As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 8, 2011

Registration No. 333-175627

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 2

to

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   2860   26-4785427

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

416 South Bell Avenue

Ames, Iowa 50010

(515) 239-8000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Jeffrey Stroburg

Chief Executive Officer

416 South Bell Avenue

Ames, Iowa 50010

(515) 239-8000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Blair W. White, Esq.

Heidi E. Mayon, Esq.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

50 Fremont Street

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 983-1000

 

Michael J. Zeidel, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Four Times Square

New York, New York 10036
(212) 735-2422

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨      Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


  

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-175627) of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Registration Statement”) is being filed solely for the purpose of filing certain exhibits as indicated in Part II of this Amendment No. 2. This Amendment No. 2 does not modify any provision of the prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement. Accordingly, a preliminary prospectus has been omitted.

 

 

 


  

 

 

Part II

Information not required in prospectus

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the various expenses expected to be incurred by Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Registrant”) in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts are estimated except the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 11,610   

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee

   $ 10,500   

Initial listing fee

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Printing and engraving expenses

     *   

Registrar and Transfer Agent’s fees

     *   

Blue Sky fees and expenses

     *   

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

     *   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *   

 

*   To be filed by amendment

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of the DGCL or obtained an improper personal benefit.

Section 145 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that we may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding—other than an action by or in the right of the Registrant—by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, agent or employee of the Registrant, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, agent or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies (a) if such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or (b) if such person acting in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest, or not opposed to the best interest, of the Registrant, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The power to indemnify applies to actions brought by or in the right of the Registrant as well but only to the extent of defense expenses, including attorneys’ fees but excluding amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred and not to any satisfaction of judgment or settlement of the claim itself, and with the further limitation that in such actions no indemnification shall be made in the event of any adjudication of liability to the Registrant, unless the court believes that in light of all the circumstances indemnification should apply.

 

 

 

 

II-1


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Section 174 of the DGCL provides, among other things, that a director, who willfully or negligently approves of an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, may be held liable for such actions. A director who was either absent when the unlawful actions were approved or dissented at the time, may avoid liability by causing his or her dissent to such actions to be entered in the books containing minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors at the time such action occurred or immediately after such absent director receives notice of the unlawful acts.

The Registrant’s amended and restated bylaws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law. In addition, the Registrant has entered into separate indemnification agreements, with its directors and officers which would require the Registrant, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities which may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by law. These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the Registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. The Registrant also maintains director and officer liability insurance.

The form of Underwriting Agreement, to be attached as Exhibit 1.1 hereto, provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act, and affords certain rights of contribution with respect thereto.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

WestLB Revolving Credit Agreement

On April 8, 2010, REG Seneca LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant, agreed to lease and operate a biodiesel production facility in Seneca, Illinois. Concurrently with the execution of the lease, certain subsidiaries of the Registrant entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement with WestLB, AG, under which the Registrant issued 500,000 shares of its common stock to WestLB, AG. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” on page 112 for a full discussion of the transaction.

Tellurian Biodiesel, Inc. and American BDF, LLC Acquisition

On July 16, 2010, the Registrant issued 598,295 shares of its common stock for certain assets of Tellurian Biodiesel, Inc. and American BDF, LLC with ongoing obligations to issue up to an additional 731,250 shares of common stock, in accordance with the asset purchase agreement.

Clovis Biodiesel, LLC Acquisition

On September 21, 2010, the Registrant issued 2,150,000 shares of its common stock to ARES Corporation in exchange for the assets of Clovis Biodiesel, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the ARES Corporation, and $8.0 million cash.

SoyMor Acquisition

On July 1, 2011, the Registrant issued 80,000 and 1,770,000 shares of its common stock to SoyMor Cooperative and SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC, respectively, in exchange for substantially all the assets of SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC and SoyMor Cooperative’s soy lecithin assets.

 

 

 

 

II-2


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Since February 26, 2010, the Registrant has issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 763,690 shares of its common stock at exercise prices ranging from $4.47 to $11.00.

Unless otherwise stated, the sales of the above securities were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (or Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder), or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or pursuant to benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with the Registrant, to information about the Registrant. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)   Exhibits

The following exhibits are included herein or incorporated herein by reference:

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
3.1(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Registrant”), effective as of February 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2010)
3.1(b)   Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be in effect prior to the completion of this offering
3.1(c)   Form of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering
3.2(a)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
3.2(b)*   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering
3.3   Certificate of Designation of Series and Determination of Rights and Preferences of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
4.1*   Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant
4.2   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to entities affiliated with Natural Gas Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
4.3   Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to Natural Gas Partners VIII, L.P. and entities affiliated with NGP Energy Technology Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
4.4   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)

 

 

 

 

II-3


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
  4.5    Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.6    Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series AA and Series BB Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.7    Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant Series AA and Series BB Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.8    Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to ED&F Man Holdings B.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.9    Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to ED&F Man Holdings B.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.10    Form of warrant issued by REG to members of the former board of managers and executive officers of Blackhawk (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
  4.11    Schedule of warrants issued by REG to members of the former board of managers and executive officers of Blackhawk (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
  5.1*    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
10.1    Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.2    First Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.3    Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.4    REG Newton, LLC Revolving Line of Credit Note, dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.5    REG Newton, LLC Term Note, dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.6    First Amendment to Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.7    First Allonge to Revolving Line of Credit Note, dated March 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)

 

 

 

 

II-4


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.8    Corporate Guaranty (Revolving Line of Credit Loan), dated March 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.9    Corporate Guaranty (Term Loan), dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.10    Loan Agreement, dated May 9, 2008, between Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC and Fifth Third Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC for the quarter ended March 31, 2008)
10.11    Second Amendment to Loan Agreement by and among Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC dated November 25, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC on December 3, 2009)
10.12    Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and between Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC
10.13    Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement and First Amendment to Revolving Credit Loan Note dated September 30, 2010, by and between Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.14    Stockholder Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and among REG Newco, Inc., certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. common stock and certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2010)
10.15    First Amendment to the Stockholder Agreement of REG Newco, Inc. dated June 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.16    Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and among REG Newco, Inc., certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. common stock and certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.17    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among Seneca Landlord, LLC and WestLB AG, New York Branch
10.18    Lease Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and between Seneca Landlord, LLC and REG Seneca, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.19    Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC, Seneca Landlord, LLC, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., and REG Seneca, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.20    Accounts Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among Seneca Landlord, LLC, REG Seneca, LLC, Sterling Bank, and WestLB AG, New York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.21    Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among REG Marketing and Logistics Group, LLC, REG Services Group, LLC, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and WestLB AG, New York Branch

 

 

 

 

II-5


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.22    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 26, 2010 by and between REG Newco, Inc. and Biofuels Company of America, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.23    Master Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Bunge dated May 8, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 12, 2009)
10.24    Contract for Services by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated August 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.25    Ground Lease by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated July 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.26    Asset Use Agreement by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated August 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.27    Extended Payment Terms Agreement by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated June 29, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 12, 2009)
10.28    Form of Indemnification Agreement executed by each of the Registrant’s executive officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 23, 2009)
10.29    2009 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2010)
10.30    Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Assets and Common Stock by and among ARES Corporation, Clovis Biodiesel, LLC, REG Clovis, LLC and the Registrant dated August 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2010)
10.31
 
   Investment Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain holders of the Registrant’s Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.32
 
   Second Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain stockholders of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.33
 
   Consent and Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain stockholders of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.34    Form of Warrant Exchange Agreement
10.35†    Biodiesel Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and Pilot Travel Centers LLC dated January 1, 2011
10.36    Limited Waiver Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2011, by and between Fifth Third Bank and REG Danville LLC
10.37    Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2009, by and among Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (the predecessor in interest to REG Danville LLC), REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, and Bunge North America, Inc.

 

 

 

 

II-6


Information not required in prospectus

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.38    Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2006, by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Oh (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 24, 2011)
10.39    Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2009, by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, Central Iowa Energy LLC (the predecessor in interest to REG Newton LLC) and Bunge North America, Inc.
10.40†    Toll Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2009, by and between REG Houston, LLC and ED&F Man Biofuels, Inc.
10.41    Termination Agreement and Mutual Release, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among USRG Holdco IX, LLC, the Registrant, and REG Services, LLC
10.42    Loan Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and between USRG Holdco IX, LLC, REG Albert Lea, LLC, and USRG Management Company, LLC
10.43    Note of REG Alberta Lea, LLC. dated August 4, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)
10.44    Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and among Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and USRG Holdco IX, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)
10.45    Guaranty of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. of the obligations of REG Alberta Lea, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)
10.46*    Summary of oral agreement between West Central and the Registrant regard Jeffrey Stroburg’s Compensation
21.1*    List of Subsidiaries
23.1#    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2*    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1#    Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement on
Form S-1)

 

*   To be filed by amendment

 

  Confidential treatment requested

 

#   Previously Filed

 

(b)   Financial Statement Schedules

Financial statement schedule I is included on page F-64. All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, or not applicable or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Item 17. Undertakings

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission

 

 

 

 

II-7


  

 

 

such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)   For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)   For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

 

 

II-8


  

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Ames, State of Iowa, on September 8, 2011.

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

By:

  /s/ Jeffrey Stroburg
  Jeffrey Stroburg
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

             Date

/s/ Jeffrey Stroburg

Jeffrey Stroburg

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   September 8, 2011
    

/s/ Chad Stone

Chad Stone

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Chad Baker

  

Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Paul Chatterton

   Director   September 8, 2011
    

*

Scott P. Chesnut

   Director   September 8, 2011
    

*

Delbert Christensen

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Randolph L. Howard

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Eric Hakmiller

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Michael A. Jackson

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

 

 

 

 

II-9


Signatures

 

 

             Date

*

Jonathan Koch

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Christopher Sorrells

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Don Huyser

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

*

Ronald Mapes

  

Director

  September 8, 2011
    

 

*By:  

      /s/ Chad Stone

  Chad Stone, Attorney-in-fact

 

 

 

 

II-10


  

 

 

Exhibit index

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
  1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1(a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Registrant”), effective as of February 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2010)
  3.1(b)   Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be in effect prior to the completion of this offering
  3.1(c)   Form of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect upon the completion of this offering
  3.2(a)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).
  3.2(b)*   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, to be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering
  3.3   Certificate of Designation of Series and Determination of Rights and Preferences of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
  4.1*   Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant
  4.2   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to entities affiliated with Natural Gas Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.3   Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to Natural Gas Partners VIII, L.P. and entities affiliated with NGP Energy Technology Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.4   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.5   Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.6   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant’s Series AA and Series BB Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.7   Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to the purchasers of the Registrant Series AA and Series BB Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.8   Form of warrant issued by the Registrant to ED&F Man Holdings B.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)
  4.9   Schedule of warrants issued by the Registrant to ED&F Man Holdings B.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed August 10, 2009)

 

 

 


Exhibit index

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
  4.10    Form of warrant issued by REG to members of the former board of managers and executive officers of Blackhawk (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
  4.11    Schedule of warrants issued by REG to members of the former board of managers and executive officers of Blackhawk (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
  5.1*    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
10.1    Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.2    First Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, by and between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.3    Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.4    REG Newton, LLC Revolving Line of Credit Note, dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.5    REG Newton, LLC Term Note, dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.6    First Amendment to Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2010, between AgStar Financial Services, PCA and REG Newton, LLC
10.7    First Allonge to Revolving Line of Credit Note, dated March 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.8    Corporate Guaranty (Revolving Line of Credit Loan), dated March 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.9    Corporate Guaranty (Term Loan), dated March 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2010)
10.10    Loan Agreement, dated May 9, 2008, between Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC and Fifth Third Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC for the quarter ended March 31, 2008)
10.11    Second Amendment to Loan Agreement by and among Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC dated November 25, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC on December 3, 2009)
10.12    Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and between Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC
10.13    Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, and First Amendment to Revolving Credit Loan Note dated September 30, 2010, by and between Fifth Third Bank and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)

 

 

 


Exhibit index

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.14    Stockholder Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and among REG Newco, Inc., certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. common stock and certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 4, 2010)
10.15    First Amendment to the Stockholder Agreement of REG Newco, Inc. dated June 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.16    Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, by and among REG Newco, Inc., certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. common stock and certain holders of REG Newco, Inc. Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.17    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among Seneca Landlord, LLC and WestLB AG, New York Branch
10.18    Lease Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and between Seneca Landlord, LLC and REG Seneca, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.19    Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC, Seneca Landlord, LLC, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., and REG Seneca, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.20    Accounts Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among Seneca Landlord, LLC, REG Seneca, LLC, Sterling Bank, and WestLB AG, New York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 15, 2010)
10.21    Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among REG Marketing and Logistics Group, LLC, REG Services Group, LLC, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and WestLB AG, New York Branch
10.22    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 26, 2010 by and between REG Newco, Inc. and Biofuels Company of America LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.23    Master Services Agreement by and between the Registrant and Bunge dated May 8, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 12, 2009)
10.24    Contract for Services by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated August 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.25    Ground Lease by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated July 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.26    Asset Use Agreement by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated August 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed October 5, 2009)
10.27    Extended Payment Terms Agreement by and between West Central Cooperative and the Registrant dated June 29, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 12, 2009)

 

 

 


Exhibit index

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.28    Form of Indemnification Agreement executed by each of the Registrant’s executive officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A filed November 23, 2009)
10.29    2009 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2010)
10.30    Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Assets and Common Stock by and among ARES Corporation, Clovis Biodiesel, LLC, REG Clovis, LLC and the Registrant dated August 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2010)
10.31    Investment Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain holders of the Registrant’s Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.32    Second Amendment to Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain stockholders of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.33    Consent and Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among the Registrant and certain stockholders of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2011)
10.34    Form of Warrant Exchange Agreement
10.35†    Biodiesel Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and Pilot Travel Centers LLC dated January 1, 2011
10.36    Limited Waiver Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2011, by and between Fifth Third Bank and REG Danville, LLC
10.37    Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2009, by and among Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (the predecessor in interest to REG Danville LLC), REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, and Bunge North America, Inc.
10.38    Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2006, by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Oh (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 24, 2011)
10.39    Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2009, by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, Central Iowa Energy LLC (the predecessor in interest to REG Newton LLC) and Bunge North America, Inc.
10.40†    Toll Agreement, dated as of September 25 , 2009, by and between REG Houston, LLC and ED&F Man Biofuels, Inc.
10.41    Termination Agreement and Mutual Release, dated as of July 15, 2011, by and among USRG Holdco IX, LLC, the Registrant, and REG Services, LLC
10.42    Loan Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and between USRG Holdco IX, LLC, REG Albert Lea, LLC, and USRG Management Company, LLC
10.43    Note of REG Alberta Lea, LLC. dated August 4, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)
10.44    Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and among Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and USRG Holdco IX, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)

 

 

 


Exhibit index

 

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
10.45    Guaranty of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. of the obligations of REG Alberta Lea, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2011)
10.46*    Summary of oral agreement between West Central and the Registrant regard Jeffrey Stroburg’s Compensation
21.1*    List of Subsidiaries
23.1#    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2*    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1#    Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement on
Form S-1)

 

*   To be filed by amendment

 

  Confidential treatment requested

 

#   Previously Filed

 

(b)   Financial Statement Schedules

Financial statement schedule I is included on page F-64. All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, or not applicable or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1(b)

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), hereby certifies as follows:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 29, 2009.

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as heretofore amended is hereby amended and restated pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall be amended and restated to read in full as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

A. Classes of Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of classes of capital stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is five hundred million (500,000,000), consisting of one hundred forty million (140,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”), three hundred million (300,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and sixty million (60,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”). The number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock voting together as a single class, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such Preferred Stock holders is required by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (including any applicable certificate of designations), and if such holders of such Preferred Stock are so entitled to vote thereon, then, except as may otherwise be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (including any applicable certificate of designations), the only stockholder approval required shall be the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and the Preferred Stock so entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.

 

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At the time this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “ Restated Certificate ”) becomes effective (the “ Effective Time ”), [each share] [each] [1.5] [2.0] [2.5] [3.0] [3.5] [4.0] [4.5] [5.0] shares of the Corporation’s common stock issued and outstanding or held as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (“ Old Common Stock ”), shall automatically and without any further action by any holder of such shares, be [combined], changed and reclassified into one share of Class A Common Stock. [Each stockholder who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, owns a number of shares of Old Common Stock which is not evenly divisible by [1.5] [2.0] [2.5] [3.0] [3.5] [4.0] [4.5] [5.0] shall, with respect to such fractional interest, be entitled to receive to the extent legally available therefore from the Corporation cash in an amount equal to such fractional interest multiplied by the value of one share of Class A Common Stock as of the Effective Time as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”).] Any stock certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Old Common Stock shall from and after the Effective Time represent shares of Class A Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof. If a holder of shares of Class A Common Stock is party (directly or through an authorized representative) to an underwriting agreement pursuant to which such holder has agreed to sell shares of Common Stock in the Designated Public Offering (as defined in Section E below), then upon the written request of the holder delivered to the Corporation prior to the closing of the Designated Public Offering, such holder’s shares of Class A Common Stock shall, immediately prior to the Designated Public Offering, be converted into shares of Common Stock, on the basis of one share of Common Stock for each share of Class A Common Stock, with respect to only such number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by such holder necessary (but only to the extent necessary) to fulfill such holder’s obligations under such underwriting agreement.

B. Class A Common Stock and Common Stock . The shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Common Stock shall be identical in all respects and shall have equal rights and privileges, except as set forth in this Section B. Upon dissolution of the Corporation, holders of Class A Common Stock and holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets thereof that may be available for distribution after satisfaction of creditors and any class or series of stock having a preference on dissolution over the Class A Common Stock and Common Stock. In connection with any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other entity, shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any other consideration paid or otherwise distributed to stockholders of the Corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued prior to the closing of a Designated Public Offering, except as provided in Section A above and Section D.7 below with respect to holders of Class A Common Stock committed to sell shares of Common Stock in the Designated Public Offering.

1. Dividends . Shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividend or distribution paid or distributed by the Corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class; provided, however , that in the event a dividend or distribution is paid or distributed in the form of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock (or Rights (as defined in Section E below) to acquire such stock), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be), and holders of Common Stock shall receive Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be).

2. Stock Combinations and Subdivisions . If the Corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, then outstanding shares of the other class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

 

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3. Voting . Except as may otherwise be required by law or the certificate of incorporation, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall, in all matters that may be submitted to a vote or consent of the stockholders, vote together as a single class. Each holder of Class A Common Stock and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation.

4. Conversion .

(a) In addition to the conversion of Class A Common Stock into Common Stock provided in Section A above and Section D.7 below, each share of Class A Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one share of Common Stock at the Final Conversion Date (as defined in Section E below). Any stock certificate that immediately prior to the Final Conversion Date represented shares of Class A Common Stock shall from and after the Final Conversion Date represent shares of Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof.

(b) The Corporation shall, at all times, reserve and keep available out of the authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect conversion of all outstanding Class A Common Stock and if, at any time, the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect conversion of the then outstanding Class A Common Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock to such number as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

5. No Reissuance of Class A Common Stock; Rights of Common Stock After the Final Conversion Date .

(a) Following the automatic conversion of all shares of Class A Common Stock into Common Stock pursuant to subparagraph 4(a) above, the reissuance of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be prohibited and such shares shall be retired and cancelled in accordance with Section 243 of the DGCL and the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware required thereby and upon such retirement and cancellation, all references to the Class A Common Stock in this Restated Certificate shall be eliminated.

(b) From and after the automatic conversion of all shares of Class A Common Stock into Common Stock pursuant to subparagraph 4(a) above, except as otherwise required by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation and shall otherwise have the rights conferred by applicable law in respect of such shares.

C. Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock shall be divided into series. The first series of Preferred Stock shall consist of fourteen million (14,000,000) shares and is designated “Series A Preferred Stock” and the second series shall consist of three million (3,000,000) shares and is designated “Series B Preferred Stock.” The remaining shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Subject to the rights of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the undesignated shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of its shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed herein or in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized (unless forbidden in the resolution or resolutions providing for such issue) to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series. In case the number of shares of any such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

 

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D. Rights, Preferences, Powers, Restrictions and Limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock . The Series A Preferred Stock shall have such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as follows:

1. Relative Seniority . The Series A Preferred Stock shall, with respect to payment of dividends or in the case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, rank (a) senior and prior to the Class A Common Stock and Common Stock of the Corporation and to any other class or series of capital stock issued by the Corporation not designated as ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or in the case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (collectively, the “ Junior Stock ”); (b)  pari passu with any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of which specifically provide that such class or series shall rank pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or in the case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (such other class or series of capital stock and the Series A Preferred Stock together, the “ Parity Stock ”); and (c) junior to any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, the terms of which specifically provide that such class or series shall rank senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or in the case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (the “ Senior Stock ”).

2. Dividends .

(a) General . The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue dividends at the rate of $.88 per share per annum (subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization affecting such shares) calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30-day months, and shall accrue on a daily basis from the date of issuance thereof, compounded annually from the date of issuance, whether or not declared and shall be cumulative (the “ Accrued Dividends ”); provided, however, that except as set forth in Sections 3, 5 and 6 of this Section D, the Corporation shall be under no obligation to pay such Accrued Dividends; and, provided further, the holders’ right to receive dividends pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall terminate upon the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 5 below (other than with respect to Accrued Dividends as of the date of conversion to the extent provided in Section 5 below). In the event that, during any calendar year, dividends are paid on both the Series A Preferred Stock and the Class A Common Stock, and the amount of dividends each share of Series A Preferred Stock would have received had it been converted into Class A Common Stock on the first day of such calendar year exceeds the amount of dividends per share paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock during such year, then, within five (5) business days following the end of such calendar year, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall receive an amount per share equal to the difference between the amount of dividends each share of Series A Preferred Stock would have received had it been converted to Class A Common Stock as of the first day of such year and the amount of dividends paid with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock during such year (the “ Participating Dividend Payment ”), and the amount of the Participating Dividend Payment will be subtracted from the Accrued Dividends with respect to each outstanding share of Preferred Stock as of the date the Participating Dividend Payment is made.

(b) Dividends in Arrears . If any Accrued Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall not have been paid, or declared and set apart for payment, the deficiency shall be fully paid or declared and set apart for payment before any dividend (other than dividends on shares of Class A Common Stock payable in shares of Class A Common Stock) shall be paid or declared or set apart for Junior Stock and before any purchase or acquisition of any Junior Stock is made by the Corporation, except the repurchase of Junior Stock from employees of the Corporation upon termination of employment. At the earlier of: (i) the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock (other than a redemption pursuant to Section 7); (ii) the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 5; or (iii) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (including in connection with an Acquisition as defined in Subsection 3(c) below), all Accrued Dividends shall be paid to the holders of record of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 6 in the event of a redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6, Sections 2(c) or 5, as applicable, in the event of

 

4


the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and Section 3(a) in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (including an Acquisition). No accumulation of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall bear interest.

(c) Manner of Payment . Except as set forth in Subsection 5(a) or Subsection 5(b) below, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be paid in cash at the time specified in Subsection 2(b) above; provided, however, in the event of a conversion pursuant to Subsection 5(a) or Subsection 5(b), as applicable, in which the Corporation and such holder do not jointly elect to include the amount of Accrued Dividends in the conversion, and such conversion occurs prior to February 26, 2014, then the Corporation may elect to postpone the cash payment of any or all Accrued Dividends until up to the earliest to occur of (i) a QPO (as defined in Subsection 5(a)(i) below), (ii) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (including in connection with an Acquisition deemed to be a liquidation pursuant to Subsection 3(c) below) or (iii) February 26, 2014. When payable hereunder, each dividend shall be mailed to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock as their names and addresses appear on the share register of the Corporation or at the office of the transfer agent.

(d) Waiver of Dividend . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the timing or amount of any payment of Accrued Dividends owing to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock hereunder may be waived by the written consent or affirmative vote of the Preferred Supermajority (as hereinafter defined in Section 3(c) below).

3. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up .

(a) General . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (i) the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be distributed to the holders of any Senior Stock, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount equal to $13.75 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization affecting such shares) (“ Series A Base Value ”) plus any and all Accrued Dividends accrued but unpaid thereon (whether or not declared), together with any other dividends declared but unpaid thereon in an amount which together for such Series A Base Value plus Accrued Dividends and any other dividends declared but unpaid thereon shall not exceed $16.50 per share (the “ Series A Accreted Value ”) and (ii) the holders of previously converted shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be distributed to the holders of any Senior Stock, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, any accrued and unpaid dividends on such previously converted shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount which does not exceed the Series A Accreted Value less the Series A Base Value. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of previously converted shares of Series A Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled, the holders of Parity Stock shall first share ratably in any distribution of the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the Parity Stock held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full, and the holders of previously converted shares of Parity Stock shall then share ratably in any distribution of any remaining assets and funds of the Corporation in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of any accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares previously held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

(b) Participation . After the payment of all preferential amounts required to be paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock upon the dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Corporation, all of the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock as if the Series A Preferred Stock has been converted pursuant to Section 5.

 

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(c) Treatment of Consolidations, Mergers, and Sales of Assets . The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another corporation which results in the exchange of outstanding shares of the Corporation, the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation, or the license of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, including without limitation any sale (whether by merger or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets or the license of all or substantially all of the assets of one or more subsidiaries (the “ Subject Subsidiaries ”) of the Corporation if substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole are held by the Subject Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation for purposes of this Section, unless the Corporation’s stockholders of record as constituted immediately prior to any such transaction, by virtue of securities issued as consideration for such transaction hold at least 50% of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring entity in approximately the same relative percentages after such transaction as before (any transaction so deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, an “ Acquisition ”). The amount deemed distributed to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock upon any such merger or consolidation shall be the cash or the value of the property, rights and/or securities distributed to such holders by the acquiring person, firm or other entity; provided, however, that if the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock that were issued in exchange for shares of the series A, series AA, series B or series BB preferred stock of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“ REG ”), pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger executed November 20, 2009 by and among the Corporation, REG and REG Merger Sub, Inc. (the “ Preferred Supermajority ”), affirmatively approve by written consent an Acquisition in accordance with Section 4 below and, in connection with such approval, expressly agree in writing that the cash, securities or other property shall be distributed among the holders of Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock in accordance with the applicable agreement or agreements setting forth the terms and conditions of such Acquisition, the holders of Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive upon the closing of such Acquisition only such amounts as are set forth in such agreement or agreements. The value of such property, rights or other securities shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, taking into consideration the relevant terms of any underlying transaction documents. In the event the Corporation continues to exist following an Acquisition, after payment in full of the liquidation preference as provided for in this Section 3, the certificates representing shares of the Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Acquisition shall be cancelled and extinguished and the holders of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no further rights in the Corporation.

4. Voting .

(a) Each holder of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 5 hereof), at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (and written actions of stockholders in lieu of meetings) with respect to any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration. Except as provided by law, by the provisions of Subsection 4(b) below or by the provisions establishing any other series of Preferred Stock, holders of Series A Preferred Stock and of any other outstanding series of Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Class A Common Stock as a single class.

(b) Protective Provisions . Except for actions required by this Restated Certificate and subject to the rights of series of Preferred Stock that may from time to time come into existence and any contractual agreements or restrictions which may be then in effect in any agreement of stockholders or other organizational document to which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and the Corporation may be a party, the approval by written consent of the Preferred Supermajority (in addition to any other applicable stockholder approval requirements required by law) shall be required for the Corporation to take the following actions:

(i) authorize or issue, or obligate itself to issue, any shares of Preferred Stock (other than the Series B Preferred Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock) or any other equity security on parity with or having a preference over any series of Preferred Stock with respect to dividends,

 

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liquidation, redemption or voting, including any security convertible into or exercisable for any such equity security, or authorize any subsidiary to issue any equity security or any such securities convertible or exercisable therefor;

(ii) increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any series of Preferred Stock;

(iii) amend the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation, including the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation by the adoption or amendment of any Certificate of Designation or similar document, or amend the organizational documents of any subsidiary, in any such case other than amendments solely to the extent required to authorize the issuance of any Junior Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable for any Junior Stock;

(iv) alter or change the rights, preferences or privileges of the shares of any series of the Preferred Stock;

(v) issue, or cause any subsidiary to issue, any indebtedness, other than trade accounts payable and/or letters of credit, performance bonds or other similar credit support incurred in the ordinary course of business, or amend, renew, increase or otherwise alter in any material respect the terms of any indebtedness previously approved or required to be approved by the holders of the Preferred Stock other than the incurrence of debt solely to fund the payment of Accrued Dividends on the Preferred Stock or solely to fund the redemption of the Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6;

(vi) increase the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation from fourteen (14) directors;

(vii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire (or pay into or set aside for a sinking fund for such purpose) any share or shares of capital stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that this restriction shall not apply to the repurchase or redemption of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 6 or 7, any redemption of the Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms thereof or the repurchase of shares of Junior Stock from employees, officers, directors, consultants or other persons performing services for the Corporation or any subsidiary pursuant to agreements under which the Corporation has the option to repurchase such shares at cost upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the termination of employment;

(viii) declare or pay dividends or otherwise make distributions with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, other than dividends on the Preferred Stock;

(ix) declare bankruptcy, dissolve, liquidate or wind up the affairs of the Corporation or any subsidiary;

(x) modify or change the nature of the Corporation’s business such that a material portion of the Corporation’s business is devoted to any business other than the business of (A) designing, constructing or operating facilities for biofuels, chemicals or by-products thereof and (B) procurement, manufacturing, selling, distribution, logistics, marketing or risk management related to biofuels, chemicals or by-products thereof;

(xi) make or permit any subsidiary to make any capital expenditure in excess of $500,000 which is not otherwise included in the annual budget previously approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation;

(xii) effect any Acquisition;

(xiii) acquire directly or through a subsidiary the stock or any material assets of another corporation, partnership or other person or entity for consideration valued at more than ten percent (10%) of the total assets of the Corporation as of the most recent month-end prior to such acquisition as reflected on the balance sheet of the Corporation prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied; or

 

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(xiv) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing;

provided, however , that nothing in this Section 4(b) shall be deemed to alter any statutory provision entitling a particular class or series of shares to vote as a class or series with respect to such matter.

5. Conversion Rights . The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows (the “ Conversion Rights ”):

(a) Automatic Conversion .

(i) Each of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be automatically converted into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock as is determined by dividing the Original Series A Issue Price (as defined below), plus (to the extent the Corporation and such holder jointly elect to include the amount of Accrued Dividends in the conversion) Accrued Dividends, by the Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion, upon (A) the closing of the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock, at a price per share to the public (before deducting any commissions or other expenses) of at least two times the Original Series A Issue Price (as defined below) (subject to appropriate adjustments in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization affecting such shares), in a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (or any such successor form) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), underwritten by a nationally recognized and reputable investment bank, resulting in an aggregate proceeds to the Corporation of at least $40,000,000 (a “ QPO ”), or (B) the date specified in a written contract or agreement of the Preferred Supermajority, or (C) if the shares of Class A Common Stock have a closing price on NASDAQ or any national securities exchange in excess of $24.75 per share for ninety (90) consecutive trading days with an average daily trading volume on such trading days of at least US $8,000,000.

(ii) All holders of record of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding will be given at least 10 days’ prior written notice of the dated fixed and the place designated for automatic conversion of all such shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5(a). Such notice will be sent by first class or registered mail, postage prepaid, to each record holder of Series A Preferred Stock at such holder’s address last shown on the records of the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock (or the records of the Company, if it serves as its own transfer agent).

(b) Optional Right to Convert . Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock as is determined by dividing $11.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Original Series A Issue Price ”), plus (to the extent the Corporation and such holder jointly elect to include the amount of Accrued Dividends in the conversion) Accrued Dividends, by the Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion. The Conversion Price at which shares of Class A Common Stock shall be deliverable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof (the “ Conversion Price ”) shall initially be the Original Series A Issue Price. Such initial Conversion Price, and the rate at which shares of Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, shall be subject to adjustment as provided below.

In the event of a liquidation of the Corporation, the Conversion Rights shall terminate at the close of business on the first full day preceding the date fixed for the payment of any amounts distributable on liquidation to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

(c) Mechanics of Conversion .

(i) In order to convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 5, the holder shall in the event of a conversion pursuant to Subsection

 

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5(a)(i)(B) or Subsection 5(b) (an “ Elective Conversion ”), (A) provide written notice to the Corporation that such holder elects to convert all or any number of the shares represented by such certificate or certificates and the date of conversion which notice, if notice is provided after February 26, 2014, must be received by the Corporation at least sixty (60) days prior to the date selected by the holder for conversion (the “ Conversion Notice ”), (B) surrender the certificate or certificates for such shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the office of the transfer agent (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent), and (C) state in writing such holder’s name or the names of the nominees in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued. If required by the Corporation, certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or his or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The conversion date shall be the date for conversion specified in the Conversion Notice in the case of an Elective Conversion or in any other case on the date of the occurrence of the event (other than an Elective Conversion) giving rise to conversion. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the conversion date and upon surrender of the certificates representing the shares so converted, issue and deliver to such holder, or to his nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share of Class A Common Stock and, except as provided in Section 2(c), cash in the amount of any Accrued Dividends (through the date one day prior to the date the shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted) payable in respect of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted pursuant to this Section 5.

(ii) The Corporation shall at all times during which the Series A Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of its duly authorized shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock (including any Accrued Dividends). Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the Conversion Price below the then par value of the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Price.

(iii) All shares of Series A Preferred Stock which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate on the applicable conversion date, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Class A Common Stock in exchange therefor. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted shall be retired and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and the Corporation may from time to time take such appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the number of shares of authorized Series A Preferred Stock accordingly.

(iv) If the conversion is in connection with an underwritten offer of securities registered pursuant to the Act, the conversion may at the option of any holder tendering Series A Preferred Stock for conversion be conditioned upon the closing with the underwriter of the sale of securities pursuant to such offering, in which event the person(s) entitled to receive the Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to have converted such Series A Preferred Stock until immediately prior to the closing of the sale of securities.

(d) Conversion Price Adjustments of Series A Preferred Stock for Certain Dilutive Issuances, Splits and Combinations .

(i) The Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock, as applicable, shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as follows:

(A) If the Corporation shall issue, after the date upon which any shares of Series A Preferred Stock were first issued (the “ Purchase Date ”), any Additional Stock (as defined below) without

 

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consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Conversion Price for Series A Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such Additional Stock, the Conversion Price for such Series A Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to each such issuance shall forthwith (except as otherwise provided in this clause (i)) be adjusted to a price determined by multiplying such Conversion Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance (including shares of Class A Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to subsection 5(d)(i)(E)(1) or (2)) plus the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation for such issuance would purchase at such Conversion Price; and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance (including shares of Class A Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to subsection 5(d)(i)(E)(1) or (2)) plus the number of shares of such Additional Stock; provided, however, for purposes of such calculation (1) it shall not include any additional shares of Class A Common Stock issuable with respect to shares of Preferred Stock, convertible securities, or exercisable options, warrants or other rights for the purchase of shares of stock or convertible securities, solely as a result of the adjustment of such Series A Conversion Price (or other conversion ratios) resulting from the issuance of Additional Stock causing such adjustment and (2) the grant, issue or sale of Additional Stock consisting of the same class of security, and warrants to purchase such security and notes convertible into such security, issued or issuable at the same price at two or more closings within a six month period shall be aggregated and shall be treated as one sale of Additional Stock occurring on the earliest date on which such securities were granted, issued or sold.

(B) No adjustment of the Conversion Price for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be made in an amount less than one cent per share, provided that any adjustments that are not required to be made by reason of this sentence shall be carried forward and shall be either taken into account in any subsequent adjustment made prior to three (3) years from the date of the event giving rise to the adjustment being carried forward, or shall be made at the end of three (3) years from the date of the event giving rise to the adjustment being carried forward. Except to the limited extent provided for in subsections (E)(3) and (E)(4), no adjustment of such Conversion Price pursuant to this subsection 5(d)(i) shall have the effect of increasing the Conversion Price above the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment.

(C) In the case of the issuance of Class A Common Stock for cash, the consideration shall be deemed to be the amount of cash paid therefor before deducting any discounts, commissions or other expenses allowed, paid or incurred by the Corporation for any underwriting or otherwise in connection with the issuance and sale thereof.

(D) In the case of the issuance of the Class A Common Stock for a consideration in whole or in part other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be deemed to be the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors irrespective of any accounting treatment, taking into consideration the relevant terms of any underlying transaction documents.

(E) In the case of the issuance (whether before, on or after the applicable Purchase Date) of options to purchase or rights to subscribe for Class A Common Stock, securities by their terms convertible into or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock or options to purchase or rights to subscribe for such convertible or exchangeable securities, the following provisions shall apply for all purposes of this subsection 5(d)(i) and subsection 5(d)(ii):

(1) The aggregate maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon exercise (assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to exercisability, including without limitation, the passage of time, but without taking into account potential antidilution adjustments) of such options to purchase or rights to subscribe for Class A Common Stock shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such options or rights were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration (determined in the manner provided in subsections 5(d)(i)(C) and (d)(i)(D)), if any, received by the Corporation upon the issuance of such options or rights plus the minimum exercise price provided in such options or rights (without taking into account potential antidilution adjustments) for the Class A Common Stock covered thereby.

 

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(2) The aggregate maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of, or in exchange (assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to convertibility or exchangeability, including, without limitation, the passage of time, but without taking into account potential antidilution adjustments) for, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or upon the exercise of options to purchase or rights to subscribe for such convertible or exchangeable securities and subsequent conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued at the time such securities were issued or such options or rights were issued and for a consideration equal to the consideration, if any, received by the Corporation for any such securities and related options or rights (excluding any cash received on account of accrued interest or accrued dividends), plus the minimum additional consideration, if any, to be received by the Corporation (without taking into account potential antidilution adjustments) upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or the exercise of any related options or rights (the consideration in each case to be determined in the manner provided in subsections 5(d)(i)(C) and (d)(i)(D)).

(3) In the event of any change in the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable or in the consideration payable to the Corporation upon exercise of such options or rights or upon conversion of or in exchange for such convertible or exchangeable securities, including, but not limited to, a change resulting from the antidilution provisions thereof, the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock to the extent in any way affected by or computed using such options, rights or securities, shall be recomputed to reflect such change, but no further adjustment shall be made for the actual issuance of Class A Common Stock or any payment of such consideration upon the exercise of any such options or rights or the conversion or exchange of such securities.

(4) Upon the expiration of any such options or rights, the termination of any such rights to convert or exchange or the expiration of any options or rights related to such convertible or exchangeable securities, the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock, to the extent in any way affected by or computed using such options, rights or securities or options or rights related to such securities shall be recomputed to reflect the issuance of only the number of shares of Class A Common Stock (and convertible or exchangeable securities that remain in effect) actually issuable upon the exercise of such options or rights, upon the conversion or exchange of such securities or upon the exercise of the options or rights related to such securities.

(5) The number of shares of Class A Common Stock deemed issued and the consideration deemed paid therefor pursuant to subsections 5(d)(i)(E)(1) and (2) shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect any change, termination or expiration of the type described in either subsection 5(d)(i)(E)(3) or (4).

(ii) “ Additional Stock ” shall mean any shares of capital stock issued (or deemed to have been issued pursuant to subsection 5(d)(i)(E)) by the Corporation after the Purchase Date other than:

(A) Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issued pursuant to a transaction described in subsection 5(d)(iii) hereof;

(B) shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issuable or issued to employees, consultants, directors, officers, advisors or vendors (if in transactions with primarily non-financing purposes) of the Corporation or directors of West Central Cooperative, directly or pursuant to a stock option plan, stock purchase or restricted stock plan, or other arrangement or agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in an aggregate amount not to exceed 5,400,000 shares (as adjusted for the stock combination referred to in Section A of this Article IV and any further stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock);

(C) shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issued, issuable or deemed to have been issued by the Corporation upon conversion of Preferred Stock;

 

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(D) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable (I) in a public offering before or in connection with which all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be converted pursuant to Section 5(a) or (II) upon exercise of warrants or rights granted to underwriters in connection with such a public offering;

(E) shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issued, issuable or deemed to have been issued in connection with the acquisition by the Corporation of the stock or assets of another corporation, partnership or other entity, provided that such issuances are first approved by the Board of Directors and for purposes other than primarily equity financing for the Corporation; and

(F) shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issued, issuable or deemed to have been issued to a vendor, lender or equipment lessor or in connection with strategic or licensing transactions, joint ventures or similar transactions, provided that such issuances are first approved by the Board of Directors (including the affirmative approval of a majority of the directors designated by NGP, Westway and Bunge and the affirmative approval of the director designated by the USBG Group as provided in the Stockholder Agreement dated on or about February 26, 2010 by and between the Corporation and certain of its stockholders, as amended);

(G) the issuance up to 1,313,359 shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock (as adjusted for the stock combination referred to in Section A of this Article IV and any further stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock) upon the exercise of warrants outstanding as of February 26, 2010 at the exercise prices specified therein (subject to anti-dilution adjustments provided therein); and

(H) shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issued, issuable or deemed to have been issued in connection with any borrowings by the Corporation, direct or indirect, from financial institutions, whether or not presently authorized, including any type of loan or payment evidenced by any type of debt instrument, provided that such issuances are approved by the Board of Directors (including the affirmative approval of a majority of the directors designated by NGP, Westway and Bunge and the affirmative approval of the director designated by the USBG Group as provided in the Stockholder Agreement dated on or about February 26, 2010 by and between the Corporation and certain of its stockholders, as amended).

(iii) In the event the Corporation should at any time or from time to time after a Purchase Date fix a record date for the effectuation of a split or subdivision of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock or the determination of holders of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock entitled to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock or other securities or rights convertible into, or entitling the holder thereof to receive directly or indirectly, additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock (hereinafter referred to as “ Class A Common Stock Equivalents ”) without payment of any consideration by such holder for the additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock or the Class A Common Stock Equivalents (including the additional shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof), then, as of such record date (or the date of such dividend distribution, split or subdivision if no record date is fixed), the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be appropriately decreased so that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be increased in proportion to such increase of the aggregate of shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock outstanding and those issuable with respect to such Class A Common Stock Equivalents with the number of shares issuable with respect to Class A Common Stock Equivalents determined from time to time in the manner provided for deemed issuances in subsection 5(d)(i)(E).

(iv) If the number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Old Common Stock outstanding at any time after a Purchase Date is decreased by a combination of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, then, following the record date of such combination, the Conversion Price for the Series A Preferred Stock

 

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shall be appropriately increased so that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares.

(e) Other Distributions . In the event the Corporation shall declare a distribution payable in securities of other persons, evidences of indebtedness issued by the Corporation or other persons, assets (excluding cash dividends) or options or rights not referred to in subsection 5(d)(iii), then, in each such case for the purpose of this subsection 5(e), the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a proportionate share of any such distribution as though they were the holders of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation into which their shares of Preferred Stock are convertible as of the record date fixed for the determination of the holders of Class A Common Stock of the Corporation entitled to receive such distribution.

(f) Recapitalizations . If at any time or from time to time there shall be a recapitalization of the Class A Common Stock (other than a subdivision, combination or merger or sale of assets transaction provided for elsewhere in this Section 5 or Section 3) provision shall be made so that the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion of such Preferred Stock the number of shares of stock or other securities or property of the Corporation or otherwise, to which a holder of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon conversion would have been entitled on such recapitalization. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions of this Section 5 with respect to the rights of the holders of such Preferred Stock after the recapitalization to the end that the provisions of this Section 5 (including adjustment of the Conversion Price then in effect and the number of shares purchasable upon conversion of such Preferred Stock) shall be applicable after that event as nearly equivalent as may be practicable.

(g) No Impairment . The Corporation will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or through any reorganization, recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 5 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock against impairment.

(h) No Fractional Shares and Certificate as to Adjustments .

(i) No fractional shares shall be issued upon the conversion of any share or shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, and the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded to the nearest whole share (with one-half being rounded upward). The calculation of the number of shares to be issued shall be determined on the basis of the total number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock the holder is at the time converting into Common Stock and the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such aggregate conversion.

(ii) Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5, the Corporation, at its expense, shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and prepare and furnish to each holder of such series of Preferred Stock a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the written request at any time of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock, furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a like certificate setting forth (A) such adjustment and readjustment, (B) the Conversion Price and (C) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other property that at the time would be received upon the conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.

(i) Notices of Record Date . In the event of any taking by the Corporation of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend (other than a cash dividend) or other distribution, any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise

 

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acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property, or to receive any other right, the Corporation shall mail to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock, at least ten (10) business days prior to the date specified therein, a notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right.

(j) Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion . The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in addition to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of any necessary amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, and shall not, until such action is taken to increase the authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose, issue any shares of Class A Common Stock.

(k) Notices . Any notice required by the provisions of this Section 5 to be given to the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed given if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to each holder of record at his address appearing on the books of the Corporation or by electronic transmission in the manner permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

(l) Waiver of Adjustment of Conversion Price . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any downward adjustment of the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock may be waived by the consent or vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of such series either before or after the issuance causing the adjustment.

6. Redemption of the Preferred Stock .

(a) At any time and from time to time on or after February 26, 2014, the Preferred Supermajority may require, by providing written notice thereof to the Corporation (a “ Redemption Election ”), that all or part of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock be redeemed by the Corporation out of funds lawfully available therefor; provided, however, that any such redemptions shall be for an aggregate Redemption Price, as defined below, of at least $5,000,000. Within fourteen (14) days following the receipt by the Corporation of a Redemption Election, the Corporation shall provide written notice to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock of the Redemption Election (a “ Redemption Notice ”) which shall set forth the date of such redemption (the “ Redemption Date ”) and shall allow all other holders of Series A Preferred Stock the opportunity to participate in the redemption transaction by providing written notice to the Corporation (an “ Election Notice ”) within ten (10) days following the receipt of the Redemption Notice of such holder’s election to participate and the number and series of shares held by such holder to be redeemed by the Corporation. The Redemption Date shall be determined by the Corporation and shall be (i) a date not less than forty-five (45) days and not more than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of the Redemption Notice (a “ Standard Redemption Date ”), or (ii) a date that is more than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of the Redemption Election but prior to the date which is eighteen months following such date (a “ Delayed Redemption Date ”). On the applicable Redemption Date, concurrently with surrender by the holders of the certificates representing such shares to be redeemed, the Corporation shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, redeem all issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed by paying an amount per share therefor equal to (i) in the event such redemption occurs on a Standard Redemption Date, the greater of (A) the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 6(d) below) per share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of the date of the Redemption Election or (B) the Series A Accreted Value; or (ii) in the event such redemption occurs on a

 

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Delayed Redemption Date, the greater of (x) the Fair Market Value per share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of the date which is sixty (60) days prior to the Delayed Redemption Date, or (y) the Series A Accreted Value, (in each case, the “ Redemption Price ”). Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender to the Corporation the certificate or certificates representing such shares, in the manner and at the place designated in the Redemption Notice, and thereupon the applicable Redemption Price of such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered certificate shall be cancelled. In the event less than all the shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares. If the Corporation does not have sufficient funds legally available to redeem on any Redemption Date all shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed on such Redemption Date, (i) the Corporation shall redeem a pro rata portion of each holder’s redeemable shares of Preferred Stock out of funds legally available therefor, based on the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares to be redeemed if the legally available funds were sufficient to redeem all such shares, and shall redeem the remaining shares to have been redeemed as soon as practicable after the Corporation has funds legally available therefore, and (ii) the Corporation shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain sufficient legally available funds in order to effectuate the complete redemption of all shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the Redemption Date as soon as practicable after the Redemption Date.

(b) In the event the Corporation sets a Delayed Redemption Date, upon written notice to the Corporation not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Delayed Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock electing to redeem shares pursuant to an Election Notice shall have the right, by written notice to the Corporation, to revoke their election to have such shares redeemed.

(c) From and after a Redemption Date, all rights of the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock designated for redemption as holders of Series A Preferred Stock (except the right to receive the Redemption Price, without interest, upon surrender of their certificate or certificates) shall cease with respect to such shares, and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Corporation or be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock covered by an Election Notice but not redeemed due to the Corporation’s having insufficient funds legally available for redemption thereof shall remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided herein until redeemed as provided in Section 7(a) above.

(d) For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the “ Fair Market Value ” per share of Series A Preferred Stock, shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (other than those directors affiliated with or nominated by any holder of Series A Preferred Stock that has submitted an Election Notice) as of the applicable date and in making such determination it shall not give consideration to any discount related to shares representing minority interest or related to any illiquidity or lack of marketability of shares arising from restrictions on transfer under applicable federal or state securities laws, but shall take into consideration the rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock. If the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed disagree with such determination of Fair Market Value, such holders shall provide written notice to the Corporation thereof (a “ Value Dispute ”) and the Fair Market Value per share of the Series A Preferred Stock, shall be determined by the following procedures. Each of the Corporation, on the one hand, and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock submitting the Value Dispute, on the other hand, shall appoint an independent appraiser, each of whom shall independently determine the Fair Market Value per share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Appraised Values ”). If the higher of the Appraised Values is not more than 25% higher than the lower of the Appraised Values, then the Fair Market Value per share will be the average of the two Appraised Values. If the higher of the Appraised Values is more than 25% higher than the lower of the Appraised Values, then the parties shall appoint a third independent appraiser who shall, within thirty (30) days following receipt of the Appraised Values, select one of the two Appraised Values as the Fair Market Value per share which is closest to the Fair Market Value per share determined by such third party appraiser (the “ Third Party Determination ”). The Third Party Determination shall be binding on and non-appealable by the Corporation and the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed. Following the receipt of the Third Party Determination, the

 

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Redemption Date shall be deemed to be the date which is ten (10) days thereafter. All costs of the appraisers pursuant to this Section 6(d) shall be split equally by the Corporation on the one hand and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the other hand.

7. Special Conversion and Mandatory Redemption In Connection with Designated Public Offering .

(a) Immediately prior to the closing of the Designated Public Offering (the “ Special Conversion/Redemption Date ”), each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted into (i) (A) if such closing occurs on or before March 31, 2012, such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to 18,817,513 shares (as adjusted for the stock combination referred to in Section A of this Article IV and any further stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock) divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Special Conversion/Redemption Date or (B) if the Designated Public Offering is closed on or after April 1, 2012 and on or before June 30, 2012, such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock as is equal to 20,566,731 shares (as adjusted for the stock combination referred to in Section A of this Article IV and any further stock dividends, combinations or splits with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock) divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Special Conversion/Redemption Date, and (ii) such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Series B Preferred Stock as is equal to 2,600,000 shares divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Special Conversion/Redemption Date and (iii) the right to receive such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Series B Preferred Stock (a “Greenshoe Share Payment”) as is equal to (A) $10,000,000 minus the Greenshoe Excess Proceeds (as defined in Section E below), if any, rounded down to the nearest multiple of 25, divided by 25, divided by (B) the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Special Conversion/Redemption Date, and upon such conversion such former holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall also be entitled to receive in the event of a Greenshoe Exercise, in respect of each such share of Series A Preferred Stock, a cash payment (a “ Greenshoe Cash Payment ”) equal to the Greenshoe Amount (as defined in Section E below) divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Special Conversion/Redemption Date (rounded down to the nearest one cent), which shall be deemed payable to such holder as a redemption of such share of Series A Preferred Stock out of funds legally available therefor. Greenshoe Share Payments and Greenshoe Cash Payments, if any, shall be paid within 15 days after the earlier of (x) the date of closing with respect to the exercise of the IPO Over-Allotment Option (as defined in Section E below) and (y) the Greenshoe Expiration Date (as defined in Section E below), to the persons in whose names the shares of Series A Preferred Stock were registered immediately prior to the closing of the Designated Public Offering, and the right of a former holder of Series A Preferred Stock to receive a Greenshoe Share Payment and a Greenshoe Cash Payment under the aforementioned conditions shall not be transferable or assignable except by operation of law. No fractional share of Class A Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued upon any conversion of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7. All shares of Class A Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock issuable to a holder upon such conversion shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether such conversion would result in the issuance of a fractional share to such holder. If, after such aggregation, such conversion would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Class A Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay the holder otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to, in the case of Class A Common Stock, the fraction multiplied by the price per share at which the Common Stock is sold to the public in the Designated Public Offering and, in the case of Series B Preferred Stock, the fraction multiplied by $25. If a holder of Series A Preferred Stock is party (directly or through an authorized representative) to an underwriting agreement pursuant to which such holder has agreed to sell shares of Common Stock in the Designated Public Offering, then upon the written request of the holder delivered to the Corporation prior to the closing of the Designated Public Offering, such holder’s shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion as provided above in this Section 7 shall be further converted into shares of Common Stock, on the basis of one share of Common Stock for each share of Class A Common Stock, with respect to only such number of shares of Class A Common Stock held by such holder necessary (but only to the extent necessary) to fulfill such holder’s obligations under such

 

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underwriting agreement. No Accrued Dividends shall be paid or payable in connection with the conversion and redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such conversion and redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock shall occur unless the Corporation has legally available funds to effectuate the complete redemption of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the provisions of Section 5 with respect to the rate of conversion of Series A Preferred Stock are inapplicable to a conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7 and the provisions of this Section 7 shall govern the rights of a holder of Series A Preferred Stock upon the conversion and redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7.

(b) On or after the Special Conversion/Redemption Date, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall surrender to the Corporation the certificate or certificates representing such shares in the manner and at the place designated by written notice from the Corporation and thereupon the consideration described in subsection (a) above shall be delivered to the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof (it being understood that any Greenshoe Share Payment and Greenshoe Cash Payment would be delivered only under the conditions provided for in subsection (a) above) and each surrendered certificate shall be cancelled; provided that the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed cancelled and shall cease to be outstanding upon the Special Conversion/Redemption Date and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive certificates evidencing the consideration set forth in subsection (a) above (and, if applicable, to receive the Greenshoe Share Payment and Greenshoe Cash Payment if the conditions for such payments are met as set forth in subsection (a) above).

(c) The Corporation shall at all times during which the Series A Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7, such number of its duly authorized shares of Class A Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.

8. Sinking Fund . There shall be no sinking fund for the payment of dividends, or liquidation preferences on the Series A Preferred Stock or the redemption of any shares thereof.

9. Amendment . The rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth in Section D of this Article IV may be amended by vote of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the written consent of the Preferred Supermajority; provided, however , that nothing in this Section 9 shall be deemed to alter any statutory provision entitling a particular class or series of shares to vote as a class or series with respect to such amendment; provided further, however , any such amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights of a particular holder of shares of Preferred Stock provided in this Section D of this Article IV, but would not have a similar material adverse effect on all holders of Preferred Stock generally, shall require the consent of such materially adversely affected holder.

E. Definitions .

The following terms, where capitalized in Sections A, B, C and D of Article IV of this Restated Certificate, shall have the meanings ascribed to them below.

“Designated Public Offering” means the first sale by the Corporation of shares of Common Stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) under the Act, which sale of shares is completed on or prior to June 30, 2012 and is not a QPO (as defined in Section D.5(a)(i) of this Article IV).

“Final Conversion Date” means 5:00 p.m. in New York City, New York on the expiration date of the underwriters’ lock-up period (including any extension of such lock-up period in accordance with the terms thereof) in connection with the Designated Public Offering as provided for in the underwriting agreement among the Corporation, any selling stockholders named therein and the underwriters with respect to the Designated Public Offering.

 

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“Greenshoe Amount” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Greenshoe Net Proceeds, and (b) $15,000,000.

“Greenshoe Excess Proceeds” means an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the lesser of (i) the Greenshoe Net Proceeds and (ii) $15,000,000, over (b) $5,000,000.

“Greenshoe Exercise” means an exercise by the underwriters of the Designated Public Offering of the IPO Over-Allotment Option pursuant to which the Company sells shares of Common Stock.

“Greenshoe Expiration Date” means the date when the IPO Over-Allotment Option expires and can no longer be exercised by the underwriters.

“Greenshoe Net Proceeds” means the net proceeds to the Company from the Greenshoe Exercise (calculated by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock sold by the Company pursuant to such Greenshoe Exercise by the purchase price paid by the underwriters for such shares to the Company pursuant to the underwriting agreement for the Designated Public Offering).

“IPO Over-Allotment Option” means the over-allotment option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted by the Company to the underwriters for the Designated Public Offering pursuant to the underwriting agreement among the Company, any selling stockholders and such underwriters.

“Rights” means any option, warrant, conversion right or contractual right of any kind to acquire shares of the Corporation’s Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be.

F. Rights, Preferences, Powers, Restrictions and Limitations of the Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock shall have such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as follows:

1. Certain Definitions . As used in this Section F, the following terms shall have the meanings defined in this Section F.1. Except as the context otherwise requires, all references within this Section F to Section numbers shall be to Sections within this Section F.

“Adjustment Event” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(xi).

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” , when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(iii).

“Aggregate Net Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“As Converted Dividend Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 3(d).

“As Converted Liquidation Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 5(d).

“Automatic Conversion” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(i).

“Automatic Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(iii).

 

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“Automatic Conversion Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(iii).

“Available Net Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee thereof.

“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) in equity of such Person, including, without limitation, all Common Stock, but excluding debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Cash Financing Offer” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“Certificated Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(i).

“Change of Control Transaction” means, with respect to the Corporation, the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other entity, pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of a Person other than the Corporation, other securities, other property or assets; provided , however, that such a consolidation or merger pursuant to which holders of the Corporation’s Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors immediately prior to such transaction have the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total voting power of all classes of the Capital Stock of the continuing or surviving Person (or any parent thereof) entitled to vote generally in elections of directors of the continuing or surviving Person (or any parent thereof) immediately after giving effect to such transaction shall not be a Change of Control Transaction.

“Class A Common Stock” means, subject to the provisions of Section 8(f), shares of the class designated as Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Restated Certificate or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and that have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and that are not subject to redemption by the Corporation.

“Close of Business” means 5:00 p.m. New York City time.

“Closing Sale Price” of the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities on any date means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) on such date as reported in composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock or other equity securities are traded or, if the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities are not listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization. In the absence of such quotations, the Corporation shall be entitled to determine the Closing Sale Price on the basis it considers appropriate. The Closing Sale Price shall be determined without reference to extended or after hours trading.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the date of this Restated Certificate such Commission is not existing, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Common Stock” means any stock of any class of the Corporation that has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding

 

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up of the Corporation and that is not subject to redemption by the Corporation; provided , however, that references to Common Stock in this Section F shall be deemed to exclude any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Section 8(f), however, shares issuable on conversion of Series B Preferred Stock shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock pursuant to this Restated Certificate or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and that have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and that are not subject to redemption by the Corporation; provided that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then issuable on conversion of Series B Preferred Stock shall be substantially in the proportion that the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.

“Conversion Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 12.

“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(b).

“Conversion Price” as of any date shall equal $25.00 divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.

“Conversion Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 8(d).

“Corporation” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Restated Certificate, and shall include any successor to such Corporation.

“Current Market Price” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Daily VWAP” of the Common Stock, in respect of any Trading Day, means the per-share volume-weighted average price on the principal United States securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then traded, as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on the Bloomberg page (or its equivalent successor) relating to such Common Stock in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day as determined by the Board of Directors in a commercially reasonable manner, using a volume-weighted average price method) and will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside the regular trading session.

“Deferred Dividend Payment Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

“Depositary” means, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock, if any. The Depository Trust Company shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Restated Certificate, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

“Determination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(xi).

“Distributed Property” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as in effect from time to time.

“Dividend Daily Price Fraction” has the meaning specified in Section 4(a).

“Dividend Payment Date” means June 30 and December 30 of each year, beginning on the earliest June 30 or December 30, as the case may be, occurring immediately after the Issue Date.

 

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“Dividend Period” means the period beginning on, and including, a Dividend Payment Date and ending on, and excluding, the next immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, with the exception that the first Dividend Period shall commence on, and include, the Issue Date and end on, and exclude, the next immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date.

“Equity Offering” means the sale of Capital Stock by the Corporation where at least 90% of the consideration received by the Corporation for such Capital Stock is cash (other than Capital Stock sold pursuant to an employee stock option, stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, Capital Stock sold pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants or other rights issued or granted pursuant to an employee stock option, stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, Capital Stock sold pursuant to the exercise of warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock existing on the Issue Date, and Capital Stock sold to a Subsidiary of the Corporation) and, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include (x) any sale of Common Stock pursuant to the IPO Underwriting Agreement, (y) any sale of debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or (z) any issuance of Capital Stock in connection with any acquisition of a business or entity (even though cash may be among the assets of such acquired business or entity).

“Equity Offering Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Corporation in respect of any Equity Offering, net of the direct costs relating to such Equity Offering, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking and other advisor fees, disbursements and expenses, placement or sales agent fees and commissions, sales commissions, initial purchaser or underwriting discounts and commissions, filing fees and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing filing, delivering and shipping of any documents relating to the Equity Offering, all expenses in connection with the registration or qualification of the securities sold in the Equity Offering under applicable securities laws, fees and expenses in connection with listing any securities sold in the Equity Offering on a securities exchange, fees and expenses in connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates representing the securities sold in the Equity Offering, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of such securities, the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar for the securities sold in the Equity Offering, the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers in the Equity Offering or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Equity Offering, and any other expenses required to be paid by the Corporation pursuant to any underwriting, purchase, placement or sales agency, securities purchase or similar agreement relating to the sale of securities in an Equity Offering.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

Expiration Time ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(v).

Fair Market Value ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Global Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(i).

“Holder Redemption Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 7(i)(iii).

“Holders” means the Persons in whose names the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered on the stock register for the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be treated by the Corporation, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent as the absolute owners of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling any conversion and for all other purposes.

“Initial Conversion Price” means 125% of the IPO Price.

“Initial Optional Redemption Date” has the meaning specified in Section 7.

 

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“IPO” means the initial public offering of the Common Stock pursuant to a firm commitment underwriting and in connection with which the Common Stock becomes listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange.

“IPO Price” means the public offering price (price to public) in the IPO, as set forth on the cover page of the final prospectus relating to the IPO.

“IPO Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement among the Corporation, any selling stockholders and the underwriters for the IPO, pursuant to which the Corporation sells Common Stock in the IPO.

Issue Date” means the date of original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, which shall be the Special Conversion/Redemption Date referred to in Section D of Article IV of this Restated Certificate.

“Junior Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(a).

“Liquidation Participation Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 5(d),

“Liquidation Preference” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a).

“Lock-Up Expiration Date” means the expiration date of the underwriters’ lock-up period in connection with the IPO (during which lock-up period the Corporation has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock and which lock-up period may be extended, upon request of the Corporation or the underwriters, to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation), as provided for in the IPO Underwriting Agreement.

“Make-Whole Payment” has the meaning specified in Section 7(b)(i)

“Measurement Period” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(i).

“Offer” means any Cash Financing Offer.

“Offer Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(i).

“Offer Period” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(iii).

“Offer Price ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the Purchase Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(g)(iv).

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Controller, any Assistant Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

Open of Business ” means 9:00 a.m. New York City time.

“Optional Deferral” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

“Optional Deferral Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

“Optionally Deferred Dividend” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

 

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Outstanding ”, when used with reference to the Series B Preferred Stock, means, as of any date of determination, all shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date, except shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted into Common Stock (or for which payment has been given in lieu of fractional shares) pursuant to Section 8 and shares of Series B Preferred Stock deemed not Outstanding pursuant to Section 7; provided , however, that with respect to any Series B Preferred Stock that is to be redeemed, if a notice of redemption has been duly given pursuant to Section 7 and the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with Section 7, money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price for the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, then immediately after the Redemption Date set for such redemption, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall cease to be Outstanding; provided further that, in determining whether the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action hereunder, Series B Preferred Stock owned by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Registrar shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or other action, only Series B Preferred Stock that the Registrar has actual knowledge of being so owned shall be deemed not to be Outstanding.

“Parity Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(b).

“Paying Agent ” has the meaning specified in Section 12.

“Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

“Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section A of Article IV of this Restated Certificate.

“Pro Rata Percentage” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(i).

“Purchase Date” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(iii).

“Purchased Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(v).

“Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, shall mean the December 15 and June 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable December 30 or June 30 Dividend Payment Date, respectively.

“Redemption Date ” means (a) in the case of a redemption pursuant to Sections 7(a), 7(b), 7(h) and 7(j), the date fixed for redemption, and (b) in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i), June 30, 2015.

“Redemption Price ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(e).

“Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 9.

“Restated Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section A of this Article IV, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

“Senior Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(c).

 

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“Spin-Off” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“Stated Value ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, $25.00.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

“Trading Day” means (x) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which The NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Transfer Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 9.

“Trigger Event” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“Valuation Period” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

2. Rank . The Series B Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, rank:

(a) senior to the Common Stock, the Class A Common Stock and any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Junior Stock ”);

(b) on a parity with any class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Parity Stock ”); and

(c) junior to each class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks junior to or on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Senior Stock ”).

3. Dividends .

(a) The Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if, declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 4.50% of the Stated Value per share. Such dividends shall be payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, in preference to and in priority over dividends on any Junior Stock but subject to the rights of any holders of Senior Stock or Parity Stock.

 

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(b) Dividends shall be cumulative from the Issue Date or the last Dividend Payment Date for which all then-accumulated dividends were paid, whichever is later, whether or not funds of the Corporation are legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not declared by the Board of Directors. The amount of dividends payable for each full Dividend Period for the Series B Preferred Stock shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by two. The amount of dividends payable for the initial Dividend Period, or any other period shorter or longer than a full Dividend Period, on the Series B Preferred Stock shall be appropriately prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Each such dividend shall be payable on a Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock register at the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date with respect to such Dividend Payment Date. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not bear interest, and Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on the Series B Preferred Stock, except as set forth in Section 3(d) below.

(c) Accumulated and unpaid dividends for any past Dividend Periods may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to Holders of record on a special record date, which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Notice of the proposed payment of such dividends and such special record date shall be mailed by first class mail to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its last address appearing in the stock register.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the product of (i) the dividends declared in respect of one share of the Common Stock during any full Dividend Period and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would then be convertible (the “ As-Converted Dividend Amount ”) exceeds the amount of dividends payable in respect of one share of Series B Preferred Stock for such Dividend Period in accordance with Section 3(b) above, then the amount of dividends payable in respect of one share of Series B Preferred Stock for such Dividend Period shall instead be the As-Converted Dividend Amount.

(e) Accumulated dividends payable upon redemption or upon purchase pursuant to Section 7 will be payable to the Person to whom the Redemption Price or Purchase Price is payable pursuant to such redemption or purchase (unless the Redemption Date or Purchase Date falls after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case the semi-annual dividend payment payable on such Dividend Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of record of the Series B Preferred Stock at the Close of Business on the such Regular Record Date).

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any share of Series B Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion into Common Stock during the period from the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date for any Dividend Payment Date to the Close of Business on the Business Day next preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the Holder of such share at the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date shall receive the dividend payable on such share on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Such share, upon surrender for conversion, shall be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of dividend payable on such share so converted, except as provided in Section 8(b).

(g) Subject to the Corporation’s election made pursuant to Section 4(a), the Corporation shall pay dividends on any shares by check mailed to Holders of Series B Preferred Stock at the addresses of such Holders as they appear in the stock register (or, upon written notice, by wire transfer in immediately available funds, if such a Holder is the registered Holder of in excess of 80,000 shares in the aggregate).

(h) Subject to Section 6(b), no dividend shall be declared or paid, or funds set apart for the payment of any dividend or other distribution upon any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of Common Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock), nor shall any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock be repurchased for value (other than Capital

 

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Stock) (other than (i) the repurchase of any Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employment agreement that has been approved by the Board of Directors or any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement or any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or payments to purchase Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries upon the death, disability of such employee, (ii) any repurchase of Capital Stock of the Corporation deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other equity based awards to the extent such Capital Stock represents a portion of any exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other equity based awards and any repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of Capital Stock granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the estimated taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award or exercise, settlement or vesting thereof, (iii) the purchase, redemption, cancellation or other retirement for a nominal value per right of any rights granted to holders of Common Stock pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, (iv) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders required by applicable law, or payments of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets of the Corporation, (v) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise, conversion or exchange of any warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Corporation, or (vi) any transaction provided for in Section D.7. of Article IV of this Restated Certificate), unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends, through the most recent Dividend Payment Date (whether or not there are funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends) on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock have been paid in full or set apart for payment; provided , however, that, notwithstanding any provisions of this Section 3(h) to the contrary, the Corporation may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire for consideration Series B Preferred Stock and Parity Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of such Series B Preferred Stock and Parity Stock.

When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, all dividends declared on the Series B Preferred Stock and any other Parity Stock shall be paid either (A) pro rata so that the amount of dividends so declared on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of Parity Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio as accumulated dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Stock bear to each other or (B) on another basis that is at least as favorable to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock entitled to receive such dividends.

(i) The Corporation shall have the right, at its option, to defer a dividend payment (such deferral of payment, an “ Optional Deferral ”) for any Dividend Period until the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date (such Dividend Period, the “ Optional Deferral Period ” and such next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, the “ Deferred Dividend Payment Date ”), notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein. During an Optional Deferral Period, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock shall not be currently payable (“ Optionally Deferred Dividend ”), but shall continue to accumulate (and, for avoidance of doubt, no interest shall be payable on an Optionally Deferred Dividend). On the Deferred Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall pay all Optionally Deferred Dividend amounts to the Holders in whose name the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered in the stock register at the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Deferred Dividend Payment Date. The Corporation may not defer the payment of dividends pursuant to this Section 3(i) for more than two Optional Deferral Periods, and such Optional Deferral Periods may not be consecutive Dividend Periods.

The Corporation shall give written notice to the Paying Agent and the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock that it has elected an Optional Deferral and of the Deferred Dividend Payment Date at least five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Paying Agent is required to give notice to any securities exchange or to Holders of Series B Preferred Stock of the Regular Record Date or the corresponding Dividend Payment Date or (ii) the Regular Record Date corresponding to the Dividend Payment Date on which the Optional Deferral Period will begin. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the Corporation shall only be required to pay dividends in cash on the Series B Preferred Stock if funds are legally available therefor.

