As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2022

File No.             

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

The Securities Act of 1933

 

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		82-1954058
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 485-3300

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Martha A. Wiegand

General Counsel and Secretary

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 416-8300

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Hannah T. Frank

John B. Hoke

McGuireWoods LLP

Tower Two-Sixty

260 Forbes Avenue, Suite 1800

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3142

(412) 667-6000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after effectiveness.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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 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

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 416-8300

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

We may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more offerings. The securities that we may offer may also be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our other securities. One or more selling security holders to be identified in the future may also offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time. We or any such selling security holders may offer these securities directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers.

This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities may be offered. When we sell particular issues of securities, we will file prospectus supplements and may provide other offering materials that detail the specific terms of the securities to be offered, including the initial offering price, the aggregate amount of the offering, information about any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system and other investment considerations. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered, including any underwriting arrangements, and may also supplement, update or amend information in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplements carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CEIX.”

Investing in our securities involves risks. For a description of these risks, see “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus and the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated February 11, 2022.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an unspecified dollar amount.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or other offering materials that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Material federal income tax considerations applicable to the offered securities will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials as necessary. The prospectus supplement or other offering materials may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or other offering materials together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

When we use the terms “we”, “our”, “us”, “CONSOL Energy” or the “Company” in this prospectus, we are referring to CONSOL Energy Inc.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our file number with the SEC is 001-38147. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Our internet site is http://www.consolenergy.com.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update or supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions of the documents not deemed to be filed) and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, until we sell all of the securities:

 

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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021; and

 

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the description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 6 to Form 10, filed November 2, 2017.

You may request a copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at: Secretary, CONSOL Energy Inc., 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317, (724) 416-8300. Any documents that we file electronically with the SEC and that are available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system, may be found on our website as well.

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or to which this prospectus refers you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information which appears in this prospectus and which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus may only be accurate as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the document in which incorporated information appears. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

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SAFE HARBOR AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This prospectus or other offering materials may contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. Examples include discussions as to our expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives and future financial or other performance. These statements, by their nature, involve estimates, projections, forecasts and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ substantially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements may accompany the statements themselves; generally applicable factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those expressed in the forward-looking statements will be discussed in our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K incorporated by reference herein and in prospectus supplements and other offering materials.

By making forward-looking statements, we are not intending to become obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or other changes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as at their dates.

 

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OUR COMPANY

We and our predecessors have been mining coal, primarily in the Appalachian Basin, since 1864.    CONSOL Energy was incorporated in Delaware on June 21, 2017 and became an independent, publicly traded company on November 28, 2017 when our former parent separated its coal business and natural gas business into two independently traded public companies. As part of the separation, our former parent transferred to the Company substantially all of its coal-related assets, including its Pennsylvania Mining Complex, all of its interest in PA Mining Complex LP (which was then a publicly-traded partnership), the CONSOL Marine Terminal, the Itmann Mine and all of its Greenfield Reserves and Resources located in the Northern Appalachian Basin, the Central Appalachian Basin and the Illinois Basin. On December 30, 2020, we acquired by merger the portion of PA Mining Complex LP that was not originally transferred to us in the separation.

We are a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal, focused on the extraction and preparation of coal in the Appalachian Basin due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines and the industry experience of our management team. Our most significant assets are the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and the CONSOL Marine Terminal.

Coal from the Pennsylvania Mining Complex is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in Btu per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical, industrial and power generation applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and our extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of strategically selected, top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States. We also capitalize on the operational synergies afforded by the CONSOL Marine Terminal to export our coal to industrial, power generation and metallurgical end users globally.

The address of our principal executive offices is 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317. We maintain a website at http://www.consolenergy.com/ and the information contained in or connected to the website will not be deemed to be incorporated in this document, and you should not rely on any such information in making an investment decision.

For additional information about us, see “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 1.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond our control. We have identified a number of these factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as in other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the discussions of risks that we have incorporated by reference before deciding whether an investment in our securities is suitable for you. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 1.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus to fund working capital, finance capital expenditures and finance future acquisitions and to retire or redeem debt securities issued by us and for other general corporate purposes which may include the repayment of debt under any of our credit facilities.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock owned by the selling security holders, which may be sold from time to time by the selling security holders.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of debt securities describes general terms and provisions of a series of debt securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. When we offer to sell a series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any particular terms of the debt securities of that series or the indenture described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this prospectus, then the terms described in the applicable prospectus supplement will supersede the terms described in this prospectus.

