As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
New Fortress Energy Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | | 83-1482060 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(516) 268-7400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Cameron D. MacDougall, Esq.
General Counsel and Secretary
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(516) 268-7400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Joseph A. Coco, Esq.
Michael J. Schwartz, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
One Manhattan West
New York, New York 10001
(212) 735-3000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ |
| | | | | Emerging growth company | | | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Prospectus
New Fortress Energy Inc.
Class A Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
and
114,670,972 Shares of Class A Common Stock Offered by Selling Stockholders
This prospectus relates to shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A common stock”), shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“preferred stock”), depositary receipts, representing fractional shares of our preferred stock (the “depositary shares”), debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or our debt securities which we may offer and sell from time to time in one or more offerings. In addition, the selling stockholders named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus may offer and sell Class A common stock from time to time. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.
If required, we will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of offering. You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 before you make your investment decision.
We or the selling stockholders may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to purchasers. If required, the prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.
Our Class A common stock is listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “NFE.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate whether the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is March 1, 2024
This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a “well-known seasoned issuer” (“WKSI”) as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under this shelf registration process, we may sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. In addition, certain of our stockholders may sell up to 114,670,972 shares of Class A common stock from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we and the selling stockholders may offer. Each time we or any stockholders offer, issue or sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. Neither we nor the selling stockholders take responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we nor the selling stockholders are making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.
The information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.
When used in this prospectus, the terms “NFE,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to New Fortress Energy Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
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We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K).
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024; |
• | our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A for registration of Class A common stock pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, filed on August 7, 2020; and |
• | the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2023, that are incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. |
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (i) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and (ii) after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering also shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K.
If requested, we will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such documents. To obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, you may write or telephone us at the following address:
New Fortress Energy Inc.
Investor Relations
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(516) 268-7400
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This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference contain statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
All statements contained in this prospectus other than historical information are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and relate to future events, our future financial performance or our projected business results. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “targets,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference, including the “Risk Factors” sections of this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and our reports and other documents filed with the SEC. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us include:
• | the results of our subsidiaries, affiliates, joint ventures and special purpose entities in which we invest and their ability to make dividends or distributions to us; |
• | construction and operational risks related to our facilities and assets, including cost overruns and delays; |
• | failure of LNG (as defined herein) or natural gas to be a competitive source of energy in the markets in which we operate, and seek to operate; |
• | complex regulatory and legal environments related to our business, assets and operations, including actions by governmental entities or changes to regulation or legislation, in particular related to our permits, approvals and authorizations for the construction and operation of our facilities; |
• | delays or failure to obtain and maintain approvals and permits from governmental and regulatory agencies; |
• | failure to obtain a return on our investments for the development of our projects and assets and the implementation of our business strategy; |
• | failure to maintain sufficient working capital for the development and operation of our business and assets; |
• | failure to convert our customer pipeline into actual sales; |
• | lack of asset, geographic or customer diversification, including loss of one or more of our customers; |
• | competition from third parties in our business; |
• | cyclical or other changes in the demand for and price of LNG and natural gas; |
• | inability to procure LNG at necessary quantities or at favorable prices to meet customer demand, or otherwise to manage LNG supply and price risks, including hedging arrangements; |
• | inability to successfully develop and implement our technological solutions; |
• | inability to service our debt and comply with our covenant restrictions; |
• | inability to obtain additional financing to effect our strategy; |
• | inability to successfully complete mergers, sales, divestments or similar transactions related to our businesses or assets or to integrate such businesses or assets and realize the anticipated benefits; |
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• | economic, political, social and other risks related to the jurisdictions in which we do, or seek to do, business; |
• | weather events or other natural or manmade disasters or phenomena; |
• | any future pandemic or any other major health and safety incident; |
• | increased labor costs, disputes or strikes, and the unavailability of skilled workers or our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel; |
• | the tax treatment of, or changes in tax laws applicable to, us or our business or of an investment in our Class A common stock; and |
• | other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC. |
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of any accompanying prospectus supplement or documents incorporated by reference, the date of any such document. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. We undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future, except as may be required by law. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, projections or achievements.
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Overview
We are a global energy infrastructure company founded to help address energy poverty and accelerate the world’s transition to reliable, affordable and clean energy. We own and operate natural gas and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) infrastructure, and an integrated fleet of ships and logistics assets to rapidly deliver turnkey energy solutions to global markets; additionally, we have expanded our focus to building our modular LNG manufacturing business. Our near-term mission is to provide modern infrastructure solutions to create cleaner, reliable energy while generating a positive economic impact worldwide. Our long-term mission is to become one of the world’s leading companies providing power free from carbon emissions by leveraging our global portfolio of integrated energy infrastructure.
We deliver targeted energy solutions by employing an integrated LNG supply and delivery model:
LNG and Natural Gas Supply and Liquefaction – We supply LNG and natural gas to our own power plants and to our customers. We typically supply LNG and natural gas regasified from LNG to our customers by entering into long-term supply contracts, which are generally based on an index such as Henry Hub plus a fixed fee component. We acquire our LNG from third party suppliers in open market purchases and long-term supply agreements; we also manufacture LNG at our liquefaction and storage facility in Miami, Florida (the “Miami Facility”). Beginning in 2024, we expect to deploy our first offshore liquefaction facility, “Fast LNG” or “FLNG,” to provide a source of low-cost supply of LNG.
Shipping – We lease, own or operate a fleet of seven regasification units and 13 liquefied natural gas carriers and floating storage units. Ten vessels are owned by our joint venture affiliate, Energos Infrastructure. We also charter vessels to and from third parties as well as from Energos.
Facilities – Through our network of current and planned downstream facilities and logistics assets, we are strategically positioned to deliver gas and power solutions to our customers seeking either to transition from environmentally dirtier distillate fuels such as automotive diesel oil and heavy fuel oil or to purchase natural gas to meet their current fuel needs.
We analyze and seek to implement innovative and new technologies that complement our businesses to reduce our costs, achieve efficiencies for our business and our customers and advance our long-term goals, such as our ISO container distribution system, our Fast LNG solution and our hydrogen project.
Our Business Model
As an integrated gas-to-power energy infrastructure company, our business model spans the entire production and delivery chain from natural gas procurement and liquefaction to shipping, logistics, facilities and conversion or development of natural gas-fired power generation. Historically, natural gas procurement or liquefaction, transportation, regasification and power generation projects have been developed separately and have required multilateral or traditional financing sources, which has inhibited the introduction of natural gas-fired power in many developing countries. In executing our business model, we have the capability to build or arrange any necessary infrastructure ourselves without reliance on multilateral financing sources or traditional project finance structures, so that we maintain our strategic flexibility and optimize our portfolio.
We currently conduct our operations at the following facilities:
• | our LNG storage and regasification facility at the Port of Montego Bay, Jamaica, |
• | our marine LNG storage and regasification facility in Old Harbour, Jamaica |
• | our dual-fired combined heat and power facility in Clarendon, Jamaica, |
• | our landed micro-fuel handling facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico, |
• | our LNG receiving facility and gas-fired power plant at the Port of Pichilingue in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and |
• | our Miami Facility. |
In addition, we are currently developing facilities in Brazil, Nicaragua, Ireland and other locations, as described below in more detail. We are in active discussions with additional customers to develop projects in multiple regions around the world who may have significant demand for additional power, LNG and natural gas, although there can be no assurance that these discussions will result in additional contracts or that we will be able to achieve our target pricing or margins.
