425
Filed by NRG Energy, Inc. pursuant to
Rule 425 of the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: NRG Energy, Inc.
Commission File No.: 001-15891
On June 16, 2009, David Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG)
and Howard Cosgrove, Chairman of the NRG Board, ,issued the following letter to NRG stockholders.
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NRG Energy, Inc.
211 Carnegie Center
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
June 16, 2009
Dear NRG Stockholders:
At NRGs Annual Meeting on July 21, 2009, you will be asked to re-elect four currently serving
members to your Board of Directors. This years meeting is extremely important because Exelon
Corporation is seeking to elect its own slate of directors to the NRG Board as part of its scheme
to expand your Board to 19 total directors and elect up to nine Exelon nominees to the NRG Board.
This scheme is simply another attempt by Exelon to force through what we believe to be an
inadequate and highly conditional exchange offer.
NRGS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS:
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Vote FOR NRGs four experienced and highly qualified INDEPENDENT directors John F.
Chlebowski, Howard E. Cosgrove, William E. Hantke and Anne C. Schaumburg; and |
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Vote AGAINST Exelons proposal to expand your Board and thereby reject the Exelon
expansion slate of nominees. |
Please sign, date and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card today, and discard Exelons blue proxy
card. Do not vote the Exelon proxy card at all as it may cancel your previous vote for NRG.
IN OUR OPINION, EXELONS PROPOSAL DOES NOT FAIRLY COMPENSATE
NRG STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUE OF YOUR
NRG INVESTMENT. . .
NRGs Board rejected Exelons proposal to exchange each NRG share for 0.485 shares in Exelon after
determining that the proposal is not in the best interests of NRG stockholders for a variety of
reasons but most importantly because it materially undervalues NRG.
Consider for yourself what we see as some of the most serious concerns regarding Exelons
inadequate and highly conditional proposal:
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Exelons Proposal Undervalues NRG Stockholders Cash Contribution: Under Exelons
proposed exchange ratio, NRG stockholders would own only approximately 17% of the combined
company, yet NRG would be contributing an annual average of 30% of the combined recurring
free cash flow through at least 2012. NRGs Board believes that 17% ownership in exchange
for 30% cash contribution simply is unfair to NRG stockholders. |
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Exelons Near Zero Premium Offer to NRG Stockholders: Based on recent closing prices
(6/12/09) for both stocks, Exelons offer represents a premium of only 0.7% to NRG
stockholders. Exelon likes to point out that its exchange offer represented a 37% premium to
the NRG share price back when their offer was first made public on October 17, 2008. Our view
is: That was then and this is now. The relative value proposition that should matter to all
NRG stockholders is today, after months of demonstrated value creation by NRG, not last
October during the market dislocation that occurred at the height of the near meltdown of the
global financial sector. |
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Exelons Proposal Exposes NRG Stockholders to Unaddressed Combination and Transaction
Risks: Even after the passage of eight months, Exelon has offered no business plan for the
combined company or otherwise provided meaningful details with respect to its sources of
debt financing, credit rating impacts, clarity on asset sales, size or timing of equity
issuance, hedging or collateral plan, management team or approach to implementing NRGs
robust growth strategy. Moreover, Exelons offer continues to remain subject to an
extensive list of conditions. |
. . .AND WE BELIEVE THE VALUE PROPOSITION HAS WORSENED AS EXELONS
PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK HAS DECLINED. . .
With no floor under its offer price, as Exelons stock price has declined, so has the value you
would receive under its fixed exchange ratio offer. Over the last eight months, Exelons stock
price has decreased by approximately 7%, resulting in a similar decrease in value for NRG
stockholders. As a result, Exelon would need to increase its proposal by approximately 8% just to
lift its offer back to the inadequate value Exelon offered you back in October 2008.