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. We may issue our debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be unsubordinated and unsecured obligations.    

The debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures, each to be entered into by us and a trustee, which trustee shall be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue both secured and unsecured debt securities under the same indenture. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this section to the “indenture” and the “trustee” refer to the applicable indenture pursuant to which any particular series of debt securities is issued and to the trustee under that indenture. The terms of any series of debt securities will be those specified in or pursuant to the applicable indenture and in the certificates evidencing that series of debt securities and those made part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the “Trust Indenture Act of 1939.”

The following summary of selected provisions of the indenture is not complete, and the summary of selected terms of a particular series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement also will not be complete. You should review the form of applicable indenture, the form of any applicable supplemental indenture and the form of certificate evidencing the applicable debt securities, which forms have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as exhibits to documents which have been or will be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To obtain a copy of the form of indenture, the form of any such supplemental indenture or the form of certificate for any debt securities, see “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. The following summary and the summary in the applicable prospectus supplement are qualified in their entirety by reference to all of the provisions of the applicable indenture, any supplemental indenture and the certificates evidencing the applicable debt securities, which provisions, including defined terms, are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Capitalized terms used in this section and not defined have the meanings assigned to those terms in the indenture.

General

The debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture. The indenture provides that debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that may be authorized from time to time by us. Please read the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series of debt securities being offered for specific terms, including, where applicable:

 

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the title of the series of debt securities;

 

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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the series;

 

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the price or prices at which debt securities of the series will be issued;

 

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the person to whom any interest on a debt security of the series shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security is registered on the applicable record date;

 

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the date or dates on which we will pay the principal of and premium, if any, on debt securities of the series, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those dates;

 

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the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which debt securities of the series will bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those rates;

 

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the basis used to calculate interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

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the date or dates, if any, from which interest on the debt securities of the series will begin to accrue, or the method or methods, if any, used to determine those dates;

 

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the dates on which the interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series will be payable and the record dates for the payment of interest;

 

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the place or places where amounts due on the debt securities of the series will be payable and where the debt securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer and exchange, if other than the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee;

 

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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we may, at our option, redeem debt securities of the series;

 

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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will repurchase or repay debt securities of the series at the option of the holders of debt securities of the series;

 

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the terms of any sinking fund or analogous provision;

 

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if other than U.S. dollars, the currency in which the purchase price for the debt securities of the series will be payable, the currency in which payments on the debt securities of the series will be payable, and the ability, if any, of us or the holders of debt securities of the series to have payments made in any other currency or currencies;

 

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with respect to debt securities of the series, any addition of any covenant or Event of Default, or the modification or deletion of, any covenant or Event of Default;

 

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whether the debt securities of the series are to be issuable, in whole or in part, in bearer form (“bearer debt securities”);

 

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whether any debt securities of the series will be issued in temporary or permanent global form (“global debt securities”) and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global debt securities if other than The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”);

 

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if and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) on the debt securities of the series in respect of specified taxes, assessments or other governmental charges and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities of the series rather than pay the Additional Amounts;

 

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the manner in which, or the person to whom, any interest on any bearer debt security of the series will be payable, if other than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons relating to the bearer debt security;

 

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the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid, if other than in the manner provided in the indenture;

 

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the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration if other than the full principal amount;

 

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the authorized denominations in which the debt securities of the series will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000, in the case of debt securities in registered form (“registered debt securities”) or $5,000, in the case of bearer debt securities;

 

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the terms, if any, upon which debt securities of the series may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property;

 

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if the amount of payments on the debt securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods and the method used to determine those amounts;

 

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if the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and of some of the terms of any related security, pledge or other agreements;

 

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any listing of the debt securities on any securities exchange; and

 

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any other terms of the debt securities of the series (whether or not such other terms are consistent or inconsistent with any other terms of the indenture).

As used in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of any series, references to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series include the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, required by the debt securities of the series to be paid in that context.

We may issue debt securities at a discount from, or at a premium to, their stated principal amount. A prospectus supplement may describe U.S. federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to a debt security issued with original issue discount or at a premium.

If the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, with regard to any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency, then in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities, we will describe any restrictions on currency conversions, tax considerations or other material restrictions with respect to that issue of debt securities.

The terms of the debt securities of any series may differ from the terms of the debt securities of any other series, and the terms of particular debt securities within any series may differ from each other. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities, we may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series, reopen an existing series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series.