 

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4. Method of Payment of Dividends .

(a) The Corporation may pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not for a current Dividend Period or any prior Dividend Period) in cash or by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be and as provided in the next succeeding sentence) or through any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be), at the Corporation’s option. If the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment with respect to a Dividend Payment Date occurring between the Issue Date and the Close of Business on the Lock-Up Expiration Date by delivering shares, the Corporation shall make such payment by delivering shares of Class A Common Stock, and if the Corporation makes such an election with respect to a Dividend Payment Date occurring on and after the Close of Business on the Lock-Up Expiration Date, the Corporation shall make such payment by delivering shares of Common Stock. If the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be), then the number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) a Holder of Series B Preferred Stock will receive will be that number of shares equal to (x) the amount of the portion of the dividend payment to be paid to such Holder in shares, divided by (y) the greater of (1) the price per share of the Common Stock determined during the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Regular Record Date for such dividend payment using the sum of the Dividend Daily Price Fractions for such 10 consecutive Trading Days (where “ Dividend Daily Price Fraction ” means, for each such Trading Day, 10% multiplied by the Daily VWAP per share of the Common Stock for such day) and (2) the par value per share of the Common Stock; provided, that in the event the Common Stock has traded for fewer than 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding such Regular Record Date, in determining such price per share in clause (y), references in such clause (y) to consecutive 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days that the Common Stock shall have been traded and references to 10% in the definition of Dividend Daily Price Fraction shall be deemed replaced by the percentage determined by dividing 1 by such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days and multiplying such result by 100; all calculations of price in this Section 4(a) shall be rounded to the nearest two decimal places.

(b) The Corporation shall not deliver fractional shares if the Corporation elects to deliver shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) for any dividend payment. Instead, the Corporation shall either (i) deliver a number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) or (ii) to the extent permitted by the DGCL, pay cash in lieu of fractional shares based on the per-share value determined pursuant to clause (y) in Section 4(a) above.

(c) The Corporation will notify Holders of Series B Preferred Stock at least five Business Days prior to the start of the averaging period referred to in Section 4(a) above of the extent to which the Corporation will pay any portion of such dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be). The Corporation may not change the form or components or percentages of consideration to be paid in respect of such payment once the Corporation has given Holders of Series B Preferred Stock notice thereof, except as described in the preceding sentence.

(d) In order to satisfy any obligation to withhold taxes arising from any payment of a dividend or deemed dividend with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock, by purchasing and/or acquiring Series B Preferred Stock, each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock is deemed to authorize the Corporation and the Paying Agent to make any deductions required by law or, in the event the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock, to withhold shares that may be sold for withholding taxes required by law, and to pay to any taxing authority any amount necessary to satisfy such obligations.

5. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up .

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets

 

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of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be paid or distributed to the creditors of the Corporation and the holders of any Senior Stock, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share of Series B Preferred Stock equal to the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the date of payment (such sum, the “ Liquidation Preference ”).

(b) Neither the voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange, license or transfer, for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or assets (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of its business), nor the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of any other entity with or into the Corporation shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation for purposes of this Section 5.

(c) In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such Holders are entitled pursuant to Section 5(a), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of Parity Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up unless proportionate distributable amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, equally and ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all Series B Stock and of any Parity Stock are entitled upon such liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

(d) If the Liquidation Preference has been paid in full to all Holders of Series B Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect to any Parity Stock have been paid in full, the holders of Junior Stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences; provided that if the value of such assets or proceeds to be distributed with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would then be convertible (the “ As-Converted Liquidation Amount ”) exceeds the Liquidation Preference for one share of Series B Preferred Stock, then the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each share of Series B Preferred Stock, an additional amount (the “ Liquidation Participation Amount ”) out of such assets or proceeds such that the As-Converted Liquidation Amount equals the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus the Liquidation Participation Amount, after making appropriate adjustment such that the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive the same amount on an as-converted basis as the holders of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would be then convertible.

6. Voting .

(a) General . Each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder are convertible (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 8(e) hereof) as of the Close of Business on the record date for each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (and written actions of stockholders in lieu of meetings) with respect to any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration. Except as required by law, by the provisions of Section 6(b) or 6(c) below or by the provisions establishing any other series of Preferred Stock, Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock and with the holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote with the Common Stock, as a single class.

(b) Consent Required for Dividend Payments . So long as at least 300,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain Outstanding, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least 75% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time Outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, the Corporation shall

 

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not (a) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to the Corporation’s Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of Common Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock and other than in connection with the issuance of rights pursuant to a stockholder rights plan adopted by the Board of Directors) held by Persons other than the Corporation or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporation or (b) repurchase for value (other than Capital Stock) any shares of the Corporation’s Capital Stock (other than (i) the repurchase of any Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employment agreement that has been approved by the Board of Directors or any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement or any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or payments to purchase Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries upon the death, disability of such employee, (ii) any repurchase of Capital Stock of the Corporation deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other equity based awards to the extent such Capital Stock represents a portion of any exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other equity based awards and any repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of Capital Stock granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the estimated taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award or exercise, settlement or vesting thereof, (iii) the purchase, redemption, cancellation or other retirement for a nominal value per right of any rights granted to holders of Common Stock pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, (iv) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders required by applicable law, or payments of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets of the Corporation, (v) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise, conversion or exchange of any warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Corporation, (vi) any transaction provided for in Section D.7. of Article IV of this Restated Certificate, or (vii) any payments on the Series B Preferred Stock provided for in this Section F).

(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters . So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are Outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by this Restated Certificate, the vote or consent of the Holders of at least 75% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time Outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of this Section F so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or rights of the Series B Preferred Stock. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, but subject to the immediately preceding sentence, the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall not have any separate class voting rights with respect to any sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer, for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or assets, or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of any other entity with or into the Corporation, except as required by the DGCL.

7. Redemption and Repurchase .

(a) Optional Redemption by the Corporation . Except as provided in Section 7(b), 7(h) or 7(j), the Corporation may not redeem any Series B Preferred Stock prior to the date that is 18 months following the Lock-Up Expiration Date (such date, the “ Initial Optional Redemption Date ”). At any time on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, in whole or in part, for cash, at any time and from time to time, at the Redemption Price.

In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7(a), it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the date fixed for redemption, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of

 

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such redemption not fewer than 20 calendar days nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock so to be redeemed; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

(b) Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control Transaction .

(i) If a Change of Control Transaction occurs at any time before the Initial Optional Redemption Date, then all, but not part, of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, for cash, at the Redemption Price plus an additional payment (the “ Make-Whole Payment ”) in an amount equal to $2.25 per share less the amount of any dividends paid on such share of Series B Preferred Stock since the Issue Date.

(ii) Notwithstanding Section 7(b)(i), and in clarification of the provisions of Section 7(e) with respect to a redemption upon a Change of Control Transaction, if the Series B Preferred Stock is redeemed on a Redemption Date that is after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, the accumulated dividends payable in respect of such Dividend Payment Date shall not be payable to the Holders surrendering the Series B Preferred Stock for redemption on such Redemption Date, but the full amount of the relevant dividends payable on such Dividend Payment Date shall be paid to the Holders of record on the applicable Regular Record Date, and the Make-Whole Payment made with respect to one share of such Series B Preferred Stock to redeeming Holders shall equal $2.25 per share less the amount of any dividends (including for this purpose the dividends payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of record on such applicable Regular Record Date) paid on such share of Series B Preferred Stock since the Issue Date.

(iii) In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock upon a Change of Control Transaction pursuant to this Section 7(b), it shall fix a date for redemption that is not more than 20 calendar days after the occurrence of the Change of Control Transaction (and which may be the same date as the closing date of such Change of Control Transaction) and it or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the date fixed for redemption, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 15 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

(c) Notice of Redemption; Selection of Shares .

(i) Each notice of redemption given pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b), 7(h) or 7(j) shall specify the CUSIP number of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day), the Redemption Price, the place or places where such Series B Preferred Stock is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for redemption (or required to be redeemed, as the case may be), that dividends accumulated and unpaid to the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, that on and after the Redemption Date dividends in respect of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accumulate, and the current Conversion Rate. Each notice given pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(h) shall also state the date on which the right to convert the shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption will expire, and the place or places where such Series B Preferred Stock may be surrendered for conversion. Each notice given pursuant to Section 7(b) shall also state the amount of the Make-Whole Payment. If fewer than all the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed (including the certificate number, the total number of shares represented thereby and the number of such shares being redeemed on the Redemption Date) and shall state that,

 

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in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are subject to redemption, is surrendered for payment, a new certificate representing the unredeemed portion of such shares will be issued.

(ii) Any notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other share of Series B Preferred Stock.

(iii) On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 7(c), the Corporation will deposit with the Transfer Agent or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Corporation is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(h), so called for redemption (other than those theretofore surrendered for conversion into Common Stock) or, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i) or 7(j), required to be redeemed by the Holders thereof; provided that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date it must be received by the Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on such date. The Corporation shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Transfer Agent or any Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 7(c) in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price. If any shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption are converted pursuant hereto prior to such Redemption Date, any money deposited with the Transfer Agent or any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such shares shall be paid to the Corporation upon its written request, or, if then held by the Corporation, shall be discharged from such trust. Whenever any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the Corporation will give the Transfer Agent written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate not fewer than 45 days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) prior to the applicable Redemption Date as to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

(iv) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and the shares to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis. If any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock selected for partial redemption is submitted for conversion in part after such selection and before mailing of the notice of redemption, the portion of such certificate submitted for conversion shall be deemed to be the portion that had been selected for redemption (notwithstanding that such portion shall be converted, and not redeemed).

(v) Upon any redemption of less than all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation and the Transfer Agent may (but need not), solely for purposes of determining the pro rata allocation among such shares as are unconverted and Outstanding at the time of redemption, treat as Outstanding any shares surrendered for conversion during the period of 15 days next preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption and may (but need not) treat as Outstanding any shares represented by a certificate or certificates authenticated and delivered during such period in exchange for the unconverted portion of any certificate representing shares converted in part during such period.

(d) Payment of Shares to be Redeemed . If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 7(c) or, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i), a Holder Redemption Notice has been properly given and not withdrawn in accordance with Section 7(i), the shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice has been given shall, unless converted into Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and on and after the Redemption Date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price for such shares) dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for

 

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redemption shall cease to accumulate and, after the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price for such shares) such shares shall cease to be convertible into Common Stock and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such shares except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such shares at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said shares shall be paid and redeemed by the Corporation at the Redemption Price.

In the event any certificate that represents more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are subject to redemption, is surrendered at any office or agency of the Corporation designated for that purpose (with, if the Corporation or the Transfer Agent so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock without service charge, a new certificate or certificates, representing any number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares not redeemed and represented by the certificate so surrendered.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless full cumulative dividends (whether or not declared) on all Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or set apart for payment for all Dividend Periods terminating on or before the Redemption Date, none of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed, and no sum shall be set aside for such redemption, unless pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock.

(e) Treatment of Dividends for Redemption Dates between Regular Record Date and Dividend Payment Date . If a Redemption Date falls after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, then the full amount of dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed on such Redemption Date shall be paid to the Holders of record of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date instead of the Holders surrendering such shares of Series B Preferred Stock for redemption on such Redemption Date.

(f) Offer to Purchase by Application of Equity Offering Net Proceeds . If, during the period commencing on the closing date of the IPO and ending on and including the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Corporation conducts an Equity Offering or Offerings and the aggregate amount of Equity Offering Net Proceeds therefrom (the “ Aggregate Net Proceeds ”) exceeds $20,000,000, then, within 20 Business Days thereof, the Corporation shall make an offer (a “ Cash Financing Offer ”), if funds are legally available therefor, to all Holders to purchase or redeem the maximum number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the Offer Price (including for this purpose the estimated amount of all fees and expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with the Cash Financing Offer) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed using 25% of the Aggregate Net Proceeds (the “ Available Net Proceeds ”). If any Available Net Proceeds remain after consummation of a Cash Financing Offer, the Corporation may use those Available Net Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Restated Certificate. Upon completion of each Cash Financing Offer, the amount of Aggregate Net Proceeds and Available Net Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(g) Mechanics of Offers to Purchase .

(i) For purposes of Section 7(f), the maximum number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that may be purchased or redeemed using the Available Net Proceeds is herein referred to as the “ Offer Amount. ” Each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock may only tender, in an Offer, up to the percentage of shares of Series B Preferred Stock owned by such Holder that represents the percentage (the “ Pro Rata Percentage” ) computed by dividing the applicable Offer Amount by the aggregate number of then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and rounding down to the nearest whole share, and tenders in excess of the Pro Rata Percentage shall not be accepted. The Offer Price in an Offer shall be payable in cash.

 

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(ii) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule thereto), Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule thereto) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to an Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 7(f), the Corporation shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 7(f) by virtue of such compliance. In addition, the Corporation may conduct an Offer only to the extent funds are legally available therefor.

(iii) Any Offer shall be made to all Holders of Series B Preferred Stock and shall remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Corporation shall apply all Available Net Proceeds to the purchase of Series B Preferred Stock or, if fewer shares of Series B Preferred Stock than the Offer Amount have been tendered, all shares tendered in response to the Offer.

(iv) If a Purchase Date for an Offer is after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, any accumulated and unpaid dividends on a shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be paid to the Person in whose name such share is registered at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional dividends shall be payable to Holders who tender shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to such Offer.

(v) Upon the commencement of an Offer, the Corporation shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Transfer Agent and each of the Holders. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the Offer. The notice, which will govern such Offer, shall state:

(A) that the Offer is being made pursuant to Section 7(f) and the length of time the Offer will remain open;

(B) the Offer Amount, the Pro Rata Percentage, the Offer Price and the Purchase Date;

(C) that any share of Series B Preferred Stock not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accumulate dividends;

(D) that, unless the Corporation defaults in making such payment, any shares of Series B Preferred Stock accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will cease to accumulate dividends on and after the Purchase Date;

(E) that Holders electing to have shares of Series B Preferred Stock purchased pursuant to any Offer will be required to surrender the certificate representing such shares, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the certificate completed, to the Corporation or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(F) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Corporation or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such shares purchased;

(G) that only the Pro Rata Percentage of a Holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be accepted for tender; and

 

33


(H) that in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock is surrendered for payment and not all shares represented thereby are purchased pursuant to the Offer, a new certificate representing the unpurchased portion of such shares will be issued.

(vi) On or before the Purchase Date for an Offer, the Corporation shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment the Offer Amount of shares of Series B Preferred Stock tendered pursuant to the Offer or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all shares properly tendered in accordance with the terms of this Section 7(g), and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Transfer Agent the certificates representing the shares properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such shares were accepted for payment by the Corporation in accordance with the terms of this Section 7(g). The Corporation or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the aggregate Offer Price of the shares tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Corporation for purchase. In the event any certificate that represents more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which were accepted for purchase, is surrendered for tender at any office or agency of the Corporation designated for that purpose (with, if the Corporation or the Transfer Agent so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, without service charge, a new certificate or certificates, representing any number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares not accepted for purchase and represented by the certificate so surrendered.

(h) Redemption by Application of Equity Offering Net Proceeds . If, after the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Corporation conducts an Equity Offering or Offerings and the Available Net Proceeds (including Available Net Proceeds from Equity Offerings conducted prior to such date, and taking into account any resets referred to in the last sentence of Section 7(f)) exceed $5,000,000, then the Corporation shall use the Available Net Proceeds to redeem, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, on a pro rata basis, the Series B Preferred Stock at the Redemption Price. The Corporation shall not be required to make any such redemption in respect of any Equity Offering consummated after March 31, 2015. The Corporation, upon the receipt of such Available Net Proceeds exceeding $5,000,000, shall fix a Redemption Date, which shall be no later than 60 calendar days from the date of such receipt, and the Corporation or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the Redemption Date, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 20 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

(i) Redemption at the Option of the Holders on June 30, 2015 .

(i) On the Redemption Date of June 30, 2015, the Corporation shall, at the option of each Holder, be required, if funds are legally available therefor, to redeem at the Redemption Price any Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock for which a written redemption notice has been properly delivered by such Holder to the Transfer Agent and not withdrawn. Holders may submit their shares of Series B Preferred Stock for redemption to the Transfer Agent at any time from the Open of Business on the date that is 45 Business Days prior to such Redemption Date until the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to such Redemption Date.

(ii) The Corporation or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the Redemption Date, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock by first class mail, a notice on a date not less than 45 Business Days prior to such Redemption Date. Such notice shall specify the CUSIP number of the Series B

 

34


Preferred Stock, the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day), the Redemption Price, the place or places where Series B Preferred Stock is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series B Preferred Stock, that dividends accumulated and unpaid to the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, that on and after the Redemption Date dividends in respect of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed on such date will cease to accumulate, the Conversion Rate, and the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Corporation to redeem their Series B Preferred Stock.

(iii) A Holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock may exercise its rights specified in this Section 7(i) by surrendering the certificate representing such shares, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Redemption” on the reverse of the certificate completed, to the Corporation or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice referred to in Section 7(i)(ii) or upon delivery of a written notice (which may be delivered by letter, overnight courier, hand delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and, in the case of Global Series B Preferred Stock, may be delivered electronically or by other means in accordance with the Depositary’s customary procedures) of the exercise of such rights (a “ Holder Redemption Notice ”) to the Transfer Agent at any time prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to the June 30, 2015 Redemption Date. The Holder Redemption Notice must specify (A) the certificate numbers for such shares in respect of which such notice is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice is being submitted, and (C) that the Corporation shall redeem such Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Restated Certificate. The Transfer Agent and Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Corporation of the receipt of any Holder Redemption Notice.

(iv) The delivery of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed by the Corporation to the Transfer Agent (together with all necessary endorsements) at the office of the Transfer Agent, or the book-entry transfer of such shares if such shares are Global Series B Preferred Stock, shall be a condition to the receipt by the Holder of the Redemption Price.

(v) Any Holder Redemption Notice may be withdrawn by the Holder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Transfer Agent prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to the June 30, 2015 Redemption Date. The notice of withdrawal must specify (A) the certificate numbers for such shares in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and (C) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, that remain subject to the original Holder Redemption Notice and that have been or will be delivered for redemption by the Corporation.

(j) Redemption at the Option of the Holders Upon Dividend Default . If at any time dividends on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be unpaid as of the Dividend Payment Date with respect to, and therefore in arrears for, any Dividend Period (other than a Dividend Period as to which the Corporation shall have made an election pursuant to Section 3(i)), and such arrearage shall have continued for a period of 30 days, then the Holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then Outstanding may send a written notice to the Corporation requiring the Corporation to redeem, if funds are legally available therefor, all Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation upon receipt of such notice shall fix a Redemption Date, which shall be as promptly as possible after receipt of such notice but no later than 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of such notice from such Holders, and the Corporation or, at its written request, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 5 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

 

35


(k) Conversion Arrangement Upon Redemption . In connection with any redemption of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation may arrange for the purchase and conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock by an agreement with one or more investment banks or other purchasers to purchase such shares by paying to the Transfer Agent and Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such shares, on or before the Redemption Date, an amount not less than the Redemption Price for such shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7, the obligation of the Corporation to pay the Redemption Price of such shares, including accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. If such an agreement is entered into, a copy of which will be filed with the Transfer Agent prior to the date fixed for redemption, any shares of Series B Preferred Stock not duly surrendered for conversion by the Holders thereof may, at the option of the Corporation, be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such Holders and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8) surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Redemption Date (and the right to convert any such shares shall be extended through such time), subject to payment of the above amount as aforesaid. At the direction of the Corporation, the Transfer Agent shall hold and dispose of any such amount paid to it in the same manner as it would monies deposited with it by the Corporation for the redemption of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

8. Conversion Rights .

(a) Right to Convert . Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 8, at any time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date, the Holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert such share, together with dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but not including, the Conversion Date, into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as such shares shall then be constituted) at the Conversion Rate in effect at such time, by surrender of the share to be so converted, together with any required funds, in the manner provided in Section 8(b).

If any shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been called for redemption pursuant to Section 7, such shares may, at a Holder’s option, be converted, at any time until the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, unless the Corporation defaults in its obligation to pay the Redemption Price of such shares in accordance with Section 7(c)(iii), in which event such conversion right shall continue until the Corporation pays such Redemption Price in accordance with Section 7(c)(iii).

A Holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock is not entitled to any rights of a holder of Common Stock until such Holder has converted his shares into Common Stock, and only to the extent such shares are deemed to have been converted into Common Stock under this Section 8.

(b) Exercise Of Conversion Privilege; Issuance Of Common Stock On Conversion; No Adjustment For Dividends . In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any share of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation must receive at the office or agency of the Corporation maintained for that purpose the certificate representing such share with the original or facsimile of the form entitled Conversion Notice on the reverse thereof, duly completed and manually signed, together with such certificate duly endorsed for transfer, accompanied by the funds, if any, required by this Section 8(b). Such notice shall also state the name or names (with address or addresses) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued, and shall be accompanied by transfer or similar taxes, if required pursuant to Section 8(g).

As promptly as practicable after satisfaction of the requirements for conversion set forth above, subject to compliance with any restrictions on transfer if shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in a name other than that of the Holder (as if such transfer were a transfer of the share or shares so converted), the Corporation shall issue and shall deliver to such Holder at the office or agency maintained by the Corporation for such purpose, a certificate

 

36


or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock as determined by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8 and a check or cash in respect of any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock arising upon such conversion, calculated by the Corporation as provided in Section 8(c). In case fewer than the full number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are being converted, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the number of shares evidenced by such surrendered certificate or certificates less the number of shares being converted.

Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any such shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the date (the “ Conversion Date ”) on which the requirements set forth above in this Section 8(b) have been satisfied as to such shares, and the Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby; provided that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall constitute the Person in whose name the certificates are to be issued as the record holder thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date upon which such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be surrendered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, a Holder may submit the certificate representing share(s) of Series B Preferred Stock together with a completed notice of conversion in accordance with the first paragraph of this Section 8(b) indicating that conversion of such share(s) is to be contingent upon, and effective upon, the closing of such Change of Control Transaction. If such Change of Control Transaction is not consummated, or if such Holder shall have delivered to the Transfer Agent a written notice of withdrawal prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the closing date of such Change of Control Transaction, then the conversion of such share(s) shall not be effected and the certificate representing such share(s) shall be returned to such Holder. Such notice of withdrawal must specify (A) the certificate numbers for the shares in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and (C) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, that remain subject to the original notice of conversion by such Holder and that have been delivered for conversion.

Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion during the period from the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date for any Dividend Payment Date to the Close of Business on the Business Day next preceding such Dividend Payment Date shall be accompanied by payment, in immediately available funds or other funds acceptable to the Corporation, of an amount equal to the dividend otherwise payable on such Dividend Payment Date on the shares being converted, unless the Holder surrendering such shares for conversion was also the Holder of record of such shares being converted on such Regular Record Date and no transfer of such shares on the stock register occurred between such Regular Record Date and the Conversion Date. Except as provided above in this Section 8(b), no payment or other adjustment shall be made for dividends accumulated on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted or for dividends on any shares issued upon the conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 8.

Upon the conversion of a share of Series B Preferred Stock, any accumulated but unpaid dividends to the Conversion Date with respect to the converted share shall be deemed to be paid in full to the Holder thereof through delivery of the Common Stock (together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the share of Series B Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to the provisions hereof.

(c) Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip certificates representing fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock. If more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares that shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so surrendered.

 

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If any fractional share of stock would be issuable upon the conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall make an adjustment and payment therefor in cash at the current market price thereof to the Holder of the shares so surrendered. For purposes of this Section 8(c) only, the current market price of a share of Common Stock shall be the Closing Sale Price on the last Trading Day immediately preceding the day on which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are deemed to have been converted.

(d) Conversion Rate . Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying (i) the Conversion Rate then in effect by (ii) the quotient derived by dividing the then existing Liquidation Preference per share by the Stated Value per share. The “ Conversion Rate ” shall initially be determined by dividing the Stated Value per share by the Initial Conversion Price and shall be subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 8.

(e) Adjustment of Conversion Rate . The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Corporation as follows; provided that the Corporation shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock participates (other than in the case of a share split or share combination) at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Series B Preferred Stock, in any of the transactions described in this Section 8(e), without having to convert its shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as if it held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (x) the applicable Conversion Rate multiplied by (y) the quotient derived by dividing the then existing Liquidation Preference per share by the Stated Value per share, multiplied by (z) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder:

(i) In case the Corporation shall hereafter pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, or the Corporation shall effect a share split or share combination of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the Open of Business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date or immediately after the Open of Business on such effective date, as applicable;

OS 0

     =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date or immediately prior to the Open of Business on such effective date, as applicable; and

OS 1

     =       the number of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(e)(i) shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the Open of Business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 8(e)(i) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than (i) as a result of a reverse share split or share combination or (ii) with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

 

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(ii) In case the Corporation shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 60 calendar days after the Record Date for the issuance of such rights and warrants) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Corporation, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such issuance;

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date;

OS 0

     =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date;

X

     =       the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and

Y

     =       the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights or warrants divided by the Current Market Price.

Such adjustment shall be successively made whenever any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for the issuance of such rights or warrants. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Record Date had not been fixed. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the two immediately preceding sentences).

In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Corporation, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Corporation for such rights or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(iii) In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock shares of any class of capital stock of the Corporation or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including cash or securities, but excluding (i) any rights or warrants referred to in Section 8(e)(ii), (ii) any dividend or distribution (x) paid exclusively in cash or (y) referred to in Section 8(e)(i) and (iii) Spin-Offs to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 8(e)(iii) apply) (any of the foregoing hereinafter in this Section 8(e)(iii) called the “Distributed Property” ), then, in each such case (unless the Corporation elects to reserve such Distributed Property for distribution to the Holders upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred

 

39


Stock so that any such Holder converting shares of Series B Preferred Stock will receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled, the amount and kind of such Distributed Property which such Holder would have received if such Holder had converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to the Record Date for such distribution of the Distributed Property) the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such distribution;

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date;

SP 0

     =       the Current Market Price; and

FMV

     =       the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) on such Record Date of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock.

Such increase in the Conversion Rate shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for such distribution; provided that if the then Fair Market Value (as so determined) of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on such Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Distributed Property such Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date for such distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the Fair Market Value of any distribution for purposes of this Section 8(e)(iii) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Current Market Price on the applicable Record Date for such distribution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Distributed Property distributed by the Corporation to all holders of its Common Stock consist of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interest in, a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, where such capital stock or similar equity interest is listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon consummation of such distribution) on a United States national or regional or non-U.S. securities exchange (a “ Spin-Off ”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

 

40


where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period (as defined below);

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period;

FMV 0

     =       the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock (determined for purposes of the definition of “Closing Sale Price” as if such Capital Stock or similar equity interest were Common Stock) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the effective date of the Spin-Off (the “ Valuation Period ”); and

MP 0

     =       the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall be determined as of the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period but will be given effect immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date of the Spin-Off; provided that in respect of any conversion during the Valuation Period, references within this Section 8(e)(iii) to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the effective date of such Spin-Off to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the applicable Conversion Rate; and provided further , that the Corporation may in lieu of the foregoing adjustment make adequate provision so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Distributed Property such Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date with respect to such distribution. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

Rights or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all holders of Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events ( “Trigger Event” ): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 8(e) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8(e) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 8(e)(iii). If any such right or warrant, including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Restated Certificate, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Record Date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8(e) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final redemption to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or

 

41


holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption, and (2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.

No adjustment of the Conversion Rate shall be made pursuant to this Section 8(e)(iii) in respect of rights or warrants distributed or deemed distributed on any Trigger Event to the extent that such rights or warrants are actually distributed or reserved by the Corporation for distribution to Holders upon conversion by such Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock.

For purposes of this Section 8(e)(iii) and Section 8(e)(i) and (ii), any dividend or distribution to which this Section 8(e)(iii) is applicable that also includes shares of Common Stock, or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants (and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 8(e)(iii) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or warrants (and any further Conversion Rate adjustment required by Sections 8(e)(i) and (ii) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made), except any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed “outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date” within the meaning of Section 8(e)(i).

(iv) In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary), then, in such case, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after to Close of Business on such Record Date;

SP 0

     =       the Current Market Price; and

C

     =       the amount in cash per share the Corporation distributes to holders of Common Stock.

The increase in the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided that if the portion of the cash so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on such Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of cash such Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, such Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

(v) In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire and such tender or exchange offer (as amended upon the

 

42


expiration thereof) shall require the payment to stockholders of consideration per share of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) that as of the last time (the “Expiration Time” ) tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) exceeds the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Expiration Time;

CR 1

     =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Expiration Time;

FMV

     =       the Fair Market Value (as determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted up to any such maximum, being referred to as the “Purchased Shares” );

OS 0

     =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time;

OS 1

     =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time; and

SP 1

     =       the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time.

The increase in the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall become effective immediately after the Expiration Time. If the Corporation or any Subsidiary is obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

(vi) For purposes of this Section 8(e), the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

(A) “Current Market Price” shall mean the average of the daily Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending not later than the earlier of such date of determination and the day before the “ex” date with respect to the issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination requiring such computation immediately prior to the date in question. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “ex” date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Sale Price was obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, and (2) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

If another issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination to which Section 8(e) applies occurs during the period applicable for calculating “Current Market Price” pursuant to the definition in

 

43


the preceding paragraph, “Current Market Price” shall be calculated for such period in a manner determined by the Board of Directors to reflect the impact of such issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination on the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during such period.

(B) “Fair Market Value” shall mean the amount which a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

(C) “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).

(vii) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation may make such increases in the Conversion Rate, in addition to those required by this Section 8, as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market or any other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, the Corporation from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of time if the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Corporation, which determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall mail to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at the address of such Holder as it appears in the stock register a notice of such increase, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

(viii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s Subsidiaries;

(C) upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the nature described under Section 8(e)(v);

(D) for a third-party tender offer (other than a tender offer by any Subsidiary of the Corporation as described under Section 8(e)(v));

(E) upon the issuance of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the Issue Date;

(F) solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or

(G) for accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any.

 

44


(ix) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such rate; provided that any adjustments that by reason of this Section 8(e)(ix) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made by the Corporation and shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000) of a share, as the case may be. To the extent the Series B Preferred Stock becomes convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than capital stock of the Corporation), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash, assets, property or such securities. Interest will not accrue on any cash into which the Series B Preferred Stock may be convertible.

(x) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Corporation shall promptly file with the Conversion Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until the Conversion Agent shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Conversion Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Corporation shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall mail such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its last address appearing in the stock register within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.

(xi) In any case in which this Section 8(e) provides that an adjustment shall become effective immediately after (1) a Record Date for an event, (2) the Record Date for a dividend or distribution described in Section 8(e)(i), (3) the Record Date for the issuance of rights or warrants as described in Section 8(e)(ii) or (4) the Expiration Time for any tender or exchange offer pursuant to Section 8(e)(v) (each a “Determination Date” ), the Corporation may elect to defer until the occurrence of the applicable Adjustment Event (as hereinafter defined) (x) issuing to the Holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted after such Determination Date and before the occurrence of such Adjustment Event, the additional shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such Adjustment Event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant to Section 8(c). For purposes of this Section 8(e)(xi), the term “Adjustment Event” shall mean:

(A) in any case referred to in clause (1) hereof, the occurrence of such event,

(B) in any case referred to in clause (2) hereof, the date any such dividend or distribution is paid or made,

(C) in any case referred to in clause (3) hereof, the date of expiration of such rights or warrants, and

(D) in any case referred to in clause (4) hereof, the date a sale or exchange of Common Stock pursuant to such tender or exchange offer is consummated and becomes irrevocable.

(xii) For purposes of this Section 8(e), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Corporation but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Corporation.

(f) Effect of Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or Sale on Conversion Privilege . If any of the following events occur, namely (i) any reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination to which Section 8(e)(e)(i) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Corporation with another Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be

 

45


entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, then each share of Series B Preferred Stock Outstanding immediately prior to such transaction shall, without the consent of the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock, be convertible into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance by a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock (assuming, for such purposes, a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock are available to convert all such Series B Preferred Stock) immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance assuming such holder of Common Stock did not exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance ( provided that, if the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance is not the same for each share of Common Stock in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“non-electing share”), then for the purposes of this Section 8(f) the kind and amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance for each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares).

The Corporation shall cause notice of the application of this Section 8(f) to be mailed to each holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its address appearing in the stock register within 30 days after the occurrence of any of the events specified in the first paragraph of this Section 8(f). Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any conversion right pursuant to this Section 8(f).

The above provisions of this Section 8(f) shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, combinations, sales and conveyances. If this Section 8(f) applies to any event or occurrence, Section 8(e) shall not apply.

(g) Taxes on Shares Issued . The issuance of stock certificates on conversions of Series B Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the converting Holder for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of stock in any name other than that of the Holder of any Series B Preferred Stock converted, and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

(h) Reservation of Shares; Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental Requirements; Listing of Common Stock . The Corporation shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock from time to time as such shares are presented for conversion.

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment increasing the Conversion Rate to an amount that would cause the Conversion Price to be reduced below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take all corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Rate.

 

46


The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock will upon issue be fully paid and non-assessable by the Corporation and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

The Corporation covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Series B Preferred Stock hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares may be validly issued upon conversion, the Corporation will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission (or any successor thereto), endeavor to secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.

The Corporation covenants that, if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Corporation will, if permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system permit the Corporation to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the first conversion of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8, the Corporation covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with the requirements of such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.

(i) Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions . In case:

(i) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 8(e); or

(ii) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to the holders of all or substantially all of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants; or

(iii) of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common Stock of the Corporation (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Corporation is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; or

(iv) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation; the Corporation shall cause to be filed with the Registrar and to be mailed to each holder of Series B Preferred Stock at his address appearing in the stock register, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 10 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution or rights are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

 

47


(j) Stockholder Rights Plans . Each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 8 shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any stockholder rights plan adopted by the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time. If at the time of conversion, however, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights agreement so that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock would not be entitled to receive any rights in respect of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted as if the Corporation distributed to all holders of Common Stock shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or assets (including securities but excluding rights or warrants to purchase Common Stock issued to all holders of Common Stock, Common Stock issued as a dividend or distribution on Common Stock and cash distributions), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of the rights.

(k) Automatic Conversion by the Corporation .

(i) The Corporation may elect to automatically convert up to 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock Outstanding as of the Close of Business on the last day of the Measurement Period defined below (and corresponding accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon) in whole or in part (an “Automatic Conversion” ) at any time or from time to time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date if (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded 150% of the IPO Price (as such price may be appropriately adjusted for any stock combinations or stock splits of or stock dividends on the Common Stock subsequent to the Issue Date) for at least 20 Trading Days in any 30 consecutive Trading Day period (such period, a “ Measurement Period ”), ending within five Trading Days prior to the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice (as defined below) and (ii) the average daily trading volume of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days in such Measurement Period exceeds 200,000 shares or $2,500,000.

(ii) In addition to the Corporation’s right under Section 8(k)(i) above, the Corporation may elect to automatically convert up to all of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (and corresponding accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon) in whole or in part at any time or from time to time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date if (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded 160% of the IPO Price (as such price may be appropriately adjusted for any stock combinations or stock splits of or stock dividends on the Common Stock subsequent to the Issue Date) for at least 20 Trading Days in a Measurement Period ending within five Trading Days prior to the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice and (ii) the average daily trading volume of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days in such Measurement Period exceeds 200,000 shares or $2,500,000.

(iii) If the Corporation desires to exercise its rights of Automatic Conversion, the Corporation or, at the written request and expense of the Corporation, the Registrar, shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder subject to such Automatic Conversion notice (the “Automatic Conversion Notice” ) of an Automatic Conversion not more than 30 calendar days but not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date on which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be automatically converted (the “Automatic Conversion Date” ). If the Corporation gives such notice, it shall also deliver a copy of such Automatic Conversion Notice to the Registrar. If such notice is to be given by the Registrar, the Corporation shall prepare and provide the form and content of such Automatic Conversion Notice to the Registrar. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock designated for Automatic Conversion as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the Automatic Conversion of any other shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

(iv) Each Automatic Conversion Notice shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to be automatically converted, the

 

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CUSIP number or numbers of the Series B Preferred Stock being automatically converted, the Automatic Conversion Date, that on and after said date dividends thereon or on the portion thereof to be automatically converted will cease to accumulate, the place or places where such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for conversion, and the Conversion Rate then in effect.

(v) If fewer than all the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be automatically converted on any given Automatic Conversion Date, the Automatic Conversion Notice shall identify the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be automatically converted (including the certificate number, the total number of shares represented thereby and the number of such shares being automatically converted on the Automatic Conversion Date) and shall state that, in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are to be automatically converted, is surrendered for conversion, a new certificate representing the unconverted portion of such shares will be issued.

(vi) If the Corporation opts to automatically convert less than all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock on any given Automatic Conversion Date, the Registrar shall select or cause to be selected the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be automatically converted on a pro rata basis. If any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock selected for partial Automatic Conversion is submitted for voluntary conversion in part after such selection and before mailing of the Automatic Conversion Notice, the portion of such certificate submitted for voluntary conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion to be selected for Automatic Conversion. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock so selected shall be deemed duly selected for Automatic Conversion for all purposes hereof, notwithstanding that any such shares are submitted for voluntary conversion in part before the mailing of the Automatic Conversion Notice.

(vii) In the event of an Automatic Conversion, the Corporation shall issue and deliver a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to such Automatic Conversion along with any cash in respect of any fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon conversion.

(viii) All shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to an Automatic Conversion shall be delivered to the Conversion Agent. In case fewer than the full number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are being converted, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the number of shares evidenced by such surrendered certificate or certificates less the number of shares being converted.

(ix) Upon conversion, dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for Automatic Conversion shall cease to accumulate, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such shares except the right to receive the shares of Common Stock and cash, if any, to which they are entitled pursuant to this Section 8(k).

(x) If any of the provisions of this Section 8(k) are inconsistent with applicable law at the time of such Automatic Conversion, such law shall govern.

9. Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc. The Corporation shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation), nor shall the Corporation or its successor or successors be a party or parties to successive consolidations or mergers, nor shall the Corporation sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation) (a) unless in each case (i) any then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain Outstanding (other than shares redeemed, repurchased or converted in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 or Section 8, as the case may be) or, in the case of any merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent and the entity issuing those preference securities is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof

 

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or the District of Columbia and is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) such shares remaining Outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, that are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions of the Series B Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, taken as a whole, or (b) except as may be provided in a definitive agreement relating to such a transaction that has been approved by the stockholders of the Corporation (including the holders of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock). For purposes of this Section 9, the term “all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation” shall be interpreted in the same manner as such term is interpreted with respect to indentures for debt securities that are governed by the law of the State of New York.

10. Certificates .

(a) Form and Dating . The Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Restated Certificate. The Series B Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules, agreements to which the Corporation is subject, if any, or usage; provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Corporation. Each Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(i) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of physical certificates in fully registered certificated form (“ Certificated Series B Preferred Stock ”).

(ii) Global Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock may be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “ Global Series B Preferred Stock ”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the Holders represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for the Depositary (or with such other custodian as the Depositary may direct), and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Corporation and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

(iii) Book-Entry Provisions . In the event Global Series B Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Series B Preferred Stock certificates that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary as Depositary for such Global Series B Preferred Stock or the nominee of the Depositary and (b) shall be delivered by the Transfer Agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for the Depositary.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Section F with respect to any Global Series B Preferred Stock held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of the Depositary or under such Global Series B Preferred Stock, and the Depositary may be treated by the Corporation, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Corporation or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Series B Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Corporation, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Corporation or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Series B Preferred Stock.

 

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(b) Execution and Authentication . Two Officers shall sign the Series B Preferred Stock certificate for the Corporation by manual or facsimile signature, in accordance with the Corporation’s Bylaws and applicable law.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Series B Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Series B Preferred Stock certificate, the Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

A Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent signs the Series B Preferred Stock certificate by manual signature. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Series B Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Section F.

The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates of Series B Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of the Series B Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to authenticate the certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Section F to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

(c) Transfer and Exchange .

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . When Certificated Series B Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock . Certificated Series B Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct the Depositary to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Series B Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Corporation shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, a new Global Series B Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock . The transfer and exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Section F (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.

 

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(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) Any Person having a beneficial interest in Series B Preferred Stock may upon request, but only with the consent of the Corporation, exchange such beneficial interest for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock representing the same number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock, then, the Transfer Agent or the Depositary, at the direction of the Transfer Agent, shall cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock to be reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the transferee Certificated Series B Preferred Stock.

(B) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 9(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Series B Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.

(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section F (other than the provisions set forth in Section 9(c)(vi)), Global Series B Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(vi) Authentication of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . If at any time:

(A) the Depositary notifies the Corporation that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock and a successor Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days after delivery of such notice;

(B) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days; or

(C) the Corporation, in its sole discretion, notifies the Transfer Agent in writing that it elects to discontinue the use of book-entry transfer through the Depositary (or any successor Depositary), then the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Corporation, shall authenticate and deliver Certificated Series B Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Series B Preferred Stock.

(vii) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Series B Preferred Stock . At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or cancelled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be returned to the Depositary for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by such Global Series B

 

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Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or the Depositary, to reflect such reduction.

(viii) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9(c).

(B) All Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be the valid obligations of the Corporation, entitled to the same benefits under this Section F as the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(C) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Corporation may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Series B Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Corporation shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(D) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Series B Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Corporation may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Series B Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

(E) None of the Corporation, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Series B Preferred Stock for a period of 15 days next preceding any selection of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, (ii) any Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption pursuant to Section 7, (iii) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for purchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Section 7, (iv) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for redemption at the option of the Holder thereof (and not withdrawn) pursuant to Section 7, or (v) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion pursuant to Section 8.

(ix) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent .

(A) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Series B Preferred Stock, any Agent Member or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary, if any, or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Series B Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary, if any) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Series B Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of the Global Series B Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its Agent Members and any beneficial owners.

(B) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Section F or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Series B Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among

 

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Agent Members or beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Section F, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(d) Replacement Certificates .

(i) If any of the Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall become mutilated or be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Transfer Agent or an authenticating agent appointed by the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Series B Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent amount of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Series B Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Series B Preferred Stock certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Series B Preferred Stock certificate and of the ownership thereof.

(ii) The Transfer Agent or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, may authenticate any such substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Transfer Agent, the Corporation and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. Upon the issuance of any substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate, the Corporation or the Transfer Agent may require the payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Series B Preferred Stock certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock that have been called for redemption or surrendered for purchase or are to be converted into Common Stock shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Series B Preferred Stock certificate, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Series B Preferred Stock certificate), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Corporation, the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Series B Preferred Stock certificate and of the ownership thereof.

(e) Temporary Certificates . Until definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Corporation may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall, upon written request of the Corporation, authenticate and deliver temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates, all as may be determined by the Corporation. Every such temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be executed by the Corporation and authenticated by the Transfer Agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Corporation shall execute and deliver to the Transfer Agent definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates and thereupon any or all temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the office of the Transfer Agent, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates representing an equal number of shares. Such exchange shall be made by the Corporation at its

 

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own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Section F as definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates authenticated and delivered hereunder.

(f) Cancellation . All Certificated Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, purchase, conversion, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Corporation, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or the Conversion Agent, be surrendered to the Transfer Agent and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Transfer Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Certificated Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Section F. The Transfer Agent shall dispose of such canceled certificates in accordance with its customary procedures. In the event the Corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(i) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(ii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Series B Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Corporation unless the Corporation directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the Corporation. The Corporation may not issue new Series B Preferred Stock certificates to replace Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Series B Preferred Stock that the Corporation has purchased or otherwise acquired.

11. Registrar and Transfer Agent . The duly appointed Transfer Agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”) and Registrar (the “ Registrar ”) for the Series B Preferred Stock shall be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the Transfer Agent and Registrar; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent and registrar who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.

12. Paying Agent and Conversion Agent . The Corporation shall maintain in the United States (i) an office or agency in the United States where the Series B Preferred Stock may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and (ii) an office or agency where the Series B Preferred Stock may be presented for conversion (the “ Conversion Agent ”). The Transfer Agent shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent, unless another Paying Agent or Conversion Agent is appointed by the Corporation. The Corporation may appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent. The Corporation may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Corporation shall notify the Registrar of the name and address of any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent appointed by the Corporation. If the Corporation fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Registrar shall act as such. The Corporation or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent.

13. No Preemptive Rights . No share of Series B Preferred Stock shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.

14. Currency . All payments and distributions on or with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock shall be made in U.S. currency. All references herein to “$”or “dollars” refer to U.S. currency.

 

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15. Reacquired Shares . Shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are duly converted in accordance with Section 8 or that are repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall, upon the effectiveness of such conversion, repurchase or reacquisition, resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series and available for future issuance; provided that any such canceled shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be reissued only as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation may from time to time take such appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

16. Notices . With respect to any notice to a Holder of Series B Preferred Stock required to be provided this Section F, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other Holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice that was mailed in the manner provided in this Section F shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notice periods referred to in this Section F shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice. Notice to any Holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be given to the registered address set forth in the Corporation’s stock register, or for Global Series B Preferred Stock, to the Depositary in accordance with its procedures.

17. Legal Holidays . Any payments required to be made under this Section F on any day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without interest or additional payment for such delay. Any actions required to be made this Section F on any day that is not a Business Day shall be taken on the next succeeding Business Day.

18. Calculations . Except as otherwise provided in this Section F, the Corporation shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under this Section F. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Closing Sale Price and Daily VWAP of the Common Stock, accumulated dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Stock, the Aggregate Net Proceeds, the Available Net Proceeds, the amount of the Make-Whole Payment, and the Conversion Rate of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, such calculations will be final and binding on the Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall provide a schedule of its calculations to the Transfer Agent, and the Transfer Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Transfer Agent will forward such calculations to any Holder upon the written request of such Holder.

19. Headings . The headings of the Sections of this Section F are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

ARTICLE V

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the power, subject to the rights of any holders of Preferred Stock that may be in existence at such time, both before and after receipt of any payment for any of the Corporation’s capital stock, to adopt, amend, repeal or otherwise alter the Bylaws of the Corporation without any action on the part of the stockholders; provided, however, that the grant of such power to the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall not divest the stockholders of nor limit their power, to adopt, amend, repeal or otherwise alter the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

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ARTICLE VII

The Corporation reserves the right to adopt, repeal, rescind or amend in any respect any provisions contained in this Restated Certificate in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by applicable law, and all rights conferred on stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

ARTICLE VIII

A. A director of the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or as it may hereafter be amended, not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

B. The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.

C. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII nor the adoption of any provision of this Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VIII in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article VIII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision. If the DGCL hereafter is amended to further eliminate or limit the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Any repeal or modification of this paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

*    *    *

FIFTH: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

SIXTH: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Written consent of the stockholders has been given with respect to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and written notice of the amendments reflected herein has been given to all stockholders who did not consent in writing to such amendments, as provided in Section 228.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this      day of                 , 201    .

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

By

 

 

  Jeffrey Stroburg, Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

 

By

 

 

  [            ], Secretary

 

57


EXHIBIT A

[Form of Face of Series B Preferred Stock Certificate]

[ Global Securities Legend ] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “DEPOSITARY” , WHICH TERM INCLUDES ANY SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY), TO THE CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREIN IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS REFERRED TO BELOW.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.]

 

58


Number: [    ]

[            ] Shares

CUSIP No:

Series B Preferred Stock

(par value $.0001 per share)

(liquidation preference as specified below)

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that [            ] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of fully paid and non-assessable shares of preferred stock of the Corporation designated the “Series B Preferred Stock,” par value $.0001 per share and initial liquidation preference $25.00 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Restated Certificate”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the respective meanings given them in the Restated Certificate. The Corporation will provide a copy of the Restated Certificate to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal place of business.

Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof, and to the Restated Certificate, which select provisions and the Restated Certificate shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Restated Certificate and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Restated Certificate or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

59


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. has executed this certificate as of the date set forth below.

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

Title:

By:

 

 

Name:

Title:

Dated:

 

 

TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock referred to in the within mentioned Restated Certificate.

 

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services,

as Transfer Agent

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

  Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

 

 

60


[Form of Reverse of Series B Preferred Stock Certificate]

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

Series B Preferred Stock

Dividends on each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be payable at a rate of 4.50% per annum as provided in the Restated Certificate or such greater amount as provided in the Restated Certificate.

The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemable as provided in the Restated Certificate. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Corporation’s Common Stock in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Restated Certificate.

As required under Delaware law, the Corporation shall furnish to any Holder upon request and without charge, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of the Corporation’s stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

61


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

 

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or taxpayer identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

 

 

 

 

and irrevocably appoints:

 

 

agent to transfer the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent and Registrar. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

Date:           
Signature(s):        
(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)   
    
Signature Guarantee:        

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

62


CONVERSION NOTICE

To convert all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate into shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation in accordance with the conditions of the Restated Certificate, check the box ¨

To convert only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate, state the number of shares to be converted:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of dividends accompanies this Certificate.

If you want the stock certificate for shares of Common Stock made out in another Person’s name fill in the form below, and you agree to pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto:

 

 

(Insert the other Person’s social security or taxpayer identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of the other Person)

 

 

 

 

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Signature(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

The Corporation is not required to issue shares of Common Stock until the original Sereis B Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received by the Corporation or its Transfer Agent. The Corporation shall issue and deliver shares of Common Stock as promptly as practicable following receipt of the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) to be converted.

 

63


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate purchased by the Corporation in an Offer pursuant to the Restated Certificate, check the box: ¨

If you want to elect to have only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate purchased by the Corporation in an Offer pursuant to the Restated Certificate, state the number of shares you elect to have purchased:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Signature(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

(Social security or taxpayer identification number)

Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

64


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT REDEMPTION

If you want to elect to have all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate redeemed by the Corporation on June 30, 2015 pursuant to the Restated Certificate, check the box: ¨

If you want to elect to have only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate redeemed by the Corporation on June 30, 2015 pursuant to the Restated Certificate, state the number of shares you elect to have redeemed:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Signature(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

(Social security or taxpayer identification number)

 

65


SCHEDULE I 1

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES FOR GLOBAL SECURITY

The initial number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Global Series B Preferred Stock Certificate shall be                     . The following exchanges of a part of the Global Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate have been made:

 

Date of Exchange  

Amount of decrease

in number of shares
represented by this global
Certificate

 

Amount of increase

in number of shares represented
by this

global Certificate

 

Number of shares represented
by this

global Certificate following
such

decrease or increase

 

Signature of

authorized officer of Transfer
Agent and Registrar

         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 

 

1   To be included only for Global Series B Preferred Stock

 

66

Exhibit 3.1(c)

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), hereby certifies as follows:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 29, 2009.

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as heretofore amended is hereby amended and restated pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall be amended and restated to read in full as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

A. Classes of Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of classes of capital stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is four hundred fifty million (450,000,000), consisting of one hundred forty million (140,000,000) shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”), three hundred million (300,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and ten million (10,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”). The number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock voting together as a single class, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such Preferred Stock holders is required by the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (including any applicable certificate of designations), and if such holders of such Preferred Stock are so entitled to vote thereon, then, except as may otherwise be set forth in the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (including any applicable certificate of designations), the only stockholder approval required shall be the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the Class A Common Stock, Common Stock and the Preferred Stock so entitled to vote, voting together as a single class.

 

1


B. Class A Common Stock and Common Stock . The shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Common Stock shall be identical in all respects and shall have equal rights and privileges, except as set forth in this Section B. Upon dissolution of the Corporation, holders of Class A Common Stock and holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in the assets thereof that may be available for distribution after satisfaction of creditors and any class or series of stock having a preference on dissolution over the Class A Common Stock and Common Stock. In connection with any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other entity, shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any other consideration paid or otherwise distributed to stockholders of the Corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

1. Dividends . Shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividend or distribution paid or distributed by the Corporation, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class; provided, however , that in the event a dividend or distribution is paid or distributed in the form of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock (or Rights (as defined in Section D below) to acquire such stock), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be), and holders of Common Stock shall receive Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be).

2. Stock Combinations and Subdivisions . If the Corporation in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, then outstanding shares of the other class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

3. Voting . Except as may otherwise be required by law or the certificate of incorporation, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock shall, in all matters that may be submitted to a vote or consent of the stockholders, vote together as a single class. Each holder of Class A Common Stock and each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation.

4. Conversion .

(a) Each share of Class A Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one share of Common Stock at the Final Conversion Date (as defined in Section D below). Any stock certificate that immediately prior to the Final Conversion Date represented shares of Class A Common Stock shall from and after the Final Conversion Date represent shares of Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof.

(b) The Corporation shall, at all times, reserve and keep available out of the authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect conversion of all outstanding Class A Common Stock and if, at any time, the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect conversion of the then outstanding Class A Common Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock to such number as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

 

2


5. No Reissuance of Class A Common Stock; Rights of Common Stock After the Final Conversion Date .

(a) Following the automatic conversion of all shares of Class A Common Stock into Common Stock pursuant to subparagraph 4(a) above, the reissuance of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be prohibited and such shares shall be retired and cancelled in accordance with Section 243 of the DGCL and the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware required thereby and upon such retirement and cancellation, all references to the Class A Common Stock in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “ Restated Certificate ”) shall be eliminated.

(b) From and after the automatic conversion of all shares of Class A Common Stock into Common Stock pursuant to subparagraph 4(a) above, except as otherwise required by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held by such holder of record on the books of the Corporation for the election of directors and on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation and shall otherwise have the rights conferred by applicable law in respect of such shares.

C. Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, as determined by the Board of Directors. The first series of Preferred Stock shall consist of three million (3,000,000) shares and is designated “Series B Preferred Stock.” The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issue, in one or more series, of all or any of the remaining shares of Preferred Stock and, in the resolution or resolutions providing for such issue, to establish for each such series the number of its shares, the voting powers, full or limited, of the shares of such series, or that such shares shall have no voting powers, and the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized (unless forbidden in the resolution or resolutions providing for such issue) to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series. In case the number of shares of any such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

D. Definitions . The following terms, where capitalized in Section B of Article IV of this Restated Certificate, shall have the meanings ascribed to them below.

“Designated Public Offering” means the first sale by the Corporation of Common Stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act of 1933.

“Final Conversion Date” means 5:00 p.m. in New York City, New York on the expiration date of the underwriters’ lock-up period (including any extension of such lock-up period in accordance with the terms thereof) in connection with the Designated Public Offering as provided for in the underwriting agreement among the Corporation, any selling stockholders named therein and the underwriters with respect to the Designated Public Offering.

“Rights” means any option, warrant, conversion right or contractual right of any kind to acquire shares of the Corporation’s Class A Common Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be.

E. Rights, Preferences, Powers, Restrictions and Limitations of the Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock shall have such voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as follows:

1. Certain Definitions . As used in this Section E, the following terms shall have the meanings defined in this Section E.1. Except as the context otherwise requires, all references within this Section E to Section numbers shall be to Sections within this Section E.

 

3


“Adjustment Event” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(xi).

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “ control ”, when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “ controlling ” and “ controlled ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(iii).

“Aggregate Net Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“As Converted Dividend Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 3(d).

“As Converted Liquidation Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 5(d).

“Automatic Conversion” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(i).

“Automatic Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(iii).

“Automatic Conversion Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(iii).

“Available Net Proceeds” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee thereof.

“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) in equity of such Person, including, without limitation, all Common Stock, but excluding debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Cash Financing Offer” has the meaning specified in Section 7(f).

“Certificated Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(i).

“Change of Control Transaction” means, with respect to the Corporation, the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other entity, pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of a Person other than the Corporation, other securities, other property or assets; provided , however, that such a consolidation or merger pursuant to which holders of the Corporation’s Capital Stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors immediately prior to such transaction have the right to exercise, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total voting power of all classes of the Capital Stock of the continuing or surviving Person (or any parent thereof) entitled to vote generally in elections of directors of the continuing or surviving Person (or any parent thereof) immediately after giving effect to such transaction shall not be a Change of Control Transaction.

“Class A Common Stock” means, subject to the provisions of Section 8(f), shares of the class designated as Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Restated Certificate or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and that have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and that are not subject to redemption by the Corporation.

 

4


Close of Business ” means 5:00 p.m. New York City time.

Closing Sale Price ” of the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities on any date means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) on such date as reported in composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock or other equity securities are traded or, if the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities are not listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or similar organization. In the absence of such quotations, the Corporation shall be entitled to determine the Closing Sale Price on the basis it considers appropriate. The Closing Sale Price shall be determined without reference to extended or after hours trading.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the date of this Restated Certificate such Commission is not existing, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Common Stock ” means any stock of any class of the Corporation that has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and that is not subject to redemption by the Corporation; provided , however, that references to Common Stock in this Section E shall be deemed to exclude any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Section 8(f), however, shares issuable on conversion of Series B Preferred Stock shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock pursuant to this Restated Certificate or shares of any class or classes resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and that have no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and that are not subject to redemption by the Corporation; provided that if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of each such class then issuable on conversion of Series B Preferred Stock shall be substantially in the proportion that the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.

“Conversion Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 12.

“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(b).

Conversion Price ” as of any date shall equal $25.00 divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.

Conversion Rate ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(d).

“Corporation” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Restated Certificate, and shall include any successor to such Corporation.

Current Market Price ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Daily VWAP” of the Common Stock, in respect of any Trading Day, means the per-share volume-weighted average price on the principal United States securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are then traded, as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on the Bloomberg page (or its equivalent successor) relating to such Common Stock in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day as determined by the Board of Directors in a commercially reasonable manner, using a volume-weighted average price method) and will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside the regular trading session.

 

5


Deferred Dividend Payment Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

Depositary ” means, the clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as the Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock, if any. The Depository Trust Company shall be the initial Depositary, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Restated Certificate, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

Determination Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(xi).

Distributed Property ” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as in effect from time to time.

Dividend Daily Price Fraction ” has the meaning specified in Section 4(a).

“Dividend Payment Date” means June 30 and December 30 of each year, beginning on the earliest June 30 or December 30, as the case may be, occurring immediately after the Issue Date.

Dividend Period ” means the period beginning on, and including, a Dividend Payment Date and ending on, and excluding, the next immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, with the exception that the first Dividend Period shall commence on, and include, the Issue Date and end on, and exclude, the next immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date.

Equity Offering” means the sale of Capital Stock by the Corporation where at least 90% of the consideration received by the Corporation for such Capital Stock is cash (other than Capital Stock sold pursuant to an employee stock option, stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, Capital Stock sold pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants or other rights issued or granted pursuant to an employee stock option, stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, Capital Stock sold pursuant to the exercise of warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock existing on the Issue Date, and Capital Stock sold to a Subsidiary of the Corporation) and, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include (x) any sale of Common Stock pursuant to the IPO Underwriting Agreement, (y) any sale of debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or (z) any issuance of Capital Stock in connection with any acquisition of a business or entity (even though cash may be among the assets of such acquired business or entity).

“Equity Offering Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Corporation in respect of any Equity Offering, net of the direct costs relating to such Equity Offering, including, without limitation, legal, accounting, investment banking and other advisor fees, disbursements and expenses, placement or sales agent fees and commissions, sales commissions, initial purchaser or underwriting discounts and commissions, filing fees and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing filing, delivering and shipping of any documents relating to the Equity Offering, all expenses in connection with the registration or qualification of the securities sold in the Equity Offering under applicable securities laws, fees and expenses in connection with listing any securities sold in the Equity Offering on a securities exchange, fees and expenses in connection with the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates representing the securities sold in the Equity Offering, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of such securities, the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar for the securities sold in the Equity Offering, the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers in the Equity Offering or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Equity Offering, and any other expenses required to be paid by the Corporation pursuant to any underwriting, purchase, placement or sales agency, securities purchase or similar agreement relating to the sale of securities in an Equity Offering.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

 

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“Expiration Time” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(v).

“Fair Market Value” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Global Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 10(a)(i).

“Holder Redemption Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 7(i)(iii).

“Holders” means the Persons in whose names the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered on the stock register for the Series B Preferred Stock, which may be treated by the Corporation, Transfer Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent as the absolute owners of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling any conversion and for all other purposes.

“Initial Conversion Price” means 125% of the IPO Price.

“Initial Optional Redemption Date” has the meaning specified in Section 7.

“IPO” means the initial public offering of the Common Stock pursuant to a firm commitment underwriting and in connection with which the Common Stock becomes listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange.

“IPO Price” means the public offering price (price to public) in the IPO, as set forth on the cover page of the final prospectus relating to the IPO.

“IPO Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement among the Corporation, any selling stockholders and the underwriters for the IPO, pursuant to which the Corporation sells Common Stock in the IPO.

Issue Date” means the date of original issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock.

“Junior Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(a).

“Liquidation Participation Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 5(d),

“Liquidation Preference” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a).

“Lock-Up Expiration Date” means the expiration date of the underwriters’ lock-up period in connection with the IPO (during which lock-up period the Corporation has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock and which lock-up period may be extended, upon request of the Corporation or the underwriters, to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation), as provided for in the IPO Underwriting Agreement.

“Make-Whole Payment” has the meaning specified in Section 7(b)(i)

“Measurement Period” has the meaning specified in Section 8(k)(i).

“Offer” means any Cash Financing Offer.

“Offer Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(i).

“Offer Period” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(iii).

 

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“Offer Price ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the Purchase Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(g)(iv).

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Controller, any Assistant Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.

Open of Business ” means 9:00 a.m. New York City time.

“Optional Deferral” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

“Optional Deferral Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

“Optionally Deferred Dividend” has the meaning specified in Section 3(i).

Outstanding ”, when used with reference to the Series B Preferred Stock, means, as of any date of determination, all shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date, except shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted into Common Stock (or for which payment has been given in lieu of fractional shares) pursuant to Section 8 and shares of Series B Preferred Stock deemed not Outstanding pursuant to Section 7; provided , however, that with respect to any Series B Preferred Stock that is to be redeemed, if a notice of redemption has been duly given pursuant to Section 7 and the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with Section 7, money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price for the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, then immediately after the Redemption Date set for such redemption, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall cease to be Outstanding; provided further that, in determining whether the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action hereunder, Series B Preferred Stock owned by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Registrar shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or other action, only Series B Preferred Stock that the Registrar has actual knowledge of being so owned shall be deemed not to be Outstanding.

“Parity Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(b).

“Paying Agent ” has the meaning specified in Section 12.

“Person” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

“Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section A of Article IV of this Restated Certificate.

“Pro Rata Percentage” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(i).

“Purchase Date” has the meaning specified in Section 7(g)(iii).

“Purchased Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(v).

“Record Date” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(vi).

“Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Dividend Payment Date, shall mean the December 15 and June 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable December 30 or June 30 Dividend Payment Date, respectively.

 

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“Redemption Date ” means (a) in the case of a redemption pursuant to Sections 7(a), 7(b), 7(h) and 7(j), the date fixed for redemption, and (b) in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i), June 30, 2015.

“Redemption Price ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus an amount equal to all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(e).

“Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 9.

“Restated Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section B of this Article IV, as the same may be amended, modified or restated from time to time.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

“Senior Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 2(c).

“Spin-Off” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“Stated Value ” means, with respect to one share of Series B Preferred Stock, $25.00.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interest entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or managing general partner of which is such Person or a subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

“Trading Day” means (x) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which The NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange is open for business or (y) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

“Transfer Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 9.

“Trigger Event” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

“Valuation Period” has the meaning specified in Section 8(e)(iii).

2. Rank . The Series B Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, rank:

(a) senior to the Common Stock, the Class A Common Stock and any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks junior to the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Junior Stock ”);

 

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(b) on a parity with any class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Parity Stock ”); and

(c) junior to each class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks junior to or on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “ Senior Stock ”).

3. Dividends .

(a) The Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if, declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends, cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 4.50% of the Stated Value per share. Such dividends shall be payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, in preference to and in priority over dividends on any Junior Stock but subject to the rights of any holders of Senior Stock or Parity Stock.

(b) Dividends shall be cumulative from the Issue Date or the last Dividend Payment Date for which all then-accumulated dividends were paid, whichever is later, whether or not funds of the Corporation are legally available for the payment of such dividends and whether or not declared by the Board of Directors. The amount of dividends payable for each full Dividend Period for the Series B Preferred Stock shall be computed by dividing the annual dividend rate by two. The amount of dividends payable for the initial Dividend Period, or any other period shorter or longer than a full Dividend Period, on the Series B Preferred Stock shall be appropriately prorated and computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Each such dividend shall be payable on a Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock register at the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date with respect to such Dividend Payment Date. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not bear interest, and Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of cumulative dividends, as herein provided, on the Series B Preferred Stock, except as set forth in Section 3(d) below.

(c) Accumulated and unpaid dividends for any past Dividend Periods may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to Holders of record on a special record date, which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than 10 calendar days preceding the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Notice of the proposed payment of such dividends and such special record date shall be mailed by first class mail to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its last address appearing in the stock register.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the product of (i) the dividends declared in respect of one share of the Common Stock during any full Dividend Period and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would then be convertible (the “ As-Converted Dividend Amount ”) exceeds the amount of dividends payable in respect of one share of Series B Preferred Stock for such Dividend Period in accordance with Section 3(b) above, then the amount of dividends payable in respect of one share of Series B Preferred Stock for such Dividend Period shall instead be the As-Converted Dividend Amount.

(e) Accumulated dividends payable upon redemption or upon purchase pursuant to Section 7 will be payable to the Person to whom the Redemption Price or Purchase Price is payable pursuant to such redemption or purchase (unless the Redemption Date or Purchase Date falls after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, in which case the semi-annual dividend payment payable on such Dividend Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of record of the Series B Preferred Stock at the Close of Business on the such Regular Record Date).

 

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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any share of Series B Preferred Stock is surrendered for conversion into Common Stock during the period from the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date for any Dividend Payment Date to the Close of Business on the Business Day next preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the Holder of such share at the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date shall receive the dividend payable on such share on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Such share, upon surrender for conversion, shall be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of dividend payable on such share so converted, except as provided in Section 8(b).

(g) Subject to the Corporation’s election made pursuant to Section 4(a), the Corporation shall pay dividends on any shares by check mailed to Holders of Series B Preferred Stock at the addresses of such Holders as they appear in the stock register (or, upon written notice, by wire transfer in immediately available funds, if such a Holder is the registered Holder of in excess of 80,000 shares in the aggregate).

(h) Subject to Section 6(b), no dividend shall be declared or paid, or funds set apart for the payment of any dividend or other distribution upon any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of Common Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock), nor shall any shares of Junior Stock or Parity Stock be repurchased for value (other than Capital Stock) (other than (i) the repurchase of any Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employment agreement that has been approved by the Board of Directors or any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement or any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or payments to purchase Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries upon the death, disability of such employee, (ii) any repurchase of Capital Stock of the Corporation deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other equity based awards to the extent such Capital Stock represents a portion of any exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other equity based awards and any repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of Capital Stock granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the estimated taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award or exercise, settlement or vesting thereof, (iii) the purchase, redemption, cancellation or other retirement for a nominal value per right of any rights granted to holders of Common Stock pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, (iv) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders required by applicable law, or payments of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets of the Corporation, or (v) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise, conversion or exchange of any warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Corporation), unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends, through the most recent Dividend Payment Date (whether or not there are funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends) on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock have been paid in full or set apart for payment; provided , however, that, notwithstanding any provisions of this Section 3(h) to the contrary, the Corporation may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire for consideration Series B Preferred Stock and Parity Stock pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of such Series B Preferred Stock and Parity Stock.

When dividends are not paid in full, as aforesaid, upon the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, all dividends declared on the Series B Preferred Stock and any other Parity Stock shall be paid either (A) pro rata so that the amount of dividends so declared on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each such other class or series of Parity Stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio as accumulated dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and such class or series of Parity Stock bear to each other or (B) on another basis that is at least as favorable to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock entitled to receive such dividends.

(i) The Corporation shall have the right, at its option, to defer a dividend payment (such deferral of payment, an “ Optional Deferral ”) for any Dividend Period until the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date (such Dividend Period, the “ Optional Deferral Period ” and such next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, the

 

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Deferred Dividend Payment Date ”), notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein. During an Optional Deferral Period, dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock shall not be currently payable (“ Optionally Deferred Dividend ”), but shall continue to accumulate (and, for avoidance of doubt, no interest shall be payable on an Optionally Deferred Dividend). On the Deferred Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall pay all Optionally Deferred Dividend amounts to the Holders in whose name the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered in the stock register at the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Deferred Dividend Payment Date. The Corporation may not defer the payment of dividends pursuant to this Section 3(i) for more than two Optional Deferral Periods, and such Optional Deferral Periods may not be consecutive Dividend Periods.

The Corporation shall give written notice to the Paying Agent and the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock that it has elected an Optional Deferral and of the Deferred Dividend Payment Date at least five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Paying Agent is required to give notice to any securities exchange or to Holders of Series B Preferred Stock of the Regular Record Date or the corresponding Dividend Payment Date or (ii) the Regular Record Date corresponding to the Dividend Payment Date on which the Optional Deferral Period will begin. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3 to the contrary, the Corporation shall only be required to pay dividends in cash on the Series B Preferred Stock if funds are legally available therefor.

