<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-13-051023.txt : 20130212
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-13-051023.hdr.sgml : 20130212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130212130925
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-13-051023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		5
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130211
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130212
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130212

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LACLEDE GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001126956
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				742976504
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16681
		FILM NUMBER:		13595878

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		720 OLIVE ST
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3143420500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		720 OLIVE ST
		STREET 2:		RM 1517
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63101
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d482779d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February&nbsp;11, 2013 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>The Laclede Group, Inc. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Missouri</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1-16681</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>74-2976504</B></FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>of incorporation)</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission<BR>File Number)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer<BR>Identification No.)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>720 Olive Street </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>St. Louis, Missouri 63101 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices,
including ZIP code) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(314)&nbsp;342-0500 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Not
Applicable </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </FONT></P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:10px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>Stock Purchase Agreement </U></B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On February&nbsp;11, 2013, The Laclede
Group, Inc. (&#147;Laclede&#148;) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Plaza Massachusetts Acquisition, Inc. (&#147;Plaza&#148;) and Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. (&#147;APUC&#148;) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the
&#147;Agreement&#148;) pursuant to which APUC agreed to acquire, though its subsidiary Liberty Utilities Co, (&#147;Liberty Utilities&#148;), all of the outstanding shares of Plaza&#146;s common stock from Laclede for a purchase price of $11 million
(the &#147;Transaction&#148;). As previously disclosed, on December&nbsp;14, 2012, Laclede and Plaza entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the &#147;NEG PSA&#148;) providing for the acquisition by Plaza of substantially all of the assets and
liabilities of New England Gas Company (&#147;NEG&#148;) from Southern Union Company (&#147;SUG&#148;), an affiliate of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., and an employee agreement (the &#147;Employee Agreement&#148;)
with SUG setting forth certain obligations to SUG with regard to Plaza&#146;s employment of persons currently employed by NEG. The Agreement provides for the acquisition of Plaza by Liberty Utilities immediately prior to the closing of the
acquisition under the NEG PSA. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants of Laclede, Plaza
and APUC. Until the closing of the Agreement, Plaza will not conduct any business other than related to the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of NEG. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Laclede and APUC have agreed to indemnify each other for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants. Laclede&#146;s aggregate liability with respect to such indemnification obligations is
capped at $11 million, except with respect to those representations related to Plaza&#146;s capitalization and Laclede&#146;s ownership of Plaza&#146;s stock, for which Laclede&#146;s liability is uncapped. Laclede further agreed to indemnify APUC
for any losses exceeding $15 million (and only to the extent of such excess) resulting from adverse changes, events or conditions with respect to NEG&#146;s business that are known to APUC or Laclede at the closing of the acquisition. Consummation
of the Transaction is subject to satisfaction of the conditions precedent to closing of the NEG PSA, and to customary conditions, including, without limitation the absence of any law, injunction, judgment or ruling prohibiting or restraining the
Transaction. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Agreement contains certain termination rights for both Laclede and APUC, including, among others, the right
to terminate if the Transaction is not completed by October&nbsp;14, 2013 (subject to up to four 30-day extensions under certain circumstances related to obtaining required regulatory approvals pursuant to the NEG PSA)(the &#147;End Date&#148;). The
Agreement will terminate automatically if the Transaction has not occurred by the End Date unless the End Date is extended pursuant to the NEG PSA, which requires the prior written consent of SUG. Laclede may also terminate the Agreement if
(i)&nbsp;APUC has failed to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain governmental consents under the Agreement or (ii)&nbsp;as a primary result of any action or inaction of APUC, the approval of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will
not likely be obtained on or prior to the End Date, as it may be extended. If the Agreement is terminated, Laclede will remain obligated, through Plaza, to acquire the assets and liabilities of NEG under the NEG PSA. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">A copy of the Agreement is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>Consent Agreement
</U></B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On February&nbsp;11, 2013, Laclede, APUC and SUG entered into a consent agreement (the &#147;Consent Agreement&#148;),
pursuant to which SUG consented to the Transaction and to certain matters intended to coordinate the Transaction with the transactions contemplated by the NEG PSA. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">A copy of the Consent Agreement is filed as Exhibit 2.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Consent Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;7.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Regulation FD Disclosure. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On February&nbsp;11, 2013, Laclede announced in a press release that it had entered into the Transaction described above under
Item&nbsp;1.01. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1. The information furnished in this Item&nbsp;7.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; for purposes of Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of Laclede&#146;s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
</FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Forward Looking Statements </I></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This Current Report on Form 8-K may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits and other aspects of the transactions
described above, that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are
beyond management&#146;s control, including the risk that the transaction described above may not be consummated or that the anticipated benefits from the transactions cannot be fully realized. An extensive list of factors that can affect future
results are discussed in Laclede&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September&nbsp;30, 2012, and other documents filed by Laclede from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Laclede undertakes no obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Exhibits. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:28pt" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;2.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Stock Purchase Agreement dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;2.2</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Consent Agreement dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date: February 11, 2013</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ S. L. Lindsey</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">S. L. Lindsey</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,</FONT></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Distribution Operations</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit Index </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:28pt" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;2.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Stock Purchase Agreement dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;2.2</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Consent Agreement dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release dated February&nbsp;11, 2013.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-2.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>d482779dex21.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-2.1
<TEXT>
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<TITLE>EX-2.1</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 2.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>EXECUTION VERSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, (this &#147;<U>Agreement</U>&#148;) is made as of February&nbsp;11, 2013, by and among THE LACLEDE GROUP,
INC., a Missouri corporation (&#147;<U>LG</U>&#148;), PLAZA MASSACHUSETTS ACQUISITION, INC., a Delaware corporation (&#147;<U>Plaza</U>&#148;), and ALGONQUIN POWER&nbsp;&amp; UTILITIES CORP., a Canadian corporation (&#147;<U>AQN</U>&#148;).
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the NEG Acquisition Agreement (as defined below). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>W I T N E S S E T H: </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, LG owns all of the issued and
outstanding shares (the &#147;<U>Shares</U>&#148;) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the &#147;<U>Common Stock</U>&#148;), of Plaza; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, Plaza is a party to (i)&nbsp;that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the &#147;<U>NEG Acquisition Agreement</U>&#148;), dated as of December&nbsp;14, 2012, by and among Plaza, Southern
Union Company (&#147;<U>SUG</U>&#148;) and, solely as guarantor thereunder, LG; and (ii)&nbsp;that certain Employee Agreement (the &#147;<U>NEG Employee Agreement</U>&#148;), dated as of December&nbsp;14, 2012, by and among Plaza, SUG and, solely as
guarantor thereunder, LG; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, AQN desires to cause Liberty Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation and indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of AQN (&#147;<U>LUC</U>&#148;), to purchase, and LG desires to sell to LUC, the Shares, subject in all respects to the provisions of this Agreement; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Plaza, LG, AQN and SUG are entering into that certain Consent Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth therein (the
&#147;<U>Consent Agreement</U>&#148;); and </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, AQN
is causing $3,000,000 to be deposited in immediately available funds in United States dollars in escrow (the &#147;<U>Escrow Fund</U>&#148;) with U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the &#147;<U>Escrow Agent</U>&#148;)
pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (the &#147;<U>Escrow Agreement</U>&#148;), dated the date hereof, by and among SUG, AQN, LG and the Escrow Agent. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>NOW, THEREFORE</B>, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PURCHASE AND SALE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1.1 Purchase and Sale of the Shares</B>. Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Plaza Closing (as defined below), LG shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver the Shares to LUC, and AQN shall cause LUC to purchase the Shares from LG, for $11,000,000 (the
&#147;<U>Share Price</U>&#148;). </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1.2 Sale and Purchase Closing</B>.<B> </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) The sale and purchase of the Shares shall take place at a closing (the&nbsp;&#147;<U>Plaza Closing</U>&#148;) to be held at the time
and location determined in accordance with Section&nbsp;8.1 in the NEG Acquisition Agreement, immediately prior to the Closing under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, following the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal
Requirement, waiver of all conditions to the obligations of the parties set forth in Article 5 (other than such conditions as may, by their terms, only be satisfied at the Plaza Closing or immediately thereafter at the Closing, provided all parties
irrevocably stand ready to satisfy such conditions) (such date, the &#147;<U>Plaza Closing Date</U>&#148;). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) At the Plaza
Closing, (i)&nbsp;AQN shall cause LUC to deliver to LG, by wire transfer to a bank account designated in writing by LG to AQN at least two Business Days prior to the Plaza Closing Date, an amount equal to the Share Price in immediately available
funds in United States dollars and (ii)&nbsp;LG shall deliver or cause to be delivered to LUC certificates representing the Shares, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in blank in proper form for transfer, with
appropriate transfer stamps, if any, affixed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 2 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules attached hereto (with respect to either party, as appropriate, the &#147;<U>Schedules</U>&#148;) LG represents and warrants to AQN as follows: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.1 Organization, Existence and Qualification</B>.<B> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) Plaza is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being
conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use, to perform its obligations under all Contracts (including the NEG Acquisition Agreement and the NEG Employee Agreement) to which it is a party, and to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Consent Agreement and perform its obligations under each of the other Related Documents to which Plaza will be a party. As of the Plaza Closing Date, Plaza will be duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation
in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) LG is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under
the laws of Missouri, with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use, to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Consent
Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement and the NEG Employee Agreement and to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Consent Agreement. LG is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each
state in which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would materially adversely affect LG&#146;s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.2 Authority and Binding Effect</B>.<B> </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) The execution, delivery and performance by Plaza of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG
Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Plaza. Neither the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents by Plaza nor the consummation by Plaza of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will
(i)&nbsp;result in any conflict with, breach or violation of or default under the Organizational Documents of Plaza, (ii)&nbsp;result in a violation or breach of any term or provision of or a loss of any right or benefit under, constitute a default
or accelerate the performance required under, result in the termination of or a right of termination, cancellation or amendment, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Plaza under the NEG Acquisition
Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents, whether with or without notice or the passage of time or both, or (iii)&nbsp;result in a violation of any Legal Requirement applicable to Plaza or its Affiliates. Each of this
Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement and the NEG Employee Agreement constitutes, and the other Related Documents to be executed by Plaza when executed and delivered will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of
Plaza, enforceable against Plaza in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (x)&nbsp;bankruptcy or similar laws from time to time in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors&#146; rights generally
or (y)&nbsp;the availability of equitable remedies generally. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) The execution, delivery and performance by LG of this
Agreement and the Consent Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of LG. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of its
obligations under this Agreement and the Consent Agreement nor the consummation by LG of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (i)&nbsp;result in any conflict with, breach or violation of or default under the Organizational Documents
of LG, (ii)&nbsp;result in a violation or breach of any term or provision of or a loss of any right or benefit under, constitute a default or accelerate the performance required under, result in the termination of or a right of termination,
cancellation or amendment, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of LG under any material Contract to which LG is a party or by which its assets are bound, whether with or without notice or the passage of
time or both, or (iii)&nbsp;result in a violation of any Legal Requirement applicable to LG or its Affiliates. Each of this Agreement and the Consent Agreement constitutes valid and legally binding obligations of LG, enforceable against LG in
accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (x)&nbsp;bankruptcy or similar laws from time to time in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors&#146; rights generally or (y)&nbsp;the availability of
equitable remedies generally. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.3 Governmental and Other Required Consents</B>. Except for those Consents described in
Schedule 2.3, no Consent of any Governmental Body or third party is required to be obtained by LG, Plaza or any of their Affiliates in connection with the execution and delivery by LG or Plaza of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG
Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement or the other Related Documents or the consummation by LG or </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
Plaza, as applicable, of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, other than the Consents the failure of which to be obtained would not be reasonably likely, individually or in the
aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Business or on the ability of LG or Plaza to perform or comply with its obligations under this Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents
to which Plaza will be a party or the consummation of the transfer of the Assets to Plaza and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities by Plaza. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.4 Filings</B>. No statement furnished by LG, Plaza or their Affiliates for inclusion in any filing with any Governmental Body in connection with obtaining such Governmental Body&#146;s Consent for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement or any other Related Document will contain, as of the date such information is so provided, any
untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state, as of the date such information is so provided, any material fact that is necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.5 Brokers</B>. No broker or finder is entitled to any brokerage or finder&#146;s fee, or to any commission,
or to any other compensation based in any way on agreements, arrangements or understandings made by or on behalf of Plaza or any Affiliate of Plaza, for which Plaza, AQN or any Affiliate of AQN has or will have any liability or obligation
(contingent or otherwise). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.6 Litigation</B>. There are no pending, or, to the knowledge of LG, Threatened Proceedings by
any Person against Plaza. There are no pending, or, to the knowledge of LG, Threatened Proceedings by any Person against LG, Plaza or their Affiliates that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of LG or Plaza
to perform or comply with its obligations under this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents to which LG or Plaza will be a party or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.7 Shares</B>. LG is the record and beneficial owner of the Shares, free and
clear of any Encumbrance other than transfer restrictions imposed on equity securities by applicable securities laws. All of Plaza&#146;s issued and outstanding capital stock is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. LG has the right,
authority and power to sell, assign and transfer the Shares to LUC. Upon delivery to LUC of certificates for the Shares at the Plaza Closing, LUC&#146;s payment of the Share Price and registration of the Shares in the name of LUC in the stock
records of Plaza, LUC shall acquire the Shares, free and clear of any Encumbrance other than Encumbrances created by AQN or its Affiliates. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.8 Capitalization</B>. Plaza&#146;s authorized and outstanding capital stock is as set forth on Schedule 2.8. The Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Plaza. There are
no outstanding obligations, options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any kind relating to the capital stock of Plaza or obligating Plaza to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, or
any other interest in, Plaza. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of Plaza to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of Plaza or, except as set forth in the NEG Acquisition </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4 </FONT></P>


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Agreement, to provide funds to, or make any investment in, any other Person. There are no agreements or understandings in effect with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the capital stock
of Plaza. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.9 Conduct of Business; Assets and Assumed Liabilities</B>. Plaza has not conducted any business other than the
negotiation of, entry into, and performance of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, the other Related Documents to which Plaza is or will be a party, and any Contract to which AQN consents
pursuant to Section&nbsp;4.1 hereof. As of the date hereof, neither the NEG Acquisition Agreement nor the NEG Employee Agreement has been amended, modified or supplemented, except by and as set forth in the Consent Agreement. Except for rights and
obligations under the foregoing Contracts, Plaza has no assets, obligations or liabilities of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, direct, indirect, known, unknown, or otherwise, whether due or to become due and regardless of when or
by whom asserted). Plaza does not have and has never had any employees. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.10 No Breach or Losses</B>. Plaza is not (nor,
upon the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would be) in violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under, or otherwise in default under, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or
any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement). Except as set forth on Schedule&nbsp;2.10, as of the date hereof, LG does not have actual knowledge (without any duty of inquiry) of the existence of any other Loss, event or condition that
constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute) a violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any party under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement,
or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on the date hereof or otherwise))
an indemnification obligation under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.11 Disclaimer</B>. The only representations and warranties given by LG with respect to this Agreement are those contained in this Article 2. In furtherance of the foregoing, except as set forth in
Section&nbsp;2.10, LG expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, as to the Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the Business. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 3 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AQN </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Except as set forth in the Schedules attached hereto, AQN represent and warrant to LG as follows: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.1 Organization, Existence and Qualification</B>.<B> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) AQN is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Canada, with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to
</FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
own or use, to perform its obligations under all material Contracts to which it is a party, and to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which AQN
will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement. AQN is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of any jurisdiction (including any state within the United States) in
which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would materially adversely affect the business or properties of AQN, taken as a whole, or AQN&#146;s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated this Agreement, the Consent Agreement
and any other agreements to which AQN will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) LUC is a
corporation duly incorporated, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that
it purports to own or use, to perform its obligations under all material Contracts to which it is a party, and to execute and deliver any agreements to which LUC will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement. LUC is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of any jurisdiction (including any state within the United States) in which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would materially adversely affect
the business or properties of LUC, taken as a whole, or LUC&#146;s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which LUC will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the
Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.2 Authority and Binding Effect</B>. The execution, delivery and performance by AQN and LUC of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which AQN and LUC will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate action on the part of AQN and, as applicable, all necessary corporate action by LUC. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which AQN or LUC
will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement by AQN nor the consummation by AQN and LUC of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (a)&nbsp;result in any conflict with, breach or violation of or default
under the Organizational Documents (or their Canadian equivalents) of AQN or LUC, (b)&nbsp;result in a violation or breach of any term or provision of or a loss of any right or benefit under, constitute a default or accelerate the performance
required under, result in the termination of or a right of termination, cancellation or amendment, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of AQN or LUC under any material Contract to which AQN or LUC is a
party or by which its assets are bound, whether with or without notice or the passage of time or both, or (c)&nbsp;result in a violation of any Legal Requirement applicable to AQN, LUC or their Affiliates. This Agreement, the Consent Agreement and
any other agreements to which AQN or LUC will become a party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement when executed and delivered will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of AQN and LUC, enforceable against AQN and LUC in
accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (x)&nbsp;bankruptcy or similar laws from time to time in effect affecting the enforcement of creditors&#146; rights generally or (y)&nbsp;the availability of
equitable remedies generally. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.3 Governmental and Other Required Consents</B>. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3, no
Consent of any Governmental Body or third party is required to be obtained by AQN or LUC in connection with the execution and delivery by AQN and LUC of this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which AQN or LUC will become a
party pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (a)&nbsp;such filings as may be required by any applicable Canadian or United States federal or state
securities or &#147;blue sky&#148; laws or (b)&nbsp;Consents the failure of which to be obtained would not be reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.4 Filings</B>. No statement furnished by AQN or LUC for inclusion in any filing with any
Governmental Body in connection with obtaining such Governmental Body&#146;s Consent for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and any other agreements to which AQN or LUC will become a party
pursuant to this Agreement and the Consent Agreement will contain, as of the date such information is so provided, any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state, as of the date such information is so provided, any material fact that
is necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.5 Financing</B>. LUC shall have at the Plaza Closing and the Closing (as defined in the NEG Acquisition Agreement) sufficient funds to permit LUC and Plaza to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties acknowledge and agree that it shall not be a
condition to the obligations of AQN to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby that LUC have sufficient funds for payment of the Share Price or the Purchase Price. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.6 Brokers</B>. No broker or finder is entitled to any brokerage or finder&#146;s fee, or to any commission, or to any other compensation based in any way on agreements, arrangements or understandings
made by or on behalf of AQN or any Affiliate of AQN for which LG or any Affiliate of LG has or will have any liability or obligation (contingent or otherwise). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.7 Investment Intent</B>. LUC is acquiring the Shares for its own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to any public distribution thereof or with any intention of selling,
distributing or otherwise disposing of the Shares in a manner that would violate the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;<U>Securities Act</U>&#148;) or any applicable Canadian securities laws. Each of AQN
and LUC agrees that the Shares may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act and any other applicable Canadian or United States state securities laws,
except pursuant to an exemption from such registration under the Securities Act and such laws. AQN is able to bear the economic risk of holding the Shares for an indefinite period (including total loss of its investment), and (either alone or
together with its Representatives) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">7 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.8 Independent Investigation</B>. Each of AQN and LUC is knowledgeable about the Assets
and Assumed Liabilities and the Business, and of the usual and customary practices of companies engaged in businesses similar to the Business and has had access to the Assets, the officers and employees of SUG, and the books, records and files of
Plaza and of SUG relating to the Business, the Assets, the Assumed Liabilities and the Stock. In making the decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, AQN and LUC have relied solely on the basis of
their own independent due diligence investigation of the Assets and Assumed Liabilities and the Business, upon the representations and warranties of LG made in this Agreement, and upon the representations and warranties of SUG made in the NEG
