§ 1717.615 Consolidations and mergers.

A distribution or power supply borrower may without the prior approval of RUS, consolidate or merge with any other corporation or convey or transfer the mortgaged property substantially as an entirety if the following conditions are met: (a) Such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer shall be on such terms as shall fully preserve the lien and security of the RUS mortgage and the rights and powers of the mortgagees; (b) The entity formed by such consolidation or with which the borrower is merged or the corporation which acquires by conveyance or transfer the mortgaged property substantially as an entirety shall execute and deliver to the mortgagees a mortgage supplemental in recordable form and containing an assumption by such successor entity of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all of the outstanding notes and the performance and observance of every covenant and condition of the mortgage; (c) Immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default under the mortgage shall have occurred and be continuing; (d) The borrower shall have delivered to the mortgagees a certificate of its general manager or other officer, in form and substance satisfactory to each of the mortgagees, which shall state that such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and such supplemental mortgage comply with this section and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; (e) The borrower shall have delivered to the mortgagees an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to each of the mortgagees; and (f) The entity formed by such consolidation or with which the borrower is merged or the corporation which acquires by conveyance or transfer the mortgaged property substantially as an entirety shall be an entity having: (1) Equity equal to at least 27% of its total assets on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such transaction; (2) A pro forma TIER of not less than 1.25 and a pro forma DSC of not less than 1.25 for each of the two preceding calendar years; (3) Net utility plant equal to or greater than 1.0 times its total long-term debt on a pro forma basis.