4. Method of Payment of Dividends .

(a) The Corporation may pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock (whether or not for a current Dividend Period or any prior Dividend Period) in cash or by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be and as provided in the next succeeding sentence) or through any combination of cash and shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be), at the Corporation’s option. If the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment with respect to a Dividend Payment Date occurring between the Issue Date and the Close of Business on the Lock-Up Expiration Date by delivering shares, the Corporation shall make such payment by delivering shares of Class A Common Stock, and if the Corporation makes such an election with respect to a Dividend Payment Date occurring on and after the Close of Business on the Lock-Up Expiration Date, the Corporation shall make such payment by delivering shares of Common Stock. If the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be), then the number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) a Holder of Series B Preferred Stock will receive will be that number of shares equal to (x) the amount of the portion of the dividend payment to be paid to such Holder in shares, divided by (y) the greater of (1) the price per share of the Common Stock determined during the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Regular Record Date for such dividend payment using the sum of the Dividend Daily Price Fractions for such 10 consecutive Trading Days (where “ Dividend Daily Price Fraction ” means, for each such Trading Day, 10% multiplied by the Daily VWAP per share of the Common Stock for such day) and (2) the par value per share of the Common Stock; provided, that in the event the Common Stock has traded for fewer than 10 consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding such Regular Record Date, in determining such price per share in clause (y), references in such clause (y) to consecutive 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days that the Common Stock shall have been traded and references to 10% in the definition of Dividend Daily Price Fraction shall be deemed replaced by the percentage determined by dividing 1 by such lesser number of consecutive Trading Days and multiplying such result by 100; all calculations of price in this Section 4(a) shall be rounded to the nearest two decimal places.

(b) The Corporation shall not deliver fractional shares if the Corporation elects to deliver shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) for any dividend payment. Instead, the Corporation shall either (i) deliver a number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be) or (ii) to the extent permitted by the DGCL, pay cash in lieu of fractional shares based on the per-share value determined pursuant to clause (y) in Section 4(a) above.

 

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(c) The Corporation will notify Holders of Series B Preferred Stock at least five Business Days prior to the start of the averaging period referred to in Section 4(a) above of the extent to which the Corporation will pay any portion of such dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock (or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be). The Corporation may not change the form or components or percentages of consideration to be paid in respect of such payment once the Corporation has given Holders of Series B Preferred Stock notice thereof, except as described in the preceding sentence.

(d) In order to satisfy any obligation to withhold taxes arising from any payment of a dividend or deemed dividend with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock, by purchasing and/or acquiring Series B Preferred Stock, each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock is deemed to authorize the Corporation and the Paying Agent to make any deductions required by law or, in the event the Corporation elects to pay some or all of any dividend payment by delivering shares of Common Stock, to withhold shares that may be sold for withholding taxes required by law, and to pay to any taxing authority any amount necessary to satisfy such obligations.

5. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up .

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be paid or distributed to the creditors of the Corporation and the holders of any Senior Stock, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share of Series B Preferred Stock equal to the sum of the Stated Value thereof plus all dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but excluding, the date of payment (such sum, the “ Liquidation Preference ”).

(b) Neither the voluntary sale, conveyance, exchange, license or transfer, for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or assets (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of its business), nor the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of any other entity with or into the Corporation shall be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation for purposes of this Section 5.

(c) In the event the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such Holders are entitled pursuant to Section 5(a), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of Parity Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up unless proportionate distributable amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, equally and ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all Series B Stock and of any Parity Stock are entitled upon such liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

(d) If the Liquidation Preference has been paid in full to all Holders of Series B Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect to any Parity Stock have been paid in full, the holders of Junior Stock shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences; provided that if the value of such assets or proceeds to be distributed with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would then be convertible (the “ As-Converted Liquidation Amount ”) exceeds the Liquidation Preference for one share of Series B Preferred Stock, then the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, for each share of Series B Preferred Stock, an additional amount (the “ Liquidation Participation Amount ”) out of such assets or proceeds such that the As-Converted Liquidation Amount equals the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus the Liquidation Participation Amount, after making appropriate adjustment such that the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive the same amount on an as-converted basis as the holders of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of Series B Preferred Stock would then be convertible.

 

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6. Voting .

(a) General . Each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder are convertible (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 8(e) hereof) as of the Close of Business on the record date for each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (and written actions of stockholders in lieu of meetings) with respect to any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration. Except as required by law, by the provisions of Section 6(b) or 6(c) below or by the provisions establishing any other series of Preferred Stock, Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock and with the holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote with the Common Stock, as a single class.

(b) Consent Required for Dividend Payments . So long as at least 300,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain Outstanding, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least 75% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time Outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, the Corporation shall not (a) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to the Corporation’s Capital Stock (other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of Common Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock and other than in connection with the issuance of rights pursuant to a stockholder rights plan adopted by the Board of Directors) held by Persons other than the Corporation or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Corporation or (b) repurchase for value (other than Capital Stock) any shares of the Corporation’s Capital Stock (other than (i) the repurchase of any Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any current or former officer, director, employee or consultant of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any employment agreement that has been approved by the Board of Directors or any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement or any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or payments to purchase Capital Stock of the Corporation held by any employee of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries upon the death, disability of such employee, (ii) any repurchase of Capital Stock of the Corporation deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other equity based awards to the extent such Capital Stock represents a portion of any exercise price of those stock options, warrants or other equity based awards and any repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the withholding of a portion of Capital Stock granted or awarded to an employee to pay for the estimated taxes payable by such employee upon such grant or award or exercise, settlement or vesting thereof, (iii) the purchase, redemption, cancellation or other retirement for a nominal value per right of any rights granted to holders of Common Stock pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, (iv) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders required by applicable law, or payments of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets of the Corporation, (v) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise, conversion or exchange of any warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Corporation, or (vi) any payments on the Series B Preferred Stock provided for in this Section E).

(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters . So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are Outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by this Restated Certificate, the vote or consent of the Holders of at least 75% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time Outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of this Section E so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences or rights of the Series B Preferred Stock. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, but subject to the immediately preceding sentence, the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall not have any separate class voting rights with respect to any sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer, for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration, of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property or assets, or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the consolidation, merger or amalgamation of any other entity with or into the Corporation, except as required by the DGCL.

 

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7. Redemption and Repurchase .

(a) Optional Redemption by the Corporation . Except as provided in Section 7(b), 7(h) or 7(j), the Corporation may not redeem any Series B Preferred Stock prior to the date that is 18 months following the Lock-Up Expiration Date (such date, the “ Initial Optional Redemption Date ”). At any time on or after the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, in whole or in part, for cash, at any time and from time to time, at the Redemption Price.

In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 7(a), it shall fix a date for redemption and it or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the date fixed for redemption, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 20 calendar days nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock so to be redeemed; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

(b) Optional Redemption Upon Change of Control Transaction .

(i) If a Change of Control Transaction occurs at any time before the Initial Optional Redemption Date, then all, but not part, of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, for cash, at the Redemption Price plus an additional payment (the “ Make-Whole Payment ”) in an amount equal to $2.25 per share less the amount of any dividends paid on such share of Series B Preferred Stock since the Issue Date.

(ii) Notwithstanding Section 7(b)(i), and in clarification of the provisions of Section 7(e) with respect to a redemption upon a Change of Control Transaction, if the Series B Preferred Stock is redeemed on a Redemption Date that is after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, the accumulated dividends payable in respect of such Dividend Payment Date shall not be payable to the Holders surrendering the Series B Preferred Stock for redemption on such Redemption Date, but the full amount of the relevant dividends payable on such Dividend Payment Date shall be paid to the Holders of record on the applicable Regular Record Date, and the Make-Whole Payment made with respect to one share of such Series B Preferred Stock to redeeming Holders shall equal $2.25 per share less the amount of any dividends (including for this purpose the dividends payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of record on such applicable Regular Record Date) paid on such share of Series B Preferred Stock since the Issue Date.

(iii) In case the Corporation shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock upon a Change of Control Transaction pursuant to this Section 7(b), it shall fix a date for redemption that is not more than 20 calendar days after the occurrence of the Change of Control Transaction (and which may be the same date as the closing date of such Change of Control Transaction) and it or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the date fixed for redemption, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 15 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

 

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(c) Notice of Redemption; Selection of Shares .

(i) Each notice of redemption given pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b), 7(h) or 7(j) shall specify the CUSIP number of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day), the Redemption Price, the place or places where such Series B Preferred Stock is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for redemption (or required to be redeemed, as the case may be), that dividends accumulated and unpaid to the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, that on and after the Redemption Date dividends in respect of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption will cease to accumulate, and the current Conversion Rate. Each notice given pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(h) shall also state the date on which the right to convert the shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption will expire, and the place or places where such Series B Preferred Stock may be surrendered for conversion. Each notice given pursuant to Section 7(b) shall also state the amount of the Make-Whole Payment. If fewer than all the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall identify the shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed (including the certificate number, the total number of shares represented thereby and the number of such shares being redeemed on the Redemption Date) and shall state that, in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are subject to redemption, is surrendered for payment, a new certificate representing the unredeemed portion of such shares will be issued.

(ii) Any notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other share of Series B Preferred Stock.

(iii) On or prior to the Redemption Date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 7(c), the Corporation will deposit with the Transfer Agent or with one or more Paying Agents (or, if the Corporation is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to redeem on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(a), 7(b) or 7(h), so called for redemption (other than those theretofore surrendered for conversion into Common Stock) or, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i) or 7(j), required to be redeemed by the Holders thereof; provided that if such payment is made on the Redemption Date it must be received by the Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m. New York City time on such date. The Corporation shall be entitled to retain any interest, yield or gain on amounts deposited with the Transfer Agent or any Paying Agent pursuant to this Section 7(c) in excess of amounts required hereunder to pay the Redemption Price. If any shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption are converted pursuant hereto prior to such Redemption Date, any money deposited with the Transfer Agent or any Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for the redemption of such shares shall be paid to the Corporation upon its written request, or, if then held by the Corporation, shall be discharged from such trust. Whenever any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the Corporation will give the Transfer Agent written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate not fewer than 45 days (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) prior to the applicable Redemption Date as to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed.

(iv) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and the shares to be redeemed shall be selected on a pro rata basis. If any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock selected for partial redemption is submitted for conversion in part after such selection and before mailing of the notice of redemption, the portion of such certificate submitted for conversion shall be deemed to be the portion that had been selected for redemption (notwithstanding that such portion shall be converted, and not redeemed).

 

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(v) Upon any redemption of less than all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation and the Transfer Agent may (but need not), solely for purposes of determining the pro rata allocation among such shares as are unconverted and Outstanding at the time of redemption, treat as Outstanding any shares surrendered for conversion during the period of 15 days next preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption and may (but need not) treat as Outstanding any shares represented by a certificate or certificates authenticated and delivered during such period in exchange for the unconverted portion of any certificate representing shares converted in part during such period.

(d) Payment of Shares to be Redeemed . If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 7(c) or, in the case of a redemption pursuant to Section 7(i), a Holder Redemption Notice has been properly given and not withdrawn in accordance with Section 7(i), the shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice has been given shall, unless converted into Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and on and after the Redemption Date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price for such shares) dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease to accumulate and, after the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date (unless the Corporation shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price for such shares) such shares shall cease to be convertible into Common Stock and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such shares except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On presentation and surrender of such shares at a place of payment in said notice specified, the said shares shall be paid and redeemed by the Corporation at the Redemption Price.

In the event any certificate that represents more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are subject to redemption, is surrendered at any office or agency of the Corporation designated for that purpose (with, if the Corporation or the Transfer Agent so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock without service charge, a new certificate or certificates, representing any number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares not redeemed and represented by the certificate so surrendered.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless full cumulative dividends (whether or not declared) on all Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or set apart for payment for all Dividend Periods terminating on or before the Redemption Date, none of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed, and no sum shall be set aside for such redemption, unless pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series B Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock.

(e) Treatment of Dividends for Redemption Dates between Regular Record Date and Dividend Payment Date . If a Redemption Date falls after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, then the full amount of dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed on such Redemption Date shall be paid to the Holders of record of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date instead of the Holders surrendering such shares of Series B Preferred Stock for redemption on such Redemption Date.

(f) Offer to Purchase by Application of Equity Offering Net Proceeds . If, during the period commencing on the closing date of the IPO and ending on and including the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Corporation conducts an Equity Offering or Offerings and the aggregate amount of Equity Offering Net Proceeds therefrom (the “ Aggregate Net Proceeds ”) exceeds $20,000,000, then, within 20 Business Days thereof, the Corporation shall make an offer (a “ Cash Financing Offer ”), if funds are legally available therefor, to all Holders to purchase or redeem the maximum number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the Offer Price (including for this purpose the estimated amount of all fees and expenses incurred by the Corporation in

 

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connection with the Cash Financing Offer) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed using 25% of the Aggregate Net Proceeds (the “ Available Net Proceeds ”). If any Available Net Proceeds remain after consummation of a Cash Financing Offer, the Corporation may use those Available Net Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Restated Certificate. Upon completion of each Cash Financing Offer, the amount of Aggregate Net Proceeds and Available Net Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

(g) Mechanics of Offers to Purchase .

(i) For purposes of Section 7(f), the maximum number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that may be purchased or redeemed using the Available Net Proceeds is herein referred to as the “ Offer Amount. ” Each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock may only tender, in an Offer, up to the percentage of shares of Series B Preferred Stock owned by such Holder that represents the percentage (the “ Pro Rata Percentage” ) computed by dividing the applicable Offer Amount by the aggregate number of then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and rounding down to the nearest whole share, and tenders in excess of the Pro Rata Percentage shall not be accepted. The Offer Price in an Offer shall be payable in cash.

(ii) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule thereto), Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act (or any successor rule thereto) and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to an Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 7(f), the Corporation shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 7(f) by virtue of such compliance. In addition, the Corporation may conduct an Offer only to the extent funds are legally available therefor.

(iii) Any Offer shall be made to all Holders of Series B Preferred Stock and shall remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Corporation shall apply all Available Net Proceeds to the purchase of Series B Preferred Stock or, if fewer shares of Series B Preferred Stock than the Offer Amount have been tendered, all shares tendered in response to the Offer.

(iv) If a Purchase Date for an Offer is after the Close of Business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the Close of Business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date, any accumulated and unpaid dividends on a shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be paid to the Person in whose name such share is registered at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional dividends shall be payable to Holders who tender shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to such Offer.

(v) Upon the commencement of an Offer, the Corporation shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Transfer Agent and each of the Holders. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the Offer. The notice, which will govern such Offer, shall state:

(A) that the Offer is being made pursuant to Section 7(f) and the length of time the Offer will remain open;

(B) the Offer Amount, the Pro Rata Percentage, the Offer Price and the Purchase Date;

(C) that any share of Series B Preferred Stock not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accumulate dividends;

(D) that, unless the Corporation defaults in making such payment, any shares of Series B Preferred Stock accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will cease to accumulate dividends on and after the Purchase Date;

 

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(E) that Holders electing to have shares of Series B Preferred Stock purchased pursuant to any Offer will be required to surrender the certificate representing such shares, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the certificate completed, to the Corporation or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(F) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Corporation or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such shares purchased;

(G) that only the Pro Rata Percentage of a Holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be accepted for tender; and

(H) that in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock is surrendered for payment and not all shares represented thereby are purchased pursuant to the Offer, a new certificate representing the unpurchased portion of such shares will be issued.

(vi) On or before the Purchase Date for an Offer, the Corporation shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment the Offer Amount of shares of Series B Preferred Stock tendered pursuant to the Offer or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all shares properly tendered in accordance with the terms of this Section 7(g), and shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Transfer Agent the certificates representing the shares properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such shares were accepted for payment by the Corporation in accordance with the terms of this Section 7(g). The Corporation or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the aggregate Offer Price of the shares tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Corporation for purchase. In the event any certificate that represents more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which were accepted for purchase, is surrendered for tender at any office or agency of the Corporation designated for that purpose (with, if the Corporation or the Transfer Agent so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, without service charge, a new certificate or certificates, representing any number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares not accepted for purchase and represented by the certificate so surrendered.

(h) Redemption by Application of Equity Offering Net Proceeds . If, after the Initial Optional Redemption Date, the Corporation conducts an Equity Offering or Offerings and the Available Net Proceeds (including Available Net Proceeds from Equity Offerings conducted prior to such date, and taking into account any resets referred to in the last sentence of Section 7(f)) exceed $5,000,000, then the Corporation shall use the Available Net Proceeds to redeem, out of funds legally available for payment on account of such redemption, on a pro rata basis, the Series B Preferred Stock at the Redemption Price. The Corporation shall not be required to make any such redemption in respect of any Equity Offering consummated after March 31, 2015. The Corporation, upon the receipt of such Available Net Proceeds exceeding $5,000,000, shall fix a Redemption Date, which shall be no later than 60 calendar days from the date of such receipt, and the Corporation or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the Redemption Date, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 20 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

 

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(i) Redemption at the Option of the Holders on June 30, 2015 .

(i) On the Redemption Date of June 30, 2015, the Corporation shall, at the option of each Holder, be required, if funds are legally available therefor, to redeem at the Redemption Price any Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock for which a written redemption notice has been properly delivered by such Holder to the Transfer Agent and not withdrawn. Holders may submit their shares of Series B Preferred Stock for redemption to the Transfer Agent at any time from the Open of Business on the date that is 45 Business Days prior to such Redemption Date until the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to such Redemption Date.

(ii) The Corporation or, at its written request received by the Transfer Agent not fewer than 45 calendar days prior (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Transfer Agent) to the Redemption Date, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock by first class mail, a notice on a date not less than 45 Business Days prior to such Redemption Date. Such notice shall specify the CUSIP number of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Redemption Date (which shall be a Business Day), the Redemption Price, the place or places where Series B Preferred Stock is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Series B Preferred Stock, that dividends accumulated and unpaid to the Redemption Date will be paid as specified in said notice, that on and after the Redemption Date dividends in respect of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock redeemed on such date will cease to accumulate, the Conversion Rate, and the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Corporation to redeem their Series B Preferred Stock.

(iii) A Holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock may exercise its rights specified in this Section 7(i) by surrendering the certificate representing such shares, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Redemption” on the reverse of the certificate completed, to the Corporation or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice referred to in Section 7(i)(ii) or upon delivery of a written notice (which may be delivered by letter, overnight courier, hand delivery, facsimile transmission or in any other written form and, in the case of Global Series B Preferred Stock, may be delivered electronically or by other means in accordance with the Depositary’s customary procedures) of the exercise of such rights (a “ Holder Redemption Notice ”) to the Transfer Agent at any time prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to the June 30, 2015 Redemption Date. The Holder Redemption Notice must specify (A) the certificate numbers for such shares in respect of which such notice is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice is being submitted, and (C) that the Corporation shall redeem such Preferred Stock in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Restated Certificate. The Transfer Agent and Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Corporation of the receipt of any Holder Redemption Notice.

(iv) The delivery of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed by the Corporation to the Transfer Agent (together with all necessary endorsements) at the office of the Transfer Agent, or the book-entry transfer of such shares if such shares are Global Series B Preferred Stock, shall be a condition to the receipt by the Holder of the Redemption Price.

(v) Any Holder Redemption Notice may be withdrawn by the Holder by a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Transfer Agent prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to the June 30, 2015 Redemption Date. The notice of withdrawal must specify (A) the certificate numbers for such shares in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and (C) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, that remain subject to the original Holder Redemption Notice and that have been or will be delivered for redemption by the Corporation.

 

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(j) Redemption at the Option of the Holders Upon Dividend Default . If at any time dividends on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be unpaid as of the Dividend Payment Date with respect to, and therefore in arrears for, any Dividend Period (other than a Dividend Period as to which the Corporation shall have made an election pursuant to Section 3(i)), and such arrearage shall have continued for a period of 30 days, then the Holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then Outstanding may send a written notice to the Corporation requiring the Corporation to redeem, if funds are legally available therefor, all Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation upon receipt of such notice shall fix a Redemption Date, which shall be as promptly as possible after receipt of such notice but no later than 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of such notice from such Holders, and the Corporation or, at its written request, the Transfer Agent in the name of and at the expense of the Corporation, shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice of such redemption not fewer than 5 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the Corporation shall give such notice, it shall also give written notice of the Redemption Date to the Transfer Agent.

(k) Conversion Arrangement Upon Redemption . In connection with any redemption of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation may arrange for the purchase and conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock by an agreement with one or more investment banks or other purchasers to purchase such shares by paying to the Transfer Agent and Paying Agent in trust for the Holders of such shares, on or before the Redemption Date, an amount not less than the Redemption Price for such shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7, the obligation of the Corporation to pay the Redemption Price of such shares, including accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged to the extent such amount is so paid by such purchasers. If such an agreement is entered into, a copy of which will be filed with the Transfer Agent prior to the date fixed for redemption, any shares of Series B Preferred Stock not duly surrendered for conversion by the Holders thereof may, at the option of the Corporation, be deemed, to the fullest extent permitted by law, acquired by such purchasers from such Holders and (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8) surrendered by such purchasers for conversion, all as of immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Redemption Date (and the right to convert any such shares shall be extended through such time), subject to payment of the above amount as aforesaid. At the direction of the Corporation, the Transfer Agent shall hold and dispose of any such amount paid to it in the same manner as it would monies deposited with it by the Corporation for the redemption of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

8. Conversion Rights .

(a) Right to Convert . Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Section 8, at any time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date, the Holder of any share of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert such share, together with dividends (whether or not declared) accumulated and unpaid thereon to, but not including, the Conversion Date, into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as such shares shall then be constituted) at the Conversion Rate in effect at such time, by surrender of the share to be so converted, together with any required funds, in the manner provided in Section 8(b).

If any shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been called for redemption pursuant to Section 7, such shares may, at a Holder’s option, be converted, at any time until the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, unless the Corporation defaults in its obligation to pay the Redemption Price of such shares in accordance with Section 7(c)(iii), in which event such conversion right shall continue until the Corporation pays such Redemption Price in accordance with Section 7(c)(iii).

A Holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock is not entitled to any rights of a holder of Common Stock until such Holder has converted his shares into Common Stock, and only to the extent such shares are deemed to have been converted into Common Stock under this Section 8.

 

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(b) Exercise Of Conversion Privilege; Issuance Of Common Stock On Conversion; No Adjustment For Dividends . In order to exercise the conversion privilege with respect to any share of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation must receive at the office or agency of the Corporation maintained for that purpose the certificate representing such share with the original or facsimile of the form entitled Conversion Notice on the reverse thereof, duly completed and manually signed, together with such certificate duly endorsed for transfer, accompanied by the funds, if any, required by this Section 8(b). Such notice shall also state the name or names (with address or addresses) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued, and shall be accompanied by transfer or similar taxes, if required pursuant to Section 8(g).

As promptly as practicable after satisfaction of the requirements for conversion set forth above, subject to compliance with any restrictions on transfer if shares issuable on conversion are to be issued in a name other than that of the Holder (as if such transfer were a transfer of the share or shares so converted), the Corporation shall issue and shall deliver to such Holder at the office or agency maintained by the Corporation for such purpose, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock as determined by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8 and a check or cash in respect of any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock arising upon such conversion, calculated by the Corporation as provided in Section 8(c). In case fewer than the full number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are being converted, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the number of shares evidenced by such surrendered certificate or certificates less the number of shares being converted.

Each conversion shall be deemed to have been effected as to any such shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the date (the “ Conversion Date ”) on which the requirements set forth above in this Section 8(b) have been satisfied as to such shares, and the Person in whose name any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby; provided that any such surrender on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall constitute the Person in whose name the certificates are to be issued as the record holder thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Rate in effect on the date upon which such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be surrendered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction, a Holder may submit the certificate representing share(s) of Series B Preferred Stock together with a completed notice of conversion in accordance with the first paragraph of this Section 8(b) indicating that conversion of such share(s) is to be contingent upon, and effective upon, the closing of such Change of Control Transaction. If such Change of Control Transaction is not consummated, or if such Holder shall have delivered to the Transfer Agent a written notice of withdrawal prior to the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately preceding the closing date of such Change of Control Transaction, then the conversion of such share(s) shall not be effected and the certificate representing such share(s) shall be returned to such Holder. Such notice of withdrawal must specify (A) the certificate numbers for the shares in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted or, if such shares are represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock, such information as may be required by the Depositary, (B) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and (C) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if any, that remain subject to the original notice of conversion by such Holder and that have been delivered for conversion.

Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion during the period from the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date for any Dividend Payment Date to the Close of Business on the Business Day next preceding such Dividend Payment Date shall be accompanied by payment, in immediately available funds or other funds acceptable to the Corporation, of an amount equal to the dividend otherwise payable on such Dividend Payment Date on the shares being converted, unless the Holder surrendering such shares for conversion was also the Holder of record of such shares being converted on such Regular Record Date and no transfer of

 

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such shares on the stock register occurred between such Regular Record Date and the Conversion Date. Except as provided above in this Section 8(b), no payment or other adjustment shall be made for dividends accumulated on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted or for dividends on any shares issued upon the conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 8.

Upon the conversion of a share of Series B Preferred Stock, any accumulated but unpaid dividends to the Conversion Date with respect to the converted share shall be deemed to be paid in full to the Holder thereof through delivery of the Common Stock (together with the cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the share of Series B Preferred Stock being converted pursuant to the provisions hereof.

(c) Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip certificates representing fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock. If more than one share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full shares that shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so surrendered. If any fractional share of stock would be issuable upon the conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall make an adjustment and payment therefor in cash at the current market price thereof to the Holder of the shares so surrendered. For purposes of this Section 8(c) only, the current market price of a share of Common Stock shall be the Closing Sale Price on the last Trading Day immediately preceding the day on which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are deemed to have been converted.

(d) Conversion Rate . Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible into that number of shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying (i) the Conversion Rate then in effect by (ii) the quotient derived by dividing the then existing Liquidation Preference per share by the Stated Value per share. The “ Conversion Rate ” shall initially be determined by dividing the Stated Value per share by the Initial Conversion Price and shall be subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 8.

(e) Adjustment of Conversion Rate . The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Corporation as follows; provided that the Corporation shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock participates (other than in the case of a share split or share combination) at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Series B Preferred Stock, in any of the transactions described in this Section 8(e), without having to convert its shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as if it held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (x) the applicable Conversion Rate, multiplied by (y) the quotient derived by dividing the then existing Liquidation Preference per share by the Stated Value per share, multiplied by (z) the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder:

(i) In case the Corporation shall hereafter pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, or the Corporation shall effect a share split or share combination of Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

LOGO

 

23


where,

 

CR 0      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the Open of Business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;
CR 1      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date or immediately after the Open of Business on such effective date, as applicable;
OS 0      =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date or immediately prior to the Open of Business on such effective date, as applicable; and
OS 1      =       the number of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8(e)(i) shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the Open of Business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 8(e)(i) is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than (i) as a result of a reverse share split or share combination or (ii) with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

(ii) In case the Corporation shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its outstanding shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 60 calendar days after the Record Date for the issuance of such rights and warrants) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Corporation, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such issuance;
CR 1      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date;
OS 0      =       the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date;
X      =       the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y      =       the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights or warrants divided by the Current Market Price.

Such adjustment shall be successively made whenever any such rights or warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for the issuance of such rights or

 

24


warrants. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Record Date had not been fixed. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the two immediately preceding sentences).

In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the 10 Trading Days immediately preceding the date such distribution is first publicly announced by the Corporation, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Corporation for such rights or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors.

(iii) In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock shares of any class of capital stock of the Corporation or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including cash or securities, but excluding (i) any rights or warrants referred to in Section 8(e)(ii), (ii) any dividend or distribution (x) paid exclusively in cash or (y) referred to in Section 8(e)(i) and (iii) Spin-Offs to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 8(e)(iii) apply) (any of the foregoing hereinafter in this Section 8(e)(iii) called the “Distributed Property” ), then, in each such case (unless the Corporation elects to reserve such Distributed Property for distribution to the Holders upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock so that any such Holder converting shares of Series B Preferred Stock will receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled, the amount and kind of such Distributed Property which such Holder would have received if such Holder had converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to the Record Date for such distribution of the Distributed Property) the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such distribution;
CR 1      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on such Record Date;
SP 0      =       the Current Market Price; and
FMV      =       the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) on such Record Date of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock.

Such increase in the Conversion Rate shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for such distribution; provided that if the then Fair Market Value (as so determined) of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on such Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Distributed Property such

 

25


Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date for such distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. If the Board of Directors determines the Fair Market Value of any distribution for purposes of this Section 8(e)(iii) by reference to the actual or when issued trading market for any securities, it must in doing so consider the prices in such market over the same period used in computing the Current Market Price on the applicable Record Date for such distribution.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Distributed Property distributed by the Corporation to all holders of its Common Stock consist of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interest in, a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Corporation or a Subsidiary, where such capital stock or similar equity interest is listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon consummation of such distribution) on a United States national or regional or non-U.S. securities exchange (a “ Spin-Off ”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period (as defined below);
CR 1      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period;
FMV 0      =       the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock (determined for purposes of the definition of “Closing Sale Price” as if such Capital Stock or similar equity interest were Common Stock) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the effective date of the Spin-Off (the “ Valuation Period ”); and
MP 0      =       the average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the Valuation Period.

The increase to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall be determined as of the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period but will be given effect immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date of the Spin-Off; provided that in respect of any conversion during the Valuation Period, references within this Section 8(e)(iii) to 10 Trading Days shall be deemed replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed from, and including, the effective date of such Spin-Off to, and including, the Conversion Date in determining the applicable Conversion Rate; and provided further , that the Corporation may in lieu of the foregoing adjustment make adequate provision so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of Distributed Property such Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date with respect to such distribution. If any dividend or distribution that constitutes a Spin-Off is declared but not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

Rights or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all holders of Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital stock (either initially or under certain

 

26


circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events ( “Trigger Event” ): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 8(e) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8(e) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 8(e)(iii). If any such right or warrant, including any such existing rights or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Restated Certificate, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Record Date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (and a termination or expiration of the existing rights or warrants without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 8(e) was made, (1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final redemption to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption, and (2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued.

No adjustment of the Conversion Rate shall be made pursuant to this Section 8(e)(iii) in respect of rights or warrants distributed or deemed distributed on any Trigger Event to the extent that such rights or warrants are actually distributed or reserved by the Corporation for distribution to Holders upon conversion by such Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock.

For purposes of this Section 8(e)(iii) and Section 8(e)(i) and (ii), any dividend or distribution to which this Section 8(e)(iii) is applicable that also includes shares of Common Stock, or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or shares of capital stock other than such shares of Common Stock or rights or warrants (and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 8(e)(iii) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock or such rights or warrants (and any further Conversion Rate adjustment required by Sections 8(e)(i) and (ii) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made), except any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed “outstanding immediately prior to the Close of Business on such Record Date” within the meaning of Section 8(e)(i).

(iv) In case the Corporation shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock cash (excluding any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary), then, in such case, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

 

27


where,

 

CR 0      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;
CR 1      =       the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after to Close of Business on such Record Date;
SP 0      =       the Current Market Price; and
C      =       the amount in cash per share the Corporation distributes to holders of Common Stock.

The increase in the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall become effective immediately after the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided that if the portion of the cash so distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock is equal to or greater than the Current Market Price on such Record Date, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, adequate provision shall be made so that each Holder shall have the right to receive upon conversion the amount of cash such Holder would have received had such Holder converted its shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the Record Date. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid or made, such Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

(v) In case a tender or exchange offer made by the Corporation or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock shall expire and such tender or exchange offer (as amended upon the expiration thereof) shall require the payment to stockholders of consideration per share of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) that as of the last time (the “Expiration Time” ) tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) exceeds the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:

LOGO

where,

 

CR 0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the Expiration Time;
CR 1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Expiration Time;
FMV    =    the Fair Market Value (as determined as aforesaid) of the aggregate consideration payable to stockholders based on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Time (the shares deemed so accepted up to any such maximum, being referred to as the “Purchased Shares” );
OS 0    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (including any Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time;
OS 1    =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (less any Purchased Shares) at the Expiration Time; and
SP 1    =    the Closing Sale Price of a share of Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Time.

 

28


The increase in the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall become effective immediately after the Expiration Time. If the Corporation or any Subsidiary is obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but the Corporation or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange offer had not been made. For the avoidance of doubt, if the application of the foregoing formula would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made (other than with respect to the Corporation’s right to readjust the Conversion Rate as described in the immediately preceding sentence).

(vi) For purposes of this Section 8(e), the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

(A) “Current Market Price” shall mean the average of the daily Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending not later than the earlier of such date of determination and the day before the “ex” date with respect to the issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination requiring such computation immediately prior to the date in question. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “ex” date, (1) when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on the relevant exchange or in the relevant market from which the Closing Sale Price was obtained without the right to receive such issuance or distribution, and (2) when used with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means the first date on which the Common Stock trades, regular way, on such exchange or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

If another issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination to which Section 8(e) applies occurs during the period applicable for calculating “ Current Market Price ” pursuant to the definition in the preceding paragraph, “Current Market Price” shall be calculated for such period in a manner determined by the Board of Directors to reflect the impact of such issuance, distribution, subdivision or combination on the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock during such period.

(B) “Fair Market Value” shall mean the amount which a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an arm’s-length transaction.

(C) “Record Date” shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board of Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).

(vii) To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation may make such increases in the Conversion Rate, in addition to those required by this Section 8, as the Board of Directors considers to be advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market or any other securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, the Corporation from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of time if the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Corporation, which determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall mail to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at the address of such Holder as it appears in the stock register a notice of such increase, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.

 

29


(viii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:

(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Corporation’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;

(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s Subsidiaries;

(C) upon the repurchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an open-market share repurchase program or other buy-back transaction that is not a tender offer or exchange offer of the nature described under Section 8(e)(v);

(D) for a third-party tender offer (other than a tender offer by any Subsidiary of the Corporation as described under Section 8(e)(v));

(E) upon the issuance of any shares of the Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the Issue Date;

(F) solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or

(G) for accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any.

(ix) No adjustment in the Conversion Rate shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in such rate; provided that any adjustments that by reason of this Section 8(e)(ix) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 8 shall be made by the Corporation and shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000) of a share, as the case may be. To the extent the Series B Preferred Stock becomes convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than capital stock of the Corporation), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash, assets, property or such securities. Interest will not accrue on any cash into which the Series B Preferred Stock may be convertible.

(x) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Corporation shall promptly file with the Conversion Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until the Conversion Agent shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Conversion Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Corporation shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall mail such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its last address appearing in the stock register within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.

(xi) In any case in which this Section 8(e) provides that an adjustment shall become effective immediately after (1) a Record Date for an event, (2) the Record Date for a dividend or distribution described in Section 8(e)(i), (3) the Record Date for the issuance of rights or warrants as described in Section 8(e)(ii) or (4) the Expiration Time for any tender or exchange offer pursuant to Section 8(e)(v) (each a “Determination Date” ), the Corporation may elect to defer until the occurrence of the applicable Adjustment Event (as hereinafter defined) (x) issuing to the Holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted after such

 

30


Determination Date and before the occurrence of such Adjustment Event, the additional shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment required by such Adjustment Event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying to such holder any amount in cash in lieu of any fraction pursuant to Section 8(c). For purposes of this Section 8(e)(xi), the term “Adjustment Event” shall mean:

(A) in any case referred to in clause (1) hereof, the occurrence of such event,

(B) in any case referred to in clause (2) hereof, the date any such dividend or distribution is paid or made,

(C) in any case referred to in clause (3) hereof, the date of expiration of such rights or warrants, and

(D) in any case referred to in clause (4) hereof, the date a sale or exchange of Common Stock pursuant to such tender or exchange offer is consummated and becomes irrevocable.

(xii) For purposes of this Section 8(e), the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Corporation but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. The Corporation will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Corporation.

(f) Effect of Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or Sale on Conversion Privilege . If any of the following events occur, namely (i) any reclassification or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a subdivision or combination to which Section 8(e)(e)(i) applies), (ii) any consolidation, merger or combination of the Corporation with another Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Corporation to any other Person as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock, then each share of Series B Preferred Stock Outstanding immediately prior to such transaction shall, without the consent of the Holders of Series B Preferred Stock, be convertible into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance by a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock (assuming, for such purposes, a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock are available to convert all such Series B Preferred Stock) immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance assuming such holder of Common Stock did not exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance ( provided that, if the kind or amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance is not the same for each share of Common Stock in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“non-electing share”), then for the purposes of this Section 8(f) the kind and amount of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance for each non-electing share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the non-electing shares).

The Corporation shall cause notice of the application of this Section 8(f) to be mailed to each holder of Series B Preferred Stock at its address appearing in the stock register within 30 days after the occurrence of any of the events specified in the first paragraph of this Section 8(f). Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any conversion right pursuant to this Section 8(f).

 

31


The above provisions of this Section 8(f) shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes, consolidations, mergers, combinations, sales and conveyances. If this Section 8(f) applies to any event or occurrence, Section 8(e) shall not apply.

(g) Taxes on Shares Issued . The issuance of stock certificates on conversions of Series B Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the converting Holder for any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of stock in any name other than that of the Holder of any Series B Preferred Stock converted, and the Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the Person or Persons requesting the issue thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

(h) Reservation of Shares; Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental Requirements; Listing of Common Stock . The Corporation shall provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury, sufficient shares of Common Stock to provide for the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock from time to time as such shares are presented for conversion.

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment increasing the Conversion Rate to an amount that would cause the Conversion Price to be reduced below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take all corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Rate.

The Corporation covenants that all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock will upon issue be fully paid and non-assessable by the Corporation and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

The Corporation covenants that, if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Series B Preferred Stock hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law before such shares may be validly issued upon conversion, the Corporation will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission (or any successor thereto), endeavor to secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.

The Corporation covenants that, if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Corporation will, if permitted by the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system, list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, all Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock; provided that if the rules of such exchange or automated quotation system permit the Corporation to defer the listing of such Common Stock until the first conversion of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8, the Corporation covenants to list such Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with the requirements of such exchange or automated quotation system at such time.

(i) Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions . In case:

(i) the Corporation shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock that would require an adjustment in the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 8(e); or

(ii) the Corporation shall authorize the granting to the holders of all or substantially all of its Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any share of any class or any other rights or warrants; or

 

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(iii) of any reclassification or reorganization of the Common Stock of the Corporation (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation or merger to which the Corporation is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Corporation is required, or of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; or

(iv) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation;

the Corporation shall cause to be filed with the Registrar and to be mailed to each holder of Series B Preferred Stock at his address appearing in the stock register, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 10 days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or rights or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution or rights are to be determined, or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

(j) Stockholder Rights Plans . Each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 8 shall be entitled to receive the appropriate number of rights, if any, and the certificates representing the Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any stockholder rights plan adopted by the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time. If at the time of conversion, however, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable stockholder rights agreement so that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock would not be entitled to receive any rights in respect of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted as if the Corporation distributed to all holders of Common Stock shares of the Corporation’s capital stock, evidences of indebtedness or assets (including securities but excluding rights or warrants to purchase Common Stock issued to all holders of Common Stock, Common Stock issued as a dividend or distribution on Common Stock and cash distributions), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of the rights.

(k) Automatic Conversion by the Corporation .

(i) The Corporation may elect to automatically convert up to 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock Outstanding as of the Close of Business on the last day of the Measurement Period defined below (and corresponding accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon) in whole or in part (an “Automatic Conversion” ) at any time or from time to time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date if (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded 150% of the IPO Price (as such price may be appropriately adjusted for any stock combinations or stock splits of or stock dividends on the Common Stock subsequent to the Issue Date) for at least 20 Trading Days in any 30 consecutive Trading Day period (such period, a “ Measurement Period ”), ending within five Trading Days prior to the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice (as defined below) and (ii) the average daily trading volume of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days in such Measurement Period exceeds 200,000 shares or $2,500,000.

(ii) In addition to the Corporation’s right under Section 8(k)(i) above, the Corporation may elect to automatically convert up to all of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (and corresponding accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon) in whole or in part at any time or from time to time after the Lock-Up Expiration Date if (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded 160% of the IPO Price (as such price may be appropriately adjusted for any stock combinations or stock splits of or stock

 

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dividends on the Common Stock subsequent to the Issue Date) for at least 20 Trading Days in a Measurement Period ending within five Trading Days prior to the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice and (ii) the average daily trading volume of the Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days in such Measurement Period exceeds 200,000 shares or $2,500,000.

(iii) If the Corporation desires to exercise its rights of Automatic Conversion, the Corporation or, at the written request and expense of the Corporation, the Registrar, shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder subject to such Automatic Conversion notice (the “Automatic Conversion Notice” ) of an Automatic Conversion not more than 30 calendar days but not less than 10 calendar days prior to the date on which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be automatically converted (the “Automatic Conversion Date” ). If the Corporation gives such notice, it shall also deliver a copy of such Automatic Conversion Notice to the Registrar. If such notice is to be given by the Registrar, the Corporation shall prepare and provide the form and content of such Automatic Conversion Notice to the Registrar. Such mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice, if mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock designated for Automatic Conversion as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the Automatic Conversion of any other shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

(iv) Each Automatic Conversion Notice shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to be automatically converted, the CUSIP number or numbers of the Series B Preferred Stock being automatically converted, the Automatic Conversion Date, that on and after said date dividends thereon or on the portion thereof to be automatically converted will cease to accumulate, the place or places where such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be surrendered for conversion, and the Conversion Rate then in effect.

(v) If fewer than all the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to be automatically converted on any given Automatic Conversion Date, the Automatic Conversion Notice shall identify the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be automatically converted (including the certificate number, the total number of shares represented thereby and the number of such shares being automatically converted on the Automatic Conversion Date) and shall state that, in the event any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock, not all of which are to be automatically converted, is surrendered for conversion, a new certificate representing the unconverted portion of such shares will be issued.

(vi) If the Corporation opts to automatically convert less than all of the Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock on any given Automatic Conversion Date, the Registrar shall select or cause to be selected the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be automatically converted on a pro rata basis. If any certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock selected for partial Automatic Conversion is submitted for voluntary conversion in part after such selection and before mailing of the Automatic Conversion Notice, the portion of such certificate submitted for voluntary conversion shall be deemed (so far as may be possible) to be the portion to be selected for Automatic Conversion. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock so selected shall be deemed duly selected for Automatic Conversion for all purposes hereof, notwithstanding that any such shares are submitted for voluntary conversion in part before the mailing of the Automatic Conversion Notice.

(vii) In the event of an Automatic Conversion, the Corporation shall issue and deliver a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to such Automatic Conversion along with any cash in respect of any fractional shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon conversion.

(viii) All shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to an Automatic Conversion shall be delivered to the Conversion Agent. In case fewer than the full number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are being converted, the Corporation shall execute and the

 

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Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the number of shares evidenced by such surrendered certificate or certificates less the number of shares being converted.

(ix) Upon conversion, dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so called for Automatic Conversion shall cease to accumulate, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such shares except the right to receive the shares of Common Stock and cash, if any, to which they are entitled pursuant to this Section 8(k).

(x) If any of the provisions of this Section 8(k) are inconsistent with applicable law at the time of such Automatic Conversion, such law shall govern.

9. Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Etc. The Corporation shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation), nor shall the Corporation or its successor or successors be a party or parties to successive consolidations or mergers, nor shall the Corporation sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Corporation) (a) unless in each case (i) any then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain Outstanding (other than shares redeemed, repurchased or converted in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 or Section 8, as the case may be) or, in the case of any merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent and the entity issuing those preference securities is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) such shares remaining Outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, that are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions of the Series B Preferred Stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, taken as a whole, or (b) except as may be provided in a definitive agreement relating to such a transaction that has been approved by the stockholders of the Corporation (including the holders of the then Outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock). For purposes of this Section 9, the term “all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation” shall be interpreted in the same manner as such term is interpreted with respect to indentures for debt securities that are governed by the law of the State of New York.

10. Certificates .

(a) Form and Dating . The Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Restated Certificate. The Series B Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules, agreements to which the Corporation is subject, if any, or usage; provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Corporation. Each Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(i) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of physical certificates in fully registered certificated form (“ Certificated Series B Preferred Stock ”).

(ii) Global Series B Preferred Stock . The Series B Preferred Stock may be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “ Global Series B Preferred Stock ”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the Holders represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for the Depositary (or with such other custodian as the Depositary may direct), and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Corporation and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

 

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(iii) Book-Entry Provisions . In the event Global Series B Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Series B Preferred Stock certificates that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary as Depositary for such Global Series B Preferred Stock or the nominee of the Depositary and (b) shall be delivered by the Transfer Agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for the Depositary.

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Section E with respect to any Global Series B Preferred Stock held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of the Depositary or under such Global Series B Preferred Stock, and the Depositary may be treated by the Corporation, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Corporation or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Series B Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Corporation, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Corporation or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Series B Preferred Stock.

(b) Execution and Authentication . Two Officers shall sign the Series B Preferred Stock certificate for the Corporation by manual or facsimile signature, in accordance with the Corporation’s Bylaws and applicable law.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Series B Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Series B Preferred Stock certificate, the Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

A Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent signs the Series B Preferred Stock certificate by manual signature. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Series B Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Section E.

The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates of Series B Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of the Series B Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to authenticate the certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for the Series B Preferred Stock whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Section E to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

(c) Transfer and Exchange .

(i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . When Certificated Series B Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock . Certificated Series B Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct the Depositary to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Series B Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Corporation shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, a new Global Series B Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock . The transfer and exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Section E (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.

(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) Any Person having a beneficial interest in Series B Preferred Stock may upon request, but only with the consent of the Corporation, exchange such beneficial interest for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock representing the same number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary from the Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock, then, the Transfer Agent or the Depositary, at the direction of the Transfer Agent, shall cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by Global Series B Preferred Stock to be reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the transferee Certificated Series B Preferred Stock.

(B) Certificated Series B Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 9(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Series B Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of the Depositary.

(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Series B Preferred Stock . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section E (other than the provisions set forth in Section 9(c)(vi)), Global Series B Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(vi) Authentication of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock . If at any time:

(A) the Depositary notifies the Corporation that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock and a successor Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days after delivery of such notice;

 

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(B) the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor Depositary for the Global Series B Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Corporation within 90 days; or

(C) the Corporation, in its sole discretion, notifies the Transfer Agent in writing that it elects to discontinue the use of book-entry transfer through the Depositary (or any successor Depositary),

then the Corporation shall execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Corporation in the form of an Officer’s Certificate requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Corporation, shall authenticate and deliver Certificated Series B Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Global Series B Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Series B Preferred Stock.

(vii) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Series B Preferred Stock . At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or cancelled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be returned to the Depositary for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in Global Series B Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or the Depositary, to reflect such reduction.

(viii) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Series B Preferred Stock .

(A) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Corporation shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9(c).

(B) All Certificated Series B Preferred Stock and Global Series B Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be the valid obligations of the Corporation, entitled to the same benefits under this Section E as the Certificated Series B Preferred Stock or Global Series B Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(C) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Corporation may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Series B Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Corporation shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(D) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Series B Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Corporation may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Series B Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

(E) None of the Corporation, the Transfer Agent or the Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Series B Preferred Stock for a period of 15 days next preceding any selection of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, (ii) any Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption pursuant to Section 7, (iii) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for purchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Section 7, (iv) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for redemption at the option of the Holder thereof (and not withdrawn) pursuant to Section 7, or (v) any Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion pursuant to Section 8.

 

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(ix) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent .

(A) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Series B Preferred Stock, any Agent Member or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary, if any, or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Series B Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary, if any) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Series B Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Series B Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of the Global Series B Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its Agent Members and any beneficial owners.

(B) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Section E or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Series B Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners in any Global Series B Preferred Stock) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Section E, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

(d) Replacement Certificates .

(i) If any of the Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall become mutilated or be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Transfer Agent or an authenticating agent appointed by the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver, a new Series B Preferred Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent amount of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in exchange and in substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Series B Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and substitution for the Series B Preferred Stock certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Series B Preferred Stock certificate and of the ownership thereof.

(ii) The Transfer Agent or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, may authenticate any such substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Transfer Agent, the Corporation and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. Upon the issuance of any substituted Series B Preferred Stock certificate, the Corporation or the Transfer Agent may require the payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Series B Preferred Stock certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock that have been called for redemption or surrendered for purchase or are to be converted into Common Stock shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Series B Preferred Stock certificate, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Series B Preferred Stock certificate), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Corporation, to the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in

 

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connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Corporation, the Transfer Agent and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Series B Preferred Stock certificate and of the ownership thereof.

(e) Temporary Certificates . Until definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Corporation may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall, upon written request of the Corporation, authenticate and deliver temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates, all as may be determined by the Corporation. Every such temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificate shall be executed by the Corporation and authenticated by the Transfer Agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Corporation shall execute and deliver to the Transfer Agent definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates and thereupon any or all temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at the office of the Transfer Agent, and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates representing an equal number of shares. Such exchange shall be made by the Corporation at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Series B Preferred Stock certificates shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Section E as definitive Series B Preferred Stock certificates authenticated and delivered hereunder.

(f) Cancellation . All Certificated Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, purchase, conversion, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Corporation, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or the Conversion Agent, be surrendered to the Transfer Agent and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Transfer Agent, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Certificated Series B Preferred Stock shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Section E. The Transfer Agent shall dispose of such canceled certificates in accordance with its customary procedures. In the event the Corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(i) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Series B Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Series B Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Series B Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation.

(ii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Series B Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Corporation unless the Corporation directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the Corporation. The Corporation may not issue new Series B Preferred Stock certificates to replace Series B Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Series B Preferred Stock that the Corporation has purchased or otherwise acquired.

11. Registrar and Transfer Agent . The duly appointed Transfer Agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”) and Registrar (the “ Registrar ”) for the Series B Preferred Stock shall be BNY Mellon Shareowner Services. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent and Registrar in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the Transfer Agent and Registrar; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent and registrar who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.

12. Paying Agent and Conversion Agent . The Corporation shall maintain in the United States (i) an office or agency in the United States where the Series B Preferred Stock may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and (ii) an office or agency where the Series B Preferred Stock may be presented for

 

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conversion (the “ Conversion Agent ”). The Transfer Agent shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion Agent, unless another Paying Agent or Conversion Agent is appointed by the Corporation. The Corporation may appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent. The Corporation may change any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Corporation shall notify the Registrar of the name and address of any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent appointed by the Corporation. If the Corporation fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Registrar shall act as such. The Corporation or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent.

13. No Preemptive Rights . No share of Series B Preferred Stock shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.

14. Currency . All payments and distributions on or with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock shall be made in U.S. currency. All references herein to “$”or “dollars” refer to U.S. currency.

15. Reacquired Shares . Shares of Series B Preferred Stock that are duly converted in accordance with Section 8 or that are repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall, upon the effectiveness of such conversion, repurchase or reacquisition, resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series and available for future issuance; provided that any such canceled shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be reissued only as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation may from time to time take such appropriate action as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

16. Notices . With respect to any notice to a Holder of Series B Preferred Stock required to be provided this Section E, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other Holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice that was mailed in the manner provided in this Section E shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives the notice. All notice periods referred to in this Section E shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice. Notice to any Holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be given to the registered address set forth in the Corporation’s stock register, or for Global Series B Preferred Stock, to the Depositary in accordance with its procedures.

17. Legal Holidays . Any payments required to be made under this Section E on any day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without interest or additional payment for such delay. Any actions required to be made this Section E on any day that is not a Business Day shall be taken on the next succeeding Business Day.

18. Calculations . Except as otherwise provided in this Section E, the Corporation shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under this Section E. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Closing Sale Price and Daily VWAP of the Common Stock, accumulated dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Stock, the Aggregate Net Proceeds, the Available Net Proceeds, the amount of the Make-Whole Payment, and the Conversion Rate of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, such calculations will be final and binding on the Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall provide a schedule of its calculations to the Transfer Agent, and the Transfer Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Transfer Agent will forward such calculations to any Holder upon the written request of such Holder.

 

41


19. Headings . The headings of the Sections of this Section E are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

ARTICLE V

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware:

A. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation, without any action on the part of the stockholders, by the vote of at least a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office; which shall include the affirmative vote of at least one director from each class of the Board of Directors if the Board of Directors shall then be divided into classes. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation, the bylaws may also be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders representing only a majority of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting as one class, shall be required if such adoption, amendment or repeal of the bylaws has been previously approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors of the Corporation then in office.

B. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

C. The books of the Corporation may be kept at such place within or without the State of Delaware as the bylaws of the Corporation may provide or as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

A. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15) persons. The exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the Corporation then in office. The Board of Directors, other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible, and the term of office of directors of one class shall expire at each annual meeting of stockholders, and in all cases as to each director until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Upon the effectiveness of this Restated Certificate, the Board of Directors shall assign all members of the Board of Directors then in office to a class and those directors assigned to Class I shall hold office for a term expiring at the first regularly scheduled annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Restated Certificate (the “Effective Time”), those directors assigned to Class II shall hold office for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, and those directors assigned to Class III shall hold office for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, a number of directors equal to the number of directors whose term expires at the time of such meeting (or, if less, the number of directors properly nominated and qualified for election) shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.

B. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall

 

42


be filled solely by a majority vote of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. Directors chosen pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions shall hold office for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders at which the term of the class to which they have been elected expires and until their successors are duly elected and have qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors pursuant to paragraph A of this Article VI shall be apportioned among the three classes as equally as possible. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, or by the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation, may exercise the powers of the full board until the vacancy is filled.

C. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only for cause.

ARTICLE VII

A. No action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

B. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied.

C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

A. Limitation on Liability . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

B. Indemnification . Each person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person), shall be indemnified and advanced expenses by the Corporation, in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation, to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) or any other applicable laws as presently or hereinafter in effect. The right to indemnification and advancement of expenses hereunder shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

C. Insurance . The Corporation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

43


D. Repeal and Modification . Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder immediately prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE IX

The affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend in any respect or repeal this Article IX, Paragraph A of Article V, and Articles VI, VII and VIII.

*    *     *

FIFTH: This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

SIXTH: This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Written consent of the stockholders has been given with respect to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and written notice of the amendments reflected herein has been given to all stockholders who did not consent in writing to such amendments, as provided in Section 228.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary this     day of                     , 2011.

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

By

    
   Jeffrey Stroburg, Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:

By

    
   [    ], Secretary

 

44


EXHIBIT A

[Form of Face of Series B Preferred Stock Certificate]

[ Global Securities Legend ] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, NEW YORK CORPORATION (THE “DEPOSITARY” , WHICH TERM INCLUDES ANY SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY), TO THE CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREIN IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS REFERRED TO BELOW.

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.]

 

45


Number: [    ]      [        ] Shares   

CUSIP No:

Series B Preferred Stock

(par value $.0001 per share)

(liquidation preference as specified below)

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that [            ] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of fully paid and non-assessable shares of preferred stock of the Corporation designated the “Series B Preferred Stock,” par value $.0001 per share and initial liquidation preference $25.00 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Restated Certificate”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the respective meanings given them in the Restated Certificate. The Corporation will provide a copy of the Restated Certificate to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal place of business.

Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof, and to the Restated Certificate, which select provisions and the Restated Certificate shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Restated Certificate and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Restated Certificate or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

46


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. has executed this certificate as of the date set forth below.

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

By:

   

Name:

Title:

By:

   

Name:

Title:

Dated:

 

 

TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock referred to in the within mentioned Restated Certificate.

 

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services,

as Transfer Agent

By:    
Name:
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Dated:  

 

 

47


[Form of Reverse of Series B Preferred Stock Certificate]

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

Series B Preferred Stock

Dividends on each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be payable at a rate of 4.50% per annum as provided in the Restated Certificate or such greater amount as provided in the Restated Certificate.

The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemable as provided in the Restated Certificate. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Corporation’s Common Stock in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Restated Certificate.

As required under Delaware law, the Corporation shall furnish to any Holder upon request and without charge, a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of the Corporation’s stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

48


ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

 
(Insert assignee’s social security or taxpayer identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
 
 
and irrevocably appoints:
 
agent to transfer the shares of Series B Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent and Registrar. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date:       
Signature(s):       
(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)  
   
Signature Guarantee:       

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

49


CONVERSION NOTICE

To convert all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate into shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation in accordance with the conditions of the Restated Certificate, check the box   ¨

To convert only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate, state the number of shares to be converted:                                 

Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of dividends accompanies this Certificate.

If you want the stock certificate for shares of Common Stock made out in another Person’s name fill in the form below, and you agree to pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto:

 

 

(Insert the other Person’s social security or taxpayer identification number)

 

 

(Insert address and zip code of the other Person)

 

 

 

 

Date:                                                   

 

Signature(s):       
(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)  
   
Signature Guarantee:       

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

The Corporation is not required to issue shares of Common Stock until the original Sereis B Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received by the Corporation or its Transfer Agent. The Corporation shall issue and deliver shares of Common Stock as promptly as practicable following receipt of the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) to be converted.

 

50


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate purchased by the Corporation in an Offer pursuant to the Restated Certificate, check the box:   ¨

If you want to elect to have only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate purchased by the Corporation in an Offer pursuant to the Restated Certificate, state the number of shares you elect to have purchased:                                      

 

Date:                                                                                          

Signature(s):     
(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)
 
 
(Social security or taxpayer identification number)
Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

(Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

51


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT REDEMPTION

If you want to elect to have all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate redeemed by the Corporation on June 30, 2015 pursuant to the Restated Certificate, check the box:   ¨

If you want to elect to have only a portion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate redeemed by the Corporation on June 30, 2015 pursuant to the Restated Certificate, state the number of shares you elect to have redeemed:                                      

 

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Signature(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

(Sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on the other side of this Certificate)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

(Social security or taxpayer identification number)

 

52


SCHEDULE I 1

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES FOR GLOBAL SECURITY

The initial number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Global Series B Preferred Stock Certificate shall be                     . The following exchanges of a part of the Global Series B Preferred Stock represented by this Certificate have been made:

 

Date of Exchange   Amount of decrease
in number of shares
represented by this
global Certificate
  Amount of increase
in number of shares
represented by this
global Certificate
  Number of shares
represented by this
global Certificate
following such
decrease or increase
  Signature of
authorized  officer of
Transfer Agent and
Registrar
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 
         
                 

 

1   To be included only for Global Series B Preferred Stock

 

53

Exhibit 10.1

MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

by and among

REG NEWTON, LLC,

An Iowa limited liability company

and

AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA

dated

as of

March 8, 2010


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I.        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS      1   

Section 1.01 Certain Defined Terms

     1   

Section 1.02 Accounting Matters

     10   

Section 1.03 Construction

     10   
ARTICLE II.       AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE LOANS      10   

Section 2.01 Supplements

     10   

Section 2.02 Term Loan

     11   

Section 2.03 Revolving Line of Credit Loan

     11   

Section 2.04 Reserved

     11   

Section 2.05 Default Interest.

     11   

Section 2.06 Late Charge

     11   

Section 2.07 Prepayment of Loans

     12   

Section 2.08 Changes in Law Rendering Certain LIBOR Rate Loans Unlawful

     12   

Section 2.09 Payments and Computations

     12   

Section 2.10 Maximum Amount Limitation

     13   

Section 2.11 Lender Records

     14   

Section 2.12 Loan Payments

     14   

Section 2.13 Compensation

     14   

Section 2.14 Debt Service Reserve Account

     14   

Section 2.15 Excess Cash Flow

     16   
ARTICLE III.      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT      16   

Section 3.01 Conditions Precedent to Funding

     16   
ARTICLE IV.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      20   

Section 4.01 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower

     20   
ARTICLE V.       COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER      24   

Section 5.01 Affirmative Covenants

     24   

Section 5.02 Negative Covenants

     30   
ARTICLE VI.     EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES      33   

Section 6.01 Events of Default

     33   

Section 6.02 Remedies

     36   

Section 6.03 Remedies Cumulative

     36   
ARTICLE VII.    MISCELLANEOUS      37   

Section 7.01 Amendments, etc.

     37   

Section 7.02 Notices, etc.

     37   

 

i


Section 7.03 No Waiver; Remedies

     38   

Section 7.04 Costs, Expenses and Taxes.

     38   

Section 7.05 Right of Set-off

     38   

Section 7.06 Severability of Provisions

     39   

Section 7.07 Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns; Participations.

     39   

Section 7.08 Consent to Jurisdiction.

     40   

Section 7.09 Governing Law

     40   

Section 7.10 Execution in Counterparts

     40   

Section 7.11 Survival

     40   

Section 7.12 Reserved

     40   

Section 7.13 Waiver of Jury Trial

     41   

Section 7.14 Entire Agreement

     41   

Section 7.15 Sale of Real Estate

     41   

 

ii


LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

 

Schedule 3.01(d)      Real Property
Schedule 4.01(a)      Description of Certain Transactions Related to the Borrower’s Stock
Schedule 4.01(f)      Description of Certain Threatened Actions, etc.
Schedule 4.01(k)      Location of Inventory and Farm Products; Third Parties in Possession; Crops
Schedule 4.01(l)      Office Locations; Fictitious Names; Etc.
Schedule 4.01(p)      Intellectual Property
Schedule 4.01(t)      Environmental Compliance
Schedule 5.01(o)      Management
Schedule 5.02(a)      Description of Certain Liens, Lease Obligations, etc.
Schedule 5.02(k)      Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 5.02(l)      Management Fees and Compensation
Exhibit A      Compliance Certificate

 

iii


MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement” ), dated as of March 8, 2010, between AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA (the “Lender” ) and REG NEWTON, LLC , an Iowa limited liability company (the “Borrower” ).

RECITALS

A. The Borrower has requested the Lender extend to the Borrower various credit facilities for the purposes of the Acquisition and operating a biodiesel production facility located in or near Newton, Iowa (the “ Plant ”).

B. Lender has agreed to make such loans to the Borrower on the term and conditions contained in this Agreement and the related documents.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, intending to be legally bound hereby, and in consideration of Lender making one or more loans to the Borrower, Lender and the Borrower agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms . All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and in the Supplements shall have the following meanings. Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended from time to time. All references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America.

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of the assets of Central Iowa Energy, LLC, by the Borrower pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement and the other Acquisition Documents.

Acquisition Advance ” means the initial advance made to the Borrower for purposes of making payment to Lender on the CIE Loan.

Acquisition Agreement ” means that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2009, as amended and restated as of August 7, 2009, by and among the Borrower and Central Iowa Energy, LLC, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

Acquisition Documents ” means the Acquisition Agreement and all other documents related thereto and executed in connection therewith.

 

1


Advances ” means the Loans provided the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement and the Supplements to this Agreement.

Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person: (a) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; (b) that directly or indirectly beneficially owns or holds ten percent (10%) or more of any class of voting stock or membership interests (units) of such Person; or (c) ten percent (10%) or more of the voting stock or membership interests (units) of which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Person in question. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; provided, however , in no event shall the Lender or any Bank be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of their subsidiaries.

Agreement ” means this Agreement, as this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, together with all supplements, exhibits and schedules attached to or made a part of this Agreement from time to time.

Allowed Distributions ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b).

Applicable Rate ” means, in relation to any Loan which bears interest on a variable rate, the interest rate per annum which is equal to the greater of the (i) LIBOR Rate and (ii) two percent (2.0%).

Avista ” means Avista Trade OY.

Borrower ” means REG Newton, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

Borrower Rights ” means all statutory or regulatory rights of a borrower to disclosure of effective interest rates, differential interest rates, review of credit decisions, distressed loan restructuring, and rights of first refusal, as may be provided by the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, 12 U.S.C. §§ 2199-2202e, and the implementing Farm Credit Administration regulations, 12 C.F.R. §617.7000, et seq.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of the State of Minnesota, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Lender’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any LIBOR Rate, means any such day on which dealings in dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the applicable offshore dollar interbank market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the sum of all amounts that would, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, be included as additions to property, plant and equipment on a statement of cash flows for the Borrower during such period, with respect to: (a) the acquisition, construction, improvement, replacement or betterment of land, buildings, machinery, equipment or of any other fixed

 

2


assets or leaseholds; or (b) other capital expenditures and other uses recorded as capital expenditures having substantially the same effect.

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

CIE Loan ” mean that certain revolving line of credit loan dated September 26, 2006 from Lender to Central Iowa Energy, LLC.

Collateral ” means and includes, without limitation, all property and assets granted as collateral security for the Loans or other indebtedness, in favor of the Lender, whether real or personal property, whether granted directly or indirectly, whether granted now or in the future, and whether granted in the form of a security interest, mortgage, assignment of rents, deed of trust, assignment, pledge, chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien, charge, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever; whether created by law, contract or otherwise.

Commitment ” means the respective amounts committed to by Lender under this Agreement, the Supplements and the Notes.

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate of the Treasurer, or any other officer reasonably acceptable to the Lender, of the Borrower, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, setting forth the calculations of current financial covenants and stating: (a) the financial statements are true and correct and, other than the unaudited interim financial statements, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied; (b) whether they have knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default under this Agreement, and if so, stating in reasonable detail the facts with respect thereto; and (c) reaffirm and ratify the representations and warranties, as of the date of the certificate, contained in this Agreement.

Current Portion of Long Term Debt ” means that portion of Funded Debt payable within the twelve months prior to the date of such determination, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Debt ” means: (A) indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (B) obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases; (C) obligations under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clause (A) or (B) above or (E) through (G) below; (D) liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under plans covered by Title IV of ERISA; (E) indebtedness in respect of mandatory redemption or mandatory dividend rights on equity interests but excluding dividends payable

 

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solely in additional equity interests; (F) all obligations of a Person, contingent or otherwise, for the payment of money under any noncompete, consulting or similar agreement entered into with the seller of a company or its assets or any other similar arrangements providing for the deferred payment of the purchase price for an acquisition permitted hereby or an acquisition consummated prior to the date hereof; and (G) all obligations of a Person under any Hedging Agreement.

Debt Service Reserve Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14.

Debt Service Reserve Account ” means that certain account maintained by the Borrower for the benefit of the Lender, for the purpose set forth in Section 2.14 of this Agreement.

Default Rate ” means the lesser of: (a) the Maximum Rate; or (b) the rate per annum which shall from day-to-day be equal to five percent (5%) in excess of the then applicable rate of interest under the applicable Supplement or Note.

Deposit Account ” means all demand, times savings, passbook and similar accounts maintained by Borrower with a financial institution.

Distribution ” means any dividend, distribution, payment, or transfer of property by the Borrower to any member of the Borrower.

Effective Date ” means March 8, 2010.

Environmental Laws ” means all federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, programs, permits, guidances, orders and consent decrees relating to health, safety and environmental matters applicable to the Borrower and its business, assets and property, including, without limitation, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et   seq ., as amended; CERCLA; the Toxic Substance Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et   seq ., as amended; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 466 et   seq ., as amended; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et   seq ., as amended; state and federal superlien and environmental cleanup programs; and U. S. Department of Transportation regulations.

EBITDA ” means for any period, the total of the following each calculated without duplication for the Borrower for such period: (i) Net Income +/- Extraordinary Items; plus (ii) any provision for (or less any benefit from) Income Taxes included in determining such Net Income; plus (iii) Interest Expense deducted in determining such Net Income; plus (iv) amortization and depreciation expense deducted in determining such Net Income.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Events of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Excess Cash Flow ” means EBITDA, less the sum of: (i) required payments in respect of

 

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Funded Debt, the final payment in respect of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan on the Revolving Line of Credit Maturity Date; (ii) Interest Expense; (iii) any increase in Working Capital from the prior calculation of Excess Cash Flow until total Working Capital exceeds $6,000,000.00; (iv) without duplication, Maintenance Capital Expenditures in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000.00 per fiscal year; (v) Allowed Distributions; and (vi) funding of Debt Service Reserve Account.

Excess Cash Flow Payment ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15.

Excess Distributions ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b).

Extraordinary Items ” means items which are material and significantly different from the Borrower’s typical business activities, including, without limitation, any payments received from Avista in settlement or satisfaction of the claims asserted by Central Iowa Energy, LLC, against Avista, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio of EBITDA to the sum of: Current Portion of Long Term Debt + Interest Expense + Distributions + Maintenance Capital Expenditures.

Food Security Act ” means the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. §1631, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Funded Debt ” means the principal amount of all Debt of the Borrower having a final maturity of more than one year from the date of origin thereof (or which is renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor for a period or periods more than one year from the date of origin) excluding, however, any line of credit used by Borrower for working capital purposes, all determined in accordance with GAAP applied for the period in question.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority ” means and includes any and all courts, boards, agencies, commissions, offices, or authorities of any nature whatsoever for any governmental unit (federal, state, county, district, municipality, city, or otherwise) whether now or hereafter in existence.

Guaranty” / “Guaranties ” shall mean those guaranties given by the Guarantor, pursuant to which the Guarantor shall guarantee the prompt payment and performance of the Borrower under the Notes and this Agreement subject to the terms thereof.

Guarantor ” means REG.

Hedging Agreement ” means any interest rate swap, interest rate caps, interest rate collars or other similar agreements enabling a Person to fix or limit its interest expense or pursuant to any foreign exchange, currency hedging, commodity hedging, security hedging or other

 

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agreement enabling a Person to limit the market risk of holding currency, a security or a commodity in either the cash or futures markets.

Income Taxes ” means the applicable state, local or federal tax on the net income of the Borrower.

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(p).

Interest Expense ” means for any period, the total interest expense of the Borrower calculated on a consolidated basis.

Interest Period ” means (for each Loan) (a) initially, the period beginning on (and including) the date on which the Loan is made and ending on (but excluding) the first day of the next calendar month thereafter; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the first day of each succeeding calendar month thereafter and ending on the last day of such month. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) any Interest Period which would otherwise extend beyond the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date, and (b) other than the initial Interest Period and the final Interest Period, no Interest Period shall have a duration of less than one (1) month.

Inventory ” means all of the Borrower’s inventory, as such term is defined in the UCC, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, whether consisting of whole goods, spare parts or components, supplies or materials, whether acquired, held or furnished for sale, for lease or under service contracts or for manufacture or processing, and wherever located.

Lender ” means AgStar Financial Services, PCA, and its successors and assigns.