Unless otherwise described in a prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities and except to the limited extent set forth below under “— Merger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets,” the indenture does not contain any provisions that would limit our ability or the ability of any of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness or other liabilities or that would afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a business combination, takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us. Accordingly, we and our subsidiaries may in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of our consolidated indebtedness and other liabilities or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure or credit rating without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of any series.

Registration, Transfer and Payment

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of debt securities will be issued in registered form only, without coupons. The indenture, however, provides that we may also issue a series of debt securities in bearer form only, or in both registered and bearer form.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, registered debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiples of $1,000, and bearer debt securities will be issued in denominations of $5,000. The indenture will also permit that the debt securities may be issued in minimum denominations of $25.00 and integral multiples thereof.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be payable and may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and, if applicable, for conversion into or exchange for other securities or property, at an office or agency maintained by us in the United States. However, we, at our option, may make payments of interest on any registered debt security by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to receive that payment or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, no service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, redemption or repayment of debt securities, or for any conversion or exchange of debt securities for other securities or property, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with such transaction.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on bearer debt securities will be made, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at an office or agency outside the United States. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest due on bearer debt securities on any interest payment date will be made only against surrender of the coupon relating to that interest payment date. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, no payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, with respect to any bearer debt security will be made at any office or agency in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. However, if any bearer debt securities are payable in U.S. dollars, payments on those bearer securities may be made at the corporate trust office of the relevant trustee or at any office or agency designated by us in the United States if, but only if, payment of the full amount due on the bearer debt securities for principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, at all offices outside of the United States maintained for that purpose by us is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or similar restrictions.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be required to:

 

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issue, register the transfer of or exchange debt securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt securities of that series of like tenor and terms to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of that selection;

 

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register the transfer of or exchange any registered debt security, or portion of any registered debt security, selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered debt security being redeemed in part;

 

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exchange any bearer debt security selected for redemption, except to exchange a bearer debt security for a registered debt security of that series of like tenor and terms that is simultaneously surrendered for redemption; or

 

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issue, register the transfer of or exchange a debt security that has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, of the debt security not to be repaid.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

The securities depositary will be The Depository Trust Company, New York, NY, known as DTC, unless otherwise identified in the prospectus supplement relating to the securities. If DTC is the depositary for an issuance of securities, the issuance will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully registered security certificate will be issued for each issue of securities, each in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. If, however, the aggregate amount of any issue exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of issue and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining amount of such issue.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal

 

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Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues and money market instruments that its direct participants deposit with DTC. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly (“indirect participants”).

Purchases of the securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, the beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. A beneficial owner, however, is expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of its holdings, from the direct or indirect participant through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of direct and indirect participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the securities, except if the use of the book-entry system for the securities is discontinued. The deposit of global securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee, as the case may be, do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the global securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts global securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct participants and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

To the extent any issuance of securities is redeemable, we will send redemption notices to DTC. If less than all of the securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed. The applicable prospectus supplement for an issuance of securities will indicate whether such issue is redeemable.

None of DTC, Cede & Co., or any other DTC nominee will consent or vote with respect to the securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s money market instrument (MMI) procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

A beneficial owner must give any required notice of its election to have its securities repurchased, through the participant through which it holds its beneficial interest in the security, to the applicable trustee or tender agent. The beneficial owner shall effect delivery of its securities by causing the direct participant to transfer its interest in the securities on DTC’s records. The requirement for physical delivery of securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the securities are transferred by the direct participant on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered securities to the applicable trustee or agent’s DTC account.

Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the global securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice

 

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is to credit direct participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the issuer or agent, on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as in the case of securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” These payments will be the responsibility of such participant and not DTC, CONSOL Energy or any agent thereof, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) will be the responsibility of CONSOL Energy or its respective agent. Disbursement of such payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct participants and indirect participants. None of CONSOL Energy, any trustee or agent, or the registrar for the securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security or global securities for any series of securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depositary with respect to any securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the issuer or its agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC. In addition, an issuer may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depositary). In that event, security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

If so stated in the relevant prospectus supplement, beneficial owners may elect to hold interests in the securities through either Clearstream Banking S.A., known as “Clearstream, Luxembourg,” or through Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or “Euroclear” (in Europe), either directly if they are participants of such systems or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream, Luxembourg’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the U.S. depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg each hold securities for their customers and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions by electronic book-entry transfer between their respective account holders (each such account holder, a “participant” and collectively, the “participants”). Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg provide various services including safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg also deal with domestic securities markets in several countries through established depositary and custodial relationships. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have established an electronic bridge between their two systems across which their respective participants may settle trades with each other. Euroclear is incorporated under the laws of Belgium and Clearstream, Luxembourg is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg.

Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg customers are world-wide financial institutions, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations. Indirect access to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg is available to other institutions that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant of either system. The address of Euroclear is Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., 1 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, B-1210 Brussels, and the address of Clearstream, Luxembourg is Clearstream Banking, 42 Avenue JF Kennedy, L-1855, Luxembourg.

If DTC is the depositary for a global security, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg may hold interests in the global security as participants in DTC.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the securities represented by a global

 

11

security to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in securities represented by a global security to pledge or transfer such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.

Neither we nor the principal paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, securities by DTC, Clearstream, Luxembourg, or Euroclear, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of those organizations relating to the securities.

Redemption and Repurchase

The debt securities of any series may be redeemable at our option or may be subject to mandatory redemption by us as required by a sinking fund or otherwise. In addition, the debt securities of any series may be subject to repurchase or repayment by us at the option of the holders. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms, the times and the prices regarding any optional or mandatory redemption by us or any repurchase or repayment at the option of the holders of any series of debt securities, if any.

Conversion and Exchange

The terms, if any, on which debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or any other securities or property will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holders or at our option. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the applicable prospectus supplement or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to the conversion or exchange of debt securities of any series for other securities or property shall be deemed not to refer to or include any exchange of any debt securities of a series for other debt securities of the same series.

Secured Debt Securities

The debt securities of any series may be secured by collateral. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any such collateral and the terms of such secured debt securities.

Ranking

Senior debt securities will rank equally with all unsecured senior indebtedness of CONSOL. Any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of CONSOL.

Merger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets

The indenture provides that we will not, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of our property and assets to, or merge with or into, any person unless:

 

•

either we are the continuing person (in the case of a merger) or the successor person (if other than us) expressly assumes all of our obligations under the debt securities and under the applicable indenture;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction described above, no Event of Default under the indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default under the indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

•

certain other conditions are met.

 

12

In the case of any such consolidation, sale, lease, conveyance or merger in which we are not the continuing entity and upon execution and delivery by the successor person of the supplemental indenture described above, such successor person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, us and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor person had been named as us therein, and we shall be automatically released and discharged from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as being:

 

•

failure to pay interest on any of the debt securities for 30 days after the interest is due;

 

•

to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, such series for 30 days after the payment is due;

 

•

failure to perform, or breach of, any covenant in the indenture (other than (a) a covenant for which the consequences of nonperformance or breach are addressed elsewhere in the Events of Default or (b) a covenant expressly included solely for the benefit of other series) that continues for 60 days after the applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding Securities of that series give written notice of default;

 

•

the occurrence of certain events relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of CONSOL;

 

•

other Events of Default which are defined in the indenture or any indenture supplement for any series of debt securities.

The indenture provides that if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency) occurs and is continuing, then either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series may declare the principal of all the debt securities of the series and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the trustee if given by the holders), and upon any such declaration the principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any thereon, will become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default with respect to certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency occurs, then the principal of all of the debt securities of such series and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders.

No Event of Default with respect to any particular series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The indenture provides that, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee will mail to all holders of the debt securities of that series notice of that default if known to the trustee, unless that default has been cured or waived. However, the indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice of a default with respect to the debt securities of that series, except a default in payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, Additional Amounts, if any, or sinking fund payments, if any, if the trustee considers it in the best interests of the holders to do so. As used in this paragraph, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of any series.

Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 requiring the trustee, during the continuance of an Event of Default under the indenture, to act with the requisite standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of any series unless those holders have offered the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, fees and expenses and liabilities that might be incurred in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to the foregoing, holders of a majority in principal amount of the

 

13

outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee under the indenture with respect to that series. The indenture requires the annual filing by us with the trustee of a certificate that states whether or not we are in default under the terms of the indenture.

No holder of any debt securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under the indenture, unless

 

•

such holder has previously given written notice to the trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of such series;

 

•

the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series shall have made written request to the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as trustee under the indenture;

 

•

such holder or holders have offered to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, fees and expenses and liabilities which might be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

•

the trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

•

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the indenture, the holder of a debt security will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, that debt security on the respective due dates for those payments and, in the case of any debt security that is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, that debt security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of those payments and any right to effect such conversion or exchange, and this right shall not be impaired without the consent of the holder.

