

“ Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is incorporated or otherwise organized for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“ Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

“ GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States from time to time, applied by Nicor and its Subsidiaries on a basis consistent with the preparation of Borrower’s financial statements furnished to the Lenders as described in Section 5.4 hereof.

“ Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America 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).

“ Granting Bank ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.8(g).

“ Guarantee ” means, in respect of any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligations of another Person, including, without limitation, by means of an agreement to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to maintain financial covenants, or to assure the payment of such Indebtedness by an agreement to make payments in respect of goods or services regardless of whether delivered, or otherwise; provided , that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business; and such term when used as a verb shall have a correlative meaning.

“ Guaranty ” means the Guaranty dated as of December 22, 2005, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among Nicor, as guarantor, in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as agent for the lenders party to the 2 Year Term Loan Agreement.

“ Hazardous Material ” means:

(a) any “hazardous substance”, as defined by CERCLA; or

(b) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material or substance within the meaning of any other Environmental Law.

“ ICC Permitted Investment ” means any investment permitted by subsection (a) of Section 340.50 of the rules of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

“ ICC Regulated Transaction ” means any transaction between the Borrower and Nicor Inc. or any wholly-owned subsidiary of Nicor Inc. that does not violate the applicable orders, rules and regulations of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

“ Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) whose total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the date of determination do not represent at least ten percent (10%) of the total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or (ii) whose total revenues for the most recently completed twelve months (as determined in accordance with GAAP) do not represent at least ten percent (10%) of the total revenues (as determined in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period.

“ Impermissible Qualification ” means, relative to the opinion or certification of any independent public accountant as to any financial statement of the Borrower, any qualification or exception to such opinion or certification (i) which is of a “going concern” or similar nature, (ii) which relates to the limited scope of examination of matters relevant to such financial statement, or (iii) which relates to the treatment or classification of any item in such financial statement and which would require an adjustment to such item the effect of which would be to cause the Borrower to be in violation of Section 7.15 hereof.

“ Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person, without duplication: (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (ii) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than in respect of trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business which are not past-due); (iii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iv) all indebtedness of the kind referred to in (i)-(iii) and (v)-(vii) secured by a Lien on such Person's interest in Property, assets or revenues to the extent of the lesser of the value of such Person's interest in such Property that is subject to such Lien or the principal amount of such indebtedness but excluding any such indebtedness secured by a Lien on any Property or assets owned by others if (A) such Person holds only a leasehold interest or an easement, right-of-way, license or similar right of use or occupancy with respect to such Property or asset and (B) such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness; (v) all Guarantees issued by such Person of Indebtedness of another Person; (vi) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in respect of any letters of credit (whether commercial or standby) or bankers’ acceptances, and (vii) all obligations of such Person under synthetic (and similar type) lease arrangements; provided that for purposes of calculating such Person’s Indebtedness under such synthetic (or similar type) lease arrangements, such lease arrangement shall be treated as if it were a Capitalized Lease.

“ Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“ Indemnitee ” is defined in Section 11.11(b) hereof.

“ Information ” is defined in Section 11.15 hereof.

“ Interest Period ” is defined in Section 2.5 hereof.

“ Investments ” is defined in Section 7.13.

“ Joint Lead-Arrangers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and ABN AMRO Incorporated.

“ Lender ” and “ Lenders ” are defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

“ Level I Status ” means, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, the Borrower’s S&P Rating is AA or higher and its Moody’s Rating is Aa2 or higher.

“ Level II Status ” means Level I Status does not exist, but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, the Borrower’s S&P Rating is AA- or higher and its Moody’s Rating is Aa3 or higher.

“ Level III Status ” means neither Level I Status nor Level II Status exists, but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, the Borrower’s S&P Rating is A+ or higher and its Moody’s Rating is A1 or higher.

“ Level IV Status ” means none of Level I Status, Level II Status nor Level III Status exists, but, subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, the Borrower’s S&P Rating is A or higher and its Moody’s rating is A2 or higher.

“ Level V Status ” means none of Level I Status, Level II Status, Level III Status nor Level IV Status exists.

“ LIBOR ” is defined in Section 2.2(b) hereof.

