pre14a
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
þ Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
VALERO L.P.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
August
[ ], 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF CONSENT SOLICITATION
To our Unitholders:
We are soliciting your consent to amend certain provisions of the Amended and Restated 2000
Long-Term Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of January 26, 2006 (the Plan), of Valero GP,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is intended to promote the interests of Valero
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (we, us, or the Partnership), by providing to employees
and directors of Valero GP, LLC and its affiliates who perform services for the Partnership and its
subsidiaries incentive awards.
We are proposing certain amendments (the Proposed Amendments) that require the approval of
the limited partners of the Partnership (Unitholders). The Proposed Amendments would, among other
things, increase the number of Units authorized for issuance under the Plan from the current
250,000 Units (of which 221,556 have been granted to date) to 1,500,000 Units. The Proposed
Amendments are described in more detail in the accompanying Consent Solicitation Statement.
Unitholders of record at the close of business on [ ], 2006 are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote in the Consent Solicitation. We are asking the Unitholders to consider and
vote on the Proposed Amendments as a single proposal that will require the approval of Unitholders
holding a majority of our common units representing limited partner interests (Units) outstanding
as of the close of business on the record date. The Board of Directors of Valero GP, LLC, the
general partner of the general partner of Valero L.P., has voted unanimously to recommend that the
Unitholders vote FOR the Proposed Amendments.
The Proposed Amendments can only be adopted following the required approval of the
Unitholders. Your vote is important. Failure to return the enclosed Consent form will have the same
effect as a vote against the Proposed Amendments. We encourage you, therefore, to review the
enclosed Consent Solicitation Statement and to complete, date, sign and mail your Consent in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope, or forward the enclosed letter of instruction to your broker or
nominee, as soon as possible.
The Consent Solicitation will expire at, and your Consent must be received by, 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on [ ], 2006 (the Expiration Date). The Consent Solicitation may be extended by
Valero GP, LLC for a specified period of time or on a daily basis until the consents necessary to
adopt the Proposed Amendments have been received. You may revoke your Consent at any time up to
5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date.
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Curtis V. Anastasio |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Valero GP, LLC |
One Valero Way
San Antonio, Texas 78249
CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT
This Consent Solicitation Statement is being furnished to the holders of common units
representing limited partner interests (Units) of Valero L.P. (the Partnership) as of the close
of business on [ ], 2006 (the Record Date) in connection with the solicitation (the
Solicitation) of consents of the holders of Units (Unitholders) to approve Proposed Amendments
(as defined below under The Plan and Proposed Amendments) to the Valero GP, LLC Amended and
Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan). This Consent Solicitation Statement and the
enclosed form of Consent are being mailed to Unitholders on or about August [ ], 2006.
The enclosed consent is being solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Valero
GP, LLC, the general partner of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., the general partner of the Partnership.
The Proposed Amendments will be considered and voted on by Unitholders as a single proposal. A copy
of the Plan containing the Proposed Amendments is attached to this Consent Solicitation Statement
as Appendix A.
Only Unitholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote on
the Proposed Amendments. Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the receipt of affirmative
consents of Unitholders holding a majority of the Units outstanding.
The Proposed Amendments have been approved unanimously by the Board of Directors of Valero GP,
LLC as being in the best interests of the Partnership and the Unitholders. The Board of Directors
of Valero GP, LLC unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the Proposed Amendments.
This Solicitation will expire at, and your consent must be received by, 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on [ ], 2006 (the Expiration Date). Valero GP, LLC may extend this
Solicitation for a specified period of time or on a daily basis until the consents necessary to
adopt the Proposed Amendments have been received. You may revoke your consent at any time before
5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date.
If you have any questions about this Consent Solicitation Statement, please call Bradley C.
Barron, Valero GP, LLCs Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at (210) 345-2000.
This Consent Solicitation Statement is dated August [ ], 2006.
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not contain all of the
information that is important to you. To understand the Proposed Amendments fully and for a more
detailed description of the specific steps involved, you should read this entire document carefully
(including its appendices).
The Partnership
Valero L.P. is a publicly traded limited partnership formed in 1999 under the laws of the
State of Delaware and is based in San Antonio, Texas. It is engaged in the crude oil and refined
product transportation, terminalling and storage business. The Partnership operates independent
terminals and petroleum liquids pipeline systems in the United States and also operates terminals
in the Netherlands Antilles, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The Partnerships operations are managed by Valero GP, LLC. Valero GP, LLC is the general
partner of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., the Partnerships general partner. Valero GP, LLC is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Valero GP Holdings, LLC (Valero GP Holdings), a publicly traded
Delaware limited liability company. Valero GP Holdings indirectly owns the 2% general partner interest in the Partnership, 100% of
the incentive distribution rights, and a 21.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership
represented by 10,221,291 Units. On July 19, 2006, in an underwritten public offering, affiliates
of Valero Energy Corporation sold 17,250,000 units representing limited partner interests in Valero
GP Holdings to the public. As a result, Valero Energy Corporation now owns 59.4% of the membership
interests in Valero GP Holdings and the public owns 40.6%.
The Partnership conducts its operations through its wholly
owned subsidiaries, primarily, Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. and Kaneb Pipe Line Operating
Partnership, L.P. The Partnership has four business segments: refined product terminals, refined
product terminals, crude oil pipelines and crude oil storage tanks.
The Plan
The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership by providing employees and
directors of Valero GP, LLC and its affiliates who perform services for the Partnership and its
subsidiaries incentive awards for superior performance that are based on Units. The Plan is also
intended to enhance Valero GP, LLCs and its affiliates ability to attract and retain employees
whose services are key to the growth and profitability of the Partnership, and to encourage them to
devote their best efforts to the business of the Partnership, thereby advancing the Partnerships
interests. The Plan provides for the grant of options to acquire Units, the grant of restricted
Units, distribution equivalent rights and cash awards.
The Proposed Amendments
The Proposed Amendments would amend the Plan to:
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increase the number of Units authorized for issuance under the Plan from 250,000 Units
(of which 221,556 have been granted to date) to 1,500,000 Units; |
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permit the cashless-broker exercise of options; |
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provide that if an award under the Plan expires, is cancelled, exercised, paid or
otherwise terminates without the delivery of Units then the Units covered by such award,
to the extent of such expiration, cancellation, exercise, payment or termination, shall
again be Units with respect to which awards under the Plan may be granted; |
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amend the Plan to meet the requirements of, and facilitate compliance with, Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code); and |
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amend the definition of Change of Control to reflect that as a result its recently
completed initial public offering, Valero GP Holdings is now the 100% owner of the general
partner of the Partnership. |
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Required Vote
The Proposed Amendments will be considered and voted on by Unitholders as a single proposal.
Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the receipt of affirmative consents of Unitholders
holding a majority of the Units outstanding.
Interest of Directors and Executive Officers
Members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of Valero GP, LLC and its affiliates
are eligible to receive grants of Unit options, restricted Units and other awards under the Plan.