LIBOR Rate ” (London Interbank Offered Rate) means the One Month London Interbank Offered Rate (“One Month LIBOR”), rounded upward to the nearest ten thousandth of one percent, reported on the tenth day of the month preceding each Interest Period by the Wall Street Journal in its daily listing of money rates, defined therein as the average of interbank offered rates for dollar deposits in the London market. If a One Month LIBOR rate is not reported on the tenth day of a month, the One Month LIBOR rate reported on the first business day preceding the tenth day of the month will be used. If this index is no longer available, Lender will select a new index which is based upon comparable information.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, any and all Supplements to this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Agreement, the Mortgage and all other agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates of the Borrower delivered to, or in favor of, the Lender under this Agreement or in connection herewith or therewith, including, without limitation, all agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates delivered in connection with the extension of Advances by the Lender.

Loan Obligations ” means all obligations, indebtedness, and liabilities of the Borrower to the Lender, arising pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, whether now existing or hereafter

 

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arising, whether direct, indirect, related, unrelated, fixed, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated, joint, several, or joint and several, including, without limitation, the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Advances, interest on the Advances, and all fees, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) provided for in the Loan Documents.

Loan/Loans ” means and includes the Term Loan, the Revolving Line of Credit Loan and any other financial accommodations extended to the Borrower by the Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Supplements.

Long Term Debt ” means indebtedness that matures more than one year after the date of determination thereof.

Long Term Marketing Agreement ” means any contract, agreement or understanding of the Borrower having a term of one year or more after the date of determination thereof relating to the sale of any raw materials, inventory, products or by-products of the Borrower.

Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means all Capital Expenditures, not to exceed an aggregate amount of $500,000 per fiscal year, made in the ordinary course of business to maintain existing business operations of the Borrower in any fiscal year, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any set of circumstances or events which: (i) has any material adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability of any Loan Documents or any material term or condition contained therein; (ii) is material and adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), business assets, operations, or property of the Borrower; or (iii) materially impairs the ability of the Borrower to perform the obligations under the Loan Documents.

Material Contract ” means (i) any contract or any other agreement, written or oral, of the Borrower involving monetary liability of or to any such person in an amount in excess of $500,000.00 per annum; and (ii) any other contract or agreement, written or oral, of the Borrower the failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower; provided, however, that any contract or agreement which is terminable by a party other than the Borrower without cause upon notice of 90 days or less shall not be considered a Material Contract.

Maturity Date ” means March 8, 2013.

Maximum Rate ” means the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, at any time, or from time to time, that may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received under applicable state or federal laws.

Mortgage ” means that certain Mortgage of even date herewith, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, pursuant to which a mortgage interest shall be granted by

 

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the Borrower to the Lender in the Real Property to secure payment to the Lender of the Loan Obligations.

Net Income ” means net income as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Note/Notes ” means and includes the Term Note, Revolving Line of Credit Note and all other promissory notes executed and delivered to the Lender by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Supplements as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.

Ordinary Trade Payable Dispute ” means trade accounts payable, in an aggregate amount not in excess of $200,000.00 with respect to the Borrower, and with respect to which: (a) there exists a bona fide dispute between Borrower and the vendor; (b) the Borrower is contesting the same in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and (c) the Borrower has established appropriate reserves on its financial statements.

Permitted Liens ” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term in Section 5.02(a).

Person ” means any individual, corporation, business trust, association, company, partnership, joint venture, governmental authority, or other entity.

Personal Property ” means all equipment, fixtures, improvements, building supplies and materials and other personal property now or hereafter attached to, located in, placed in or necessary to the use of the improvements on the Real Property including, but without being limited to, all machinery, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, and appliances, as well as all renewals, replacements, additions, and substitutes thereof, and all products and proceeds thereof, and including without limitation all inventory, farm products, accounts, instruments, chattel paper, other rights to payment, money, deposit accounts, commodity accounts, investment property, insurance proceeds and general intangibles of the Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

Plant ” means the biodiesel production facility owned by Borrower and located in or near Newton, Jasper County, Iowa.

REG ” means Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Real Property ” means that real property located in Jasper County, Iowa, owned by the Borrower, upon which the Plant is located and which is described in Schedule 3.01(d).

Related Documents ” means and includes without limitation all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, supplements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the indebtedness.

 

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Revolving Loans ” means the Revolving Line of Credit Loan and any other revolving loan provided by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement and in any revolving loan supplement.

Revolving Line of Credit Loan ” means that line of credit from the Lender to the Borrower in the amount not to exceed $2,350,000.00 and pursuant to the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement and the Second Supplement to the Agreement.

Revolving Line of Credit Note ” means that certain promissory note of even date herewith executed and delivered to the Lender by the Borrower in the amount of $2,350,000.00 and pursuant to the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement and the Second Supplement to this Agreement.

Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date ” means the maturity date set forth in the Second Supplement to this Agreement.

SARA ” means the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorizations Act of 1986, as amended.

Security Agreement ” means and includes, without limitation, any agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, understandings, or other agreements, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise, which evidence, govern, represent, or create a Security Interest, as the same has been and may hereafter be amended or otherwise modified.

Security Interest ” means and includes without limitation any type of collateral security, whether in the form of a lien, charge, mortgage, assignment of rents, deed of trust, assignment, pledge, chattel mortgage, chattel trust, factor’s lien, equipment trust, conditional sale, trust receipt, lien or title retention contract, lease or consignment intended as a security device, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

Subordinated Debt ” means all Debt that is subject to a subordination agreement acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion.

Supplement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

Tangible Net Worth ” means the excess of total assets over total liabilities except Subordinated Debt, total assets and total liabilities each to be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.01(c) for the Borrower, excluding, however, from the determination of total assets: (i) goodwill, organizational expenses, research and development expenses, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent applications, licenses and rights in any thereof, and other similar intangibles; (ii) treasury stock; (iii) securities which are not readily marketable; (iv) cash held in a sinking or other analogous fund established for the purpose of redemption, retirement or prepayment of capital stock or

 

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Debt; (v) any write-up in the book value of any asset resulting from a revaluation thereof subsequent to the Effective Date; (vi) any write down in the book value of any asset resulting from purchase accounting adjustments required by GAAP; (vii) amortized start-up costs; and (viii) any items not included in clauses (i) through (vii) above which are treated as intangibles in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Term Loan ” means any amortizing loan with a maturity of greater than one year provided by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the First Supplement to this Agreement.

Term Note ” means that certain promissory note of even date herewith executed and delivered to the Lender by the Borrower in the amount of $23,610,731.50 and pursuant to the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement and the First Supplement to this Agreement.

Working Capital ” means the current assets of the Borrower (excluding the Debt Service Reserve Amount and cash), less the current liabilities of the Borrower (excluding the Current Portion of Long Term Debt) as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Working Capital Ratio ” means the ratio of current assets of the Borrower to current liabilities of the Borrower, excluding Current Portion of Long Term Debt and the Acquisition Advance from current liabilities.

Section 1.02. Accounting Matters . All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, except as otherwise stated herein. To enable the ready and consistent determination of compliance by the Borrower with its obligations under this Agreement, the Borrower will not change the manner in which either the last day of its fiscal year or the last days of the first three fiscal quarters of its fiscal years is calculated. Unless otherwise stated herein, accounting matters shall be determined solely with respect to the Borrower and not as consolidated with any other party.

Section 1.03. Construction . Wherever herein the singular number is used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender shall include each other gender where appropriate. The headings, captions or arrangements used in any of the Loan Documents are, unless specified otherwise, for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of the Loan Documents, nor affect the meaning thereof.

ARTICLE II

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE LOANS

Section 2.01. Supplements . In the event the Borrower desires to borrow from Lender and Lender is willing to lend to the Borrower, or in the event Lender and Borrower desire to consolidate any existing loans hereunder, the parties, Lender and Borrower, will enter into a supplement to this Agreement (each supplement, as it may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated

 

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from time to time, a “ Supplement ” and, collectively, the “ Supplements ”). Each Supplement will set forth Lender’s commitment to make a Loan to the Borrower, the amount of the Loan(s), the purpose of the Loan(s), the interest rate or rate options applicable to the Loan(s), the repayment terms of the Loan(s), and any other terms and conditions applicable to the Loan(s). Each Supplement will also be accompanied by a Note of the Borrower setting forth the Borrower’s obligation to make payments of interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Loan(s), and fees and premiums, if any, and to repay the principal balance of the Loan(s). Each Loan will be governed by the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement and in the Note and the Supplement relating to that Loan.

Section 2.02. Term Loan . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, the Lender has agreed to lend to Borrower and Borrower has agreed to borrow from Lender as of the Effective Date an amount not to exceed $23,610,731.50 for the purpose of the Acquisition. Such amount shall be loaned by Lender pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the First Supplement to this Agreement.

Section 2.03. Revolving Line of Credit Loan . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, the Lender has agreed to lend to Borrower and Borrower has agreed to borrow from Lender, as of the Effective Date and from time to time thereafter, on a revolving basis an amount not to exceed $2,350,000.00. Such amount shall be loaned by Lender pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Second Supplement to this Agreement. Pursuant to the terms and conditions in this Agreement, the Lender may extend additional Revolving Loans to the Borrower. Any such future Revolving Loans shall be provided by Lender pursuant to the terms and conditions of a future term Revolving Loan Supplement.

Section 2.04. Reserved .

Section 2.05 Default Interest . In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and notwithstanding any Note: (i) if the Borrower fails to make any payment to Lender when due, then at Lender’s option in each instance, such obligation or payment shall bear interest from the date due to the date paid at the Default Rate; (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default beyond any applicable cure period, if any, at Lender’s option in each instance, the unpaid balances of the Loans shall bear interest from the date of the Event of Default or such later date as Lender shall elect at the Default Rate; (iii) after the maturity of any Loan, whether by reason of acceleration or otherwise, the unpaid principal balance of the Loan (including without limitation, principal, interest, fees and expenses) shall automatically bear interest at the Default Rate. Interest payable at the Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand or, if not sooner demanded, on the last day of each calendar month.

Section 2.06. Late Charge . If any payment of principal or interest due under the Supplements or the Notes is not paid within ten (10) days of the due date thereof, the Borrower shall, in addition to such amount, pay a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment.

 

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Section 2.07. Prepayment of Loans . The Borrower may, at anytime and from time to time, upon 60 days advance written notice to the Lender, prepay the outstanding amount of the Loans in whole or in part with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, without penalty or premium but subject to Sections 2.13 and 7.04 of this Agreement. Any prepayment does not otherwise affect Borrower’s obligation to pay any fees due under this Agreement nor the amount of any installments due under the Loans.

Section 2.08. Changes in Law Rendering Certain LIBOR Rate Loans Unlawful . In the event that any change in any applicable law (including the adoption of any new applicable law) or any change in the interpretation of any applicable law by any judicial, governmental or other regulatory body charged with the interpretation, implementation or administration thereof, should make it (or in the good-faith judgment of the Lender should raise a substantial question as to whether it is) unlawful for the Lender to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Rate Loans, then: (a) the Lender shall promptly notify each of the other parties hereto; and (b) the obligation of the Lender to make LIBOR rate loans of such type shall, upon the effectiveness of such event, be suspended for the duration of such unlawfulness. During the period of any suspension, Lender shall make loans to Borrower that are deemed lawful and that as closely as possible reflect the terms of this Agreement.

Section 2.09. Payments and Computations .

(a) Method of Payment . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments of principal, interest, and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall be made to the Lender in U.S. dollars and in immediately available funds, without set-off, deduction, or counterclaim, not later than 2:00 P.M. (Minneapolis, Minnesota time) on the date on which such payment shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day). The Borrower shall, at the time of making each such payment, specify to the Lender the sums payable under the Loan Documents to which such payment is to be applied and in the event that the Borrower fails to so specify or if an Event of Default exists, the Lender may apply such payment and any proceeds of any Collateral to the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as it may elect in its sole discretion.

(b) Application of Funds . Lender may apply all payments received by it to the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as Lender may elect in its sole discretion; provided that any payments received from any guarantor or from any disposition of any collateral provided by such guarantor shall only be applied against obligations guaranteed by such guarantor.

(c) Payments on a Non-Business Day . Whenever any payment under any Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of the payment of interest and fees, as the case may be.

(d) Proceeds of Collateral . Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement of even date with this Agreement, all

 

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proceeds received by the Lender from the sale or other liquidation of the Collateral when an Event of Default exists shall first be applied as payment of the accrued and unpaid fees and expenses of the Lender hereunder, including, without limitation, under Section 7.04 and then to all other unpaid or unreimbursed Loan Obligations (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) owing to the Lender and then any remaining amount of such proceeds shall be applied to the unpaid amounts of Loan Obligations, until all the Loan Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full or cash collateralized. After all the Loan Obligations (including without limitation, all contingent Loan Obligations) have been paid and satisfied in full, all Commitments terminated and all other obligations of the Lender to the Borrower otherwise satisfied, any remaining proceeds of Collateral shall be delivered to the Person entitled thereto as directed by the Borrower or as otherwise determined by applicable law or applicable court order.

(e) Computations . Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of actual number of days lapsed over a year of 365 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.

Section 2.10. Maximum Amount Limitation . Anything in this Agreement, any Supplement, any Note, or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall not be required to pay unearned interest on any Note or any of the Loan Obligations, or ever be required to pay interest on any Note or any of the Loan Obligations at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any. If the effective rate of interest which would otherwise be payable under this Agreement, any Note or any of the other Loan Documents would exceed the Maximum Rate, if any, then the rate of interest which would otherwise be contracted for, charged, or received under this Agreement, any Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall be reduced to the Maximum Rate, if any. If any unearned interest or discount or property that is deemed to constitute interest (including, without limitation, to the extent that any of the fees payable by Borrower for the Loan Obligations to the Lender under this Agreement, any Supplement, any Note, or any of the other Loan Documents are deemed to constitute interest) is contracted for, charged, or received in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any, then such interest in excess of the Maximum Rate shall be deemed a mistake and canceled, shall not be collected or collectible, and if paid nonetheless, shall, at the option of the holder of such Note, be either refunded to the Borrower, or credited on the principal of such Note. It is further agreed that, without limitation of the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable law, all calculations of the rate of interest or discount contracted for, charged or received by the Lender under its Note, or under any of the Loan Documents, that are made for the purpose of determining whether such rate exceeds the Maximum Rate applicable to the Lender, if any, shall be made, to the extent permitted by applicable laws (now or hereafter enacted), by amortizing, prorating and spreading during the period of the full terms of the Advances evidenced by the Notes, and any renewals thereof all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by Lender in connection therewith. This Section 2.10 shall control every other provision of all agreements among the parties to this Agreement pertaining to the transactions contemplated by or contained in the Loan Documents, and the terms of this Section 2.10 shall be deemed to be incorporated in every Loan Document and communication related thereto.

 

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Section 2.11. Lender Records . All advances and all payments or prepayments made thereunder on account of principal or interest may be evidenced by the Lender in accordance with its usual practice in an account or accounts evidencing such advances and all payments or prepayments thereunder from time to time and the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid from time to time thereunder; in any legal action or proceeding in respect of the Notes, the entries made in such account or accounts shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of all advances and all payments or prepayments made thereunder on account of principal or interest. Lender shall provide monthly statements of such entries to Borrower for the purpose of confirming the accuracy of such entries.

Section 2.12. Loan Payments . During the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lender may deduct any obligations due or any other amounts due and payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents from any Deposit Accounts controlled by Lender or from the Debt Service Reserve Account maintained with the Lender, at the Lender’s sole discretion.

Section 2.13. Compensation . Upon the request of the Lender, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender such amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of the Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense (excluding loss of anticipated profits incurred by it) as a result of: (i) any payment, prepayment, or conversion of a LIBOR Rate Loan for any reason on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan; or (ii) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without limitation, the failure of any condition precedent specified in Section 3.01 to be satisfied) to borrow, extend, or prepay a LIBOR Rate Loan on the date for such borrowing, extension, or prepayment specified in the relevant notice of borrowing, extension or prepayment under this Agreement.

Such indemnification may include any amount equal to the excess, if any, of: (a) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or extended, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrower, convert or extend to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or extend, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such loan as provided for herein; over (b) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by the Lender) which would have accrued to the Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank LIBOR market. The covenants of the Borrower set forth in this Section 2.13 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Loan Documents hereunder.

Section 2.14. Debt Service Reserve Account . Borrower shall fund and maintain a debt service reserve in the Debt Service Reserve Account, in an amount equal to twelve (12) monthly payments of principal and interest on the Term Loan as determined from time to time by the Lender (the “ Debt Service Reserve Amount ”). Beginning with the first fiscal year end after the Effective Date, and at each fiscal year end thereafter, until such time as the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account is equal to or greater than the Debt Service Reserve Amount, one hundred percent (100%) of Excess Cash Flow shall be deposited in the Debt Service Reserve Account by Borrower

 

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within 120 days of each fiscal year end. The balance held in the Debt Service Reserve Account shall earn interest at the rate determined by the Lender from time to time.

If at any time after the Debt Service Reserve Amount has been fully funded by the Borrower the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account is less than sixty-seven percent (67.0%) of the applicable Debt Service Reserve Amount, the Borrower shall, within sixty (60) days after receipt of notice from the Lender as provided herein, deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account an amount sufficient to restore the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account to an amount not less than the Debt Service Reserve Amount; provided, however, Borrower shall not be required to make a deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account to the extent that such a deposit would exceed one hundred percent (100%) of Excess Cash Flow, calculated based upon unaudited monthly financial statements required by Section 5.01(c)(ii) of this Agreement for the month ending immediately prior to receipt of notice from the Lender. In the event that Borrower is not required to fully restore the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account pursuant to the foregoing sentence, Borrower shall at the earliest possible date thereafter, to the extent of Excess Cash Flow determined on unaudited monthly financial statements required by Section 5.01(c)(ii) of this Agreement or audited financial statements required by Section 5.01(c)(i) of this Agreement, as applicable, deposit in the Debt Service Reserve Account such additional amounts as will restore the balance in the Debt Service Reserve Account to an amount not less than the Debt Service Reserve Amount.

As and when any of the Loan Obligations are past due, after any applicable grace periods have expired, under any Loan Document, Lender, in its sole discretion, may withdraw from the Debt Service Reserve Account the amount of the then past due Loan Obligations and apply such amounts to the payment of the past due Loan Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Loan Documents, the Lender may, after any applicable grace periods have expired, withdraw amounts in the Debt Service Reserve Account, in its sole discretion, and apply such amounts to the payment of the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as Lender shall determine in its sole discretion. Withdrawals by the Lender of any amounts from the Debt Service Reserve Account to pay any Loan Obligations as provided in this Section 2.14 may be made without the requirement of any consent by or notice to the Borrower, provided that Lender shall provide to Borrower notice that such withdrawal was made within a reasonable time thereafter.

Borrower recognizes and acknowledges that its obligation to pay the Loan Obligations are absolute and unconditional and it is not dependent upon sufficient deposits in the Debt Service Reserve Account being available to make payment on any Loan Obligations, and nothing herein shall be construed to negate or modify the Borrower’s absolute and unconditional obligation to pay the Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Loan Documents. Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lender any and all deposit account control agreements the Lender may reasonably request in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, and take all actions and deliver all documents the Lender may reasonably request or require to perfect the Lender’s security interest in the Debt Service Reserve Account, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents.

 

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Section 2.15. Excess Cash Flow . In addition to all other payments of principal and interest required under this Agreement, the Supplements and the Notes, beginning with the first fiscal year end after the Effective Date, and each fiscal year end thereafter until the Maturity Date, and provided that the Borrower is in compliance with Section 5.01(d) of this Agreement, and further provided that the Debt Service Reserve Account is funded as required by Section 2.14 of this Agreement, the Borrower shall remit to Lender on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year end of the Borrower, an amount equal to 50% of the Borrower’s Excess Cash Flow, calculated based upon audited fiscal year-end financial statements required by Section 5.01(c)(i) of this Agreement, (the “ Excess Cash Flow Payment” ). The Excess Cash Flow Payment shall be applied by the Lender to the reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan.

ARTICLE III.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Funding . The obligations of the Lender to make any Advance, are subject to the conditions precedent that the Lender shall have received the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender:

(a) This Agreement, duly executed by the Borrower and the Lender;

(b) The Supplements, duly executed by the Borrower and the Lender;

(c) The Term Note and the Revolving Line of Credit Note duly executed by the Borrower;

(d) The Mortgage, fully executed and notarized, to secure the Loans encumbering on a first lien basis the fee interest and/or leasehold interest of the Borrower in the Real Property and the fixtures thereon described in Schedule 3.01(d);

(e) A Security Agreement duly executed by the Borrower and in a form as provided by the Lender by which security agreement the Lender is granted a security interest by the Borrower in the Collateral;

(f) The Guaranties duly executed by the Guarantor;

(g) Copies of all Material Contracts between Borrower and third parties used in the normal operations of Borrower, including but not limited to management agreements, marketing agreements, and corn delivery agreements;

(h) Assignments of the Material Contracts between Borrower and third parties, duly executed by the Borrower and pursuant to which the Borrower shall have assigned to the Lender all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to each such contracts, and which assignment shall have been consented to and certified in writing by the other party(ies) to each such contract;

 

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(i) An environmental indemnity agreement duly executed by the Borrower, in form and substance acceptable to the Lender;

(j) Financing Statements in form and content satisfactory to the Lender and in proper form under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Lender, desirable to perfect the security interests created by the Security Agreement;

(k) Copies of UCC, tax and judgment lien search reports listing all financing statements and other encumbrances which name the Borrower (under its present name and any previous name) and which are filed in the jurisdictions in which the Borrower is located, organized or maintains collateral, together with copies of such financing statements (none of which shall cover the collateral purported to be covered by the Security Agreement);

(l) Evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the opinion of the Lender, desirable to enable the Lender to perfect and protect the Security Interests created or contemplated by the Loan Documents have been taken;

(m) An ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy issued by a title insurance company acceptable to Lender, with respect to the Real Property, assuring the Lender that the Mortgage creates a valid and enforceable encumbrance on the Real Property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens and containing: (i) a comprehensive endorsement (ALTA form 9); (ii) a zoning endorsement (ALTA form 3.1) specifying a biodiesel production facility as a permitted use for all of the parcels included in the Real Property; and (iii) a restrictions, encroachments, minerals-owners endorsement (ALTA Form 9.2) and (iv) such endorsements as the Lender shall reasonably require. All such title insurance policies shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender and shall provide for affirmative insurance and such reinsurance as the Lender may reasonably request, all of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender;

(n) Maps or plats of the Real Property certified to the Lender and the title insurance company issuing the policy referred to in Subsection 3.01(m) (the “ Title Insurance Company ”) in a manner reasonably satisfactory to each of the Lender and the Title Insurance Company, dated a date reasonably satisfactory to each of the Lender and the Title Insurance Company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor, which maps or plats and the surveys on which they are based shall be sufficient to delete any standard printed survey exception contained in the applicable title policy and be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping in 2005, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, there shall be surveyed and shown on such maps, plats or surveys the following: (i) the locations on such sites of all the buildings, structures and other improvements and the established building setback lines; (ii) the lines of streets abutting the sites and width thereof; (iii) all access and other easements appurtenant to the sites necessary to use the sites; (iv) all roadways, paths, driveways, easements, encroachments and overhanging projections and similar encumbrances affecting the site, whether recorded, apparent from a physical inspection of the sites or otherwise known to the

 

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surveyor; (v) any encroachments on any adjoining property by the building structures and improvements on the sites; and (vi) if the site is described as being on a filed map, a legend relating the survey to said map;

(o) Evidence as to: (i) whether any portion of the Real Property is in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards (a “ Flood Hazard Property ”); and (ii) if any portion of the Real Property is a Flood Hazard Property: (A) whether the community in which such Real Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program; (B) the Borrower’s written acknowledgment of receipt of written notification from the Lender (1) as to the fact that such Real Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program; and (C) copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Borrower evidencing flood insurance satisfactory to the Lender and naming the Lender as sole loss payee on behalf of the Lender;

(p) Evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Lender that the Real Property and the contemplated use of the Real Property, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws including without limitation health and Environmental Laws, including, but not limited to all concentrated animal feedlot operations rules and regulations, erosion control ordinances, storm drainage control laws, doing business and/or licensing laws, zoning laws (the evidence submitted as to zoning should include the zoning designation made for the Real Property, the permitted uses of the Real Property under such zoning designation and zoning requirements as to parking, lot size, ingress, egress and building setbacks) and laws regarding access and facilities for disabled persons including, but not limited to, the Federal Architectural Barriers Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

(q) A certificate of the secretary of the Borrower together with true and correct copies of the following: (i) the Articles of Organization of the Borrower, including all amendments thereto, certified by the Office of the Secretary of State of the state of its organization and dated within 30 days prior to the date hereof; (ii) the Operating Agreement of the Borrower, including all amendments thereto; (iii) the resolutions of the Board of Managers of the Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all documentation executed and delivered in connection therewith to which the Borrower is a party; (iv) certificates of the appropriate government officials of the state of organization of the Borrower as to its existence and good standing, and certificates of the appropriate government officials in each state where each corporate Borrower does business and where failure to qualify as a foreign corporation would have a Material Adverse Effect on the business and financial condition of the Borrower, as to its good standing and due qualification to do business in such state, each dated within 30 days prior to the date hereof; and (v) the names of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be executed by each corporate Borrower, together with a sample of the true signature of each such officer;

(r) Legal opinions by legal counsel for the Borrower, in form and substance acceptable to the Lender;

 

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(s) Evidence that the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees) referred to in Section 7.04, to the extent incurred and invoiced, shall have been paid in full;

(t) The results of the Lender’s inspection of the Collateral, with any such inspection at the Lender’s expense;

(u) Satisfactory review by the Lender of any pending litigation relating to the Borrower;

(v) A Phase I Environmental Assessment in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lender;

(w) A schedule, certified by Borrower as accurate and complete, setting forth: (i) the material licenses, permits and consents required by applicable federal, state, and local governmental entities required for the operation of the Plant; and (ii) that all such permits have been obtained;

(x) A commodity account control agreement for all commodity accounts kept and maintained by the Borrower, in form and substance acceptable to Lender;

(y) A deposit account control agreement for all Deposit Accounts, including but limited to the Debt Service Reserve Account, kept and maintained by the Borrower;

(z) Evidence that the insurance, in form and substance acceptable to the Lender, required by the Loan Documents has been obtained by the Borrower;

(aa) An assignment of the Borrower’s business interruption insurance policy, duly executed by the Borrower and pursuant to which the Borrower shall have assigned to the Lender all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to its business interruption insurance policy, and which assignment shall have been consented to and certified in writing by the other party(ies) to the insurance policy;

(bb) A copy of the executed Acquisition Agreement and all applicable transfer documents, including but not limited to the deed, bill of sale, and assignments of material contracts and licenses in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender;

(cc) Evidence, as certified to Lender, that all conditions precedent to the consummation of the Acquisition will have been satisfied or duly waived, and the Acquisition will have been consummated substantially in accordance with the Acquisition Agreement (which shall not be amended without the consent of Lender);

(dd) An intercreditor and subordination agreement between the Lender and any holder of Subordinated Debt as to the priority of the Lender’s Security Interests in the Collateral, rights to payment following an Event of Default, and as to such other matters as requested by the Lender in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion;

 

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(ee) All cash that was acquired through the Acquisition Documents and was previously reserved for debt service by Central Iowa Energy, LLC, shall have been deposited in the Debt Service Reserve Account;

(ff) A copy of an executed legal opinion by counsel for Central Iowa Energy, LLC addressed to the Lender and the Borrower, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and the Borrower.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.01 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower . The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Borrower . The Borrower is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Iowa and is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary and where failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect on its respective financial condition or operations. The Borrower has the power and authority to own and operate its assets and to carry on its business and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is or may become a party. There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, or rights (including preemptive rights) to acquire, and no outstanding securities or instruments convertible into, membership interests (units) of the Borrower, except for those transactions set forth on Schedule 4.01(a);

(b) The Loan Documents . The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents are within the Borrower’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, do not contravene: (i) the articles of organization or operating agreements of the Borrower; or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower the failure to comply with which may have a Material Adverse Effect and do not result in or require the creation of any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) upon or with respect to any of its properties;

(c) Governmental Approvals . No consent, permission, authorization, order or license of any Governmental Authority or of any party to any agreement to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or affected, is necessary in connection with the acquisition and operation of the Plant, the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Loan Documents or the creation and perfection of the liens and security interest granted thereby, except as such have been obtained and are in full force and effect or which are required in connection with the exercise of remedies hereunder and except as such that are not materially required for the operation of the Plant;

(d) Enforceability . This Agreement is, and each other Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party when delivered will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower

 

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enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and by general principles of equity;

(e) Financial Condition and Operations . The balance sheet of the Borrower, as of December 31, 2009 and, with respect to the period ended December 31, 2009 the related statement of cash flow of the Borrower for the fiscal period then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Lender, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower as at such date, and the results of the operations of the Borrower for the period ended on such dates and since December 31, 2009 there has been no material adverse change in such condition or operations;

(f) Litigation . Except as described on Schedule 4.01(f), there is no pending or threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of the transactions contemplated hereby before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, which may materially adversely affect the financial condition or operations of the Borrower. As of the Effective Date, there are no outstanding judgments against the Borrower;

(g) Use of Proceeds of Advances, etc . (i) No proceeds of the Loans will be used to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (provided, however, that this provision shall not prohibit Borrower from investing in certain value added cooperatives for the purposes of carrying out its overall business operations); (ii) the Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System); and (iii) no proceeds of the Loans will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock;

(h) Liens . Except as created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, there is no lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, and no other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of the properties or income of the Borrower, which secures Debt of any Person, except as described in Schedule 5.02(a);

(i) Taxes . The Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all other taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies upon it and its property, income, profits and assets which are due and payable, except where the payment of such tax, assessment, government charge or levy is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in compliance with GAAP have been set aside on the Borrower’s books therefore;

(j) Solvency . As of and from and after the Effective Date, the Borrower: (i) owns and will own assets the fair saleable value of which are: (A) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities); and (B) greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of its then existing debts as they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and potential asset sales reasonably available to it; (ii) has capital that is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as presently conducted or any

 

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contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) does not intend to incur and does not believe that it will incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due;

(k) Location of Inventory and Farm Products; Third Parties in Possession; Crops . The Borrower’s inventory and farm products pledged as collateral under the Security Agreement are located at the places (or, as applicable, jurisdictions) specified in Schedule 4.01(k) for the Borrower, except to the extent any such inventory and farm products are in transit. Schedule 4.01(k) correctly identifies, as of the date hereof, the landlords or mortgagees, if any, of each of its locations identified in Schedule 4.01(k) currently leased or owned by the Borrower. Except for the Persons identified on Schedule 4.01(k), no Person other than the Borrower and the Lender has possession of any of the Collateral. Except as described in above, none of its Collateral has been located in any location within the past four months other than as set forth on Schedule 4.01(k) for the Borrower;

(l) Office Locations; Fictitious Names; Predecessor Companies; Tax I.D. Number . The Borrower’s chief place of business, its chief executive office, and its jurisdiction of organization is located at the place identified for the Borrower on Schedule 4.01(l). Within the last four months it has not had any other chief place of business, chief executive office, or jurisdiction of organization. Schedule 4.01(l) also sets forth all other places where the Borrower keeps its books and records and all other locations where the Borrower has a place of business. The Borrower does not do business nor has the Borrower done business during the past five (5) years under any trade-name or fictitious business name except as disclosed on Schedule 4.01(l). Schedule 4.01(l) sets forth an accurate list of all names of all predecessor companies of the Borrower including the names of any entities it acquired (by stock purchase, asset purchase, merger or otherwise) and the chief place of business and chief executive office of each such predecessor company. For purposes of the foregoing, a “predecessor company” shall mean any Person whose assets or equity interests are acquired by the Borrower or who was merged with or into the Borrower within the last four months prior to the date hereof. The Borrower’s United States Federal Income Tax I.D. Number and state organizational identification number are identified on Schedule 4.01(l);

(m) Title to Properties . The Borrower has (or upon closing of the Acquisition, will have) such title or leasehold interest in and to the Real Property owned or leased by it as is necessary or desirable to the conduct of its business and valid and legal title or leasehold interest in and to all of its Personal Property, including those reflected on the financial statements of the Borrower previously delivered to Lender, except those which have been disposed of by the Borrower subsequent to the date of such delivered financial statements which dispositions have been in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder;

(n) Disclosure . All factual information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or its subsidiaries in writing to the Lender (including, without limitation, all factual information contained in the Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender, will be true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not

 

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incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided;

(o) Operation of Business . The Borrower possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and tradenames, or rights thereto, necessary to conduct its business substantially as now conducted and will obtain all such licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and tradenames, or rights thereto necessary to conduct its business as presently proposed to be conducted except those that the failure to so possess would not have a Material Adverse Effect on its financial condition or operations, and the Borrower is not in violation of any valid rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing except violations that would not have such a Material Adverse Effect;

(p) Intellectual Property . The Borrower owns, or has the legal right to use, all patents, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes necessary for it to conduct its business as currently conducted and will own or obtain the legal right to use all patents, trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes necessary for it to conduct its business as currently conducted (collectively the “ Intellectual Property ”), except for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Effective Date, set forth in Schedule 4.01(p) is a list of all Intellectual Property registered with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office and owned by the Borrower or that the Borrower has the right to use. Except as provided in Schedule 4.01(p), no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does the Borrower know of any such claim, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, the use of such Intellectual Property by the Borrower does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except for such claims and infringements that, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(q) Employee Benefit Plans . The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder, the failure to comply with which could have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower;

(r) Investment Company Act . The Borrower is not required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

(s) Compliance with Laws . The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, orders, and the like, the failure to comply with which could have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower. Neither Borrower, nor any actual or beneficial owner of Borrower, nor any intended recipient of the Loans appear on the Specially Designed Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the “ SDN List ”) as published by the Department of the Treasury of the United States, Office of Foreign Assets Control. Borrower will provide such evidence that the parties in the foregoing sentence are not identified on the SDN List upon the reasonable request of Lender;

 

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(t) Environmental Compliance . Borrower, except as set forth in Schedule 4.01(t), is in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; and

(u) Material Change . The Borrower has performed all of its material obligations, other than those obligations for which performance is not yet due, under all Material Contracts and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, each other party thereto is in compliance with each such Material Contract. Each such Material Contract is in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof. The Borrower has made available a true and complete copy of each such Material Contract for inspection by Lender.

ARTICLE V.

COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

Section 5.01. Affirmative Covenants . So long as any Loan Obligations remain unpaid or the Lender shall have any commitment hereunder, the Borrower shall, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in advance in writing:

(a) Compliance with Laws, etc . Comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, such compliance to include, without limitation, (i) all applicable zoning and land use laws; (ii) all employee benefit and Environmental Laws, and (iii) paying before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its property except to the extent contested in good faith;

(b) Visitation Rights; Field Examination . At any reasonable time and from time to time, permit the Lender or its representatives, to, at Lender’s expense, (i) examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of the Borrower, and (ii) enter onto the property of the Borrower to conduct unannounced field examinations and collateral inspections, with such frequency as Lender in its sole reasonable discretion may deem appropriate, and (iii) discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of the Borrower with any of Borrower’s officers or directors. Borrower consents to and authorizes Lender to enter onto the property of Borrower for purposes of conducting the examinations, inspections and discussions provided above. Upon and during the occurrence of an Event of Default or in the event that there are deemed by the Lender to be any material inconsistencies and/or material noncompliance with respect to any financial or other reporting on the part of the Borrower, any and all visits and inspections deemed necessary or desirable on account of such Event of Default, inconsistency and/or noncompliance shall be at the expense of the Borrower;

(c) Reporting Requirements . Furnish to the Lender:

(i) As soon as available, but in no event later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower occurring during the term hereof, annual financial statements of the Borrower, prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and in a format that demonstrates any accounting or formatting change that may be required by the various jurisdictions

 

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in which the business of the Borrower is conducted (to the extent not inconsistent with GAAP). Such financial statements shall: (i) be audited by independent certified public accountants selected by the Borrower and acceptable to Lender; (ii) be accompanied by a report of such accountants containing an certified opinion, without qualification, thereon reasonably acceptable to Lender; (iii) be prepared in reasonable detail, and in comparative form; and (iv) include a balance sheet, a statement of income, a statement of stockholders’, members’ or partner’s equity, a statement of cash flows, and all notes and schedules relating thereto and any management letter.

(ii) Beginning with the first (1 st ) month following the Effective Date, as soon as available but in no event later than 45 days after the end of each month, unaudited monthly financial statements of the Borrower, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP in all material respects consistently applied (except for the omission of footnotes and for the effect of normal year-end audit adjustments) and in a format that demonstrates any accounting or formatting change that may be required by various jurisdictions in which the business of the Borrower is conducted (to the extent not inconsistent with GAAP). Each of such financial statements shall (i) be prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form, including a comparison of actual performance to the budget for such month and year-to-date, delivered to Lender under Subsection 5.01(c)(vi) below, and (ii) include a balance sheet, a statement of income for such month and for the period year-to-date, and such other monthly statements as Lender may specifically request which monthly statements shall include any and all supplements thereto.

(iii) Beginning with the first fiscal quarter following the Effective Date, and quarterly thereafter, the Borrower shall provide a Compliance Certificate, certified by an authorized officer of the Borrower, which: (A) states that no Event of Default, and no event or condition that but for the passage of time, the giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred or is in existence; and (B) shows in detail satisfactory to the Lender the calculation of, and the Borrower’ compliance with, each of the covenants contained in Sections 5.01(d), 5.01(e), and 5.01(g);

(iv) promptly upon the Lender’s request therefor, copies of all reports and notices which the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries files under ERISA with the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the U.S. Department of Labor or which the Borrower or any its subsidiary receives from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation;

(v) notwithstanding the foregoing Section 5.01(c)(iv), provide to Lender within 30 days after it becomes aware of the occurrence of any Reportable Event (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) applicable to the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, a statement describing such Reportable Event and the actions it proposes to take in response to such Reportable Event;

(vi) by November 1 of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an annual (with monthly break out) operating and capital assets budget of the Borrower for the immediately succeeding fiscal year containing, among other things, pro forma financial statements and forecasts for all planned lines of business;

 

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(vii) as soon as available but in any event not more than 45 days after the end of each month, production reports for the immediately preceding calendar month setting forth inputs, biodiesel output, glycerin output, other byproduct output, and natural gas usage, together with such additional production information as requested by Lender;

(viii) promptly, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event or condition that but for the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute an Event of Default, notice of such Event of Default or event;

(ix) promptly after the receipt thereof, a copy of any management letters or written reports submitted to the Borrower by its independent certified public accountants with respect to the business, financial condition or operation of the Borrower;

(x) promptly after the receipt thereof, a copy of any notice of default under any Long-Term Marketing Agreement;

(xi) promptly after transmittal or filing thereof by the Borrower, copies of all proxy statements, notices and reports as it shall send to its members and copies of all registration statements (without exhibits) and all reports which it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any governmental body or agency succeeding to the functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission), and promptly after the receipt thereof by the Borrower, copies of all management letters or similar documents submitted to the Borrower by independent certified public accountants in connection with each annual and any interim audit of the accounts of the Borrower or of the Borrower and any of its subsidiaries.

(xii) such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any of its respective subsidiaries as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request;

(xiii) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of the commencement of all actions, suits, or proceedings before any court, arbitrator, or government department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality affecting the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries which, if determined adversely, could have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Borrower or its subsidiaries;

(xiv) without limiting the provisions of Section 5.01(c)(xiii) above, promptly after receipt thereof, notice of the receipt of all pleadings, orders, complaints, indictments, or any other communication alleging a condition that may require the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries to undertake or to contribute to a cleanup or other response under all laws relating to environmental protection, or which seek penalties, damages, injunctive relief, or criminal sanctions related to alleged violations of such laws, or which claim personal injury or property damage to any person as a result of environmental factors or conditions;

 

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(xv) promptly after filing, receipt or becoming aware thereof, copies of any filings or communications sent to and notices or other communications received by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries from any Governmental Authority, including, without limitation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the FCC, the PUC, or any other state utility commission relating to any material noncompliance by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries with any laws or with respect to any matter or proceeding the effect of which, if adversely determined, could have a Material Adverse Effect on any of the Borrower or its subsidiaries;

(xvi) promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of any matter which has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower or its subsidiaries.

(d) Working Capital Ratio . Achieve and maintain a Working Capital Ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 for the first year after the Effective Date and at all times thereafter achieve and maintain a Working Capital Ratio of at least 1.15 to 1.00. Working Capital Ratio shall be measured each fiscal quarter beginning with the fiscal quarter six months after the Effective Date.

(e) Tangible Net Worth . Beginning with fiscal year end December 31, 2010, and at each fiscal year end thereafter, Borrower’s Tangible Net Worth shall not be less than $7,200,000.00.

(f) Reserved.

(g) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Beginning eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date achieve a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 for the immediately preceding 12 month period, and at each fiscal year end thereafter, achieve and maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.15 to 1.00.

(h) Liens . There shall be no lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, and no other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of the properties or income of the Borrower, which secures Debt of any Person, except for the security interests of the Security Agreement or except as described in Schedule 5.02(a) and Permitted Liens;

(i) Landlord and Mortgagee Waivers . Obtain and furnish to the Lender as soon as available, waivers, acknowledgments and consents, duly executed by each and all in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lender, except as otherwise agreed to by the Lender: (i) real property owner, landlord and mortgagee having an interest in any of the premises owned or leased by the Borrower or in which any Collateral of the Borrower is located or to be located (and if no Collateral of Borrower is located at a parcel of property not owned or leased by a Borrower, no such waivers, acknowledgments or consents will be required); and (ii) each third party holding any Collateral;

(j) Insurance . Maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies in such amounts and covering such risks as are usually carried by entities engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the

 

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Borrower operates, and make such increases in the type of amount or coverage as Lender may reasonably request, provided that in any event the Borrower will maintain and cause each of its subsidiaries to maintain workers’ compensation insurance, property insurance and commercial general liability insurance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender. The Borrower shall maintain, at a minimum, directors and officers liability insurance, commercial liability insurance, business interruption insurance, and general commercial property insurance. All such policies insuring any collateral for the Borrower’s obligations to Lender shall have lender or mortgagee loss payable clauses or endorsements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender. Each insurance policy covering Collateral shall be in compliance with the requirements of the Security Agreement in all material respects;

(k) Property and Insurance Maintenance . Maintain and preserve all of its property and each and every part and parcel thereof that is necessary to or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good repair, working order, and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, and make all alterations, replacements, and improvements thereto as may from time to time be necessary in order to ensure that its properties remain in good working order and condition and compliance. The Borrower agrees that upon the occurrence and continuing existence of an Event of Default, at Lender’s request, which request may not be made more than once a year, the Borrower will furnish to Lender a report on the condition of the Borrower’s and any of its subsidiaries’ property prepared by a professional engineer satisfactory to Lender;

(l) Keeping Books and Records . Maintain and cause each of its subsidiaries to, maintain proper books of record and account in which full, true, and correct entries in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities;

(m) Food Security Act Compliance . If the Borrower acquires any Collateral which may have constituted farm products in the possession of the seller or supplier thereof, such Borrower shall, at its own expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to take such steps to insure that all Liens (except the liens granted pursuant hereto) in such acquired Collateral are terminated or released, including, without limitation, in the case of such farm products produced in a state which has established a Central Filing System (as defined in the Food Security Act), registering with the Secretary of State of such state (or such other party or office designated by such state) and otherwise take such reasonable actions necessary, as prescribed by the Food Security Act, to purchase farm products free of liens (except the liens granted pursuant hereto); provided, however, that such Borrower may contest and need not obtain the release or termination of any lien asserted by any creditor of any seller of such farm products, so long as it shall be contesting the same by proper proceedings and maintain appropriate accruals and reserves therefor in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles. Upon the Lender’s request made, the Borrower agrees to forward to the Lender promptly after receipt copies of all notices of liens and master lists of Effective Financing Statements delivered to the Borrower pursuant to the Food Security Act, which notices and/or lists pertain to any of the Collateral. Upon the Lender’s request, the Borrower agrees to provide the

 

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Lender with the names of Persons who supply the Borrower with such farm products and such other information as the Lender may reasonably request with respect to such Persons;

(n) Warehouse Receipts . If any warehouse receipt or receipts in the nature of a warehouse receipt is issued in respect of any portion of the Collateral, then the Borrower: (i) will not permit such warehouse receipt or receipts in the nature thereof to be “negotiable” as such term is used in Article 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code; and (ii) will deliver all such receipts to the Lender (or a Person designated by the Lender) within five (5) days of the Lender’s request and from time to time thereafter. If no Event of Default exists, the Lender agrees to deliver to Borrower any such receipt so held by the Lender upon Borrower’s request in connection with such sale or other disposition of the underlying inventory, if such disposition is in ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

(o) Management of Borrower . The President, Vice President, and Treasurer / Secretary of the Borrower shall be maintained as set forth on Schedule 5.01(o) hereto, unless otherwise approved in Lender’s reasonable discretion;

(p) Compliance with Other Agreements . Borrower will perform in all material respects all obligations and abide in all material respects by all covenants and agreements contained in the following agreements: (i) any and all Long Term Marketing Agreements; and (ii) any other Material Contracts;

(q) Deposit Accounts . Borrower shall maintain all of its Deposit Accounts with First National Bank, Ames, Iowa at all times during the term of this Agreement; and

(r) Additional Assurances . Make, execute and deliver to Lender such promissory notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, financing statements, control agreements, instruments, documents and other agreements as Lender or its counsel may reasonably request to evidence and secure the Loans and to perfect all Security Interests.

(s) Maintenance of Existence . Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence in the State of Iowa and take all actions to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business.

(t) Industrial Rail Track Agreement . Deliver to the Lender a duly executed collateral assignment in favor of the Lender of that certain Industrial Track Agreement in a form acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date and make commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the written consent of Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd to such assignment in a form acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion.

(u) Control Agreements . Provide written notice to the Lender within ten (10) days of establishing any and all securities, commodities and deposit accounts of the Borrower and deliver duly executed control agreements in a form acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion for such accounts within forty-five (45) days after written request by the Lender.

 

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(v) Material Contracts . Provide written notice to the Lender within ten (10) days of execution of any and all Material Contracts and deliver duly executed collateral assignments of such Material Contracts to the Lender in a form acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion within thirty (30) days after the date of execution. The Borrower agrees to make commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the written consent of the other parties to the Material Contracts in a form acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion.

Section 5.02. Negative Covenants . So long as any of the Loan Obligations remain unpaid or the Lender shall have any commitment hereunder, the Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of the Lender:

(a) Liens, etc . Create or suffer to exist, or permit any of its subsidiaries to create or suffer to exist, any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, or any other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign, or permit any of its subsidiaries to assign, any right to receive income, in each case to secure any Debt (as defined below) of any Person, other than “Permitted Liens”:

(i) those described on Schedule 5.02(a) hereto and renewals and extensions on the same or substantially the same terms and conditions and at no increase in the debt or obligation; or

(ii) liens or security interests which are subject to an intercreditor and subordination agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole discretion; or

(iii) the liens or security interests of the Lender in the Security Agreement, Mortgage or otherwise; or

(iv) liens (other than liens relating to environmental liabilities or ERISA) for taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges that are not more than 30 days overdue or, if the execution thereof is stayed, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and for which adequate reserves have been established; or

(v) liens of warehousemen, carriers, landlords, mechanics, materialmen, or other similar statutory or common law liens securing obligations that are not yet due and are incurred in the ordinary course of business or, if the execution thereof is stayed, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or

(vi) liens resulting from good faith deposits to secure payments of workmen’s compensation unemployment insurance, or other social security programs or to secure the performance of tenders, leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds, bids or contracts (other than for payment of Debt); or

 

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(vii) any attachment or judgment lien not constituting an Event of Default; or

(viii) liens arising from filing UCC financing statements regarding leases not prohibited by this Agreement; or

(ix) customary offset rights of brokers and deposit banks arising under the terms of securities account agreements and deposit agreements; or

(x) any real estate easements and easements, covenants and encumbrances that customarily do not affect the marketable title to real estate or materially impair its use; or

(xi) liens for purchase money security interest in equipment and vehicles or any other property acquired or held in the ordinary course of business not to exceed an aggregate amount of $500,000.00 per year or $200,000.00 for a single purchase.

(b) Distributions, etc . Declare or pay any dividends, purchase or otherwise acquire for value any of its membership interests (units) now or hereafter outstanding, or make any distribution of assets to its stockholders, members or general partners as such, or permit any of its subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for value any stock, membership interest or partnership interest of the Borrower, provided, however, the Borrower may: (i) declare and pay dividends or distributions payable in membership interests (units); (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire shares of the membership interests (units) of the Borrower with the proceeds received from the issuance of new membership interests (units); (iii) make cash distributions to REG in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate, 35% of the Borrower’s Net Income for the immediately preceding fiscal year (paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, “Allowed Distributions ”); (iv) pay dividends or distributions which are immediately reinvested in the Borrower (“ Reinvestment Distributions ”); (v) complete the transactions reflected on Schedule 4.01(a); (vi) after fully funding or replenishing, as applicable, the Debt Service Reserve Account as required by Section 2.14; and after payment of the Excess Cash Flow Payment required by Section 2.15, if any, and provided that all loan covenants are met on a post distribution basis, pay amounts not to exceed 50% of Borrower’s Excess Cash Flow to REG (“ Excess Distributions ”), provided, however , that no Excess Distributions shall be made until the Lender has received principal payments on the Term Loan, and further provided that immediately prior to the proposed payment of any dividends or distributions permitted by this Section 5.02(b), and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall exist; or

(c) Capital Expenditures . Make any investment in fixed assets in an aggregate amount greater than $500,000.00 during any fiscal year during the term of this Agreement; or

(d) Consolidation, Merger, Dissolution, Etc . Directly or indirectly, merge or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or with or consolidate with the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries; or

 

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(e)  Indebtedness, etc . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt or other indebtedness, liabilities or obligations, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or contingent, joint or several, without the prior written consent of the Lender, except: (i) the liabilities of the Borrower to the Lender hereunder; (ii) trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities (other than Debt) arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business; (iii) any Subordinated Debt held by REG; (iv) debt to which the Lender has consented in writing and with regard to which Lender has received, if it deems appropriate, a duly executed subordination agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion; (v) the liabilities of the Borrower described on Schedule 5.02(a), (vi) contracts or agreements other than Material Contracts arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business; or (vii) Debt under a Hedging Agreement; or

(f) Organization; Name; Chief Executive Office . Change its state of organization, name or the location of its chief executive office without the prior written consent of the Lender; or

(g) Loans, Guaranties, etc . Make any loans or advances to (whether in cash, in-kind, or otherwise) any Person, or directly or indirectly guaranty or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of any Person; or

(h) Subsidiaries; Affiliates . Form or otherwise acquire any subsidiary or affiliated business, or acquire the assets of or acquire any equity or ownership interest in any Person, unless such subsidiary, affiliate or Person executes and delivers to the Lender: (i) a guaranty of all of the Loan Obligations, in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion; (ii) security agreements in form substantially similar to the Security Agreement; and (iii) such other documents and amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Lender shall reasonably require; or

(i) Transfer of Assets . Sell, lease, assign, transfer, or otherwise voluntarily dispose of any of its assets, or permit any of its subsidiaries to sell, lease, assign, transfer, or otherwise voluntarily dispose of any of its assets except: (i) dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) dispositions of: (A) obsolete or worn out equipment; (B) equipment or real property not necessary for the operation of its business; or (C) equipment or real property which is replaced with property of equivalent or greater value as the property which is disposed;

(j) Lines of Business . Engage in any line or lines of business activity other than the production of biodiesel and related by products;

(k) Transactions with Affiliates . Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate or with any director, officer or employee of the Borrower or any Affiliate, except (i) transactions listed on Schedule 5.02(k), which such schedule may be updated from time to time as agreed to by Borrower and Lender, (ii) transactions in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries and

 

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upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully disclosed to Lender and are no less favorable to the Borrower or such subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a person or entity that is not an Affiliate, and (iii) payment of compensation to directors, officers and employees in the ordinary course of business for services actually rendered in their capacities as directors, officers and employees, provided such compensation is reasonable and comparable with compensation paid by companies of like nature and similarly situated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the election of Lender, no payments may be made with respect to any items set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default;

(l) Management Fees and Compensation . Directly or indirectly pay any management, consulting or other similar fees to any person, except (a) legal or consulting fees paid to persons or entities that are not Affiliates of the Borrower or its subsidiaries for services actually rendered and in amounts typically paid by entities engaged in the Borrower’s or such subsidiary’s business or (b) management fees pursuant to any written agreement between Borrower and an Affiliate that have been disclosed to Lender pursuant to Schedule 5.02(l) of this Agreement and to which Lender has consented; or

(m) Amendments to Organizational Documents . Amend its operating agreement, management agreement or any other organizational documents in any material respect without the prior written consent of the Lender.

(n) Leases and Joint Ventures . Enter into any lease or leases affecting the Real Property or any joint venture without obtaining the prior written consent of the Lender.

ARTICLE VI.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default . Each of the following events shall be an “ Event of Default ”:

(a) The Borrower shall fail to pay any installments of principal or interest, fees, expenses, charges or other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or to make any deposit of funds required under this Agreement when due and any such failure shall remain unremedied for ten (10) days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Lender; provided, however, in the event the Borrower has failed to make payments as required by the Loan Documents and the Lender has sent a notice to Borrower as provided in this Section two or more times within the six month period preceding the applicable due date, the Lender shall not be obligated to provide any additional notices to the Borrower under this Section; or

(b) Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower, or any of its officers or directors under or in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or

 

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(c) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 5.01(d), (e), or (g) or take any action as prohibited by Section 5.02; or

(d) The Borrower shall fail to deliver the financial statements or Compliance Certificate under Section 5.01(c) within 5 days of the date due; or

(e) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those listed in clauses (a) through (d) of this Section 6.01) on its part to be performed or observed (other than the covenants to pay the Loan Obligations) and any such failure shall remain unremedied for ten (10) days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Lender, provided, however, that no Event of Default shall be deemed to exist if, within said ten (10) day period, Borrower have commenced appropriate action to remedy such failure and shall diligently and continuously pursue such action until such cure is completed, unless such cure is or cannot be completed within thirty (30) days after written notice shall have been given; or

(f) The Borrower shall fail to pay any indebtedness in an amount in excess of $200,000.00 (either in any individual case or in the aggregate) excluding indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and excluding Ordinary Trade Payable Disputes, or any interest or premium thereon, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such indebtedness; or any other default under any agreement or instrument relating to any such indebtedness, or any other event, shall occur and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such default or event is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such indebtedness (excluding Ordinary Trade Payable Disputes); or any such indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof (excluding Ordinary Trade Payable Disputes); or

(g) The Borrower shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property, and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it) either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or the Borrower shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this subsection; or

 

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(h) Any one or more judgment(s) or order(s) for the payment of money in excess of $200,000.00 in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Borrower and either: (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order; or (ii) there shall be any period of 10 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

(i) Any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on the Borrower or the Borrower shall so state in writing; or

(j) The Mortgage or the Security Agreement shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to create a valid lien, encumbrance or security interest in any of the property purported to be covered thereby; or

(k) The termination of any Long Term Marketing Agreement prior to its stated expiration date, unless such Long Term Marketing Agreement is replaced by another Long Term Marketing Agreement acceptable to the Lender, within thirty (30) days of the termination of such Long Term Marketing Agreement; or

(l) The Borrower shall dissolve, merge, consolidate with other Persons, or suspend or discontinue doing business; or

(m) Any event, change or condition not referred to elsewhere in this Section 6.01 should occur which results in, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower, any subsidiary or any guarantor of the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; or

(n) Any guarantee, suretyship, subordination agreement, maintenance agreement, or other agreement furnished in connection with the Borrower’s obligations hereunder and under any Note shall, at any time, cease to be in full force and effect, or shall be revoked or declared null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by the guarantor, surety or other maker thereof, or the Guarantor shall deny any further liability or obligations thereunder, or shall fail to perform its obligations thereunder, or any representation or warranty set forth therein shall be breached, or the Guarantor shall breach or be in default under the terms of any other agreement with Lender (including any loan agreement or security agreement); or

(o) The loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to renew, any franchise, license, certificate, permit, authorization, approval or the like now held or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, if such loss, suspension, revocation or failure to renew would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower or (ii) any regulatory or Governmental Authority replaces the management of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or assumes control over the Borrower or such subsidiary; or

(p) The Borrower should breach or be in default under a Material Contract in any material respect, including any material breach or default, or any termination shall have occurred, or any other event which would permit any party other than the Borrower to cause a termination, or any

 

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Material Contract shall have ceased for any reason to be in full force and effect prior to its stated or optional expiration date; or

(q) The Borrower should terminate, change, amend or restate, without the Lender’s prior consent any Material Contract.

Section 6.02. Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and at any time while such Event of Default is continuing, the Lender:

(a) may accelerate the due date of the unpaid principal balance of the Notes, all accrued but unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement making such amounts immediately due and payable, whereupon the Notes, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith immediately due and payable, without presentment, notice of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided, however , that in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any of the Borrower under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the Notes, all such interest and all such amounts shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

(b) may withhold any one or more Advances in its discretion, and terminate the Lender’s obligations, if any, under this Agreement to make any Advances whereupon the commitment and obligations of the Lender to extend credit or to make Advances hereunder shall terminate, and no disbursement of Loan funds by the Lender will cure any default of the Borrower, unless the Lender agrees otherwise in writing;

(c) may, by written notice to the Borrower, obtain the appointment of a receiver to take possession of all Collateral of the Borrower, including, but not limited to all personal property, including all fixtures and equipment leased, occupied or used by any of the Borrower. Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the appointment of such receiver and agrees to cooperate and assist any such receiver as reasonably requested to facilitate the transfer of possession of the Collateral to such receiver and to provide such receiver access to all books, records, information and documents as requested by such receiver;

(d) may exercise all other rights and remedies afforded to the Lender under the Loan Documents or by applicable law or equity.

Section 6.03. Remedies Cumulative . Each and every power or remedy herein specifically given shall be in addition to every other power or remedy, existing or implied, given now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, and each and every power and remedy herein specifically given or otherwise so existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by Lender, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of one power or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other power or remedy. No delay or omission of Lender in the exercise of any right or power accruing

 

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hereunder shall impair any such right or power or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein.

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.01. Amendments, etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party, nor any consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be agreed or consented to by the Lender and the Borrower, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

Section 7.02. Notices, etc . All notices and other communications provided for under any Loan Document shall be in writing and mailed, faxed, or delivered at the addresses set forth below, or at such other address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:

 

If to the Borrower:    REG Newton, LLC
   c/o Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
   416 S. Bell Ave., P.O. Box 888
   Ames, Iowa 50010
   Attn: President

With a copy to:

   Wilcox, Polking, Gerken,
       Schwarzkopf & Copeland, P.C.
   115 E. Lincolnway, Suite 200
   Jefferson, Iowa 50129-2149
   Attn: John Gerken
If to the Lender:    AgStar Financial Services, PCA
   1921 Premier Drive
   P.O. Box 4249
   Mankato, MN 56002-4249
   Attn: Mark Schmidt

With copies to:

   Gray Plant Mooty Mooty & Bennett, P.A.
   1010 West St. Germain
   Suite 600
   St. Cloud, MN 56301
   Attn: George Meinz

All such notices and communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective: (a) when delivered; (b) when transmitted via facsimile to the number set forth above; (c) the Business Day following the day on which the same has been delivered prepaid (or pursuant to an invoice

 

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arrangement) to a reputable national overnight air courier service; or (d) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid. Any confirmation sent by the Lender to the Borrower of any borrowing under this Agreement shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

Section 7.03. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of the Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right under any Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies provided in the Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 7.04. Costs, Expenses and Taxes .

(a) The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, filing, recording and administration of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Lender (who may be in-house counsel), and local counsel who may be retained by said counsel, with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Lender as to its respective rights and responsibilities under the Loan Documents, and all costs and expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) for the Lender in connection with the filing of the financing statements and the enforcement of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, in the context of any bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay on demand the expenses described in Section 5.01(b). In addition, the Borrower shall pay any and all stamp and other taxes and fees payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing and recording of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered under the Loan Documents, and agrees to save the Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omission to pay such taxes and fees.

(b) If, due to payments made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.10 or due to acceleration of the maturity of the Advances pursuant to Section 6.01 or due to any other reason, the Lender receives payments of principal of any Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period relating thereto, the Borrower shall pay to the Lender on demand any amounts required to compensate the Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses which it may incur as a result of such payment, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by the Lender to fund or maintain such Loan.

Section 7.05. Right of Set-off . The Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by the Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the Loan Obligations, irrespective of whether or not the Lender shall have made any demand under such Loan Document and although deposits, indebtedness or such obligations may be unmatured or contingent. The Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set-off and

 

38


application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Lender under this Section 7.05 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Lender may have.

Section 7.06. Severability of Provisions . Any provision of this Agreement or of any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 7.07. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns; Participations .

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign or otherwise transfer its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lender. Upon the request of Borrower, Lender shall provide copies of all invoices for costs and expenses to be reimbursed by Borrower under this Agreement or under any of the Loan Documents.

(b) Borrower agrees and consents to Lender’s sale or transfer, whether now or later, of one or more participation interests in the Loans to one or more purchasers, whether related or unrelated to Lender. Lender may provide, without any limitation whatsoever, to any one or more purchasers, or potential purchasers, any information or knowledge Lender may have about Borrower or about any other matter relating to the Loans, and Borrower hereby waives any rights to privacy it may have with respect to such matters; provided, however, that any information received by any such purchaser or potential purchaser under this provision which concerns the personal, financial or other affairs of the Borrower shall be received and kept by the purchaser or potential purchaser in full confidence and will not be revealed to any other persons, firms or organizations nor used for any purpose whatsoever other than for determining whether or not to participate in the Loans and in accord with the rights of Lender if a participation interest is acquired. Borrower additionally waives any and all notices of sale of participation interests, as well as all notices of any repurchase of such participation interest. Borrower also agrees that the purchasers of any such participation interests will be considered as the absolute owners of such interests in the Loans and will have all the rights granted under the participation agreement or agreements governing the sale of such participation interests. Borrower further waives all rights of offset or counterclaim that it may have now or later against Lender or against any purchaser of such a participation interest arising out of or by virtue of the participation and unconditionally agrees that either Lender or such purchaser may enforce Borrower’s obligation under the Loans irrespective of the failure or insolvency of any holder of any interests in the Loans. Borrower further agrees that the purchaser of any such participation interests may enforce its interests irrespective of any personal claims or defenses that Borrower may have against Lender.

 

39


Section 7.08. Consent to Jurisdiction .

(a) The Borrower hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Minnesota state court or federal court over any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Note and any instrument, agreement or document related hereto or thereto, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Minnesota state court or federal court. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. The Borrower irrevocably consents to the service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to Borrower at its address specified in Section 7.02. The Borrower agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(b) Nothing in this Section 7.08 shall affect the right of the Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or affect the right of the Lender to bring any action or proceeding against the Borrower or its property in the courts of other jurisdictions.

Section 7.09. Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

Section 7.10. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and on telecopy counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

Section 7.11. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Advances, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan Obligations are outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Lender has any unexpired commitments under this Agreement or the Loan Documents. The expense reimbursement, additional cost and indemnification provisions of this Agreement shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loan Obligations or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 7.12. Reserved .

 

40


Section 7.13. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED THEREUNDER.

Section 7.14. Entire Agreement . THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN EMBODY THE FINAL, ENTIRE AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND SUPERSEDE ANY AND ALL PRIOR COMMITMENTS, AGREEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND UNDERSTANDINGS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED OR VARIED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES THERETO.

Section 7.15 Sale of Real Estate . To the extent not completed prior to the Effective Date, the Lender agrees that upon execution of this Agreement by the parties hereto, the Lender shall consent to the sale to Iowa Regional Utilities d/b/a Central Iowa Water Association (the “Association”) by Central Iowa Energy, LLC (“CIE”), of the real estate described in that certain Offer to Buy Real Estate and Acceptance between CIE and the Association as approved by CIE’s Board of Directors on September 16, 2009.

{SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW}

 

41


SIGNATURE PAGE FOR

MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

REG NEWTON, LLC.

AND

AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA

DATED: March 8, 2010

BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT, AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE STATED.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers and duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:

REG NEWTON, LLC

An Iowa limited liability company

/s/ Daniel J. Oh

By: Daniel J. Oh
  Its: President
LENDER:
AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA,

/s/ Mark Schmidt

By: Mark Schmidt
  Its: Vice President

 

42


Schedule 3.01(d)

Real Property

Tract I

Parcel “D” of part of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 13 and part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 24, all in Township 80 North, Range 19 West of the 5th P.M., Jasper County, Iowa, as appears in Plat of Survey filed in Book 970, Page 321, and also as appears in Plat of Survey Retracement filed in Book 1153, Page 602, in the Office of the Recorder of said County, LESS AND EXCEPT the following: Parcel “G” located in Parcel “D” in the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 13, Township 80 North, Range 19 West of the 5th P.M., Jasper County, Iowa, as appears in Plat of Survey filed in Book 1154, Page 475, as Doc ID 001765820001, File No. 2008-00007078.

Tract III

Parcel “E” in the South Half of the Southwest Quarter of Section 13, Township 80 North, Range 19 West of the 5th P.M., Jasper County, Iowa, as appears in plat in Book 1153, Page 571, in the office of the Recorder of said County.

 

43


Schedule 4.01(a)

Description of Certain Transactions Related to the Borrower’s Stock

REG Newco, Inc. holds 100 membership units of REG Newton, LLC.

 

44


Schedule 4.01(f)

Description of Certain Threatened Actions, etc.

None

 

45


Schedule 4.01(k)

Location of Inventory and Farm Products; Third Parties in Possession; Crops

 

1. Borrower’s Newton, Iowa facility; and the following facilities:

 

   

Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Mason City, Iowa: Tank Space Lease Agreement; This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

   

Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Alexandria) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

   

Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Mankato This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

   

Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Minneapolis) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

   

Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Rochester) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

   

Krause Properties, L.C.; Lease-Business Property-Short Form; March 1, 2004 for Des Moines Biodiesel Remote Site.

 

   

Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminal, LLC (Chicago); Agreement No. 78-0252; May 12, 2005.

 

   

Alta Fuels, LLC- Terminal Storage & Put Thru Agreement (Alamosa) November 21, 2008.

 

   

Kellerstrass Enterprises, Inc- Terminal Storage & Thru Put Agreement (Ogden) August 29, 2008.

 

   

C.W. Terminal Biofuel, LLC – Terminal Storage and Thru Put Agreement (Ottumwa) dated August 14, 2009.

 

2. Borrower owns the Newton, Iowa facility and does not lease any real property.

 

3. No Persons other than Borrower or Lender have possession of any of the Collateral.

 

46


4. Within the past four months, the Collateral has not been located in locations other than those locations set forth on this Schedule.

 

47


Schedule 4.01(l)

Office Locations; Fictitious Names; Etc.

Borrower’s chief place of business is located in Newton, Iowa.

Borrower’s chief executive office is located in Ames, Iowa.

Borrower is an Iowa limited liability company.

Borrower keeps its books and records at its chief executive office in Ames, Iowa.

Borrower has no business locations other than Newton, Iowa and Ames, Iowa.

Borrower does not do business nor has Borrower done business within the past five years under any trade names or fictitious names.

Predecessors: Central Iowa Energy, LLC as a result of Borrower’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Central Iowa Energy, LLC, with a chief place of business and chief executive office in Newton, Iowa.

Borrower’s FEIN is: 26-4785677.

Borrower’s Iowa Organizational ID Number is: 378536.

 

48


Schedule 4.01(p)

Intellectual Property

The domain name “centraliowaenergy.com” was registered on August 6, 2005, by Scott Bush, who previously performed consulting and project development services for Central Iowa Energy, LLC. The expiration date of the registration for this domain name is August 6, 2010.

REG Services Group, LLC (“REG Services”) grants to Borrower through the Service Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between REG Services and Borrower, a non-transferable, non-exclusive, royalty-free sublicense (the “Sublicense”) to use the intellectual property described in the Intellectual Property License Agreement dated September 14, 2007 by and between REG Services and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “IP License”) all upon and subject to the terms and subject to the conditions of the IP License.

 

49


Schedule 4.01(t)

Environmental Compliance

 

1.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for Proposed Soy Biodiesel Facility, East 28 th Street North and North 39 th Avenue East, Newton, Jasper County, Iowa; Project No. 08057763; December 13, 2005; Prepared by Terracon, Des Moines, Iowa. This Site Assessment did not disclose any non-compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

 

2.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for Central Iowa Energy, 2426 East 28 th Street, Newton, Jasper County, Iowa; Project No. 08097740; December 23, 2009; Prepared by Terracon, Des Moines, Iowa. This Site Assessment did not disclose any non-compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.

 

50


Schedule 5.01(o)

Management

The current officers of Borrower are as follows:

 

President:    Daniel J. Oh
Vice President:    Brad Albin
Treasurer/Secretary:    Natalie A. Lischer

 

51


Schedule 5.02(a)

Description of Certain Liens, Lease Obligations, etc.

 

1. The lien of taxes and assessments not yet due and payable.

 

2. Those matters of public record listed as special exceptions in the Lender’s title insurance policy to be issued by Old Republic National Title Insurance Company and covering the Real Property.

 

3. Key Equipment Finance, Inc. has a security interest in the property described below pursuant to a Trackmobile Loan and Security Agreement between Key Equipment Finance, Inc. and Central Iowa Energy, LLC (“CIE”) dated August 20, 2007 and a Financing Statement No. X103503-4 filed on August 24, 2007.

1975 Trackmobile 9TM, s/n#9634, together with any and all (1) substitutions, replacements or exchanges therefor; (2) replacement parts, additions attachments and accessories incorporated therein or affixed thereto, or used in connection therewith; and (3) proceeds thereof (both cash and non-cash), including, insurance proceeds, (but without power of sale by Lessee).