“ Lien ” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, including, but not limited to, the security interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, conditional sale, security agreement or trust receipt, or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person for security purposes, and such retention of title shall constitute a “Lien.”

“ Loan ” and “ Loans ” are defined in Section 2.1 hereof and includes a Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan, each of which is a “type” of Loan hereunder.

“ Material Adverse Effect ” means any effect, resulting from any event or circumstance whatsoever, which has a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower, or on the ability of the Borrower to perform its payment obligations under this Agreement.

“ Material Subsidiaries ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“ Moody’s Rating ” means the long term issuer rating assigned by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency to the Borrower (or if neither Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. nor any such successor shall be in the business of rating long-term indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States of America as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and Borrower). Any reference in this Agreement to any specific rating is a reference to such rating as currently defined by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (or such a successor) and shall be deemed to refer to the equivalent rating if such rating system changes.

“ Nicor ” means Nicor Inc., an Illinois corporation.

“ Nicor Gas Indenture ” means that certain Indenture, dated as of January 1, 1954, between Commonwealth Edison Company and Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago, as supplemented from time to time, and as last supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated December 1, 2006, between the Borrower and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as successor trustee under the Indenture dated as of January 1, 1954, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“ Note ” is defined in Section 2.9(a) hereof.

“ Notice of Borrowing ” means a notice of borrowing in the form of Exhibit D hereto.

“ Obligations ” means all fees payable hereunder, all obligations of the Borrower to pay principal or interest on Loans, fees, expenses, indemnities, and all other payment obligations of the Borrower arising under or in relation to any Credit Document.

“ Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or Property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Credit Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

“ Participant ” is defined in Section 11.8(d) hereof.

“ PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“ Pension Plan ” means a “pension plan”, as such term is defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and to which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group, may have liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under section 4069 of ERISA.

“ Percentage ” means, for each Lender, the percentage of the Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment or, if the Commitments have been terminated,

the percentage held by such Lender of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Obligations.

“ Permitted Derivative Obligations ” means all Derivative Obligations as to which the Derivative Arrangements giving rise to such Derivative Obligation are entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge interest rate risk, currency risk, commodity price risk or the production of Borrower or its Subsidiaries (and not for speculative purposes).

“ Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, including a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“ Property ” means any property or asset, of any nature whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

“ Related Parties ” means, subject to the provisions of Section 11.8 with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“ Release ” means “release”, as such term is defined in CERCLA.

“ Required Lenders ” means, as of the date of determination thereof, Lenders holding in the aggregate at least a majority in interest of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing to Lenders, or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least a majority in interest of the Commitments.

“ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“ SEC Disclosure Documents ” means all reports on forms 10K, 10Q, and 8K filed by Nicor or the Borrower with the SEC prior to the Closing Date.

“ Security ” has the same meaning as in Section 2(l) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“ S&P Rating ” means the senior unsecured debt rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency to the Borrower (or, if neither such division nor any successor shall be in the business of rating long-term indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as mutually agreed between the Required Lenders and Borrower). Any reference in this Agreement to any specific rating is a reference to such rating as currently defined by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (or such a successor) and shall be deemed to refer to the equivalent rating if such rating system changes.

“ Solvent ” means that (a) the fair value of a Person’s assets is in excess of the total amount of such Person’s debts, as determined in accordance with the United States Bankruptcy Code, and (b) the present fair saleable value of a Person’s assets is in excess of the amount that will be required to pay such Person’s debts as they become absolute

and matured. As used in this definition, the term “debts” includes any legal liability, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent, as determined in accordance with the United States Bankruptcy Code.

“ SPC ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.8(g).

“ Subsidiary ” means, as to the Borrower, any corporation or other entity (i) which is or should be consolidated into the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP or (ii) of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock or comparable equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of the Board of Directors of such corporation or similar governing body in the case of a non-corporation (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock or other equity interests of any other class or classes of such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.

“ Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“ Telerate Service ” means the Moneyline Telerate, Inc.

“ Termination Date ” means May 16, 2008, as extended from time to time pursuant to Section 3.2.