Of equal concern, under the terms of Exelons current offer, you remain exposed to further
deterioration in Exelons share price performance which is of particular concern given the
deteriorating prospects for Exelons core businesses over the past several months as indicated by
the following factors:
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Exelons Reduced Earnings Guidance: On March 10, 2009, Exelon provided new disclosures
on its 2011 hedge position revealing that it was, in fact, only approximately 30-40%
forward contracted, well below the 60-80% position it had previously highlighted. As a
result of its reduced hedged position and the greater exposure to lower commodity prices,
Exelon decreased its estimated 2011 earnings per share from the range of $5 to $6 per share
to $4 to $5 per share, causing several equity analysts to lower earnings estimates,
valuation price targets and ratings for Exelon shares. |
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Exelons Core Market Cash Flow Further Reduced by Renewables Penetration: We expect
over the next several years there will be a very substantial effort to tap the exceptional
wind resources of the Upper Midwest combined with a build out of high voltage transmission
lines to bring that renewable energy to the Chicago area, the closest major load center. In
our view, this trend would put considerable downward pressure on the earning power of
Exelons existing generation assets in the Midwest and PJM western regions. |
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Exelons Lower Capacity Auction Results Negatively Impact Future Outlook: A recent
capacity auction in Exelons core market, PJM, yielded a very weak outcome compared to
prior auctions in the parts of the market where Exelon has a very substantial number of
assets. Indeed, the auction results would indicate that Exelon will experience a capacity
revenue drop of nearly 85% in 2012/2013 from 2011/2012 in that market zone. |
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Exelons Major Underfunded Pension Liability: Exelons unfunded pension and Other Post
Employment Benefits (OPEB) obligations have increased materially by approximately $4
billion since its initial proposal for NRG. It is hard for us to understand why it would be
in the best interest of NRG stockholders for NRGs considerable cash resources to be used
to shore up Exelons shortfall in pension and OPEB funding obligations. |
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Exelon Faces Substantially Reduced Benefits from Carbon Legislation: Reducing the
markets expectation of a windfall from prospective federal climate change legislation,
Exelon recently has indicated that its uplift from current legislation being considered in
the U.S. House of Representatives, per $1/ton carbon uplift, would be approximately 25%
lower than what it previously disclosed.1 Exelon, of course, only will realize
this uplift if the legislation is enacted in its present form and when it ultimately is
implemented. |
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Exelon Equity Issuance Would Result in Dilution for NRG Stockholders: Over two months
after the expiry of the second exchange offer, at an analyst hosted meeting on June 9,
2009, Exelon confirmed that it may have to issue $1 billion of common equity to maintain
its investment grade credit rating, if it completes the NRG acquisition.1 As
demonstrated below, this would significantly dilute the value due to NRG stockholders in a
transaction, since as a fixed exchange ratio offer you would be accepting Exelon stock in
exchange for your NRG stock. An equity issuance dilutes the value of the Exelon shares you
would receive by an amount which remains indeterminate until you know the size of the
issuance. If, for example, Exelon issues $1 billion of additional equity, it would lower
the effective exchange ratio from 0.485 to 0.470, an additional dilution of 3% of an
already inadequate offer for NRG stockholders. If its closer to $2 billion, that exchange
ratio drops to 0.455x, a 6.1% decrease to the already weak offer price. |
. . .ON THE OTHER HAND, NRG HAS EXECUTED ON NUMEROUS
VALUE-CREATING INITIATIVES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR
WHICH YOU RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION UNDER EXELONS ORIGINAL
(AND UNCHANGED) OFFER
Since Exelon made its original proposal, your Board has overseen a number of achievements that have
significantly increased the value of NRG for its stockholders:
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NRGs Value and Cash Accretive Acquisition of Reliant Energy Retail: This acquisition
has combined the complementary generation and retail portfolios of NRG and Reliant to
create a stronger player in the Texas power market. In addition to promoting significant
credit and collateral synergies, the Reliant Energy retail acquisition is expected to add
more than 10% to NRGs EBITDA in its first full year, a business addition which we
conservatively estimate to be worth over $4/per share in value to NRG stockholders. From
Texas Genco in 2005 to Reliant in 2009, NRG has a history of moving quickly to capitalize
on the best opportunities in the market. |
As one analyst recently put it:
We believe that Exelon should have to increase its hostile acquisition offer as the combined
NRG-Reliant is more valuable than NRG as a standalone.