 

4. Pursuant to the Assignment of Deposit Account between CIE and Bank Iowa dated September 15, 2009, Bank Iowa has a security interest in CIE’s Certificate of Deposit No. 900100 held at Bank Iowa, 215 W. 2nd St. N., Newton, Iowa, including funds now held and all additions thereto, to secure all future and present debts including an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit. Under a new arrangement with Borrower for the same purposes, pursuant to the Assignment of Deposit Account between Borrower and Bank Iowa dated on or about the date hereof, Bank Iowa has a security interest in a certificate of deposit in the approximate amount of $330,000, including funds now held and all additions thereto, to secure all future and present debts including an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit. The Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit is for the purpose of securing those obligations of CIE (to be assumed by Borrower) under that certain Master Contract between CIE and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (“IDED”) dated March 16, 2006, as amended on September 20, 2006 and May 27, 2008. CIE also has executed two Promissory Notes in favor of IDED, each dated June 14, 2006 and in the amounts of $300,000 and $100,000, respectively.

 

5. REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC filed Financing Statement No. E968582-0 on January 30, 2009 for the purpose of and regarding the property described below:

This financing statement is filed for the purpose of giving notice that the ownership of all animal oils, soybean oil, canola oil, corn oil, and all other types of vegetable oil or other feedstock delivered by REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (or by any entity

 

52


affiliated with it) to Central Iowa Energy, LLC and all biodiesel, glycerin and other products produced therefrom pursuant to any toll processing arrangement between those parties, whether oral or written, including without limitation that written Central Iowa Energy, LLC Toll Processing Agreement dated January 6, 2009, shall at all times remain with and be in REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (or such affiliated entity that delivered the feedstock), and that Central Iowa Energy, LLC will acquire no ownership or other interest in any of such feedstock or products produced therefrom.

It is anticipated that Borrower will enter into a Contract Manufacturing Agreement with REG Marketing and Logistics Group, LLC, effective upon the closing of the Acquisition, which will provide for REG Logistics Group, LLC to retain similar rights in the feedstock of Borrower.

 

6. Pursuant to the Limited Liability Company Customer Account Agreement to be entered into by and between Borrower and FCStone, LLC, Borrower grants FCStone, LLC a security interest in all monies, securities, negotiable instruments, open positions in Commodity Interests and all receipts of other documents representing underlying commodities, as more specifically described in this agreement, as well as in all proceeds which now or at any time may come into Borrower’s account. Certain funds, securities, commodities, futures contracts and other property of Borrower which FCStone, LLC may be carrying for Borrower or which may be in FCStone, LLC’s possession or control or carried on its books are to be held as security by FCStone, LLC, as more particularly described in the agreement.

 

7. Agreement for Private Redevelopment. Said Agreement was entered into by Jasper County, Iowa and CIE on November 21, 2006. The Agreement contains various covenants and restrictions relating to CIE’s real property. The Agreement was filed on November 28, 2006 as Instrument No. 2006-00007610.

 

8. Bunge North America, Inc. filed Financing Statement No. P586086-4 on October 29, 2009 regarding the property described below:

This Financing Statement covers any and all of Bunge North America, Inc.’s right, title and interest in and to any and all corn oil, animal fat and/or other products and/or sources of feedstock (collectively, the “Feedstock”) that Bunge North America, Inc. has caused or may in the future cause to be delivered to, stored at and/or processed at Central Iowa Energy, LLC’s facility in Newton, Iowa (the “Facility”) pursuant to that certain Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement (with tolling agreement) dated as of October 22, 2009 by and among Bunge North America, Inc., Central Iowa Energy, LLC and REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (as the same has been and/or may from time-to-time

 

53


in the future be modified, amended and/or restated, the “Feedstock Agreement”).

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the terms of the Feedstock Agreement, Central Iowa Energy, LLC has expressly acknowledged and agreed that it has no right, title and interest in any of the Feedstock to be delivered to Central Iowa Energy, LLC’s Facility pursuant to the Feedstock Agreement. Accordingly, to the extent (if any) that Central Iowa Energy, LLC may ever have physical possession, custody and/or control of all or any part of such Feedstock, it shall do so solely as a bailee.

This Financing Statement is being filed for precautionary purposes only in accordance with Section 9-505 of the Uniform Commercial Code (as adopted under applicable state law) and should in no way be construed as an admission and/or acknowledgement on the part of the parties hereto that Central Iowa Energy, LLC has any right, title or interest in the above-referenced Feedstock.

 

9. Those obligations set forth in the Schedule of Material Contracts, which is attached hereto as Attachment No. 1.

Borrower is acquiring the assets of CIE subject to the above obligations of CIE pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of May 8, 2009, as amended and restated as of August 7, 2009, by and between Borrower and CIE.

 

54


Attachment No. 1

Schedule of Material Contracts

 

1. Service Agreement between REG Services Group, LLC and the Company dated on or about the date hereof

 

2. Contract Manufacturing Agreement between REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and the Company dated on or about the date hereof

 

3. Large Volume Transportation Service Agreement between Aquila, Inc. d/b/a Aquila Networks and the Company dated August 27, 2007 (Aquila, Inc.’s interest in the Agreement has been assigned to Black Hills/Iowa Utility Gas Company, LLC)

 

4. Electric Service Agreement between Interstate Power & Light Company f/k/a IES Utilities and the Company dated July 1, 2006

 

5. Energy Management Agreement between U.S. Energy Services, Inc. and the Company dated November 1, 2009, including the Agency Authorization dated November 1, 2009 between the Company and U.S. Energy and Base Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Natural Gas dated October 1, 2009 between the Company and U.S. Energy

 

6. Trackmobile Loan and Security Agreement between Key Equipment Finance, Inc. and the Company dated August 20, 2007

 

7. Forklift Single Sided Lease Agreement between Greater Bay Capital and the Company dated March 29, 2007

 

8. Copier Full Coverage Maintenance Agreement Cost Per Copy between Forbes Office Solutions, Inc. and the Company dated March 1, 2007

 

9. Copier Rental Agreement between EZ Lease, Inc. and the Company dated March 1, 2007

 

10. Industrial New Jobs Training Agreement between Des Moines Area Community College and the Company dated March 12, 2007

 

11. Request for Agency Authority between Northern Natural Gas and the Company dated August 1, 2007

 

12. Product Supply Agreement between Praxair, Inc. and the Company dated November 14, 2006

 

13. Water User’s Membership Agreement between Iowa Regional Utilities Association d/b/a Central Iowa Water Association and the Company dated June 29, 2006

 

55


14. Customer Service Agreement between Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. and the Company dated February 19, 2007

 

15. Pest Management Service Agreement between Presto-X and the Company dated August 31, 2007

 

16. Industrial Track Agreement between Iowa Interstate Railroad, LTD and the Company dated December 8, 2006

 

17. Limited Liability Company Customer Account Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and FCStone, LLC

 

18. Authorization and Purchase Application to be entered into by and between the Company and FCC Investments, Inc.

 

19. Agreement between the Company and Nalco Company dated January 25, 2007, and the related letter dated May 7, 2009 by Nalco Company to the Company extending the billing arrangement for services through March 31, 2010 at the same prices provided in the January 25, 2007 agreement.

 

20. Master Swap Agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and FCStone Trading, LLC

 

21. Agreement for Private Redevelopment between Jasper County, Iowa and the Company dated November 21, 2006

 

22. Minimum Assessment Agreement between Jasper County, Iowa and the Company dated November 21, 2006

 

23. Master Contract between the Company and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) dated March 16, 2006, as amended on September 20, 2006 and May 27, 2008

 

24. Promissory Note by the Company in favor of the Iowa Department of Economic Development dated June 14, 2006 in the principal amount of $100,000

 

25. Promissory Note by the Company in favor of the Iowa Department of Economic Development dated June 14, 2006 in the principal amount of $300,000

 

26. VAAPFAP Funding Agreement between the Company and the Iowa Department of Economic Development executed as of July 17, 2006

 

27. HQJCP Funding Agreement between the Company and the Iowa Department of Economic Development executed as of July 17, 2006

 

56


28. Assignment of Deposit Account dated on or about the date hereof between the Company and Bank of Iowa

 

29. Insurance policy contracts

 

30. Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 22, 2009 between the Company, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and Bunge North America, Inc.

 

31. Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 22, 2009 between the Company, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and Bunge North America, Inc.

 

32. Bill of Lading by Clarklift of Des Moines, Inc. to the Company dated March 29, 2007

 

33. Water & Fire Suppression Services Agreement dated September 16, 2009 by and between the Company and Iowa Regional Utilities Association (d/b/a Central Iowa Water Association).

For purposes of this Schedule, please note for contracts that are effective prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the Master Loan Agreement), the “Company” refers to Central Iowa Energy, LLC, and for contracts that are effective after the Effective Date, the “Company” refers to REG Newton, LLC.

 

57


Schedule 5.02(k)

Transactions with Affiliates

 

1. Service Agreement between Borrower and REG Services Group, LLC.

 

2. Contract Manufacturing Agreement between Borrower and REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC.

 

3. Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 22, 2009 between the Company, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and Bunge North America, Inc.

 

4. Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 22, 2009 between the Company, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and Bunge North America, Inc.

 

5. Transactions between Central Iowa Energy, LLC and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries that result in a current account payable of $1,201,172.06 from Central Iowa Energy, LLC to Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries. Such account payable is subject to change and will be assumed by Borrower.

 

58


Schedule 5.02(l)

Management Fees and Compensation

1. Fees set forth in the Service Agreement between Borrower and REG Services Group, LLC.

 

59


EXHIBIT A

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

TO: AgStar Financial Services, PCA, (the “ Lender ”)

Pursuant to that certain Master Loan Agreement dated March 8, 2010, by and between REG Newton, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), and the Lender, and any amendments thereto and extensions thereof (the “ Loan Agreement ”), the undersigned hereby represents, warrants and certifies to the Lender as follows:

 

  1. The financial statement(s) attached hereto are complete and correct in all material respects and fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date of said financial statement(s) and the result of its business operations for the period covered thereby;

 

  2. That each and all of the representations and warranties made by the Borrower in the Loan Agreement and the agreements referred to therein or related thereto are true and correct as of the date hereof, except as disclosed in writing to the Lender;

 

  3. No Event of Default (as that term is defined in the Loan Agreement), and no event which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof; and

 

  4. All the calculations set forth below are made pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement and are true and accurate as of the date of the attached financial statements:

 

1. Section 5.01(d) – Working Capital Ratio .

(tested quarterly)

 

(a) Required Working Capital Ratio (1.00 to 1.00 for first year from the Effective Date)

                                                      (1.15 to 1.00 thereafter)

 

(a)    Current Assets

      $_____________

(b)    Current Liabilities (less Current Portion of Long Term Debt and the Acquisition Advance)

      $_____________
Line (a) divided by Line (b)       ___ to ___
In Compliance    Yes _____    No _____

 

2. Section 5.01(e) – Tangible Net Worth .

(tested annually)

(a)    Required Tangible Net Worth ($7,200,000.00 at December 31, 2010)

   $_______________
                                                          (annually thereafter)   

 

 

60


(b)    Actual Tangible Net Worth

     

(1) Total Assets

      $______________

(2) Less Intangible Assets (per definition)

      $______________

(3) Total Tangible Assets

      $______________

(4) Total Liabilities

      $______________

(5) Purchase Accounting Write Down

      $______________

(6) Tangible Net Worth

      $______________

(line (3) minus line (4) plus line (5))

     
In Compliance    Yes _____    No _____

 

3. Section 5.01(f) – Reserved

 

4. Section 5.01(g) – Fixed Charge Ratio

(tested beginning 18 months after the Closing for the immediately preceding 12 month period, and maintained and measured at the end of each fiscal year thereafter.)

 

(a)    EBITDA

      $______________

(b)    Current Portion of Long Term Debt

      $______________

(c)    Interest Expense

      $______________

(d)    Distributions

      $______________

(e)    Maintenance Capital Expenditures

      $______________

(f)     Denominator (sum of lines (b) through (e))

      $______________
Ratio of line (a) to (f)       ________ to 1.00
Required Ratio of 1.00 to 1.00 (at the end of 18 months after the Effective Date)   
Required Ratio of 1.15 to 1.00 (at the fiscal year end after 18 months after the Effective Date)   
In Compliance    Yes _____    No _____

 

61


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed and delivered this Certificate to the Lender as of the ____ day of _________________, ____.

 

BORROWER:
REG NEWTON, LLC,
a Iowa limited liability company
By    
  Its    

 

62

Exhibit 10.3

SECOND SUPPLEMENT

TO THE MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

(REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT LOAN)

THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENT TO THE MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Second Supplement” ), dated as of March 8, 2010, is between AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA (the “Lender” ) and REG NEWTON, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Borrower” ), and supplements and incorporates all of the provisions of that certain Master Loan Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, between the Lender and the Borrower (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time, the “MLA” ).

1. Definitions . As used in this Second Supplement, the following terms shall have the following meanings. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Second Supplement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the MLA. Terms not defined in either this Second Supplement or the MLA shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code, as enacted in the State of Minnesota and as amended from time to time.

Acceleration Date ” has the meaning specified in section 15 of this Second Supplement.

Accounts ” means all of the Borrower’s “Accounts”, as such term is defined in the UCC, including, without limitation, the aggregate unpaid obligations of customers and other account debtors to Borrower arising out of the sale or lease of goods or rendition of services by Borrower on an open account or deferred payment basis.

Availability Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5 of this Second Supplement.

Borrowing Base ” means, at any time, the lesser of: (a) $1,800,000.00; or (b) the sum of: (i) 50% of Borrower’s Eligible Accounts Receivable; plus (ii) 50% of Borrower’s Eligible Inventory.

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means the certificate in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto properly completed and duly executed by an authorized officer of the Borrower.

Eligible Accounts Receivable ” means all unpaid Accounts, net of any credits, except the following shall not in any event be deemed Eligible Accounts Receivable:

(a) That portion of Accounts unpaid 30 days or more after the invoice date:

(b) That portion of Accounts that is disputed or subject to a claim of offset or a contra account;

(c) That portion of Accounts not yet earned by the final delivery of goods or rendition of services, as applicable, by any Borrower to the customer;


(d) Accounts owed by any unit of government, whether foreign or domestic; except that Accounts due as a result of blender’s or producer’s tax credit or other credit from a government unit will be deemed Eligible Accounts Receivable;

(e) Accounts owed by an account debtor located outside the United States;

(f) Accounts owed by an account debtor that is insolvent, the subject of bankruptcy proceedings or has gone out of business;

(g) Accounts owed by a member, Guarantor, Affiliate, officer or employee of any Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to all other exclusions listed in the Eligible Accounts Receivable definition, (i) Accounts owed to Borrower by REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (“REG Marketing”) arising out of the production and/or sale of biodiesel, glycerin and fatty acids produced by Borrower at its bio-diesel production facility in Newton, Iowa, and sold to REG Marketing pursuant to that certain Contract Manufacturing Agreement dated of even date herewith, by and between REG Marketing and Borrower, and (ii) Accounts related to transactions as approved by Lender and listed on Schedule 5.02(k) of the MLA, will be deemed to be Eligible Accounts Receivable;

(h) Accounts not subject to a duly perfected security interest in the Lender’s favor or which are subject to any lien, security interest or claim in favor of any Person other than the Lender, including, without limitation, any payment or performance bond;

(i) That portion of Accounts that has been restructured, extended, amended or modified;

(j) That portion of Accounts that constitutes advertising, finance charges, service charges or sales or excise taxes; and

(k) Accounts, or portions thereof, otherwise deemed ineligible by the Lender, in its sole discretion, exercised reasonably.

Eligible Inventory ” means all inventory held for ultimate sale or lease, or which has been or will be supplied under contracts of service, or which are raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in the Borrower’s business and that has been specifically identified and accepted by the Lender, excluding all of the following inventory:

 

  (a) Covered by documents of title, instruments, or chattel paper when these documents, instruments and paper are not owned and held by the Borrower or are subject to competing claims, liens or encumbrances.

 

  (b) Intended to be sold outside of the ordinary course of business.

 

2


  (c) Consigned, sold or leased to others or on consignment or lease from others or subject to a bailment.

 

  (d) Subject to a competing claim, lien or encumbrance.

 

  (e) Paid for in advance with progress payments or any other sums to the Borrower in anticipation of the sale and delivery of inventory.

 

  (f) Obsolete or unusable in the ordinary course of business.

 

  (g) Inventory of work in progress.

 

  (h) Inventory held or stored at locations not disclosed in Schedule 4.01(k) of the MLA or otherwise disclosed in writing to the Lender and approved by the Lender, in its sole discretion.

 

  (i) Inventory that the Lender, in its reasonable discretion, disqualifies as Eligible Inventory.

Maximum Rate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7 of this Second Supplement.

Monthly Payment Date ” means the first (1 st ) day of each calendar month.

Outstanding Credit ” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate amount of Advances then outstanding under this Second Supplement and the Revolving Line of Credit Note.

Outstanding Revolving Advance ” means the total Outstanding Credit under this Second Supplement and the Revolving Line of Credit Note.

Request for Advance ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6(a) of this Second Supplement.

Revolving Advance ” means an advance under this Second Supplement and the Revolving Line of Credit Note.

Revolving Line of Credit Loan ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2 of this Second Supplement.

Revolving Line of Credit Collateral ” means (a) Accounts and (b) all inventory held for ultimate sale or lease, or which has been or will be supplied under contracts of service, or which are raw materials, work in process, or materials used or consumed in the Borrower’s business and that has been specifically identified and accepted by the Lender.

Revolving Line of Credit Commitment ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2 of this Second Supplement.

 

3


Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date ” shall mean March 7, 2011.

Revolving Line of Credit Loan Termination Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2 of this Second Supplement.

Unused Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6(d) of this Second Supplement.

2. Revolving Line of Credit Commitment . On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA and this Second Supplement, Lender agrees to make one or more advances (collectively, the “ Revolving Line of Credit Loan ”) to the Borrower, during the period beginning on the Availability Date and ending on the Business Day immediately preceding the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date (the “ Revolving Line of Credit Loan Termination Date ”), in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed $2,350,000.00 (the “ Revolving Line of Credit Commitment ”) provided, however , that at no time shall the Outstanding Revolving Advances exceed the unpaid principal balance of the Acquisition Advance plus the Borrowing Base. The Revolving Line of Credit Commitment shall expire at 12:00 noon Central time on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date. Under the Revolving Line of Credit Commitment amounts borrowed and repaid or prepaid, other than amounts attributable to the Acquisition Advance, may be re-borrowed at any time prior to and including the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Termination Date.

3. Purpose . The purposes for which advances under the Revolving Line of Credit Loan may be used are for general corporate and operating purposes of the Borrower and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, payment of the CIE Loan and closing costs and fees associated with the Revolving Line of Credit Loan. The Borrower agrees that the proceeds of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan are to be used only for the purposes set forth in this Section 3.

4. Repayment of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan . The Borrower will pay accrued interest on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan on the first (1 st ) day of each month, commencing on the first (1 st ) Monthly Payment Date following the date on which the first Advance is made on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan, and continuing on each Monthly Payment Date thereafter until the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date. On the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date, the amount of the then unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan and any and all other amounts due and owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document relating to the Revolving Line of Credit Loan will be due and payable. If any Monthly Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the principal installment then due shall be paid on the next Business Day and shall continue to accrue interest until paid. In addition to the regularly scheduled payments set forth above, the Borrower shall make all Excess Cash Flow Payments and Debt Service Reserve Account Payments as described in the MLA.

5. Availability . Subject to the provisions of the MLA and this Second Supplement, during the period commencing on the date on which all conditions precedent to the initial advance under the Revolving Line of Credit Loan are satisfied (the “ Availability Date ”) and ending on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Termination Date, advances under the Revolving Line of Credit Loan will be made as provided in this Second Supplement.

 

4


6. Making the Advances .

(a) Revolving Advances . Each Revolving Advance shall be made, on notice from the Borrower (a “ Request for Advance ”) to the Lender delivered before 12:00 Noon (Minneapolis, Minnesota time) on a Business Day which is at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such Revolving Advance specifying the amount of such Revolving Advance, provided that, no Revolving Advance shall be made while an Event of Default exists or if the interest rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan would exceed the Maximum Rate. Any Request for Advance applicable to a Revolving Advance received after 12:00 Noon (Minneapolis, Minnesota time) shall be deemed to have been received and be effective on the next Business Day. The amount so requested from the Lender shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Second Supplement, be made available to the Borrower by: (i) depositing the same, in same day funds, in an account of the Borrower; (ii) wire transferring such funds to a Person or Persons designated by the Borrower in writing; or (iii) payment pursuant to Section 6(f) of this Second Supplement.

(b) Requests for Advances Irrevocable . Each Request for Advance shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and the Borrower shall indemnify the Lender against any loss or expense it may incur as a result of any failure to borrow any Advance after a Request for Advance (including any failure resulting from the failure to fulfill on or before the date specified for such Advance the applicable conditions set forth in this Second Supplement and the MLA), including, without limitation, any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by the Lender to fund such Advance when such Advance, as a result of such failure, is not made on such date.

(c) Minimum Amounts . Each Revolving Advance shall be in a minimum amount equal to $50,000.00.

(d) Unused Commitment Fee . In addition to fees payable on the Effective Date, Borrower agrees to pay to the Lender an Unused Commitment Fee on the average daily unused portion of such Lender’s commitment under the Revolving Line of Credit Loan from the Availability Date until the Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date at the rate of 0.50% per annum, payable in arrears in quarterly installments payable on the first (1 st ) day of each third month after the Availability Date.

(e) Conditions Precedent to All Advances . The Lender’s obligation to make each Advance under the Revolving Line of Credit Note shall be subject to the terms, conditions and covenants set forth in the MLA and this Second Supplement, including, without limitation, the following further conditions precedent:

(i) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties set forth in the MLA and this Second Supplement are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the request for any Advance, except as disclosed in writing to the Lender, to the same extent and with the same effect as if made at and as of the date thereof except as disclosed in writing to the Lender;

 

5


(ii) No Defaults . The Borrower is not in default under the terms of the MLA, the Related Documents or any other Material Contracts to which the Borrower is a party and which relates to the operation of the Borrower’s business;

(iii) Government Action . No license, permit, permission or authority materially necessary for the operation of the Plant has been revoked or challenged by or before any Governmental Authority;

(iv) Marketing Agreements . The Borrower has executed marketing agreements for all biodiesel, glycerin and all other by products to be produced at the Plant and provided Lender with collateral assignments of all such agreements in form and content which is satisfactory to Lender and its counsel and acknowledged by the non-Borrower party to all such agreements; and

(v) Borrowing Base Certificate . The Borrower has provided the Borrowing Base Certificate as required by Section 13 of this Second Supplement.

(vi) Other Agreements . In the event that any Inventory is commingled with inventory owned by any Affiliate of the Borrower or any other Person, the Lender shall have received an intercreditor agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion.

(f) Borrower hereby requests that Lender advance the Acquisition Advance and authorizes Lender to make the Acquisition Advance on the Availability Date and to apply the funds thereby advanced to the payment of the CIE Loan.

7. Interest Rate . Subject to the provisions of the MLA and Section 8 and 10 of this Second Supplement, the Revolving Line of Credit Loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 300 basis points. The computation of interest, amortization, maturity and other terms and conditions of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan shall be as provided in the Revolving Line of Credit Note, provided, however, in no event shall the applicable rate exceed the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time, or from time to time, may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged, or received under applicable state or federal laws (the “Maximum Rate”).

8. Default Interest . In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in the MLA: (i) if the Borrower fails to make any payment to Lender when due, then at Lender’s option in each instance, such obligation or payment shall bear interest from the date due to the date paid at the applicable Default Rate; (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default beyond any applicable cure period, if any, at Lender’s option in each instance, the unpaid balances of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan shall bear interest from the date of the Event of Default or such later date as Lender shall elect the applicable Default Rate; (iii) after the maturity of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan, whether by reason of acceleration or otherwise, the unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan (including without limitation, principal, interest, fees and expenses) shall automatically bear interest at the applicable Default Rate.

 

6


Interest payable at the Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand or, if not sooner demanded, on the last day of each calendar month.

9. Late Charge . If any payment of principal or interest due under this Second Supplement or the Revolving Line of Credit Note is not paid within ten (10) days of the due date thereof, the Borrower shall pay, in addition to such amount, a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment.

10. Changes in Law Rendering Certain LIBOR Rate Loans Unlawful . In the event that any change in any applicable law (including the adoption of any new applicable law) or any change in the interpretation of any applicable law by any judicial, governmental or other regulatory body charged with the interpretation, implementation or administration thereof, should make it (or in the good-faith judgment of the Lender should raise a substantial question as to whether it is) unlawful for the Lender to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Rate Loans, then: (a) the Lender shall promptly notify each of the other parties hereto; and (b) the obligation of the Lender to make LIBOR rate loans of such type shall, upon the effectiveness of such event, be suspended for the duration of such unlawfulness. During the period of any suspension, Lender shall make loans to Borrower that are deemed lawful and that as closely as possible reflect the terms of the MLA.

11. Maximum Amount Limitation . Anything in this MLA, this Second Supplement, or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall not be required to pay unearned interest on the Revolving Line of Credit Note or any of the Loan Obligations, or ever be required to pay interest on the Revolving Line of Credit Note or any of the Loan Obligations at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any. If the effective rate of interest which would otherwise be payable under the MLA, this Second Supplement, the Revolving Line of Credit Note, or any of the other Loan Documents would exceed the Maximum Rate, if any, then the rate of interest which would otherwise be contracted for, charged, or received under the MLA, this Second Supplement, the Revolving Line of Credit Note, or any of the other Loan Documents shall be reduced to the Maximum Rate, if any. If any unearned interest or discount or property that is deemed to constitute interest (including, without limitation, to the extent that any of the fees payable by Borrower for the Loan Obligations to the Lender under the MLA, this Second Supplement, the Revolving Line of Credit Note, or any of the other Loan Documents are deemed to constitute interest) is contracted for, charged, or received in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any, then such interest in excess of the Maximum Rate shall be deemed a mistake and canceled, shall not be collected or collectible, and if paid nonetheless, shall, at the option of the holder of the Revolving Line of Credit Note, be either refunded to the Borrower, or credited on the principal of the Revolving Line of Credit Note. It is further agreed that, without limitation of the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable law, all calculations of the rate of interest or discount contracted for, charged or received by the Lender under the Revolving Line of Credit Note, or under any of the Loan Documents, that are made for the purpose of determining whether such rate exceeds the Maximum Rate applicable to the Lender, if any, shall be made, to the extent permitted by applicable laws (now or hereafter enacted), by amortizing, prorating and spreading during the period of the full terms of the Advances evidenced by the Revolving Line of Credit Note, and any renewals thereof all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by Lender in connection therewith. This

 

7


section shall control every other provision of all agreements among the parties to the MLA pertaining to the transactions contemplated by or contained in the Loan Documents, and the terms of this Section shall be deemed to be incorporated in every Loan Document and communication related thereto.

12. Mandatory Prepayments or Collateralization . The Borrower shall, within five (5) days following the earlier of the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate hereof or the day upon which such Borrowing Base Certificate was due, either (i) prepay the Advances in the amount, if any, by which the Outstanding Credit less the unpaid principal balance of the Acquisition Advance on the date of prepayment under this Section exceeds the Borrowing Base at such time, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, or (ii) pledge and assign to the Lender additional collateral acceptable to the Lender, in the Lender’s sole discretion, and deliver all documentation that the Lender, in its sole discretion, may require in connection with such pledge and assignment and the perfection of a first-priority security interest in such additional collateral, so that the Borrowing Base plus the value assigned by the Lender, in its sole discretion, to such additional collateral plus the unpaid principal balance of the Acquisition advance equals or exceeds the Outstanding Credit.

13. Reporting Requirements . In addition to the reporting requirements under Section 5.01(c) in the MLA, the Borrower shall:

(a) at all times while there is an outstanding balance under the Revolving Line of Credit Loan, furnish to the Lender as soon as available and in any event within 5 days after the end of each calendar week (or at such other times or with such greater frequency as is requested by the Lender), a duly completed Borrowing Base Certificate, setting forth the Borrowing Base as of the last day of such week calculated based upon collateral value criteria and advance rates which do not exceed those set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate, and including such other information, representation and warranties contemplated therein, certified by the appropriate authorized officer of the Borrower, and

(b) provide to Lender within 45 days after each June 30 th and December 31 st a written audit of Eligible Inventory and Eligible Equipment performed by an independent third party auditor reasonably acceptable to Lender.

14. Security . The Borrower’s obligations hereunder and, to the extent related thereto, the MLA, shall be secured as provided in the MLA.

15. Proceeds of Collateral . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.09(d) of the MLA, to the extent that Lender seeks to enforce its rights under the Section 1.b. of the Corporate Guaranty of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan against Renewable Energy Group, Inc., the proceeds from the sale or other liquidation of Revolving Line of Credit Collateral received by the Lender within 60 days after the Lender accelerates the due date of the unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Line of Credit Loan (the “Acceleration Date”) shall be applied first to the payment of Lender’s fees and expenses, then to Lender’s attorneys fees and other expenses related to Lender’s realization on such Collateral, then to the payment of accrued interest on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan, then to the payment of the outstanding principal of the

 

8


Revolving Line of Credit Loan and then to the payment of the other Loan Obligations in such amounts and such order as provided in Section 2.09(d) of the MLA. The Lender shall be entitled to apply any proceeds from the sale of the Revolving Line of Credit Collateral that are received by the Lender more than 60 days after the Acceleration Date as provided in Section 2.09(d) of the MLA. To the extent that the Lender has taken possession of some or all of the Revolving Line of Credit Collateral, the Lender agrees to make a commercially reasonable effort to liquidate such collateral within 60 days after the Acceleration Date.

16. Execution in Counterparts . This Second Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts and on telecopy counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

{SIGNATURE PAGE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS}

 

9


SIGNATURE PAGE TO

SECOND SUPPLEMENT

TO

MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

REG NEWTON, LLC

AND

AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA

DATED: MARCH 8, 2010

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

REG NEWTON, LLC

an Iowa limited liability company

By:  

/s/ Daniel J. Oh

Name: Daniel J. Oh
Title: President
AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA
By:  

/s/ Mark Schmidt

Name: Mark Schmidt
Its: Vice President

 

10


EXHIBIT A

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

Detailed Calculation

Date:                                   ,         

Pursuant to that certain Master Loan Agreement dated March 8, 2010, by and between REG Newton, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), and the Lender, and any amendments thereto and extensions thereof (the “ Loan Agreement ”), the undersigned hereby represents, warrants and certifies to the Lender as follows:

 

1       

   Accounts Receivable:      
           ___________________ (biodiesel)    $        
           ___________________ (glycerin)    $        
           Other    $        
           Other    $        
           Total    $        
   Deduct Ineligible Accounts    $        
           (31 days or more from invoice date)      
   Deduct Ineligible Accounts    $        
           (as determined by Bank)      
   Eligible Accounts Receivable    $                       
   Multiply by Borrowing Base Factor      50.00%      
   Accounts Receivable Loan Availability       $                    

2

   Glycerin (current value)      
   Ending Feedstock Inventory    $        
   Ending Glycerin & other bi-products Inventory    $        
   Total Inventory      
   Multiply by Borrowing Base Factor      50.00%      
   Inventory Loan Availability       $     

3

   Biodiesel Inventories (lower of cost or market)      
   Ending Biodiesel Inventory    $        
   Ending Biodiesel Inventory    $        
   Other Inventory      
   Total Inventory    $        
   Multiply by Borrowing Base Factor      50.00%      
   Inventory Loan Availability       $     

4

   Total Borrowing Base (Totals from #1, #2, & #3)       $     

5

   Outstanding Loan Balance (as of month end)    $        

6

   Margin (Line 4 minus Line 5)       $     

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed and delivered this Certificate to the Lender as of the              day of                              ,          .

 

BORROWER:
REG NEWTON, LLC,
a Iowa limited liability company
By    
  Its    

 

12

Exhibit 10.6

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO THE SECOND SUPPLEMENT TO THE MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

(REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT LOAN)

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE SECOND SUPPLEMENT TO THE MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT (REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT LOAN) (this “Amendment”) is made to be effective as of March 7, 2011, by and between REG NEWTON, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Borrower”) and AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA, a United States instrumentality (the “Lender”).

RECITALS

A. The Borrower and the Lender previously entered into that certain Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement (Revolving Line of Credit Loan), dated March 8, 2010 (the “Second Supplement”) and that certain Master Loan Agreement dated March 8, 2010, and related supplements as amended, modified or restated from time to time (together with the Second Supplement, the “Loan Agreement”) under which the Lender agreed to extend certain financial accommodations to the Borrower.

B. The Borrower has requested that the Lender extend the maturity date of the Revolving Line of Credit Note to March 5, 2012. The Lender is willing to so amend the loan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Amendment.

C. All terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the facts set forth in the foregoing Recitals which the parties agree are true and correct, and in consideration for entering into this Amendment and the related documents to be executed concurrently with or pursuant hereto, the parties agree as follows:

1. Amendment to Defined Term . Except as amended by this Amendment, all terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan Agreement. The following defined term in the Second Supplement is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

Revolving Line of Credit Loan Maturity Date ” shall mean March 5, 2012.

2. Effect on Loan Agreement . Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, all of the terms of the Loan Agreement shall be unaffected by this Amendment and shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing contained in this Amendment shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any default, Event of Default, right


or remedy of the Lender, or to affect, modify, or otherwise impair any of the rights of Lender as provided in the Loan Agreement.

3. Representations and Warranties of Borrower . Borrower hereby agrees with, reaffirms, and acknowledges:

a. the representations and warranties in the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Related Documents. Furthermore, Borrower represents that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Related Documents continue to be true and correct and in full force and effect.

b. that Borrower has the power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Amendment and each other document required under this Amendment and that all documents contemplated herein when executed and delivered to Lender will constitute the valid, binding and legally enforceable obligations of Borrower in accordance with their respective terms and conditions, except as enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency laws.

4. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and Continuing Effectiveness of this Amendment . The obligations of the Lender hereunder are subject to the conditions precedent that Lender shall have received the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender:

a. this Amendment duly executed by Borrower and the Lender;

b. on or before March 7, 2011, an Allonge to the Revolving Line of Credit Note duly executed by the Borrower and the Lender;

c. written consents to this Amendment from Jasper County, Iowa, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, REG Services Group, LLC, Renewable energy Group, Inc. in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Amendment

d. all other documents, instruments, or agreements required to be delivered to Lender under the Loan Agreement and not previously delivered to Lender; and

e. payment for all cost and expenses (including attorney’s fees) of Lender associated with the documentation, execution and delivery of this Amendment.

5. Counterparts . It is understood and agreed that this Amendment may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall, for all purposes, be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement, even though all of the parties hereto may not have executed the same counterpart of this Amendment.

[SIGNATURE PAGE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS]


SIGNATURE PAGE TO

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO THE SECOND SUPPLEMENT

TO THE MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

(REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT LOAN)

BY AND BETWEEN

REG NEWTON, LLC

AND

AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA

DATED: MARCH 7, 2011

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers and duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:

REG NEWTON, LLC, an Iowa

limited liability company

  /s/ Daniel J. Oh
  By: Daniel J. Oh
    Its: President
LENDER:

AGSTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES, PCA,

a United States corporation

  /s/ Mark Schmidt
  By: Mark Schmidt
    Its: Vice President


Exhibit A

CONSENT AND REAFFIRMATION OF JASPER COUNTY

The undersigned hereby:

(a) consent to the modifications set forth in that certain (i) First Amendment to the Second Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement (Revolving Line of Credit Loan) dated March 7, 2011, by and between REG Newton, LLC and AgStar Financial Services, PCA (the “Lender”), and (ii) First Allonge (to the Revolving Line of Credit Note dated March 8, 2010) dated March 7, 2011; and

(b) reaffirms that the subordination agreement of the undersigned as set forth in that certain Subordination Agreement dated March 8, 2010, by and between Jasper County, Iowa and the Lender, is and shall remain in full force and effect.

Dated to be effective as of March 7, 2011.

 

JASPER COUNTY, IOWA, a political subdivision created and existing under the laws of the State of Iowa
   
By:
  Its:

Exhibit 10.12

THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is executed as of the 26th day of February, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), by and between FIFTH THIRD BANK, an Ohio banking corporation, successor by merger with FIFTH THIRD BANK, a Michigan banking corporation (“Lender”), having an address at 8000 Maryland Avenue, Suite 1400, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, and BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Borrower”), with its office at 22 Chicago Avenue, Freeport, Illinois 61032-4230.

Recitals

The following recitals are a material part of this Amendment:

A. Lender and Borrower are parties to that certain Loan Agreement dated as of May 9, 2008, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated December 23, 2008, and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated November 25, 2009 (as further amended, modified and/or restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Loan Agreement.

B. Lender has provided Loans to Borrower in the aggregate maximum amount of $29,650,000.00 pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which Loans are evidenced by (i) that certain Construction/Term Loan Note dated May 9, 2008 in the amount of $24,650,000 executed by Borrower in favor of Lender and (ii) that certain Revolving Credit Loan Note dated May 9, 2008 in the amount of $5,000,000 executed by Borrower in favor of Lender.

C. Lender and Borrower hereby agree that the Loan Agreement is amended under the terms and conditions contained herein.

Contractual Provisions

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements hereinafter contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1 . Amendments to Loan Agreement .

(a) Section 3.2(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(a) Construction/Term Loan . The principal amount and accrued interest of the Construction/Term Loan Note shall be due and payable on the dates and in the manner hereinafter set forth: (i) from the Effective Date until March 31, 2009, Borrower shall make monthly payments of accrued interest on the first (1 st ) day of each calendar month,


with the first such monthly payment of interest commencing on June 1, 2008, (ii) on April 1, 2009, Borrower shall make a payment of principal in the amount of $205,417, plus accrued interest, (iii) commencing May 1, 2009 through and including June 1, 2010, Borrower shall make monthly payments of accrued interest on the first (1 st ) day of each calendar month, (iv) commencing July 1, 2010 and on the first (1 st ) day of each month thereafter, Borrower shall make equal monthly payments of principal in the amount of $135,803.00, plus accrued interest, (v) Borrower shall make the mandatory principal payments at such times and in such amounts required under Section 3.2(e) below, and (vi) on the Construction/Term Loan Maturity Date, the entire outstanding principal balance and accrued interest on the Construction/Term Loan Note shall be due and payable.”

(b) Section 3.2(e) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(e) Annual Cash Flow Recapture . In addition to the other payments required above, Borrower shall make an annual principal payment on the outstanding balance of the Construction/Term Loan Note, during the term of this Agreement, in amounts equal to (i) fifty percent (50%) of Borrower’s Excess Cash Flow with respect to each fiscal year of Borrower until such time as Borrower has repaid an aggregate principal amount from Excess Cash Flow, separate and apart from all required principal payments, of $2,458,154 (“50% Excess Cash Flow Amount”), and thereafter (ii) twenty-five percent (25%) of Borrower’s Excess Cash Flow (“25% Excess Cash Flow Payment”). Such mandatory principal payments are to be made within ten (10) Business Days following the due date for delivery by Borrower to Lender of the annual financial statements required by Section 7.12(a)(iii) hereof, and each such payment shall be applied to the installments of principal due under the Construction/Term Loan Note in the inverse order of their maturities until payment thereof in full.”

(c) Section 7.12 of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“7.12 Additional Documents and Information .

(a) Reporting Requirements . Borrower shall furnish the following to Lender:

(i) Monthly Financial Statements . As soon as available and in any event within twenty (20) days after the end of each month of each fiscal year of Borrower, provide an unaudited and internally prepared financial statement of Borrower certified by Borrower’s chief financial officer;

 

2


(ii) Quarterly Covenant Compliance Certificates . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2010, as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of Borrower, a consolidated compliance certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G , setting forth (A) detailed written calculations for such quarter or as of the last day of such quarter, as appropriate, computing Borrower’s compliance (or failure of compliance) with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.33 below, (B) a restatement by reference of each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 hereof (or providing detailed information why any such representation or warranty cannot be restated), and (C) a certification that no Default or Event of Default exists as of the date of such certificate, or if any Default or Event of Default exists, providing detailed information concerning the nature of all existing Defaults or Events of Default, which such compliance certificate shall be certified by Borrower and by Borrower’s chief financial officer or president;

(iii) Audited Year-End Statements . As soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, final audited financial statements (as described above but including a statement of changes in financial position) as of the end of such fiscal year of Borrower, prepared by independent certified accountants reasonably satisfactory to Lender and a copy of any management, operation or other letter or correspondence from such accountant to Borrower in connection therewith;

(iv) Annual Tax Returns . As soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of each calendar year, copies of current annual tax returns of Borrower;

(v) Intentionally Omitted ;

(vi) Borrower Reports . As soon as available, copies of all reports, financial information and other information which is required to be distributed to any member under the terms of the Borrower’s Operating Agreement;

(vii) Borrowing Base Certificates . Furnish to Lender within fifteen (15) days of the end of each calendar month until all obligations of Borrower to Lender under the Revolving Credit Loan have been fully satisfied and no longer remain outstanding, as determined by Lender in its sole discretion, a Borrowing Base Certificate in the form of Exhibit H hereto, showing, as of the last day of each month, the Borrowing Base;

(ix) Accounts Receivable . As soon as available and in any event within fifteen (15) days after each calendar month, Borrower shall deliver to Lender an aging report with respect to accounts receivable and a listing of accounts payable;

(x) Intentionally Omitted;

 

3


(xi) Other . Such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of Borrower or the Improvements, as Lender may reasonably request from time to time.

All financial statements described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, except that unaudited financial statements shall be subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, and need not contain footnotes.

(b) Intentionally Omitted.

(d) Section 7.14(b)(ii)(B) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(B) no such dividends and distributions shall be made until Lender has received from Borrower the entire amount of the 50% Excess Cash Flow Amount owed to Lender by Borrower under Section 3.2(e) hereof, and then such dividends and distributions shall be permitted only in an amount and to the extent (i) that Borrower’s Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (measured in accordance with Section 7.33 of this Agreement) would not be less than 1.50 to 1.00 after taking into the calculation both the amount of the dividends and distributions to be made and all 25% Excess Cash Flow Payments made pursuant to Section 3.2(e) hereof, and (iii) no Default or Event of Default would result after giving effect to such dividend and/or distribution;

(e) Section 7.33(a) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(a) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2010 and continuing each fiscal quarter thereafter, Borrower shall maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.00. The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be measured quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter, on a rolling four-quarter basis.”

(f) Section 7.33(b) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(b) Maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2010, and measured each fiscal quarter thereafter, Borrower shall maintain a Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not more than the following:

 

The Quarters Ending:

  

Required Ratio:

 

4


December 31, 2010 through

September 30, 2011

   5.0 to 1.0

December 31, 2011 through

September 30, 2012

   4.5 to 1.0

December 31, 2012 through

September 30, 2013

   4.0 to 1.0

December 31, 2013 through

September 30, 2014

   3.5 to 1.0

December 31, 2014 and

thereafter

   3.0 to 1.0

The Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be measured quarterly, on a rolling four-quarter basis.”

(g) A new subsection (c) is hereby added in its entirety to Section 7.33 of the Loan Agreement as follows:

“(c) Minimum Required EBITDA . For the period from January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010, Borrower shall achieve an EBITDA, calculated as of June 30, 2010, of at least $1,200,000.”

(h) Section 8.1(gg) of the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(gg) If the Merger is not fully completed by end of the business day March 15, 2010.”

(i) A new Section 8.1(hh) is hereby added to the Loan Agreement in its entirety as follows:

“(hh) If all the REG Ventures Subordinated Indebtedness is not converted to equity interests in Borrower on or before the end of the business day March 31, 2010. All documentation required to give effect to such conversion shall first be approved in writing by the Lender in its sole discretion.”

(j) A new Section 10.20 is hereby added to the Loan Agreement in its entirety as follows:

“10.20 Name Change . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Lender and Borrower consent to a change in Borrower’s name, upon closing of the Merger, from “Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC” to “REG Danville, LLC”.”

(k) Exhibit G to the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit G in the form attached hereto.

 

5


SECTION 2 . Amendment to Loan Documents . The Loan Documents are hereby modified as necessary to reflect the amendments set forth in Section 1 hereof.

SECTION 3 . No Claims . Borrower acknowledges that there are no existing claims, defenses (personal or otherwise) or rights of set-off or recoupment whatsoever with respect to any of the Loan Documents. Borrower agrees that this Amendment in no way acts as a release or relinquishment of any liens in favor of the Lender securing payment of obligations and indebtedness between Borrower and Lender.

SECTION 4 . References . All references in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby; and any and all references in the other Loan Documents to the Loan Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.

SECTION 5 . Representations and Warranties . Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Lender as follows:

(a) The Recitals in this Amendment are true and correct in all respects.

(b) Borrower has the company power, and has been duly authorized by all requisite company action, to execute and deliver this Amendment and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower.

(c) This Amendment is the legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors and (ii) applicable laws and regulations and principles of equity which may restrict the enforcement of certain remedies or the availability of certain equitable remedies.

(d) Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment does not and will not (i) violate any law, rule, regulation or court order to which Borrower is subject; (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of Borrower’s Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement or any agreement or instrument to which Borrower is party or by which Borrower or its properties is bound, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, security interest or encumbrance on any property of Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than liens in favor of Lender.

(e) The obligation of Borrower to repay the Obligations, together with all interest accrued thereon, is absolute and unconditional, and there exists no right of set off or recoupment, counterclaim or defense of any nature whatsoever to payment of the Obligations.

 

6


SECTION 6 . Effect and Construction of Amendment . Except as expressly provided herein, the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms, and this Amendment shall not be construed to:

(a) impair the validity, perfection or priority of any lien or security interest securing the Obligations; or

(b) waive or impair any rights, powers or remedies of Lender under the Loan Documents.

In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Amendment and the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, this Amendment shall govern. Borrower acknowledges that it has consulted with counsel and with such other experts and advisors as it has deemed necessary in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Amendment. This Amendment shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring that it be construed against the party causing this Amendment or any part hereof to be drafted.

SECTION 7 . Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of Amendment . This Amendment shall not be effective until:

(a) Lender shall have received this Amendment duly executed along with both Consents of Guarantor attached hereof;

(b) Lender shall have received notification from the IFA that the IFA has agreed and consented, without reservation, to all the terms of this Amendment to the extent the IFA’s consent and agreement is required under the IFA Guaranty Documents;

(c) Lender shall have received payment of the fees and costs required herein and under the Loan Agreement; and

(d) Lender has received such other and further documents as Lender shall have reasonably requested prior to the date hereof, all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and its counsel.

SECTION 8 . Costs and Expenses . Borrower hereby reaffirms its agreement under the Loan Agreement to pay or reimburse the Lender on demand for all costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents and all other documents contemplated thereby, including without limitation all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower specifically agrees to pay all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Lender for the services performed by such counsel in connection with the preparation of this Amendment and the documents and instruments incidental hereto.

SECTION 9 . Miscellaneous .

 

7


(a) Borrower agrees to execute such other and further documents and instruments as Lender may reasonably request to implement the provisions of this Amendment and to perfect and protect the liens and security interests created by the Loan Agreement.

(b) This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns. No other person or entity shall be entitled to claim any right or benefit hereunder, including, without limitation, the status of a third-party beneficiary of this Amendment.

(c) The provisions of this Amendment are intended to be severable. If any provisions of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or enforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions of this Amendment in any jurisdiction.

(d) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties to this Amendment on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature delivered by a party by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be an original signature hereto.

(e) Any notices with respect to this Amendment shall be given in the manner provided for in the Loan Agreement.

(f) This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Missouri.

(g) All representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, undertakings, waivers and releases of Borrower contained herein shall survive until the Obligations are paid in full.

(h) Incorporation by Reference; Statement Required By Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 432.047 . All of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Loan Documents are incorporated in, restated by, and made part of this Amendment by reference. Pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 432.047, Lender hereby gives the following notice to Borrowers:

“Oral agreements or commitments to loan money, extend credit or to forbear from enforcing repayment of a debt including promises to extend or renew such debt are not enforceable, regardless of the legal theory upon which it is based that is in any way related to the Loan Agreement. To protect you (borrower(s)) and us (creditor) from misunderstanding or disappointment, any agreements we reach covering such matters are contained in this writing, which is the

 

8


complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between us, except as we may later agree in writing to modify it.”

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

[Signature Page Follows]

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the Effective Date.

 

BORROWER:     LENDER:

BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

   

FIFTH THIRD BANK , an Ohio banking

corporation, successor by merger with FIFTH

THIRD BANK , a Michigan banking corporation

By:  

/s/ Ronald L. Mapes

     
  Ronald L. Mapes, Chair     By:  

/s/ Mary Ann Lemonds

        Mary Ann Lemonds, Vice President

Signature Page


EXHIBIT G

QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                          , 200   

 

To: FIFTH THIRD BANK (“Bank”)

8000 Maryland Ave., Ste. 1400

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

 

  Re: Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (“Borrower”)

Gentlemen:

 

1. Representations and Warranties . Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of the Loan Agreement by and between Borrower and Bank, dated as of May 9, 2008 (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”), are true and complete, except as set forth on Attachment 1 hereto.

 

2. No Defaults . Except as set forth on Attachment 2, no Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Loan Agreement) exists as of the date hereof.

 

3. Financial Covenants . Set forth below are calculations of the financial covenants required pursuant to Section 7.33 and Section 7.34 of the Credit Agreement. Calculation of the financial covenants set forth as (a), (b) and (c) below shall not be required until the respective time period in Sections 7.33(a), 7.33(b), and 7.33(c). The financial covenant calculations set forth below have been prepared and calculated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

PERIOD COVERED: Quarter Ended                                     

 

  (a) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

 

Net Income

 
 

 

Plus: Interest Expense

 
 

 

Plus: Taxes

 
 

 

Plus: Depreciation Expense

 
 

 


Plus: Amortization Expense  
 

 

Equals: EBITDA  
 

 

Less: Taxes  
 

 

Less: Dividends and Distributions  
 

 

Less: Maintenance Capital Expenditures  
 

 

Equals: Cash Available for Debt Service Requirements

 
 

 

Current Portion Long Term Debt - Prior Period  
 

 

Plus: Interest Expense  
 

 

Equals: Total Debt Service Requirements  
 

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio  
 

 

Required Minimum Ratio*  
 

 

In Compliance? (Yes/No):  
 

 

*  Minimum Required: 1.25 to 1.00

 

 

  (b) Maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio
Total Funded Debt  
 

 

EBITDA  
 

 

Funded Debt Ratio  
 

 

Required Maximum Ratio*  
 

 

In Compliance? (Yes/No):  
 

 

*  Maximum Required:

 

 

The Quarters Ending:

  Required Ratio:  

December 31, 2010 through September 30, 2011

    5.0 to 1.0   

December 31, 2011 through September 30, 2012

    4.5 to 1.0   

December 31, 2012 through September 30, 2013

    4.0 to 1.0   


December 31, 2013 through September 30, 2014

    3.5 to 1.0   

December 31, 2014 and thereafter

    3.0 to 1.0   

The Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be measured quarterly, on a rolling four-quarter basis.

 

(c)     Minimum Required EBITDA .

 

January1 and June 30, 2010 (minimum: $1,200,000)

 
 

 

In Compliance? (Yes/No):  
 

 

(d)     Maximum Capital Expenditures

 
Fiscal Year to date (Maximum: $300,000 per Fiscal Year)  
 

 

In Compliance? (Yes/No):  
 

 

The foregoing Compliance Certificate is true, correct and complete.

 

BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:    
Name:    
Its:    


EXHIBIT H

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

To fulfill the requirements of the Loan Agreement dated as of May 9, 2008 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and between Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC (the “Borrower”) and Fifth Third Bank (the “Lender”), the undersigned hereby certify that, as of the close of business on                      , the following computations are true and correct (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are given the same meanings as in the Loan Agreement):

 

I.   

ACCOUNTS

  
1.    Accounts which are not outstanding more than 90 days from date of invoice:    $                                 
     

 

 

 
2.    Less total of ineligible Accounts:    ($  
     

 

 

 
3.    Total Eligible Accounts:    $     
     

 

 

 
4.    Advance Rate: (Up to 75% based upon Lender’s reasonable discretion)          
     

 

 

 
5.   

Eligible Account Advance Amount

(Lesser of (i) $2,000,000 or (ii) the product of Item I(3) and Item I(4))

   $     
     

 

 

 
II.    INVENTORY   
1.    Eligible Inventory, valued at lower of cost or market, on an average cost basis:    $     
     

 

 

 
2.    Advance Rate: (Up to 50% based upon Lender’s reasonable discretion)          
     

 

 

 
3.   

Eligible Inventory Advance Amount

(The product of Item II(1) and Item II(2))

   $     
     

 

 

 
III.   

TOTAL BORROWING BASE

(Lesser of (i) $5,000,000 and (ii) the sum of Item I(5) and II(3))

   $     
     

 

 

 
IV.    OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE OF REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN    $     
     

 

 

 
V.   

REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN AVAILABILITY

(Item III minus Item IV; Negative amount requires immediate repayment of the Revolving Credit Loan in such Amount)

   $     
     

 

 

 


The Borrower does hereby warrant (a) the Borrowing Base Certificate and attached supporting documents are true and accurate in all material respects, (b) no information has been omitted that would cause the Borrowing Base Certificate to be misleading in any material manner, (c) no significant adverse changes have occurred in the formula amount values since the Date Prepared, and (d) the formula amount includes only those assets that are and will continue to be subject to first lien security position in favor of the Lender.

The Borrower further represents and warrants that there is no Default or Event of Default and all representations and warranties contained in the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents are true and correct. The undersigned understands that Lender will extend loans in reliance upon the information contained herein. In the event of a conflict between the following summary of eligibility criteria and the Loan Agreement, the Loan Agreement shall govern.

On behalf of the Borrower, I hereby certify the information contained herein as true and complete.

DATED:                             

 

BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:    
Name:    
Its:    

Exhibit 10.17

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of April 8, 2010

among

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS REFERRED TO HEREIN,

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties,

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent and Lender under the DIP Credit Agreement referred to herein,

and

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     2   

Section 1.01

   Defined Terms      2   

Section 1.02

   Principles of Interpretation      2   

Section 1.03

   UCC Terms      3   

Section 1.04

   Accounting and Financial Determinations      3   

ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS; OTHER CREDIT AGREEMENTS

     3   

Section 2.01

   Loans      3   

Section 2.02

   Other Credit Agreements      4   

Section 2.03

   Evidence of Indebtedness      4   

ARTICLE III REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

     5   

Section 3.01

   Repayment of Loans      5   

Section 3.02

   Interest Payment Dates      5   

Section 3.03

   Interest Rates      5   

Section 3.04

   Default Interest Rate      7   

Section 3.05

   Interest Rate Determination      7   

Section 3.06

   Computation of Interest and Fees      7   

Section 3.07

   Optional Prepayment      7   

Section 3.08

   Mandatory Prepayment      8   

Section 3.09

   Time and Place of Payments      8   

Section 3.10

   Payments Generally      9   

Section 3.11

   Fees      10   

Section 3.12

   Pro Rata Treatment      10   

Section 3.13

   Sharing of Payments      10   

ARTICLE IV EURODOLLAR RATE AND TAX PROVISIONS

     11   

Section 4.01

   Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful      11   

Section 4.02

   Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates      11   

Section 4.03

   Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs      12   

Section 4.04

   Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender      12   

Section 4.05

   Funding Losses      13   

Section 4.06

   Increased Capital Costs      14   

Section 4.07

   Taxes      14   

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     15   

Section 5.01

   Organization; Power; Compliance with Law and Contractual Obligations      15   

Section 5.02

   Due Authorization; Non-Contravention      16   

Section 5.03

   Governmental Approvals      16   

Section 5.04

   Investment Company Act      17   

Section 5.05

   Validity      17   

Section 5.06

   Financial Information      17   

Section 5.07

   [Intentionally Omitted]      18   

 

i


Section 5.08

   Project Compliance      18   

Section 5.09

   Litigation      18   

Section 5.10

   Sole Purpose Nature; Business      18   

Section 5.11

   Contracts. As of the date hereof:      18   

Section 5.12

   Collateral      19   

Section 5.13

   Ownership of Properties      20   

Section 5.14

   Taxes      20   

Section 5.15

   ERISA Plans      21   

Section 5.16

   Property Rights, Utilities, Supplies Etc.      21   

Section 5.17

   No Defaults      21   

Section 5.18

   Environmental Warranties      21   

Section 5.19

   Regulations T, U and X      22   

Section 5.20

   Accuracy of Information      22   

Section 5.21

   Indebtedness      23   

Section 5.22

   Separateness      23   

Section 5.23

   Required LLC Provisions      24   

Section 5.24

   Subsidiaries      24   

Section 5.25

   Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.      24   

Section 5.26

   [Intentionally Omitted]      24   

Section 5.27

   Employment Matters      24   

Section 5.28

   Legal Name and Place of Business      24   

Section 5.29

   No Brokers      24   

Section 5.30

   Insurance      24   

Section 5.31

   Patents, Trademarks, Etc.      25   

Section 5.32

   Accounts      26   

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     26   

Section 6.01

   Conditions to Closing Date      26   

ARTICLE VII COVENANTS

     33   

Section 7.01

   Affirmative Covenants      33   

Section 7.02

   Negative Covenants      41   

Section 7.03

   Reporting Requirements      47   

ARTICLE VIII CERTAIN PROCEEDS

     53   

Section 8.01

   Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds      53   

Section 8.02

   Extraordinary Proceeds      55   

ARTICLE IX DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT

     56   

Section 9.01

   Events of Default      56   

Section 9.02

   Action Upon Bankruptcy      61   

Section 9.03

   Action Upon Other Event of Default      61   

Section 9.04

   Application of Proceeds      62   

ARTICLE X THE AGENTS

     63   

Section 10.01

   Appointment and Authority      63   

Section 10.02

   Rights as a Lender      64   

Section 10.03

   Exculpatory Provisions      65   

 

ii


Section 10.04

   Reliance by Agents      66   

Section 10.05

   Delegation of Duties      67   

Section 10.06

   Resignation or Removal of Agent      67   

Section 10.07

   No Amendment to Duties of Agent Without Consent      68   

Section 10.08

   Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders      68   

Section 10.09

   No Lead Arranger or Bookrunner Duties      68   

Section 10.10

   Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim      68   

Section 10.11

   Collateral Matters      69   

Section 10.12

   Copies      70   

Section 10.13

   No Liability for Clean-up of Hazardous Materials      70   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     70   

Section 11.01

   Amendments, Etc.      70   

Section 11.02

   Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.      72   

Section 11.03

   Assignments.      74   

Section 11.04

   Benefits of Agreement      77   

Section 11.05

   Consultants      77   

Section 11.06

   Costs and Expenses      78   

Section 11.07

   Counterparts; Effectiveness      78   

Section 11.08

   Indemnification by the Borrower      78   

Section 11.09

   Interest Rate Limitation      80   

Section 11.10

   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      80   

Section 11.11

   Notices and Other Communications      80   

Section 11.12

   Patriot Act Notice      83   

Section 11.13

   Payments Set Aside      83   

Section 11.14

   Right of Setoff      83   

Section 11.15

   Severability      84   

Section 11.16

   Survival      84   

Section 11.17

   Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality      84   

Section 11.18

   Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.      85   

 

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SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 2.01

   Commitments

Schedule 3.01

   Amortization Schedule

Schedule 5.03

   Necessary Project Approvals

Part A

   First Funding Project Approvals

Part B

   Deferred Approvals

Schedule 5.08

   Project Compliance

Schedule 5.09

   Litigation

Schedule 5.11

   Project Contracts

Part A

   Necessary Project Contracts

Part B

   Deferred Contracts

Schedule 5.12(c)

   UCC Filing Offices

Schedule 5.13

   Site Description

Schedule 5.22

   Separateness

Schedule 5.31

   Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

Schedule 5.32

   Local Accounts

Schedule 6.01(q)

   Capital Improvement Budget

Schedule 7.01(h)

   Insurance

Schedule 7.02(h)

   Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 11.11(a)

   Notice Information

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

   Defined Terms

Exhibit B

   Form of Note

Exhibit C

   Performance Test Plan

Exhibit H

   Lender Statement – Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code

Exhibit I

   Form of Insurance Consultant’s Certificate

Exhibit J-1

   Form of Independent Engineer’s Closing Certificate

Exhibit L

   Form of Operating Statement

Exhibit M -1

   Form of Blocked Account Agreement

Exhibit M-2

   Form of Lessee Blocked Account Agreement

Exhibit O

   Form of Interest Period Notice

Exhibit P-2

   Form of Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit P-1

   Form of Borrower’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit Q

   Form of Lender Assignment Agreement

Exhibit R-1

   Form of Borrower Final Completion Certificate

Exhibit R-2

   Form of Independent Engineer Final Completion Certificate

Exhibit S

   Form of Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate

Exhibit BB

   Form of Capital Improvement Status Report

 

iv


This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, is by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent under the DIP Credit Agreement referred to herein (the “ DIP Agent ”), WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as sole lender under the DIP Credit Agreement referred to herein (the “ DIP Lender ”), and WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, WestLB AG, New York Branch provided financing to Nova Biofuels Seneca, LLC (the “ Original Borrower ”) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 26, 2007, among the Original Borrower, each of the lenders referred to therein, WestLB AG, New York Branch as administrative agent and collateral agent and Sterling Bank as accounts bank (as amended, modified or supplemented through the date hereof, the “ Original Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, on March 30, 2009, the Original Borrower and certain of its Affiliates (collectively, the “ Debtors ”) commenced cases jointly administered under Case No. 09 11081 (collectively, the “ Chapter 11 Cases ”) by filing voluntary petitions for reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the DIP Lender provided financing to the Debtors pursuant to the Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2009, among the Debtors, each of the lenders referred to therein, the DIP Agent, WestLB AG, New York Branch as collateral agent and Sterling Bank as accounts bank (as amended, modified or supplemented through the date hereof, the “ DIP Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2009 (as amended, modified or supplemented through the date hereof) among Nova Biofuels Seneca, LLC and Nova Biosource Technology, LLC (the “ Sellers ”) and REG Seneca, LLC (the “ Purchaser ”) (the “ Asset Purchase Agreement ”), the Purchaser has agreed to purchase certain assets of the Sellers including the Project;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, Lessee Pledgor sold, transferred and conveyed all of the Equity Interests in the Purchaser and Purchaser has been renamed Seneca Landlord, LLC;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, (i) the Original Borrower has assigned certain of its rights and obligations under the Original Credit Agreement to the Borrower and the Borrower has assumed such rights and obligations and (ii) each Debtor has assigned all of its rights and obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement to the Borrower and the Borrower has assumed such rights and obligations;

 

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WHEREAS, in connection with such assumptions, the Borrower desires to enter into the Lease with the Lessee and the Lenders are unwilling to permit the Borrower to enter into the Lease unless (i) the Lessee makes the representations and warranties, agrees to perform the covenants and agrees to the deposit arrangements set forth in the Lease and the Accounts Agreement and (ii) the Lessee secures its obligations under the Lease by granting security interests in favor of the Borrower, as lessor, in all assets of the Lessee pursuant to the Lessee Security Agreement, the deposit account arrangements set forth in the Accounts Agreement and by Lessee Pledgor granting a security interest in all the Equity Interests in the Lessee pursuant to the Lessee Pledge Agreement which security interests shall be further assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the parties to the Original Credit Agreement amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement with respect to the obligations set forth therein assigned and assumed pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and each such party is willing to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the DIP Agent and the DIP Lender consent to the termination of the DIP Credit Agreement, and each such party is willing to grant such consent upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree that the Original Credit Agreement, with respect to the obligations set forth therein assigned and assumed pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.01 Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall, except as otherwise defined, have the meanings provided in Exhibit A .

Section 1.02 Principles of Interpretation . (a) Unless otherwise defined, terms for which meanings are provided in this Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in each other Financing Document and each other notice or other communication delivered from time to time in connection with any Financing Document.

(b) Any reference in this Agreement to any Transaction Document shall mean such Transaction Document and all schedules, exhibits and attachments thereto.

(c) All agreements, contracts or documents defined or referred to herein shall mean such agreements, contracts or documents as the same may from time to time be supplemented, amended or replaced or the terms thereof waived or modified to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the terms thereof and this Agreement, and

 

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shall disregard any supplement, amendment, replacement, waiver or modification made in violation of this Agreement.

(d) Any reference in any Financing Document relating to a Default or an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing (or words of similar effect) shall be understood to mean that such Default or Event of Default, as the case may be, has not been cured or remedied to the satisfaction of, or has not been waived by, the Required Lenders.

(e) Defined terms in this Agreement shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural number the singular.

(f) The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly specified, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement and all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.

(g) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are not limiting.

(h) Any reference to any Person shall include its permitted successors and permitted assigns in the capacity indicated, and in the case of any Governmental Authority, any Person succeeding to its functions and capacities.

Section 1.03 UCC Terms . Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used herein that are defined in the UCC shall have the respective meanings given to those terms in the UCC.

Section 1.04 Accounting and Financial Determinations . Unless otherwise specified, all accounting terms used in any Financing Document shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations and computations hereunder or thereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder or thereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE II

COMMITMENTS; OTHER CREDIT AGREEMENTS

On the terms, subject to the conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth:

Section 2.01 Loans . (a) After giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, each Lender, severally and not jointly, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, has as of the Closing Date made loans (each such loan, a “ Loan ”) to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of

 

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such Lender’s Commitment and the aggregate principal amount of the Loans does not exceed the Aggregate Loan Commitment. As of the Closing Date, each Loan is a Base Rate Loan.

(b) Loans repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.02 Other Credit Agreements .

(a) The Borrower, the DIP Agent and the DIP Lender hereby agree that the DIP Credit Agreement is terminated as of the Closing Date.

(b) The terms and conditions of the Original Credit Agreement are amended as set forth in, and restated and superseded by, this Agreement, in each case with respect to the obligations set forth in the Original Credit Agreement assigned and assumed pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to work a novation of any obligation under the Original Credit Agreement not assigned and assumed pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “ Unassumed Obligations ”), but in no event shall the Borrower have any liability to the Senior Secured Parties or any other party with respect to such Unassumed Obligations. The Original Credit Agreement remains in full force and effect with respect to each such Unassumed Obligation, but in no event shall the Borrower have any liability to the Senior Secured Parties or any other party with respect to such Unassumed Obligations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other document or instrument executed in connection herewith, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the incurrence of obligations hereunder shall be in substitution for, but not in payment of, the obligations owing to the Senior Secured Parties under the Original Credit Agreement assigned and assumed pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

Section 2.03 Evidence of Indebtedness . (a) Each Loan made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business, including the Register for the recordation of the Loans maintained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.03(c) ( Assignments ) . The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control, absent manifest error.

(b) The Borrower agrees that in addition to the Register and any other accounts and records maintained pursuant to Section 2.03(a) , the Loans made by each Lender may, if requested by the Lenders, be evidenced by a Note or Notes duly executed on behalf of the Borrower. The Notes shall be dated as of the Closing Date (or, if later, the date of any request therefor by a Lender). Each such Note shall be payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s

 

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Commitment. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loan and payments with respect thereto.

ARTICLE III

REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans . (a) The Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans, on the Initial Quarterly Payment Date and on each Quarterly Payment Date thereafter, in accordance with Schedule 3.01 (which amount shall be reduced as a result of any prepayments of the Loans made in accordance with Section 3.07 ( Optional Prepayment ) or Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) in accordance with the terms set forth therein).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 3.01(a) , the final principal repayment installment on the Final Maturity Date shall in any event be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding on such date.

Section 3.02 Interest Payment Dates . (a) Interest accrued on each Loan shall be payable, without duplication:

 

  (i) on the Final Maturity Date;

 

  (ii) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; and

 

  (iii) with respect to any Loan, on any date when such Loan is prepaid hereunder.

(b) Interest accrued on the Loans or other monetary Obligations after the date such amount is due and payable (whether on the Final Maturity Date, any Quarterly Payment Date, any Interest Payment Date, upon acceleration or otherwise) shall be payable upon demand.

(c) Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof, before and after judgment, regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding exists in respect of the Borrower and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Lenders shall be entitled to receive post petition interest during the pendency of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Section 3.03 Interest Rates . (a) Pursuant to each properly delivered Interest Period Notice, (i) each Eurodollar Loan shall accrue interest at a rate per annum during each Interest Period applicable thereto equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall accrue interest at a rate per annum during

 

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each Monthly Period equal to the sum of the Base Rate for such Monthly Period plus the Applicable Margin.

(b) On or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the end of each Interest Period for each Eurodollar Loan, and at least three (3) Business Days prior to the end of any Monthly Period for any Base Rate Loans, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Interest Period Notice setting forth the Borrower’s election (i) to continue any such Eurodollar Loan as (or convert any such Base Rate Loan to) a Eurodollar Loan and setting forth the Borrower’s election with respect to the duration of the next Interest Period applicable to such continued or converted Eurodollar Loan, which Interest Period shall be one (1), two (2) or three (3) months in length or (ii) to convert any such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan at the end of the then-current Interest Period; provided , that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all Eurodollar Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans at the end of the then-current Interest Periods. Upon the waiver or cure of such Event of Default, the Borrower shall have the option to continue such Loans as Base Rate Loans and/or to convert such Loans to Eurodollar Loans (by delivery of an Interest Period Notice), subject to the notice periods set forth above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any portion of the Loans maturing in less than one month may not be continued as, or converted to, Eurodollar Loans and will automatically convert to Base Rate Loans at the end of the then-current Interest Period.

(c) If the Borrower fails to deliver an Interest Period Notice in accordance with Section 3.03(b) , (i) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, provided there is no Default or Event of Default has occurred that is continuing, such Eurodollar Loan shall automatically continue as a Eurodollar Loan with an Interest Period of one (1) month or (ii) with respect to any Base Rate Loan, such Base Rate Loan shall automatically continue as a Base Rate Loan.

(d) All Eurodollar Loans shall bear interest from and including the first day of the applicable Interest Period to (and excluding) the last day of such Interest Period at the interest rate determined, as applicable, to such Eurodollar Loan.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Borrower shall have one (1) Eurodollar Loan outstanding at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, (i) Eurodollar Loans having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Eurodollar Loans and (ii) all Eurodollar Loans having the same Interest Period and commencing on the same date shall be considered to be a single Eurodollar Loan.