Acquisition Agreement and the NEG Employee Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.9 No Losses</B>. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9, as of the
date hereof, neither AQN nor LUC have actual knowledge (without any duty of inquiry) of the existence of any Loss, event or condition that constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute) a violation or
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any party under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in
(whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on the date hereof or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any
Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on the date hereof or otherwise)) an
indemnification obligation pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1(c). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.10 Disclaimer</B>. The only representations and warranties
given by AQN and LUC with respect to this Agreement are those contained in this Article 3. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 4 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>COVENANTS </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.1 Conduct of the Business Prior to the Closing Date</B>. Plaza shall perform all obligations under this Agreement and the Consent
Agreement and, both before the Plaza Closing and the Closing, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, (i)&nbsp;LG shall not sell, pledge, dispose of or
otherwise subject to any Encumbrance any shares of capital stock of the Plaza; and (ii)&nbsp;except for actions upon the Plaza Closing necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement
and the other Related Documents, Plaza shall not do or propose to do, directly or indirectly, any of the following without the prior written consent of AQN not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) amend or otherwise change its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or equivalent organizational documents; </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise subject to any Encumbrance (i)&nbsp;any shares of capital stock of Plaza, or any
options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any such shares, or any other ownership interest in Plaza or (ii)&nbsp;any properties or assets of Plaza; </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash,
stock, property or otherwise, or make any other payment on or with respect to any of its capital stock; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) reclassify,
combine, split, subdivide or redeem, or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock or make any other change with respect to its capital structure; </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) acquire any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, other business organization or division thereof or any material
amount of assets, or enter into any joint venture, strategic alliance, exclusive dealing, noncompetition or similar contract or arrangement; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(f) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of Plaza, or otherwise alter Plaza&#146;s corporate
structure; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(g) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume, guarantee or endorse, or
otherwise become responsible for, the obligations of any Person, or make any loans or advances; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(h) other than in accordance
with the Consent Agreement, (i)&nbsp;enter into, amend, waive, modify or consent to the termination of any Contract, or (ii)&nbsp;amend, waive, modify or consent to the termination of any of Plaza&#146;s rights thereunder; and </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(i) conduct any business other than as required by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee
Agreement and the other Related Documents. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">LG shall cause Plaza to comply with the provisions of this Section&nbsp;4.1 through the Plaza
Closing, and AQN shall cause Plaza (and shall cause LUC to cause Plaza) to comply with the provisions of this Section&nbsp;4.1 from the Plaza Closing through the Closing. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.2 Reasonable Best Efforts; Governmental Filings</B>.<B> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a)
<U>Reasonable Best Efforts</U>. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Consent Agreement, each party hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts (subject to, and in accordance with, applicable Law) to take, or cause
to be taken, promptly all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, promptly and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents, including: (i)&nbsp;the obtaining of all necessary Consents required to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents in a timely manner, including any Consent required under any Legal Requirement, Contract, Lease or Easement applicable
to the </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">9 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
Business and all Consents listed in Schedule 3.3, (ii)&nbsp;the defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement, the Consent
Agreement and, to the extent applicable to AQN&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any Governmental Body vacated or reversed, and (iii)&nbsp;the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that in no event shall LG or its
Affiliates be required to pay any penalty, compensation or other consideration to any third party for any such Consent. In the event that any Proceeding is commenced challenging the proposed transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent
Agreement and, to the extent applicable to AQN&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents, each of the parties shall
cooperate with each other and use its respective reasonable best efforts to contest and resist any such Proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any Order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that
prohibits, prevents or restricts consummation of such transactions. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) <U>HSR Act Filing</U>. Each of AQN and LG, as
applicable, shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to make any required filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby no later than fifteen (15)&nbsp;days following
the date of this Agreement. AQN and LG shall supply as promptly as practicable any additional information or documentary material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act and shall take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration or
termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon as practicable (such expiration or termination is hereinafter referred to as &#147;<U>Clearance</U>&#148;). Subject to the last sentence of this Section&nbsp;4.2, AQN and LG
shall use their reasonable best efforts to keep the other party informed with respect to the status of submissions under the HSR Act, including with respect to: (i)&nbsp;the receipt of any non-action, action, clearance, consent, approval or waiver,
(ii)&nbsp;the expiration of any waiting period, (iii)&nbsp;the commencement or proposed or threatened commencement of any investigation, litigation or administrative or judicial action or proceeding and (iv)&nbsp;the nature and status of any
objections raised or proposed or threatened to be raised with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. AQN and LG shall comply substantially with any lawful additional requests for information, including requests for
production of documents and production of witnesses for interviews or depositions, made by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission (the &#147;<U>Antitrust Authorities</U>&#148;)
and use their respective reasonable best efforts to take all other actions to obtain Clearance from the Antitrust Authorities, including, without limitation, agreeing to divest, hold separate or otherwise restrict the use or operation of any
business or assets of AQN or LG or any of their respective subsidiaries and agreeing to any conduct or other remedy in order to secure Clearance from Antitrust Authorities (each, a &#147;<U>Divestiture Action</U>&#148;). AQN and its Affiliates shall
use their respective reasonable best efforts to take promptly any steps necessary to obtain Clearance from the Antitrust Authorities as promptly as practicable in order to allow the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">10 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
Consent Agreement and, following AQN&#146;s acquisition of Plaza, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents no later than the End Date,
<I>provided</I>, that, for the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither party shall be required or obligated (and shall not be obligated to cause any of its subsidiaries) to take any
Divestiture Action if doing so would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Business or such party. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) <U>Other Regulatory Filings</U>. AQN and LG will prepare and file (i)&nbsp;no later than five (5)&nbsp;business days following the date of this Agreement, a joint amendment to the joint application
(or other appropriate filing) to the MDPU previously filed by LG and SUG for the approval by the MDPU of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other
Related Documents, accompanied by any required direct testimony in support of such application, and (ii)&nbsp;promptly following the date of this Agreement, with any other Governmental Body, requests for such other Consents as may be necessary for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. AQN and LG will diligently pursue such Consents and will cooperate
with each other in seeking such Consents. To such end, the parties agree to make available the personnel and other resources of their respective organizations in order to obtain all such Consents. Each party will promptly inform the other party of
any communication received by such party from, or given by such party to, any Governmental Body from which any such Consent is required and of any material communication received or given in connection with any Proceeding by a private party, in each
case regarding any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and will permit the other party to review any communication given by it to, and consult with each other in advance of any meeting or conference with, any such Governmental Body or, in
connection with any Proceeding by a private party, with such other Person, and to the extent permitted by such Governmental Body or other Person, give the other party the opportunity to attend and to participate in such meetings and conferences. AQN
shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i)&nbsp;take promptly any and all steps necessary to resolve the issues raised by the MDPU, its Staff or parties to the proceedings before the MDPU in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (ii)&nbsp;obtain approval from the MDPU as promptly as practicable in order to allow the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement
and the other Related Documents no later than the End Date, including committing to and effecting, by stipulation, settlement or otherwise, conditions on AQN or the Assets imposed by the MDPU; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that AQN shall not be
required or obligated (and shall not be obligated to cause any of its subsidiaries) to take any action if such action would have a material adverse effect on the Business. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.3 Acknowledgment</B>. In order to induce the other party hereto to enter into and perform this Agreement and the Consent Agreement, each party hereto acknowledges and agrees with such other party as
follows: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CONSENT AGREEMENT CONSTITUTE THE SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SUCH PARTY TO THE </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">11 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
OTHER PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY, AND THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, COVENANTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR AGREEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, IN
RELATION THERETO BETWEEN THE PARTIES OTHER THAN THOSE INCORPORATED HEREIN AND THEREIN. EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE CONSENT AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY DISCLAIMS RELIANCE ON ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE OTHER PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, AQN EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO THE DISCLAIMER SET FORTH IN
SECTION 2.11, AND LG EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO THE DISCLAIMER SET FORTH IN SECTION 3.10. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.4 Continuing
Services Agreement</B>. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date hereof, but in any event prior to the Plaza Closing, AQN and LG will agree on a continuing services plan (on commercially reasonable terms consistent with the terms and
conditions of that certain Continuing Services Agreement to be entered into by and between Plaza and SUG pursuant to the NEG Acquisition Agreement) that will identify and describe substantially all of the various continuing services activities that
the parties will cause to occur before and after the Closing and any other transfer of control matters that any party reasonably believes should be addressed in such continuing services plan. The specific continuing services activities will be
mutually agreed upon and more fully set forth in a definitive continuing services agreement to be executed and delivered by AQN and LG at the Plaza Closing. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.5 Updating Information</B>. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) AQN will, until the Closing, promptly after
obtaining actual knowledge thereof, give written notice to LG of the existence of any Loss, event or condition that constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute) a violation or breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any party under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether
individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on such date or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not
including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on such date or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation
pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1(c). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) LG will, until the Plaza Closing, promptly after obtaining actual knowledge thereof,
give written notice to AQN of any Loss, event or condition that constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute) a violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by Plaza or SUG
under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or
unknown and whether in </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">12 </FONT></P>



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existence on the date hereof or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation of Plaza or SUG under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including
the Consent Agreement). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.6 Transaction Matters</B>. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) Until the Plaza Closing or the earlier termination of this Agreement, LG shall cause Plaza to: (i)&nbsp;perform all of its
obligations under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents; (ii)&nbsp;deliver to AQN any and all notices and other communications delivered by or to Plaza or any of its Affiliates under or in
connection with the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents; (iii)&nbsp;keep AQN apprised of any and all material developments related to the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the
other Related Documents; and (iv)&nbsp;consult with and obtain the prior consent of AQN (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) prior to the exercise of any material rights under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee
Agreement and the other Related Documents. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) From the Plaza Closing through the Closing, AQN shall cause Plaza to
(i)&nbsp;perform all of its obligations under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents and (ii)&nbsp;keep LG apprised of any and all material developments related to the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the
NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4.7 Non-Solicitation of Employees</B>. For a period of two
(2)&nbsp;years after the Plaza Closing Date, LG and AQN shall not, and shall cause its respective Affiliates not to, without the prior written approval of the other party, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage, entice or induce any employee of
the other party or its respective Affiliates to terminate his or her employment with such other party or any of its respective Affiliates (including, after the Plaza Closing, Plaza); <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that such prohibition shall not
apply to any person who responds to a general solicitation. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 5 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CONDITIONS PRECEDENT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>5.1 LG&#146;s Conditions Precedent to the Plaza Closing</B>. The obligation of LG to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to fulfillment at or prior to the Plaza
Closing of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by LG: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) <U>Representations and
Warranties True as of the Plaza Closing Date</U>. AQN&#146;s representations and warranties in this Agreement shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except as set forth in Section&nbsp;3.9, which shall be true and correct in all
respects) as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Plaza Closing Date as if made on the Plaza Closing Date, except that representations and warranties made as of, or in respect of, only a
specified date or period shall be true and correct in all material respects as of, or in respect of, such date or period. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">13 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) <U>Compliance with Agreement</U>. The covenants, agreements and conditions required by
this Agreement and the Consent Agreement to be performed and complied with by AQN and LUC shall have been performed and complied with in all material respects prior to or at the Plaza Closing Date; <I>provided</I>, <I>however,</I> that the
covenants, agreements and conditions required by Section&nbsp;4.5 to be performed and complied with by AQN shall have been performed and complied with in all respects. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) <U>Certificate</U>. AQN shall execute and deliver to LG a certificate of an authorized officer of AQN, dated as of the Plaza Closing Date, stating (i)&nbsp;that the conditions specified in Sections
5.1(a) and 5.1(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied and (ii)&nbsp;to the actual knowledge of AQN, whether or not there has occurred or otherwise exists any Loss, event or condition that constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of
notice, or both, would constitute) a violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any party under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent
Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on such date or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation under the NEG Acquisition
Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in
existence on such date or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1(c). For the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of any Loss, event or condition or potential indemnification obligation set forth in AQN&#146;s
certificate pursuant to clause (ii), above, shall not limit LG&#146;s obligations (including its obligation to complete the Plaza Closing) pursuant to this Agreement or the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) <U>No Injunction</U>. On the Plaza Closing Date, there shall be no Legal Requirement that operates to restrain, enjoin or otherwise
prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement and, to the extent applicable to LUC&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement,
the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) <U>Proceedings Seeking an Injunction</U>. No action or
proceeding initiated by any Governmental Body seeking an Order prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement or, to the extent applicable to LUC&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the
Assets and Assumed Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents shall be pending. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(f) <U>Satisfaction of NEG Acquisition Agreement Conditions Precedent to Closing</U>. The conditions contained in Section&nbsp;7.1 and Section&nbsp;7.2 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement (giving effect to
the amendments to the NEG Acquisition Agreement provided for in the Consent Agreement) shall have been satisfied as provided in the NEG Acquisition Agreement or waived by SUG, on the one hand, or AQN or LUC, on the other (which waiver shall be
effective following the Plaza Closing), and SUG shall irrevocably stand ready to, and LUC shall irrevocably stand ready to cause Plaza to, complete the Closing immediately following the Plaza Closing, <I>provided</I> that for purposes of determining
whether the conditions contained in Sections 7.1(d), 7.1(e) and 7.1(g) of the NEG Acquisition Agreement have been satisfied, all references to &#147;Buyer&#148; therein shall be deemed to refer to Plaza, as to be owned by LUC and shall include,
without limitation, all Consents set forth on Schedule 2.3 hereto. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">14 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>5.2 AQN&#146;s Conditions Precedent to the Plaza Closing</B>. The obligation of AQN and
LUC to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to fulfillment at or prior to the Plaza Closing of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by AQN: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) <U>Representations and Warranties True as of the Plaza Closing Date</U>. LG&#146;s representations and warranties in this Agreement
shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct in all material respects (except as set forth in Section&nbsp;2.10, which shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the
Plaza Closing Date as if made on the Plaza Closing Date, except that representations and warranties made as of, or in respect of, only a specified date or period shall be true and correct in all material respects as of, or in respect of, such date
or period. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) <U>Compliance with Agreement</U>. The covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the
Consent Agreement to be performed and complied with by LG or Plaza shall have been performed and complied with in all material respects prior to or at the Plaza Closing Date; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that the covenants, agreements and
conditions required by Section&nbsp;4.5 to be performed and complied with by LG shall have been performed and complied with in all respects. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) <U>Certificate</U>. LG shall execute and deliver to AQN a certificate of an authorized officer of LG, dated the Plaza Closing Date, stating (i)&nbsp;that the conditions specified in Sections 5.2(a)
and 5.2(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied and (ii)&nbsp;to the actual knowledge of LG, whether or not there has occurred or otherwise exists any Loss, event or condition that constitutes (or upon the passage of time or the giving of notice,
or both, would constitute) a violation or breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any party under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement), or
that otherwise reasonably could result in (whether individually or combined with any other Losses (whether known or unknown and whether in existence on such date or otherwise)) an indemnification obligation under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the
NEG Employee Agreement, or any Related Document (not including the Consent Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of any Loss, event or condition or potential indemnification obligation set forth in LG&#146;s certificate pursuant to
clause (ii), above, shall not limit AQN&#146;s obligations (including its obligation to complete the Plaza Closing and Closing) pursuant to this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement, or any
other Related Document. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) <U>No Injunction</U>. On the Plaza Closing Date, there shall be no Legal Requirement that
operates to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement or, to the extent applicable to LUC&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed
Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">15 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) <U>Proceedings Seeking an Injunction</U>. No action or proceeding initiated by any
Governmental Body seeking an Order prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement or, to the extent applicable to LUC&#146;s ownership of Plaza (and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed
Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement or any other Related Document shall be pending. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(f)
<U>Satisfaction of NEG Acquisition Agreement Conditions Precedent to Closing</U>. The conditions contained in Section&nbsp;7.1 and Section&nbsp;7.2 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement (giving effect to the amendments to the NEG Acquisition Agreement
provided for in the Consent Agreement) shall have been satisfied as provided in the NEG Acquisition Agreement or waived by SUG, on the one hand, or AQN or LUC, on the other (which waiver shall be effective following the Plaza Closing), and the
parties thereto shall irrevocably stand ready to complete the Closing immediately following the Plaza Closing, <I>provided</I> that for purposes of determining whether the conditions contained in Sections 7.2(d), 7.2(e) and 7.2(i) of the NEG
Acquisition Agreement have been satisfied, all references to &#147;Buyer&#148; therein shall be deemed to refer to Plaza, as to be owned by LUC and shall include, without limitation, all Consents set forth on Schedule 3.3 hereto. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 6 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>TERMINATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>6.1 General Termination Rights</B>. This Agreement may be terminated in its entirety at any time prior to the Plaza Closing: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) By the mutual written agreement of LG and AQN; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) By AQN, on the one hand,
or LG, on the other hand, in writing if there shall be in effect a Final Order prohibiting, enjoining or restricting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Consent Agreement or, to the extent applicable to LUC&#146;s ownership of Plaza
(and indirectly, the Assets and Assumed Liabilities), the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) By either party in writing if there shall have been a material breach of any of the representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement or the Consent Agreement on the part of the other party,
which breach is not cured within thirty (30)&nbsp;days following receipt by the breaching party of written notice of such breach from the terminating party, or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the Plaza Closing; <I>provided</I>,
<I>however</I>, that neither party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section&nbsp;6.1(c) unless the breach of a representation or warranty, together with all other such breaches, would entitle the party receiving such
representation or warranty not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Consent Agreement under Section&nbsp;5.2(a) (in the case of a breach of a representation or warranty by LG) or Section&nbsp;5.1(a) (in the case of a
breach of a representation or warranty by AQN) and <I>provided, further</I>, that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein or therein. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) By either party in writing if there shall have been a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement or the Consent Agreement on the part </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">16 </FONT></P>



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of the other party, which breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30)&nbsp;days following receipt by the breaching party of written notice of such breach from the terminating party, or
which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the Plaza Closing (<I>provided</I> that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein or therein); or
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) Automatically, if the Plaza Closing has not occurred by the End Date (as such date may be extended pursuant to
Section&nbsp;9.1(e) of the NEG Acquisition Agreement); <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that if requested by AQN, LG shall use its reasonable best efforts to extend the End Date pursuant to Section&nbsp;9.1(e) of the NEG Acquisition Agreement, if
applicable; <I>provided further</I>, that no extension of the End Date (including pursuant to this Section&nbsp;6.1(e)) shall in any way limit LG&#146;s termination rights under Section&nbsp;6.2. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>6.2 LG&#146;s Termination Rights</B>. This Agreement may be terminated in its entirety at any time prior to the Plaza Closing by LG
if: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) AQN fails to make the payments required to be made by AQN at the Plaza Closing or fails to deliver and pay to the
Escrow Agent by wire transfer the Escrow Fund to be held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) LG
determines, acting reasonably, that AQN has failed to fulfill any of its obligations to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain required Consents of Governmental Bodies in accordance with Section&nbsp;4.2, and AQN has failed to cure such failure
within five (5)&nbsp;Business Days following receipt by AQN of written notice of such failure from LG; or </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) LG reasonably
believes that it is likely that, as a primary result of any action or inaction of AQN in connection with the approval process, the approval of the MDPU will not be obtained on or prior to the End Date, as may be extended pursuant to
Section&nbsp;6.1(e), and AQN has failed to cure such matter within five (5)&nbsp;Business Days following receipt by AQN of written notice of such matter from LG. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>6.3 Effect of Termination</B>. If this Agreement is terminated as permitted under this Article 6, such termination shall be without liability under this Agreement or the Consent Agreement of or to any
party to this Agreement, or any shareholder or Representative of such party, except (a)&nbsp;as otherwise provided with respect to the Escrow Fund in the Consent Agreement and Escrow Agreement and (b)&nbsp;that nothing herein shall relieve either
party from liability for any breach of this Agreement or the Consent Agreement; <I>provided, however,</I> and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section&nbsp;6.3, in no event shall either party be entitled to receive any punitive,
exemplary, special, remote, speculative, indirect or consequential damages (including any damages on account of lost profits or opportunities) in connection with any termination of this Agreement or the Consent Agreement; <I>provided, further,
however,</I> that if such party is held liable to a third party for any of such damages as a result of the other party&#146;s breach of this Agreement or the Consent Agreement, the latter party shall be liable to the former party for such damages.