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Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or other offering materials, you should carefully consider the risk factors in any prospectus supplement as well as under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Part I, Item 1A. in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by our filings under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, cash flows and financial condition and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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Except as otherwise set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, including the financing of our operations, the possible repayment of indebtedness, and possible business acquisitions.
Unless set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that securities are sold by a selling stockholder.
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This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the Class A common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants that may be offered and sold from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.
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General
The following description of shares of New Fortress Energy Inc. (the “Company,” “NFE,” “our” or “we”) is based upon the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”). The summary is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by express reference to, the provisions of applicable law and to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Authorized Capital Stock
Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 750 million shares of Class A common stock, each having a par value of one cent ($0.01), 50 million shares of Class B common stock, each having a par value of one cent ($0.01), and 200 million shares of preferred stock, each having a par value of one cent ($0.01). Our Class A common stock are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “NFE.” Our Class B common stock are not registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act nor listed on any securities exchange. As of February 26, 2024, there were 205,033,557 shares of Class A common stock outstanding. As of the date hereof, there are no shares of Class B common stock or preferred stock outstanding.
Class A Common Stock
Voting Rights. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except that the amendment of certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class or series of shares in relation to other classes or series of shares must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class or series affected. The holders of Class A common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Dividend Rights. Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to ratably receive dividends when and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock.
Liquidation Rights. Upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our Class A common stock will be entitled to receive our remaining assets available for distribution in accordance with the DGCL.
Other Matters. The Class A common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessment by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Class A common stock. All outstanding Class A common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Class B Common Stock
Generally. Prior to the exchange of all of the units (the “NFI LLC Units”) (other than NFI LLC Units owned by NFE or its subsidiaries) of New Fortress Intermediate LLC (“NFI”) and all of the shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock (the “Exchange Transactions”), the NFI unitholders held one share of Class B common stock for each NFI LLC Unit that they held. Accordingly, prior to the Exchange Transactions, the NFI unitholders had a number of votes in NFE equal to the aggregate number of NFI LLC Units that they held. Following the Exchange Transactions and as of the date hereof, there are no shares of Class B common stock outstanding and all of the NFI LLC Units are owned by NFE or its subsidiaries. Shares of Class B common stock cannot be transferred without transferring an equal number of NFI LLC Units and vice versa.
Voting Rights. Holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock
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vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote or approval, except that the amendment of certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class or series of stock in relation to other classes or series of shares must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the class or series affected. The holders of Class B common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
Dividend and Liquidation Rights. Holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends, unless the dividend consists of our Class B common stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable for Class B common stock paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding Class B common stock and a dividend consisting of Class A common stock or of rights, options, warrants or other securities convertible or exercisable into or exchangeable for Class A common stock on the same terms is simultaneously paid to the holders of Class A common stock. Holders of our Class B common stock do not have any right to receive a distribution upon our liquidation or winding up.
Redemption Right. Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of NFI, each holder of NFI LLC Units has the right to redeem his or her NFI LLC Units, together with an equal number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock (or cash at the Company’s election, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications).
Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our Class A common stock in respect of dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The rights with respect to one or more classes or series of preferred stock may be more favorable to the holder(s) thereof than the rights attached to our Class A common stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the registrar and transfer agent for the Class A common stock. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of Class A common stock except the following, which must be paid by our Class A stockholders:
• | surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges; |
• | special charges for services requested by a holder of a Class A share; and |
• | other similar fees or charges. |
There are no charges to our Class A shareholders for disbursements of any dividends. We indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Resignation or Removal
The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us.
Transfer of Class A common stock and Class B common stock
We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a share of Class A common stock or Class B common stock as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Class A common stock and Class B common stock are securities and any transfers are subject to the laws governing the transfer of securities.
Until a share of Class A common stock or Class B common stock has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the Class A common stock or Class B common stock as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
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Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Organization and Duration
New Fortress Energy LLC was formed on August 6, 2018. On August 7, 2020, we converted from a Delaware limited liability company named New Fortress Energy LLC to a Delaware corporation named New Fortress Energy Inc. The Company will remain in existence until dissolved in accordance with the DGCL.
Purpose
Under our organizational documents, we are permitted to engage in any business activity that lawfully may be conducted by a corporation organized under Delaware law and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon us pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity.
Amendment of Our Organizational Documents
Amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation may be proposed only by or with the consent of our board of directors. To adopt a proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, our board of directors is generally required to seek written approval of the holders of the number of shares required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of our stockholders to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as set forth below, an amendment must be approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares.
Prohibited Amendments. No amendment may be made that would:
• | enlarge the obligations of any stockholder without such stockholder’s consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of shares so affected; or |
• | change the term of existence of our company. |
The provision of our organizational documents preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares.
No Stockholder Approval. Our board of directors may generally make amendments to our Bylaws, and in certain circumstances to our Certificate of Incorporation, without the approval of any stockholder or assignee to reflect:
• | a change in our name, the location of our principal place of our business, our registered agent or our registered office; |
• | an amendment that our board of directors determines, based upon the advice of counsel, to be necessary or appropriate to prevent us, members of our board, or our officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed; |
• | an amendment that our board of directors determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional securities; |
• | any amendment expressly permitted in our organizational documents to be made by our board of directors acting alone; |
• | an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our organizational documents; |
• | any amendment that our board of directors determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our organizational documents; |
• | a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; and |
• | any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above. |
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In addition, our board of directors may make amendments to our Bylaws without the approval of any stockholder or assignee if our board of directors determines that those amendments:
• | do not adversely affect the stockholders in any material respect; |
• | are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute; |
• | are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of shares or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the shares are or will be listed for trading, compliance with any of which our board of directors deems to be in the best interests of us and our stockholders; |
• | are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our board of directors relating to splits or combinations of shares under the provisions of our Bylaws; or |
• | are required to effect the intent of the provisions of our organizational documents or are otherwise contemplated by our organizational documents. |
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
Pursuant to the provisions of the DGCL, our board of directors is generally prohibited, without the prior approval of holders of a majority of the total combined voting power of all of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, from causing us to, among other things, merge, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, provided that our board of directors may mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without the approval of any stockholder. Our board of directors may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon the encumbrances above without that approval.
Books and Reports
We are required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books are maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For financial reporting purposes and for tax purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Organizational Documents
The following is a summary of certain provisions of our organizational documents that may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the Class A common stock held by Class A stockholders.
Issuance of Additional Interests. Our organizational documents authorize us to issue up to 750 million shares of Class A common stock, 50 million shares of Class B common stock and 200 million shares of preferred stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our board of directors without the approval of the stockholders, subject to the requirements of Nasdaq. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital and corporate acquisitions. The existence of authorized but unissued shares could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control over us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Delaware Business Combination Statute—Section 203. We are a corporation organized under Delaware law. Some provisions of Delaware law may delay or prevent a transaction that would cause a change in our control.
Section 203 of the DGCL restricts certain business combinations with interested stockholders in certain situations. In general, this statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction by which that person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
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We have opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL; however, our Certificate of Incorporation contains similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
• | prior to such time, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; |
• | upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or |
• | at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
The restrictions described above do not apply if (a) the Company does not have a class of voting stock that is: (i) listed on a national securities exchange; or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, unless any of the foregoing results from action taken, directly or indirectly, by an interested stockholder or from a transaction in which a person becomes an interested stockholder; or (b) a stockholder becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three year period immediately prior to a business combination between the Company and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership.
Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” means any person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of ours who owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock at any time within the previous three years. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that certain entities controlled by Wesley R. Edens and Randal A. Nardone (the “Consenting Entities”) and NFE SMRS Holdings LLC and any of their respective direct or indirect transferees (except in the context of a public offering), and any group as to which such persons are a party, do not constitute “interested stockholders” for purposes of this provision. Additionally, the “interested stockholders” definition does not include any person whose ownership of shares in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock is the result of any action taken solely by us. For purposes of this description only, “voting stock” has the meaning given to it in Section 203 of the DGCL.
Under certain circumstances, this provision makes it more difficult for a person who is an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with us for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our board of directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Other Provisions of Our Organizational Documents. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our board shall consist of not fewer than one and not more than fifteen directors as the board of directors may from time to time determine, subject to the consent rights of the Consenting Entities described under “Description of Capital Stock—Consent Rights” below. Our board of directors is divided into three classes that are, as nearly as possible, of equal size. Each class of directors is elected for a three-year term of office, but the terms are staggered so that the term of only one class of directors expires at each annual general meeting. We believe that classification of our board of directors will help to assure the continuity and stability of our business strategies and policies as determined by our board of directors. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors.
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The classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a tender offer or change in control might be believed by our stockholders to be in their best interest.
In addition, our board of directors shall have the power to appoint a person as a director to fill a vacancy on our board occurring as a result of the death, disability, disqualification, removal or resignation of a director, or as a result of an increase in the size of our board of directors.
Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation, preferred stock may be issued from time to time, and the board of directors is authorized to determine and alter all designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties without limitation. See “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock.”
Ability of Our Stockholders to Act. Our organizational documents do not permit our stockholders to call special stockholders meetings, except that if any Consenting Entities or their affiliates collectively own outstanding voting shares that represent a majority of the total combined voting power of all of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors, such Consenting Entities may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Special meetings of stockholders may be called by a majority of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors that has been duly designated by the board of directors and whose powers include the authority to call such meetings. Written notice of any special meeting so called shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise required by law.
Our organizational documents permit our stockholders to consent in writing to take any action in lieu of taking such action at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the stockholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all stockholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Our organizational documents provide that nominations of persons for election to our board of directors may be made at any annual meeting of our stockholders, or at any special meeting of our stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (b) by certain stockholders. In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to our secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date on which we first made publicly available (whether by mailing, by filing with the SEC or by posting on an internet website) our proxy materials for the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by a stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs and (ii) in the case of a special meeting, not later than the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
Removal of Members of Our Board of Directors
A director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time, by holders of a majority of the total combined voting power of all of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock then entitled to vote at an election of directors. The vacancy in the board of directors caused by any such removal will be filled by a vote of the majority of directors then in office.
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Forum Selection
Our Bylaws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for:
• | any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; |
• | any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders; |
• | any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our organizational documents; or |
• | any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. |
The exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Our Bylaws also provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our shares will be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this forum selection provision. Although we believe these provisions will benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law for the specified types of actions and proceedings, the provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, employees and agents. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more actions or proceedings described above, a court could rule that this provision in our Bylaws is inapplicable or unenforceable.
Consent Rights
So long as the Consenting Entities or their affiliates collectively, directly or indirectly, own at least 30% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, we have agreed not to take, and will take all necessary action to cause our subsidiaries not to take, the following direct or indirect actions (or enter into an agreement to take such actions) without the prior consent of each of the Consenting Entities (so long as such Consenting Entity or its affiliates owns at least one share):
• | any material change, through any acquisition, disposition of assets or otherwise, in the nature of our business or operations and our subsidiaries as of February 4, 2019; |
• | terminating Wesley Edens as our chief executive officer or as Chairman of the Board of Directors and hiring or appointing his successor; |
• | any transaction that, if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control (as defined in our Certificate of Incorporation) or entering into any definitive agreement or series of related agreements that govern any transaction or series of related transactions that, if consummated, would result in a Change of Control; |
• | any increase or decrease in the size of the board of directors, committees of the board of directors and board and committees of our subsidiaries; |
• | any voluntary election by us or any of our subsidiaries to liquidate or dissolve or commence bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or the adoption of a plan with respect to any of the foregoing; and |
• | any amendment, modification or waiver of our organizational documents or any other of our governing documents following the date of our Certificate of Incorporation that materially and adversely affects any Consenting Entity or any of their affiliates. |
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Corporate Opportunity
Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we renounce, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL, any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered, an opportunity to participate in, any Business Opportunity. A “Business Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of, any of our directors who is not an employee of the Company (collectively, “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, a Covered Person solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Company.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we waive any claim against a Covered Person, and agree to indemnify all Covered Persons against any claim, that is based on fiduciary duties, the corporate opportunity doctrine or any other legal theory which could limit any Covered Person from pursuing or engaging in any Business Opportunity. Directors have no obligation under the Certificate of Incorporation or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present Business Opportunities to the Company that may become available to affiliates of such director. None of the Company, any stockholder or any other person has any rights by virtue of a director’s duties as a director or our organizational documents in any business ventures of any director.
Shareholders’ Agreement
In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a shareholders’ agreement (the “Shareholders’ Agreement”) with New Fortress Energy Holdings LLC, Wesley R. Edens and Randal A. Nardone. In connection with the Exchange Transactions, certain of the former members of New Fortress Energy Holdings LLC signed a joinder and became party to the Shareholders’ Agreement. The Shareholders’ Agreement provides the Consenting Entities or their respective affiliates with the right to designate a certain number of individuals to be nominated for election to our board of directors so long as the Consenting Entities and their respective affiliates collectively beneficially own at least 5% of the outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The Shareholders’ Agreement also provides that the parties to the Shareholders’ Agreement (including certain direct or indirect former members of New Fortress Energy Holdings LLC) (i) shall vote their shares in favor of such nominees and (ii) are entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their Class A common stock. In addition our Certificate of Incorporation provides the Consenting Entities the right to approve certain material transactions so long as the Consenting Entities and their affiliates collectively, directly or indirectly, own at least 30% of the outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock.
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This section describes the general terms and provisions of the depositary shares. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the depositary shares offered by that prospectus supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to those depositary shares.
We may issue depositary receipts representing interests in shares of particular series of preferred stock which are called depositary shares. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock of a series which are the subject of depositary shares with a depositary to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, which will hold the preferred stock for the benefit of the holders of the depositary shares, in accordance with a deposit agreement between the depositary and us. The holders of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, to the extent of their interests in the preferred stock.
While the deposit agreement relating to a particular series of preferred stock may have provisions applicable solely to that series of preferred stock, all deposit agreements relating to preferred stock we issue will include the following provisions:
Dividends and Other Distributions
Each time we pay a cash dividend or make any other type of cash distribution with regard to preferred stock of a series, the depositary will distribute to the holder of record of each depositary share relating to that series of preferred stock an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution per depositary share the depositary receives. If there is a distribution of property other than cash, the depositary either will distribute the property to the holders of depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by each of them, or the depositary will, if we approve, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the depositary shares held by them.
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive, upon surrender of depositary receipts representing depositary shares, the number of whole or fractional shares of the applicable series of preferred stock, and any money or other property, to which the depositary shares relate.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by a depositary, the depositary will be required to redeem, on the same redemption date, depositary shares constituting, in total, the number of shares of preferred stock held by the depositary which we redeem, subject to the depositary’s receiving the redemption price of those shares of preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares relating to a series are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or by another method we determine to be equitable.
Voting
Any time we send a notice of meeting or other materials relating to a meeting to the holders of a series of preferred stock to which depositary shares relate, we will provide the depositary with sufficient copies of those materials so they can be sent to all holders of record of the applicable depositary shares, and the depositary will send those materials to the holders of record of the depositary shares on the record date for the meeting. The depositary will solicit voting instructions from holders of depositary shares and will vote or not vote the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate in accordance with those instructions.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holder of each depositary share will be entitled to what the holder of the depositary share would have received if the holder had owned the number of shares (or fraction of a share) of preferred stock which is represented by the depositary share.