Modification, Waivers and Meetings

The indenture permits us and the trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the indenture and affected by a modification or amendment, to modify or amend any of the provisions of the indenture or of the debt securities of the applicable series or the rights of the holders of the debt securities of that series under the indenture. However, the consent of the holder of each debt security affected will be required for any modification or amendment that, among other things:

 

•

changes the stated maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

•

reduces the principal of or any premium on any debt securities, reduces the rate of interest on any debt securities or reduces the price payable upon the redemption of any debt securities, whether such redemption is mandatory or at our option, or upon the repurchase of any debt securities at the option of the holder, or reduces any Additional Amounts with respect to any debt securities, or change our obligation to pay Additional Amounts;

 

•

reduces the amount of principal of any original issue discount securities that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

•

adversely affects any right of repayment or repurchase of any debt securities at the option of any holder;

 

•

changes any place where, or the currency in which, debt securities are payable;

 

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•

impairs the holder’s right to institute suit to enforce the payment of any debt securities on or after their stated maturity or, in the case of any debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such debt securities in accordance with its terms;

 

•

makes any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any debt securities for other securities or property;

 

•

reduces the percentage of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture whose holders must consent to any modification or amendment or any waiver of compliance with specific provisions of such indenture or specified defaults under the indenture and their consequences; or

 

•

reduces the requirements for a quorum or voting at a meeting of holders of the applicable debt securities.

The indenture also contains provisions permitting us and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture, to modify or amend the indenture, among other things:

 

•

to evidence the succession of another person to us and the assumption by that successor of our covenants contained in the indenture and in the debt securities;

 

•

to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us with respect to all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture;

 

•

to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to facilitate the issuance of bearer securities;

 

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series and any related coupons, including, without limitation, conversion and exchange provisions applicable to debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and to establish any provisions with respect to any security or other collateral for such debt securities, and to make any deletions from or additions or changes to the indenture in connection with any of the matters referred to in this bullet point so long as those deletions, additions and changes are not applicable to any other series of debt securities then outstanding;

 

•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee in respect of the debt securities of one or more series;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision in such indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with other provisions in the indenture, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, which shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the debt securities of any series then outstanding in any material respect;

 

•

to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of debt securities;

 

•

to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture to permit or facilitate defeasance, covenant defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any holder of a debt security of such series or any other debt security in any material respect;

 

•

to secure or, if applicable, to provide additional security for all or any debt securities issued under the indenture and to provide for any and all matters relating thereto, and to provide for the release of any collateral as security for all or any debt securities in accordance with the terms of the indenture;

 

•

to add to or change or eliminate any provision of the indenture as is necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendment to the Trust Indenture Act;

 

•

to make any change to the indenture, or any supplemental indenture, or any debt securities to conform the terms thereof to any provision of the description of a series of any debt securities in any prospectus (including this prospectus), prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or similar offering

 

15

document used in connection with the initial offering or sale of any debt securities to the extent that such provision in such description was intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision of the indenture or debt securities;

 

•

in the case of any series of debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock or other securities or property, to provide for the conversion or exchange rights of those debt securities in the event of any reclassification or change of our common stock or any of our other securities into which such debt securities are convertible or for which such debt securities are exchangeable or any similar transaction if expressly required by the terms of that series of debt securities; or

 

•

to amend or supplement any provision contained in the indenture or in any debt securities, provided that such amendment or supplement does not apply to any outstanding debt securities issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provisions.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive our compliance with the provisions described above under “— Merger, Consolidation and Transfer of Assets” and certain other provisions of the indenture and, if specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities, any additional covenants applicable to the debt securities of such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on debt securities of that series or, in the case of any debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, a default in any such conversion or exchange, or a default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series.

The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the holders of a series of debt securities if (and only if) debt securities of such series are issued or issuable, in whole or in part, in the form of bearer debt securities. A meeting may be called at any time by the trustee, and also upon our request or the request of holders of at least 33 1/3% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series. Notice of a meeting must be given in accordance with the provisions of the indenture. Except for any consent which must be given by the holder of each outstanding debt security affected in the manner described above, any resolution presented at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum, as described below, is present may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. However, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which the indenture provides may be made, given or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is less or more than a majority, in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of the holders of that specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any series duly held in accordance with the indenture will be binding on all holders of debt securities of that series and the related coupons, if any. The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution, and at any reconvened meeting, will be persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, or, if any action is to be taken at a meeting with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which the indenture provides may be given by holders of a greater percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of a series, the persons entitled to vote at such greater percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon our direction, the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of debt securities issued under the indenture specified by

 