The Proposed Amendments do not change these eligibility requirements. Accordingly, the members of
the Board of Directors and the executive officers of the Valero GP, LLC do have a substantial
interest in the passage of the Proposed Amendments.
THE PLAN AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Approval of the Valero GP, LLC Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Valero GP, LLC maintains the Valero GP, LLC Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive
Plan. The Board of Directors (the Board) of Valero GP, LLC, the general partner of Riverwalk
Logistics, L.P., the Partnerships general partner, approved an amendment and restatement of the
Plan that, assuming it is approved by the Unitholders as a result of this Solicitation, will be
effective as of [ ], 2006. The amendments contained in the amended and
restated Plan are referred to in this document as the Proposed Amendments. The essential features
of the Plan, as amended by the Proposed Amendments, are summarized below.
Proposed Amendments
The Proposed Amendments would amend the Plan to:
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increase the number of Units authorized for issuance under the Plan from 250,000
Units (of which 221,556 have been granted to date) to 1,500,000 Units; |
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permit the cashless-broker exercise of options; |
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provide that if an award under the Plan expires, is cancelled, exercised, paid or
otherwise terminates without the delivery of Units then the Units covered by such
award, to the extent of such expiration, cancellation, exercise, payment or
termination, shall again be Units with respect to which awards under the Plan may be
granted; |
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amend the Plan to meet the requirements of, and facilitate compliance with, Section
409A of the Code; and |
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amend the definition of Change of Control to reflect that as a result its
recently completed initial public offering, Valero GP Holdings is now the 100% owner
of the general partner of the Partnership. |
Purpose
The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership by providing to employees and
directors of Valero GP, LLC and its affiliates who perform services for the Partnership and its
subsidiaries incentive awards for superior performance that are based on Units. The Plan is also
intended to enhance Valero GP, LLCs and its affiliates ability to attract and retain employees
whose services are key to the growth and profitability of the Partnership, and to encourage them to
devote their best efforts to the business of the Partnership, thereby advancing the Partnerships
interests.
The Partnership is seeking Unitholder approval of the Proposed Amendments in order to comply
with New York Stock Exchange requirements.
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Plan Provisions
The Plan provides for the grant of options to acquire Units and restricted Units. The Plan
also provides for Performance Awards in the form of cash or units. In certain cases restricted
Units may be granted in tandem with a distribution equivalent right, or DER, which is a contingent
right to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with
respect to a Unit during the period such restricted Unit is outstanding.
Administration. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board or such
other committee of the Board appointed to administer the Plan (the Committee). Annual grant
levels for participants in the Plan are recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of Valero GP,
LLC, subject to the review and approval of the Committee.
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to (i) designate
participants in the Plan; (ii) determine the type or types of awards to be granted to a
participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by an award; (iv) determine the
terms and conditions of any award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances awards may be settled, exercised, canceled or forfeited; (vi) interpret and
administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an award made under the Plan; (vii)
establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall
deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination
and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary for the administration of the Plan.
Units Available for Awards. The common units of the Partnership subject to awards under the
Plan are Units. The number of Units issuable under the Plan will be 1,500,000, (pending receipt of
affirmative consent of Unitholders holding a majority of the Units outstanding) subject to certain
adjustments, as provided below. If an award is forfeited or otherwise expires without the delivery
of Units to the participant, the Units subject to the forfeiture, termination, or cancellation will
again be available for subsequent grant under the Plan. If the Committee determines that any
distribution, recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Units or other securities of the
Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the
Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units such that an adjustment is
determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee may
adjust (1) the number and type of Units with respect to which awards may be granted; (2) the number
and type of Units subject to outstanding awards; and (3) if deemed appropriate, make a provision
for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding award. The number of Units subject to an award
is required to be a whole number.
Eligibility. As determined by the Committee, any employee or director of Valero GP, LLC or an
Affiliate is eligible to receive awards under the Plan. An Affiliate generally means an entity
controlled by or under common control with Valero GP, LLC. The terms and conditions of awards need
not be the same with respect to each participant. The grant of an award does not give a
participant the right to be retained in the employ of Valero GP, LLC or any of its Affiliates or to
remain on the Board.
Awards. Awards under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted alone or in
addition to, or in tandem with, any other award granted under the Plan. In addition to Performance
Cash, which is a cash award conditioned upon the attainment of one or more performance goals, the
Plan provides that the following awards may be granted:
Options. The Committee has the authority to determine the employees and directors to
whom options shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each option, the purchase price
for each option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the option.
Each option granted under the Plan will be evidenced by a grant agreement in such form as the
Committee prescribes, which sets forth the terms of the option and the rights and obligations of
the Partnership and the participant.
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In general, the Plan provides that the option price per Unit may not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of a Unit on the date of the option grant.
The Committee also determines the restricted period (the time or times at which an option may
be exercised in whole or in part) and the method or methods by which a participant may pay the
exercise price.
Once an option (or any portion) becomes vested in accordance with the foregoing schedule, the
option (or such portion) remains exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of vesting, or
for a shorter period specified by the Committee or the grant agreement.
An option is not assignable or transferable by the participant other than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the participant, an option is exercisable
only by the participant. The Plan provides that options may be exercised in certain circumstances
following a participants termination of employment, including termination as a result of the
participants death, disability or retirement.
No participant will have any rights of a Unitholder with respect to any Units covered by an
option until the participant has exercised the option, paid the option purchase price and has been
issued such Units.
Restricted Units. The Committee has the authority to determine the employees and
directors to whom restricted Units shall be granted, the number of restricted Units to be granted
to each such participant, the duration of the restricted period (if any) and the conditions under
which the restricted Units may vest (which may be immediate upon the grant of the restricted Unit,
or may be Performance Units, which is a Unit conditioned upon the attainment of one or more
performance goals). The Committee may also include a tandem grant of a DER that entitles the
participant to receive cash equal to any cash distributions made on Units prior to the vesting of
the restricted Units, which may be paid directly to the participant, be credited to a bookkeeping
account or be subject to additional restrictions determined by the Committee.
Each restricted Unit granted under the Plan will be evidenced by a grant agreement in such
form as the Committee prescribes, which sets forth the terms of the option and the rights and
obligations of the Partnership and the participant.
A restricted Unit is not assignable or transferable by the participant other than by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the participant, a restricted Unit
is exercisable only by the participant. The Plan provides that restricted Units may vest in certain
circumstances following a participants termination of employment, including termination as a
result of the participants death, disability or retirement.
Change or Control or Sale of Significant Assets. Upon a change of control of Valero GP
Holdings or Valero GP, LLC, all awards granted under the Plan automatically vest and become payable
or exercisable, as the case may be, in full.