“ 2 Year Term Loan Agreement ” means the 2 Year Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 22, 2005, as amended or supplemented from time to time, by and among Tropical Shipping and Construction Company Limited, a Cayman Islands exempt company, as borrower, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

“ Utilization Fee Rate ” means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto beside the then applicable Level.

“ Unfunded Vested Liabilities ” means, with respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all vested nonforfeitable accrued benefits under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the Controlled Group to the PBGC or the Plan under Title IV of ERISA.

“ U.S. Dollars ” and “ $ ” each means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

“ Voting Stock ” of any Person means capital stock of any class or classes or other equity interests (however designated) having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or similar governing body of such Person.

“ Welfare Plan ” means a “welfare plan”, as such term is defined in section 3(1) of ERISA.

“ Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary of Borrower of which all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares as required by law) shall be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower.

Section 1.2 Interpretation . 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 (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein 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 set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) 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. All references to times of day in this Agreement shall be references to New York, New York time unless otherwise specifically provided. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made for the purposes of this Agreement, the same shall be done in accordance with GAAP in effect on the Closing Date, to the extent applicable, except where such principles are inconsistent with the specific provisions of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.

THE CREDITS.

Section 2.1 The Revolving Loan Commitment . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including Sections 6.1 and 6.2), each Lender, by its acceptance hereof, severally agrees to make a loan or loans (individually a “ Loan ” and collectively “ Loans ”) to the Borrower from time to time on a revolving basis in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate outstanding amount up to the amount of its commitment set forth on Schedule 2 hereto (such amount, as reduced pursuant to Section 2.11(a), increased pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or Section 2.12, or changed as a result of one or more assignments under Section 11.8, its “ Commitment ” and, cumulatively for all the Lenders, the “ Commitments ”) before the Termination Date; provided that the aggregate amount of Loans at any time outstanding shall not exceed the Commitments in effect at such time. On the Termination Date the Commitments shall terminate. Each Borrowing of Loans shall be

made ratably from the Lenders in proportion to their respective Percentages. As provided in Section 2.4(a) hereof, the Borrower may elect that each Borrowing of Loans be either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans. Loans may be repaid and the principal amount thereof reborrowed before the Termination Date, subject to all the terms and conditions hereof. Unless an earlier maturity is provided for hereunder, all Loans shall mature and be due and payable on the Termination Date.

Section 2.2 Applicable Interest Rates .

(a) Base Rate Loans. Each Base Rate Loan made or maintained by a Lender shall bear interest during the period it is outstanding (computed (x) at all times the Base Rate is based on the rate described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and actual days elapsed or (y) at all times the Base Rate is based on the rate described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loan is advanced, continued or created by conversion from a Eurodollar Loan until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate from time to time in effect, payable on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

“Base Rate” means for any day the greater of:

(i) the rate of interest announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from time to time as its prime rate, or equivalent, for U.S. Dollar loans within the United States as in effect on such day, with any change in the Base Rate resulting from a change in said prime rate to be effective as of the date of the relevant change in said prime rate; and

(ii) the sum of (x) the Federal Funds Rate, plus (y) ½ of 1% (0.50%).

(b) Eurodollar Loans. Each Eurodollar Loan made or maintained by a Lender shall bear interest during each Interest Period it is outstanding (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date such Loan is advanced, continued, or created by conversion from a Base Rate Loan until maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Adjusted LIBOR applicable for such Interest Period, payable on the last day of the Interest Period and at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise), and, if the applicable Interest Period is longer than three months, on each day occurring every three months after the commencement of such Interest Period.

“Adjusted LIBOR” means, for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, a rate per annum determined in accordance with the following formula:

Adjusted LIBOR	=	LIBOR


		1 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

“LIBOR” means, for an Interest Period for a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, (a) the LIBOR Index Rate for such Interest Period, if such rate is available, and (b) if the LIBOR Index Rate cannot be determined, the arithmetical average of the rates of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent) at which deposits in U.S. Dollars, in immediately available funds are offered to the Administrative Agent at 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days before the beginning of such Interest Period by major banks in the interbank eurodollar market for delivery on the first day of and for a period equal to such Interest Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of such Borrowing.