Angie Storozynski and Andrew Weisel, Macquarie Research Equities, May 26, 2009
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Hugh Wynne, Bernstein Research, June 10, 2009 |
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NRGs Accelerating Value Creation from Leading Nuclear Development of STP 3&4: NRGs
nuclear development initiative, South Texas Project 3&4 (STP 3&4), was recently selected as
one of only four nuclear development projects advanced by the Department of Energy in its
nuclear loan guarantee program (out of 18 total applications). This initiative is being
pursued through Nuclear Innovation North America LLC (NINA), our 88%/12% joint venture with
Toshiba Corporation, which continues to lead the way in nuclear development in merchant
markets. |
Remarking on this joint venture and NRGs additional strategic nuclear developments, a Wachovia
analyst recently stated:
Toshibas base investment of $150MM for a 12% share of NINA implies a $1.25B value for NINA,
which suggests NRGs ownership in NINA is worth about $4 per NRG sharenot too shabby
considering NRG got its 88% interest in NINA simply by contributing its 50% interest in the
development rights to STP 3 and 4.
Michael Bolte, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, June 4, 2009
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NRGs Carbon Reduction and Value Creation in Solar Development: NRG entered into an
agreement with eSolar, a leading provider of modular, scalable solar thermal power
technology, to develop solar power plants with a total generation capacity of up to 500
megawatts (MW) at sites in California and the Southwest with long term power sales
agreements and potential for federal stimulus funding. |
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NRG has Demonstrated its Market Access to Reduce Risk and Access Capital Through
Numerous Value-Creating Initiatives associated with its Day-to-Day and Intrinsic
Development Business. NRG has: |
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Substantially hedged all baseload generation capacity (on volumetric and price basis)
through 2011, largely insulating NRG from the current challenging economic conditions. |
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Pre-financed the permanent capital needs for our Reliant Energy retail business,
after only three weeks of ownership, through a $700 million unsecured bond offering that
was competitively priced and substantially oversubscribed. |
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Sold our 50% ownership interest in MIBRAG, an integrated coal mining and power
generating business located in central Germany, for approximately US $260 million
pre-tax, a price which was significantly value accretive to NRG stockholders. |
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Completed a $534 million nonrecourse financing of the 400MW GenConn gas peaking
facilities co-owned by NRG and United Illuminating. |
The NRG Board strongly believes that the benefit of the numerous value-creating actions,
implemented by NRG since Exelon launched its offer, belong fully to the NRG stockholders. As Exelon
has not modified its offer to reflect our increased value, they are in effect seeking to secure all
of the benefits of the Reliant acquisition and NRGs other recent successes for the Exelon
stockholders. We believe this is particularly inequitable given that Exelon had ample opportunity
to participate in the Reliant sales process last winter and could have, by so doing, created the
same value for their stockholders directly rather than by seeking to divert the value that now
rightfully belongs to you, the stockholders of NRG.
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YET NRGS STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE HAS LAGGED DURING THIS PERIOD
OF VALUE CREATION SEEMINGLY DUE TO THE OVERHANG FROM EXELONS
INADEQUATE, RISKY AND HIGHLY CONDITIONAL PROPOSAL
NRGs stock performance remains shackled to Exelons underperforming stock by the Exelon fixed
exchange ratio offer. Since Exelon announced its offer for NRG at the depth of last falls
financial distress, the stocks of competitive power generators like NRG have recovered and over the
last three months risen on average by approximately 123%with the outlier being NRG, which has only
risen by approximately 40%. This sub-average market performance has occurred despite the fact that,
unique among its peer group, NRG delivered record EBITDA and free cash flow results for fiscal year
2008, achieved significant milestones in its industry-leading development program and announced and
closed multiple value-accretive M&A transactions.
This discrepancy led another analyst to note:
. . .we believe NRG is trading at 6.5x EV/EBITDA and has a stand-alone value of $25.00 per
share. Comparing this to other independent power producers, such as Calpine, which trades at
12x, and Dynegy, trading at 9x, NRG is the cheapest way to play pure merchant generation. Since
March 9, 2009, CPN has appreciated 175% and DYN 113%, while NRG has only increased by 22.9%.
Paul B. Fremont, Jefferies & Company, Inc., June 4, 2009
AND NOW EXELON IS SEEKING TO UNSEAT FOUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED NRG
DIRECTORS WHO HAVE PRESIDED OVER THIS FIVE-YEAR TRACK RECORD OF VALUE
CREATION ON BEHALF OF ALL NRG STOCKHOLDERS
The proof of the exceptional qualifications of the NRG Board of Directors is in NRGs unparalleled
record of financial, operational and transactional execution.