16

us, subject to the survival of specified provisions of the indenture (including the obligation to pay Additional Amounts to the extent described below and the obligation, if applicable, to exchange or convert debt securities of that series into other securities or property in accordance with their terms) when:

 

•

either

 

(1)

all outstanding debt securities of that series and, in the case of bearer securities, all related coupons, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation, subject to exceptions, or

 

(2)

all debt securities of that series and, if applicable, any related coupons have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year and we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which the debt securities of that series are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any (and, to the extent that (x) the debt securities of that series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts upon the occurrence of specified events of taxation, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on the debt securities and (y) the amount of any Additional Amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by us, in the exercise of our sole and absolute discretion, those Additional Amounts) to the date of such deposit, if the debt securities of that series have become due and payable, or to the maturity or redemption date of the debt securities of that series, as the case may be;

 

•

we have paid all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series; and

 

•

the trustee has received an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel called for by the indenture.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any series of debt securities either:

 

•

to defease and be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to that series of debt securities (“defeasance”), except for:

 

(1)

the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of specified events of taxation, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on that series of debt securities to the extent (and only to the extent) that those Additional Amounts exceed the amount deposited in respect of those Additional Amounts as provided below,

 

(2)

the obligation, if applicable, to exchange or convert debt securities of that series into other securities or property in accordance with their terms, and

 

(3)

certain other limited obligations.

 

•

to be released from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series under such covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with respect to that series of debt securities (“covenant defeasance”), in either case upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, or other qualifying trustee, in trust for that purpose, of an amount in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which those debt securities are payable at stated maturity or, if applicable, upon redemption, and/or Government Obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and any interest on (and, to the extent that (x) the debt securities of that series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts and (y) the amount of the Additional Amounts which are or will be payable is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by us, in the exercise of our sole and absolute discretion, the Additional Amounts with respect to) that series of debt securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments on that series of debt securities, on the due dates for those payments.

 

17

The defeasance or covenant defeasance described above shall only be effective if, among other things:

 

•

it shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture;

 

•

in the case of defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (A) we have received from or there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, a ruling or (B) since the date of the indenture there has been a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based on this ruling or change the opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance had not occurred;

 

•

in the case of defeasance, we shall provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the debt securities;

 

•

in the case of covenant defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee to the effect that the holders and beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the covenant defeasance had not occurred;

 

•

if the cash and government obligations deposited are sufficient to pay the outstanding debt securities of that series provided those debt securities are redeemed on a particular redemption date, we shall have given the trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem those debt securities on that date; and

 

•

no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the deposit into trust; and, solely in the case of defeasance, no Event of Default arising from specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to us or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become such an Event of Default with respect to us shall have occurred and be continuing during the period through and including the 91st day after the date of the deposit into trust.

The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting or restricting satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.

Definitions

As used in the indenture, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

The term “Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies and business trusts. The term “corporation” means a corporation and does not include partnerships, associations, limited liability companies or other companies or business trusts.

“Non-recourse Debt” means any indebtedness the terms of which provide that the claim for repayment of such indebtedness by the holder thereof is limited solely to a claim against the property or assets (including, without limitation, securities or interests in securities) that secure such indebtedness; provided, however, that any obligations or liabilities of the debtor or obligor or any other person solely for indemnities, covenants or breaches of warranties, representations or covenants or similar matters in respect of any indebtedness will not prevent such indebtedness from constituting Non-recourse Debt.

 

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“Person” or “person” means any individual, Corporation, joint venture, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Significant Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, a Subsidiary of ours that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” as such term is defined under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the date of the indenture.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

Regarding the Trustees

The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 limits the rights of a trustee, if the trustee becomes a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received by it in respect of those claims, as security or otherwise. Any trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our subsidiaries from time to time. However, if a trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate the conflict upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the applicable indenture or resign as trustee.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

CONSOL Energy is be authorized to issue 63,000,000 shares, of which:

 

•

62,500,000 shares are designated as common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

 

•

500,000 shares are designated as preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

As of January 28, 2022, there were approximately 34,480,181 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, and no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Dividend Rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only if and when declared by the board of directors of CONSOL Energy (the “Board of Directors”). However, no dividend will be declared or paid on our common stock until CONSOL Energy has paid (or declared and set aside funds for payment of) all dividends that have accrued on all classes of CONSOL Energy’s outstanding preferred stock.

Voting Rights. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one (1) vote per share and they do not have any cumulative voting rights.

Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CONSOL Energy, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payments to holders of preferred stock of amounts determined by the Board of Directors, plus any accrued dividends, the company’s remaining assets will be divided among holders of our common stock pro rata.