“LIBOR Index Rate” means, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one-sixteenth of one percent) for deposits in U.S. Dollars for delivery on the first day of and for a period equal to such Interest Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of such Borrowing, which appears on the Applicable Telerate Page as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the day two (2) Business Days before the commencement of such Interest Period.

“Applicable Telerate Page” means the display page designated as “Page 3750” on the Telerate Service (or such other pages as may replace any such page on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in U.S. Dollars).

“Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” means for an Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans from any Lender, the daily average for the applicable Interest Period of the actual effective rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including, without limitation, any supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) are maintained by such Lender during such Interest Period pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) on “eurocurrency liabilities”, as defined in such Board’s Regulation D (or in respect of any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined or any category of extensions of credit or other assets that include loans by non-United States offices of any Lender to United States residents), subject to any amendments of such reserve requirement by such Board or its successor, taking into account any transitional adjustments thereto. For purposes of this definition, the Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to be “eurocurrency liabilities” as defined in Regulation D without benefit or credit for any prorations, exemptions or offsets under Regulation D.

(c) Rate Determinations. The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to Obligations, and a determination thereof by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding except in the case of manifest error.

Section 2.3 Minimum Borrowing Amounts . Each Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans shall be in an amount not less than (i) if such Borrowing is comprised of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) if such Borrowing is comprised of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, $2,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

Section 2.4 Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates Applicable to Loans .

(a) Notice to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall give notice to the Administrative Agent by no later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) (i) at least three (3) Business Days before the date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders to advance a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, or (ii) on the date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders to advance a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. The Loans included in each Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type of rate specified in such notice of a new Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may from time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate borne by each Borrowing or, subject to Section 2.3, a portion thereof, as follows: (i) if such Borrowing is of Eurodollar Loans, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower may continue part or all of such Borrowing as Eurodollar Loans for an Interest Period or Interest Periods specified by the Borrower or convert part or all of such Borrowing into Base Rate Loans, and (ii) if such Borrowing is of Base Rate Loans, on any Business Day, the Borrower may convert all or part of such Borrowing into Eurodollar Loans for an Interest Period or Interest Periods specified by the Borrower. The Borrower shall give all such notices requesting, the advance, continuation, or conversion of a Borrowing to the Administrative Agent by telephone, facsimile or electronic means (which notice shall be irrevocable once given and, if by telephone, shall be promptly confirmed in writing). Notices of the continuation of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest Period or of the conversion of part or all of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans must be given by no later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) at least three (3) Business Days before the date of the requested continuation or conversion. Notices of the conversion of part or all of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans into Base Rate Loans must be given by no later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the date of the requested conversion. All such notices concerning the advance, continuation, or conversion of a Borrowing shall be irrevocable once given and shall specify the date of the requested advance, continuation or conversion of a Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), the amount of the requested Borrowing to be advanced, continued, or converted, the type of Loans to comprise such new, continued or converted Borrowing and, if such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto. All such notices shall be in the form of a Notice of Borrowing, unless otherwise consented to by the Administrative Agent; provided that the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may rely on any telephonic, facsimile or electronic notice given by any person it in good faith believes is an Authorized Representative without the necessity of independent investigation, and in the event any such notice by telephone conflicts with any written confirmation, such telephonic notice shall govern if the Administrative Agent has acted in reliance thereon. There may be no more than six different Interest Periods in effect at any one time.

(b) Notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic, facsimile or electronic notice to each Lender of any notice from the Borrower received pursuant to Section 2.4(a) above. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrower and each Lender by like means of the interest rate applicable to each Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.

(c) Borrower’s Failure to Notify. If the Borrower fails to give notice pursuant to Section 2.4(a) above of the continuation or conversion of any outstanding principal amount of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans before the last day of its then current Interest Period within the period required by Section 2.4(a) and has not notified the Administrative Agent within the period required by Section 2.7(a) that it intends to prepay such Borrowing, such Borrowing shall automatically be converted into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, subject to Section 6.2 hereof. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the Borrower’s failure to so give a notice under Section 2.4(a).