Conversion
If shares of a series of preferred stock are convertible into Class A common stock or other of our securities or property, holders of depositary shares relating to that series of preferred stock will, if they surrender depositary receipts representing depositary shares and appropriate instructions to convert them, receive the Class A common stock or other securities or property into which the number of shares (or fractions of shares) of preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate could at the time be converted.
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Amendment and Termination of a Deposit Agreement
We and the depositary may amend a deposit agreement, except that an amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of depositary shares, or would be materially and adversely inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the preferred stock to which they relate, must be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding depositary shares. No amendment will impair the right of a holder of depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipts evidencing those depositary shares and receive the preferred stock to which they relate, except as required to comply with law. We may terminate a deposit agreement with the consent of holders of a majority of the depositary shares to which it relates. Upon termination of a deposit agreement, the depositary will make the whole or fractional shares of preferred stock to which the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement relate available to the holders of those depositary shares. A deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
• | all outstanding depositary shares to which it relates have been redeemed or converted; or |
• | the depositary has made a final distribution to the holders of the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. |
Miscellaneous
There will be provisions: (1) requiring the depositary to forward to holders of record of depositary shares any reports or communications from us which the depositary receives with respect to the preferred stock to which the depositary shares relate; (2) regarding compensation of the depositary; (3) regarding resignation of the depositary; (4) limiting our liability and the liability of the depositary under the deposit agreement (usually to failure to act in good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct); and (5) indemnifying the depositary against certain possible liabilities.
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We may offer debt securities in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and which may be convertible into another security.
The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, our debt securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank, National Association), as trustee, or such other trustee named therein. A form of the indenture is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (“TIA”). You should read the summary below, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.
The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include, among others, the following:
• | the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such series; |
• | any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities; |
• | the maturity date(s) or method for determining same; |
• | the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same; |
• | the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest will be payable in cash, additional securities or some combination thereof; |
• | whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions; |
• | redemption or early repayment provisions; |
• | authorized denominations; |
• | if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration; |
• | place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon the company may be made; |
• | the form or forms of the debt securities of the series including such legends as may be required by applicable law; |
• | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as of which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance; |
• | whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of such security; |
• | the amount of discount or premium, if any, with which the debt securities will be issued; |
• | any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
• | any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued; |
• | the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any; |
• | the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, the debt securities will be payable; |
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• | the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which we or the holders of the debt securities can select the payment currency; |
• | our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision; |
• | any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities; |
• | provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events; |
• | additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities; |
• | provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and |
• | any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the TIA, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities). |
General
We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.
We will describe in an accompanying prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in an accompanying prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Global Securities
Unless we inform you otherwise in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless and until a global security is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
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We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of our Class A common stock, shares of our preferred stock or our debt securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in an accompanying prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you.
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:
• | the offering price; |
• | the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the purchase price and/or exercise price of the warrants may be payable; |
• | the number of warrants offered; |
• | the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise; |
• | the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised; |
• | the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants; |
• | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire; |
• | the name of the warrant agent; and |
• | any other material terms of the warrants. |
Each issue of warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates. After warrants expire they will become void. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.
Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.
The description in an accompanying prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the applicable warrant agreement and any accompanying prospectus supplement in their entirety.
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This prospectus also relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 114,670,972 shares of Class A common stock by certain of our stockholders identified in the table below, who we refer to in this prospectus as the “selling stockholders.” The selling stockholders identified below may currently hold or acquire at any time Class A common stock in addition to those registered hereby.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to such securities, and to persons who have a right to acquire such securities, generally within 60 days. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each listed beneficial owner is 111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10011.
The information in the below table (other than the percentages of our outstanding Class A common stock beneficially owned) in respect of the selling stockholders was furnished by or on behalf of the selling stockholders and is as of March 1, 2024. Except as may be noted in this section, none of the selling stockholders has, or within the past three years has had, any material relationship with us or any of our affiliates.
Wesley R. Edens, Randal A. Nardone and all of the entities listed under “Selling Stockholders” in the table below are party to a shareholders’ agreement with us pursuant to which such parties and their respective permitted transferees have the right, in certain circumstances, to require us to register their shares of our Class A common stock under the Securities Act for sale into the public markets.
No offer or sale under this prospectus may be made by any stockholder unless that holder is listed in the table below, in any supplement to this prospectus or in an amendment to the relevant registration statement that has become effective. We will supplement or amend this prospectus if applicable to include additional selling stockholders upon provision of all required information to us and subject to the terms of any relevant agreement between us and the selling stockholders.
The selling stockholders are not obligated to sell any of the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. Because the selling stockholders identified in the table may sell some or all of the Class A common stock owned by them that are included in this prospectus, and because there are currently no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any such Class A common stock, no estimate can be given as to the number of shares covered by this prospectus that will be held by the selling stockholders upon termination of this offering. Therefore, for the purposes of the following table, we have assumed that the selling stockholders will sell all of the Class A common stock beneficially owned by them that are covered by this prospectus, but will not sell any other Class A common stock that they may currently own.
| | | Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | | Class A Common Stock Offered Hereby | | | Class A Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the Offering | |||||||
| | | Number | | | %(1) | | | Number | | | %(1) | ||||
Selling Stockholders | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Fortress Equity Partners GP LLC(2) | | | 13,399,317 | | | 6.5% | | | 13,399,317 | | | — | | | —% |
Energy Transition Holdings LLC(3) | | | 25,559,846 | | | 12.5% | | | 25,559,846 | | | — | | | —% |
| | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Directors and Executive Officers | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
Wesley R. Edens(4) | | | 47,540,924 | | | 23.2% | | | 47,540,924 | | | — | | | —% |
Randal A. Nardone(5) | | | 26,196,526 | | | 12.8% | | | 26,196,526 | | | — | | | —% |
Christopher S. Guinta | | | 201,653 | | | * | | | 201,653 | | | — | | | * |
Desmond Iain Catterall | | | 69,841 | | | * | | | 69,841 | | | — | | | * |
David J. Grain | | | 114,294 | | | * | | | 114,294 | | | — | | | * |
C. William Griffin | | | 333,429 | | | * | | | 333,429 | | | — | | | * |
John J. Mack | | | 1,178,013 | | | * | | | 1,178,013 | | | — | | | * |
Katherine E. Wanner | | | 77,129 | | | * | | | 77,129 | | | — | | | * |
* | Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of shares outstanding. See footnote (1). |
(1) | As of February 26, 2024, we had 205,033,557 shares of Class A common stock outstanding. |
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(2) | Fortress Equity Partners GP LLC (“Fortress Equity GP”) beneficially owns 13,399,317 shares of our Class A common stock. Fortress Operating Entity I LP (“FOE I” and, together with Fortress Equity GP, the “Fortress Parties”) is the sole member of Fortress Equity GP. The address for the Fortress Parties is c/o Fortress Investment Group LLC, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10105, Attention: Michael Cohn. Messers Edens and Nardone are officers of FOE I and each disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by Fortress Equity GP. |
(3) | Energy Transition Holdings LLC is managed by Great Mountain Partners LLC. Jonathan Rotolo and Alexander Thomson are the managers of Great Mountain Partners LLC and, in that capacity, have voting and dispositive power over the shares of Class A common stock held by Energy Transition Holdings LLC. Each of Great Mountain Partners LLC, Mr. Rotolo and Mr. Thomson has disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The principal business address of the entities identified herein is 157 Church Street, 20th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. |
(4) | Consists of 29,928,173 shares of Class A common stock held by Edens Family Partners LLC and 17,612,751 shares of Class A common stock held by WRE 2012 Trust LLC (“WRE Trust”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Mr. Edens is the sole beneficial owner of Edens Family Partners LLC. Mr. Edens has the sole right to receive or direct the receipt of dividends on, and the proceeds from, the sale of all such shares. NFE WE LLC and NFE RN LLC, each controlled by Mr. Edens together with Mr. Nardone, have the right to appoint six of the eight members to the Company’s board of directors. |
(5) | Mr. Nardone has the sole right to receive or direct the receipt of dividends on, and the proceeds from, the sale of all such shares of Class A common stock. NFE WE LLC and NFE RN LLC, each controlled by Mr. Nardone together with Mr. Edens, have the right to appoint six of the eight members to the Company’s board of directors. |
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We or the selling stockholders may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
• | to underwriters for resale to purchasers; |
• | directly to purchasers; |
• | through agents or dealers to purchasers; |
• | in “at-the market” offerings (as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933); |
• | through a combination of any of these methods; or |
• | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in a prospectus supplement. |
In addition, we or the selling stockholders may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or the selling stockholders or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We or the selling stockholders may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.