A change of control occurs upon one or more of the following events:
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any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Valero GP, LLC or the
Partnership to any person or its affiliates, unless immediately following such sale,
lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by Valero
GP Holdings and its affiliates or by Valero GP, LLC; |
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the consolidation or merger of the Partnership or Valero GP, LLC with or into another
entity pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding voting interests of Valero GP,
LLC is changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any
such transaction where: |
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all outstanding voting interests of Valero GP, LLC are changed into or
exchanged for voting stock or interests of the surviving corporation or entity or its
parent and |
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the holders of the voting interests of Valero GP, LLC immediately prior to
such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the voting
stock or interests of the surviving corporation or entity or its parent immediately
after such transaction and, in the case of the Partnership, Valero GP Holdings retains
operational control, whether by way of holding a general partner interest, managing
member interest or a majority of the outstanding voting interests of the surviving
corporation or entity or its parent; |
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a person or group becomes a beneficial owner of more than 50% of all voting interests
of Valero GP, LLC or Valero GP Holdings then outstanding; or |
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in the case of Valero GP Holdings, the consummation of a reorganization, merger,
consolidation or other form of business transaction or series of business transactions, in
each case, with respect to which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding
equity interests in Valero GP Holdings cease to be owned by the persons who owned such
interests immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or other form of business
transaction or series of business transactions. |
In the event Valero GP, LLC or the Partnership sells or otherwise disposes of a significant
portion of the assets under its control, and as a consequence of the disposition (1) a
participants employment is terminated by the Partnership, Valero GP, LLC or their Affiliates
without cause or by the participant for good reason or (2) as a result of such sale or disposition,
the participants employer shall no longer be the Partnership, Valero GP, LLC or one of their
Affiliates, then all of such participants awards under the Plan shall automatically vest and
become payable or exercisable, as the case may be, in full.
Amendment and Termination. The Committee has authority to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue
or terminate the Plan except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the rules of the New
York Stock Exchange, the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded. The
Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any award granted.
Federal Tax Consequences
The following is a general description of the federal income tax consequences of options and
the restricted Units granted under the Plan. It is a general summary only. In particular, this
general description does not discuss the applicability of the income tax laws of any state or
foreign country.
Options granted under the Plan are non-statutory options under the Code. There are no federal
income tax consequences to participants, the Partnership or Valero GP, LLC upon the grant of an
option under the Plan. Generally, upon the exercise of options, participants will recognize
ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Units
at the time of exercise over the purchase price of the option. The participant will recognize
ordinary compensation income when distribution equivalents are paid to the participant. The
Partnership generally will be entitled to a corresponding federal income tax deduction.
Upon the sale of Units acquired by exercise of an option, a participant generally will have
gain or loss (which may consist of both ordinary and capital gain and loss elements depending upon
the Partnerships taxable income and loss during the period in which the Units were held). The
participants adjusted tax basis in the Units will be the purchase price plus the amount of
ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time of exercise of the option, adjusted for
intervening Partnership gains or losses and distributions.
Options Granted Under the Plan
As of [ ], 2006, out of the 250,000 Units authorized for grant
under the Plan, an aggregate of 220,890 Units (net of cancellations) subject to options had been
awarded, and 29,110 Units remained available for grant. If the Proposed Amendments to the Plan are
approved, the total number of Units that may be issued will be 1,500,000 Units, meaning that
1,529,110 Units will be available for grant under the Plan, as amended by the Proposed Amendments.
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No grants have been made that are subject to Unitholder approval of the Proposed Amendments to
the Plan. Because grants under the Plan are discretionary, it is not possible at present to predict
the number of grants or the persons to whom grants will be made in the future under the Plan.
The
last sales price of the Partnerships Units on [ ], 2006 was $[ ] per
Unit.
Text of the Plan
The full text of the Plan, marked to show the Proposed Amendments, is attached as Appendix A
to this Consent Solicitation Statement. The statements made in this Consent Solicitation Statement
with respect to the Proposed Amendments should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, the full text of the Plan attached as Appendix A to this Consent
Solicitation Statement.
THE CONSENT SOLICITATION
Voting Securities, Record Date and Outstanding Units
This Solicitation is being made pursuant to the provisions of Section 16.10 of the Third
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Valero L.P., as amended (the Partnership
Agreement) and is subject to the conditions in this Consent Solicitation Statement and the
accompanying form of Consent. No meeting of the Unitholders is contemplated to be held for the
purpose of considering the Proposed Amendments. Only record holders of Units at the close of
business on [ ], 2006 will be taken into account for the purpose of
determining whether the requisite approval of the Proposed Amendments has been obtained. Each
Unitholder entitled to vote shall have one vote for each Unit outstanding in such Unitholders
name.
On the Record Date, there were a total of [ ] Units outstanding, which were held by
approximately [ ] Unitholders.
Consent and Revocation of Consent
The Partnership will accept forms of Consent at any time before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on
the Expiration Date, which is [ ], 2006. The enclosed form of Consent, when
properly completed and returned, will constitute a Unitholders consent, or the withholding of
consent, to the approval of the Proposed Amendments in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. If a Unitholder executes and returns a form of Consent and does not specify otherwise, the
Units represented by such form of Consent will be voted for approval of the Proposed Amendments
in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors of Valero GP, LLC.
A Unitholder who has executed and returned a form of Consent may revoke it at any time before
5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Expiration Date by (i) executing and returning a form of Consent
bearing a later date, or (ii) filing written notice of such revocation with the Secretary of Valero
GP, LLC stating that the form of Consent is revoked. Any such written notice or later dated form of
Consent should be sent to the principal executive offices of the Partnership at One Valero Way, San
Antonio, Texas 78249, Attention: Bradley C. Barron, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of Valero GP, LLC.
Required Vote
The Proposed Amendments require the approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding Units
as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Because the approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding Units is required to approve
the Proposed Amendments, not returning the form of consent will have the same effect as a vote
against the Proposed Amendments.
Valero GP Holdings, the owner of Valero GP, LLC, owned [10,221,291] Units as of the Record
Date (approximately 21.8 percent of the Units outstanding). Valero GP Holdings and each executive
officer and director
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of Valero GP, LLC who holds Units has advised the Board that it intends to consent, as to the
Units it owns, to the Proposed Amendments. Therefore, in addition to the Units held by Valero GP
Holdings and the executive officers and directors of Valero GP, LLC, the consent of holders of an
additional [13,178,583] Units (representing 28.2% of the Units outstanding) is required to approve
the Proposed Amendments. For further information concerning the ownership of Units by Valero GP
Holdings and Valero GP, LLCs executive officers and directors, see Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management on page 9.
Solicitation of Consents
The cost of soliciting consents will be borne by the Partnership. To assist in the
solicitation of consents, the Partnership has engaged Georgeson Inc. for a fee of approximately
$8,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Partnership will reimburse
brokers, banks and other persons holding Units in their names, or in the names of nominees, for
their expenses in sending these Solicitation materials to beneficial owners.