Preemptive or Other Subscription Rights. Holders of our common stock do not have any preemptive right to subscribe for any securities of the company.

Conversion and Other Rights. No conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions apply to our common stock, and our common stock is not liable to further call or assessment by the company. All issued and outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of our common stock. Our Board of Directors has the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.    As of February 11, 2022, we have not issued any shares of preferred stock.

Although our Board of Directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of preferred stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of the Company, even if such transaction or change of control involves a premium price for our stockholders or our stockholders believe that such transaction or change of control may be in their best interests. The Board of Directors may be able to issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.

 

20

Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification; Insurance

The Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes such an exculpation provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of CONSOL Energy, or for serving at CONSOL Energy’s request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation expressly authorize us to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect CONSOL Energy, its directors, officers and certain employees against certain liabilities.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit CONSOL Energy and its stockholders. Your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, CONSOL Energy pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

Provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws could make it more difficult to acquire CONSOL Energy by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our Board of Directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the company to first negotiate with our Board of Directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Provisions. CONSOL Energy is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.

Size of Board; Vacancies; Removal. Our amended and restated by-laws provide that the number of directors on our Board of Directors will be fixed exclusively by our Board of Directors. Any vacancies created in

 

21

our Board of Directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on our Board of Directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next election of directors and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that at any time at which the Board of Directors is divided into classes, which for the avoidance of doubt shall be until the date of the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022, stockholders may only remove directors for cause, and only with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. Upon the Board of Directors no longer being divided into classes, which for the avoidance of doubt shall be on or after the date of the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022, stockholders may remove our directors with or without cause, with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may not act by written consent unless such written consent is unanimous. Stockholder action must otherwise take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.

Special Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the chairman of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer or our Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors may call special meetings of our stockholders.

Advance Notice for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations. Our amended and restated by-laws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors (other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors).

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock. We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the NYSE and Delaware law, for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans and equity grants. The existence of unissued and unreserved common and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of CONSOL Energy by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. We will not solicit approval of our stockholders for issuance of common or preferred stock unless our Board of Directors believes that approval is advisable or is required by applicable stock exchange rules or Delaware law.

No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Exclusive Forum. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of CONSOL Energy, any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer of CONSOL Energy to CONSOL Energy or to CONSOL Energy stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against CONSOL Energy or any current or former director or officer of CONSOL Energy arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or by-laws, any action asserting a claim relating to or involving CONSOL Energy governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. However, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the action may be brought in the federal court for the District of Delaware.

 

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Listing

Our shares of common stock are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.”

Sale of Unregistered Securities

In the past three years, CONSOL Energy has not sold any securities in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including sales of reacquired securities, new issues, securities issued in exchange for property, services or other securities and new securities resulting from the modification of outstanding securities.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, preferred stock or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our securities offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants for the terms of and information relating to the warrants, including, where applicable:

 

•

the aggregate number of the securities covered by the warrant;

 

•

the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrant;

 

•

the exercise price for shares of our preferred stock, the number of shares of preferred stock to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of our preferred stock;

 

•

the exercise price for shares of our common stock and the number of shares of common stock to be received upon exercise;

 

•

the expiration date for exercising the warrant;

 

•

the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any time;

 

•

a discussion of federal income tax consequences;

 

•

whether the warrants shall be issued in book-entry form; and

 

•

any other material terms of the warrants.

After the warrants expire they will become void. The prospectus supplement will describe how to exercise warrants. A holder must exercise warrants for our preferred stock or common stock through payment in U.S. dollars. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.

Until a holder exercises warrants to purchase our preferred stock or common stock, that holder will not have any rights as a holder of our preferred stock or common stock by virtue of ownership of warrants.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in any one or more of the following ways:

 

•

directly to purchasers;

 

•

through agents;

 

•

to or through underwriters; or

 

•

through dealers.

We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:

 

•

a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

•

market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

•

prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

•

negotiated prices.

This prospectus may also be used in connection with any offering of securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including those methods that may be used by any selling securityholders.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or we may designate agents to solicit such offers. We will, in the prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to such offering, name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act, and describe any commissions we must pay. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If any underwriters or agents are utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale to them, and we will set forth in the prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to such offering their names and the terms of our agreement with them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.