(d) Disbursement of Loans. Not later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the date of any requested advance of a new Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, and not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date of any requested advance of a new Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, subject to Section 6 hereof, each Lender shall make available its Loan comprising part of such Borrowing in funds immediately available at the principal office of the Administrative Agent in New York, New York. The Administrative Agent shall make Loans available to Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s principal office in New York, New York or such other office as the Administrative Agent has previously agreed in writing to with Borrower, in each case in the type of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Lenders.

(e) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.4(d) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be

without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(f) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, 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.

Section 2.5 Interest Periods . As provided in Section 2.4(a) hereof, at the time of each request of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the Borrower shall select an Interest Period applicable to such Loans from among the available options. The term “Interest Period” means the period commencing on the date a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans is advanced, continued, or created by conversion and ending 1, 2, 3, or 6 months thereafter; provided , however, that:

(a) the Borrower may not select an Interest Period that extends beyond the Termination Date;

(b) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; provided that, if such extension would cause the last day of an Interest Period to occur in the following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall be the immediately preceding Business Day; and

(c) for purposes of determining an Interest Period, a month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month; provided , however, that if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which such an Interest Period is to end or if such an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, then such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month in which such Interest Period is to end.

Section 2.6 Maturity of Loans . Unless an earlier maturity is provided for hereunder (whether by acceleration or otherwise), all Obligations (including principal and interest on all outstanding Loans) shall mature and become due and payable on the Termination Date. The Borrower hereby promises to pay as and when due each

Obligation owing by it. The Borrower hereby waives demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind with respect to each such Obligation.

Section 2.7 Prepayments . (a) Borrower may prepay without premium or penalty and in whole or in part (but, if in part, then (i) in an amount not less than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) in an amount such that the minimum amount required for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof remains outstanding) any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans upon three (3) Business Days’ prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 noon (Chicago time) on the date of prepayment, such prepayment to be made by the payment of the principal amount to be prepaid and accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for prepayment. In the case of Eurodollar Loans, any amounts owing under Section 2.10 hereof as a result of such prepayment shall be paid contemporaneously with such prepayment. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise each Lender of any such prepayment notice it receives from the Borrower. Any amount paid or prepaid before the Termination Date may, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be borrowed, repaid and borrowed again.

(b) If the aggregate amount of outstanding Loans shall at any time for any reason exceed the Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall, immediately and without notice or demand, pay the amount of such excess to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders as a prepayment of the Loans and such prepayments shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 2.7(a). Immediately upon determining the need to make any such prepayment Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such required prepayment. Each such prepayment shall be accompanied by a payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans prepaid and shall be subject to Section 2.10.

Section 2.8 Default Rate . If any Obligation, is not paid when due (whether by acceleration or otherwise), or upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower referencing such Event of Default and stating that the additional interest (" Default Interest ") specified in this Section 2.8 shall commence accruing, all Obligations shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, bear interest (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed or, if based on the rate described in clause (i) of the definition of Base Rate, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and the actual number of days elapsed) from the date such payment on such Obligations was due or such notice was delivered, until paid in full or such Event of Default is waived in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to:

(a) for any Obligation other than a Eurodollar Loan (including principal and interest relating to Base Rate Loans and interest on Eurodollar Loans), the sum of two percent (2%) plus the Applicable Margin applicable to Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate from time to time in effect; and

(b) for the principal of any Eurodollar Loan, the sum of two percent (2%) plus the rate of interest in effect thereon at the time of such default until the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and, thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of two percent (2%) plus the Applicable Margin applicable to Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate from time to time in effect; provided, however, that following acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 8.3, Default Interest shall accrue and be payable hereunder whether or not previously required by the Administrative Agent.

Section 2.9 Evidence of Debt . (a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan owing to such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder in respect of Loans. The Borrower agrees that upon notice by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy of such notice to the Administrative Agent) to the effect that a Note is required or appropriate in order for such Lender to evidence (whether for purposes of pledge, enforcement or otherwise) the Loans owing to, or to be made by, such Lender under the Credit Documents, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note in the form of Exhibit A hereto (each such promissory note is hereinafter referred to as a “ Note ” and collectively such promissory notes are referred to as the “ Notes ”).

(b) The Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.8(c) shall include a control account, and a subsidiary account for each Lender, in which accounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the date and amount of each Borrowing made hereunder, the type of Loan comprising such Borrowing and, if appropriate, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the terms of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it, (iii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iv) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower hereunder and each Lender’s share thereof.