Other than as discussed above, the Partnership has made no arrangements and has no
understanding with any independent dealer, salesman or other person regarding the solicitation of
consents hereunder, and no person has been authorized by the Partnership to give any information or
to make any representation in connection with the solicitation of consents to the Proposed
Amendments, other than those contained herein and, if given or made, such other information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. In addition to solicitations by
mail, consents may be solicited by directors, officers and other employees of Valero GP, LLC and
the Partnership, who will receive no additional compensation therefor, and by representatives of
Georgeson Inc.
No Appraisal Rights
Unitholders who object to the Proposed Amendments and the resulting changes to the Plan will
have no appraisal, dissenters or similar rights (i.e., the right to seek a judicial determination
of the fair value of their Units and to compel the purchase of their Units for cash in that
amount) under Delaware law or the Partnership Agreement, nor will such rights be voluntarily
accorded to holders of Units by the Partnership. Thus, approval of the Proposed Amendments by
holders of a majority of the outstanding Units will be binding on all holders of Units, and
objecting holders of Units will have no alternative other than selling their Units prior to the
effective date of the Proposed Amendments.
Notice to Unitholders
The Partnership will notify Unitholders of the results of this Solicitation promptly after the
Expiration Date.
INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of Valero GP, LLC and its Affiliates are
eligible to receive grants of Unit options and restricted Units under the Plan. The Proposed
Amendments do not change these eligibility requirements. Accordingly, the members of the Board of
Directors and the executive officers of Valero GP, LLC do have a substantial interest in the
passage of the Proposed Amendments.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth ownership of Valero L.P. common units and Valero GP Holdings
units by directors and executive officers of Valero GP, LLC as of July 20, 2006. Unless otherwise
indicated in the notes to the table, each of the named persons and members of the group has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the common units and units shown:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valero |
|
|
|
|
Units |
|
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Valero |
|
GP Holdings Units |
|
|
|
|
Beneficially |
|
Under |
|
Percentage of |
|
GP Holdings Units |
|
under |
|
Percentage of |
|
|
Owned |
|
Exercisable |
|
Outstanding |
|
Beneficially |
|
Exercisable |
|
Outstanding |
Name of Beneficial Owner (a) |
|
(b)(c) |
|
Options (d) |
|
Units (b) |
|
Owned (e) |
|
Options (f) |
|
Units |
William E. Greehey |
|
|
97,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
455,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.07 |
% |
Curtis V. Anastasio |
|
|
28,706 |
|
|
|
30,645 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
17,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
J. Dan Bates |
|
|
532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Dan J. Hill |
|
|
2,329 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Gregory C. King |
|
|
10,215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
William R. Klesse |
|
|
27,132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Stan McLelland |
|
|
741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Rodman D. Patton |
|
|
9,479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven A. Blank |
|
|
18,638 |
|
|
|
11,521 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
James R. Bluntzer |
|
|
3,885 |
|
|
|
6,065 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Brad R. Ramsey |
|
|
2,697 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Rodney L. Reese |
|
|
7,937 |
|
|
|
3,143 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (12
persons) |
|
|
207,312 |
|
|
|
51,614 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
% |
|
|
528,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.24 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Indicates that the percentage of beneficial ownership does not exceed 1% of the class. |
|
(a) |
|
The business address for all beneficial owners listed above is One Valero Way, San Antonio,
Texas 78249. |
|
(b) |
|
As of July 20, 2006, 46,809,749 common units were issued and outstanding. No executive
officer or director owns any class of equity securities of Valero L.P. other than common
units. The calculation for Percentage of Outstanding common units includes common units listed
under the captions Units Beneficially Owned and Units under Exercisable Options. |
|
(c) |
|
Includes restricted common units issued under Valero L.P.s long-term incentive plans.
Restricted common units granted under Valero GP, LLCs long-term incentive plans may not be
disposed of until vested. Does not include common units that could be acquired under options,
which information is set forth in the next column. |
|
(d) |
|
Consisting of common units that may be acquired within 60 days of July 20, 2006 through the
exercise of common unit options. |
|
(e) |
|
As of July 20, 2006, 42,500,000 units of Valero GP Holdings were issued and outstanding. No
executive officer or director owns any class of equity securities of Valero GP Holdings other
than units. The calculation for Percentage of Outstanding Units includes units listed under
the captions Valero GP Holdings Units Beneficially Owned and Valero GP Holdings Units under
Exercisable Options. |
|
(f) |
|
Consisting of units that may be acquired within 60 days of July 20, 2006 through the exercise
of stock options. Such units may not be voted unless the options are exercised. Options that
may become exercisable within such 60-day period only in the event of a change of control of
Valero GP Holdings are excluded. Except as set forth herein, none of the current executive
officers or directors of Valero GP, LLC hold any rights to acquire Valero GP Holdings units,
except through exercise of stock options. |
-9-
Except as otherwise indicated, the following table sets forth certain information as of July
20, 2006 with respect to each entity known to Valero L.P. to be the beneficial owner of more than
5% of its outstanding common units.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners |
|
Common Units |
|
Percentage of Common Units (b) |
Valero GP Holdings, LLC (a)
|
|
|
10,221,291 |
|
|
|
21.8 |
% |
One Valero Way |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Antonio, Texas 78249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Valero GP Holdings, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Valero GP, LLC and Riverwalk
Holdings, LLC, owns the common units. Valero GP Holdings shares voting and investment power
with its wholly owned subsidiaries with respect to the common units. Valero GP Holdings is
owned 59.4% by subsidiaries of Valero Energy Corporation and 40.6% by the public. |
|
(b) |
|
Assumes 46,809,749 common units outstanding. |
PLEASE NOTE:
Attached as Appendix A is a copy of the Plan, marked to show the Proposed Amendments. The
redlining shows text proposed to be deleted with a line through it and text proposed to be added as
bolded.
Your Consent is important, regardless of the number of Units you own.
Accordingly, please complete, sign and return your Consent promptly.
-10-
Appendix A
VALERO GP, LLC
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2000 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Amended and Restated
as of
January 26,[ ], 2006
SECTION 1. Purpose of the Plan
The Valero GP, LLC 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) is intended to promote
the interests of Valero L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership), by
providing to employees and directors of Valero GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
Company), and its Affiliates who perform services for the Partnership and its
subsidiaries Unit-based incentive awards for superior performance. The Plan is also intended to
enhance the Companys and its Affiliates ability to attract and retain employees whose services
are key to the growth and profitability of the Partnership, and to encourage them to devote their
best efforts to the business of the Partnership, thereby advancing the Partnerships interests.