We or the selling stockholders will identify the specific plan of distribution in a prospectus supplement, including:
• | the terms of the offering; |
• | the names of the underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation; |
• | the purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
• | any delayed delivery obligations to take the securities; |
• | the nature of the underwriters’ obligations to take the securities; |
• | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed; |
• | the names of any selling stockholders, if applicable; and |
• | other facts material to the transaction. |
Underwriters, dealers and agents
If we use underwriters in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. If we use an underwriting syndicate, the managing underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own accounts. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if any are purchased.
If dealers are used in an offering, we may sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers then may resell the securities to the public at varying prices which they determine at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.
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If agents are used in an offering, the names of the agents and the terms of the agency will be specified in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the agents will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
Dealers and agents named in a prospectus supplement may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in other transactions with and perform other services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutional investors to purchase securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. We may enter contracts with commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutional investors. The obligations of any institutional investor will be subject to the condition that its purchase of the offered securities will not be illegal at the time of delivery. The underwriters and other agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of contracts.
Direct sales
We may sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.
At-the-market offerings
We may also sell the securities offered by any applicable prospectus supplement in “at-the-market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise.
Trading markets and listing of securities
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our Class A common stock, which is listed on Nasdaq. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
Stabilization activities
In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities, if any, from us in the offering. If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from us, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market. In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.
Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids.
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If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. The impositions of a penalty bid may also affect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities. The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain. These transactions may be effected on Nasdaq or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
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CLASS A COMMON STOCK
The following is a summary of U.S. federal income considerations generally applicable to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock. The following summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury regulations and judicial and administrative authority, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. State, local, foreign, and estate tax consequences are not summarized, nor are tax consequences to special classes of investors or investors subject to special rules, including, but not limited to, certain former citizens and former long-term residents of the United States, a “controlled foreign corporation,” a “passive foreign investment company,” a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, a partnership or other “pass through” entity or an investor in any such entity, a holder who is subject to special exemptions or other special rules under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”), persons who own (actually or constructively) more than 5% of our Class A common stock, a tax-exempt organization, a bank or other financial institution, a broker, dealer or trader in securities, commodities or currencies, a person holding our Class A common stock as part of a hedging, conversion, straddle, constructive sale or other risk reduction transaction or an insurance company. Tax consequences may vary depending upon the particular status of an investor. The summary is limited to non-U.S. holders who purchase our Class A common stock for cash pursuant to an offering under this prospectus and who hold our Class A common stock as a “capital asset”(generally, property held for investment). Each potential investor should consult its tax advisor as to the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and any other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock.
For purposes of this summary, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock (other than a partnership or other pass-through entity) that is not: a citizen or individual resident of the United States; a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Class A common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner in a partnership holding our Class A common stock, you should consult your tax advisor as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you.
Distributions
Distributions with respect to our Class A common stock will be treated as dividends to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, then subject to the next sentence, the excess will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Class A common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such Class A common stock, subject to the tax treatment described below in “—Dispositions.” If we are or become a U.S. real property holding corporation (as described below), we may be required to withhold 15% of any distribution to a non-U.S. holder that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits if either our Class A common stock are not then treated as regularly traded on an established securities market or the non-U.S. holder owns in excess of 5% of our Class A common stock.
Generally, distributions treated as dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to our Class A common stock will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. Distributions treated as dividends that are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. holder) are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person and are
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exempt from the 30% withholding tax (assuming compliance with certain certification requirements). Any such effectively connected distributions received by a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
To claim the benefit of an applicable tax treaty or an exemption from withholding because the income is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, a non-U.S. holder generally will be required to provide a properly executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (if the holder is claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty) or Form W-8ECI (for income effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States) or other suitable form. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under a relevant tax treaty.
Dispositions
A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless:
• | the gain is effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. holder); |
• | in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a non-resident alien individual, such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met; or |
• | we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) at any time within the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of such sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition or the period that such non-U.S. holder held our Class A common stock and either (a) our Class A common stock were not treated as regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the sale, or (b) such non-U.S. holder owns or owned (actually or constructively) more than 5% of our Class A common stock at any time during the shorter of the two periods mentioned above. |
If gain or loss on the disposition of our Class A common stock is effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. Holder), such gain or loss will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person, and in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation, such gain may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate). If a non-U.S. holder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met, the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to a flat income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) on any capital gain recognized on the disposition of our Class A common stock, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.
With respect to the third bullet above, a corporation generally is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests, as defined in the Code and applicable Treasury regulations, equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although we believe that we currently are not a USRPHC, this determination is not free from doubt, and we could become a USRPHC in the future depending on the manner in which we expand our business. In addition, although we anticipate that our Class A common stock will be treated as “regularly traded on an established securities market” following this offering, no assurance can be given that our Class A common stock will continue to be so treated in the future. If the third bullet above applies to a non-U.S. holder, gain recognized on the disposition of our common shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. In addition, if our stock ceased to be “regularly traded,” the transferee in any disposition would generally be required to withhold 15% of the amount realized on the disposition under FIRPTA. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the foregoing rules.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Legislation enacted in 2010 and existing guidance issued thereunder require withholding at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of our Class A common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the United States Department
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of the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such interests or accounts are held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by U.S. persons and to withhold on certain payments. Accordingly, the entity through which our Class A common stock are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of our Class A common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we or the applicable withholding agent will in turn provide to the Internal Revenue Service. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify the foregoing requirements. We will not pay any additional amounts to stockholders in respect of any amounts withheld. Stockholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of the legislation on their investment in our Class A common stock.
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The following is a general summary of certain considerations associated with the acquisition and holding of securities offered hereunder (including interests therein) by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of ERISA, plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code and employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of securities) or other plans that are not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).
This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA and the Code (and related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations) as of the date of this prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized below. Any of these changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release. This discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as investment or legal advice. Each time we or any stockholders offer, issue or sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that may contain supplemental information to this summary.
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (a “Covered Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Covered Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of a Covered Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of a Covered Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to a Covered Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Covered Plan. We and our affiliates will not act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to any Plan’s investment in our securities.
