Pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement, we will report to the SEC at
least quarterly (1) the number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agents in connection with at the market sales, and (2) the net proceeds received by us in connection with such transactions.
Sales of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company
or by such other means as we and the sales agents may agree upon. The offering of our common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale, under the equity distribution agreement, of shares
of our common stock with an aggregate sales price of $200,000,000 (or such further higher amount as may be established in accordance with the equity distribution agreement) in addition to those shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering
price of $195,000,000 previously issued and sold pursuant to the equity distribution agreement, and (2) termination by us upon two days notice, or by a sales agent upon two days notice, solely with respect to such sales agent.
In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold under this prospectus supplement pursuant to the equity distribution agreement have an aggregate sales price in excess of $200,000,000.
We estimate that the total expenses of this offering payable by us to date, excluding commissions and expense reimbursement payable to the
sale agents under the equity distribution agreement, will be approximately $600,000, and we expect to incur additional expenses (in addition to any such commissions and expense reimbursement) in connection with this offering in the future.
Other Relationships
The
sales agents and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include, among other activities, securities trading and underwriting, commercial and investment banking, financial
advisory, corporate trust, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the sales agents and/or their respective
affiliates have in the past and may in the future provide us and our affiliates with commercial banking, investment banking, financial advisory and other services for which they have and in the future will receive customary fees.
In particular, certain affiliates of Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan, RBC, and BMO serve as lenders or administrative agents, and affiliates of any
future sales agents may serve as lenders or administrative agents, to the Company, NW Natural, NW Natural Water, and NW Natural Renewables under their respective credit agreements. Although we do not currently expect to use the net proceeds of this
offering to repay any amounts due to such affiliates under our current or future credit agreements, it is possible that a portion of the net proceeds could be so used. As a consequence, the sales agents or their respective affiliates may receive
more than 5% of the net proceeds of these sales of common stock and, accordingly, may be deemed to have a conflict of interest under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 5121 (Public Offerings of Securities with Conflicts of
Interest). In such case, and to the extent that FINRA Rule 5121 is applicable, the sales agents would conduct the distribution of the common stock in accordance with this rule and would not confirm sales to an account over which they exercise
discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.
Certain of the sales agents and their
affiliates have engaged in and in the future may engage in investment banking transactions with, and provide services to, NW Holdings or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the sales agents and certain of their affiliates may make or hold a broad array
of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their
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