(f) All Base Rate Loans shall bear interest from and including the first day of each Monthly Period (or the day on which Eurodollar Loans are converted to Base Rate Loans as required under Section 3.03(b) or under ARTICLE IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) to (and including) the next succeeding Monthly Payment Date at the interest rate determined, as applicable, to such Base Rate Loan.

 

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Section 3.04 Default Interest Rate . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay interest (after as well as before judgment) on the Obligations at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2%)  per annum (the “ Default Rate ”).

Section 3.05 Interest Rate Determination . The Administrative Agent shall determine the interest rate applicable to the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and the Lenders of such determination, and its determination thereof shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

Section 3.06 Computation of Interest and Fees . (a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by WestLB’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All computations of interest for Eurodollar Loans and for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be made on the basis of a 360 day year and actual days elapsed.

(b) Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided , that any Loan or portion thereof that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one (1) day.

(c) Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Section 3.07 Optional Prepayment . (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, to prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, upon not fewer than five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Any partial prepayment of the Loans shall be in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) and in integral multiples of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) in excess thereof.

(c) Each notice of prepayment given by the Borrower under this Section 3.07 shall specify the prepayment date and the portion of the principal amount of Loans to be prepaid. All prepayments under this Section 3.07 shall be made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to but excluding the date of payment and by any additional amounts required to be paid under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) .

 

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(d) Amounts of principal prepaid under this Section 3.07 shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the Loans pro rata among the Lenders based on their respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans on the date of such prepayment and then to the remaining outstanding installments of principal of the Loans under Section 3.01(a) ( Repayment of Loans ) in inverse order of maturity.

(e) Amounts of the Loans prepaid pursuant to this Section 3.07 may not be reborrowed.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Prepayment . (a) The Borrower shall be required to apply the amounts set forth below to prepay the Loans:

 

  (i) upon receipt of Insurance Proceeds as required pursuant to Section 8.01 ( Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds ) ;

 

  (ii) upon receipt of Condemnation Proceeds, as required pursuant to Section 8.01 ( Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds ) ;

 

  (iii) upon receipt of any Project Document Termination Payments, as required pursuant to Section 8.02 ( Extraordinary Proceeds ) ;

 

  (iv) upon receipt of proceeds of any asset disposal (other than proceeds received from the sale of Products) that are not used for replacement, as required pursuant to Section 8.02 ( Extraordinary Proceeds ) ; and

 

  (v) as required pursuant to Sections 3.03(a)(ii)(I) and (J)  of the Accounts Agreement .

(b) All prepayments under this Section 3.08 shall be made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to but excluding the date of payment and by any additional amounts required to be paid under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) .

(c) Amounts of principal prepaid under Section 3.08(a) shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent to the Loans pro rata among the Lenders based on their respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans on the date of such prepayment and then to the remaining outstanding installments of principal of the Loans under Section 3.01(a) ( Repayment of Loans ) in inverse order of maturity.

(d) Amounts of the Loans prepaid pursuant to this Section 3.08 may not be reborrowed.

Section 3.09 Time and Place of Payments . (a) The Borrower shall make each payment (including any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other Obligations) hereunder and under any other Financing Document without setoff, deduction or counterclaim not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time on the date when due in Dollars in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the following account: JPMorgan Chase Bank

 

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(Swift ID: CHASUS33XXX), Account Number: 920-1-060663, for the Account of WestLB AG NY Branch, ABA #021 000 021, Ref: Seneca Landlord, LLC, Attention: Loan Administration, or at such other office or account as may from time to time be specified by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower. Funds received after 12:00 noon New York City time shall be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the next succeeding Business Day.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly (but in no event later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the date such payment is received or deemed to be received) remit in immediately available funds to each Senior Secured Party its share, if any, of any payments received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Senior Secured Party.

(c) Whenever any payment (including any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other Obligations) hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall (except as otherwise required by the proviso to the definition of “Interest Period” with respect to Eurodollar Loans) be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day, and such increase of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.

Section 3.10 Payments Generally . (a) Unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance with this Agreement and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. If the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice by the Administrative Agent to any Lender with respect to any amount owing under this Section 3.10(a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(c) The Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender, if and to the extent payment owed to such Lender is not made when due under this Agreement or under any Notes held by such Lender, to charge from time to time against any or all of the Borrower’s accounts with such Lender (other than, in the event that the Accounts Bank or any bank holding a Local Account is also a Lender, the Borrower Revenue Account or Local Account) any amount so due.

 

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Section 3.11 Fees . (a) From and including the date hereof until the Final Maturity Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date that is four (4) months after the Closing Date and on each anniversary of the Closing Date, an administrative agency fee equal to fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000).

(b) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 3.12 Pro Rata Treatment . Except as required under Section 3.07 ( Optional Prepayment ) , Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) or ARTICLE IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) , (i) each payment or prepayment of principal of the Loans shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata among the applicable Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans of the type being repaid and (ii) each payment of interest on the Loans shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata among the applicable Lenders in accordance with the respective interest amounts outstanding on their outstanding Loans of the type in respect of which interest is being paid.

Section 3.13 Sharing of Payments . (a) If any Lender obtains any payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of setoff or otherwise) on account of any Loan (other than pursuant to the terms of ARTICLE IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) in excess of its pro rata share of payments then or therewith obtained by all Lenders holding Loans of such type, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders holding Loans of such type such participations in Loans of such type made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with each of them; provided , however , that if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and each Lender that has sold a participation to the purchasing Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the ratable extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such selling Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the amount of such selling Lender’s required repayment to the purchasing Lender to (y) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 3.13 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all of its rights of payment (including pursuant to Section 11.14 ( Right of Setoff ) ) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(b) If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.13 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this Section 3.13 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

 

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ARTICLE IV

EURODOLLAR RATE AND TAX PROVISIONS

Section 4.01 Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful . (a) If any Lender reasonably determines (which determination shall, upon notice thereof to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent manifest error), but only if such Lender has complied with its obligations under Section 4.04 ( Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender ) ) that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any Law after the date hereof makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts after the date hereof that it is unlawful, for such Lender to maintain any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan, the obligations of such Lender to maintain any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan (but not the obligations of such Lender to maintain any Loan as a Base Rate Loan) shall, upon such determination, forthwith be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and all Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans at the end of the then-current Interest Periods with respect thereto or sooner, if required by such Law or assertion. Upon any such conversion the Borrower shall pay any accrued interest on the amount so converted and, if such conversion occurs on a day other than the last day of the then-current Interest Period for such affected Eurodollar Loans, such Lender shall be entitled to make a request for, and the Borrower shall in such case pay, compensation for breakage costs under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) .

(b) If such Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to the suspension described in Section 4.01(a) no longer apply, the Borrower may elect (by delivering an Interest Period Notice) to convert the principal amount of any such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 4.02 Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates . (a) In the event, and on each occasion, that the Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith that for any Eurodollar Loan (i) Dollar deposits in the amount of such Loan and with an Interest Period similar to such Interest Period are not generally available in the London interbank market, or (ii) the rate at which such Dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to any Lender of making, maintaining or funding the principal amount of such Loan during such Interest Period, or (iii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such determination, whereupon each such Eurodollar Loan will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan, convert into a Base Rate Loan. Each determination by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Upon the Administrative Agent’s determination that the condition that was the subject of a notice under Section 4.02(a) has ceased, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such determination, whereupon the Borrower may elect (by delivering an Interest Period Notice) to convert any such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan on the last day of the then-current Monthly Period in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Section 4.03 Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs . If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable Law or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Eurodollar Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority increases the cost (other than with respect to Taxes, which are addressed in Section 4.07 ( Taxes ) ) to such Lender of, or results in any reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) in respect of, maintaining (or of its obligation to maintain) the Loans as Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender the amount of any such increase or reduction. Such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of the occurrence of any such event, such notice to state, with accompanying support, the additional amount required to compensate fully such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the Borrower directly to such Lender within five (5) Business Days of delivery of such notice, and such notice and determination shall be binding on the Borrower, absent manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.03 , the Borrower shall not be required to pay a Lender pursuant to this Section 4.03 for any such increase or reduction incurred more than 365 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower, or notifies the Borrower of its intention to demand compensation, in accordance with this Section 4.03 ; provided that, if the circumstance giving rise to such increase or reduction is retroactive, then such 365 day period shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect.

Section 4.04 Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender . (a) Each Lender agrees that, after it becomes aware of the occurrence of an event that would entitle it to give notice pursuant to Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) or Section 4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) or to receive additional amounts pursuant to Section 4.07 ( Taxes ) , such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to maintain its affected Loan through another lending office (i) if as a result thereof the increased costs would be avoided or materially reduced or the illegality would thereby cease to exist and (ii) if, in the opinion of such Lender, the maintaining of such Loan through such other lending office would not be disadvantageous to such Lender, contrary to such Lender’s normal banking practices or violate any applicable Law.

(b) No change by a Lender in its Domestic Office or Eurodollar Office made for such Lender’s convenience shall result in any increased cost to the Borrower.

(c) If any Lender demands compensation pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) or Section 4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower may, at any time upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior notice to such Lender through the Administrative Agent, elect to convert such Loan to a Base Rate Loan. Thereafter, unless and until such Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer apply, all such Eurodollar Loans by such Lender shall bear interest as Base Rate Loans. If such Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer apply, the Borrower may elect (by delivering an Interest Period Notice) to convert the principal amount of each such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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(d) The Borrower will be permitted, with the approval of the Administrative Agent, to replace (with one or more replacement Lenders) any Lender that provides notice under Section 4.01(a) ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) that it is unable to maintain any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan or requests reimbursement for, or is otherwise entitled to, amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , Section 4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) or Section 4.07(c) ( Taxes – Indemnification by Borrower ) ; provided , that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Law or any determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to the Borrower or such Lender or to which the Borrower or such Lender or any of their respective property is subject, (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) the replacement Lender shall purchase, at par, the Loans and all other amounts owing to such replaced Lender prior to the date of replacement, (iv) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender is purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (v) until such time as such replacement is consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , Section 4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) or Section 4.07(c) ( Taxes – Indemnification by Borrower ) , as the case may be, (vi) the replacement Lender is an Eligible Assignee, (vii) such replacement is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.03(b) ( Assignments ) ( provided , that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee), (viii) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, any Agent or any other Lender may have against the replaced Lender, and (ix) prior to any such replacement, in the case of any replacement of a Lender that has determined that the maintaining of a Loan as a Eurodollar Loan is unlawful, the Lender to be replaced shall not have delivered a notice to the Borrower under Section 4.01(b) ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) that it is no longer unable to maintain any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan and, in the case of any replacement of a Lender that has claimed increased costs, shall have taken no action under Section 4.04 ( Obligation To Mitigate; Replacement of Lender ) so as to eliminate the need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , Section 4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) or Section 4.07(c) ( Taxes – Indemnification by Borrower ) , as the case may be.

Section 4.05 Funding Losses . In the event that any Lender incurs any loss or expense (including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to continue or maintain any portion of the principal amount of any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan, and any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing) as a result of any conversion or repayment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans on a date other than the scheduled last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, whether pursuant to Section 3.07 ( Optional Prepayment ) , Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) , Section 4.01(a) ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) or otherwise, then, upon the written notice of such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), together with accompanying support of the amounts owing, the Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender such amount as will (in the reasonable determination of such Lender)

 

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reimburse such Lender for such loss or expense. Such written notice and determination shall be binding on the Borrower, absent manifest error.

Section 4.06 Increased Capital Costs . If after the date hereof any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or phase in of, any applicable Law, guideline or request (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority, affects the amount of capital required to be maintained by any Lender, and such Lender reasonably determines that the rate of return on its capital as a consequence of its Loan is reduced to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for the occurrence of any such circumstance, then, in any such case upon notice from time to time by such Lender to the Borrower (with accompanying support for the amount required to compensate such Lender for such reduction in rate of return), the Borrower shall pay, within five (5) Business Days after such demand, directly to such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such reduction in rate of return. A statement of such Lender as to any such additional amount or amounts shall be binding on the Borrower, absent manifest error.

Section 4.07 Taxes .

(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any Obligations shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any Taxes, unless required by Law; provided that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from any such payment, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.07 ) the Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . In addition, the Borrower shall timely pay any Indemnified Taxes arising from any payment made under any Financing Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Financing Document and not collected by withholding at the source as contemplated by Section 4.07(a) to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify each Agent and each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.07 ) paid by such Agent or Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest, additions to tax and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(d) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Foreign Lenders . Each Lender (including any Participant and any other Person to which any Lender transfers its interests in this Agreement as provided under Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) ) that is not a United States Person (a “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W 8ECI, Form W 8BEN or Form W 8IMY (with supporting documentation and any other certificate or statements required for exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding tax), or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments of interest by the Borrower under the Financing Documents if such Lender is legally entitled to so claim, together with, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender that is relying on an exemption pursuant to Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H certifying that such Lender is not a bank described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement. In addition, to the extent that it is in a position to legally do so, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). The Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any additional amounts in respect of U.S. federal income taxes pursuant to this Section 4.07 (or make an indemnification payment pursuant to this Section 4.07 ) to any Lender (or any Participant or other Person to which any Lender transfers its interests in this Agreement as provided under Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) ) if the obligation to pay such additional amounts (or such indemnification) would not have arisen but for a failure by such Lender to comply with this Section 4.07(e) .

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce each Agent and each Lender to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower represents and warrants to each Senior Secured Party as set forth in this ARTICLE V as follows:

Section 5.01 Organization; Power; Compliance with Law and Contractual Obligations . On the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the Borrower (a) is duly formed, validly existing

 

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and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (b) is duly qualified to do business as is now being conducted and as is proposed to be conducted and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification (including Illinois), (c) has all requisite power and authority required to enter into and perform its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party and to conduct its business as currently conducted by it and (d) is in compliance in all material respects with all Laws and Contractual Obligations necessary to conduct its business, except to the extent that any non compliance with clause (b) of this Section 5.01 in any jurisdiction (other than Illinois) could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.02 Due Authorization; Non-Contravention . On the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each Transaction Document to which it is a party are within the Borrower’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not:

(a) contravene the Borrower’s Organic Documents;

(b) contravene in any material respect any Law binding on or affecting the Borrower;

(c) (i) in the case of any Financing Document, contravene any Contractual Obligation binding on or affecting the Borrower or (ii) in the case of any Project Document, contravene in any material respect any Contractual Obligation binding on or affecting the Borrower;

(d) require any consent or approval under the Borrower’s Organic Documents or under any Contractual Obligation binding on or affecting the Borrower that has not been obtained; or

(e) result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any of the Borrower’s properties or Equity Interests other than Permitted Liens.

Section 5.03 Governmental Approvals .

(a) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date:

 

  (i) all material Governmental Approvals that are required to be obtained by the Borrower in connection with (A) the due execution, delivery and performance by it of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) the ownership, use and operation of the Project as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and the completion of those capital improvements indentified in the Capital Improvement Budget, and (C) the grant by the Borrower of the Liens granted under the Security Documents and the validity, perfection and enforceability thereof (the “ Necessary Project Approvals ”) are listed in Schedule 5.03 ;

 

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  (ii) the Necessary Project Approvals listed in Part A of Schedule 5.03 have been obtained, are in full force and effect, are properly in the name of the appropriate Person, and are final and Non-Appealable;

 

  (iii) the Necessary Project Approvals listed in Part B of Schedule 5.03 are not required under applicable Laws to be obtained prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the “ Deferred Approvals ”) and the Borrower has no reason to believe that any Deferred Approval will not be obtained, as required, in the normal course of the ownership, use and operation of the Project, and the completion of those capital improvements identified in the Capital Improvement Budget; and

 

  (iv) Part B of Schedule 5.03 specifies the stage of performance of capital improvements or operation for which, each Deferred Approval included therein is required to be obtained.

(b) The Borrower may update and correct, with approval of the Administrative Agent, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, any reference to a Necessary Project Approval on Schedule 5.03 that has been replaced in accordance with applicable Law or to reflect changes in the status thereof between the date hereof and the Bring Down Date.

(c) As of the Bring Down Date, the information set forth in each application (including any updates or supplements thereto) submitted by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with each Necessary Project Approval after the date hereof was accurate and complete at the time of submission and continues to be accurate and complete, in each case in all material respects and to the extent required for the issuance or continued effectiveness of such Necessary Project Approval.

Section 5.04 Investment Company Act . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is not, and after giving effect to the Loans and the application of the proceeds of the Loans as described herein will not be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 5.05 Validity . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, each Transaction Document to which the Borrower is a party has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered, and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in each case in accordance with its respective terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (b) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Section 5.06 Financial Information . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, each of the financial statements of the Borrower delivered pursuant hereto (which, as of the date hereof, consists solely of the balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(h) Conditions to Closing Date – Financial Statements ) has been prepared in accordance with

 

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GAAP, and fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower covered thereby as at the dates thereof and the results of its operations for the period then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year end adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

Section 5.07 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.08 Project Compliance . (a) As of the Bring Down Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.08 , the Project is owned, improved and maintained in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Necessary Project Approvals (including all Deferred Approvals) then required to have been obtained.

(b) As of the Bring Down Date, the Project is owned, improved and maintained in compliance in all material respects with all of the Borrower’s Contractual Obligations.

Section 5.09 Litigation . As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation has been instituted or threatened in writing against the Borrower that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.10 Sole Purpose Nature; Business . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the Borrower has not conducted and is not conducting any business or activities other than businesses and activities relating to the ownership of the Project as contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Section 5.11 Contracts . As of the date hereof:

 

  (i) all contracts, agreements, instruments, letter agreements, or other documents to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (other than the Financing Documents), including the Project Documents, and all documents amending, supplementing, interpreting or otherwise modifying or clarifying such contracts, agreements, instruments, letter agreements, understandings and other documents are listed in Schedule 5.11 , other than any such contracts that are not Project Documents and (A) have a term of less than six (6) months, (B) under which the Borrower could not reasonably be expected to have obligations, liabilities or revenues equal to or in excess of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) per year individually or two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) per year in the aggregate and (C) a termination of which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (ii)

all contracts, agreements, instruments, letter agreements, or other documents that are required to be obtained by the Borrower in connection with the repair, remediation and improvement contemplated by the Capital Improvement Budget and operation of the Project as contemplated by the

 

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  Transaction Documents (subject, until the CS End Date, to Cold Shutdown) (collectively, the “ Necessary Project Contracts ”) are listed in Schedule 5.11 , other than any such contracts that (A) have a term of less than six (6) months, (B) under which the Borrower could not reasonably be expected to have obligations, liabilities or revenues equal to or in excess of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) per year individually or two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) per year in the aggregate and (C) a termination of which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (iii) the Necessary Project Contracts listed in Part B of Schedule 5.11 are not required to be in effect prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the “ Deferred Contracts ”) and are not yet in effect.

Section 5.12 Collateral . (a) As of the date hereof, the Collateral includes all of the Equity Interests in, and all of the tangible and intangible assets of, the Borrower.

(b) As of the date hereof, the Liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) pursuant to the Security Documents (i) constitute, as to personal property included in the Collateral, a valid first priority security interest in such personal property and (ii) constitute, as to the Mortgaged Property included in the Collateral, a valid first priority Lien of record in the Mortgaged Property, in each case subject only to Permitted Liens.

(c) As of the date hereof, the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) pursuant to the Security Documents in the Collateral consisting of personal property will be perfected (i) with respect to any property that can be perfected by filing, upon the filing of UCC financing statements in the filing offices identified in Schedule 5.12(c) , (ii) with respect to any Blocked Account Collateral that can be perfected solely by control, upon execution of a Blocked Account Agreement and (iii) with respect to any property (if any) that can be perfected solely by possession, upon the Collateral Agent receiving possession thereof, and in each case such security interest will be, as to Collateral perfected under the UCC or otherwise as aforesaid, superior and prior to the rights of all third Persons now existing or hereafter arising whether by way of mortgage, lien, security interest, encumbrance, assignment or otherwise, in each case subject only to Permitted Liens. After giving effect to the filings, registrations and giving of notice referred to in the prior sentence, all such action as is necessary has been taken to establish and perfect the Collateral Agent’s rights in and to the Collateral covered by the Security Documents to the extent the Collateral Agent’s security interest can be perfected by filing, including any recordation, filing, registration, giving of notice or other similar action. The Borrower has properly delivered or caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, or provided the Collateral Agent control of, all Collateral relating to assets of or equity in the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, that requires perfection of the Liens and security interests described above by possession or control. All or substantially all of the Collateral relating to assets of or equity in the Borrower and all the Lessee Collateral relating to assets of or equity in the Lessee (other than in each

 

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case, the Blocked Account Collateral, certificates, securities, investments, chattel paper, books and records and general intangibles), including the Mortgaged Property, is or will (when acquired) be located on the Site.

Section 5.13 Ownership of Properties . (a) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, to the extent set forth in the Sale Order, the Borrower has a good and valid fee ownership interest in the Site, subject to Permitted Liens.

(b) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, to the extent set forth in the Sale Order, the Borrower has a good and valid ownership interest, leasehold interest, license interest or other right of use in all other property and assets (tangible and intangible) included in the Collateral relating to assets of or equity in the Borrower under each Security Document, other than the collateral pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement. To the Knowledge of Borrower, none of such properties or assets of or equity in the Borrower are subject to any other claims of any Person on and after the Closing Date, including any easements, rights of way or similar agreements affecting the use or occupancy of the Project or the Site, other than Permitted Liens.

(c) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, all Equity Interests in the Borrower are owned by the Pledgor.

(d) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the properties and assets of the Borrower are separately identifiable and are not commingled with the properties and assets of any other Person and are readily distinguishable from the property and assets of other Persons.

(e) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, the Borrower does not have any leasehold interest in, and is not lessee of, any real property.

(f) As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, there are no easements, rights of way or similar agreements affecting the use or occupancy of the Project, other than Permitted Liens.

Section 5.14 Taxes . (a) As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower has (i) filed all Tax Returns required by Law to have been filed by it and (ii) has paid all Taxes thereby shown to be owing, as and when the same are due and payable, other than, in the case of this Section 5.14(a)(ii) , Taxes that are subject to a Contest.

(b) As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is not taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes, and the Borrower has not taken any action to cause it to be treated as a corporation for state or local tax purposes if it would, in the absence of such action, not be taxable as a corporation for state or local purposes.

(c) As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is not a party to any tax sharing agreement with any Person.

 

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(d) As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower has not agreed to extend the statute of limitations period applicable to the assessment or collection of any Tax.

(e) As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is not under any governmental audit with respect to any Tax for any period, there are no claims for additional Tax being pursued by any Governmental Authority with respect to its business, income or activities, and no such claims have been threatened in writing by a Governmental Authority.

Section 5.15 ERISA Plans . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, (i) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has (or within the five year period immediately preceding the date hereof had) any liability in respect of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and (ii) the Borrower has no contingent liability with respect to any post retirement benefit under any “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA).

Section 5.16 Property Rights, Utilities, Supplies Etc . (a) As of the Bring Down Date, all material property interests, utility services, means of transportation, facilities and other materials necessary for the performance of capital repairs, remediation and improvements with respect to, testing, start-up, use and operation of the Project (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) (including, as necessary, gas, roads, rail transport, electrical, water and sewage services and facilities) are, or will be when needed, available to the Project, and arrangements in respect thereof have been or will be made on commercially reasonable terms.

(b) As of the Bring Down Date, there are no material supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvements with respect to, operation (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) or maintenance of the Project that are not expected to be available at the Site on commercially reasonable terms consistent with the Capital Improvement Budget, any Supplemental Capital Improvement Budget, or the Operating Budget, as applicable.

Section 5.17 No Defaults . As of the date hereof and the Bring Down Date, (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) no default has occurred under the Lease and is continuing.

Section 5.18 Environmental Warranties . As of the date hereof (to the Knowledge of the Borrower) and as of the Bring Down Date:

(a) (i) The Borrower and its Environmental Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, (ii) the Borrower and its Environmental Affiliates have all Environmental Approvals required to operate their businesses as presently conducted and are in compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions thereof and (iii) none of the Borrower nor any of its Environmental Affiliates has received any written communication (other than a communication that the Administrative Agent has agreed in writing is not materially adverse) from a Governmental Authority that alleges that the Borrower or such

 

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Environmental Affiliate is not in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Approvals.

(b) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower. There is no Environmental Claim pending or , to the Knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any Environmental Affiliate of the Borrower.

(c) Except as disclosed in the Environmental Site Assessment Report, there are no circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern that have occurred since the Closing Date, that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate or could otherwise reasonably be expected to interfere with the capital improvement work with respect to or operation (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) of the Project.

(d) Except to the extent disclosed in the Environmental Site Assessment Report, without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) there are no on site or off site locations in which the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate of the Borrower has stored, disposed or arranged for the disposal of Materials of Environmental Concern that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim or that is not in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and (ii) no polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are or will be used or stored by the Borrower at any property owned or leased by the Borrower.

(e) The Borrower has not received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the CERCLA, or comparable state laws, and none of the business or operations of the Borrower is the subject of any investigation by a Governmental Authority evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release or threatened release of any Material of Environmental Concern at the Project or at any other location, including any location to which the Borrower has transported, or arranged for the transportation of, any Material of Environmental Concern.

Section 5.19 Regulations T, U and X . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Loan will be used for any purpose that violates, or would be inconsistent with, F.R.S. Board Regulation T, U or X. Terms for which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation T, U or X or any regulations substituted therefor, as from time to time in effect, are used in this Section 5.19 with such meanings.

Section 5.20 Accuracy of Information . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date:

(a) All factual information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in this Agreement, in any other Financing Document or otherwise in writing to any Senior Secured Party, any Consultant, or counsel for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and the other

 

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Financing Documents (other than projections, budgets and other “forward looking” information that have been prepared on a reasonable basis and in good faith by or on behalf of the Borrower) is, when taken as a whole, after giving effect to any supplemental information, and as of the date furnished, true and accurate in all material respects and such information is not, when taken as a whole, after giving effect to any supplemental information, as of the date furnished, incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading in any material respect.

(b) The assumptions constituting the basis on which the Borrower prepared the Capital Improvement Budget and the Operating Budget, and the numbers set forth therein, were developed and consistently utilized in good faith and are reasonable and represent the Borrower’s reasonable judgment as of the date prepared as to the matters contained therein, based on all information known to the Borrower.

(c) The Borrower reasonably believes that the Capital Improvement Completion Date will occur on or before the Commencement Date Certain and that the cost to complete the performance of capital improvements with respect to the Project shall be as set forth in the Capital Improvement Budget.

(d) The Borrower reasonably believes that after the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvements contemplated under the Capital Improvement Budget and performance of any necessary testing and start-up, the use, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Project are economically and technically feasible.

Section 5.21 Indebtedness . (a) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Obligations are, after giving effect to the Financing Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, the only outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower other than Permitted Indebtedness. The Obligations rank at least pari passu with all other Indebtedness of the Borrower.

(b) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, after giving effect to the Financing Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Borrower will have no outstanding Indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness, and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) against assets of the Borrower will have been released.

Section 5.22 Separateness . (a) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, (i) the Borrower maintains separate bank accounts and separate books of account from any other Person and (ii) the separate liabilities of the Borrower are readily distinguishable from the liabilities of each Affiliate of the Borrower, including the Pledgor.

(b) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower conducts its business solely in its own name in a manner not misleading to other Persons as to its identity.

(c) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower is in compliance with the provisions set forth on Schedule 5.22 .

 

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Section 5.23 [Intentionally Omitted] .

Section 5.24 Subsidiaries . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries.

Section 5.25 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date:

(a) The use of the proceeds of the Loan by the Borrower will not violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.

(b) The Borrower:

 

  (i) is not a Person or entity described by Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 24, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (12 C.F.R. 595), and does not engage in dealings or transactions with any such Persons or entities; and

 

  (ii) is not in violation of the Patriot Act.

Section 5.26 [Intentionally Omitted]

Section 5.27 Employment Matters . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower does not have any employees.

Section 5.28 Legal Name and Place of Business . (a) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation of the Borrower is: Seneca Landlord, LLC, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Iowa, and the Borrower has not had any other legal names in the previous five (5) years other than REG Seneca, LLC.

(b) As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the chief executive office of the Borrower is located at 2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 4050, West Santa Monica, California 90404. The Borrower also does business at the Site.

Section 5.29 No Brokers . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower has no obligation to pay any finder’s, advisory, broker’s or investment banking fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the fees payable pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Section 5.30 Insurance . As of the date hereof, all insurance required to be obtained and maintained pursuant to the Transaction Documents by the Borrower is in full force and effect and complies with the insurance requirements set forth on Schedule 7.01(h) (and, in the case of insurance required under any Project Document, also complies in all material respects with the

 

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insurance requirements in such Project Document). All premiums then due and payable on all such insurance have been paid.

Section 5.31 Patents, Trademarks, Etc. As of the date hereof:

(a) The Borrower has obtained all patents, trademarks, copyrights and other such rights or adequate licenses therein set forth in the Sale Order.

(b) To the extent set forth in the Sale Order, the Borrower is the sole owner of the issued and pending patents set forth on Schedule 5.31 . No claims have been made against the Borrower in writing with respect to such issued or pending patents or its ownership thereof.

(c) To the extent set forth in the Sale Order, the Borrower owns and possesses all, right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property owned or used by the Borrower (“ Borrower Intellectual Property ”) as currently available for use.

(d) The Borrower has not received any notice regarding any infringement or misappropriation by the Borrower of any Intellectual Property of any third party including any demands or offers to license any Intellectual Property from any third party.

(e) To the Knowledge of the Borrower, no third party is infringing or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Borrower Intellectual Property. No such claims have been brought or threatened in writing against any third party by the Borrower.

(f) As used herein, “ Intellectual Property ” means any of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (A) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions, including any continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, renewals and reissues for any of the foregoing; (B) Internet domain names, trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos, slogans and corporate names and registrations and applications for registration thereof together with all of the goodwill associated therewith; (C) copyrights (registered or unregistered) and copyrightable works and registrations and applications for registration thereof; (D) mask works and registrations and applications for registration thereof; (E) computer Software, data, data bases and documentation thereof; (F) trade secrets and other confidential information (including ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), know-how, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data, copyrightable works, financial and marketing plans and customer and supplier lists and information) (collectively, “ Trade Secrets ”); and (G) copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium). As used herein, “ Software ” means computer software programs, including all source code, object code, specifications, databases, designs and documentation related to such programs, in each case as they exist anywhere in the world.

 

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Section 5.32 Accounts . As of the date hereof and as of the Bring Down Date, the Borrower does not have, and is not the beneficiary of, any bank account other than (i) the Borrower Revenue Account and the Capital Improvements Account and (ii) Local Accounts set forth on Schedule 5.32 with respect to which Blocked Account Agreements have been duly executed and delivered.

Section 5.33 Closing Date Disbursements . The Closing Date Disbursements are in accordance with the Capital Improvement Budget.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 6.01 Conditions to Closing Date . The occurrence of the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Delivery of Financing Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following fully executed documents, each of which shall be originals, portable document format (“pdf”) or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals), duly executed and delivered by each party thereto and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Lender:

 

  (i) this Agreement;

 

  (ii) if requested by any Lender, the original Note, duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower in favor of such Lender;

 

  (iii) the Security Agreement;

 

  (iv) the IP Security Agreement;

 

  (v) the Pledge Agreement;

 

  (vi) the Leasehold Mortgage;

 

  (vii) the Mortgage; and

 

  (viii) the Blocked Account Agreement(s).

(b) Project Documents; Contracts; Consents; Lessee Security Documents . (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received true, correct and complete copies of (A) each of the Necessary Project Contracts listed on Schedule 5.11 Part A (and in the case of the Lease, the original executed counterpart thereof), which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer, (B) each other material Contractual Obligation of the Borrower relating to the Project for which a copy has been reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) the Lessee Security Documents.

 

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  (ii) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Consent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with respect to each Construction Contract and with respect to the Lessee Security Agreement and the Lessee Pledge Agreement.

(c) Officer’s Certificates . The Administrative Agent shall have received the following certificates, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Senior Secured Party may conclusively rely:

 

  (i) Borrower:

 

  (A) a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that (x) all conditions set forth in this Section 6.01 have been satisfied on and as of the Closing Date, (y) all representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this Agreement and each other Financing Document to which the Borrower is a party are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date and (z) the Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Lease) has occurred;

 

  (B) a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that (w) the copies of each of the documents delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(b) are true, correct and complete, (x) each such document is in full force and effect and no term or condition of any such document has been amended from the form thereof delivered to the Administrative Agent, (y) each of the conditions precedent set forth in each such document delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(b) that is required to be satisfied on or before the Closing Date has been satisfied or waived by the parties thereto, and (z) no material breach, material default or material violation by the Borrower, or to the Knowledge of the Borrower, by the other party under any such document has occurred and is continuing; and

 

  (C) a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Pledgor certifying that all representations and warranties made by the Pledgor in the Pledge Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date (except with respect to representations and warranties that expressly refer to an earlier date).

 

  (ii) the Lessee: each certificate delivered to Borrower on the Closing Date pursuant to the Lease Documents each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Resolutions, Incumbency, Organic Documents . (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each of the Borrower and the Pledgor a certificate of

 

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an Authorized Officer, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Senior Secured Party may conclusively rely, as to:

 

  (A) satisfactory resolutions of its members, managers or directors, as the case may be, then in full force and effect authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each Transaction Document to which it is party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein;

 

  (B) the incumbency and signatures of those of its officers and representatives duly authorized to execute and otherwise act with respect to each Financing Document to which it is party; and

 

  (C) such Person’s Organic Documents, which in the case of the Borrower shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall include the Required LLC Provisions, and in every case certifying that (A) such documents are in full force and effect and no term or condition thereof has been amended from the form thereof delivered to the Administrative Agent and (B) no material breach, material default or material violation thereunder has occurred and is continuing.

 

  (ii) The Administrative Agent shall have received each resolution, incumbency certificate and Organic Document delivered to Borrower on the Closing Date pursuant to the Lease Documents each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Authority to Conduct Business . The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence, including certificates of good standing from the Secretaries of State of each relevant jurisdiction, dated no more than five (5) Business Days (or such other time period reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the Closing Date, that each of the Borrower, the Lessee, the Pledgor and the Lessee Pledgor is duly authorized as a limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, to carry on its business, and is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so authorized.

(f) Opinions of Counsel . The Administrative Agent shall have received the legal opinions of New York, Illinois and Iowa counsel to the Borrower, the Pledgor, the Lessee, the Lessee Pledgor, REG Services and REG Marketing, including with respect to the enforceability of the Management and Operating Services Agreement against REG Services and REG Marketing, addressed to the Senior Secured Parties, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g) Lien Search; Perfection of Security . The Collateral Agent shall have been granted a first priority perfected security interest in all Collateral (including the Lessee Collateral), and the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory copies or

 

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evidence, as the case may be, of the following actions in connection with the perfection of the Security:

 

  (i) completed requests for information or lien search reports, dated no more than five (5) Business Days (or such other, longer time period reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) before the Closing Date, listing all effective UCC financing statements, fixture filings or other filings evidencing a security interest filed in Delaware, Illinois, Iowa and any other jurisdictions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent that name the Borrower, the Pledgor, the Lessee or the Lessee Pledgor as a debtor, together with copies of each such UCC financing statement, fixture filing or other filings, which shall show no Liens other than Permitted Liens;

 

  (ii) UCC financing statements and other filings and recordations (including fixture filings), in proper form for filing in all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect and protect the first priority Liens and security interests created under the Security Documents covering the Collateral described therein, and each such UCC financing statement and other filing or recordation shall be duly filed on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

  (iii) the original certificates representing all Equity Interests in the Borrower shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent, in each case together with a duly executed irrevocable proxy and a duly executed transfer power in the forms attached to the Pledge Agreement;

 

  (iv) UCC financing statements and other filings and recordations (including fixture filings), in proper form for filing in all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect and protect the first priority Liens and security interests created under the Lessee Security Documents covering the Lessee Collateral described therein, and each such UCC financing statement and other filing or recordation shall be duly filed on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

  (v) the original certificates representing all Equity Interests in the Lessee shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent, in each case together with a duly executed irrevocable proxy and a duly executed transfer power in the forms attached to the Lessee Pledge Agreement; and

 

  (vi) with respect to the Borrower and the Project, evidence of the making (which may be done on the Closing Date) of all other actions, recordings and filings of or with respect to the Security Documents delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) ( Conditions Precedent – Conditions to Closing ) that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect and protect the first priority Liens created thereunder (including the Borrower’s security interest in the Lease Collateral).

 

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(h) Financial Statements . The Administrative Agent shall have received an accurate and complete copy of the Borrower’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2010.

(i) Governmental Approvals . The Borrower shall have obtained all Necessary Project Approvals listed on Schedule 5.03 Part A , and the Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying that (i) attached to such certificate are true, correct and complete copies of each such Necessary Project Approval and (ii)  Schedule 5.03 Part A accurately identifies all Necessary Project Approvals.

(j) Equator Principles . The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation requested by the Administrative Agent that is necessary to evidence compliance with, and otherwise required in connection with, the Equator Principles.

(k) Third Party Approvals . The Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory documentation of any approval by any Person required in connection with any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Financing Document that the Administrative Agent has reasonably requested in connection herewith.

(l) Fees; Expenses . The Administrative Agent shall have received for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, all costs and expenses (including costs, fees and expenses of legal counsel and Consultants) for which invoices have been presented subject, in the case of Closing Costs and Closing Costs (as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement) payable on the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement), to an aggregate maximum amount of one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars $150,000.

(m) Establishment of Deposit Accounts . Each of the Borrower Revenue Account, the Capital Improvements Account and the Lessee Revenue Account shall have been established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

(n) Insurance . The Administrative Agent shall have received:

 

  (i) satisfactory evidence that the insurance requirements set forth on Schedule 7.01(h) with respect to the Borrower and the Project have been satisfied, including binders or certificates evidencing the commitment of insurers to provide each insurance policy required by Schedule 7.01(h) , evidence of the payment of all premiums then due and owing in respect of such insurance policies and a certificate of the Borrower’s insurance broker (or insurance carrier) certifying that all such insurance policies are in full force and effect; and

 

  (ii)

a report of the Insurance Consultant in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent discussing, among other matters that the Administrative Agent may require, the adequacy of the insurance coverage for the Project, together with a duly executed certificate of the

 

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  Insurance Consultant in the form of Exhibit I , appropriately completed to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

(o) Independent Engineer’s Report . The Administrative Agent shall have received a report of the Independent Engineer with respect to the Project, accompanied by a duly executed certificate of the Independent Engineer in the form of Exhibit J-1 , each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Lender, discussing, among other matters that the Lenders may require:

 

  (i) the reasonableness of the Capital Improvement Budget and the feasibility and efficacy of the Borrower’s approach to performing capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to and start-up of the Project;

 

  (ii) operating performance and costs assumptions;

 

  (iii) confirmation that the Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Approvals applicable to the Project and does not have any known present or contingent liability relating to any Environmental Approval or Environmental Claim regarding the Project; and

 

  (iv) confirmation that all Environmental Approvals necessary to perform capital improvement work with respect to and operate the Project (other than Environmental Approvals that are Deferred Approvals) have been obtained and are in full force and effect, final and Non-Appealable.

(p) Environmental Site Assessment Report . The Administrative Agent shall have received the Environmental Site Assessment Report.

(q) Capital Improvement Budget; Preliminary Operating Budget . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the Capital Improvement Budget in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, and (ii) a certificate of a Financial Officer of each of the Borrower and the Lessee certifying as to the reasonableness of the underlying assumptions and the conclusions on which the Capital Improvement Budget is based and demonstrating aggregate Designated Capital Improvement Costs equal to or less than $4,000,000. The Administrative Agent shall have received a proposed Operating Budget (“ Preliminary Operating Budget ”) for the period from the proposed First Train Completion Date to the six-month anniversary of such date setting forth in reasonable detail the projected requirements for Operating and Maintenance Expenses for such period.

(r) Survey; Site Description . The Administrative Agent shall have received a current survey of the Site conforming with ALTA/ACSM 2005 survey standards, including Table A, items 6, 8, 10 and 11(a), and otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent (a “ Survey ”) prepared by Etscheid Duttlinger & Associates Inc., or another registered or licensed surveyor acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Title Insurance Company, certified to the Senior Secured Parties and such

 

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Title Insurance Company. The Administrative Agent shall have received a detailed description of the parcel of real property owned by the Borrower and/or on which the Project is situated and, upon approval by the Administrative Agent, such description shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement and Schedule 5.13 shall be deemed to be replaced with such description.

(s) Title Insurance .

 

  (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received a paid policy or policies of mortgage title insurance (the “ Title Insurance Policy ”), in an aggregate amount equal to the Aggregate Loan Commitment on a Form 2006 extended coverage lender’s policy, containing such endorsements (including an endorsement deleting the creditor’s rights exception) as the Administrative Agent may request and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from the Title Insurance Company (with co insurance or reinsurance in such amounts and with such title insurance companies as may be required and approved by the Administrative Agent), containing no exception for mechanics’ or materialmen’s Liens and no other exceptions (printed or otherwise) other than those approved by the Required Lenders, and insuring that the Collateral Agent has a good, valid and enforceable first Lien of record on the Mortgaged Property free and clear of all defects and encumbrances (other than Permitted Liens).

 

  (ii) The Title Insurance Policy shall confirm that the Borrower has good, marketable title to the Site subject to no Liens (other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent or other Permitted Liens).

(t) Bank Regulatory Requirements . The Administrative Agent shall have received at least four (4) Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

(u) Process Agent . The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, acceptances from the Process Agent for the Borrower appointed under Section 11.02(d) ( Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. – Appointment of Process Agent and Service of Process ) and as required under each other Financing Document in effect on the Closing Date.

(v) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] .

(w) Equity . The Required Equity Contribution less the Closing Date Disbursements shall have been funded into the Capital Improvements Account and the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory confirmation thereof.

(x) Asset Purchase Agreement . The transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the

 

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Asset Purchase Agreement and a final order of the Bankruptcy Court in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the DIP Agent.

(y) Assignment and Assumption Agreement . The transactions contemplated by the Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and a final order of the Bankruptcy Court in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the DIP Agent.

(z) Lease Documents . The Lease Documents shall have been entered into and shall be in full force and effect. No default or breach has occurred and is continuing under any Lease Document.

(aa) Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the Pledgor in any Financing Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified by Material Adverse Effect or materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Closing Date, before and after giving effect to the making of the Loans;

(bb) No Default . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the making of the Loans.

(cc) No MAE . As of the Closing Date, there is no event or occurrence that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(dd) No Litigation . No action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted or threatened in writing against the Borrower, the Pledgor or the Project.

(ee) Abandonment , Taking , Total Loss . (i) No Event of Abandonment or Event of Total Loss shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Project, (ii) no Event of Taking relating to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or the Lessee shall have occurred and be continuing, or (iii) no Event of Taking with respect to a material part of the Project shall have occurred.

(ff) Effective Date . The Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Lease) shall have occurred.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS

Section 7.01 Affirmative Covenants . The Borrower agrees with each Senior Secured Party that, until the Discharge Date, it will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 7.01 applicable to it.

 

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(a) Compliance with Laws . The Borrower shall comply in all material respects with all Laws (other than Environmental Laws, which are addressed in Section 7.01(b) ) applicable to it or to its business or property.

(b) Environmental Matters .

 

  (i) The Borrower shall (A) comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws, (B) after giving effect to the terms of the Sale Order, keep the Project free of any Lien imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law, (C)) after giving effect to the terms of the Sale Order, pay or cause to be paid when due and payable any and all costs required to be paid by the Borrower by any Environmental Laws, including the cost of identifying the nature and extent of the presence of any Materials of Environmental Concern in, on or about the Project or on any real property owned or leased by the Borrower or on the Mortgaged Property, and the cost of delineation, management, remediation, removal, treatment and disposal of any such Materials of Environmental Concern, and (D) use its best efforts to ensure that no Environmental Affiliate takes any action or violates any Environmental Law that could reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental Claim.

 

  (ii) Without limiting the provisions of Section 7.01(b)(i) , the Borrower shall not use or allow the Project to generate, manufacture, refine, produce, treat, store, handle, dispose of, transfer, process or transport Materials of Environmental Concern other than in compliance in all material respects with Environmental Laws.

(c) Operations and Maintenance . The Borrower shall own and peform (or cause to be performed) capital improvement work with respect to, and operate and maintain (or cause to be operated and maintained) (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) the Project in all material respects in accordance with (i) the terms and provisions of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (ii) all applicable Governmental Approvals and Laws and (iii) Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice.

(d) Capital Improvement of Project; Maintenance of Properties . (i) The Borrower shall apply the proceeds of the Required Equity Contribution to the purposes specified in Section 7.01(g) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Use of Proceeds and Cash Flow ) and shall duly complete, or cause the completion of, capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to the Project and shall cause the Final Completion Date to occur, substantially in accordance with (A) the scope of work and other specifications set forth in the Construction Contracts, (B) the Capital Improvement Budget, and (C) exercise of that degree of skill, diligence, prudence, foresight and care that are expected of a biodiesel construction contractor, in order to efficiently accomplish the desired result consistent with safety standards, applicable Laws, manufacturers’ warranties, manufacturers’ recommendations and the Project Documents.

 

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  (ii) The Borrower (subject to Cold Shutdown until the CS End Date) shall keep, or cause to be kept, in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all of its material properties and equipment that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business.

 

  (iii) Except as required in connection with the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to the Project, the Borrower shall not permit the Project or any material portion thereof to be removed, demolished or materially altered, unless such material portion that has been removed, demolished or materially altered has been replaced or repaired as permitted under this Agreement.

 

  (iv) The Borrower shall continue to engage in business of the same type as now conducted by it and do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (A) its entity existence and (B) its material patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, franchises and similar rights.

(e) Payment of Obligations . The Borrower shall pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable all of its material obligations and liabilities, including (i) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are subject to a Contest, (ii) all of its obligations and liabilities under its Contractual Obligations, (iii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its properties (other than Permitted Liens), unless such claims are subject to a Contest and (iv) the obligation to pay $200,000 in real property taxes with respect to the Project assumed by the Borrower pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement.

(f) Governmental Approvals . The Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect, in the name of the Borrower or the Lessee, all Necessary Project Approvals and obtain all Deferred Approvals, all of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to the time it is required to be obtained hereunder, including as set forth on Schedule 5.03 Part B , but in any event no later than the date required to be obtained under applicable Law.

(g) Use of Proceeds and Cash Flow .

 

  (i) All proceeds of the Required Equity Contribution shall be applied to pay Designated Capital Improvement Costs.

 

  (ii) The Borrower shall cause all Cash Flow, Insurance Proceeds and Condemnation Proceeds, proceeds of asset disposals (other than the sale of Products) and Project Document Termination Payments that it receives to be applied in accordance with the Accounts Agreement and ARTICLE VIII ( Certain Proceeds ) .

 

  (iii)

Prior to the receipt by the Borrower of Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, proceeds of asset disposals (other than the sale of Products) or

 

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  Project Document Termination Payments, the Borrower shall establish a bank account on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent into which such Insurance Proceeds, Condemnation Proceeds, proceeds of asset disposals (other than the sale of Products) and Project Document Termination Payments shall be deposited.

(h) Insurance . Without cost to any Senior Secured Party, the Borrower shall at all times obtain and maintain, or cause to be obtained and maintained, the types and amounts of insurance listed and described on Schedule 7.01(h) , in accordance with the terms and provisions set forth therein for the Project and the Borrower, and shall obtain and maintain such other insurance as may be required pursuant to the terms of any Transaction Document. The Lenders shall be additional insureds on all liability policies except workers compensation/employers liability policies and additional named insureds on all property policies, and the Administrative Agent shall be the loss payee in accordance with Schedule 7.01(h) , under all property related policies including business interruption (including any delay in start-up) as applicable. The Borrower shall cause such insurance to be in place prior to the date required, and each required insurance policy shall be renewed or replaced prior to the expiration thereof. In the event the Borrower fails to take out or maintain (or cause to be taken out and maintained) the full insurance coverage required by this Section 7.01(h) , the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take out and maintain the required policies of insurance and pay the premiums on such policies. All amounts so advanced by the Administrative Agent shall become Obligations, and the Borrower shall forthwith pay such amounts to the Administrative Agent, together with interest from the date of payment by the Administrative Agent at the Default Rate.

(i) Books and Records; Inspections . The Borrower shall keep proper books of record and account relating to the Project, separate from the books and records of any other Person (including any Affiliates of the Borrower), in which complete, true and accurate entries in conformity with GAAP and all requirements of Law shall be made of all financial transactions and matters elating to the Project, and shall maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower. The Borrower shall keep books and records that accurately reflect all of its business affairs, transactions and the documents and other instruments that underlie or authorize all of its actions in each case relating to the Project. The Borrower shall permit officers and designated representatives of the Agents to visit and inspect any of its properties (including the Project), to examine its entity, financial and operating records relating to the Project, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts relating to the Project with its members, managers, directors, officers and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower ( provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such visits or inspections shall be at the expense of the Borrower only once per Fiscal Year) and at reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided that if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any Agent, Lender or Consultant (or any of

 

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their respective officers or designated representatives) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower during normal business hours and without advance notice.

(j) Operating Budget .

 

  (i) The Borrower shall, not later than fifteen (15) days before the First Train Completion Date, adopt an operating plan and a budget setting forth in reasonable detail the projected requirements for Operation and Maintenance Expenses for the Project for the period from such date to the conclusion of the then-current Fiscal Year and provide a copy of such operating plan and budget at such time to the Administrative Agent. No less than forty-five (45) days in advance of the beginning of each Fiscal Year and each six (6) month period thereafter, the Borrower shall similarly adopt a twelve (12) calendar month operating plan and budget for the Project setting forth in reasonable detail the projected requirements for Operation and Maintenance Expenses for the ensuing twelve (12) calendar month period and provide a copy of such operating plan and budget at such time to the Administrative Agent. (Each such operating plan and budget is herein called an “ Operating Budget ”.) Each Operating Budget shall set forth for each week covered thereby (i) an amount expressed in Dollars in respect of the OPEX Expenses to be incurred during such week and (ii) an amount expressed in the relevant quantity in respect of the COGS Expenses to be incurred during such week and the notional Dollar value of such quantities calculated in the manner set forth in the Operating Budget. Each Operating Budget shall be prepared in accordance with a form approved by the Independent Engineer and shall become effective upon approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, of the Administrative Agent (acting in consultation with the Consultants). If the Borrower shall not have adopted an Operating Budget before the beginning of any six (6) month period or any Operating Budget adopted by the Borrower shall not have been accepted by the Administrative Agent before the beginning of any upcoming six (6) month period, the Operating Budget for the preceding twelve (12) calendar month period shall, until the adoption of an Operating Budget by the Borrower and acceptance of such Operating Budget by the Administrative Agent, be deemed to be in force and effective as the Operating Budget for the upcoming twelve (12) calendar month period.

 

  (ii) Each Operating Budget delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 7.01(j) shall be accompanied by a memorandum detailing all material assumptions used in the preparation of such Operating Budget, shall contain a line item for each Operating Budget Category, shall specify for each month and for each such Operating Budget Category the amount budgeted for such category for such month, and shall clearly distinguish Operation and Maintenance Expenses.

 

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(k) Project Documents .

 

  (i) The Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect, preserve, protect and defend its material rights under, and take all actions necessary to prevent termination or cancellation (except by expiration in accordance with its terms or permitted replacement) of, each Project Document to which it is a party. The Borrower shall exercise all material rights, discretion and remedies under each such Project Document, if any, in accordance with its terms and in a manner consistent with (and subject to) the Borrower’s obligations under the Financing Documents.

 

  (ii) Promptly upon execution of any Additional Project Document by the Borrower or the Lessee, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certified copy of such Project Document and, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, any Ancillary Documents related thereto.

 

  (iii) If any Project Document provides that such Project Document will expire prior to the Final Maturity Date, then, on or prior to the date that is ninety (90) days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) prior to the expiration date of such Project Document to which it is a party, the Borrower shall enter into an agreement replacing such Project Document, in form and substance, and with a counterparty, reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, unless the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees that such Project Document is no longer required for the Project.

(l) Preservation of Title; Acquisition of Additional Property .

 

  (i) The Borrower shall preserve and maintain (A) good, marketable and insurable interest in the Site and valid easement interest in its easement interest in the Site and (B) good, legal and valid title to all of its other respective material properties and assets, in each case free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. If the Borrower at any time acquires any real property or leasehold or other interest in real property (including, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, with respect to any material easement or right-of-way not covered by the Mortgage), the Borrower shall, promptly upon such acquisition and at the Administrative Agent’s request, execute, deliver and record a supplement to the Mortgage, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, subjecting such real property or leasehold or other interest to the Lien and security interest created by the Mortgage. If reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and available on commercially reasonable terms, the Borrower shall obtain an appropriate endorsement or supplement to the Title Insurance Policy insuring the Lien of the Security Documents in such additional property, subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

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  (ii) Prior to the acquisition or lease of any such additional real property interests (other than easements that do not involve soil disturbance), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an environmental site assessment report(s) with respect to such real property (if, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, acting in consultation with the Independent Engineer, such environmental site assessment report(s) with respect to such real property interests is warranted), in each case along with a corresponding reliance letter from the consultant issuing such report(s) (to the extent such report(s) does not permit reliance thereon by the Senior Secured Parties). Each such environmental site assessment report(s) shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall not identify any material liability associated with the condition of such real property.

(m) Maintenance of Liens; Creation of Liens on Newly Acquired Property .

 

  (i) Borrower shall take or cause to be taken all action necessary or desirable to maintain and preserve the Lien of the Security Documents and, on and after the Closing Date, the first ranking priority thereof (subject to Permitted Liens).

 

  (ii) Borrower shall take all actions required to cause each Additional Project Document to which it becomes a party to be or become subject to the Lien of the Security Documents (whether by amendment to any Security Document or otherwise) and shall, if required, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent all Ancillary Documents related thereto.

 

  (iii) Simultaneously with the making of any investment in Cash Equivalents, the Borrower shall take or cause to be taken all actions required to cause such Cash Equivalents to be or become subject to a first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Senior Secured Parties.

(n) Certificate of Formation . The Borrower shall observe all of the provisions and procedures of its certificate of formation and Borrower LLC Agreement.

(o) [Intentionally Omitted] .

(p) Further Assurances . Upon written request of the Administrative Agent, Borrower shall promptly perform or cause to be performed any and all acts and execute or cause to be executed any and all documents (including UCC financing statements and UCC continuation statements):

 

  (A) that are necessary or desirable for compliance with Section 7.01(m)(i) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Maintenance of Liens; Creation of Liens on Newly Acquired Property );

 

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  (B) for the purposes of ensuring the validity and legality of this Agreement or any other Financing Document and the rights of the Senior Secured Parties hereunder or thereunder; and

 

  (C) for the purposes of facilitating the proper exercise of rights and powers granted to the Senior Secured Parties under this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

(q) First Priority Ranking . The Borrower shall cause its payment obligations with respect to the Loans to constitute direct senior secured obligations of the Borrower and to rank no less than pari passu in priority of payment, in right of security (except with respect to Permitted Liens) and in all other respects to all other Indebtedness of the Borrower.

(r) Final Completion . The Borrower shall cause Final Completion to occur on or before the date that is thirty (30) days after the Capital Improvement Completion Date.

(s) Closing Costs . Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, to the extent not paid by REG pursuant to Section 5.5.21 ( Closing Costs ) of the Lease, all Closing Costs for which invoices have been presented and all Closing Costs (as defined in the ABL Agreement) up to an aggregate maximum amount of seventy five thousand Dollars ($75,000). In addition to the payment required to be made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, to the extent not paid by REG pursuant to Section 5.5.21 ( Closing Costs ) of the Lease, all Closing Costs for which invoices have been presented and all Closing Costs (as defined in the ABL Agreement) up to an aggregate maximum amount of seventy five thousand Dollars ($75,000).

(t) Observer Rights . The Borrower shall permit the Administrative Agent to designate an observer to the board of managers of the Borrower (the “ Board ”). The observer shall have the right to receive notice of the meetings of the Board at the same time such notice is given to the members of the Board. The observer shall have the right to be present at each such meeting and receive a copy of all materials distributed at each such meeting to the members of the Board. The observer shall also have the right to meet and consult with members of the Board and the officers of the Borrower from time to time. All costs of the observer shall be borne by the Administrative Agent and shall not be considered fees or expenses payable by the Borrower. The observer shall have no approval or other participation right in any Board meeting.

(u) Certain Proceeds . The Borrower shall pay and deliver to the Borrower Revenue Account any and all funds, refunds, payments or other monetary receipts received by the Borrower from the Village of Seneca, LaSalle and Grundy Counties, Illinois pursuant to the Redevelopment Agreement, including any and all payments

 

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received pursuant to the Company Note, as that term is defined in the Redevelopment Agreement. Such amounts shall be deemed to be Cash Flow of the Borrower for purposes of the Accounts Agreement.

(v) Appointment of Auditor . Within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall appoint the Auditors.

Section 7.02 Negative Covenants . The Borrower agrees with each Senior Secured Party that, until the Discharge Date, it will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 7.02 applicable to it.

(a) Restrictions on Indebtedness . The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

  (i) the Obligations;

 

  (ii) accounts payable to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business and (A) not more than ninety (90) days past due or (B) subject to a Contest not more than six (6) months past due and not exceeding an aggregate amount of two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000); and

 

  (iii) obligations as lessee under operating leases or leases for the rental of any real or personal property which are required by GAAP to be capitalized where all such leases under this Section 7.02(a)(iii) do not require the Borrower to make scheduled payments to the lessors in any Fiscal Year in excess of one hundred thousand ($100,000) in the aggregate.

(b) Liens . The Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, revenues or assets or its Equity Interests, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

  (i) Liens in favor, or for the benefit, of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

  (ii) Liens in favor of the Borrower under the Lessee Security Documents;

 

  (iii) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges that are not yet due or the payment of which is the subject of a Contest;

 

  (iv) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or the payment of which is the subject of a Contest;

 

  (v)

Liens of no more than one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default, provided that each such Lien is subject to a Contest and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been initiated for

 

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  the review shall not have been terminated or the period within such proceedings may have been initiated shall not have expired;

 

  (vi) rights of setoff and other similar Liens of banks holding Local Accounts, solely to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the Blocked Accounts Agreement applicable to such Local Account;

 

  (vii) purchase money security interests in discrete items of equipment not comprising an integral part of the Project or other Collateral when the obligation secured is incurred for the purchase of such equipment and does not exceed the lesser of the cost or the fair market value thereof at the time of acquisition and, in aggregate, an outstanding value of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000); and

 

  (viii) any Liens reflected on the Title Insurance Policy or any Title Continuation.

(c) Permitted Investments . The Borrower shall not make any loan or advance to any Person other than accounts receivable incurred in commercially reasonable amounts in the normal course of its business and investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled Account Debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss. Except for (i) Cash Equivalents and (ii) investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction of accounts receivable incurred in commercially reasonable amounts in the normal course of its business from financially troubled Account Debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss, the Borrower will not purchase or otherwise acquire the capital stock, securities, debt, assets or obligations of, or any interest in, any Person.

(d) Change in Business . The Borrower shall not (i) enter into or engage in any business other than the ownership, operation (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown), maintenance, performance of capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to, start-up, testing, use and financing of the Project and all activities reasonably related thereto or (ii) change in any material respect the scope of the Project from that which is contemplated as of the date hereof.

(e) Equity Issuances . The Borrower shall not issue any Equity Interests unless such Equity Interests are immediately pledged to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) on a first priority perfected basis pursuant to the Pledge Agreement or, if necessary, a supplement thereto or a pledge and security agreement in substantially the form of the Pledge Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Financing Document, but subject to Section 7.02(g) (Consolidation, Merger ) and Section 7.02(f) (Asset Dispositions) , the Lenders agree that the Lessee Pledgor may exercise its call option to purchase, and Pledgor may exercise its put option to sell, the Equity Interests in the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Put/Call Agreement.

 

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(f) Asset Dispositions . The Borrower shall not sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets of the Project or the Borrower (other than Products), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

  (i) disposal of assets that are promptly replaced in accordance with the then-current Operating Budget;

 

  (ii) to the extent that such assets are uneconomical, obsolete or no longer useful or no longer usable in connection with the operation or maintenance of the Project;

 

  (iii) disposal of assets with a fair market value, or at a disposal price, of less than one million Dollars ($1,000,000) in the aggregate during any Fiscal Year; provided , that such disposal does not, and would not reasonably be expected to, adversely affect the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to, operation or maintenance of the Project; and

 

  (iv) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom the Pledgor and Lessee Pledgor may consummate the Put/Call Option.

(g) Consolidation, Merger . The Borrower will not directly or indirectly liquidate, wind up, terminate, reorganize or dissolve (or suffer any liquidation, winding up, termination, reorganization or dissolution). The Borrower will not acquire (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets, property or business of, or any assets that constitute a division or operating unit of, the business of any Person or otherwise merge or consolidate with or into any other Person; provided that if the Put/Call Option is exercised, the Borrower may be merged with the Lessee so long as the Borrower is the surviving entity and an amendment and restatement of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents on terms and conditions acceptable to the parties thereto providing for the Senior Secured Parties to receive the benefits of the representations, warranties, covenants and defaults set forth in the Lease and the Lessee Security Documents shall be entered into simultaneously with the closing of such merger.

(h) Transactions with Affiliates . Except to the extent indentified on Schedule 7.02(h) , the Borrower shall not enter into or cause, suffer or permit to exist any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in the Borrower unless such arrangement or contract (i) is fair and reasonable to the Borrower and (ii) is an arrangement or contract that is on an arm’s length basis and contains terms no less favorable than those that would be entered into by a prudent Person in the position of the Borrower with a Person that is not one of its Affiliates; provided that with respect to any licensing or other arrangement pursuant to which the Borrower provides any Affiliate with the right to own or use any of the Borrower’s patents or other intellectual property, the Borrower shall provide to the Admnistrative Agent prior written notice of such license

 

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or other arrangement and a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of the Borrower stating that such license or other arrangement complies with the provisions of clauses (i) and (ii).

(i) Accounts . (A) The Borrower shall not maintain, establish or use any deposit account, securities account (as each such term is defined in the UCC) or other banking account other than (x) the Borrower Revenue Account and the Capital Improvements Account and (y) any Local Account set forth on Schedule 5.32 with respect to which a Blocked Account Agreement is in effect.

 

  (B) The Borrower shall not change the name or account number of the Borrower Revenue Account, the Capital Improvements Account or any Local Account without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which will not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld.

 

  (C) There shall not be, at any single point in time, more than one Borrower Local Account.

(j) Subsidiaries . The Borrower shall not create or acquire any Subsidiary or enter into any partnership or joint venture.

(k) ERISA . The Borrower will not engage in any nonexempt prohibited transactions under Section 406 of ERISA or under Section 4975 of the Code that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability. The Borrower will not incur any obligation or liability in respect of any Plan, Multiemployer Plan or employee welfare benefit plan providing post retirement welfare benefits (other than a plan providing continuation coverage under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA) that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability and the Borrower shall obtain the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent before incurring any such obligation or liability.

(l) Taxes . The Borrower shall not make any election to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal, state or local tax purposes.

(m) Project Documents .

 

  (i) The Borrower shall not direct or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent in respect of any provision of any Project Document except the Lease (other than any immaterial amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent, in which case a true, correct and complete copy shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld, and in the case of any amendment to a Project Document other than the Lease solely to reflect the removal or replacement of a party, the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld.

 

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  (ii) The Borrower shall not direct or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent in respect of any provision of the Lease or approve any document submitted to the Borrower for approval pursuant to Section 5.6.13(b) of the Lease without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion and in the case of any amendment to the Lease solely to reflect the removal or replacement of the Lessee, the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (except in the case of removal and replacement of the initial Lessee with an Approved Lessee).

 

  (iii) Except for collateral assignments under the Security Documents, the Borrower shall not assign any of its rights under any Project Document to which it is a party except the Lease to any Person, or consent to the assignment of any obligations under any such Project Document by any other party thereto, without the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned, or withheld, and in the case of any assignment of any obligations under any Project Document other than the Lease by a party, without the prior written approval of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld.

 

  (iv) Except for collateral assignments under the Security Documents, the Borrower shall not assign any of its rights under the Lease to any Person, or consent to the assignment of any obligations under the Lease by any other party thereto, without the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent which approval may be withheld in its sole discretion and in the case of any assignment of any obligations under the Lease by the Lessee, without the prior written approval of the Required Lenders (except in the case of an assignment by the initial Lessee to an Approved Lessee).

 

  (v) The Borrower shall not enter into a Project Document unless such Project Document requires the counterparty thereto to obtain such insurance to protect, directly or indirectly, against loss or liability to the Borrower, the Project or any Senior Secured Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

(n) Additional Project Documents . The Borrower shall not enter into any Additional Project Document except with the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent, which shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld.

(o) Suspension or Abandonment . The Borrower shall not (i) permit or suffer to exist an Event of Abandonment without the prior written approval of the Required Lenders or (ii) except to the extent contemplated by Cold Shutdown until the CS End Date, order or consent to any suspension of work under any Project Document without the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent.

 

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(p) Margin Regulations . The Borrower shall not purchase or carry any Margin Stock (as defined in Regulation U) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. The Borrower shall not violate or act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X.

(q) Environmental Matters . Without prejudice to Section 7.01(b) , the Borrower shall not permit (i) any underground storage tanks to be located on any property owned or leased by the Borrower (unless such storage tanks exist on the Closing Date), (ii) any asbestos to be contained in or form part of any building, building component, structure or office space owned or leased by the Borrower (unless such asbestos exists on the Closing Date), (iii) any polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to be used or stored at any property owned or leased by the Borrower or (iv) any other Materials of Environmental Concern to be used, stored or otherwise be present at any property owned or leased by the Borrower (unless such Materials of Environmental Concern exist on the Closing Date), other than Materials of Environmental Concern necessary for the performance of capital improvements with respect to or operation of the Project and used in accordance with all Laws and Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice.

(r) Restricted Payments . The Borrower shall not make a Restricted Payment; provided that so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Pledgor set forth in the Financing Documents are true in all material respects on the date of such Restricted Payment and (iii) a Financial Officer of the Borrower certifies to the Administrative Agent in writing that after giving effect to such Restricted Payment the Borrower has no knowledge of any circumstance or event that exists on the date of such certificate that the Borrower reasonably believes will prevent the Borrower from paying in accordance with the terms hereof all Debt Service due in the three-month period following the making of such Restricted Payment, the Borrower shall be permitted to make such Restricted Payments in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Accounts Agreement.

(s) Accounting Changes . The Borrower shall not make any change in (i) its accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP and notified to the Administrative Agent in writing ( provided that the Borrower shall provide a historical reconciliation for the prior period addressing any such change in accounting practices) or (ii) its Fiscal Year without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably delayed, conditioned or withheld.

(t) Capital Expenditure . The Borrower shall not make or become legally obligated to make any Capital Expenditure using Cash Flow individually or in the aggregate at any time in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000), except to the extent such Capital Expenditure is included in the Capital Improvement Budget, the Supplemental Capital Improvement Budget or any Operating Budget.

(u) Operation and Maintenance Expenses . The Operation and Maintenance Expenses of the Project in any month shall not exceed the lesser of (i) actual expenses

 

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incurred and (ii) the expenses set forth in the Operating Budget for such month subject to the Permitted Operating Budget Deviation Levels.

Section 7.03 Reporting Requirements . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent the following information with respect to itself and, to the extent received by the Borrower from the Lessee pursuant to the Lease, with respect to the Lessee:

(a) Quarterly Financial Statements . As soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, unaudited financial statements, including balance sheets, statements of income and cash flows for each of Borrower and the Lessee for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, prepared in accordance with GAAP together with, in each case, consolidated and consolidating financial statements for the Borrower and the Lessee.

(b) Annual Financial Statements . As soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the annual audit report for such Fiscal Year for each of the Borrower and the Lessee including therein balance sheets as of the end of such Fiscal Year and statements of income and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, and accompanied by an unqualified opinion of the Auditors stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods, which report and opinion shall not be subject to any “ going concern ” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

(c) Certificate of Financial Officer . Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 7.03(a) and (b) , other than consolidated or consolidating financial statements, certificates executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, stating that:

 

  (i) its financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, on the dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to the absence of notes and normally recurring year end adjustments;

 

  (ii) such Financial Officer has reviewed the terms of the Financing Documents and has made, or caused to be made under his or her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the business and financial condition of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, during the accounting period covered by such financial statements; and

 

  (iii)

as a result of such review such Financial Officer has concluded that no Default or Event of Default has occurred during the period covered by

 

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  such financial statements through and including the date of such certificate or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and, if continuing, the action that the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, has taken and proposes to take in respect thereof.

(d) Concurrently with the delivery of the consolidated and consolidating financial statements referred to in Section 7.03(a) and (b) , certificates executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, stating that such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower or the Lessee on the dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to the absence of notes and normally recurring year end adjustments.

(e) Auditor’s Letters . Promptly upon receipt, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the Borrower (or the audit or finance committee of the Borrower) by the Auditors in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any audit of the Borrower.

(f) Notice of Default or Event of Default . As soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days after the Borrower has Knowledge of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, a statement of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Default or Event of Default and the action that the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

(g) Notice of Other Events . Within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower obtains Knowledge thereof, a statement of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of:

 

  (i) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened in writing against the Borrower or the Project that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (ii) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened in writing against any Project Party that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (iii) any other event, act or condition that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (iv) notification of any event of force majeure or similar event under a Project Document that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

  (v) notification of any other change in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in an increase of more than three hundred thousand Dollars ($300,000) in Project Costs.