SECTION 2. Definitions
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
|
2.1 |
|
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by
or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term
control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding
two sentences, to the extent that Section 409A of the Code applies to Options or other
equity-based Awards granted under the Plan, the term Affiliate means all persons with
whom the Company could be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or Section
(c) of the Code, substituting (for the purpose of determining whether Options or other
equity-based Awards that may be subject to Section 409A of the Code are derived in
respect of Units of the service recipient in order to comply with any applicable
requirements of Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii) of the proposed regulations issued under
Section 409A of the Code or any successor regulation or other regulatory guidance
relating thereto) 20 percent in place of 80 percent in determining a controlled
group under Section 414(b) of the Code and in determining trades or businesses that are
under common control for purposes of Section 414(c) of the
Code. |
|
|
2.2 |
|
Award means a grant of one or more Options, Performance Units,
Performance Cash or Restricted Units pursuant to the Plan, and any tandem DERs granted
with respect to such Award. |
|
|
2.3 |
|
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. |
|
|
2.4 |
|
Cause shall mean the (i) conviction of the Participant by a state or
federal court of a felony involving moral turpitude, (ii) conviction of the Participant
by a state or federal court of embezzlement or misappropriation of funds of the
Company, (iii) the Companys (or applicable Affiliates) reasonable determination that
the Participant has committed an act of fraud,
embezzlement, theft, or misappropriation of funds in connection with such
Participants duties in the course of his or her employment with the Company (or
applicable Affiliate), (iv) the Companys (or its applicable Affiliates) reasonable
determination that the Participant has engaged in gross mismanagement, negligence or
misconduct which causes or could potentially cause material loss, damage or injury
to the Company, any of its Affiliates or their respective employees, or (v) the
Companys (or applicable Affiliates) reasonable determination that (a) the
Participant has violated any policy of the Company (or applicable Affiliate),
including but not limited to, policies regarding sexual harassment, insider trading,
confidentiality, substance abuse and/or conflicts of interest, which violation could
result in the termination of the Participants employment or service as a
non-employee Director of the Company (or applicable Affiliate), or |
-1-
|
|
|
(b)the Participant has failed to satisfactorily perform the material duties of
Participants position with the Company or any of its Affiliates. |
|
|
2.5 |
|
Change of Control means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon
the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or
other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Partnership to any Person or its
Affiliates, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer
such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by Valero Energy
CorporationGP
Holdings, LLC and its
Affiliates or the Company; (ii) the consolidation or merger of the Partnership or the
Company with or into another Person pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding
voting interests of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or
other property, other than any such transaction where, in the case of the Company, (a)
all outstanding voting interests of the Company are changed into or exchanged for
voting stock or interests of the surviving corporation or entity or its parent and (b)
the holders of the voting interests of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the voting stock
or interests of the surviving corporation or entity or its parent immediately after
such transaction and, in the case of the Partnership, Valero Energy
CorporationGP
Holdings, LLC retains operational control, whether by way of holding a general partner interest,
managing member interest or a majority of the outstanding voting interests of the
surviving corporation or entity or its parent; Valero GP
Holdings, LLC or (iii) a
person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) being or becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5
under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all voting interests of
Valero GP Holdings, LLC or the Company then
outstanding, other than, in the case of the
Company, (a) in a
merger or consolidation which would not constitute a Change of Control under clause
(ii) above and (b) Valero Energy Corporation and its
Affiliates; or (iv) in the case of
Valero GP Holdings, LLC, the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or
other form of business transaction or series of business transactions, in each case,
with respect to which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding equity
interests in Valero GP Holdings, LLC cease to be owned by the persons who owned such
interests immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other form
of business transaction or series of business transactions. |
Solely with respect to any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code and to the extent
that the definition of change of control under Section 409A applies to limited liability companies,
this definition is intended to comply with the definition of change of control under Section 409A
of the Code and, to the extent that the above definition does not so comply, such definition shall
be void and of no effect and, to the extent required to ensure that this definition complies with
the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the definition of such term set forth in regulations
or other regulatory guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code by the appropriate governmental
authority is hereby incorporated by reference into and shall form part of this Plan as fully as if
set forth herein verbatim and the Plan shall be operated in accordance with the above definition of
Change of Control as modified to the extent necessary to ensure that the above definition complies
with the definition prescribed in such regulations or other regulatory guidance insofar as the
definition relates to any Award that is subject to Section 409A
of the Code.
|
2.6 |
|
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
|
|
2.7 |
|
2.6
Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board or
such other committee of the Board appointed to administer the Plan. |
|
|
2.8 |
|
2.7
Covered Participants means a Participant who is a covered
employee as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, and any individual the Committee determines should be treated like such a
covered employee. |
|
|
2.9 |
|
2.8
Date of Grant means the effective date on which an Award is
made to a Participant as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. |
-2-
|
2.10 |
|
2.9 DER means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a
specific Award, to receive an amount in cash equal to the cash distributions made by
the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding. |
|
|
2.11 |
|
2.10 Director means a non-employee director of the Company, as
defined in Rule 16b-3. |
|
|
2.12 |
|
2.11 Employee means any employee of the Company or an Affiliate, as
determined by the Committee. |
|
|
2.13 |
|
2.12 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
|
|
2.14 |
|
2.13 Fair Market Value means the closing sales price of a Unit on
the New York Stock Exchange on the applicable date (or if there is no trading in the
Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading). If Units
are not publicly traded at the time a determination of fair market value is required to
be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith
by the Committee. |
|
|
2.15 |
|
2.14 Good Reason means: |
|
(i) |
|
a reduction in the Participants annual base salary; |
|
|
(ii) |
|
failure to pay the Participant any compensation due under an
employment agreement, if any; |
|
|
(iii) |
|
failure to continue to provide benefits substantially similar
to those then enjoyed by the Participant unless the Partnership, the Company or
their Affiliates provide aggregate benefits equivalent to those then in effect;
or |
|
|
(iv) |
|
failure to continue a compensation plan or to continue the
Participants participation in a plan on a basis not materially less favorable
to the Participant, subject to the power of the Partnership, the Company or
their Affiliates to amend such plans in their reasonable discretion; or |
|
|
(v) |
|
the Partnership, the Company or their Affiliates purported
termination of the Participants employment for Cause or disability not
pursuant to a procedure indicating the specific provision of the definition of
Cause contained in this Plan as the basis for such termination of employment; |
|
|
|
|
The Participant may not terminate for Good Reason unless he has given
written notice delivered to the Partnership, the Company or their
Affiliates, as appropriate, of the action or inaction giving rise to Good
Reason, and if such action or inaction is not corrected within thirty (30)
days thereafter, such notice to state with specificity the nature of the
breach, failure or refusal. |
|
2.16 |
|
2.15 Option means an option to purchase Units as described in
Section 6.1. |
|
|
2.17 |
|
2.16 Participant means any Employee or Director granted an Award
under the Plan. |
|
|
2.18 |
|
2.17 Performance Award means an Award made pursuant to this Plan to
a Participant which Award is subject to the attainment of one or more Performance
Goals. Performance Awards may be in the form of either Performance Units, Performance
Cash or DERs. |
|
|
2.19 |
|
2.18 Performance Cash means an Award, designated as Performance
Cash and denominated in cash, granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.4 hereof,
the value of which is conditioned, in |
-3-
|
|
|
whole or in part, by the attainment of
Performance Goals in a manner deemed appropriate by the Committee and described in the
Award agreement. |
|
2.20 |
|
2.19 Performance Criteria or Performance Goals or
Performance Measures mean the objectives established by the Committee for a
Performance Period, for the purpose of determining when an Award subject to such
objectives is earned. |
|
|
2.21 |
|
2.20 Performance Period means the time period designated by the
Committee during which performance goals must be met. |
|
|
2.22 |
|
2.21 Performance Unit means an Award, designated as a Performance
Unit in the form of Units or other securities of the Company, granted to a Participant
pursuant to Section 6.4 hereof, the value of which is determined, in whole or in part,
by the value of Units and/or conditioned on the attainment of Performance Goals in a
manner deemed appropriate by the Committee and described in the Award agreement. |
|
|
2.23 |
|
2.22 Person means an individual or a corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association,
government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity. |
|
|
2.24 |
|
2.23 Restricted Period means the period established by the
Committee with respect to the vesting of an Award during which the Award either remains
subject to forfeiture or is not exercisable by the Participant. |
|
|
2.25 |
|
2.24 Restricted Unit means a phantom unit granted under the Plan
which is equivalent in value and in divided and interest rights to a Unit, and which
upon or following vesting entitles the Participant to receive a Unit. |
|
|
2.26 |
|
2.25 Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the
Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereof as in effect from time to
time. |
|
|
2.27 |
|
2.26 SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
|
2.28 |
|
2.27 Unit means a common unit of the Partnership. |
SECTION 3. Administration.