For the avoidance of doubt, a determination by or belief of LG pursuant to Section&nbsp;6.2 shall not be determinative of whether a breach of this Agreement or the Consent Agreement has occurred. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">17 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 7 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>INDEMNIFICATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.1 Indemnification by LG</B>. From and after the
Plaza Closing and subject to the other provisions of this Article 7, LG shall indemnify and hold harmless AQN, its Representatives, its Affiliates (which after the Plaza Closing shall include Plaza) and each of their successors and permitted assigns
(collectively, the &#147;<U>AQN Indemnitees</U>&#148;) from and against any and all Losses actually incurred by an AQN Indemnitee, and resulting from: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) <U>Representations and Warranties</U>. (i)&nbsp;Any representations and warranties made by LG in this Agreement not being true and correct when made, or (ii)&nbsp;any representations and warranties
made by LG in this Agreement not being true and correct as of the Plaza Closing Date, each of which representations and warranties will be deemed for purposes of this Section&nbsp;7.1(a) to have been made by LG as of the Plaza Closing Date, except
that those representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date will be deemed for purposes of this Section&nbsp;7.1(a) to have been made by LG only as of such specific date. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) <U>Covenants</U>. Any breach or default by LG in the performance of its covenants, agreements, or obligations under this Agreement or
the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) <U>NEG Material Adverse Effect</U>. To the extent Losses resulting therefrom collectively exceed
$15,000,000 (and only to the extent of such excess), any adverse events, changes, effects, developments, occurrences or conditions related to or imposed upon, and reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on, the Business (including the financial
condition or results of operations thereof), the Assets or the Assumed Liabilities if: (i)&nbsp;AQN had actual knowledge of such matter after the date hereof and provided written notice to LG identifying such matter prior to the Plaza Closing; or
(ii)&nbsp;LG had actual knowledge of such matter prior to the Plaza Closing and failed to provide written notice to AQN identifying such matters prior to the Plaza Closing as required per this Agreement; or (iii)&nbsp;such matter first arose during
the period from the Plaza Closing through and including the Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, LG&#146;s indemnification obligation under this Section&nbsp;7.1(c) shall only be based on the value of such Losses based on the facts known by AQN or
LG as of the Closing Date. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.2 Indemnification by AQN</B>. From and after the Plaza Closing and subject to the other
provisions of this Article 7, AQN shall indemnify and hold harmless LG, its Representatives, its Affiliates and each of their successors and permitted assigns (collectively, the &#147;<U>LG Indemnitees</U>&#148;) from and against any and all Losses
actually incurred by an LG Indemnitee, and resulting from: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) <U>Representations and Warranties</U>. (i)&nbsp;Any
representations and warranties made by AQN in this Agreement not being true and correct when made, or (ii)&nbsp;any representations and warranties made by AQN in this Agreement not being true and correct as of the Plaza Closing Date, each of which
representations and warranties will be deemed for purposes of this Section&nbsp;7.2(a) to have been made by AQN as of the Plaza Closing Date, except that those representations and warranties that are made as of a specific date will be deemed for
purposes of this Section&nbsp;7.2(a) to have been made by AQN only as of such specific date. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">18 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) <U>Covenants</U>. Any breach or default by AQN in the performance of its covenants,
agreements, or obligations under this Agreement or the Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) <U>Claims</U>. Any claim or cause of action by
any Person arising after the Plaza Closing against any LG Indemnitee with respect to the operations of Plaza, except for claims or causes of action with respect to which LG is obligated to indemnify the AQN Indemnitees pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.3 Limitations on LG&#146;s Liability</B>. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the liability of
LG under this Agreement and any documents delivered in connection herewith or contemplated hereby shall be limited as follows: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF FRAUD, CRIMINAL MISREPRESENTATION OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, IN NO EVENT SHALL LG BE LIABLE TO THE
AQN INDEMNITEES FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that if AQN is held liable to a third party for any of such damages and LG is obligated to indemnify AQN
for the matter that gave rise to such damages, then LG shall be liable for, and obligated to reimburse AQN for, such damages. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) Except as provided below, the representations and warranties of LG set forth in this Agreement shall survive the Plaza Closing until
the date that is twenty-four (24)&nbsp;months after the Plaza Closing Date; <I>provided however</I>, that the representations and warranties set forth in Section&nbsp;2.2 (Authority and Binding Effect), Section&nbsp;2.5 (Brokers), Section&nbsp;2.7
(Shares), and Section&nbsp;2.8 (Capitalization) shall survive indefinitely. The other terms of this Agreement and the agreements delivered in connection herewith shall survive the Plaza Closing. All representations and warranties, covenants and
agreements of LG under this Agreement and the indemnities granted by LG in Section&nbsp;7.1 shall terminate at 5:00 p.m., Central time, on the applicable survival termination date set forth above, if any; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that such
indemnities shall continue to survive with respect only to any specific matter that is the subject of a proper Claim Notice delivered in good faith in compliance with the requirements of this Section&nbsp;7.3 until the earlier to occur of
(i)&nbsp;the date on which a final nonappealable resolution of the matter described in such Claim Notice has been reached, including the determination of all related Losses, if any, regardless of when such Losses are finally determined, and all
liabilities in connection therewith have been indefeasibly paid, or (ii)&nbsp;the date on which the matter described in such Claim Notice has otherwise reached final resolution, including the determination of all related Losses, if any, regardless
of when such Losses are finally determined, and all liabilities in connection therewith have been indefeasibly paid. In no event shall any amounts be recovered from LG under Section&nbsp;7.1 or otherwise for any matter for which a Claim Notice is
not delivered to LG prior to the close of business on the applicable expiration date set forth above. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) Losses subject to
indemnification by LG pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1(a) (other than in respect of any claim for any inaccuracy or breach (or deemed inaccuracy or breach) of the representations and warranties contained in Section&nbsp;2.7 or Section&nbsp;2.8) relating
to any single breach or series of related breaches by LG shall not constitute Losses, and therefore shall not be indemnifiable hereunder, unless such Losses relating to any single breach or series of related breaches exceed $50,000. For purposes of
this Section&nbsp;7.3, the Losses resulting from any breach </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">19 </FONT></P>



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of the representations and warranties of LG shall be determined without regard to the effect of any qualifications relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that
such qualifications shall not be disregarded for purposes of determining whether or not any breaches of such representations or warranties have occurred). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall LG indemnify the AQN Indemnitees, or be otherwise liable in any way whatsoever to the AQN Indemnitees, for any Losses
(determined after giving effect to the other provisions of this Section&nbsp;7.3) otherwise subject to indemnification by LG pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.1(a) or 7.1(b) that in the aggregate exceed the Share Price; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>,
that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any claim for any inaccuracy or breach (or deemed inaccuracy or breach) of the representations and warranties contained in Section&nbsp;2.7 or in Section&nbsp;2.8. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) LG shall have no liability for the portion of any claim or Loss for which AQN has recovered or has been specifically authorized to
recover through rates; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that AQN shall have made a good faith effort to recover any such claim or Loss through rates and that such recovery is not indeterminable due to the terms of any rate settlement agreed to by
AQN. No cost or expense relating to any such claim or Loss that is actually recovered on the basis of the foregoing shall be included in determining the extent of Losses suffered by the AQN Indemnitees for purposes of Section&nbsp;7.3(c) or
Section&nbsp;7.3(d). If at any time subsequent to the receipt by a AQN Indemnitee of an indemnity payment from LG hereunder, such AQN Indemnitee (or any Affiliate thereof) receives any recovery, settlement or other similar payment with respect to
the Loss for which it receives such indemnity payment, such AQN Indemnitee shall promptly pay to LG an amount equal to the amount of such recovery, less any expense incurred by such AQN Indemnitee (or its Affiliates) in connection with such
recovery, but in no event shall any such payment exceed the amount of such indemnity payment. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.4 Limitation on AQN&#146;s
Liability</B>. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF FRAUD, CRIMINAL MISREPRESENTATION OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, IN NO EVENT
SHALL AQN BE LIABLE TO THE LG INDEMNITEES FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that if LG is held liable to a third party for any of such damages and AQN is obligated to indemnify LG
for the matter that gave rise to such damages, then AQN shall be liable for, and obligated to reimburse LG for, such damages. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall AQN indemnify the LG Indemnitees, or be otherwise
liable in any way whatsoever to the LG Indemnitees, for any Losses otherwise subject to indemnification by AQN pursuant to Section&nbsp;7.2(a) or 7.2(b) that in the aggregate exceed the Share Price. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.5 Claims Procedure</B>. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) All claims for indemnification under Section&nbsp;7.1 or 7.2, or any other provision of this Agreement except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, shall be asserted and resolved pursuant
to this Article 7. Any Person claiming indemnification hereunder </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">20 </FONT></P>



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is referred to as the &#147;<U>Indemnified Party</U>&#148; and any Person against whom such claims are asserted hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the &#147;<U>Indemnifying Party</U>.&#148;
In the event that any Losses are asserted against or sought to be collected from or Threatened to be sought from an Indemnified Party by a third party, including a Governmental Body, said Indemnified Party shall with reasonable promptness provide to
the Indemnifying Party a Claim Notice. If the Indemnified Party fails to notify the Indemnifying Party of any Losses in accordance with the provisions of this Article 7 in reasonably sufficient time such that the Indemnifying Party&#146;s ability to
defend against the Losses is prejudiced, then the Indemnifying Party shall not be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party with respect to such Losses to the extent (but only to the extent) of such prejudice. The Indemnifying Party shall have
thirty (30)&nbsp;days from the personal delivery or receipt of the Claim Notice (the &#147;<U>Notice Period</U>&#148;) to notify the Indemnified Party (i)&nbsp;whether or not it disputes the liability of the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified
Party hereunder with respect to such Losses and/or (ii)&nbsp;whether or not it desires, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to defend the Indemnified Party against such Losses; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that any
Indemnified Party is hereby authorized prior to and during the Notice Period to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Party (and of
which it shall have given notice and opportunity to comment to the Indemnifying Party) and not prejudicial to the Indemnifying Party. In the event that the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to
defend the Indemnified Party against such Losses and expressly confirms in writing its obligation to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party for the Losses that are reasonably likely to result from such claim, the Indemnifying Party shall
have the right to defend all appropriate proceedings, and with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, which proceedings shall be promptly settled or prosecuted by them to a final conclusion. If the Indemnified Party desires to
participate in, but not control, any such defense or settlement, it may do so at its sole cost and expense; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that the participation of such claim by counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party will not, in the
reasonable judgment of counsel to the Indemnified Party, create a conflict or potential conflict of interest between such parties. If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its
counsel in contesting any Losses that the Indemnifying Party elects to contest or, if appropriate and related to the claim in question, in making any counterclaim against the Person asserting the third party Losses, or any cross-complaint against
any Person. No claim may be settled or otherwise compromised without the prior written consent of both the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that the Indemnifying Party may pay, compromise, settle or
otherwise dispose of any claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party only if (i)&nbsp;such settlement involves only the payment of money, (ii)&nbsp;such payment is made in full solely by the Indemnifying Party without recourse
to the Indemnified Party, and (iii)&nbsp;such settlement does not impose any obligations or restrictions on the Indemnified Party of any nature. In no event will the Indemnifying Party have the authority to agree, without the consent of the
Indemnified Party, to any relief binding on the Indemnified Party other than the payment of money damages by the Indemnifying Party without recourse to the Indemnified Party. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) The Indemnified Party shall provide reasonable assistance to the Indemnifying Party and provide access to its books, records and personnel as the Indemnifying Party reasonably requests in connection
