UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 9)*
OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
(Name of Issuer)
Common Shares, par value $5.00 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
689648103
(CUSIP Number)
Laurie Smiley, Esq.
Arian Colachis, Esq.
Cascade Investment, L.L.C.
2365 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 889-7900
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
January 5, 2012
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box [ ].
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 689648103
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Names of Reporting Persons. | |||
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Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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SEC Use Only | |||
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Source of Funds (See Instructions) | |||
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Citizenship or Place of Organization | |||
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Number of |
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Sole Voting Power | ||
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Shared Voting Power | |||
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Sole Dispositive Power | |||
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Shared Dispositive Power | |||
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Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person | |||
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Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) o |
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Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) | |||
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Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) | |||
(1)All Common Shares held by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”) may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III as the sole member of Cascade.
CUSIP No. 689648103
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1 |
Names of Reporting Persons. | |||
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Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
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(a) o |
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(b) o |
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SEC Use Only | |||
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Source of Funds (See Instructions) | |||
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Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) o |
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Citizenship or Place of Organization | |||
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Number of |
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Sole Voting Power 3,456,499(1) | ||
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Shared Voting Power -0- | |||
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Sole Dispositive Power | |||
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Shared Dispositive Power | |||
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Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 3,456,499(1) | |||
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Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) o |
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Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) | |||
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Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN | |||
(1)All Common Shares held by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”) may be deemed to be beneficially owned by William H. Gates III as the sole member of Cascade.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This Amendment No. 9 to Schedule 13D (“Amendment”) relates to the Common Shares, par value $5.00 per share, of Otter Tail Corporation (the “Issuer”). Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”) and William H. Gates III (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”) jointly file this Amendment to amend and supplement the Items set forth below of the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2009, as amended on April 15, 2009, May 5, 2009, July 2, 2009, October 7, 2009, June 29, 2010, August 3, 2010, November 4, 2011 and December 13, 2011 (the “Schedule 13D”). Unless otherwise noted, capitalized terms used herein without definitions shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Schedule 13D.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
As previously disclosed, on November 2, 2011, Cascade notified the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) that it would not be proceeding to increase its ownership interest in the Issuer to 10% or more but less than 20% of the voting stock of the Issuer (the “Proposed Transaction”). On January 5, 2012, FERC entered an order terminating the authorization for the Proposed Transaction and all conditions to such authorization (“the Order”). Following entry of the Order, the Issuer and Cascade terminated their May 1, 2009 Standstill Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment 2 to Schedule 13D filed on May 5, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638, and incorporated herein by reference.
The Reporting Persons continue to review and evaluate on an ongoing basis all of their alternatives with respect to their investment in the Issuer.
Except as set forth herein, the Reporting Persons have not formulated any plans or proposals that relate to, or would otherwise result in, any matter required to be disclosed pursuant to paragraph (a) through (j) of item 4 of Schedule 13D.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
Except as set forth previously in the Schedule 13D and in Item 4 herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the Reporting Persons and between such persons and any persons with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any of the securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
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Date: January 6, 2012 |
CASCADE INVESTMENT, L.L.C.(1) | ||
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Alan Heuberger |
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Attorney-in-fact for |
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WILLIAM H. GATES III(1) | ||
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Alan Heuberger |
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Attorney-in-fact for |
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* By: |
/s/Alan Heuberger | |
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Alan Heuberger | |
(1) This Amendment is being filed jointly by the Reporting Persons pursuant to the Joint Filing Agreement dated January 21, 2009 and included with the signature page to the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D with respect to the Issuer’s predecessor filed on January 22, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638, and incorporated by reference herein.
(2) Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of Michael Larson, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Reporting Persons’ Schedule 13D with respect to the Issuer’s predecessor on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638 and incorporated by reference herein.
(3) Duly authorized under Special Limited Power of Attorney appointing Alan Heuberger attorney-in-fact, dated August 12, 2008, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Reporting Persons Schedule 13D with respect to the Issuer’s predecessor on April 15, 2009, SEC File No. 005-06638 and incorporated by reference herein.