(c) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to subsection (b) above, and by each Lender in its account or accounts pursuant to subsection (a) above, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to, in the case of the Register, each Lender and, in the case of such account or accounts, such Lender, under this Agreement, absent manifest error; provided , however, that the failure of the Administrative Agent or such Lender to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register or such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.

Section 2.10 Funding Indemnity . If any Lender shall incur any loss, cost or expense (including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense (excluding loss of

margin) incurred by reason of the liquidation or re-employment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain any Eurodollar Loan or the relending or reinvesting of such deposits or amounts paid or prepaid to such Lender) as a result of:

(a) any payment (whether by acceleration, pursuant to Section 9.5 or otherwise), prepayment or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan on a date other than the last day of its Interest Period,

(b) any failure (because of a failure to meet the conditions of Section 6 or otherwise) by the Borrower to borrow or continue a Eurodollar Loan, or to convert a Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan, on the date specified in a notice given pursuant to Section 2.4(a) or established pursuant to Section 2.4(c) hereof,

(c) any failure by the Borrower to make any payment or prepayment of principal on any Eurodollar Loan when due (whether by acceleration or otherwise), or

(d) any acceleration of the maturity of a Eurodollar Loan as a result of the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder,

then, upon the demand of such Lender, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amount as will reimburse such Lender for such loss, cost or expense. If any Lender makes such a claim for compensation, it shall provide to the Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, a certificate executed by an officer of such Lender setting forth the amount of such loss, cost or expense in reasonable detail (including an explanation of the basis for and the computation of such loss, cost or expense) and the amounts shown on such certificate if reasonably calculated shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such loss, cost or expense.

Section 2.11 Commitments . (a) Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, to reduce or terminate the Commitments without premium or penalty, in whole or in part, any partial termination or reduction to be (i) in an amount not less than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) allocated ratably among the Lenders in proportion to their respective Percentages; provided that the Commitments may not be reduced to an amount less than the amount of the Loans then outstanding. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to each Lender of any reduction or termination of Commitments. Any reduction or termination of Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.11 may not be reinstated.

(b) The Borrower and the Administrative Agent may from time to time add additional financial institutions as parties to this Agreement or, with the written consent of an existing Lender, increase the Commitment of such existing Lender (any such financial institution or existing Lender which is increasing its commitment being referred to as an “ Added Lender ”) pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and any such Added Lender shall for all purposes be considered a

Lender for purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with a Commitment as set forth in such documentation. Any such Added Lender shall on the date it is deemed a party to this Agreement purchase from the other Lenders its Percentage (or the increase in its Percentage, in the case of an Added Lender which is an existing Lender) of the Loans outstanding. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.11(b) to the contrary, but subject to Section 2.12, the aggregate amount of Commitments may not at any time exceed $400,000,000 without the consent of the Required Lenders.

Section 2.12 Increase in the Aggregate Commitments . (a) The Borrower may, at any time prior to the Termination Date but in any event not more than twice, by notice to the Administrative Agent and in accordance with Section 2.12(b), request that the aggregate amount of the Commitments be increased by an amount of $25,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof (each a " Commitment Increase ") to be effective as of a date that is at least 90 days prior to the scheduled Termination Date then in effect (the " Increase Date ") as specified in the related notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, however that (i) in no event shall the aggregate amount of the Commitments at any time exceed $500,000,000, (ii) on the date of any request by the Borrower for a Commitment Increase and on the related Increase Date the applicable conditions set forth in Sections 3.2 and 6.2 shall be satisfied and (iii) prior to the effectiveness of any such increase, the Borrower shall deliver a certified copy of their Board of Directors' resolutions authorizing such increase.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of a request by the Borrower for a Commitment Increase, which notice shall include (i) the proposed amount of such requested Commitment Increase, (ii) the proposed Increase Date and (iii) the date by which Lenders wishing to participate in the Commitment Increase must commit to an increase in the amount of their respective Commitments (the " Commitment Date "). Each Lender that is willing to participate in such requested Commitment Increase (each an " Increasing Lender ") shall, in its sole discretion, give written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Commitment Date of the amount by which it is willing to increase its Commitment. Failure of a Lender to provide any such notice shall be considered a rejection of an offer to increase its commitment. If the Lenders notify the Administrative Agent that they are willing to increase the amount of their respective Commitments by an aggregate amount that exceeds the amount of the requested Commitment Increase, the requested Commitment Increase shall be allocated among the Lenders willing to participate therein in such amounts as are agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(c) Promptly following each Commitment Date, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower as to the amount, if any, by which the Lenders are willing to participate in the requested Commitment Increase. If the aggregate amount by which the Lenders are willing to participate in any requested Commitment Increase on any such Commitment Date is less than the requested Commitment Increase, then the Borrower may extend offers to one or more Eligible Assignees to participate in any portion of the requested Commitment Increase that has not been committed to by the