Annual grant levels for Participants will be recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, subject to the review and approval of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members
of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts
unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the
Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express
powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full
power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to
be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv)
determine the terms and conditions of
any Award (including but not limited to performance requirements for such Award); (v)
determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised,
canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement
relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and
regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of
the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee
deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under
or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may
be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the
Company, the Partnership, any Affiliate, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.
-4-
SECTION 4. Units Available for Awards.
|
4.1 |
|
Units Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.3, the
number of Units with respect to which Awards may be granted under the
Plan is 250,000.1,500,000. If
any Award is forfeitedexpires, is canceled, exercised, paid or
otherwise terminates or is canceled without the delivery of Units, then the Units covered by
such Award, to the extent of such forfeiture, termination, orexpiration,
cancellation, exercise, payment or
termination, shall again be Units with respect to which Awards may be granted. In the
event that Units issued under the Plan are reacquired by the Partnership or the Company
pursuant to any forfeiture provision, such Units shall again be available for the
purposes of the Plan. In the event a Participant pays for any Award through the
delivery of previously acquired Units, the number of Units available shall be increased
by the number of Units delivered by the Participant. |
|
|
4.2 |
|
Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards. Any Units delivered
pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units acquired in the open
market, from any Affiliate, the Partnership or any other Person, or any combination of
the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. |
|
|
4.3 |
|
Adjustments. If the Committee determines that any distribution
(whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property),
recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities
of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other
securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units
such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem
equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Units (or other securities
or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (ii) the number and type of
Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) if
deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding
Award; provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole
number. |
SECTION 5. Eligibility.
Any Employee or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.
SECTION 6. Awards.
|
6.1 |
|
Options. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the
Employees and Directors to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Units to be
covered by each Option, the purchase
price therefor and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the
Option, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and
conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan. |
|
(i) |
|
Exercise Price. The purchase price per Unit
purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time
the Option is granted but shall not be less than its Fair Market Value as of
the date of grant. |
|
|
(ii) |
|
Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall
determine the Restricted Period (i.e., the time or times at which an Option may
be exercised in whole or in part) and the method or methods by which payment of
the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made
which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the
Company, a cashcashless-broker
exercise (through procedures approved by the Company),
other securities or other property, a note from the Participant (in a form
acceptable to the Company), or any combination thereof, having a value on the
exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price. |
-5-
|
(iii) |
|
Term. Subject to earlier termination as provided in
the grant agreement or the Plan, each Option shall expire on the 10th
anniversary of its date of grant. |
|
|
(iv) |
|
Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan,
in the terms of an Award agreement, or in a written employment agreement (if
any) between the Participant and the Company or one of its Affiliates, upon
termination of a Participants employment with the Company or its Affiliates or
membership on the Board of the Company or its Affiliates, whichever is
applicable, involuntarily for Cause or on a voluntary basis (other than for
retirement, death or disability of the Participant (see Section 6.3(ix) below))
during the applicable Restricted Period, (i) that portion of any Option that
has not vested on or prior to such date of termination shall automatically
lapse and be forfeited by the Participant at the close of business on the date
of the Participants termination and (ii) all vested but unexercised Options
previously granted shall automatically lapse and be forfeited by the
Participant at the close of business on the 30th day following the date of such
Participants termination, unless an Option expires earlier according to its
original terms. If a Participants employment or service as a Director is
involuntarily terminated by the Company other than for Cause: (i) that portion
of any Option that has not vested on or prior to such date of termination shall
automatically lapse and be forfeited by the Participant at the close of
business on the date of the Participants termination and (ii) all vested but
unexercised Options previously granted shall automatically lapse and be
forfeited by the Participant at the close of business on last day of the
twelfth month following the date of such Participants termination, unless an
Option expires earlier according to its original terms. The Committee or the
Chief Executive Officer may waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with
respect to a Participants Options. |
|
6.2 |
|
Restricted Units. The Committee shall have the authority to determine
the Employees and Directors to whom Restricted Units shall be granted, the number of
Restricted Units to be granted to each such Participant, the duration of the Restrict
Period (if any), the conditions under which the Restricted Units may become vested
(which may be immediate upon grant) or forfeited, and such other terms and conditions
as the Committee may establish respecting such Awards, including whether DERs are
granted with respect to such Restricted Units. |
|
(i) |
|
DERs. To the extent provided by the Committee, in its
discretion, a grant of Restricted Units may include a tandem DER grant, which
may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be
credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion
of the Committee) subject to the same restrictions as the tandem Award, or be
subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee
in its discretion. |
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(ii) |
|
Forfeiture. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan,
in the terms of an Award agreement, or in a written employment agreement (if
any) between the Participant and the Company or one of its Affiliates, upon
termination of a Participants employment with the Company or its Affiliates
for any reason (other than for retirement, death or disability of the
Participant (see Section 6.3(ix) below)) during the applicable Restricted
Period, all Restricted Units shall be forfeited by the Participant at the close
of business on the date of the Participants termination of employment. The
Committee or the Chief Executive Officer may waive in whole or in part such
forfeiture with respect to a Participants Restricted Units. |
|
|
(iii) |
|
Lapse of Restrictions. Upon the vesting of each
Restricted Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company
one Unit subject to the provisions of Section 8.2. |
|
(i) |
|
Awards May be Granted Separately or Together. Awards
may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition
to, in tandem with, or in substitution for |
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|
any other Award granted under the
Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate,
including the Annual Incentive Plan or the Intermediate Incentive Compensation
Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards
granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted
either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other
Awards or awards. |
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(ii) |
|
Limits on Transfer of Awards. No Award and no right
under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or
otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment,
alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and
unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate. |
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(iii) |
|
Terms of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for
such period as may be determined by the Committee. |
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(iv) |
|
Unit Certificates. All certificates for Units or other
securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or
the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules,
regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which
such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or
state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any
such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. |
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(v) |
|
Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted for no
cash consideration or for such consideration as the Committee determines
including, without limitation, such minimal cash consideration as may be
required by applicable law. |
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(vi) |
|
Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by
Participant of Consideration. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any
grant agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or
vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good
faith determination of the Committee, the Company is not reasonably able to
obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award without violating the rules or
regulations of any applicable law or securities exchange. No Units or other
securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of
any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award
agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or any tax
withholding) is receivable by the Company. Such payment may be made by such
method or methods and in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine,