 

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(h) Project Document or Additional Project Document Notice . Promptly after delivery or receipt thereof, copies of all material notices or documents given or received by the Borrower, pursuant to any of the Project Documents including:

 

  (i) any written notice alleging any breach or default thereunder that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (ii) any written notice regarding, or request for consent to, any assignment, termination, modification, waiver or variation thereof.

(i) Construction Contracts Notice . Within three (3) Business Days following receipt thereof, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer any report provided to the Borrower under any Construction Contract, which shall be subject to review by the Independent Engineer.

(j) ERISA Event . As soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days after the Borrower has Knowledge that any of the events described below has occurred, a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of each such event and the action that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice or filing from the PBGC, Internal Revenue Service or Department of Labor or that may be required by the PBGC or other U.S. Governmental Authority with respect to each such event:

 

  (i) any Termination Event with respect to an ERISA Plan or a Multiemployer Plan has occurred or will occur that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability to the Borrower;

 

  (ii) any condition exists with respect to a Plan that presents a material risk of termination of a Plan (other than a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA) or imposition of an excise tax or other material liability on the Borrower;

 

  (iii) an application has been filed for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA under any Plan;

 

  (iv) the Borrower or any Plan fiduciary has engaged in a “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or as described in Section 406 of ERISA, that is not exempt under Section 4975 of the Code, Section 408 of ERISA or another applicable administrative, regulatory or statutory exemption, that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Borrower;

 

  (v) there exists any Unfunded Benefit Liabilities under any ERISA Plan;

 

  (vi)

any condition exists with respect to a Multiemployer Plan that presents a risk of a partial or complete withdrawal (as described in Section 4203 or

 

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  4205 of ERISA) from a Multiemployer Plan that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability to the Borrower;

 

  (vii) a “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) occurs with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan and such default could reasonably be expected to result in any liability to the Borrower;

 

  (viii) a Multiemployer Plan is in “reorganization” (as defined in Section 418 of the Code or Section 4241 of ERISA) or is “insolvent” (as defined in Section 4245 of ERISA);

 

  (ix) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any potential withdrawal liability (as defined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA); or

 

  (x) there is an action brought against the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Section 502 of ERISA with respect to its failure to comply with Section 515 of ERISA.

(k) Notice of PBGC Demand Letter . As soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days after the receipt by the Borrower of a demand letter from the PBGC notifying the Borrower of a final decision finding liability and the date by which such liability must be paid, a copy of such letter, together with a duly executed certificate of the president or chief financial officer of the Borrower setting forth the action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

(l) Notice of Environmental Event . Promptly and in any event within five (5) days after the existence of any of the following conditions, a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower specifying in detail the nature of such condition and, if applicable, the Borrower’s proposed response thereto:

 

  (i) receipt by the Borrower of any written communication from a Governmental Authority or any written communication from any other Person (other than a privileged communication from legal counsel to the Borrower, the Pledgor or the Pledgor’s members) or other source of written information, including reports prepared by the Borrower, that alleges or indicates that the Borrower or an Environmental Affiliate is not in compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals and such alleged noncompliance could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Borrower;

 

  (ii) the Borrower obtains Knowledge that there exists any Environmental Claim pending or threatened in writing against the Borrower or an Environmental Affiliate;

 

  (iii)

the Borrower obtains Knowledge of any release, threatened release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern or obtains Knowledge of any material non compliance with any

 

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  Environmental Law that, in either case, could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate; or

 

  (iv) any Removal, Remedial or Response action is taken, or required to be taken, by the Borrower or any other person in response to any material release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern in, at, on or under a part of or about the Borrower’s properties or any property in connection with the Project.

(m) Materials of Environmental Concern . The Borrower will maintain and make available for inspection by the Administrative Agent, the Consultants and, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Lenders, and each of their respective agents and employees, on reasonable notice during regular business hours, accurate and complete records of all material non privileged correspondence, investigations, studies, sampling and testing conducted, and any and all remedial actions taken, by the Borrower or, to the best of the Borrower’s Knowledge and to the extent obtained by the Borrower, by any Governmental Authority or other Person in respect of Materials of Environmental Concern that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim on or affecting the Borrower or the Project.

(n) Deferred Approvals . Promptly after receipt thereof, copies of each Deferred Approval obtained by the Borrower or the Lessee, together with such documents relating thereto as the Administrative Agent may request, certified as true, complete and correct by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower or the Lessee.

(o) Capital Improvement Disbursement Statements . Not less than ten (10) Business Days after the last day of each month in which a disbursement from the Capital Improvements Account is made, a disbursement statement which shall include:

 

  (i) all invoices for Designated Capital Improvement Costs with respect to which such disbursement was made, each of which shall be certified as true, correct and complete by the Borrower and substantiated by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (ii)

absolute and unconditional sworn Lien waiver statements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer evidencing receipt of payment by each Construction Contractor, all subcontractors, all contractors performing capital improvement work with respect to the Project and all other Persons having the right to create a Lien on any asset of the Borrower or Lessee who were paid from the proceeds of such disbursement (other than Lien waivers from contractors whose work, on an aggregate basis (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed work relating to the Project), entitles them to aggregate payment of less than $50,000. Each such Lien waiver statement shall be certified as true and correct and complete by the Borrower to its

 

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  Knowledge and the applicable contractor and shall be verified by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iii) Capital Improvement Status Report(s) covering such month, each of which shall be certified as true and complete by the Borrower and substantiated by the Independent Engineer; and

 

  (iv) a certification of a Financial Officer of the Borrower and a Financial Officer of the Lessee confirming that such disbursement, when considered on its own and when considered on an aggregate basis with all prior disbursements, is in compliance with the Capital Improvement Budget (or, if such disbursement would be in excess of the Capital Improvement Budget, such deviation from the Capital Improvement Budget has been approved by the Independent Engineer).

(p) Operating Statements . Within forty-five (45) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent an Operating Statement regarding the operation and performance of the Project for each monthly, quarterly and, in the case of the last quarterly Operating Statement for each year, annual period substantially in the form of Exhibit L . Such Operating Statements shall contain (i) line items corresponding to each Operating Budget Category of the then-current Operating Budget showing in reasonable detail by Operating Budget Category all actual expenses related to the operation and maintenance of the Project compared to the budgeted expenses for each such Operating Budget Category for such period, (ii) information showing the amount of biodiesel and other Products produced by the Project during such period and (iii) information showing (A) the amount of biodiesel sold by the Lessee from the Project, (B) the amount, if any, of other sales of biodiesel and the amount of all sales of glycerin sold by the Lessee from the Project, together with an explanation of any such sale and identification of the purchaser, and (C) the amount, if any, of other Products sold by the Lessee from the Project, together with an explanation of any such sale and identification of the purchaser. The Operating Statements shall be certified as complete and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of each of the Borrower and the Lessee, subject to auditing review, who also shall certify that, the expenses reflected therein for the year to date and for each month or quarter therein did not exceed the provision for such period contained in the Operating Budget then in effect by more than the Permitted Operating Budget Deviation Levels or, if any of such certifications cannot be given, stating in reasonable detail the necessary qualifications to such certifications.

(q) Capital Expenditure . As soon as possible and in any event within five (5) days after the incurrence of a Capital Expenditure in excess of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) by the Borrower or the Lessee using Cash Flow, a notice to the Administrative Agent setting forth the amount and purpose of such expenditure.

(r) Commodity Hedging Arrangements . Within fifteen (15) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, (i) a position report describing all of the Commodity Hedging Arrangements in effect as of the date of such report and (ii) a

 

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  duly authorized certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower stating that the Commodity Hedging Arrangements set forth in the report delivered pursuant to clause (i) have been entered into in accordance with the Commodity Risk Management Plan.

(s) Other Information . Other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent).

ARTICLE VIII

CERTAIN PROCEEDS

Section 8.01 Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds . (a) The Borrower may apply any Insurance Proceeds and Condemnation Proceeds in amounts less than or equal to one million Dollars ($1,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence directly for the replacement or repair of damaged assets to which such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, relate; provided, that the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent, no fewer than three (3) Business Days in advance of any such application, an Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate setting forth proposed instructions for such application. A Financial Officer of the Borrower shall certify that each Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate is being delivered, and the applications specified therein are being directed, in accordance with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and shall also certify that the directed applications will be used exclusively for repair or replacement of damaged assets to which such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, relate.

(b) Any Insurance Proceeds and Condemnation Proceeds in amounts greater than one million Dollars ($1,000,000) but less than or equal to five million Dollars ($5,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence shall:

 

  (i) be applied for repair or replacement of damaged assets to which such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, relate in accordance with the Borrower’s direction in an Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent if, within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of the Casualty Event or Event of Taking giving rise to such proceeds, the Borrower delivers a Restoration or Replacement Plan to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer with respect to such Casualty Event or Event of Taking that is based upon, and accompanied by, each of the following:

 

  (A) a description of the nature and extent of such Casualty Event or Event of Taking, as the case may be;

 

  (B)

a bona fide assessment (from a contractor reasonably acceptable to the Independent Engineer) of the estimated cost and time needed to

 

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  restore or replace the Project to substantially the same value and general performance capability as prior to such event;

 

  (C) reasonably satisfactory evidence that such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, are sufficient to make the necessary restorations or replacements;

 

  (D) a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower certifying that (1) all work contemplated to be done under the Restoration or Replacement Plan can be done within the time periods, if any, required under any Project Document; (2) all Governmental Approvals necessary to perform the work have been obtained (or are reasonably expected to be obtained without undue delay); and (3) the Project once repaired/restored will continue to perform at the levels set forth in the then-current Operating Budget with respect to production volume, yield and utility consumption (or other levels approved by the Required Lenders);

 

  (E) the Casualty Event or Event of Taking, as the case may be (including the non operation of the Project during any period of repair or restoration) has not resulted or would not reasonably be expected to result in a default giving rise to a termination of, or a materially adverse modification of, one or more of the Governmental Approvals or Project Documents (or, in the case of a default giving rise to a termination of a Project Document, an agreement replacing such Project Document, in form and substance, and with a counterparty, reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders is entered into (together with all applicable Ancillary Documents) within forty-five (45) days thereof (or, if such termination could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, within sixty (60) days thereof));

 

  (F) after taking into consideration the availability of such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as applicable, and Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds and any additional documented voluntary equity contributions for the purpose of covering such costs, there will be adequate amounts available to pay all ongoing expenses including Debt Service during the period of repair or restoration;

 

  (G) construction contractors and vendors of recognized skill, reputation and creditworthiness and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent have executed reconstruction contracts, purchase orders or similar arrangements for the repair, rebuilding or restoration on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and

 

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  (H) a confirmation by the Independent Engineer of its agreement with the matters set forth in clauses (A)  through (G)  above and its approval of such Restoration or Replacement Plan; or

 

  (ii) if (A) the Borrower does not deliver such Restoration or Replacement Plan and the accompanying deliveries referred to in Section 8.01(b)(i) within such sixty (60) day period or (B) after the completion of such Restoration or Replacement Plan, there are excess Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, the Borrower shall on the next succeeding Quarterly Payment Date thereafter, transfer to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, an amount equal to such Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, for mandatory prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.08 (Mandatory Prepayments) .

(c) Any Insurance Proceeds or Condemnation Proceeds in amounts greater than five million Dollars ($5,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence shall be applied, at the written instruction of the Administrative Agent, to prepay the Loans or for repair or replacement of damaged assets, as determined by the Required Lenders in their sole discretion.

Section 8.02 Extraordinary Proceeds . (a) If at any time the Borrower receives proceeds of an asset disposal by the Borrower (other than proceeds from the sale of Products) that will not be used for replacement in accordance with Section 7.02(f)(i) ( Covenants – Negative Covenants - Asset Dispositions ) , then:

 

  (i) if such proceeds are in an amount in the aggregate of less than one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) (taken together with any other such proceeds received by the Borrower during the then-current Fiscal Year), the Borrower shall transfer such funds to the Borrower Revenue Account; and

 

  (ii) if such proceeds are in an amount equal to or greater than one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) (taken together with any other such proceeds received by the Borrower during the then-current Fiscal Year), such amounts shall be transferred by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for application as a prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) .

(b) If at any time the Borrower receives Project Document Termination Payments, then:

 

  (i)

if such Project Document Termination Payments are in an amount in the aggregate of less than one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) (taken together with any other Project Document Termination Payments received during the then-current Fiscal Year), the Borrower shall transfer such

 

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  Project Document Termination Payments to the Borrower Revenue Account; and

 

  (ii) if such Project Document Termination Payments are in an amount equal to or greater than one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) (taken together with any other Project Document Termination Proceeds received during the then-current Fiscal Year), such amounts shall be transferred by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for application as a prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) .

ARTICLE IX

DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT

Section 9.01 Events of Default . Each of the following events or occurrences described in this Section 9.01 shall constitute an Event of Default.

(a) Nonpayment . The Borrower fails to pay any amount of principal of any Loan, any interest on any Loan or any fee or other Obligation or amount payable hereunder or under any other Financing Document within three (3) Business Days after the same becomes due and payable.

(b) Breach of Warranty . Any representation or warranty of any Loan Party in any Financing Document is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or; provided that (i) if such Loan Party was not aware that such representation or warranty was incorrect or misleading at the time such representation or warranty was made, (ii) the fact, event or circumstance resulting in such incorrect or misleading representation or warranty is capable of being cured, corrected or otherwise remedied, (iii) such fact, event or circumstance resulting in such incorrect or misleading representation or warranty is cured, corrected or otherwise remedied within thirty (30) days from the date any Loan Party obtains, or should have obtained, Knowledge thereof, and (iv) no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred as a result of such representation or warranty being incorrect or misleading, then such incorrect representation or warranty shall not constitute an Event of Default.

(c) Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations . (i) The Borrower defaults in the due performance and observance of any of its obligations under Sections 7.01(d)(ii) , (iii)  and (iv)(A) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Capital Improvement of Project; Maintenance of Properties ) , Section 7.01(g) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Use of Proceeds and Cash Flow ) , Section 7.01(h) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Insurance ) , Section 7.01(q) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – First Priority Ranking ) , Section 7.02 ( Covenants – Negative Covenants ) , Section 7.03(f) ( Covenants – Reporting Requirements – Notice of Default or Event of Default ) or Section 7.03(g) ( Covenants – Reporting Requirements – Notice of Other Events ) of this Agreement, or Section 5.02, Section 5.04 or Section 5.07 of the Security Agreement; or (ii) the Borrower or the

 

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Pledgor defaults in the due performance and observance of any of its obligations under Section 5.02, Section 5.04, Section 5.05 or Section 5.09 of the Pledge Agreement.

(d) Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations . (i) The Borrower or the Pledgor defaults in the due performance and observance of any covenant or agreement (other than covenants and agreements referred to in Section 9.01(a) ( Events of Default – Nonpayment ) or Section 9.01(c) ( Events of Default – Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations ) contained in any Financing Document to which it is a party, and such default continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the Borrower or the Pledgor, as the case may be, obtains, or should have obtained, Knowledge thereof; or (ii) the Borrower defaults in the due performance and observance of any covenant or agreement contained in the Lease or a Lessee Security Document, and such default continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the Borrower obtains, or should have obtained, Knowledge thereof.

(e) Capital Improvement Completion . The Capital Improvement Completion Date does not occur on or before the Commencement Date Certain; provided , that such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default if within 60 days of such failure, the Borrower shall terminate the Lease, obtain possession of the Project, enter into such alternative arrangements and agreements replacing the Lease (which arrangements and agreements as well as the counterparties thereto shall be satisfactory to the Required Lenders (together with all applicable Ancillary Documents), it being understood that for purposes of this Section 9.01(e) the replacement of the initial Lessee by an Approved Lessee and any such alternate arrangements having the same terms and conditions as the Lease and the Management and Operating Services Agreement shall be deemed satisfactory to the Required Lenders) and achieve the Capital Improvement Completion Date.

(f) Cross Defaults . Any one of the following occurs with respect to a Loan Party:

 

  (i) a default occurs in the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period and notice requirements), whether by acceleration or otherwise, with respect to Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) in an amount greater than or equal to one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate or has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (ii)

such Person fails to observe or perform (subject to any applicable grace periods and notice requirements) any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of any Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or

 

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  to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded, in each case with respect to Indebtedness in an amount greater than or equal to one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate or has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

  (iii) any “Event of Default” (as defined therein) shall occur under or within the meaning of the Lease; provided , that any such event under or within the meaning of the Lease shall not constitute an Event of Default if within 60 days of such event, the Borrower shall terminate the Lease, obtain possession of the Project, enter into such alternative arrangements and agreements replacing the Lease (which arrangements and agreements as well as the counterparties thereto shall be satisfactory to the Required Lenders (together with all applicable Ancillary Documents), it being understood that for purposes of this Section 9.01(f)(iii) the replacement of the initial Lessee by an Approved Lessee and any such alternate arrangements having the same terms and conditions as the Lease and the Management and Operating Services Agreement shall be deemed satisfactory to the Required Lenders) and, if such replacement does not cure any such event which affects the operation of the Project, then cure such event.

(g) Judgments . (i) Any judgment or order that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect is rendered against a Loan Party, or (ii) any judgment or order is rendered against a Loan Party in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) in the aggregate and, in any such case, (x) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (y) there is a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment is not in effect.

(h) ERISA Events . Any one of the following occurs that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) Any Termination Event occurs, (ii) any Plan incurs an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), (iii) any Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate engages in a transaction that is prohibited under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA for which there is no regulatory, statutory or administrative exemption, (iv) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due any amount it has become liable to pay to the PBGC, any Plan or a trust established under Title IV of ERISA, (v) a condition exists by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that an ERISA Plan must be terminated or have a trustee appointed to administer it, (vi) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate suffers a partial or complete withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan or is in “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan, (vii) a proceeding is instituted against any Loan Party to enforce Section 515 of

 

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ERISA, (viii) the aggregate amount of the then “current liability” (as defined in Section 412(l)(7) of the Code, as amended) of all accrued benefits under such Plan or Plans exceeds the then-current value of the assets allocable to such benefits by more than five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) at such time, or (ix) any other event or condition occurs or exists with respect to any Plan that would subject any Loan Party to any material tax, material penalty or other material liability.

(i) Bankruptcy . Any Loan Party:

 

  (i) generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or unwillingness to pay, debts as they become due;

 

  (ii) applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in, the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or a substantial portion of its property, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

  (iii) in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, permits or suffers to exist the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for a substantial part of its property, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian is not discharged within sixty (60) days; provided that nothing in the Financing Documents shall prohibit or restrict any right any Senior Secured Party may have under applicable Law to appear in any court conducting any relevant proceeding during such sixty (60) day period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Financing Documents (and such Person shall not object to any such appearance);

 

  (iv) permits or suffer to exist the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution, winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect of such Person and, if any such case or proceeding is not commenced by such Person, such case or proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by such Person or results in the entry of an order for relief or remains for sixty (60) days undismissed; provided that nothing in the Financing Documents shall prohibit or restrict any right any Senior Secured Party may have under applicable Law to appear in any court conducting any such case or proceeding during such sixty (60) day period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Financing Documents (and such Person shall not object to any such appearance); or

 

  (v) takes any action authorizing, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

(j) Project Document Defaults; Termination .

 

  (i)

The Borrower shall be in material breach of or otherwise in material default under any Project Document to which it is a party, and such breach or default has continued beyond any applicable grace period expressly

 

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  provided for in such Project Document (or, if no such cure period is provided, thirty (30) days).

 

  (ii) Any Project Document to which the Borrower is a party ceases to be in full force and effect prior to its scheduled expiration, is repudiated, or its enforceability is challenged or disaffirmed by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided , that such occurrence shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to any Project Document if an agreement replacing such Project Document, in form and substance, and with a counterparty, reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, is entered into (together with all applicable Ancillary Documents) within forty-five (45) days thereof.

(k) Governmental Approvals . Any Loan Party fails to obtain, renew, maintain or comply in all material respects with any Necessary Project Approval then required to be maintained or any Necessary Project Approval then required to be maintained is revoked, canceled, terminated, withdrawn or otherwise ceases to be in full force and effect, or any Necessary Project Approval then required to be maintained is adversely modified without the consent of the Required Lenders, or a proceeding is commenced which could reasonably produce any such result.

(l) Unenforceability of Documentation . At any time after the execution and delivery thereof:

 

  (i) any material provision of any Financing Document (including the further assignment of the Lessee Collateral) shall cease to be in full force and effect;

 

  (ii) any Financing Document is revoked or terminated, becomes unlawful or is declared null and void by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction;

 

  (iii) any Financing Document becomes unenforceable, is repudiated or the enforceability thereof is contested or disaffirmed by or on behalf of any party thereto other than the Senior Secured Parties; or

 

  (iv) any Liens against any of the Collateral (including the Lessee Collateral) cease to be a first priority, perfected security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, or the enforceability thereof is contested by any Loan Party or any of the Security Documents ceases to provide the security intended to be created thereby with the priority purported to be created thereby.

(m) Environmental Matters . (i) Any Environmental Claim has occurred with respect to any Loan Party, the Project or any Environmental Affiliate, (ii) any release, Threat of Release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern occurs, and such event would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against any Loan Party, the Project or any Environmental

 

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  Affiliate, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Approval occurs that could reasonably result in an Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or the Project or, to the extent any Loan Party may have liability, any Environmental Affiliate that, in the case of any of Section 9.01(m)(i) , (ii) or (iii) , could reasonably be expected to result in liability for any Loan Party in an amount greater than fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) for any single claim or two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) for all such claims during any twelve (12) month period or could otherwise reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(n) Loss of Collateral . Any portion of the Collateral (excluding any portion of the Collateral that is immaterial) is damaged, seized or appropriated; provided that such an occurrence shall not constitute an Event of Default if the Borrower repairs, replaces, rebuilds or refurbishes such damaged, seized or appropriated Collateral (i) in accordance with Section 8.01 ( Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds ) , or (ii) otherwise with the approval of the Required Lenders, in consultation with the Independent Engineer ( provided that such approval is obtained within sixty (60) days thereof).

(o) Event of Abandonment . An Event of Abandonment occurs.

(p) Taking or Total Loss . An Event of Taking with respect to all or a material portion of the Project or any Equity Interests in the Borrower occurs, or an Event of Total Loss occurs.

(q) ABL EOD . At anytime following the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, an ABL Event of Default occurs.

(r) Change of Control . A Change of Control occurs.

Section 9.02 Action Upon Bankruptcy . If any Event of Default described in Section 9.01(i) ( Events of Default – Bankruptcy ) occurs with respect to the Borrower, the outstanding principal amount of the outstanding Loans and all other Obligations shall automatically be and become immediately due and payable, without notice, demand or further act of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Senior Secured Party.

Section 9.03 Action Upon Other Event of Default . (a) If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Borrower, declare all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be due and payable, whereupon the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations that has been declared due and payable shall be and become immediately due and payable, without further notice, demand or presentment. During the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required Lenders shall, instruct the Collateral Agent to exercise any or all remedies provided for under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents.

 

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(b) Any declaration made pursuant to Section 9.03(a) may, should the Required Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion so elect, be rescinded by written notice to the Borrower at any time after the principal of the Loans has become due and payable, but before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies so due, or any part thereof, has been entered; provided that no such rescission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 9.04 Application of Proceeds . Any moneys received by the Collateral Agent after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default may be held by the Collateral Agent as Collateral and/or, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, may be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against the Obligations in the following order of priority (but without prejudice to the right of the Collateral Agent to recover any shortfall from the Borrower):

(a) first , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, costs, expenses (and interest owing thereon (if any)) and any other amounts (including fees, costs and expenses of counsel and amounts payable under ARTICLE IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) payable to the Agents in their capacities as such ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause first ;

(b) second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, costs, expenses (and interest owing thereon (if any)) and any other amounts (including fees, costs and expenses of counsel and amounts payable under ARTICLE IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) but excluding principal of and accrued interest on the Loans payable to the Lenders, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the amounts described in this clause second payable to them;

(c) third , to payment of the portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest (including default interest) with respect to the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause third payable to them;

(d) fourth , to the principal amount of the Loans payable by the Borrower to the Lenders, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause fourth held by them;

(e) fifth , to payment of the portion of the Obligations constituting ABL Shortfall, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause fifth payable to them; and

(f) last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.

Section 9.05 Event of Default Caused by Lessee . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if an event which would constitute an Event of Default under or within the meaning of this Agreement shall occur as the direct result of any “Event of Default” under or within the meaning of the Lease, such event shall not constitute an Event of

 

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Default if within 60 days of such event the Borrower shall terminate the Lease, obtain possession of the Project, enter into such alternative arrangements and agreements replacing the Lease (which arrangements and agreements as well as the counterparties thereto shall be satisfactory to the Required Lenders (together with all applicable Ancillary Documents), it being understood that for purposes of this Section 9.05 ) the replacement of the initial Lessee by an Approved Lessee and any such alternate arrangements having the same terms and conditions as the Lease and the Management and Operating Services Agreement shall be deemed satisfactory to the Required Lenders) and, if such replacement does not cure such event, cure such event.

ARTICLE X

THE AGENTS

Section 10.01 Appointment and Authority . (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes each Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Financing Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document, together with such actions as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this ARTICLE X are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Person shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

(b) Each Lender hereby appoints WestLB as its Administrative Agent under and for purposes of each Financing Document to which it is a party. WestLB hereby accepts this appointment and agrees to act as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Lender appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act on behalf of such Lender under each Financing Document to which it is a party and, in the absence of other written instructions from the Required Lenders received from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with respect to which the Administrative Agent agrees that it will comply, except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.01 or as otherwise advised by counsel), to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in any Financing Document, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Financing Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

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(c) Each Lender hereby appoints WestLB as its Collateral Agent under and for purposes of each Financing Document to which it is a party. WestLB hereby accepts this appointment and agrees to act as the Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Borrower, the Pledgor or the Lessee Pledgor to the Collateral Agent in order to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.05 ( Delegation of Duties ) for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this ARTICLE X and ARTICLE XI ( Miscellaneous Provisions ) (including Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) , as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the Collateral Agent under the Financing Documents. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in any Financing Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Financing Documents to which the Collateral Agent is party, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with the Borrower or any Senior Secured Party, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Financing Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent. Each of the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent shall have the right at any time to seek instructions from the Required Lenders or, in the case of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent as to any discretionary actions contemplated hereby or in any other Financing Document or if this Agreement or any other Financing Document is silent as to any matter requiring action by the Collateral Agent and shall be fully protected in accordance with Section 10.03 ( Exculpatory Provisions ) and Section 10.04 ( Reliance by Agents ) when acting upon such instructions. Any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent under or in relation to this Agreement and any other Financing Document to which it is party with requisite authority or on the basis of appropriate instructions received from the Lenders (other otherwise as duly authorized) shall be binding on each Lender. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

Section 10.02 Rights as a Lender . Each Person serving as Agent hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent. Each such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor for or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower

 

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or Affiliates of the Borrower as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or any other Agent.

Section 10.03 Exculpatory Provisions . (a) No Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Financing Documents to which it is party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent shall:

 

  (i) be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

  (ii) have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Financing Documents to which it is party that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in such other Financing Documents); provided that such Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Financing Document or applicable Law; and provided further that no such direction given to such Agent that in the sole judgment of such Agent imposes, or purports to impose, or might reasonably be expected to impose upon such Agent any obligation or liability not set forth in this Agreement or arising under this Agreement or other Financing Documents to which it is party shall be binding upon such Agent unless such Agent, in its sole discretion, accepts such direction;

 

  (iii) except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Financing Documents to which it is party, have any duty to disclose, or be liable for any failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity; or

 

  (iv) be required to institute any legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with, or otherwise take steps to enforce, this Agreement or any other Financing Document other than on the instructions of the Lenders.

(b) No Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the prior written consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as may be necessary, or as such Agent may reasonably believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.01 ( Appointment and Authority ) ), (ii) in connection with any amendment, consent, approval or waiver which it is permitted under the Financing Documents to enter into, agree to or grant or (iii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and

 

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until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent in writing by the Borrower or a Lender.

(c) No Agent nor any of its respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Financing Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report, opinion or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein (including the use of proceeds) or the occurrence or continuance of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the execution, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, genuineness or admissibility into evidence of this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created by any Security Document (or title to or rights in any Collateral under any Security Document), or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in ARTICLE VI ( Conditions Precedent ) or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to any such Agent.

(d) Each Agent may, unless and until it shall have received directions from the Lenders, take such action or refrain from taking such action in respect of a Default or Event of Default of which such Agent has been advised in writing by the Lenders as it shall reasonably deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders (but shall not be obligated to do so).

(e) The Collateral Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of the Lenders to institute any legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Financing Document until it has been indemnified and/or secured to its satisfaction against any and all costs, expenses or liabilities (including legal fees and expenses) which it would or might reasonably be expected to incur as a result.

(f) No Agent shall be required to advance or expend any funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers or rights hereunder or under any Financing Document to which it is party unless it has been provided with security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability or expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take such action.

Section 10.04 Reliance by Agents . Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not (nor shall any of its directors, officers, employees or agents) incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and reasonably believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder

 

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to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless such Agent shall have received written notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts reasonably selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Agent may at any time and from time to time solicit written instructions in the form of directions from the Required Lenders or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction as to any action that it may be requested or required to take, or that it may propose to take, in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Financing Document to which it is party.

Section 10.05 Delegation of Duties . Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise any and all its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Financing Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Absent gross negligence or willful misconduct in selecting a sub agent, no Agent shall be responsible for any action of, or failure to act by, any sub agent that has been approved by the Required Lenders. Each Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this ARTICLE X shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of such Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with their acting as Agent.

Section 10.06 Resignation or Removal of Agent . (a) Any Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder and/or under the other Financing Documents at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior notice to the Borrower and the Lenders. Any Agent may be removed at any time by the Required Lenders. Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Agent, in accordance with this Section 10.06 .

(b) Upon any notice of resignation by any Agent or upon the removal of any Agent by the Required Lenders, the Required Lenders shall, in consultation with the Borrower ( provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), appoint a successor Agent hereunder and under each other Financing Document who shall be a commercial bank having a combined capital and surplus of at least two hundred fifty million Dollars ($250,000,000).

(c) If no successor Agent has been appointed by the Required Lenders within thirty (30) days after the date such notice of resignation was given by such Agent or the Required Lenders elected to remove such Agent, any Senior Secured Party may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a successor Agent, as applicable, who shall serve as Agent hereunder and under each other Financing Document until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent, as provided above.

(d) Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers,

 

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privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Agent, and the retiring (or removed) Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Financing Documents. After the retirement or removal of any Agent hereunder and under the other Financing Documents, the provisions of this ARTICLE X shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring (or removed) Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while such Agent was acting as Agent.

(e) If a retiring (or removed) Agent is the Collateral Agent, such Collateral Agent will promptly transfer any Collateral in the possession or control of such Collateral Agent to the successor Collateral Agent and will, subject to payment of its reasonable costs and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses), execute and deliver such notices, instructions and assignments as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to transfer the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to such Collateral property to the successor Collateral Agent.

Section 10.07 No Amendment to Duties of Agent Without Consent . No Agent shall be bound by any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification of this Agreement or any other Financing Document that affects its rights or duties hereunder or thereunder unless such Agent shall have given its prior written consent, in its capacity as Agent, thereto.

Section 10.08 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and make its Loans. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Section 10.09 No Lead Arranger or Bookrunner Duties . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lead Arranger or Bookrunner shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as an Agent or a Lender hereunder.

Section 10.10 Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim . (a) In case of the pendency of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Pledgor or the Lessee Pledgor (including any event described in Section 9.01(i) ( Events of Default – Bankruptcy ), the Collateral Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Collateral Agent or any other Senior Secured Party shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, but shall not be obligated, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

  (i)

to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are

 

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  owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Senior Secured Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Senior Secured Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Senior Secured Parties under Section 3.11 ( Fees ) , Section 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

  (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

(b) Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Collateral Agent and, in the event that the Collateral Agent consents to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Collateral Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agents under Section 3.11 ( Fees ) , Section 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) .

(c) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Collateral Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Collateral Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

Section 10.11 Collateral Matters . (a) The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Financing Document for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties (i) upon the occurrence of the Discharge Date, (ii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 11.01 ( Amendments, Etc.) or (iii) as permitted pursuant to the terms of the Financing Documents (including as contemplated by Section 7.02(f) ( Covenants – Negative Covenants – Asset Dispositions ) ).

(b) Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property pursuant to this Section 10.11 . In each case as specified in this Section 10.11 , the Collateral Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the Borrower, the Pledgor or the Lessee Pledgor, as the case may be, such documents as such Person may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Financing Documents and this Section 10.11 .

(c) Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder or under any of the other

 

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Financing Documents to which it is party, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral, as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not the Collateral Agent is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or as to taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral (including the filing of UCC continuation statements). The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised appropriate and due care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which other collateral agents accord similar property.

Section 10.12 Copies . Each Agent shall give prompt notice to each Lender of each material notice or request required or permitted to be given to such Agent by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document and copies of all other communications received by such Agent from the Borrower for distribution to the Lenders by such Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

Section 10.13 No Liability for Clean-up of Hazardous Materials . If the Collateral Agent is required to acquire title to an asset for any reason, or take any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto, in order to carry out any duty or obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion may cause the Collateral Agent to be considered an “owner or operator” under any Environmental Laws or otherwise cause the Collateral Agent to incur, or be exposed to, any Environmental Liabilities or any liability under any other federal, state or local law, the Collateral Agent reserves the right, instead of taking such action, either to resign as Collateral Agent or to arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court appointed receiver. The Collateral Agent will not be liable to any Person for any Environmental Liabilities or any environmental claims or contribution actions under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by reason of the Collateral Agent’s action and conduct as authorized, empowered or directed hereunder or relating to any kind of discharge or release or threatened discharge or release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 11.01 Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Financing Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or, if expressly contemplated hereby, the Administrative Agent) and, in the case of an amendment, the Borrower and in each such case acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 9.03(a) ( Action Upon Other Event of

 

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Default ) without the prior written consent of such Lender (other than any Non-Voting Lender or extend or increase the Aggregate Loan Commitment);

(b) postpone any date scheduled for any payment of principal or interest under Section 3.01 ( Repayment of Loans ) or Section 3.02 ( Interest Payment Dates ) , or any date fixed by the Administrative Agent for the payment of fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Financing Document without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby (other than any Non-Voting Lender);

(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or any Fees or other amounts (including any mandatory prepayments under Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) ) payable hereunder or under any other Financing Document to any Lender without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (other than any Non-Voting Lender); provided that only the prior written consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;

(d) change the order of application of any prepayment of Loans from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 3.07 ( Optional Prepayment ) or Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) in any manner without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby (other than any Non-Voting Lender);

(e) change any provision of this Section 11.01 , the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision of any Financing Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights under any Financing Document (including any such provision specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive any Event of Default or forbear from taking any action or pursuing any remedy with respect to any Event of Default), or make any determination or grant any consent under any Financing Document, without the prior written consent of each Lender (other than any Non-Voting Lender); or

(f) release (i) any Loan Party from all or substantially all of its obligations under any Financing Document or (ii) all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the prior written consent of each Lender (other than any Non-Voting Lender); and provided further that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by an Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, such Agent under this Agreement or any other Financing Document; and (ii)  Section 11.03(h) ( Assignments ) may not be amended, waived or otherwise modified without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender all or any part of whose Loan is being funded by an SPV at the time of such amendment, waiver or other modification.

 

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Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 11.01 , the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent may (but shall have no obligation to) amend or supplement the Financing Documents without the consent of any Lender solely: (i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Lenders or (iii) to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Agreement or any of the Security Documents or any release of any Collateral that is otherwise permitted under the terms of this Agreement and the Security Documents.

Section 11.02 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc . (a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. BORROWER AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY SENIOR SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT AGAINST BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SECTION 11.02(b) . BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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(d) Appointment of Process Agent and Service of Process . The Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints CT Corporation, with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on behalf of itself services of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process that may be served in any such action or proceeding in the State of New York. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to act as such for any Person, such Person hereby agrees to designate a new agent in New York City on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 11.02 reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to such Person in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s above address, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. As an alternative method of service, the Borrower also irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the air mailing of copies of such process to such Person at its then effective notice addresses pursuant to Section 11.11 ( Notices and Other Communications ) . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Financing Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(e) Immunity . To the extent that the Borrower has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the Financing Documents and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 11.02(e) shall have the fullest scope permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 of the United States and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of such Act.

(f) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.02 .

 

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Section 11.03 Assignments . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Agent and Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with Section 11.03(b) , (ii) by way of participation in accordance with Section 11.03(d) , (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 11.03(f) , or (iv) to an SPV in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.03(h) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in this Section 11.03 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each Agent and Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may at any time after the date hereof assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the Commitment (which for this purpose includes the Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Lender Assignment Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “ Trade Date ” is specified in the Lender Assignment Agreement, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than three million Dollars ($3,000,000) and in integral multiples of one million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents in writing; (ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned; (iii) the parties to each assignment (other than Borrower) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Lender Assignment Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of two thousand five hundred Dollars ($2,500); provided that (A) no such fee shall be payable in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender and (B) in the case of contemporaneous assignments by a Lender to one or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor (which Approved Funds are not then Lenders hereunder), only a single such two thousand five hundred Dollar ($2,500) fee shall be payable for all such contemporaneous assignments and (iv) the Eligible Assignee, if it is not a Lender prior to such assignment, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.03(c) , on and after the effective date specified in each Lender Assignment Agreement, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Lender Assignment Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this

 

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Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Lender Assignment Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of a Lender Assignment Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) , Section 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.03(b) shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 11.03(d) .

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s office a copy of each Lender Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or other substantive change to the Financing Documents is pending, any Lender may request and receive from the Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.

(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or any Agent, sell participations to any Person (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 ( Amendments, Etc.) that directly affects such Participant. Subject to Section 11.03(e) , the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , Section 4.03 (Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) and Section 4.05 (Funding

 

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Losses ) , to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 11.03(b) . To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.14 ( Right of Setoff ) as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.13 ( Sharing of Payments ) as though it were a Lender.

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) or Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such participant is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower.

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) The words “ execution ,” “ signed ,” “ signature ,” and words of like import in any Lender Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “ SPV ”) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 3.13 ( Sharing of Payments ) . Each party hereto hereby agrees that (A) neither the grant to any SPV nor the exercise by any SPV of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including their obligations under Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , (B) no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (C) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Financing Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The

 

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making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one (1) year and one (1) day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPV in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPV may (1) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (2) disclose on a confidential basis any non public information relating to its funding of any Loan to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

Section 11.04 Benefits of Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement or any other Financing Document, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto, and each of their successors and permitted assigns under this Agreement or any other Financing Document, any benefit or any legal or equitable right or remedy under this Agreement.

Section 11.05 Consultants . (a) The Required Lenders acting jointly or the Administrative Agent may, in consultation with the Borrower ( provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), appoint any Consultant for the purposes specified herein. If any of the Consultants is removed or resigns and thereby ceases to act for purposes of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, the Required Lenders acting jointly or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall, in consultation with the Borrower ( provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), designate a Consultant in replacement. If no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) the annual fees and expenses of any Financial Advisor appointed pursuant to this Section 11.05 after the Closing Date shall not exceed one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($150,000) and (ii) the fees and expenses of any such Financial Advisor in any month shall not exceed twelve thousand five hundred Dollars ($12,500) (the “ Monthly Cap ”) plus any un-used portion of the Monthly Cap in respect of any prior month.

(b) The Borrower shall reimburse each Consultant appointed hereunder for the reasonable fees and documented expenses of such Consultant retained on behalf of the Lenders pursuant to this Section 11.05 .

(c) In all cases in which this Agreement provides for any Consultant to “ agree ,” “ approve ,” “ certify ” or “ confirm ” any report or other document or any fact or circumstance, such Consultant may make the determinations and evaluations required in connection therewith based upon information provided by the Borrower or other sources reasonably believed by such Consultant to be knowledgeable and responsible, without independently verifying such information; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such Consultant shall engage in such independent investigations or findings as it may from time to time deem necessary in its reasonable discretion to support the determinations and evaluations required of it.

 

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Section 11.06 Costs and Expenses . The Borrower shall pay (a) all Closing Costs pursuant to Section 6.01(l) ; (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders and the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents; (c) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents; and (d) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents or any Lender (including all fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Senior Secured Party), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.06 , including in connection with any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Obligations; provided that payments made pursuant to subsection (a) above and, to the extent incurred prior to the Closing Date, pursuant to subsection (b) above, shall be subject to an aggregate maximum amount of three hundred thousand Dollars $300,000 in respect of costs paid pursuant to this Agreement together with the costs paid pursuant to the ABL Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 11.07 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when it has been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent has received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or portable document format (“ pdf ”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 11.08 Indemnification by the Borrower . (a) In addition to the indemnity by the Borrower set forth in Section 11.11(f) ( Notices and Other Communications ) and except for Taxes (which are addressed in Section 4.07 ( Taxes ) ), the Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Agent (and any sub agent thereof), each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of:

 

  (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Transaction Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;

 

  (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom;

 

  (iii)

any actual or alleged presence, release or threatened release of Materials of Environmental Concern on or from the Project or any property owned,

 

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  leased or operated by the Borrower, or any liability pursuant to an Environmental Law related in any way to the Project, the Site or the Borrower;

 

  (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s members, managers, or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Financing Documents is consummated, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; and/or

 

  (v) any claim, demand or liability for broker’s or finder’s or placement fees or similar commissions, whether or not payable by the Borrower, alleged to have been incurred in connection with such transactions, other than any broker’s or finder’s fees payable to Persons engaged by the Lenders or the Agents without the Knowledge of the Borrower;

provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and Non-Appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(b) To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 11.08(a) to be paid by it to any Agent (or any sub agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub agent), or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s ratable share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent (or any sub agent thereof) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any sub agent thereof) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders to make payments pursuant to this Section 11.08(b) are several and not joint and shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement. The failure of any Lender to make payments on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to do so.

(c) To the extent that the Borrower or the Lessee for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 5.06(a) of the Accounts Agreement and the Collateral Agent pays such amount, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Collateral Agent such Lender’s ratable share (determined as of the time that the applicable payment is sought) of such amount. The obligations of the Lenders

 

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to make payments pursuant to this Section 11.08(c) are several and not joint and shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement. The failure of any Lender to make payments on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to do so.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in ARTICLE VI ( Conditions Precedent ) , all amounts due under this Section 11.08  shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.

Section 11.09 Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Financing Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Financing Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If any Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by any Agent or any Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

Section 11.10 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Senior Secured Party to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Financing Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

Section 11.11 Notices and Other Communications . (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 11.11(b) ), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

  (i) if to any party hereto other than a Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.11(a) ; and

 

  (ii) if to any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its administrative questionnaire.

 

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(b) Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 11.11(d) shall be effective as provided in Section 11.11(d) .

(c) Notices and other communications to the Lenders or any Agent hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, and in the case of notices to the Collateral Agent, by the Collateral Agent as well; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to ARTICLE II ( Commitments; Other Credit Agreements ) if such Lender has so notified the Administrative Agent. Each of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “ return receipt requested ” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not received during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in Section 11.11(d)(i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(e) The Borrower and the Agents may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and each Agent.

(f) The Agents and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any written notices purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices

 

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to and other telephonic communications with any Agent may be recorded by such Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

(g) So long as WestLB is the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and hereby agrees that it will provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Financing Documents, including all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (i) relates to the Funding, (ii) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to the scheduled date therefor, (iii) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default or (iv) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to Funding (all such non excluded communications being referred to herein collectively as “ Communications ”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format acceptable to the Administrative Agent to ny_agencyservices@westlb.com. In addition, the Borrower agrees to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent in the manner specified in the Financing Documents but only to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

(h) So long as WestLB is the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on http://www.intralinks.com (or any replacement or successor thereto) or a substantially similar electronic transmission systems (the “ Platform ”).

(i) THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE AGENTS DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE AGENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ADVISORS OR REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, “ AGENT PARTIES ”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO THE BORROWER, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE BORROWER’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY AGENT PARTY IS FOUND IN A FINAL NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO

 

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82


HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY FROM SUCH AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

(j) The Administrative Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Administrative Agent at its e-mail address set forth in Schedule 11.11(a) shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Financing Documents. Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Financing Documents. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

(k) Notwithstanding clauses (g)  to (j)  above, nothing herein shall prejudice the right of any Agent or Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Financing Document in any other manner specified in such Financing Document.

Section 11.12 Patriot Act Notice . Each Senior Secured Party (for itself and not on behalf of any other) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Senior Secured Party, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

Section 11.13 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Agent or Lender, or any Agent or Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the Obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to each Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by such Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under Section 11.13(b) shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 11.14 Right of Setoff . Each Lender and each of its respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time during the continuance of an Event of Default, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other

 

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83


Financing Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Financing Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section 11.14 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

Section 11.15 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or any other Financing Document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 11.16 Survival . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) shall survive any termination of this Agreement. In addition, each representation and warranty made hereunder and in any other Financing Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by each Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by any Agent or any Lender or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.

Section 11.17 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Agents and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors (including legal counsel and financial advisors) and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested or required by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it; (c) to the extent required by applicable Law or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder (including any actual or prospective purchaser of Collateral); (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.17 , to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty’s or prospective counterparty’s professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction relating to obligations of the Borrower or (iii) any Person (and any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or advisors) that may enter into or support, directly or indirectly, or

 

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that may be considering entering into or supporting, directly or indirectly, either (A) contractual arrangements with such Agent or Lender, or any Affiliates thereof, pursuant to which all or any portion of the risks, rights, benefits or obligations under or with respect to any Loan or Financing Document is transferred to such Person or (B) an actual or proposed securitization or collateralization of, or similar transaction relating to, all or a part of any amounts payable to or for the benefit of any Lender under any Financing Document (including any rating agency); (g) with the consent of the Borrower: (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.17 or (ii) becomes available to any Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a non confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; (i) to any state, federal or foreign authority or examiner (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization) regulating any Lender; or (j) to any rating agency when required by it (it being understood that, prior to any such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any Information relating to the Borrower received by it from such Lender). In addition, any Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Financing Documents, the Commitments, and the Funding. For the purposes of this Section 11.17 , “ Information ” means written information that the Borrower furnishes to any Agent or Lender after the date hereof (and designated at the time of delivery thereof in writing as confidential) pursuant to or in connection with any Financing Document, relating to the assets and business of the Borrower, but does not include any such information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach by such Agent or Lender of its obligations hereunder, (ii) is or becomes available to such Agent or Lender from a source other than the Borrower that is not, to the knowledge of such Agent or Lender, acting in violation of a confidentiality obligation with the Borrower or (iii) is independently compiled by any Agent or Lender, as evidenced by their records, without the use of the Information. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.17 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Section 11.18 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) for the benefit of any Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Financing Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

[Remainder of page intentionally blank. Next page is signature page.]

 

Credit Agreement

85


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

as Borrower

By:   /s/ Eric Hakmiller
  Name:   Eric Hakmiller
  Title:   Co-President

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

By:   /s/ Keith Min
  Name:   Keith Min
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Christopher Nunn
  Name:   Christopher Nunn
  Title:   Director

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent

By:   /s/ Keith Min
  Name:   Keith Min
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Christopher Nunn
  Name:   Christopher Nunn
  Title:   Director

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Collateral Agent

By:   /s/ Keith Min
  Name:   Keith Min
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Christopher Nunn
  Name:   Christopher Nunn
  Title:   Director

 

Credit Agreement


WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Lender

By:   /s/ Keith Min
  Name:   Keith Min
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Christopher Nunn
  Name:   Christopher Nunn
  Title:   Director

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as DIP Lender

By:   /s/ Keith Min
  Name:   Keith Min
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Christopher Nunn
  Name:   Christopher Nunn
  Title:   Director

 

Credit Agreement


B ORROWER D ISCLOSURE S CHEDULE

This Disclosure Schedule (this “Disclosure Schedule”) is being delivered by Seneca Landlord, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Borrower”), pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among the Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders, as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties, as administrative agent under the DIP Credit Agreement, as sole lender under the DIP Credit Agreement and as lead arranger and sole bookrunner (the “Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms, for all purposes of this Disclosure Schedule, shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

The schedule numbers in this Disclosure Schedule correspond to the section numbers of the Agreement; provided that any matter disclosed pursuant to one schedule or sub-schedule of the Agreement is deemed disclosed for all other Schedules or sub-schedules of this Disclosure Schedule to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other Schedule or sub-schedule is reasonably apparent.

The inclusion of any matter(s) in this Disclosure Schedule shall not imply any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking not expressly given in the Agreement nor shall such disclosure be taken as extending the scope of any of the representations, warranties or covenants in the Agreement. Nothing in this Disclosure Schedule shall (i) constitute an admission of liability or obligation of Borrower, or any of its respective Affiliates to any third party, (ii) a determination by Borrower that such matter(s) are material to business, assets, results of operations or affairs of Borrower or any of its respective Affiliates, nor (iii) an admission against the interest of Borrower or any of its respective Affiliates.


Schedule 2.01

Lenders, Commitments and Offices

 

LENDER

   COMMITMENT     

DOMESTIC OFFICE

  

EURODOLLAR OFFICE

WestLB AG,

New York Branch

   $ 36,250,000      

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946

  

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946


Schedule 3.01

Amortization Schedule

Schedule 3.01

to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

 

         Amortization      Principal
Balance
 
        $ 36,250,000   
  April 30, 2010    $ —           36,250,000   
  July 31, 2010      —           36,250,000   
  October 31, 2010      —           36,250,000   
  January 31, 2011      —           36,250,000   
  April 30, 2011      —           36,250,000   
  July 31, 2011      —           36,250,000   
  October 31, 2011      —           36,250,000   
  January 31, 2012      —           36,250,000   
*   April 30, 2012      604,167         35,645,833   
  July 31, 2012      604,167         35,041,667   
  October 31, 2012      604,167         34,437,500   
  January 31, 2013      604,167         33,833,333   
  April 30, 2013      604,167         33,229,167   
  July 31, 2013      604,167         32,625,000   
  October 31, 2013      604,167         32,020,833   
  January 31, 2014      604,167         31,416,667   
  April 30, 2014      604,167         30,812,500   
  July 31, 2014      604,167         30,208,333   
  October 31, 2014      604,167         29,604,167   
  January 31, 2015      604,167         29,000,000   
  April 30, 2015      604,167         28,395,833   
  July 31, 2015      604,167         27,791,667   
  October 31, 2015      604,167         27,187,500   
  January 31, 2016      604,167         26,583,333   
  April 30, 2016      604,167         25,979,167   
  July 31, 2016      604,167         25,375,000   
  October 31, 2016      604,167         24,770,833   
  January 31, 2017      604,167         24,166,667   
  April 30, 2017      24,166,667         —     
    

 

 

    
     $ 36,250,000      
    

 

 

    

 

* Initial Quarterly Payment Date


Schedule 5.03 – Part A

Necessary Project Approvals

Seneca Landlord, LLC Authorization to Transact Business in Illinois, filed October 13, 2009.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Sale Order, Nova Holding Clinton County, LLC, et al., Chapter 11, Case No.09-11081(KG), Docket No. 181.


Schedule 5.03 – Part B

Deferred Approvals

 

Name of Permit

  

Issuing Agency

  

Stage Needed

1.      Air Construction Permit

   IEPA    Operations

2.      Seneca General NPDES Stormwater Permit

   IEPA    Operations

3.      Industrial Wastewater Construction Permit

   IEPA    Operations

4.      Zero Discharge NPDES Permit

   IEPA    Operations

5.      Sewer Construction Permit

   IEPA    N/A

6.      Sanitary Sewer Permit

   Village of Seneca    Operations

7.      Discharge Permit from Local POTW

   Village of Seneca    Operations

8.      Building Permit

   Village of Seneca    N/A

9.      Electrical Permit

   Village of Seneca    N/A

10.    Local Occupancy Permit

   Village of Seneca    N/A

11.    Storage Tank Construction Permit

   Illinois Fire Marshal    N/A

12.    Well Water Withdrawal Permit

   LaSalle County Health Dept.    Operations

13.    Seneca Waste Permit

   Village of Seneca    Prior to Waste Disposal

14.    Hazardous Waste Identification Number

   EPA    Operations

15.    Hazardous Materials Certificate of Registration

   IEPA    Operations

“EPA” – Environmental Protection Agency

“IEPA” – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

“Operations” is intended to refer to the commencement of the production of biodiesel at the Project.

For permit no. 1 above, Borrower will file a form requesting approval of the transfer of the permit with the IEPA.

For permit nos. 2-15 above, Borrower will file a notice with the issuing agency notifying such agency of the transfer and providing the agency with new contact information.

In addition to the above permits, Borrower anticipates applying for a Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit (“FESOP”) relating to air emissions. The application will be filed with IEPA in accordance with applicable law after Operations have commenced.

Pursuant to Paragraph 29 of the Sale Order, to the extent any permit that is necessary for the operation of the Project is determined not to be an executory contract assumable and assignable under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Borrower shall apply for and obtain any necessary permits promptly after the Closing Date and such permits of the Debtors shall remain in place for the Borrower’s benefit until new permits are obtained or for a reasonable period of time after the Closing Date.


Schedule 5.08

Project Compliance

All such environmental matters as disclosed in the Environmental Site Assessment Report.


Schedule 5.09

Litigation

None.


Schedule 5.11 – Part A

Necessary Project Contracts

Management and Operating Services Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between REG Services Group, LLC and REG Seneca, LLC;

Redevelopment Agreement among the Village of Seneca, Illinois, LaSalle and Grundy Counties, Illinois, Shipyard Industrial Park, Inc. and Borrower dated as of October 31, 2006;

Electric Facilities Service Agreement dated May 12, 2007 with Commonwealth Edison Company;

Sidetrack Agreement dated November 15, 2007 with CSX Transportation, Inc.;

Elevator Maintenance Agreement dated November 4, 2008 with ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation;

Railroad Trackage Easement Agreement dated July 26, 2007 with Shipyard Industrial Park, Inc.;

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between Seneca Holdco, LLC and REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc.;

Lease Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between Borrower and REG Seneca, LLC;

Construction Management Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between Borrower and REG Construction & Technology Group, LLC;

Intellectual Property License Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and among Borrower, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Seneca, LLC;

Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and among Borrower, Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, Inc., Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc. and REG Seneca, LLC.


Schedule 5.11 – Part B

Deferred Contracts

Borrower may enter into Construction Contracts relating to the capital improvement work as identified in the Capital Improvement Budget. Such Construction Contracts shall be entered into, if at all, prior to commencement of the capital improvement work to which any such Construction Contract relates, and subject to the consent of Borrower and Lender;

 

1. Master Services Agreement by and between Borrower and Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc.;

 

2. Limited Warranty by and between VerasaFlex Incorporated and Borrower;

 

3. Agreement between Borrower and Depue Mechanical for fabrication and assembly of piping, structural steel repairs, and equipment setting C-train restart;

 

4. Agreement between Borrower and Depue Mechanical for fabrication and assembly of piping, structural steel repairs, and equipment setting A-train restart;

 

5. Purchase Order between Borrower and Paget Equipment Company, a division of JBL International, Inc., to purchase stainless steel reactors.

Administrative Agent agrees that all such Deferred Contracts as set forth above are deemed approved by Administrative Agent and shall not require further approval of Administrative Agent under the terms of this Agreement, subject, however, to certain date corrections requested by the Independent Engineer to the Deferred Contracts designated with 3 and 4 on this Schedule 5.11 – Part B.


Schedule 5.12(c)

UCC Filing Offices

 

1. Form UCC-1 filing relating to the Security Agreement with the Secretary of State of Iowa.

 

2. Form UCC-1 filing relating to the Pledge Agreement with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

3. Form UCC-1 fixture filing relating to the Mortgage with the Office of the LaSalle County, Illinois Recorder.

 

4. Form UCC-1 fixture filing relating to the Mortgage with the Office of the Grundy County, Illinois Recorder.


Schedule 5.13

Site Description

Lot A in Nova Minor Industrial Park, being a Resubdivision of Lot 1 in Shipyard Industrial Park, being a subdivision of the East Fractional Half of Section 25,Township 33 North, Range 5 East of the Third Principal Meridian and part of the Northwest Fractional Quarter of Section 30, Township 33 North, Range 6 East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the plat of said resubdivision recorded in LaSalle County on 25 October 2007 as document 2007-25947 and recorded in Grundy County on 25 October 2007 as document 483394;

SITUATED IN LASALLE AND GRUNDY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


Schedule 5.22

Separateness Provisions

The Borrower LLC Agreement must include each of the following terms (collectively, the “ Separateness Provisions ”):

Separateness . So long as any Obligation remains outstanding, the board shall cause the Company, and the Company shall:

(1) maintain separate financial statements, showing its assets and liabilities separate and apart from those of any other Person and not have its assets listed on any financial statement of any other Person; provided, however, that the Company’s assets may be included in a consolidated financial statement of its Affiliate provided that (A) appropriate notation shall be made on such consolidated financial statements to indicate the separateness of the Company from such Affiliate and to indicate that the Company’s assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of such Affiliate or any other Person and (B) such assets shall also be listed on the Company’s own separate balance sheets;

(2) at all times hold itself out to the public and all other Persons as a legal entity separate from its members and from any other Person (including any Affiliate);

(3) conduct its business only in its own name and strictly comply with all organizational formalities to maintain its separate existence, including maintaining its own records, books, resolutions and other entity documents;

(4) not use any trade names, fictitious names, assumed names or “doing business” names that are similar to any used by any Affiliate and not share any common logo with any Affiliate;

(5) correct any known misunderstanding regarding its separate identity and not identify itself as a department or division of any other Person;

(6) not hold itself out to be responsible for or have its credit or assets available to satisfy the debts or obligations of any other Person;

(7) file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person (except to the extent that the Company is treated as a “disregarded entity” for tax purposes and is not required to file tax returns under applicable law) and pay any taxes required to be paid under applicable law;

(8) not commingle its assets with assets of any other Person (including not participating in any cash management system with any Person) and hold its own assets in its own name (except to the extent otherwise provided in the Financing Documents);

(9) maintain its assets in such a manner that it will not be costly or difficult to segregate, ascertain or identify its individual assets from those of any Person;

(10) pay its own liabilities and expenses only out of its own funds;

(11) not share with any Person other than Seneca Holdco any expenses for personnel, overhead or office space;


(12) pay the salaries of its own employees, if any, only from its own funds;

(13) use separate stationery, invoices and checks bearing its own name;

(14) not acquire any obligation or securities of any member or any Affiliate of the Company;

(15) except to the extent set forth in the Lease, not become involved in the day-to-day management of any other Person;

(16) have a board of directors separate from that or those of its members and any other Person;

(17) cause its board of directors to observe all Iowa limited liability company formalities.


Schedule 5.31

Registered Intellectual Property & Pending Applications 1

(Owned by Borrower)

 

Country

  

Title

  

Application No. 2

DOMESTIC      
UNITED STATES    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS   

10/639,048;

[6,822,105]

UNITED STATES    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS   

10/953,327;

(2005/0075509);

[7,087,771]

UNITED STATES    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN   

10/766,740

(2007/0277429)

UNITED STATES    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN   

11/504,828;

(2007/0277430)

UNITED STATES    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN   

11/893,019;

(2007/0277432)

FOREIGN      
AUSTRALIA    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    2004267023
AUSTRALIA    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    2007205806
BRAZIL    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    PI0413519-9
BRAZIL    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN   

PI0705727-0;

020070113650

CANADA    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    2,535,639
CANADA    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    2,597,183

 

1  

The only registered intellectual property consists of issued patents and applications for patents as listed herein.

2  

Information in brackets ( ) is the Publication Number or [ ] is the Patent Number.


Country

  

Title

  

Application No. 2

CHINA    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    200480029875.9
CHINA    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    200710164674.5
EUROPE    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS   

04756683.1;

[EP1660429]

EUROPE    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    07016033.8
FRANCE    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    National Validation No. 1660429
GERMANY    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS   

Patent Number 602004021396.9;

National Validation No. 1660429

HONG KONG    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    07107519.0
HONG KONG    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    08112131.7
INDIA    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    681/DELNP/2006
INDIA    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    01744/DEL/2007
ITALY    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    National Validation No. 1660429
JAPAN    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    2006-523185


JAPAN    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    2007-211210
KOREA    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    10-2006-7002954
KOREA    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    10-2007-0082366
MEXICO    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    PA/a/2006/001740
MEXICO    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    MX/a/2007/009932
PHILIPPINES    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    1-2006-500525
PHILIPPINES    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    1-2007-00328
SINGAPORE    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS   

200600881-7;

[120333]

SINGAPORE    PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND GLYCERIN    200705966-0
SPAIN    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    National Validation No. 1660429
UNITED KINGDOM    METHOD OF MAKING ALKYL ESTERS    National Validation No. 1660429


Schedule 5.32

Local Accounts


Schedule 6.01(q)

Capital Improvement Budget

LOGO


Schedule 7.01(h)

Insurance

The following insurance requirements apply from and after the Closing Date.

 

1.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 The Borrower shall at all times carry and maintain or cause to be carried and maintained, at its own expense, the minimum insurance coverage set forth in this Schedule 7.01(h). The terms and conditions of all insurance policies (including the amount, scope of coverage, deductibles, and self-insured retentions) shall be acceptable in all respects to the Administrative Agent. From the Closing Date and until the Discharge Date, the terms and conditions of all insurance policies (including the amount, scope of coverage, deductibles, and self-insured retentions) shall be acceptable in all respects in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may require that such terms be modified if (i) a state of facts exists with respect to the Project that was not foreseen by the Administrative Agent on the date hereof and which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, renders such coverage inadequate, (ii) insurance coverage becomes available that was not otherwise available on the Closing Date and (iii) the requested coverage is available on commercially reasonable terms.

All insurance carried pursuant to this Schedule 7.01(h) shall conform to the relevant provisions of the Transaction Documents and be with insurance companies which are authorized to do business in Illinois and rated “A-, X” or better by A. M. Best’s Insurance Guide and Key Ratings, or other insurance companies of recognized responsibility satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. None of the Senior Secured Parties shall have any obligation or liability for premiums, commissions, assessments or calls in connection with any insurance policy required under this Schedule 7.01(h).

1.2 Capitalized terms used in this Schedule 7.01(h) not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in this Agreement, or if not defined therein, as such terms are used in the common practice of the insurance industry.

The insurance carried in accordance with this Schedule 7.01(h) shall be endorsed as follows unless prohibited by law:

(a) With respect to loss payee and additional insured:

 

  (i) The Collateral Agent shall be sole (or first) loss payee with respect to Sections 2.7 and 2.8 hereof using a Mortgagee or Lender Loss Payable Clause acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

 

  (ii) The Senior Secured Parties shall be additional insureds with respect to all of the insurance policies (except Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Workers Compensation/Employers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and to the extent not commercially available, property insurance, or where otherwise not legally allowed).

(b) With respect to Sections 2.7 and 2.8 hereof, the interest of the Senior Secured Parties shall not be invalidated by any act or neglect of the mortgagor or owner of the property insured, or by any foreclosure or other proceedings or notice of sale relating to the property insured, nor by any change in the title or ownership of the property insured, nor by the occupation of the Project for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by the applicable insurance policy or certificate; provided, that if the


mortgagor or owner neglects to pay any premium due under the applicable insurance policy, the mortgagee (or trustee) will, on demand, pay the same as per lender’s loss payable clause.

(c) The insurer thereunder shall waive all rights of subrogation (to the extent permitted by law) against the Senior Secured Parties and their respective officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns and shall waive any right of setoff and counterclaim and any other right to deduction whether by attachment or otherwise, except for Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and to the extent not commercially available for umbrella or excess liability.

(d) Such insurance shall be primary without right of contribution of any other insurance carried by or on behalf of any of the Senior Secured Parties with respect to its interest as such in the Project and each policy insuring against liability to third parties shall contain a severability of interests provision with no exclusions or limitations for cross liability, except for Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and to the extent primary and non-contributory status is not commercially available for umbrella or excess liability.

(e) Except to the extent commercially available for liability insurance, if, at any time, any insurance required under this Schedule 7.01(h) is canceled or reduced, such cancellation or reduction shall not take effect for 30 days (or, where such cancellation results from nonpayment of premiums, 10 days) after receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such cancellation or reduction sent by registered mail from the insurer.

(f) Any insurance carried hereunder that is written to cover more than one insured shall provide that all terms, conditions, insuring agreements and endorsements, with the exception of limits of liability (which shall be applicable to all insureds as a group) and liability for premiums (which shall be solely a liability of the Borrower), shall operate in the same manner as if there were a separate policy covering such insured, except for Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, Employment Practices Liability and to the extent not commercially available for property insurance.

1.3 Adjustment of Losses .

(a) Any loss under any insurance required to be carried hereunder shall be adjusted with the insurance companies or otherwise collected, including the filing in a timely manner of appropriate proceedings, by the Borrower, subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent as it pertains to losses in excess of $1,000,000 under Section Sections 2.7 and 2.8 hereof only. In addition, the Borrower shall take all other steps necessary or requested by the Administrative Agent to collect from insurers any loss covered by any of the insurance policies herein. All such policies shall provide that the loss, if any, and coverage afforded under such insurance shall be adjusted and paid as provided in this Schedule 7.01(h)

(b) The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any loss in excess of $500,000 covered by any insurance maintained pursuant to Sections 2.7 and 2.8. The Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall cooperate and consult with each other in all matters pertaining to the settlement or adjustment of any and all claims and demands for damages on account of any taking or condemnation of the Project or pertaining to the settlement, compromising or arbitration of any claim on account of any damage or destruction of the Project or any portion thereof. Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall not settle, or consent to the settlement of losses in excess of $1,000,000, any proceeding arising out of any damage, destruction or condemnation of the Project or any portion thereof.


1.4 Application of Payments . Until the Discharge Date, all payments with respect to the insurance required hereunder shall promptly be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

1.5 Evidence of Insurance . Prior to the Closing Date and within 10 days after each renewal date of each policy, the Borrower shall furnish or shall cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent approved certification of all required insurance. An authorized representative of each insurer shall execute such certificates. Such certificates shall identify underwriters, the type of insurance, the insurance limits, the risks covered thereby and the policy term, and shall specifically state that the special provisions enumerated for such insurance herein are provided by such insurance. The Borrower shall certify that the premiums on all such policies have been paid in full for the current year or will be paid when due. Upon request, the Borrower will promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent copies of all insurance policies, binders and cover notes or other evidence of such insurance relating to the Project.

1.6 No Duty to Verify . No provision of this Schedule 7.01(h) or any provision of any Transaction Document shall impose on any of the Senior Secured Parties any duty or obligation to verify the existence or adequacy of the insurance coverage maintained by the Borrower, nor shall any of the Senior Secured Parties be responsible for any representations or warranties made by or on behalf of the Borrower to any insurance company or underwriter.

1.7 Duty to Inform the Agent of Unavailability of Deductibles . In the event that any deductible required by this Schedule 7.01(h) becomes unavailable on commercially reasonable terms, then the Borrower shall inform the Administrative Agent of deductibles that are available on commercially reasonable terms, and, within 10 days after the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Insurance Consultant has approved any such available deductible, shall procure such available deductible.

 

2.0 INSURANCE FOR THE FULL TERM OF THE LOAN

The Borrower shall maintain or cause to be maintained in full force and effect at all times on and after the Closing Date (unless otherwise specified below) and continuing through the Discharge Date (unless otherwise specified below) the following insurance policies with limits and coverage provisions sufficient to satisfy the requirements, if any, set forth in each of the Project Documents, but in no event less than the limits and coverage provisions set forth below.

2.1 Commercial General Liability .

Commercial general liability insurance for Project premises and operations, written on an “occurrence” policy form, including coverage for premises/operations, products/completed operations, broad form property damage, blanket contractual liability, independent contractors and personal injury, with no exclusions for explosion, collapse and underground perils, with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injuries (including death) and property damage and a $2,000,000 annual aggregate limit for premises/operations, products/completed operations coverage. The commercial general liability policy shall also include a severability of interest clause and a cross liability clause in the event more than one entity is an “insured” under the liability policy. Deductibles in excess of $25,000 shall be subject to review and approval by the Administrative Agent. This policy shall also include fire legal liability and the definition of insured contract shall be amended to remove any exclusion or other limitation for any work being done within 50 feet of railroad property unless such railroad protective liability coverage is purchased directly through the railroad (to extent applicable).


2.2 Automobile Liability .

Automobile liability insurance, including coverage for owned, non-owned and hired automobiles (as applicable) for both bodily injury and property damage in accordance with statutory legal requirements, with a combined single limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident with respect to bodily injury (including death) and property damage. Automobile insurance shall include the Motor Carrier Act Endorsement encompassing Hazardous Materials Cleanup (MCS-90), if the exposure exists.

2.3 Workers Compensation .

Prior to hiring employees, workers compensation insurance providing statutory limits and employer’s liability with a limit of not less than $500,000 and such other forms of insurance which Borrower is required by law to provide covering loss resulting from injury, sickness, disability or death of the employees of Borrower. To the extent applicable, insurance shall cover the Jones Act, Longshore and Harbor Workers Act and Continental Shelf Land Act.

2.4 Umbrella or Excess Liability .

Umbrella or excess liability insurance of not less than $15,000,000 per occurrence and in the aggregate with respect to products and completed operations liability. Such coverages shall be written on an occurrence policy form and excess of coverage provided by the policies described in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. To the extent the aggregate limit is eroded below $10,000,000 by any one or more claims insured thereunder, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to reinstate the aggregate or purchase additional limits up to the amounts required in this Section 2.4.

2.5 Directors and Officers Insurance .

From the Closing Date until the Discharge Date, the Borrower shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, Directors and Officers Insurance (including Employment Practices Liability) with limits representative of industry practice but in any event no less than $5,000,000. It is hereby agreed and understood that the requirement for Employment Practices Liability may be satisfied through a separate policy maintained by Lessee. However, the Borrower will be required to procure Employment Practices Liability upon hiring of any employees, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent.

2.6 Aircraft Liability .

Aircraft liability insurance, if any aircraft are used in connection with the capital improvement work with respect to, or operation of, the Project, in an amount of not less than $10,000,000 for all owned, non-owned and hired fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft.