Lenders as of the applicable Commitment Date; provided, however , that the Commitment of each such Eligible Assignee shall be in an amount not less than $5,000,000.

(d) On each Increase Date, each Eligible Assignee that accepts an offer to participate in a Commitment Increase requested in accordance with Section 2.12(a) (each such Eligible Assignee, an " Assuming Lender ") shall become a Lender party to this Agreement as of such Increase Date and the Commitment of each Increasing Lender for such requested Commitment Increase shall be increased by the amount of the Commitment Increase so requested (or by the amount allocated to such Lender pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.12(b)) as of such Increase Date. On each Increase Date, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders (including, without limitation, each Assuming Lender) and the Borrower, on or before 11:00 A.M. (Chicago time), by telecopier, of the occurrence of the Commitment Increase to be effected on such Increase Date and shall record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender on such date. Each Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender shall, before 2:00 P.M. (Chicago time) on the Increase Date, make available for the account of its applicable lending office to the account of the Administrative Agent, in same day funds, in the case of such Assuming Lender, an amount equal to such Assuming Lender's ratable portion of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment as a percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase) and, in the case of such Increasing Lender, an amount equal to the excess of (i) such Increasing Lender's ratable portion of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment as a percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase) over (ii) such Increasing Lender's ratable portion of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment (without giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase) as a percentage of the aggregate Commitments (without giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase). After the Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds from each such Increasing Lender and each such Assuming Lender, the Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds to the other Lenders for the account of their respective applicable lending offices in an amount to each other Lender such that the aggregate amount of the outstanding Loans owing to each Lender after giving effect to such distribution equals such Lender's ratable portion of the Borrowings then outstanding (calculated based on its Commitment as a percentage of the aggregate Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the relevant Commitment Increase).

SECTION 3.

FEES AND EXTENSIONS.

Section 3.1 Fees .

(a) Facility Fee. From and after the Closing Date, Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders in accordance with their Percentages a facility fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the Facility Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Commitments (whether used or unused), or if the Commitments have expired or terminated, on the principal amount of Loans then outstanding. Such facility fee is payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each

calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if the Commitments are terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee for the period to but not including the date of such termination shall be paid in whole on the date of such termination.

(b) Utilization Fees. For any day on which the aggregate amount of Loans then outstanding exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the Commitments then in effect, or if any Loans remain outstanding after the Commitments have been terminated, then Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders in accordance with their Percentages a utilization fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the Utilization Fee Rate on the aggregate amount of Loans outstanding on such date. Such utilization fee is payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if the Commitments are terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee for the period to but not including the date of such termination shall be paid in whole on the date of such termination.

(c) Administrative Agent Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Joint Lead-Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their sole account the fees agreed to by the Borrower in the Fee Letters or as otherwise agreed among them in writing.

(d) Fee Calculations. All fees payable under this Agreement shall be payable in U.S. Dollars and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, for the actual number of days elapsed. All determinations of the amount of fees owing hereunder (and the components thereof) shall be made by the Administrative Agent and shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such fee.

Section 3.2 Extensions .

(a) Requests for Extension. The Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) not earlier than 45 days and not later than 35 days prior to the Termination Date then in effect hereunder (the “ Existing Termination Date ”), request that each Lender extend such Lender’s Termination Date for an add

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