We may engage in at-the-market offerings to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4). An at-the-market offering may be through an underwriter or underwriters acting as principal or agent for us. If we engage in an at-the-market opening, we will enter into a distribution agreement, sales agreement or equivalent agreement, the terms of which will be disclosed in a prospectus supplement, including the compensation to be paid to any agent of the program. Any such prospectus supplement will also identify the agent or agents for the at-the-market program, the methods by which shares of our common stock will be sold and delivered under the at-the-market program and the manner in which we will report sales under the at-the-market program.

The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials.

 

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Remarketing firms, agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials (or a post-effective amendment).

We or one of our affiliates may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.

Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the initial offering of securities will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of its customer.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

McGuireWoods LLP, counsel to the Company, will issue an opinion about the legality of the offered securities for us. Underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, who we will identify in a prospectus supplement or other offering materials, may have their counsel pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of CONSOL Energy Inc. and Subsidiaries appearing in CONSOL Energy Inc.’s and Subsidiaries’ Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the effectiveness of the CONSOL Energy Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The information incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from CONSOL Energy Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 concerning estimates of our coal resources and coal reserves was derived from the technical report summaries prepared by, and has been incorporated by reference upon the authority of, the John T. Boyd Company, as qualified person with respect to the matters covered by such reports and in giving such report. The John T. Boyd Company is not affiliated with the Company or another entity that has an ownership, royalty or other interest in the properties that are the subject of the technical report summaries.

 

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PART II

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

		Per Offering*
Securities and Exchange Commission Fee		$	**
Fees and Expenses of Trustee			*
Printing Expenses			*
Counsel Fees			*
Rating Agency Fees			*
Accountant Fees			*
Listing Fees			***
Miscellaneous			*
Total		$	*

 

*	Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are therefore not currently determinable.

**	Under SEC Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Securities and Exchange Commission fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable.

***	The listing fee is based upon the principal amount of securities listed, if any, and is therefore not currently determinable.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Registrant includes such an exculpation provision. CONSOL Energy’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director will be personally liable to CONSOL Energy or to its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The provisions of CONSOL Energy’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation apply to an officer of CONSOL Energy only if he or she is a director of CONSOL Energy and is acting in his or her capacity as director, and do not apply to officers of CONSOL Energy who are not directors.

CONSOL Energy’s amended and restated bylaws require CONSOL Energy to indemnify any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, a legal proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of CONSOL Energy, or while a director, officer or employee of CONSOL Energy, is or was serving at CONSOL Energy’s request in a fiduciary capacity with another enterprise (including any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to any employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by CONSOL Energy), to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as it exists or may be amended, against all expense, liability or loss reasonably incurred or suffered in connection with such service. CONSOL Energy is authorized under its amended and restated bylaws to maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance protecting CONSOL Energy, any director, officer or employee of ours, against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not CONSOL would have the power to indemnify the person under the DGCL. CONSOL Energy may, from time to time, indemnify any of its agents to the fullest extent permitted with respect to directors, officers and employees in its amended and restated bylaws.

The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and CONSOL Energy’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws dealing with indemnification of directors and officers and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of those sections of the DGCL referenced above and CONSOL Energy’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.		Description of Document
1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 001-38147) filed on December 4, 2017).
3.2		Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K (File No. 001-38147) filed on May 8, 2020).
3.3		Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference from as Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K (File No. 001-38147) filed on May 8, 2020).
4.1		Form of Indenture (filed herewith).
4.2		Form of Supplemental Indenture.*
5.1		Opinion of McGuireWoods LLP, counsel to CONSOL Energy Inc., with respect to the Offered Securities (filed herewith).
23.1		Consent of McGuireWoods LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
23.3		Consent of John T. Boyd Company (filed herewith).
24.1		Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).
25.1		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Indenture.*
107		Filing Fee Table.

 

*	To be filed by amendment or incorporated under cover of Form 8-K.

 

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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

(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 (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(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

 

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furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(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:

 

(A)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(B)

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 the 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 the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the 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 the registration statement or prospectus that was a part of the 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.

 

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(6)

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.

 

(7)

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 been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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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SIGNATURES

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 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Canonsburg, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 11th day of February, 2022.

 

 

Signature		Title
*		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
James A. Brock		(principal executive officer)
*		Chief Financial Officer
Miteshkumar B. Thakkar		(principal financial officer)
*		Chief Accounting Officer & Controller
John M. Rothka		(principal accounting officer)
*		Chairman of the Board of Directors
William P. Powell
*		Director
Sophie Bergeron
*		Director
John T. Mills
*		Director
Joseph P. Platt
*		Director
Edwin S. Roberson

 

*By:		/s/ Martha A. Wiegand
		Martha A. Wiegand, Attorney-in-Fact, pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed herewith

 

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