In considering an investment in a security offered pursuant hereto with a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should consider the Plan’s particular circumstances and all of the facts and circumstances of the investment and determine whether the acquisition and holding of such security is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, or any Similar Law relating to the fiduciary’s duties to the Plan, including, without limitation:
• | whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA, if applicable, and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
• | whether, in making the investment, the Plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA, if applicable, and any other applicable Similar Laws; |
• | whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the Plan; |
• | whether in the future there may be no market in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the security ; |
• | whether the acquisition or holding of such security will constitute a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law (please see discussion under “—Prohibited Transaction Issues” below); and |
• | whether the Plan will be considered to hold, as plan assets, (i) only such security or (ii) an undivided interest in our underlying assets (please see the discussion under “—Plan Asset Issues” below). |
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Covered Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of
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the Covered Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. For example, the acquisition and/or holding of our securities by a Covered Plan with respect to which the issuer or certain other parties is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption.
Because of the foregoing, our securities (including interests therein) should not be acquired or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such acquisition and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.
Plan Asset Issues
Additionally, a fiduciary of a Plan should consider whether the Plan will, by investing in our equity securities , be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that we would become a fiduciary of the Plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.
The Department of Labor (the “DOL”) regulations, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA (the “Plan Asset Regulation”) provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which Covered Plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” of the Covered Plan under some circumstances. Under the Plan Asset Regulation, an entity’s assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:
• | equity interests acquired by Covered Plans are “publicly offered securities” (as defined in the DOL regulations)—i.e., the equity interests are part of a class of securities that is widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, are “freely transferable” (as defined in the DOL regulations), and are either registered under certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the Covered Plan as part of a public offering under certain conditions; |
• | the entity is an “operating company” (as defined in the Plan Asset Regulations)—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service, other than the investment of capital, either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or |
• | there is no significant investment by “benefit plan investors”, which is defined to mean that immediately after the most recent acquisition by a Covered Plan of any equity interest in the entity, less than 25% of the total value of each class of equity interest (disregarding certain interests held by persons (other than benefit plan investors) with discretionary authority or control over the assets of the entity or who provide investment advice for a fee (direct or indirect) with respect to such assets, and any affiliates thereof) is held by Covered Plans (which does not include governmental plans, foreign plans and certain church plans), and entities whose underlying assets are deemed to include plan assets by reason of a Covered Plan’s investment in the entity. |
Due to the complexity of these rules and the excise taxes, penalties and liabilities that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions or other violations, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering acquiring and/or holding our equity securities on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be necessary, and if so applicable, with respect to the investment in such securities. Purchasers of our securities have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring, and will be deemed (and in certain cases may be required) to represent, that their acquisition and holding of such securities complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. The sale of any security to a Plan is in no respect a representation or recommendation by us or any of our respective affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plan or that such investment is appropriate or advisable for any such Plan.
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Unless otherwise indicated in any accompanying prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
Ernst & Young LLP , independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in this registration statement. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s’s reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. |
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts or commissions.
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee | | | $ * |
FINRA Filing Fee | | | $** |
Accounting Fees and Expenses | | | $** |
Legal Fees and Expenses | | | $** |
Printing Fees | | | $** |
Transfer Agents and Trustees’ Fees and Expenses | | | $** |
Miscellaneous | | | $** |
Total | | | $ * |
* | Under Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred and will be paid at the time of any particular offering of the securities under this registration statement, and are therefore not estimable at this time. |
** | These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
New Fortress Energy Inc. is incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers as well as other employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which such person was made, is made or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation—a “derivative action”), if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.
Under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, in most circumstances the Company will indemnify the following persons (the “Indemnified Persons”), to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law: (a) any person who is or was a director or officer of the Company or its predecessor, (b) any person who is or was serving at the request of the Company or its predecessor as an officer, director, member, manager, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person (including any subsidiary); provided, that a person shall not be an Indemnified Person by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, (c) is or was Fortress Equity Partners (A) LP and Fortress Investment Group LLC or their respective affiliates, (d) is or was NFE WE LLC and NFE RN LLC or their respective affiliates and (e) is or was any person the Board of Directors designates as an “Indemnified Person” for purposes of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws. In addition to rights to indemnification, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation also contains a provision eliminating personal liability of directors of the Company for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists as of the date of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or as it may be amended.
The Company has agreed to provide this indemnification on a case-by-case basis upon authorization from (x) in the case of an Indemnified Person who is a director or officer of the Company at the time of the
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determination, (i) a majority vote of the Company’s directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iv) the Company’s stockholders, or (y) in the case of any other Indemnified Person, any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of the Company. To the extent, however, that an Indemnified Person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such Indemnified Person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case. The Company has also agreed to provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against such Indemnified Person, regardless of whether the Company would have the power or obligation to indemnify the person against such liabilities under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among other things, that the Company indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and advance its directors and executive officers all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted.
The Company currently maintains an insurance policy on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them or which they incur acting in such capacity or arising out of their status as directors or officers.
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Item 16. | List of Exhibits. |
A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained in the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Exhibit No. | | | Description |
1.1+ | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement |
| | | Certificate of Incorporation of New Fortress Energy Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to New Fortress Energy Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2020). | |
| | | Bylaws of New Fortress Energy Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to New Fortress Energy Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2020). | |
3.3+ | | | Form of certificate representing preferred stock. |
4.1+ | | | Form of Depositary Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt). |
| | | Form of Indenture for debt securities between the registrant and U.S. Bank National Association, as the trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-236921)) | |
4.3+ | | | Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant Certificate). |
5.1* | | | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. |
| | | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, for New Fortress Energy Inc. | |
23.4* | | | Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1). |
| | | Power of Attorney (included on signature pages to this Registration Statement). | |
| | | Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of trustee under the Indenture. | |
107* | | | Filing Fee Table. |
* | Filed herewith. |
+ | To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or other filings incorporated herein by reference or to a post-effective amendment hereto, if applicable. |
Item 17. | Undertakings. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement;
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(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
(i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and |
(ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has
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been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on March 1, 2024.
| | | New Fortress Energy Inc. | |||||||
| | | | | | | ||||
| | | By: | | | /s/ Wesley R. Edens | ||||
| | | | | Name: | | | Wesley R. Edens | ||
| | | | | Title: | | | Chief Executive Officer | ||
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates stated. Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wesley R. Edens, Christopher S. Guinta and Yunyoung Shin and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting along with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, and to any registration statement filed under SEC Rule 462, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | | | Title | | | Date |
/s/ Wesley R. Edens | | | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) | | | March 1, 2024 |
Wesley R. Edens | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Christopher S. Guinta | | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | | | March 1, 2024 |
Christopher S. Guinta | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Yunyoung Shin | | | Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) | | | March 1, 2024 |
Yunyoung Shin | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Randal A. Nardone | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
Randal A. Nardone | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ C. William Griffin | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
C. William Griffin | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ John J. Mack | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
John J. Mack | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Timothy W. Jay | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
Timothy W. Jay | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ David J. Grain | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
David J. Grain | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Desmond Iain Catterall | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
Desmond Iain Catterall | | | ||||
| | | | | |||
/s/ Katherine E. Wanner | | | Director | | | March 1, 2024 |
Katherine E. Wanner | | |
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Exhibit 5.1
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp
ONE MANHATTAN WEST
NEW YORK, NY 10001
________
TEL: (212) 735-3000
FAX: (212) 735-2000
www.skadden.com
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March 1, 2024
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FIRM/AFFILIATE
OFFICES
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BOSTON
CHICAGO
HOUSTON
LOS ANGELES
PALO ALTO
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WILMINGTON
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BEIJING
BRUSSELS
FRANKFURT
HONG KONG
LONDON
MUNICH
PARIS
SÃO PAULO
SEOUL
SHANGHAI
SINGAPORE
TOKYO
TORONTO
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New Fortress Energy Inc.