including, without limitation, cash, other Awards, withholding of Units, or any combination thereof; provided that the
combined value, as determined by the Committee, of all cash and cash
equivalent and the value of any such Units or other property so tendered to
the Company, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to the full
amount required to be paid to the Company pursuant to the Plan or the
applicable Award agreement. |
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(vii) |
|
Change of Control. Upon a Change of Control, all
Awards shall automatically vest and become payable or exercisable, as the case
may be, in full. In this regard, all Restricted Periods shall terminate and
all performance criteria, if any, shall be deemed to have been achieved at the
maximum level. |
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(viii) |
|
Sale of Significant Assets. In the event the Company or the
Partnership sells or otherwise disposes of a significant portion of the assets
under its control, (such significance to be determined by action of the Board
of the Company in its sole discretion) and as a consequence of such disposition
(a) a Participants employment is terminated by the Partnership, the Company or
their affiliates without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason or (b) as
a result of such sale or disposition, the Participants employer shall no |
-7-
|
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|
longer be the Partnership, the Company or one of their Affiliates, then all of
such Participants Awards shall automatically vest and become payable or
exercisable, as the case may be, in full. In this regard, all Restricted
Periods shall terminate and all performance criteria, if any, shall be deemed
to have been achieved at the maximum level. |
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(ix) |
|
Retirement, Death, Disability. Except as otherwise
determined by the Committee and included in the Participants Award agreement,
if a Participants employment is terminated because of retirement, death or
disability (with the determination of disability to be made within the sole
discretion of the Committee), any Award held by the Participant shall remain
outstanding and vest or become exercisable according to the Awards original
terms, provided, however, that any Restricted Units held by such Participant
which remain unvested as of the date of retirement, death or disability shall
immediately vest and become non-forfeitable as of such date. |
|
6.4 |
|
Performance Based Awards. |
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(i) |
|
Grant of Performance Awards. The Committee may issue
Performance Awards in the form of Performance Units, Performance Cash, or DERs
to Participants subject to the Performance Goals and Performance Period as it
shall determine. The terms and conditions of each Performance Award will be
set forth in the related Award agreement. The Committee shall have complete
discretion in determining the number and/or value of Performance Awards granted
to each Participant. Any Performance Units granted under the Plan shall have a
minimum Restricted Period of one year from the Date of Grant, provided that the
Committee may provide for earlier vesting following a Change in Control or upon
an Employees termination of employment by reason of death, disability or
retirement. Participants receiving Performance Awards are not required to pay
the Company therefor (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the
rendering of services. |
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(ii) |
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Value of Performance Awards. The Committee shall set
Performance Goals in its discretion for each Participant who is granted a
Performance Award. Such Performance Goals may be particular to a Participant,
may relate to the performance of the Affiliate which employs him or her, may be
based on the division which employs him or her, may be based on the performance
of the Partnership generally, or a combination of the foregoing. The
Performance Goals may be based on achievement of balance sheet or income
statement objectives, or any other objectives established by the Committee.
The Performance Goals may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in
relationship to other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated.
The extent to which
such Performance Goals are met will determine the number and/or value of the
Performance Award to the Participant. |
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(iii) |
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Form of Payment. Payment of the amount to which a
Participant shall be entitled upon the settlement of a Performance Award shall
be made in a lump sum or installments in cash, Units, or a combination thereof
as determined by the Committee. |
SECTION 7. Amendment and Termination.
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in
an Award agreement or in the Plan.
|
7.1 |
|
Amendments to the Plan. Except as required by applicable law or the
rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to
Section 7(ii) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue,
or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available
for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any partner, Participant, other
holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person. |
-8-
|
7.2 |
|
Amendments to Awards. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights
under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award therefore granted, provided no change,
other than pursuant to Section 7(iii), in any Award shall materially reduce the benefit
to Participant without the consent of such Participant. |
|
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7.3 |
|
Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring
Events. The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and
conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or
nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.3
of the Plan) affecting the Partnership or the financial statements of the Partnership,
or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the
Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution
or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan. |
SECTION 8. General Provisions.
|
8.1 |
|
No Rights to Awards. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any
Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The
terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant. |
|
|
8.2 |
|
Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold
from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any
compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, other
securities, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other
property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant of an Award, the
lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the
Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to
satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes. |
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8.3 |
|
No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed
as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any
Affiliate or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Further, the Company or an
Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any
liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan
or in any Award agreement. |
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8.4 |
|
Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and
any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal law. |
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8.5 |
|
Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes
or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any
Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed
applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to
conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without,
in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or
the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award
and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. |
|
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8.6 |
|
Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or
other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the
issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any
applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which
the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate to recover the
entire then Fair Market Value thereof under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any
payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in
connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant
Participant, holder or beneficiary. |
-9-
|
8.7 |
|
No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor the Award shall create
or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other
Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the
Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the
right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or any Affiliate. |
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8.8 |
|
No Fractional Units. No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash,
other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any
fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be
canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated. |
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8.9 |
|
Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the
Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the
Plan or any provision thereof. |
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8.10 |
|
Gender and Number. Words in the masculine gender shall include the
feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include
the plural. |
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8.11 |
|
Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the
contrary, ifAwards granted under the Plan shall contain terms that (i) are
designed to avoid application of Section 409A of the Code to the Award or (ii) are
designed to avoid adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code should that
section apply to the Award. If any Plan provision or Award under the Plan would result
in the imposition of an applicable tax under Code Section 409A and related regulations
and Treasury pronouncements (Section 409A), that Plan provision or Award may
be reformed to avoid imposition of the applicable tax and no action taken to comply
with Section 409A shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participants rights to an
Award. |
SECTION 9. Term of the Plan
The
Plan shall be effective on the date of its approval by the Board and
shall continue
underuntil the date terminated by the Board or Units are no longer available for grants of Awards
under the Plan, whichever occurs first, provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, no
Award shall be made under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. However,
unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award agreement, any Award
granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to
amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any
conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.