with the investigation or defense of the Losses. The </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">21 </FONT></P>



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Indemnifying Party shall promptly, upon receipt of reasonable supporting documentation, reimburse the Indemnified Party for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the latter in providing
the requested assistance. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) With regard to third party claims for which AQN or LG is entitled to indemnification under
Section&nbsp;7.1 or 7.2, such indemnification shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party upon (i)&nbsp;the entry of an Order against the Indemnified Party and the expiration of any applicable appeal period or (ii)&nbsp;a settlement with the consent of
the Indemnifying Party, provided that no such consent need be obtained if the Indemnifying Party fails to respond to the Claim Notice as provided in Section&nbsp;7.5(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing but subject to Section&nbsp;7.5(a), and provided
that there is no dispute as to the applicability of indemnification, expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Party shall be reimbursed on a current basis by the Indemnifying Party as if such expenses are a liability of the Indemnifying Party.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>7.6 Exclusive Remedy</B>. Except (i)&nbsp;for claims arising out of fraud, criminal misrepresentation, or willful
misconduct or (ii)&nbsp;as otherwise provided in Section&nbsp;6.1, the rights, remedies and obligations of the AQN Indemnitees and the LG Indemnitees set forth in this Article 7 will be the exclusive rights, remedies and obligations of such Persons
after the Plaza Closing with respect to all post-Plaza Closing claims relating to this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the events giving rise to this Agreement and the transactions provided for herein or contemplated hereby or thereby. Except for
claims arising out of fraud, criminal misrepresentation or willful misconduct, no Proceeding for termination or rescission, or claiming repudiation, of this Agreement may be brought or maintained by either party against the other following the Plaza
Closing Date no matter how severe, grave or fundamental any breach, default or nonperformance may be by one party. Accordingly, except as otherwise provided in this Section&nbsp;7.6, the parties hereby expressly waive and forego any and all rights
they may possess to bring any such Proceeding. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE 8 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>GENERAL PROVISIONS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.1 Expenses</B>. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each party will pay all costs and expenses of its performance of and compliance with this Agreement, <I>provided </I>that no such
costs and expenses payable by LG (including the fees and expenses of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer&nbsp;&amp; Feld LLP) shall be paid from any assets otherwise transferable to AQN pursuant hereto, and
<I>provided</I>,<I> further</I>, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, AQN shall pay all of the filing fees (if any) associated with approvals required under the HSR Act and by the MDPU. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.2 Notices</B>. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
upon receipt if either (a)&nbsp;personally delivered with written acknowledgment of such receipt, (b)&nbsp;sent by prepaid first class mail, and registered or certified and a return receipt requested, as of the date such receipt indicates by
signature, (c)&nbsp;sent by overnight delivery via a nationally recognized carrier with written acknowledgment of such receipt or (d)&nbsp;by facsimile or e-mail with, and as of the date of, receipt being acknowledged in writing: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>If to LG, to</U>: </B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Laclede Group, Inc. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">720 Olive St. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Saint Louis, MO 63101 </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">22 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Michael Geiselhart and Mark Darrell </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (314)&nbsp;421-1979 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: mgeiselhart@thelacledegroup.com; MDarrell@thelacledegroup.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>with
a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to</U>:</B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Akin Gump Strauss Hauer&nbsp;&amp; Feld LLP </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">One Bryant Park </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">New York, NY 10036-6745 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Lucas Torres </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (212)&nbsp;872-1001 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: ltorres@akingump.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U><B>If to AQN, to</B>:</U> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2845 Bristol Circle </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ontario, Canada L6H 7H7 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Ian Robertson </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (905)&nbsp;465-4514 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: Ian.Robertson@algonquinpower.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>with a copy (which shall not
constitute notice) to</U>: </B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2845 Bristol Circle </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ontario, Canada L6H 7H7 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Chief Legal Officer </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (905)&nbsp;465-4540 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: Linda.Beairsto@algonquinpower.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>and with a copy (which shall not
constitute notice) to</U>: </B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Husch Blackwell LLP </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4801 Main Street, Suite 1000 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Kansas City, MO 64112 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: James G. Goettsch </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (816)&nbsp;983-8080 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: jim.goettsch@huschblackwell.com
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">or at such other address or number as shall be given in writing by a party to the other party. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">23 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.3 Assignment</B>. This Agreement may not be assigned (directly or indirectly), by
operation of law or otherwise, by any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.4 Successor Bound</B>. Subject to the provisions of Section&nbsp;8.3, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.5 Governing Law</B>. The validity, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, unless expressly provided to the contrary, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.6
Construction of Agreement</B>. The terms and provisions of this Agreement represent the results of negotiations between AQN and LG, each of which has been represented by counsel of its own choosing, and neither of which has acted under duress or
compulsion, whether legal, economic or otherwise. Accordingly, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with their usual and customary meanings, and AQN and LG hereby waive the application in
connection with the interpretation and construction of this Agreement of any rule of law to the effect that ambiguous or conflicting terms or provisions contained in this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed against the party whose attorney
prepared the executed draft or any earlier draft of this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that neither the specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement nor the inclusion of any specific
item in the Schedules or Exhibits is intended to imply that such amounts or higher or lower amounts, or the items so included or other items, are or are not material, and none of the parties shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the
fact of any inclusion of any such item in the Schedules or Exhibits in any dispute or controversy between the parties as to whether any obligation, item or matter is or is not material for purposes hereof. The word &#147;including&#148; in this
Agreement shall mean including without limitation. Words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other genders as the context requires. The terms &#147;hereof,&#148;
&#147;herein,&#148; and &#147;herewith&#148; and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) and not to any particular provision of
this Agreement, and Article, Section, paragraph, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement. Unless otherwise specified, references to &#147;Governmental Body&#148; or other
jurisdiction-specific terms (whether defined or not) in this Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents (including to the extent used (directly or indirectly) in this
Agreement and the Consent Agreement) are deemed, for all purposes of this Agreement and the Consent Agreement, to refer to their Canadian equivalents. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.7 Publicity</B>. Neither party hereto, nor any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives, shall issue, make or cause the publication of any press release or other announcement with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">24 </FONT></P>



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otherwise make any disclosures relating thereto, without the consent of the other party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that such
consent shall not be required where such release or announcement is required by applicable law or the rules or regulations of a securities exchange, in which event the party so required to issue such release or announcement shall endeavor, wherever
possible, to furnish an advance copy of the proposed release to the other party. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.8 Waiver</B>. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any party to exercise any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise or waiver of any such
right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege available to each party at law or in equity. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have hereunder. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.9 Parties in Interest</B>. This Agreement
(including the documents and instruments referred to herein) is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that the
indemnification provisions in Article VII shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the AQN Indemnitees and the LG Indemnitees as provided therein. Without limiting the foregoing, no provision of this Agreement (including the documents
and instruments referred to herein) creates any rights in any employee or former employee of LG (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof) in respect of continued employment or resumed employment, and no provision of this Agreement creates any
rights in any such Persons in respect of any benefits that may be provided, directly or indirectly, under any employee benefit plan or arrangement; <I>provided</I>, <I>further </I>that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section&nbsp;8.9, Article 4 is intended to benefit, and be enforceable by SUG and its Affiliates. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.10 Section and
Paragraph Headings</B>. The section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.11 Amendment</B>. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed and delivered by the parties hereto.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.12 Entire Agreement</B>. This Agreement, the Consent Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and the documents
specifically referred to herein and that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2013, by and between AQN and LG, constitute the entire agreement, understanding, representations and warranties of the parties hereto, and supersede
all prior agreements, both written and oral, between AQN and LG. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Disclosure of any fact or
item in any Schedule referenced by a particular paragraph or Section in this Agreement shall, should the existence of the fact or item or its contents be relevant to any other paragraph or Section, be deemed to be disclosed with respect to that
other paragraph or Section whether or not any explicit cross-reference appears therein but only to the extent that such relevance is clearly and readily apparent from the face of such disclosure. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">25 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.13 Counterparts</B>. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.14
Severability</B>. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force
and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of
being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are
fulfilled to the greatest extent possible. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.15 Consent to Jurisdiction</B>. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and each party irrevocably agrees that all claims
in respect of such dispute or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any
dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. Each party agrees that a judgment in any such dispute
may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.16
Enforcement</B>. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the
parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any state or federal court
located in the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereto further hereby waives (a)&nbsp;any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy
at law would be adequate and (b)&nbsp;any requirement under any law to post security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.17 Waiver of Jury Trial</B>. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.18 Time of Essence</B>. This Agreement contains a number of dates and
times by which performance or the exercise of rights is due, and the parties hereto intend that each and every such date and time be the firm and final date and time, as agreed. For this reason, each party hereto hereby waives and relinquishes any
right it might otherwise have to challenge its failure to meet any performance or rights election date applicable to it on the basis that its late action constitutes substantial performance, to require the other party to show prejudice, or on any
</FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">26 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
equitable grounds. Without limiting the foregoing, time is of the essence in this Agreement. If the date specified in this Agreement for giving any notice or taking any action is not a Business
Day (or if the period during which any notice is required to be given or any action taken expires on a date which is not a Business Day), then the date for giving such notice or taking such action (and the expiration date of such period during which
notice is required to be given or action taken) shall be the next day which is a Business Day. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>8.19 Transaction Taxes</B>.