111 W. 19th Street, 8th
Floor
New York, New York 10011
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RE:
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New Fortress Energy Inc.
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Registration Statement on Form S-3
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special United States counsel to New Fortress Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on
Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Registration
Statement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act (the “Rules and Regulations”), of (i) shares of
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in one or more series;
(iii) depositary receipts (the “Receipts”) representing fractional shares of Preferred Stock, which are called depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) and which may be issued pursuant to one or more depositary agreements (each,
a “Depositary Agreement”) proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more bank or trust companies to be named in the applicable Depositary Agreement (each, a “Bank Depositary”); (iv) debt securities of the Company (“Debt
Securities”), which may be issued in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor trustee to U.S. Bank Trust
Company), the form of which is filed by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; (v) warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock, shares of Preferred Stock or Debt Securities (“Warrants”), which may be issued pursuant
to one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named therein; and (vi) such indeterminate number of shares of Class A Common Stock, Preferred
Stock or Depositary Shares and indeterminate amount of Debt Securities as may be issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise, as applicable, of any Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, including such Class A Common
Stock or Preferred Stock as may be issued pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments determined at the time of offering (collectively, “Indeterminate Securities”). The Registration Statement also relates to the sale from time to time of (a) up
to 708,092 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “RSU Secondary Shares”) issuable upon settlement of certain restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) outstanding under the Company’s Amended and Restated New Fortress Energy Inc. 2019
Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and (b) 113,962,880 additional shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Other Secondary Shares,” and together with the RSU Secondary Shares, the “Secondary Shares”) in each case on behalf of
the Company’s shareholders (the “Selling Stockholders”). The Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Indeterminate Securities and Secondary Shares offered pursuant to the Registration Statement
are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.”
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 2
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:
(a) the Registration Statement;
(b) the form of Indenture incorporated
by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
(c) an executed copy of a certificate of
Cameron D. MacDougall, Secretary of the Company, dated the date hereof (the “Secretary’s Certificate”);
(d) the Plan;
(e) a copy of the Company’s Certificate
of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of March 1, 2024, and certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(f) a copy of the Company’s bylaws,
adopted as of August 3, 2020 and effective as of August 7, 2020 dated as of August 7, 2020 (the “Bylaws”), certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(g) a copy of the Company’s Certificate
of Conversion, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 3, 2020, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(h) a copy of certain resolutions of the
Board of Directors of New Fortress Energy LLC adopted on July 30, 2020, certified pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
(i) a copy of certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted on August 7, 2020, certified
pursuant to the Secretary’s Certificate;
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 3
(j) a copy of the Form of Director
Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement Under the Amended and Restated New Fortress Energy Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Director RSU Award Agreement”); and
(k) a copy of the Form of Restricted
Share Unit Award Agreement Under the Amended and Restated New Fortress Energy Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (together with the Director RSU Award Agreement, the “Award Agreements”).
We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and the Selling Stockholders and such
agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and the Selling Stockholders and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a
basis for the opinions stated below.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.
As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and the Selling Stockholders and
others and of public officials, including those in the Secretary’s Certificate.
We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York and (ii) the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”).
As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Plan, the Award Agreements, the Depositary Agreements, the Indenture and the supplemental indentures and
officer’s certificates establishing the terms of the Debt Securities pursuant thereto, the Warrant Agreements and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement.
The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 7 below presume that all of the following (collectively, the “general conditions”) shall have occurred prior to the
issuance of the Securities referred to therein: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement
or term sheet with respect to such Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations; (iii) the applicable Transaction Documents have been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, including, if such Securities are to be sold or otherwise distributed pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering, the underwriting agreement or purchase agreement
with respect thereto; (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any duly authorized committee thereof, has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and sale of such Securities and related matters and
appropriate officers of the Company have taken all related action as directed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (v) the terms of the applicable Transaction Documents and the issuance and sale of such
Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws so as not to violate any applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 4
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock offered by the
Company, including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Class A Common Stock (the “Offered Class A Common Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied and (b) the Offered Class A Common Stock are
registered in the Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the shares of Offered Class A Common Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions
of the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is
not less than $0.01 per share of Class A Common Stock.
2. When delivered in accordance with the Plan and applicable award
agreement, the RSU Secondary Shares being sold by the Selling Stockholders will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. The Other Secondary Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
4. With respect to the shares of any series of Preferred Stock offered by the Company, including any Indeterminate Securities
constituting Preferred Stock of such series (the “Offered Preferred Stock”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the terms of the Offered
Preferred Stock and of their issuance and sale have been duly established by the Board of Directors in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the DGCL, and (c) the Offered Preferred Stock are registered in the
Company’s share registry and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Preferred Stock, when issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction
Documents, will be duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company under the DGCL and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, provided that the consideration therefor is not less than $0.01 per share of
Offered Preferred Share.
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 5
5. With respect to any Depositary Shares offered by the Company, including
any Indeterminate Securities constituting Depositary Shares (the “Offered Depositary Shares”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Preferred Stock relating to such Offered Depositary Shares has
been duly authorized for issuance by the Company; (c) the Offered Depositary Shares have been duly executed, delivered, countersigned, issued and sold in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Depositary Agreement, and the
Offered Depositary Shares have been delivered to the Bank Depositary for deposit in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement; and (d) the Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against deposit of
the related shares of Preferred Stock with the Bank Depositary in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement, the Offered Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts will entitle the registered holder thereof to the rights
specified in the Depositary Agreement.
6. With respect to any series of Debt Securities offered by the Company,
including any Indeterminate Securities constituting Debt Securities of such series (the “Offered Debt Securities”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, (c) the issuance, sale and terms of the Offered Debt Securities and related matters have been approved and established in conformity with the applicable Transaction Documents and (d) the certificates evidencing
the Offered Debt Securities have been issued in a form that complies with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents and have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and any
other applicable Transaction Documents and issued and sold or otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Documents upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Offered Debt
Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
7. With respect to any Warrants offered by the Company (the “Offered
Warrants”), when (a) the general conditions shall have been satisfied, (b) the Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities for which the Offered Warrants are exercisable have been duly authorized for issuance by
the Company and (c) certificates evidencing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, delivered and countersigned in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Warrant Agreement, the Offered Warrants, when issued and sold or
otherwise distributed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Transaction Document upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms under the laws of the State of New York.
The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:
(a) we do not express any
opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws or governmental orders affecting creditors’
rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and orders and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 6
(b) we do not express any
opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory
regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;
(c) except to the extent
expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in
accordance with its terms;
(d) we do not express any
opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or
other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or
altering any statute of limitations;
(e) we do not express any
opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision of any Transaction Document to the extent that such section purports to bind any party to the exclusive jurisdiction of any particular federal court or courts;
(f) we call to your attention
that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution
of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to
any Transaction Document;
(g) we have assumed that any
agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment; further, we do not
express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process;
(h) we have assumed that the
choice of New York law to govern the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto is a valid and legal provision;
(i) we have assumed that the
laws of the State of New York will be chosen to govern any Depositary Agreements and Warrant Agreements and that such choice is and will be a valid and legal provision;
(j) we have assumed that the
Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee in substantially the form reviewed by us; and
(k) to the extent that any
opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such
enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.
New Fortress Energy Inc.