SECTION 10. Special Provisions Applicable to Covered Participants.
Awards subject to Performance Criteria paid to Covered Participants under this Plan shall be
governed by the conditions of this Section 10 in addition to the requirements of Section 6.4,
above. Should conditions set forth under this Section 10 conflict with the requirements of Section
6.4, the conditions of this Section 10 shall prevail.
|
10.1 |
|
Establishment of Performance Measures, Goals or Criteria. All
Performance Measures, Goals, or Criteria relating to Covered Participants for a
relevant Performance Period shall be established by the Committee in writing prior to
the beginning of the Performance Period, or by such other later date for the
Performance Period as may be permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code. The
Performance Goals may be identical for all Participants or, at the discretion of the
Committee, may be different to reflect more appropriate measures of individual
performance. |
|
10.2 |
|
Performance Goals. The Committee shall establish the Performance Goals
relating to Covered Participants for a Performance Period in writing. Performance
Goals may include alternative and multiple Performance Goals and may be based on one or
more business and/or financial criteria. In establishing the Performance Goals for the
Performance Period, the Committee in its discretion |
-10-
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may include one or any combination
of the following criteria in either absolute or relative terms, for the Partnership or
any Affiliate: |
|
(i) |
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Increased revenue; |
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(ii) |
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Net income measures (including but not limited to income after
capital costs and income before or after taxes); |
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(iii) |
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Unit price measures (including but not limited to growth
measures and total unitholder return); |
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(iv) |
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Market share; |
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(v) |
|
Earnings per unit (actual or targeted growth); |
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(vi) |
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Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization
(EBITDA); |
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(vii) |
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Economic value added (EVA®); |
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(viii) |
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Cash flow measures (including but not limited to net cash flow and net cash
flow before financing activities); |
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(ix) |
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Return measures (including but not limited to return on equity,
return on average assets, return on capital, risk-adjusted return on capital,
return on investors capital and return on average equity); |
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(x) |
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Operating measures (including operating income, funds from
operations, cash from operations, after-tax operating income, sales volumes,
production volumes, and production efficiency); |
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(xi) |
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Expense measures (including but not limited to overhead cost
and general and administrative expense); |
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(xii) |
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Margins; |
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(xiii) |
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Unitholder value; |
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(xiv) |
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Total unitholder return; |
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(xv) |
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Proceeds from dispositions; |
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(xvi) |
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Pipeline and terminal utilization; |
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(xvii) |
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Total market value; and |
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(xviii) |
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Corporate values measures (including ethics compliance, environmental, and safety). |
|
10.3 |
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Compliance with Section 162(m). The Performance Goals must be
objective and must satisfy third party objectivity standards under Section 162(m) of
the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. In interpreting Plan provisions
relating to Awards subject to Performance Goals paid to Covered Participants, it is the
intent of the Plan to conform with the standards of Section 162(m) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation §1.162-27(e)(2)(i), and the Committee in establishing such goals
and interpreting the Plan shall be guided by such provisions. |
-11-
|
10.4 |
|
Adjustments. The Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the
method of calculating attainment of Performance Goals in recognition of: (i)
extraordinary or non-recurring items, (ii) changes in tax laws, (iii) changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or changes in accounting principles, (iv)
charges related to restructured or discontinued operations, (v) restatement of prior
period financial results, and (vi) any other unusual, non-recurring gain or loss that
is separately identified and quantified in the Companys financial statements.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, at its sole discretion, reduce the
performance results upon which Awards are based under the Plan, to offset any
unintended result(s) arising from events not anticipated when the Performance Goals
were established, or for any other purpose, provided that such adjustment is permitted
by Section 162(m) of the Code. |
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10.5 |
|
Discretionary Adjustments. The Performance Goals shall not allow for
any discretion by the Committee as to an increase in any Award, but discretion to lower
an Award is permissible. |
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10.6 |
|
Certification. The Award and payment of any Award under this Plan to a
Covered Participant with respect to a relevant Performance Period shall be contingent
upon the attainment of the Performance Goals that are applicable to such Covered
Participant. The Committee shall certify in writing prior to payment of any such Award
that such applicable Performance Goals relating to the Award are satisfied. Approved
minutes of the Committee may be used for this purpose. |
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10.7 |
|
Other Considerations. All Awards to Covered Participants under this
Plan shall be further subject to such other conditions, restrictions, and requirements
as the Committee may determine to be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Section
10. |
-12-
Appendix B
Form of Consent
VALERO L.P.
One Valero Way
San Antonio, Texas 78249
CONSENT SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VALERO GP, LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF
RIVERWALK LOGISTICS, L.P., THE GENERAL PARTNER OF VALERO L.P., FOR ADOPTION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2000 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN OF VALERO GP, LLC.
The undersigned Unitholder of Valero L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, hereby revokes all prior
consents given with respect to the matters covered hereunder, and acknowledges receipt of the
Consent Solicitation Statement dated [ ], 2006.
THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNITS REPRESENTED BY THIS SIGNED CONSENT WILL BE TREATED AS HAVING CAST A
VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOX YOU MARK ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS CONSENT USING THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO
POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
|
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þ |
|
Please mark your votes as in this example. |
The board of directors of Valero GP, LLC, the general partner of Riverwalk Logistics, L.P., the
general partner of Valero L.P., recommends a vote FOR the Proposal
Valero L.P.
|
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
Proposal: To approve the
Valero GP, LLC Second Amended
and Restated 2000 Long-Term
Incentive Plan, which
incorporates the Proposed
Amendments described in the
Consent Solicitation Statement.
A copy of the Valero GP, LLC
Second Amended and Restated 2000
Long-Term Incentive Plan, marked
to show the Proposed Amendments,
is included in the accompanying
Consent Solicitation Statement
as Appendix A.
|
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o
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o |
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If no box at the right is
marked, but this Consent is
otherwise properly completed and
signed, the limited partnership
units will be voted FOR the
Proposal. |
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The solicitation of Consents
will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on [
], 2006, unless extended.
Failure to return this Consent
will have the same effect as a
vote against the Proposal.
|
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o |
Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been noted on the reverse side of this
card.
Please execute this consent as your name appears on this form. When partnership units are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.
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Signature:
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Date:
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Signature:
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Date: |
Valero L.P.
C/O GEORGESON INC.
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694
Your vote is important. Please vote immediately.
Vote-by-Internet
Log on to the Internet and go to the web site [http://www.eproxyvote.com/bpl].
OR
Vote-by-Telephone
Call toll-free
1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683)
If you vote over the Internet or by telephone, please do not mail your card.
-2-