All transfer, documentary, recording, notarial, sales, use, registration, stamp and other similar taxes, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, all applicable stock transfer, real estate transfer or conveyance Taxes and including any
penalties, interest and additions to such tax) (&#147;<U>Transaction Taxes</U>&#148;) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be borne by one-half by AQN and one-half by LG, regardless of whether the
Tax authority seeks to collect such Taxes from LG or AQN. AQN and LG shall cooperate in timely making and filing all Tax returns as may be required to comply with the provisions of laws relating to such Transaction Taxes. AQN shall prepare all tax
filings related to any Transaction Taxes, which shall be subject to the reasonable review of LG, and also shall notify LG of any claimed material exemptions from Transaction Taxes for which no filing is required which shall be subject to the
reasonable review of LG. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">[<I>Remainder of page intentionally left blank</I>.] </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">27 </FONT></P>



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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>IN WITNESS WHEREOF,</B> the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written above. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="5%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="11%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="82%"></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Mark Waltermire</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mark D. Waltermire</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="5"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PLAZA&nbsp;MASSACHUSETTS&nbsp;ACQUISITION,&nbsp;INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Steven Lindsey</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Steven L. Lindsey</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">President</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="5"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ALGONQUIN POWER &amp; UTILITIES CORP.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Christopher Jarratt</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Christopher K. Jarratt</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Vice Chairman</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Ian Robertson</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ian Robertson</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-2.2
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>d482779dex22.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-2.2
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-2.2</TITLE>
</HEAD>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 2.2 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>EXECUTION VERSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CONSENT AGREEMENT </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This CONSENT AGREEMENT (this &#147;<U>Consent Agreement</U>&#148;) is made as of February&nbsp;11, 2013, by and among THE LACLEDE GROUP,
INC., a Missouri corporation (&#147;<U>LG</U>&#148;), PLAZA MASSACHUSETTS ACQUISITION, INC., a Delaware corporation (&#147;<U>Plaza</U>&#148;), SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (&#147;<U>SUG</U>&#148;) and ALGONQUIN POWER&nbsp;&amp;
UTILITIES CORP., a Canadian corporation (&#147;<U>AQN</U>&#148;). Capitalized terms used in this Consent Agreement not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the NEG Acquisition Agreement (as defined below). </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>W I T N E S S E T H : </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, (i)&nbsp;Plaza, SUG and, solely as guarantor thereunder, LG are parties to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement (the &#147;<U>NEG Acquisition Agreement</U>&#148;), dated as of
December&nbsp;14, 2012, and (ii)&nbsp;Plaza, SUG and, solely as guarantor thereunder, LG are parties to that certain Employee Agreement (the &#147;<U>NEG Employee Agreement</U>&#148;) dated as of December&nbsp;14, 2012; </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Consent Agreement, Plaza, LG and AQN are entering into that certain
Stock Purchase Agreement (the &#147;<U>Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement</U>&#148;), dated as of the date hereof, pursuant to which LG shall sell, and AQN shall cause its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Liberty Utilities Co., a Delaware corporation
(&#147;<U>LUC</U>&#148;), to buy, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Plaza; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, LG has requested that SUG consent to the transactions contemplated by the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement (the &#147;<U>Transactions</U>&#148;); </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Consent Agreement, AQN is causing LUC to deposit (by issuance of wire
transfer instructions) $3,000,000 in immediately available funds in United States dollars in escrow with U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association (the &#147;<U>Escrow Agent</U>&#148;) pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, dated the
date hereof, by and among SUG, LUC, LG and the Escrow Agent (the &#147;<U>Escrow Agreement</U>&#148;); and </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>WHEREAS</B>, in
order to effect the transactions contemplated by the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the parties wish to enter into this Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>NOW, THEREFORE</B>, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Consents, Agreements and Waivers. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.1 <U>Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement</U>. SUG hereby consents to the Transactions (including the sale of Plaza to LUC immediately prior to the Closing) and the other provisions of the Plaza Stock
Purchase Agreement, subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by SUG: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) the conditions contained in Section&nbsp;7.1 and Section&nbsp;7.2 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement (giving effect to the amendments to the NEG Acquisition Agreement provided for in this Agreement)
shall have been satisfied or waived as provided for in the NEG Acquisition Agreement; and </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) the conditions contained in
Section&nbsp;5.1 and Section&nbsp;5.2 of the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived as provided in the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement, and LG shall irrevocably stand ready to, and AQN shall irrevocably stand ready to
cause LUC to, complete the Plaza Closing. </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The foregoing notwithstanding, the parties hereby agree that, except as explicitly set forth
herein, SUG&#146;s rights and obligations (including its obligation to complete the Closing) under the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents are not otherwise impacted by the execution of this Consent
Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.2 <U>Parent Guarantee</U>. Upon the Plaza Closing (as defined in the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement), and with
no further action required by any party thereto, SUG, Plaza, AQN and LG hereby agree that the NEG Acquisition Agreement shall be automatically amended by deleting the text of Section&nbsp;13.19 in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp., a Canadian corporation (&#147;<U>AQN</U>&#148;) agrees to take all action
necessary to cause Buyer to perform all of its respective agreements, covenants and obligations under this Agreement and the Related Documents. AQN unconditionally guarantees to Seller the full and complete performance by Buyer of its respective
obligations under this Agreement. This is a guarantee of payment and performance and not of collectability. AQN hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of performance, filing of any claim, any right to require any proceeding first against
Buyer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever in connection with the performance of its obligations set forth in this Section&nbsp;13.19. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition, AQN hereby agrees that, upon the Plaza Closing, it will automatically become a party to the NEG Acquisition Agreement and the NEG Employee
Agreement, in each case solely for purposes of the guarantee under Section&nbsp;13.19 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement (including to the extent such provision is incorporated into the NEG Employee Agreement). </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.3 <U>Financing Representation</U>. Upon the Plaza Closing, and with no further action required by any party thereto, SUG, Plaza, AQN
and LG hereby agree that the NEG Acquisition Agreement shall be automatically amended by deleting the text of Section&nbsp;4.4 in its entirety and replacing it with the following: </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Buyer has (as of the Plaza Closing Date (as defined in that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February&nbsp;11, 2013, between
Buyer, The Laclede Group, Inc., and Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp.)), and shall have at the Closing, sufficient funds to </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
permit Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties acknowledge and agree
that it shall not be a condition to the obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby that Buyer have sufficient funds for payment of the Purchase Price. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.4 <U>Financing Covenants</U>. From the date hereof until the Plaza Closing Date, SUG, Plaza and LG hereby agree that the covenants
contained in Sections 6.9 and 6.10 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement shall have no force or effect unless and until the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that, in order to permit LG
to comply with its obligations under the NEG Acquisition Agreement if the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated, SUG shall continue to comply with Section&nbsp;6.10(a)(iii) of the NEG Acquisition Agreement in accordance with its terms. Any
defined term contained in Sections 6.9 and 6.10 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed removed for purposes of interpreting this Section&nbsp;1.4. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.5 <U>Reasonable Best Efforts</U>. From the date hereof until the Plaza Closing Date (as defined in the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement), SUG hereby agrees that any actions taken by AQN pursuant to
Section&nbsp;4.2 of the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement shall go to satisfy Plaza&#146;s obligations under Section&nbsp;6.3 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement. SUG further agrees that, unless and until the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated,
SUG shall cooperate with AQN to obtain any Consents or approvals from any third party or Governmental Body to the same extent it is obligated to do so with Plaza and LG under Section&nbsp;6.3 of the NEG Acquisition Agreement. In furtherance of the
foregoing, and subject to the conditions set forth in this Consent Agreement and the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement, each of SUG, AQN and LG hereby agree that each shall cooperate in good faith in order to facilitate the acquisition of the Assets,
the Assumed Liabilities and the Business by Plaza (as owned by AQN and LUC) as expeditiously as possible. For the avoidance of doubt, AQN shall not be deemed to have failed to use reasonable best efforts under Section&nbsp;6.2(b) of the Plaza Stock
Purchase Agreement to the extent any such failure results from LG&#146;s failure to fulfill its obligations under Section&nbsp;4.2 of the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement or from LG&#146;s or SUG&#146;s failure to fulfill its respective obligations
under this Section&nbsp;1.5; and any action or inaction of AQN caused by LG&#146;s failure to fulfill such obligations shall not be deemed to give rise to rights of termination under Section&nbsp;6.2(c) of the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.6 <U>End Date</U>. Plaza and LG hereby agree that the End Date may not be extended pursuant to Section&nbsp;9.1(e) of the
NEG Acquisition Agreement without the prior written consent of SUG, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.7 <U>Amendments</U>. Prior to the earlier of termination of this Consent Agreement or the Plaza Closing: (i)&nbsp;Plaza, SUG and LG hereby agree that they shall not amend, waive any rights or
obligations under, or take any action requiring the consent or approval of the other party under or the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement or any other Related Document without the consent of AQN, and (ii)&nbsp;Plaza, AQN and LG
hereby agree that they shall not amend, waive any rights or obligations under, or take any action requiring the consent or approval of the other party under or the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement without the consent of SUG, in each case, which
consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>


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<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Covenants </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2.1 <U>Access
to Information</U>. Prior to the earlier of termination of this Consent Agreement or the Plaza Closing, SUG agrees to provide access to the Business, the Subsidiary and the Assets to AQN to the same extent and on the same terms and conditions as set
forth in Section&nbsp;6.1(c) of the NEG Acquisition Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2.2 <U>Escrow Funds</U>. SUG, AQN and LG hereby agree that
(a)&nbsp;on the Closing immediately following the Plaza Closing, they shall cause (and AQN shall cause LUC to cause) the Escrow Agent to pay the Escrow Amount (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) to SUG, (b)&nbsp;if the Plaza Stock Purchase
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 6.2(b) or 6.2(c) therein, they shall cause (and AQN shall cause LUC to cause) the Escrow Agent to pay the Escrow Amount to SUG, and (c)&nbsp;if the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated for any
other reasons, they shall cause (and AQN shall cause LUC to cause) the Escrow Agent to pay the Escrow Amount to AQN. The foregoing constitutes the sole and exclusive liability of AQN and its Affiliates to SUG and its Affiliates, under this Consent
Agreement or otherwise, in the event that the Plaza Closing does not occur; <I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that for the avoidance of doubt, if the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 6.2(b) or 6.2(c) therein and the
Escrow Amount is paid to SUG in accordance with the previous sentence, LG will nevertheless be entitled to seek any remedies available under the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>3.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>General Provisions </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.1
<U>Notices</U>. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt if either (a)&nbsp;personally delivered with written acknowledgment of such receipt, (b)&nbsp;sent by
prepaid first class mail, and registered or certified and a return receipt requested, as of the date such receipt indicates by signature, (c)&nbsp;sent by overnight delivery via a nationally recognized carrier with written acknowledgment of such
receipt or (d)&nbsp;by facsimile or e-mail with, and as of the date of, receipt being acknowledged in writing: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>If to LG
or Plaza, to</U>: </B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Laclede Group, Inc. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">720 Olive St. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Saint Louis, MO 63101 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Michael Geiselhart and Mark Darrell </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (314)&nbsp;421-1979 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: mgeiselhart@thelacledegroup.com;