March 1, 2024
Page 7
In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that:
(a) neither the execution
and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities: (i) constitutes or will constitute a
violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Company or its property is subject, (ii) contravenes or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which
the Company or its property is subject, or (iii) violates or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iii) with
respect to the Opined-on Law);
(b) neither the execution
and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party nor the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder, including the issuance and sale of the applicable Securities, requires or
will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction;
(c) with respect to our
opinion set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the Secondary Shares have been registered in the Company’s share registry;
(d) with respect to our
opinion set forth in paragraph 2 above, we have assumed that each award agreement under which restricted stock units are granted pursuant to the Plan were granted consistent with the Plan and the Award Agreements; and
(e) with respect to our
opinion set forth in paragraph 3 above, (i) the Company received in full the consideration for the Other Secondary Shares set forth in the applicable resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company approving the issuance of
all such Other Secondary Shares, and (ii) the issuance of the Other Secondary Shares did not violate or conflict with any agreement or instrument binding on the Company (except that we do not make this assumption with respect to
the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or those agreements or instruments expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York which are listed in Part II of the Registration Statement or the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023).
We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the
facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.
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Very truly yours,
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MJS
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/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of New Fortress Energy Inc. for the registration of Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and 114,670,972 Shares of Class A Common Stock Offered by Selling Stockholders and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 29, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of New Fortress Energy Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of New Fortress Energy Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 1, 2024
Exhibit 25.1
securities and exchange commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
Statement of Eligibility Under
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a
Corporation Designated to Act as Trustee
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) ☐
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
91-1821036
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
|
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Brandon Bonfig
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
60 Livingston Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107
(651) 466-6619
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
New Fortress Energy Inc.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Delaware | 83-1482060 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
111 W. 19th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY |
10011 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. |
Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. |
Yes
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
None
| Items 3-15 | Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee's knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee. |
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4. |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2023, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on the 1st of March, 2024.
| By: | /s/ Brandon Bonfig | ||
| Brandon Bonfig | |||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 1
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:
FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person's most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
- 1 -
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.
Transfers of the Association's stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
- 2 -
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| (1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (3) | Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| (4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| (5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| (6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the Association's management or committees of the board. |
| (7) | Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
- 3 -
| (8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. |
| (9) | Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association. |
| (10) | Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders. |
| (11) | Make contracts. |
| (12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association's activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.
- 4 -
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.
Exhibit 2
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS
I. Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of die Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation. and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. "U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association," Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, December 13, 2023, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
 |
||
| Acting Comptroller of the Currency |
Exhibit 4
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.
Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.
Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.
Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.
Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.
Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.
Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.
Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.
Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.
Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.
Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.
Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board's responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.
Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).
The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:
(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and
(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.
Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.
Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.
Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.
Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.
Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.
Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
ARTICLE VI
Corporate Seal
Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.
Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association. Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).
Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment
Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.
***
(February 8, 2021)
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: March 1, 2024
| By: | /s/ Brandon Bonfig | ||
| Brandon Bonfig | |||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
as of 12/31/2023
($000’s)
| 12/31/2023 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions | $ | 1,171,838 | ||
| Securities | 4,441 | |||
| Federal Funds | 0 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables | 0 | |||
| Fixed Assets | 1,409 | |||
| Intangible Assets | 578,492 | |||
| Other Assets | 218,268 | |||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,974,448 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Deposits | $ | 0 | ||
| Fed Funds | 0 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes | 0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities | 0 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money | 0 | |||
| Acceptances | 0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities | 255,900 | |||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 255,900 | ||
| Equity | ||||
| Common and Preferred Stock | 200 | |||
| Surplus | 1,171,635 | |||
| Undivided Profits | 546,713 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries | 0 | |||
| Total Equity Capital | $ | 1,718,548 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | $ | 1,974,448 | ||
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-3
(Form Type)
(Form Type)
New Fortress Energy Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
|
Security
Type
|
Security Class Title
|
Fee Calculation
or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered
|
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price
|
Fee Rate
|
Amount of Registration
Fee |
Carry Forward
Form Type |
Carry Forward
File Number |
Carry Forward
Initial Effective Date |
Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward
|
||||||||||||||
|
Newly Registered Securities
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fees to Be Paid
|
Equity
|
|
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
|
457(r)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(3)
|
(3)
|
||||||||||||
|
Fees to Be Paid
|
Equity
|
|
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
|
457(r)
|
(1) (2)
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(3)
|
|
(3)
|
||||||||||||
|
Fees to Be Paid
|
Other
|
Depositary Shares
|
457(r)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(3)
|
|
(3)
|
||||||||||||
|
Fees to Be Paid
|
Debt
|
|
Debt Securities
|
|
457(r)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(3)
|
|
(3)
|
||||||||||
|
Fees to Be Paid
|
Other
|
Warrants
|
457(r)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(1) (2)
|
|
(3)
|
|
(3)
|
||||||||||||
|
Fees Previously Paid
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Carry Forward Securities
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Carry Forward Securities
|
Equity
|
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
|
415(a)(6)
|
108,312,773
|
$1,501,215,033.78
|
S-3ASR
|
333-254469
|
March 18, 2021
|
$194,857.72 (4)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
415(a)(6)
|
6,358,199
|
$275,437,180.68
|
S-3ASR
|
333-254469
|
March 18, 2021
|
$30,050.20 (4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Offering Amounts
|
$1,776,652,214.46
|
N/A
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Fees Previously Paid
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total Fee Offsets
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net Fee Due
|
N/A
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(1)
|
Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 Instructions to the Calculation of Filing Fee Tables and Related Disclosure 2.A.iii.c.
|
|
(2)
|
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price, principal amount or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may
from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices or upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of
other securities.
|
|
(3)
|
The Registrant is relying on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) to defer payment of all
registration fees. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the Registrant will “pay-as-you-go” in accordance with Rule 456(b). The Registrant will calculate the registration fee applicable to an offer of securities pursuant to
this Registration Statement based on the fee payment rate in effect on the date of such fee payment.
|
|
(4)
|
As discussed below, pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement includes 114,670,972 shares of Class A Common Stock that were previously registered and remain unsold (the “Unsold Securities”). Accordingly, no registration fee is due.
Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), this Registration Statement includes 108,312,773 shares of Unsold Securities previously
registered pursuant to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-236921), which was declared effective on May 6, 2020 (the “Initial Registration Statement”) and subsequently pursuant to the registration statement on Form
S-3ASR (File No. 333-254469), which was automatically effective on March 18, 2021 (the “Expiring Registration Statement”).
The Initial Registration Statement registered 145,050,664 shares of common stock with a proposed maximum aggregate
offering price of $2,010,402,203.04, in respect of which the Registrant paid an aggregate registration fee of $260,950.21 (the “Initial Filing Fee”). A total of 138,692,465 unsold shares of common stock were subsequently registered
under the Expiring Registration Statement and the Initial Filing Fee in respect of such shares of unsold shares of common stock was carried forward to the Expiring Registration Statement. In addition, 6,358,199 new shares of Class A
Common Stock with an aggregate offering price of $275,437,180.68 were registered under the Expiring Registration Statement, in respect of which the Registrant paid an aggregate registration fee of $30,050.20, which shares remain unsold
(the “Subsequent Filing Fee”).
Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), $194,857.72 of the Initial Filing Fee is hereby applied to the 108,312,773 shares of
Unsold Securities carried forward and registered hereunder and $30,050.20 of the Subsequent Filing Fee is hereby applied to the 6,358,199 shares of Unsold Securities carried forward and registered hereunder and, as a result, no
additional filing fee is due in respect of such Unsold Securities. In accordance with Rule 415(a)(6), the offering of securities registered under the Expiring Registration Statement will be terminated as of the time of filing of this
Registration Statement.
|