Prior to the global financial crisis and the dramatic decline in commodity prices last year, which
impacted the entire energy sector, NRGs stock price had approximately quadrupled since 2003. Over
the five-year period from 2003 to 2008, NRGs stock price outperformed not only its peer group and
relevant indices (S&P 500 and Philadelphia Utility Index), but the industry as a whole, including
Exelon.
Now Exelon seeks to pack NRGs Board with its own nominees. We believe Exelon is taking this action
for one and only one purpose: to compel a different decision by the NRG Board with respect to the
merits of Exelons exchange offer. In fact, Exelon has said it would be satisfied with winning
four, five or six seats, as long as it can influence the board to endorse a deal.2
Exelons comments and actions, in our view, suggest that they have determined that it is simpler,
easier and much, much cheaper for them to successfully determine the outcome of their exchange
offer through their Board packing scheme than it would be for them to offer a fair exchange ratio
for NRG shares. Our strong recommendation is that NRG stockholders should absolutely reject this
attempt to transfer the value of your Company to Exelons stockholders without giving you adequate
compensation.
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Joshua Boak, Exelon Gains Ground in Bid to Take Over NRG, The Chicago Tribune,
February 27, 2009 |
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REJECT EXELONS INADEQUATE EXCHANGE OFFER:
VOTE ON YOUR WHITE PROXY CARD FOR NRGS FOUR INDEPENDENT
AND EXPERIENCED BOARD MEMBERS AND AGAINST EXELONS BOARD
EXPANSION PROPOSAL
Whether or not you plan to attend the NRG Annual Meeting, you and other holders of NRG shares will
have the opportunity to tell Exelon, in no uncertain terms, that it cannot deprive you of the true
value of your investment by signing, dating and returning the enclosed WHITE proxy card promptly
after you receive it. You may also vote by phone or Internet by following the instructions on your
WHITE proxy card. We urge you to discard Exelons blue proxy card.
Your vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares you own. If you have any questions or
need any assistance voting your shares, please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc., which is assisting
NRG in this matter, at 800-322-2885.
On behalf of NRGs Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support.
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Sincerely, |
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David Crane
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Howard Cosgrove |
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Chairman of the Board |
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Important Information
In connection with its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 2009 Annual Meeting), NRG Energy,
Inc. (NRG) has filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC). INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF NRG ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY
STATEMENT FOR THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
In response to the exchange offer proposed by Exelon Corporation referred to in this communication,
NRG has filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. STOCKHOLDERS
OF NRG ARE ADVISED TO READ NRGS SOLICITATION/ RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 IN ITS
ENTIRETY BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. This communication does not constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of NRG.
Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of NRGs definitive proxy statement,
the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, any amendments or supplements to the
proxy statement and/or the Schedule 14D-9, any other documents filed by NRG in connection with the
2009 Annual Meeting and/or the exchange offer by Exelon Corporation, and other documents filed with
the SEC by NRG at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the definitive proxy statement,
the Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, and any amendments and supplements to
these documents can also be obtained by directing a request to Investor Relations Department, NRG
Energy, Inc., 211 Carnegie Center, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
NRG and its directors and executive officers will be deemed to be participants in the solicitation
of proxies in connection with its 2009 Annual Meeting. Detailed information regarding the names,
affiliations and interests of NRGs directors and executive officers is available in the definitive
proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on June 16, 2009.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements that may state NRGs or its managements
intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and typically can be
identified by the use of words such as will, expect, estimate, anticipate, forecast,
plan, believe and similar terms. Although NRG believes that its expectations are reasonable, it
can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results
may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated above include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the capital markets
generally.
The foregoing review of factors that could cause NRGs actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included herein should be considered in
connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect NRGs future results
included in NRGs filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Statements made in connection with the
exchange offer are not subject to the safe harbor protections provided to forward-looking
statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
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If you have any questions, require assistance with voting your
WHITE proxy card, or need additional copies of the
NRG proxy materials, please contact:
105 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
proxy@mackenziepartners.com
(212) 929-5500 (Call Collect)
Or
TOLL-FREE (800) 322-2885
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