MDarrell@thelacledegroup.com </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to</U>:</B> </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Akin Gump Strauss Hauer&nbsp;&amp; Feld LLP </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">One Bryant Park </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">New York, NY 10036-6745 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Lucas Torres </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (212)&nbsp;872-1001 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: ltorres@akingump.com </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>If to SUG, to</U>:</B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Southern Union Company </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5051 Westheimer Road </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Houston, TX 77056 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Martin Salinas Jr. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: 713-989-1212 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Email: martin.salinas@energytransfer.com </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>with a copy (which shall not constitute notice), to</U>: </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Southern Union Company </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5051 Westheimer Road </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Houston, TX 77056 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: General Counsel </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: 713-989-1212 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Email: tom.mason@energytransfer.com </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to</U>: </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Latham&nbsp;&amp; Watkins LLP </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">811 Main Street, Suite 3700 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Houston, TX 77002 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: William N. Finnegan IV and Sean T. Wheeler </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (713)&nbsp;546-5401 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Email: bill.finnegan@lw.com and
sean.wheeler@lw.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>If to AQN, to</U>: </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2845 Bristol Circle </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ontario, Canada L6H 7H7 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Ian Robertson </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (905)&nbsp;465-4514 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: Ian.Robertson@algonquinpower.com </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to</U>: </B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Algonquin
Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2845 Bristol Circle </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ontario, Canada L6H 7H7 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: Chief Legal Officer </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (905)&nbsp;465-4540 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: Linda.Beairsto@algonquinpower.com </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U>and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to</U>: </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Husch Blackwell LLP </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4801 Main Street, Suite 1000 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Kansas City, MO 64112 </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Attention: James G. Goettsch </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Facsimile: (816)&nbsp;983-8080 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">E-mail: jim.goettsch@huschblackwell.com
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">or at such other address or number as shall be given in writing by a party to the other party. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.2 <U>Assignment</U>. This Consent Agreement may not be assigned (directly or indirectly), by operation of law or otherwise, by any
party hereto without the prior written consent of each other party hereto, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.3 <U>Governing Law</U>. The validity, performance, and enforcement of this Consent Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, unless expressly provided to the contrary, shall be governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflicts of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Delaware. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.4 <U>Construction of Agreement</U>. Unless otherwise specified, references to &#147;Governmental Body&#148; or
other jurisdiction-specific terms (whether defined or not) in this Consent Agreement, the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement, the NEG Acquisition Agreement, the NEG Employee Agreement and the other Related Documents (including to the extent used
(directly or indirectly) in this Consent Agreement and the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement) are deemed, for all purposes of this Consent Agreement and the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement, to refer to their Canadian equivalents. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.5 <U>Parties in Interest</U>. This Consent Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) is not intended to
confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies hereunder. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.6 <U>Section and Paragraph Headings</U>. The section and paragraph headings in this Consent Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Consent Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.7 <U>Amendment</U>. This Consent Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed
and delivered by the parties hereto. </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.8 <U>Counterparts</U>. This Consent Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.9
<U>Severability</U>. If any term or other provision of this Consent Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Consent Agreement shall nevertheless
remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid,
illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Consent Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the greatest extent possible. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.10 <U>Consent to Jurisdiction</U>. The
parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Consent Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby,
and each party irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such dispute or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which
they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any dispute arising out of or relating to this Consent Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such
dispute. Each party agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.11 <U>Enforcement</U>. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Consent Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of this Consent Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Consent Agreement in any state or federal court located in the State of Delaware, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are
entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereto further hereby waives (a)&nbsp;any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b)&nbsp;any requirement under any law to post security as a
prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.12 <U>Waiver of Jury Trial</U>. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS CONSENT AGREEMENT
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CONSENT AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.13 <U>Time of Essence</U>. This Consent Agreement contains a number of dates and times by which performance or the exercise of rights
is due, and the parties hereto intend that each and every such date and time be the firm and final date and time, as agreed. For this reason, each party hereto hereby waives and relinquishes any right it might otherwise have to challenge its
</FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">7 </FONT></P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">
failure to meet any performance or rights election date applicable to it on the basis that its late action constitutes substantial performance, to require the other party to show prejudice, or on
any equitable grounds. Without limiting the foregoing, time is of the essence in this Consent Agreement. If the date specified in this Consent Agreement for giving any notice or taking any action is not a Business Day (or if the period during which
any notice is required to be given or any action taken expires on a date which is not a Business Day), then the date for giving such notice or taking such action (and the expiration date of such period during which notice is required to be given or
action taken) shall be the next day which is a Business Day </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.14 <U>Termination</U>. This Consent Agreement may be terminated
by mutual consent of the parties hereto and will automatically terminate if the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated. SUG expressly acknowledges and agrees that, regardless of its status as an express third party beneficiary of Article 4 of
the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement, SUG has no right or ability to cause the termination of the Plaza Stock Purchase Agreement. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.15 <U>Indemnification</U>. Plaza and SUG hereby agree that this Consent Agreement constitutes a Related Document and is subject to
indemnification as provided under the NEG Acquisition Agreement (including the exclusive remedy provisions set forth in Section&nbsp;12.6 therein). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">[<I>Remainder of page intentionally left blank</I>.] </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>IN WITNESS WHEREOF,</B> the parties have caused this Consent Agreement to be executed and
delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written above. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="12%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="80%"></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Martin Salinas, Jr.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="5"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Mark D. Waltermire</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mark D. Waltermire</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President and<BR>Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="5"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PLAZA MASSACHUSETTS ACQUISITION, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Steven L. Lindsey</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Steven L. Lindsey</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">President</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="5"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ALGONQUIN POWER&nbsp;&amp; UTILITIES CORP.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Christopher K. Jarratt</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Christopher K. Jarratt</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Vice Chairman</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Ian Robertson</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ian Robertson</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">[<I>Signature Page to Consent Agreement</I>] </FONT></P>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>d482779dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>EX-99.1</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">


<IMG SRC="g482779g60g69.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="51%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="47%"></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Investor Contact:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Media Contact:</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Scott W. Dudley Jr.</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Jessica B. Willingham</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">314-342-0878</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">314-342-3300</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>sdudley@TheLacledeGroup.com</U></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><U>jwillingham@TheLacledeGroup.com</U></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>The Laclede Group Announces the Sale of New England Gas Company </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>to
Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ST. LOUIS, MO &#150; February&nbsp;11, 2013 &#150; </B>The Laclede Group, Inc.
(&#147;Laclede&#148;) today announced that Laclede has entered into an agreement (&#147;New Agreement&#148;) with Algonquin Power&nbsp;&amp; Utilities Corp. (&#147;APUC&#148;) that will allow an APUC subsidiary to assume Laclede&#146;s rights to
purchase the assets of New England Gas Company (&#147;NEG&#148;), subject to certain approvals and conditions described below. NEG is a natural gas utility serving 50,000 customers in Massachusetts, an operating division of Southern Union Company
(&#147;Southern Union&#148;), an affiliate of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. Laclede announced on December&nbsp;17, 2012 that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries had entered into a purchase and sale agreement with
Southern Union to acquire the assets of NEG (&#147;Initial Agreement&#148;). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#147;Algonquin shares our promise to maintain the high
standards of safety, service and operational excellence for the customers and employees of New England Gas Company,&#148; said Suzanne Sitherwood, president and chief executive officer of Laclede. &#147;While we had made plans for welcoming New
England Gas Company into the Laclede family, Algonquin presented an offer to purchase New England Gas. In addition to being a strong utility operator like Laclede, Algonquin brings with it the advantage of already having operations in the region.
Accordingly, this transaction will provide value to both our shareholders and NEG&#146;s customers, without affecting the rest of the acquisition.&#148; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">APUC&#146;s acquisition of NEG is subject to approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Laclede and Southern Union filed for regulatory approval with the department on
January&nbsp;24, 2013, and as a result of this agreement with APUC, the parties will work to amend that filing to include approval of APUC&#146;s acquisition of NEG. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The parties entered into a Consent Agreement reflecting, among other things, Southern Union&#146;s consent and agreement to facilitate APUC&#146;s acquisition of NEG by means of the New Agreement after
all conditions to closing under the Initial Agreement as well as under the New Agreement have been satisfied.&nbsp;The Laclede subsidiary will remain obligated to acquire NEG pursuant to the terms of the Initial Agreement with Southern Union in the
event that APUC is not able to satisfy all conditions to closing on or before October&nbsp;14, 2013. The companies expect to close both of these transactions before the end of the third quarter of calendar 2013. The transactions do not impact
Laclede&#146;s acquisition of Southern Union&#146;s Missouri Gas Energy division, also announced in December 2012. MGE is a natural gas utility serving over 500,000 customers in Kansas City and portions of Western Missouri. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor to Laclede. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-more- </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>The Laclede Group, Inc.</B> (NYSE: LG), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding
company. Its subsidiary, Laclede Gas Company, the regulated operations of which are included in the Regulated Gas Distribution segment, serves approximately 630,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in St. Louis City and parts of 10
counties in eastern Missouri. Laclede&#146;s primary non-utility business, Laclede Energy Resources, Inc., included in the Non-Regulated Gas Marketing segment, provides non-regulated natural gas services. Laclede Group is committed to pursuing
growth through 1) developing and investing in emerging technologies; 2) investing in infrastructure; 3) acquiring businesses to which the Company can apply its operating model, and 4) leveraging its current business unit competencies. For more
information about Laclede and its subsidiaries, visit <U>www.TheLacledeGroup.com.</U> <B></B> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS ON FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This news release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future, including statements regarding the
anticipated benefits and other aspects of the transaction described above, that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other
factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the management teams of Laclede or APUC. Among those is the risk that the transactions described above may not be consummated or that the anticipated benefits from the
transactions cannot be fully realized. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Laclede. Laclede does not undertake any obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">### </FONT></P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Page 2
</FONT></P>

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`
end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