2.7 Pollution Legal Liability .

Sudden and accidental pollution legal liability insurance with a limit commensurate with industry practice but not less than $5,000,000 on a per occurrence and annual or policy aggregate basis. Such coverage can be included in the commercial general liability and umbrella or excess liability policies or provided separately. Claims made coverage forms and deductibles of up to $100,000 are acceptable.


2.8 Property/Machinery Breakdown .

Property “all risk” insurance on a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent, providing coverage for the Project, on a replacement cost basis (with no deduction for depreciation or coinsurance clause and including the value of the Capital Improvements) and for, but not limited to, the perils of fire, lightning, explosion, windstorm, flood and earthquake (including sinkhole and subsidence), terrorism, strike, riot, civil commotion, vandalism and malicious mischief insuring the buildings, structures, machinery, equipment, facilities, fixtures and other properties constituting a part of the Project (including all construction, installation and testing activities associated with the Capital Improvements) and property of others, such as feedstock and finish product storage facilities, and rail cars for which the Borrower has responsibility to insure. Sub limits are permitted, but for not less than standard industry practice, for inland or ocean (which may be provided under a separate all-risk ocean or marine cargo policy) transit (for full replacement cost of any single shipment), removal of debris/cost of cleanup, offsite storage (for full replacement cost of equipment or product/feedstock in storage), expediting and extra expense, flood (for not less than $25,000,000) and earthquake (for not less than $25,000,000) and such other coverages customarily sub-limited in reasonable amounts consistent with current industry practice with respect to similar risks and acceptable to the Administrative Agent including but not limited to debris removal, ordinance or law coverage (including demolition of undamaged portion) and on-site cleanup of pollutants and contaminants.

The Property “all risk” policy shall include, unless provided under a separate policy, machinery breakdown (boiler and machinery) coverage on a “comprehensive” basis with limits of not less than the full replacement cost on all the insured objects. Coverage shall also include resulting damage arising out of design error or faulty workmanship. In the event “all risk” property coverage and the machinery breakdown coverage are not written in the same policy, each policy shall contain a joint loss agreement. It is hereby agreed and understood that equipment breakdown shall not be required until the earlier of inspection of the Project by the appropriate insurance carriers or fifteen (15) days of the Closing Date. Upon procurement of equipment breakdown coverage it shall be continuously maintained until the Discharge Date. It is also specifically agreed and understood that the fifteen (15) day grace period for procurement of equipment breakdown coverage is conditioned upon none of the Project assets being put under any load for any operation of the Project or any testing or commissioning of the Capital Improvements or otherwise, except for the continued use of basic utility services needed in order to safely maintain the Project and continue the work associated with the Capital Improvements.

All such policies shall have deductibles of not greater than $100,000 for physical damage except $250,000 for machinery breakdown and $250,000 for flood and earthquake. This coverage shall not include any annual or term aggregate limits of liability or a clause requiring the payment of additional premium to reinstate the limits after a loss except for losses caused by the perils of flood and earthquake.

2.9 Business Interruption .

Borrower shall also maintain or caused to be maintained, with respect to the Project, business interruption insurance as part of the property “all risk” insurance and machinery breakdown insurance policy (including the loss of projected revenue that would have been upon completion of the Capital Improvements) with limits of not less than 12 months of projected revenues less non-continuing expenses, with an indemnification period of not less than 12 months exclusive of the deductible waiting period. The deductible or waiting period shall not exceed thirty (30) days.

Borrower shall also maintain or cause to be maintained contingent business interruption as respects an insured loss at either facility of any single major supplier or customer which would


significantly affect the financial health of the Project whether due to a partial or total interruption of normal business operations or a significant increase in normal operating expenses.

2.10 Insurance Required of Contractors or Subcontractors .

Any contractor or subcontractor, prior to performing work for the Project (including any Capital Improvements) shall arrange and maintain insurance at limits as set forth in Section 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and umbrella or excess liability limits in such amount as is reasonable and customary for similar scopes of work but in no event less than what is required by the Project Documents. Such insurance supplied by the contractor or subcontractor shall:

 

  (i) Except for the workers compensation insurance, name the Borrower, any operator and the Senior Secured Parties as additional insureds;

 

  (ii) Be primary as respects insurance provided by the Borrower, any operator and the Senior Secured Parties;

 

  (iii) Waive rights of subrogation against the Borrower, any operator and the Senior Secured Parties;

 

  (iv) Continue in force until all obligations of such subcontractor have been fulfilled.

 

3.0. GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLYING TO ALL INSURANCE

3.1 The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any claim in excess of $500,000 covered by any insurance maintained pursuant to this Schedule 7.01(h).

3.2 All property related policies of insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Schedule 7.01(h) shall include a Mortgagee or Lenders Loss Payable Endorsement acceptable to the Administrative Agent. All property related policies shall insure the interests of the Senior Secured Parties regardless of any breach or violation by the Borrower of warranties, declarations or conditions contained in such policies, any action or inaction of the Borrower or others, or any foreclosure relating to the Project or any change in ownership of all or any portion of the Project (the foregoing may be accomplished by the use of the Lender Loss Payable Endorsement required above).

 

4.0 INDEPENDENT INSURANCE BROKER’S REPORT

On the Closing Date and annually thereafter upon renewal of each policy, the Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent with a report from an independent insurance broker, signed by an officer of the broker, stating that all premiums then due have been paid or that such premiums due are not in arrears. In addition the Borrower will advise the Administrative Agent in writing promptly of any default in the payment of any premium and of any other act or omission on the part of the Borrower which may invalidate or render unenforceable, in whole or in part, any insurance being maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Schedule 7.01(h).

 

5.0 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN INSURANCE

In the event the Borrower fails to take out or maintain or cause to be maintained the full insurance coverage required by this Schedule, or any of the Transaction Documents, the Administrative Agent, upon 30 days’ prior notice (unless the aforementioned insurance would lapse within such period, in which event notice should be given as soon as reasonably possible) to the Borrower of any such failure, may (but shall not be obligated to) take out the required policies of insurance and pay the premiums on the same. All amounts so advanced by the Administrative Agent shall become an additional Obligation of the


Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall forthwith pay such amounts to the Administrative Agent, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date so advanced.

 

6.0 MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE

The Borrower shall at all times maintain or cause to be maintained the insurance coverage required under the terms of the Transaction Documents and may include any operator as an insured under such insurance.

 

7.0 “CLAIMS MADE” POLICIES FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF INSURANCE

If any liability insurance required under the provisions of this Schedule 7.01(h) is allowed to be written on a “claims made” basis, then such insurance shall include the following:

7.1 The retroactive date shall be no later than the Closing Date.

7.2 Whenever a policy written on a “claims made” basis is not renewed or the retroactive date of such policy is moved forward, the Borrower shall obtain or cause to be obtained the broadest extended reporting period coverage, or “tail coverage”, available on a commercially reasonable basis for such policy.

 

8.0 UNAVAILABILITY OF INSURANCE

If any insurance required herein is not available on a commercially reasonable basis, the Administrative Agent shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement to waive such requirement; provided, however, that the Borrower shall first request any such waiver in writing to the Administrative Agent, which request shall be accompanied by a written report prepared by an insurance broker of nationally recognized standing, certifying that such insurance required is not available on a commercially reasonable basis (and, in any case where the insurance is available but the required amount is not so available, certifying as to the maximum amount which is so available) and explaining in detail the basis for such conclusion. If, after reviewing such report with the Insurance Consultant, the Administrative Agent concurs with such report, the Borrower shall not be required to maintain such insurance until such insurance is again available on commercially reasonable terms. At any time after the granting of any such waiver, but not more often than once a year, the Administrative Agent may request, and the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent within fifteen (15) days after such request, a supplemental report reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from an independent insurance broker or the Insurance Consultant updating the prior report and reaffirming the conclusion thereof. It is understood that the failure of the Borrower to timely furnish any such supplemental report shall be conclusive evidence that such waiver is no longer effective because such condition no longer exists, but that such failure is not the only way to establish that such condition no longer exists. For the purposes of this subsection, insurance will be considered “not available on a commercially reasonably basis” when it is obtainable only at excessive costs which are not justified in terms of the risk to be insured and is generally not being carried by or applicable to projects or operations similar to the Project because of such excessive costs.


Schedule 7.02(h)

Transactions with Affiliates

Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and among Borrower, Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, Inc., Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc. and REG Seneca, LLC.

Accounting Services Side Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC and USRG Management Company, LLC, and acknowledged by Borrower.

Services Side Agreement dated on or about the date hereof by and between Borrower and Bunge North America, Inc.


Schedule 11.11(a)

Notice Information

 

I. BORROWER AND PLEDGOR:

BORROWER

Seneca Landlord, LLC

2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 4050

West Santa Monica, California 90404

Attention: Jonathan Koch

Telephone: (310) 586-3920

Facsimile: (310) 586-3995

With copies to:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Manager – Bunge Biofuels

Telephone: (314) 292-2789

Facsimile: (314) 292-2110

and

US Renewables Group

10 Bank Street

White Plains, New York 10606

Attention: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director

Telephone: (914)-390-9620

Facsimile: (914) 206-3509

PLEDGOR

Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC

2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 4050

West Santa Monica, California 90404

Attention: Jonathan Koch

Telephone: (310) 586-3920

Facsimile: (310) 586-3995

With copies to:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Manager – Bunge Biofuels

Telephone: (314) 292-2789

Facsimile: (314) 292-2110

and


US Renewables Group

10 Bank Street

White Plains, New York 10606

Attention: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director

Telephone: (914)-390-9620

Facsimile: (914) 206-3509

 

II. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: (212) 597-1158

Facsimile: (212) 302-7946

 

III. COLLATERAL AGENT

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: (212) 597-1158

Facsimile: (212) 302-7946


Exhibit A

ABL Agreement ” means the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 among REG Marketing and REG Services, as borrowers, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. as guarantor, the Lenders referred to therein and WestLB AG, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.

ABL Collateral ” means “Collateral” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Obligations ” means “Obligations” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Shortfall ” means (i) before the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, any amount of ABL Obligations in excess of seven hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($750,000) remaining unsatisfied after the occurrence of an ABL Event of Default and the application of the ABL Collateral to the ABL Obligations; provided that in no event shall the ABL Shortfall under this clause (i) exceed two million five hundred thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) and (ii) following the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, any amount of ABL Obligations remaining unsatisfied after the occurrence of an ABL Event of Default and the application of the ABL Collateral to the ABL Obligations.

Accelerated Maturity Date ” has the meaning set forth in the ABL Agreement.

Account Debtor ” means the Person that is obligated on or under any Account owing to the Borrower.

Accounts ” means all “accounts” as that term is defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC, now or hereafter owned by the Borrower.

Accounts Agreement ” means the Accounts Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among the Borrower, the Lessee, the Accounts Bank, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent.

Accounts Bank ” means Sterling Bank, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Accounts Bank.

Accounts Property ” means any funds, instruments, securities, financial assets or other assets from time to time held in the Borrower Accounts or the Lessee Revenue Account or credited to any of them or otherwise in possession or control of the Accounts Bank pursuant to the Accounts Agreement.

Additional Project Document ” means each contract, agreement, letter agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower becomes a party after the date hereof, other than any


document under which (a) the Borrower could not reasonably be expected to have obligations or liabilities in the aggregate in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000), or be entitled to receive revenues in the aggregate in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000), in either case in value in any twelve (12) month period and (b) a termination of which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided , that for the purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions shall be considered as one transaction, and all contracts, agreements, letter agreements or other instruments in respect of such transactions shall be considered as one contract, agreement, letter agreement or other instrument, as applicable; provided further that with respect to Lessee, the definition of “Additional Project Document” shall be as set forth in the Lease.

Additional Rent ” has the meaning set forth in the Lease and shall include all amounts required to be paid under Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) and Section 3.03 of the Accounts Agreement ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account – Lessee Revenue Account ).

Administrative Agent ” means WestLB, not in its individual capacity but solely as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and under the other Financing Documents, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such other Person (a) possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise or (b) owns at least ten percent (10%) of the Equity Interests in such Person.

Agent Parties ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.11(i) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

Agents ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Loan Commitment ” means thirty-six million two hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($36,250,000).

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Ancillary Documents ” means, with respect to each Additional Project Document, the following, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of items (i), (ii) and (iv), the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i) each security instrument and agreement necessary or desirable to grant to the Collateral Agent (directly or pursuant to an assignment of the Lessee Security Agreement) a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) in such Additional Project Document and all property interests received by the Borrower in connection therewith;

 

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  (ii) all recorded UCC financing statements and other filings required to perfect such Lien;

 

  (iii) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, opinions of counsel for the Borrower addressing such matters relating to such document, each applicable Security Document and Lien as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

  (iv) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, a Consent with respect to such Additional Project Document from each Project Party thereto and an opinion of counsel to such Project Party addressing matters relating to such Additional Project Document and such Consent as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

  (v) certified evidence of the authorization of such Additional Project Document by the Borrower.

Applicable Margin ” means (a) with respect to the Eurodollar Loans, three percent (3.0%) per annum and (b) with respect to the Base Rate Loans, two percent (2.0)% per annum.

Approved Fund ” means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Approved Lessee ” means (a) Bunge North America, Inc. (“ Bunge ”), (b) West Central Cooperative (“ West Central ”), (c) a Person the Equity Interests of which are owned by Bunge, West Central and an affiliate of USRG Management Company, LLC (“ USRG ”), USRG Power and Biofuels Fund II (“ USRG II ”) or USRG Power and Biofuels Fund III (“ USRG III ,” and together with USRG and USRG II, the “ USRG Parties ”), or (d) a Person reasonably satisfactory to the Senior Secured Parties the Equity Interests of which are owned by a USRG Party.

Approved Management Fees ” means any fees (excluding any special fees, bonus payments or similar amounts) payable pursuant to Section 3A of the Management and Operational Services Agreement that are expressly identified as such and (i) are included in an Operating Budget that has been approved by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j) ( Covenants –Affirmative Covenants – Operating Budget ) or (ii) have been expressly approved by the Administrative Agent in writing.

Asset Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” means the Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 among the Debtors, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

Auditors ” means those nationally recognized independent auditors selected by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Authorized Officer ” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, (ii) with respect to any Person that is a partnership, an Authorized Officer of a general partner of such Person, (iii) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, any manager, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, or an Authorized Officer of the managing member of such Person, or (iv) with respect to any Person, such other representative of such Person that is approved by the Administrative Agent in writing who, in each such case, has been named as an Authorized Officer on a certificate of incumbency of such Person delivered to the Administrative Agent on or after the date hereof.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” or any successor statute, and all rules promulgated thereunder.

Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) and (ii) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by WestLB as its “prime rate”. The “prime rate” is a rate set by WestLB based upon various factors including WestLB’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by WestLB shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments; Other Credit Agreements ) .

Blender’s Production Credit ” means with respect to REG Marketing and REG Services, at any time, the amount, if any, of the “alcohol fuel mixture credit” (provided in section 6426 of the Code, which allows a credit against gasoline excise taxes imposed by section 4081 of the Code, together with any successor provisions thereto that provide for similar credit or any substitute credit that provides substantially equivalent economic benefit) to which REG Services or REG Marketing, as applicable, is entitled at such time from its blending or production of biodiesel, but excluding any such amounts not satisfying the standards for accounts receivable in conformity with GAAP; provided , that if the relevant Governmental Authority rejects any credit for which REG Marketing or REG Services, as applicable, has requested payment, no further such credit shall constitute a Blender’s Production Credit until such rejection is resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

Blocked Account Agreement ” means an agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-1 (or, if requested by the Borrower, such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), with respect to a Local Account among the Borrower, the bank with whom such Local Account was opened and the Collateral Agent.

 

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Blocked Account Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in each Blocked Account Agreement or Lessee Blocked Account Agreement, as applicable.

Board ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(t) ( Covenants-Affirmative covenants – Observer Rights ) .

Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Borrower LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Seneca Landlord, LLC dated as of April 8, 2010 and entered into by the Pledgor and each Manager of the Borrower.

Borrower Accounts ” means the Borrower Revenue Account and the Capital Improvements Account.

Borrower Intellectual Property ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(c) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Borrower Revenue Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 ( Establishment of Accounts – Borrower Accounts ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Bring Down Date ” means the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and the date of any proposed making of a Restricted Payment.

Business Day ” means:

 

  (i) any day that is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed in New York, New York; and

 

  (ii) relative to the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any Eurodollar Loans, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.

Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds ” means all proceeds of any insurance policies required pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise obtained with respect to the Borrower or the Project relating to business interruption or delayed start-up.

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding Maintenance Capital Expenses). For purposes of this definition, the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment or with insurance proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount by which such purchase price exceeds the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or the amount of such insurance proceeds, as the case may be.

 

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Capital Improvements Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 ( Establishment of Accounts – Borrower Accounts ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Capital Improvement Budget ” means the budget attached hereto as Schedule 6.01(q) that sets forth all categories of costs and expenses required in connection with the performance of capital improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the Project, including all construction costs, all costs under the Construction Contracts, all interest, taxes and other carrying costs, and costs related to the performance of capital improvements described under the Project Documents, as may be updated from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Capital Improvement Completion Date ” means the occurrence of (i) the First Train Completion Date and (ii) the Second Train Completion Date.

Capital Improvement Status Report ” means a monthly report on the capital improvement work with respect to the Project in substantially the form of Exhibit BB .

Capital Improvements Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.04 ( Capital Improvements Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Capitalized Lease Liabilities ” of any Person means all monetary obligations of such Person under any leasing or similar arrangement that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capitalized leases on a balance sheet of such Person or otherwise disclosed as such in a note to such balance sheet and, for purposes of the Financing Documents, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

  (a) readily marketable direct obligations of the government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the government of the United States, in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

  (b) securities issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of AA- or higher from S&P or Aa3 or higher from Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); and

 

  (c)

investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within two hundred and seventy (270) days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, any country that is

 

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  a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development or any political subdivision thereof, that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than five hundred million Dollars ($500,000,000).

Cash Flow ” means, for any period, the sum (without duplication) of the following: (i) all cash paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period in connection with sales of Products, (ii) all interest and investment earnings paid to the Borrower or the Lessee or the Borrower Revenue Account or Lessee Revenue Account during such period on amounts on deposit in the Borrower Revenue Account or Lessee Revenue Account, as applicable, (iii) all cash paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period as Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds, and (iv) all other cash including biodiesel production tax credits paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period; provided , however , that Cash Flow shall not include any proceeds of the Loans or any other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower; Insurance Proceeds; Condemnation Proceeds; Required Equity Contributions; Project Document Termination Payments; proceeds from any disposition of assets of the Project, the Borrower or the Lessee (other than Products); amounts received, whether by way of a capital contribution or otherwise, from any holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower or the Lessee; and any other extraordinary or non-cash income or receipt of the Borrower or the Lessee under GAAP.

Casualty Event ” means an event that causes the Project, or any material portion thereof, to be damaged, destroyed or rendered unfit for normal use for any reason whatsoever.

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604, et seq.), as amended, and rules, regulations, standards guidelines and publications issued thereunder.

Change of Control ” means:

(a) before the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, a USRG Party, Bunge and West Central collectively cease to own directly or indirectly 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower; or

(b) following the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option:

(i) Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“ REG ”) ceases to own directly or indirectly 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower; or;

(ii) other than as a result of an initial public offering of the equity securities of REG, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an

 

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“option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the equity securities of REG entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of REG on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided that the REG Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2010, shall not be deemed to create a “group”; or

(iii) other than as a result of a change in the composition of the board of directors as a result of an initial public offering of the equity securities of REG, a majority of the members of the board of directors of REG cease to be composed of individuals (1) who are members of that board on the date hereof, (2) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (1) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or (3) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board (excluding, in the case of both clause (2) and clause (3), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

Chapter 11 Cases ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Closing Costs ” means all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders, and the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.

Closing Date ” means the date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 ( Conditions Precedent – Conditions to Closing Date ) have been satisfied or waived.

Closing Date Disbursements ” means an amount of the Required Equity Contribution disbursed on the Closing Date to or at the direction of the Persons and in the amounts set forth below:

(i) The Administrative Agent—$150,000 in payment of amounts due under Section 6.01(l) ( Conditions Precedent – Conditions to Closing Date ) .

(ii) Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc. - $316,537.50

(iii) Pledgor - $150,000.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

COGS Expenses ” means Operation and Maintenance Expenses for the purchase of fats, oils, chemicals, electricity and natural gas and variable costs incurred pursuant to the Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements.

 

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Cold Shutdown ” means the cessation of commercial operation of the Project as a biodiesel refinery and the maintenance of the Project in a state in which the Project facilities are not producing biodiesel, biodiesel work in process has been completed, and wherein (i) Project systems and equipment preservation are being managed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and prudent practices and (ii) Project facilities operate with a reduced headcount. “Cold Shutdown” contemplates minimized usage of the Project’s utility systems but does not contemplate any cessation of compliance monitoring with respect to Necessary Project Approvals.

Collateral ” means all assets of and Equity Interests in the Borrower, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document then in effect or contemplated to be in effect.

Collateral Agent ” means WestLB, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Financing Documents, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Commencement Date Certain ” means the eleven (11) month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if the Capital Improvement Completion Date has not been achieved by such date, then the Borrower, the Lessee and the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree within thirty (30) days of such date on the terms of a plan and budget for corrective action including a date by which the Capital Improvement Completion Date is required to be achieved (the “ Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan ”) and (i) if a Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan is not agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Commencement Date Certain” shall mean the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) if a Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan is agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Commencement Date Certain” shall mean the date set forth in the Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan by which the Capital Improvement Completion Date is required to be achieved.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans, as set forth opposite the name of such Lender in Schedule 2.01 .

Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means any arrangement entered into by Lessee or under which Lessee could incur liability to hedge the price of biodiesel or commodities used as feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

Commodity Risk Management Plans ” means risk management plans prepared by Lessee and approved by the Landlord pursuant to Section 5.5.20 of the Lease setting forth terms and conditions relating to any Commodity Hedging Arrangements from time to time proposed to be entered into by Lessee, including any updates made to such risk management plans in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

Communications ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.11(g) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

 

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Condemnation Proceeds ” means any amounts and proceeds of any kind (including instruments) payable in respect of any Event of Taking.

Consents ” means each Consent and Agreement entered into among a Project Party, the Borrower, the Lessee (if the Lessee is party to the agreement giving rise such Consent) and the Collateral Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Construction Contractors ” means each party, other than the Borrower, to each Construction Contract.

Construction Contracts ” means collectively, (i) Tank Repair Agreement, (ii) the REG Agreement, (iii) each other construction contract identified on Schedule 5.11 , (iv) any additional contracts relating to the capital improvement work with respect to the Project to which the Borrower is a party addressing matters that are critical to such work and (v) any Additional Project Document related to such matters.

Consultants ” means the Independent Engineer, the Financial Advisor, the Insurance Consultant and any other consultants appointed by or on behalf of the Required Lenders.

Contest ” means, with respect to any matter or claim involving any Person, that such Person is contesting such matter or claim in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted; provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (a) unless waived by the Administrative Agent, such Person has posted a bond or cash collateral for the full amount of such claim or other security reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; (b) during the period of such contest, the enforcement of any contested item is effectively stayed; (c) none of such Person or any of its officers, directors or employees, or any Senior Secured Party or its respective officers, directors or employees, is or would reasonably be expected to become subject to any criminal liability or sanction in connection with such contested items; and (d) such contest and any resultant failure to pay or discharge the claimed or assessed amount during the pendency of such contest does not, and could not reasonably be expected to (i) result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve a material risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation, existence or imposition of any Lien on, any of the Collateral.

Contingent Liabilities ” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of any Person’s obligation under any contingent liabilities shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby; provided, however, that if the maximum amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby has not been established, the amount of such contingent liability shall be the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of the debt, obligation or other

 

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liability; provided, further, that any agreement to limit the maximum amount of such Person’s obligation under such contingent liability shall not, of and by itself, be deemed to establish the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of such debt, obligation or other liability.

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

CS End Date ” means the date all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project is complete and such train is ready to process feedstock and begin operation for its intended use.

Debt Service ” means, for any period, the sum of (i) all fees (including Fees) scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties, (ii) interest on the Loans scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties, (iii) principal payments of the Loans (excluding any mandatory prepayments) scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties and (iv) all payments due by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) and Section 4.07(a) ( Taxes ) with respect to such scheduled principal, interest and fees.

Debtors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Default ” means any condition, occurrence or event that, after notice or passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 ( Default Interest Rate ) .

Deferred Approvals ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.03(a)(iii) ( Representations and Warranties – Governmental Approvals ) .

Deferred Contracts ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.11(a)(iii) ( Representations and Warranties – Contracts ) .

Designated Capital Improvement Costs ” means those line items on the Capital Improvement Budget related to the remediation construction costs, start up and testing of the project which items are marked on Capital Improvement Budget with an asterisk and which aggregate $4.0 million.

DIP Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

DIP Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

DIP Lender ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Discharge Date ” means the date on which (a) all outstanding Commitments have been terminated and (b) all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash (other than obligations under the Financing Documents that by their terms survive and with respect to which no claim has been made by the Senior Secured Parties).

 

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Dollar ” and the sign “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated on Schedule 2.01 or designated in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender (or any successor or assign of such Lender) within the United States as may be designated from time to time by written notice from such Lender, as the case may be, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Electricity Supply Agreement ” means the Electrical Facilities Service Agreement/Service Entrance Specification/Addendum of General Terms and Conditions, dated as of May 12, 2007, between the Borrower and Exelon Corporation.

Elevator Maintenance Agreement ” means the Gold Maintenance Agreement between the Borrower and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation dated as of November 4, 2008.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) any Lender, (b) an Affiliate of any Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Environmental Affiliate ” means any Affiliate of a Loan Party with respect to which such Loan Party could reasonably be expected to have liability as a result of such Loan Party retaining, assuming, accepting or otherwise being subject to liability for Environmental Claims relating to such Affiliate, whether the source of such Loan Party’s obligation is by contract or operation of Law.

Environmental Approvals ” means any Governmental Approvals required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim ” means any written notice, claim, demand or similar written communication by any Person alleging potential liability or requiring or demanding remedial or responsive measures (including potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup, remediation and mitigation costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, fines or penalties) in each such case (x) either (i) with respect to environmental contamination-related liabilities or obligations with respect to which a Loan Party could reasonably be expected to be responsible that are, or could reasonably be expected to be, in excess of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate or (ii) that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence, release or threatened release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person; (ii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals; or (iii) exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern.

Environmental Laws ” means all Laws applicable to the Project relating to pollution or protection of human health, safety or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of Environmental Concern, or otherwise applicable to the Project relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,

 

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treatment, storage, disposal, transport, management, remediation or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern.

Environmental Site Assessment Report ” means (i) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, NOVA Biofuels Seneca, LLC, 614 Shipyard Road, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by Conestoga Rovers and Associates (“CRA”) and dated January 2008; (ii) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Lot 1 of the Former Seneca Naval Shipyards, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by CRA and dated December 2006; (iii) “Test Pit Program and Soil Excavation and Disposal Activities Summary Report, NOVA Biofuels Seneca, LLC, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by CRA and dated May 2007; (iv) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, NOVA Biofuels, Seneca LLC – Seneca, Illinois” prepared by Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. (“Burns & McDonnell”) and dated September 2009; and (v) “Limited Phase II Environmental Site Investigation, 614 Shipyard Road, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by Burns & McDonnell and dated October 13, 2009.

Equator Principles ” means The Equator Principles An Industry Framework for Financial Institutions to Manage Environmental and Social Issues in Project Financing (commonly referred to as “The Equator Principles”).

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination, in each such case including all voting rights and economic rights related thereto.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, together with the regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA also refer to any successor sections.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person, trade or business that, together with any Loan Party, is or was treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

ERISA Plan ” means any Plan that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

Eurodollar Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments; Other Credit Agreements ) and Article III ( Repayments, Prepayments, Interest and Fees ) .

Eurodollar Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated as such on Schedule 2.01 or designated in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender as

 

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designated from time to time by notice from such Lender to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.04 ( Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender ) that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans of such Lender hereunder.

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) one and one half percent (1.5%) per annum, and (b) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (x) LIBOR for such Interest Period and Eurodollar Loan, by (y) a percentage equal to (i) 100% minus (ii) the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day during any Interest Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S. Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”). The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

Event of Abandonment ” means any of the following shall have occurred: (i) the abandonment by the Borrower of the capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to, operation (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) or maintenance of the Project for a period of more than fifteen (15) consecutive days (other than as a result of force majeure, an Event of Taking or a Casualty Event) or (ii) any written acknowledgement by the Borrower of a final decision to take any of the foregoing actions.

Event of Default ” means any one of the events specified in Section 9.01 ( Events of Default ) .

Event of Taking ” means any taking, exercise of rights of eminent domain, public improvement, inverse condemnation, condemnation or similar action of or proceeding by any Governmental Authority relating to any material part of the Project, any Equity Interests of the Borrower, or any other assets of the Borrower.

Event of Total Loss ” means the occurrence of a Casualty Event affecting all or substantially all of the Project or the assets of the Borrower.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to any Agent or any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise Taxes imposed on (or measured by) such Agent’s, Lender’s or other recipient’s net income by the United States, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (b) any branch profits Tax imposed by the United States, or any similar Tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) any United States withholding Tax to the extent that it is imposed on amounts payable to such Agent or such Lender at the time such Agent or such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or to the extent it is imposed on amounts payable to such Agent or such Lender due

 

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to a merger, reorganization or acquisition of such Agent or such Lender or (d) in the case of a Participant, any Taxes (including United States withholding Taxes) in excess of the amount of Taxes to which the Lender selling the participation would have been entitled with respect to the participation if the Lender had not sold the participation to that Participant.

F.R.S. Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

Fees ” means, collectively, each of the fees payable by the Borrower for the account of any Lender or Agent pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Final Completion ” means that each of the following conditions has been achieved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent as certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer in a Final Completion Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) the Capital Improvement Completion Date shall have occurred;

 

  (ii) The Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect to the air emissions of the Project has been notified that the Project is ready to commence commercial operation;

 

  (iii) insurance required pursuant to Schedule 7.01(h) and under any Project Document shall be in place, as confirmed by the Insurance Consultant; and

 

  (iv) all Project Costs shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest).

Final Completion Certificates ” means, as the context requires, certificates of the Borrower and the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit R-1 and R-2 confirming that Final Completion has occurred.

Final Completion Date ” means the date on which the Project has achieved Final Completion, as certified by the Borrower and the Independent Engineer.

Final Maturity Date ” means, with respect to the Loans, April 8, 2017.

Financial Advisor ” means Capstone Advisory Group, LLC or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

 

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Financial Assets ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(b) ( Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Accounts Bank ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Financial Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the controller, treasurer or chief financial officer of such Person.

Financing Documents ” means:

 

  (i) this Agreement;

 

  (ii) the Notes;

 

  (iii) the Security Documents; and

 

  (iv) the Accounts Agreement.

First Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a First Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iii) the Borrower shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v)

each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to

 

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  punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time shall have been obtained.

First Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-2 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-1 , in each case confirming that the First Train Completion Date has occurred.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year ” means any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months ending on December 31st.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States, applied on a consistent basis.

Governmental Approval ” means any authorization, consent, approval, license, lease, ruling, permit, certification, exemption, filing for registration by or with any Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation, state, sovereign, or government, any federal, regional, state, local or political subdivision and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Granting Lender ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(h) ( Assignments ) .

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). For all purposes

 

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hereof, “Guarantee” shall not include Borrower’s obligations, if any under Section 9.04(e) ( Application of Proceeds ) .

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

  (i) all obligations of such Person for or in respect of moneys borrowed or raised, whether or not for cash by whatever means (including acceptances, deposits, discounting, letters of credit, factoring, and any other form of financing which is recognized in accordance with GAAP in such Person’s financial statements as being in the nature of a borrowing or is treated as “off-balance sheet” financing);

 

  (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

  (iii) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services;

 

  (iv) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property or are otherwise limited in recourse);

 

  (v) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

 

  (vi) all Capitalized Lease Liabilities;

 

  (vii) net obligations of such Person under all Swap Contracts;

 

  (viii) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interests in such Person or any other Person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such Equity Interests, valued, in the case of redeemable preferred interests, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

 

  (ix) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount

 

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of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) .

Independent Engineer ” means R.W. Beck, Inc., or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

Information ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.17 ( Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality ) .

Initial Quarterly Payment Date ” means the first Quarterly Payment Date following the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

Initial Semi-Annual Payment Date ” means the first Semi-Annual Payment Date following the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (i) any case commenced by or against such Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of such Person, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to such Person or any similar case or proceeding relative to such Person or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

  (ii) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to such Person , in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

  (iii) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of such Person are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate ” means a certificate of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit S .

Insurance Consultant ” means Moore-McNeil, LLC, or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

Insurance Proceeds ” means all proceeds of any insurance policies required pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise obtained with respect to the Borrower or the Project that are paid or payable to or for the account of the Borrower or the Collateral Agent as loss payee, or

 

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additional insured (other than Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds and proceeds of insurance policies relating to third party liability).

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(f) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Interest Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the last day of each applicable Interest Period or, if applicable, any date on which such Eurodollar Loan is converted to a Base Rate Loan and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on each Monthly Payment Date or, if applicable, any date on which such Base Rate Loan is converted to a Eurodollar Loan.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period beginning on (and including) the date on which each successive interest period for each such Eurodollar Loan is determined pursuant to Section 3.03 ( Interest Rates ) and ending on (and including) the day that numerically corresponds to such date one (1), two (2) or three (3) months thereafter, in either case as the Borrower may select in the relevant Interest Period Notice; provided , however , that (i) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next following Business Day (unless such next following Business Day is in a different calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day), (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the month at the end of such Interest Period, (iii) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that ends after any Quarterly Payment Date unless, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Eurodollar Loans having Interest Periods which end on or prior to such Quarterly Payment Date shall be at least equal to the aggregate principal amount of Eurodollar Loans due and payable on or prior to such Quarterly Payment Date, and (iv) no Interest Period may end later than the Final Maturity Date.

Interest Period Notice ” means a notice in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit O , executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

IP Security Agreement ” means, collectively, the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Patents, the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Trademarks and the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Copyrights, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, by the Borrower in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Knowledge ” means actual knowledge, after due inquiry, of any Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice-President or Chief Operations Officer.

Law ” means, with respect to any Governmental Authority, any constitutional provision, law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, common law, holding, injunction, Governmental Approval or requirement of such Governmental Authority. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term “ Law ” shall include each of the foregoing (and each provision thereof) as in effect at the time in question, including any

 

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amendments, supplements, replacements, or other modifications thereto or thereof, and whether or not in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

Lead Arranger ” means WestLB in its capacity as lead arranger, sole bookrunner and syndication agent hereunder.

Lease ” means the Lease dated as of April 8, 2010 between the Borrower and the Lessee as in effect on the date hereof and as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Lease Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Lease;

 

  (ii) the Lessee Pledge Agreement;

 

  (iii) the Lessee Security Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Leasehold Mortgage;

 

  (v) the Put/Call Agreement;

 

  (vi) the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement;

 

  (vii) any additional agreement with respect to any of the foregoing; and

 

  (viii) any replacement of any of the foregoing.

Leasehold Mortgage ” means the Leasehold Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing Statement, Fixture Filing and Assignment of Leases, Rents and Security Deposits, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, to be made by the Lessee to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties.

Lender Assignment Agreement ” means a Lender Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Lenders ” means those Lenders of Loans, as identified on Schedule 2.01 , and each other Person that acquires the rights and obligations of any such Lender pursuant to Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) .

Lessee ” means REG Seneca, LLC in its capacity as lessee under the Lease and any successor of REG Seneca, LLC in such capacity in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Lessee Blocked Account Agreement ” means an agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-2 (or if requested by the Lessee, such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Lessee, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), with respect to a Lessee Local Account, among the Lessee, the bank with whom such Lessee Local Account was opened and the Collateral Agent (as assignee of the Borrower).

 

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Lessee Collateral ” means all assets of and Equity Interests in the Lessee, whether now owned or hereafter acquired upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Lessee Security Document then in effect or contemplated to be in effect.

Lessee Local Account ” means any local bank account (other than the Lessee Revenue Account) in the name of the Lessee.

Lessee Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date among the Lessee, the Lessee Pledgor and the Borrower pursuant to which the Lessee Pledgor pledges one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests in the Lessee to the Borrower and which Equity Interests shall be further assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Lessee Pledgor ” means REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Lessee Revenue Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) (Establishment of the Accounts – Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Lessee Security Agreement ” means the Assignment and Security Agreement between the Borrower and the Lessee to be entered into on or before the Closing Date by the Lessee in favor of the Borrower pursuant to which the Lessee grants a security interest to the Borrower and which security interest shall be further assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Lessee Security Documents ” means (i) the Lessee Pledge Agreement, (ii) the Lessee Blocked Account Agreement, (iii) the Lessee Security Agreement and (iv) any chattel mortgages, financing statements, notices, authorization letters, or other certificates filed, recorded or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

LIBOR ” means, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan:

 

  (a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the page of the Telerate screen (or any successor thereto) that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

  (b) if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not appear on such page or service or such page or service is not available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

22


  (c) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by WestLB to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, bailment, conditional sales or title retention agreement, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge against or interest in property, in each case of any kind, to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation.

Loan ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a) ( Loans ) .

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Pledgor.

Local Account ” means any local bank account (other than the Borrower Revenue Account or the Capital Improvements Account) in the name of the Borrower.

Maintenance Capital Expenses ” means all expenditures by the Borrower for regularly scheduled (or reasonably anticipated) major maintenance of the Project pursuant to Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice and vendor and supplier requirements constituting major maintenance (including teardowns, overhauls, capital improvements, replacements and/or refurbishments of major components of the Project).

Management and Operating Services Agreement ” means the Management and Operating Services Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among the Manager, REG Marketing and the Lessee.

Manager ” means REG Services Group, LLC.

Mandatory Prepayment ” means a prepayment in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) .

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Borrower or the Project, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or the Pledgor to perform its material obligations under any Transaction Document to which it is a party, (iii) creation, perfection or priority of the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, in favor, or for the benefit, of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents or (iv) the rights or remedies of any Senior Secured Party under any Financing Document; provided , however , the expiration of the Blender’s Production Credit on December 31, 2009 shall not, during the six (6) month period following the Closing Date, be deemed a Material Adverse Effect if (x) the Environmental Protection Agency adopts revisions to the Renewable Fuel Standard program required by the

 

23


Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the form proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as publication EPA-420-F-09-023, May 2009 or (y) the Blender’s Production Credit as in effect on December 31, 2009 is reinstated.

Materials of Environmental Concern ” means chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances and hazardous substances, any toxic mold, radon gas or other naturally occurring toxic or hazardous substance or organism and any material that is regulated in any way, or for which liability is imposed, pursuant to an Environmental Law.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.09 ( Interest Rate Limitation ) .

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement ” means the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, between the Lessee Pledgor and the Pledgor.

Monthly Payment Date ” means the first Business Day of each month.

Monthly Period ” means each one (1) month period beginning on (and including) the day immediately following a Monthly Payment Date and ending on (and including) the next Monthly Payment Date.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

Mortgage ” means the Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing Statement, Fixture Filing and Assignment of Leases, Rents and Security Deposits, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, to be made by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties.

Mortgaged Property ” means all real property right, title and interest of the Borrower that is subject to the Mortgage in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Necessary Project Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a)(i) ( Representations and Warranties – Governmental Approvals ) .

Necessary Project Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a)(ii) ( Representations and Warranties – Contracts ) .

Non-Appealable ” means, with respect to any specified time period allowing an appeal of any ruling under any constitutional provision, Law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, certificate, holding or injunction that such specified time period has elapsed without an appeal having been brought.

Non-U.S. Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(e) ( Taxes – Foreign Lenders ) .

 

24


Non-Voting Lender ” means any Lender who (a) is also a Loan Party, a Project Party, or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof, or (b) has sold a participation in the Loan held by it to any such Person.

Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , evidencing the Loans.

Notice of Suspension ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.16 ( Notice of Suspension of Accounts ) .

Obligations ” means and includes the sum of (i) all loans, advances, debts, liabilities, Indebtedness and obligations, howsoever arising, owed to the Agents, the Lenders or any other Senior Secured Party of every kind and description (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding naming the Borrower as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, including all principal, interest, fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, accountants’ fees and Consultants’ fees payable by the Borrower hereunder or thereunder and (ii) any ABL Shortfall in existence while any Obligation set forth in clause (i) remains unsatisfied.

OpCo II Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(b) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Operating Budget ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(j)(i) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Operating Budget ) .

Operating Budget Category ” means, at any time with respect to each Operating Budget, each line item set forth in such Operating Budget in effect at such time.

Operating Statement ” means an operating statement with respect to the Project, in substantially the form of Exhibit L .

Operation and Maintenance Expenses ” means, for any period, the sum without duplication of all (i) reasonable and necessary expenses of administering, managing and operating, and generating Products for sale from, the Project and maintaining it in good repair and operating condition, (ii) costs of the purchase, supply and transportation of all feedstock, natural gas, electricity and other supplies and raw materials to the Project and distribution and sale of Products from the Project that the Borrower or the Lessee is obligated to pay, (iii) all reasonable and necessary insurance costs (other than insurance premiums that are paid as Project Costs), (iv) property, sales and franchise taxes to the extent that the Borrower or the Lessee is liable to pay such taxes to the taxing authority (other than taxes imposed on or measured by income or receipts) to which the Project, may be subject (or payment in lieu of such taxes to which the Project may be subject), (v) reasonable and necessary costs and fees incurred in

 

25


connection with obtaining and maintaining in effect Necessary Project Approvals, (vi) reasonable and arm’s-length legal, accounting and other professional fees attendant to any of the foregoing items during such period, (vii) the reasonable costs of administration and enforcement of the Transaction Documents, (viii) all other costs and expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget (ix) the Approved Management Fees, (x) Maintenance Capital Expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget, (xi) costs incurred pursuant to the Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements and (xii) repayments by the Lessee of non-interest bearing advances to the Lessee from Affiliates of the Lessee used to pay any of the foregoing in accordance with the Operating Budget. In no event shall Project Costs or Maintenance Capital Expenses (except Maintenance Capital Expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget) be considered Operation and Maintenance Expenses.

OPEX Expenses ” means Operation and Maintenance Expenses other than COGS Expenses.

Organic Documents ” means, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, its certificate of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital stock and, with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation or articles of organization and its limited liability agreement.

Original Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Participant ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(d) ( Assignments ) .

Patriot Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

pdf ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.07 ( Counterparts; Effectiveness ) .

Performance Bond ” means any performance bond provided for the benefit of the Borrower or the Lessee under any Construction Contract.

Performance Test ” means a performance test of a train of the Project completed pursuant to the terms of the Performance Testing Plan attached hereto as Exhibit C.

Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means those Commodity Hedging Arrangements entered into by Lessee in accordance with Section 5.6.22 of the Lease.

Permitted Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness identified in Section 7.02(a) ( Covenants Negative Covenants – Restrictions on Indebtedness ) .

 

26


Permitted Liens ” means Liens identified in Section 7.02(b) ( Covenants – Negative Covenants – Liens ) .

Permitted Operating Budget Deviation Levels ” means, with respect to OPEX Expenses, ten percent (10%) of the amount projected in the then-current Operating Budget for OPEX Expenses.

Permitted Tax Distribution ” means, with respect to any distributee that is required to pay tax as a result of its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, an amount equal to (a) the Tax Rate at such time multiplied by (b) the lesser of (i) such distributee’s estimated share of the taxable income of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, (after netting or otherwise taking account of a distributee’s shares of the income, loss, deduction and credit associated with the distributee’s interest in the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable) and (ii) the pro rata portion of such distributee’s estimated total taxable income attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable (after netting or otherwise taking account of a distributee’s shares of the income, loss, deduction and credit associated with the distributee’s interest in the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable and all tax sharing arrangements to which such distributee is a party), in each case that the distributee is reasonably expected to have to report for income tax purposes for the Fiscal Quarter distributed to the extent necessary to fund a distributee’s timely payment to a Governmental Authority of tax liability (including estimated payments thereof) and subject to correction as described below. “ Tax Rate ” means, as of any date of calculation, a percentage equal to the sum of (x) the then-current maximum applicable federal corporate income tax rate plus (y) the then-current maximum applicable state corporate income tax rate. Permitted Tax Distributions as estimated for purposes of a Quarterly Payment Date shall be subject to later correction to reflect amounts as actually reported on an income tax return by a distributee for federal and state income tax purposes. Thus, on any Quarterly Payment Date, the Permitted Tax Distribution means the amount calculated as the product of (a) and (b), above, adjusted by the difference, if any, between the Permitted Tax Distribution for the preceding Quarterly Payment Date as estimated for such date and the Permitted Tax Distribution for that preceding Quarterly Payment Date as finally determined.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA that is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate, or in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation to contribute or liability.

Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.11(h) ( Notices and Other Communications ).

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, among the Borrower, the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent,

 

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pursuant to which the Pledgor pledges one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests in the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Pledgor ” means Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Preliminary Operating Budget ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(q) ( Conditions to Closing Date ) .

Process Agent ” means any Person appointed as agent by any Loan Party party to the Financing Documents, to the extent required under the Financing Documents, to receive on behalf of itself and its property services of copies of summons and complaint or any other process which may be served in connection with any action or proceeding before any court arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Financing Document to which it is a party, including CT Corporation.

Products ” means biodiesel, glycerin, and any other co-product or by-product produced at the Project in connection with the production of biodiesel at the Project.

Project ” means, the biodiesel plant located in Seneca, Illinois, which is designed to produce approximately sixty (60) million gallons-per-year of biodiesel, and all auxiliary and other facilities, together with all fixtures and improvements thereto and the Site and all other real property, easements and rights-of-way held by or on behalf of the Borrower and all rights to use easements and rights-of-way of others.

Project Costs ” means, the following costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Project prior to the Final Completion Date and set forth in the Capital Improvement Budget or otherwise approved in writing by the Required Lenders (in consultation with the Independent Engineer):

 

  (i) costs incurred by the Borrower under the Construction Contracts, and other costs related to the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the Project;

 

  (ii) fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the Project and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including financial, accounting, legal, surveying and consulting fees, and the costs of preliminary engineering;

 

  (iii) Fees and interest on the Term Loans until the Capital Improvement Completion Date;

 

  (iv) financing fees and expenses in connection with the Loans and the fees, costs and expenses of the Agents’ counsel and the Consultants;

 

  (v) insurance premiums with respect to the Title Insurance Policy and the insurance required pursuant to Section 7.01(h) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Insurance ) ;

 

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  (vi) costs of feedstock and natural gas utilized for testing and operation of the Project prior to the Final Completion Date; and

 

  (vii) all other costs and expenses included in the Project Capital Improvement Budget.

Project Document Termination Payments ” means all payments that are required to be paid to or for the account of the Borrower as a result of the termination of any Project Document.

Project Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Construction Contracts;

 

  (ii) the Redevelopment Agreement;

 

  (iii) the Electricity Supply Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Sidetrack Agreement;

 

  (v) the Elevator Maintenance Agreement;

 

  (vi) any other documents designated as a Project Document by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent;

 

  (vii) the Lease;

 

  (viii) the Management and Operating Services Agreement;

 

  (ix) each Additional Project Document; and

 

  (x) any replacement agreement for any such agreement.

Project Party ” means each Person (other than the Borrower or the Lessee) who is a party to a Project Document.

Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice ” means those commercially reasonable practices, methods and acts that (i) are commonly used to manage, operate and maintain biodiesel production, distribution, equipment and associated facilities of the size and type that comprise the Project safely, reliably, and efficiently and in compliance with applicable Laws, manufacturers’ warranties and manufacturers’ and licensor’s recommendations and guidelines, and (ii) in the exercise of commercially reasonable judgment, skill, diligence, foresight and care are expected of a biodiesel plant operator, in order to efficiently accomplish the desired result consistent with safety standards, applicable Laws, manufacturers’ warranties, manufacturers’ recommendations and, in the case of the Project, the Project Documents. Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice does not necessarily mean one particular practice, method, equipment specifications or standard in all cases, but is instead intended to encompass a broad range of acceptable practices, methods, equipment specifications and standards.

 

29


Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Put/Call Agreement ” means the Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement dated as of [            ], 2010 among Pledgor, the Borrower, Lessor Pledgor and REG Seneca, LLC as in effect on the date hereof and as may be amended from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Put/Call Option ” means Lessee Pledgor’s call option to purchase and Pledgor’s put option to sell the Equity Interests in the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Agreement.

Quarterly Payment Date ” means each of January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31.

RCRA ” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), as amended, and all rules, regulations, standards, guidelines, and publications issued thereunder.

Redevelopment Agreement ” means that certain Redevelopment Agreement among the Village of Seneca, LaSalle and Grundy Counties, Illinois, Shipyard Industrial Park, Inc., and the Borrower dated as of October 31, 2006.

REG Agreement ” means the Construction Management Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, between the Borrower and REG Construction & Technology Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

REG Marketing ” means REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

REG Services ” means REG Services Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(c) ( Assignments ) .

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Removal ,” “ Remedial ” and “ Response ” actions shall include the types of activities covered by CERCLA, RCRA, and other comparable Environmental Laws, and whether the activities are those which might be taken by a Governmental Authority or those which a Governmental Authority or any other Person might seek to require of potentially responsible parties, liable parties, waste generators, handlers, distributors, processors, users, disposers, storers, treaters, owners, operators, transporters, recyclers, reusers, disposers, or other Persons under “removal,” “remedial,” or other “response” actions.

Reportable Event ” means a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA other than an event for which the 30 day notice provision has been waived pursuant to subclause 22, 23, 27 or 28 of the regulations thereunder.

 

30


Required Equity Contribution ” means the equity contributions to be made to the Borrower on the Closing Date for Project Costs in the aggregate total amount of four million Dollars ($4,000,000).

Required Lenders ” means Lenders (excluding all Non-Voting Lenders) holding Loans in excess of fifty percent (50.00%) of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans (excluding the Loans of all Non-Voting Lenders).

Restricted Payments ” means (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests of the Borrower, or on account of any return of capital to any holder of any such Equity Interest in, or any other Affiliate of, the Borrower, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment, (b) any payment of any management, consultancy, administrative, services, or other similar payments, to any Person who owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in the Borrower or (c) any payment to the Manager pursuant to Section 3.03(a)(ii)(L) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement; provided , that the payment of the Approved Management Fees or any Permitted Tax Distribution, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Accounts Agreement, shall not constitute a Restricted Payment.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

Sale Order ” means the Order Authorizing (i) the Sale of Substantially All of the Seneca Assets and Process Technology of Debtors Free and Clear of Liens, Claims and Encumbrances and (ii) the Assumption and Assignment of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 29, 2009.

Second Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a Second Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test conducted while the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate is in operation;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

31


  (iii) the Borrower shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v) each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time shall have been obtained.

Second Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-2 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-1 , in each case confirming that the Second Train Completion Date has occurred.

Security ” means the security created in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents.

Security Agreement ” means the Assignment and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, by the Borrower in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Security Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Mortgage;

 

  (ii) the Consents;

 

  (iii) the Pledge Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Security Agreement;

 

32


  (v) the IP Security Agreement;

 

  (vi) the Blocked Account Agreements;

 

  (vii) any other document designated as a Security Document by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; and

 

  (viii) any fixture filings, financing statements, notices, authorization letters, or other certificates filed, recorded or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Sellers ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Semi-Annual Payment Date ” means each of January 31 and July 31.

Senior Secured Parties ” means the Lenders, the Agents and each of their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

Sidetrack Agreement ” means Private Sidetrack Agreement between the Borrower and CSX Transportation, Inc. dated November 15, 2007.

Site ” means those certain parcels described on Schedule 5.13 .

Software ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(j) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Special Costs ” has the meaning provided in Section 17 of the Management and Operational Services Agreement.

SPV ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(h) ( Assignments ) .

Subsidiary ” of any Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

Supplemental Capital Improvement Budget ” means a budget in the approximate amount of $850,000 in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer that sets forth all categories of costs and expenses required in connection with the performance of capital improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the third train of the Project, including all construction costs, all costs under the Construction Contracts, all interest, taxes and other carrying costs, and costs related to the performance of capital improvements, as well as terms and conditions for disbursement of funds substantially similar to the terms and conditions for the disbursement of funds pursuant to the Capital Improvement

 

33


Budget set forth in this Agreement, as may be updated from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Survey ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01(r) ( Conditions to Closing – Survey; Site Description ) .

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, commodity futures contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement and (c) for the avoidance of doubt, excludes any contract for the physical sale or purchase of any commodity.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Swap Contract, or, if no provision is made therein, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Tank Repair Agreement ” means the Master Services Agreement to be entered into between the Borrower and Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any present or future taxes (including income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, documentary, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value-added, ad valorem, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever), levies, imposts, duties, fees or charges (including any interest, penalty, or addition thereof) imposed by any government or any governmental agency or instrumentality or any international or multinational agency or commission.

Tax Return ” means all returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund and information returns and statements of any Person required to be filed with respect to, or in respect of, any Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.

 

34


Termination Event ” means (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any ERISA Plan, (ii) the initiation of any action by any Loan Party, any ERISA Affiliate or any ERISA Plan fiduciary to terminate an ERISA Plan (other than a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA) or the treatment of an amendment to an ERISA Plan as a termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA (other than treatment as a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA), (iii) the institution of proceedings by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate an ERISA Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any ERISA Plan, (iv) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan during a plan year in which such Loan Party or such ERISA Affiliate was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or the cessation of operations which results in the termination of employment of twenty percent (20%) of Multiemployer Plan participants who are employees of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate, (v) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is in default (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

Threat of Release ” shall mean “threat of release” as used in CERCLA.

Title Continuation ” means a written notice issued by the Title Insurance Company (including their local title insurance abstractors) confirming the status of title as set forth in the Title Insurance Policy, which indicates that, since the last preceding Funding Date (or, if the current Funding is on the Closing Date, since the date hereof), there has been no change in the title of title to the Mortgaged Property and no Liens or survey exceptions (in the case of any updated or “as-built” survey that has been issued) not theretofore approved by the Required Lenders, which written notice shall contain no recorded mechanic’s liens except as approved by the Required Lenders or as otherwise subject to a Contest.

Title Insurance Company ” means Chicago Title Insurance Company, or such other title insurance company or companies reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Title Insurance Policy ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01(s)(i) ( Conditions to Closing and First Funding – Title Insurance ) .

Trade Secrets ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(f) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, the Financing Documents and the Project Documents.

Unassumed Obligations ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.02(b) ( Other Credit Agreement ) .

Unfunded Benefit Liabilities ” means, with respect to any ERISA Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all accrued benefits calculated on an accumulated benefit obligation basis and based upon the actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes (i.e., those determined in accordance with FASB statement No. 35 and used in preparing the ERISA Plan’s financial statements) exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all

 

35


ERISA Plan assets allocable to such benefits, determined as of the then most recent actuarial valuation report for such ERISA Plan.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of provisions relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

United States ” or “ U.S. ” means the United States of America, its fifty States and the District of Columbia.

United States Person ” means a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

WestLB ” means WestLB AG, New York Branch.

Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(a) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

 

36


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF NOTE]

Note

 

$[              ]

   [                               ]
   [                      ], 20[      ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SENECA LANDLORD, LLC (the “ Borrower ”), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to the order of [                                      ], a [                              ] (the “ Lender ”), at its offices located at [                                  ], the principal sum of [              ] Dollars ($[              ]) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among the Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower also promises to pay (i) interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof from the date hereof until paid in full at the rates and at the times provided in the Credit Agreement and (ii) fees at such times and at such rates and amounts as specified in Credit Agreement.

Principal, interest and fees are payable in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, at the times and in the amounts provided in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is entitled to the benefits and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, and is entitled to the benefits of the security provided under the Financing Documents including the Mortgage. As provided in the Credit Agreement, this Note is subject to mandatory prepayment and voluntary prepayment, in whole or in part. The Borrower agrees to make prepayment of principal on the dates and in the amounts specified in the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement, among other things, contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events.

The Lender is hereby authorized, at its option, either (i) to endorse on the schedule attached hereto (or on a continuation of such schedule attached to this Note and made a part hereof) an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of the Loans evidenced hereby and the date and amount of each principal payment in respect thereof, or (ii) to record such Loans and such payments in its books and records. Such schedule or such books and records, as the case may be, shall constitute, absent manifest error, prima facie evidence of the

 

B-1


accuracy of the information contained therein, but in no event shall any failure by the Lender to endorse or record pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) be deemed to relieve the Borrower from any of its obligations.

The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note.

The Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Note, in accordance with and to the extent provided by the Credit Agreement.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

 

B-2


SENECA LANDLORD, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

B-3


Schedule to Note

LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

   Amount of
Loan
   Amount of
Principal Paid
or Prepaid
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Notation
Made By

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

Performance Testing Plan

Seneca Landlord, LLC. Seneca Biodiesel Refinery

 

C-1


Performance Testing Plan

Biodiesel Refinery

Located in Seneca, Illinois

 

 

 

1.0 Purpose

This document describes the plan for conducting performance tests at the Seneca Landlord, LLC (“Owner”) biodiesel facility located in Seneca, Illinois (“Facility”) for the conversion of high Free Fatty Acid (“FFA”) feedstock to ASTM 6751-09a quality biodiesel.

The performance test, (“Minimum Performance Criteria”) requires that one train meet the Table 1 criteria while operating at a minimum of 50 percent of nameplate 20 million gallons per year (“MGPY”) of biodiesel for a period of 24 hours on each one of its operating trains (Train C or Train A).

 

2.0 Performance Criteria

The following Schedule One is a summary of the major performance test criteria to be met.

Schedule One – Performance Test Criteria

 

Performance Criteria    Required  

Performance Test Biodiesel Capacity

  

Minimum Performance Criteria biodiesel production rate

(average gallons per hour per train, minimum, corrected to 60 F)

     1,262   

Minimum Performance Criteria test duration, hours

     24   

 

3.0 Pretest Activities

Before testing begins, the following activities should be completed.

 

1) The Facility has been provided with three individual Micro Motion F-Series Coriolis meters one for each inbound feedstock delivery pipeline and are located between the feedstock inventory tanks and the beginning of each process train. These meters have a mass flow accuracy of 0.1% and are equipped to provide both instantaneous and totalizer mass flow readings in pounds. These meters will be used as the “official” measurement of inbound feedstock and totalizer of total mass of feedstock consumed during the Performance Test. The totalizer readings shall be obtained on the train specific flow meter prior to the beginning of the Performance Test and again upon conclusion of the Performance Test and the difference shall be equal to the total pounds of feedstock consumed by each train. These meters are known as 04C-FI-0116 for train C and 04A-FI-0116 for train A.

 

C-2


2) The Facility has been provided with three individual Micro Motion F-Series Coriolis meters, one for each outbound finished biodiesel pipeline and are located between the production line and the prequalification tanks. These meters have a mass flow accuracy of 0.1% and are equipped to provide both instantaneous and totalizer mass flow readings in pounds. These meters will be used as the “official” measurement of finished biodiesel product and totalizer of total mass of biodiesel produced during the Performance Test. The totalizer readings shall be obtained on the train specific flow meter prior to the beginning of the Performance Test and again upon conclusion of the Performance Test and the difference shall be equal to the total pounds of biodiesel produced by each train. These meters are known as 04C-FI-0532 for train C and 04A-FI-0532 for train A.

 

3)

It has been agreed to density correct all finished biodiesel to 60 o F upon conclusion of the Performance Test, hence, the sum of the cumulative mass of all three meters shall be divided by the average standard density of the produced biodiesel as reported by the 3 rd party laboratory to establish the volume in gallons of finished biodiesel produced as corrected to 60 o F and reported in gallons.

 

4) Identify the biodiesel receiving tank(s) to be used during the test. A sample shall be taken for quality by a 3rd party laboratory. Testing shall include:

 

  a. Flash Point by ASTM D 93
  b. Water and Sediment by ASTM D 2709
  c. Acid Number by ASTM D 664
  d. Free Glycerin by ASTM D 6584
  e. Total Glycerin by ASTM D 6584

 

5) Assuming dedicated tanks are used for the performance test, identify valve switching required at the beginning of the test.

 

6) Intermediate product volumes in process tanks and vessels shall be determined by existing level instruments and provided to the Independent Engineer.

 

7) All of the Micromotion flow meters used in the test were factory calibrated prior to installation and have a minimum 1-year stability guarantee. All level transmitters used during the test were factory calibrated prior to installation and have a 2-year stability guarantee. A zero trim will be performed on all level transmitters prior to the test and the as-found and as-left data shall be provided to the Independent Engineer.

 

C-3


4.0 Testing Activities

 

1) The train must be operated in a normal mode of operation, including only permanent operators and support staff, and while meeting applicable permits.

 

2) If the test is interrupted for any reason, the Independent Engineer may require the test to be restarted. If the test is interrupted for an external cause, such as external power failure, the test does not need to be restarted from the beginning. However, steady state operation must be reestablished.

 

3) The facility will be in stable operation for at least 24 hours at or near its performance test production rate prior to the start of the test or for such a period of time that the Owner and the Independent Engineer agree that the facility is in steady state and the test can begin.

 

4) The performance test start time will be agreed upon before the test begins.

 

5) The biodiesel, tank levels and temperatures as well as mass flow totalizer readings from involved individual Micro Motion Coriolis meters will be recorded by the control system process historian every 5 seconds. In addition, readings will be obtained directly from the instruments every 12 hours.

 

6) The liquid level and temperature of intermediate tanks and/or vessels that can have variable liquid levels will be recorded by the control system process historian every 5 seconds. In addition, manual readings will be recorded at the start of the test and at the end of the test. Near the end of the test, operators should endeavor to bring the level in the intermediate tankage/vessels back to the levels recorded at the beginning of the test.

 

7)

The 3 rd Party Independent Laboratory will analyze Owner-provided samples of any existing biodiesel in the storage tanks for compliance with 6751-09a prior to the start of the performance test as detailed in Article 3.0 – Pre Test Activities, paragraph 4.

 

8)

During the test, the 3rd Party Independent Laboratory will analyze Owner-provided samples of the produced biodiesel for compliance with 6751-09a. Quality samples will be drawn from the final storage tanks every 12 hours at the sample port locations on the recirculation lines. This sample will be sampled in accordance with BQ-9000

 

C-4


  procedures for final qualification. The laboratory will determine the following parameters as outlined in Table 1 below:

LOGO

 

9) The Independent Engineer will deliver a written performance test report within 5 working days of having received the data taken during the performance test, certificates of analysis from the 3rd party laboratory, and a written test report from the Owner detailing their performance test criteria calculations on how the facility performed during the performance test.

 

5.0 Calculations

 

5.1 Biodiesel Production Rate

The Performance Guarantee for throughput of gallons of biodiesel produced will be determined by the following Equation One and Two.

[Equation One]         Biodiesel Final – Biodiesel Initial = Biodiesel Produced

 

C-5


Where:

 

  1) Biodiesel Initial is the initial totalizer upon start of the performance test

 

  2) Biodiesel Final is the final totalizer upon conclusion of the performance test

 

  3)

The Biodiesel Produced during the performance test will be the difference between the Biodiesel Initial and Biodiesel Final weight in pounds. This mass of biodiesel shall be divided by the average standard density of the produced biodiesel as reported by the 3 rd party laboratory in pounds per gallon to correct for temperature and volume to 60 o F expressed in gallons.

[Equation Two]         Biodiesel Production Rate = Biodiesel Produced divided by 24 hours

Where:

 

  1) Biodiesel Production Rate is expressed in gallons per hour

 

  2) Biodiesel Produced is derived from Equation Two expressed in gallons

 

  3) 24 hours is the time of the Performance Test.

 

C-6


EXHIBIT H

FORM OF NON-U.S. LENDER STATEMENT

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned Non-U.S. Lender hereby certifies as follows:

1. The Non-U.S. Lender is the beneficial owner of any and all interests in the Obligations that it holds.

2. The Non-U.S. Lender is not a “United States person” as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(30). Code Section 7701(a)(30) defines a United States person as a citizen or resident of the United States; a domestic partnership; a domestic corporation; an estate (other than a foreign estate); and a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

3. The Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code.

4. The Non-U.S. Lender undertakes to notify the Borrower and Administrative Agent promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of this Non-U.S. Lender Statement if, following the execution date hereof, any statement herein ceases to be true at any time while the Non-U.S. Lender is entitled to payments of interest, principal or any other amounts payable by the Borrower under the Financing Documents.

 

H-1


The undersigned Non-U.S. Lender acknowledges that this Non-U.S. Lender Statement is executed and delivered in order to substantiate its entitlement to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the Code. Further, the undersigned individual certifies that [s]he has the requisite authority to execute and deliver this document for the Non-U.S. Lender.

 

[NAME OF NON-U.S. LENDER]
By:    

Print Name:

Title:

Date:

 

 

H-2


EXHIBIT I

[FORM OF]

INSURANCE CONSULTANT’S CERTIFICATE

[                      ] , 20 [ __ ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: [Andrea Bailey]

Phone: [212-597-1158]

Facsimile: [212-302-7946]

E-mail Address: [NYC_Agency_Services@WestLB.com]

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, a duly authorized officer of [                      ] (the “ Insurance Consultant ”), hereby provides this letter to you in accordance with (a)  Section 6.01(n) of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto and (b)  Section 2.3.12 of that certain Lease Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Lease ” by and between Borrower, as lessor, and REG SENECA, LLC, as lessee (“ OpCo II ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the common practice of the insurance industry.

The Insurance Consultant acknowledges that (a) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders will be providing financing to the Borrower with respect to the Project and (b) pursuant to the Lease, Borrower will be leasing the Premises to OpCo II and in so doing each of the Lenders will be relying on this certificate and the Insurance Consultant’s report dated April 8, 2010. The Insurance Consultant certifies that attached hereto as Attachment 1 is a true, correct and complete copy of such report, and such report represents the Insurance Consultant’s professional opinion as of the date thereof. Further, since the date of such report, nothing has come to our attention that would cause us to change that report.

 

Exhibit I-1


The Insurance Consultant hereby further certifies to the Administrative Agent that:

 

  (i) the Borrower has provided evidence of all insurance policies required pursuant to and in accordance with Section 6.01(n) of the Credit Agreement and OpCo II has provided evidence of all insurance policies required pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.3. 12 of the Lease. Such evidence has been provided in the form of usual and customary certificates of insurance and their respective insurance brokers have executed a letter or letters confirming that all such insurance policies are in full force and effect and in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the Lease;

 

  (ii) each of the Borrower’s and OpCo II’s respective insurance broker has confirmed that all premiums due and payable with respect to each such insurance policy have been paid or that the Borrower or OpCo II, as applicable, is not in arrears on any such premium due;

 

  (iii) each such insurance policy is placed with insurance carriers with at least an AM Best, A-X or equivalent credit rating.

It is our opinion that on the basis of the certificates of insurance and other information evidenced to us by each of the Borrower and OpCo II and each of the Borrower’s and OpCo II’s respective insurance broker, the insurance evidenced is in compliance with the material insurance requirements of the Project Documents and with the requirements of the Credit Agreement.

A letter from each of the Borrower’s and OpCo II’s respective insurance broker signifying premiums have been paid and that insurers meet the specified AM Best ratings is attached hereto as Attachment 2 .

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

Exhibit I-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Insurance Consultant’s Certificate to be duly executed by an authorized offer as of the date first above written.

 

[INSURANCE CONSULTANT]
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

Exhibit I-3


ATTACHMENT 1

to Insurance Consultant’s Certificate

INSURANCE CONSULTANT’S REPORT

 

Exhibit I-4


ATTACHMENT 2

to Insurance Consultant’s Certificate

INSURANCE BROKER’S LETTER

 

Exhibit I-5


[FORM OF]

INSURANCE BROKER’S CERTIFICATE

[                      ] , 20 [ __ ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: [Andrea Bailey]

Phone: [212-597-1158]

Facsimile: [212-302-7946]

E-mail Address: [NYC_Agency_Services@WestLB.com]

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, a duly authorized officer of [ Schiff, Kreidler-Shell, Inc. ] (the “ Insurance Broker ”), hereby provides this letter to you in accordance with (a)  Section 6.01(n) of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto and (b)  Section 2.3.12 of that certain Lease Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Lease ” by and between Borrower, as lessor, and REG SENECA, LLC, as lessee (“ OpCo II ”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the common practice of the insurance industry.

The Insurance Broker acknowledges that (a) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders will be providing financing to the Borrower with respect to the Project and (b) pursuant to the Lease, Borrower will be leasing the Premises to OpCo II and in so doing each of the Lenders, the Insurance Consultant and the Borrower will be relying on this certificate. The Insurance Broker certifies that attached hereto as Attachment 1 are true, correct and complete certificates of insurance evidencing insurance coverage that has been put in place on behalf of the Borrower and OpCo II with respect to the ownership and operation of the Project.

The Insurance Broker hereby further certifies to the Administrative Agent, Insurance Consultant and Borrower that:

 

  (i)

the Borrower has procured all insurance required pursuant to and in accordance with Section 6.01(n) of the Credit Agreement and OpCo II has procured all insurance required pursuant to and in accordance with Section

 

Exhibit I-6


  2.3. 12 of the Lease, and such insurance policies are in full force and effect;

 

  (ii) all premiums due and payable with respect to each such insurance policy have been paid or such premiums due are not in arrears;

 

  (iii) each such insurance policy is placed with insurance carriers with at least an AM Best, A-X or equivalent credit rating

 

  (iv) Each such insurance policy (with the exception of Professional Liability, Directors and Officers and Workers Compensation/Employers Liability insurance) has been endorsed with the Senior Secured Parties and Borrower as Additional Insureds and the Collateral Agent as sole (or first) loss payee (where applicable);

 

  (v) Each such insurance policy permits a waiver of subrogation for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties or the Borrower, as the case may be;

 

  (vi) The General Liability insurance policy is primary (without contribution from any other policies the Senior Secured Parties may hold);

 

  (vii) Each all risk property, business interruption and boiler & machinery policy required to be maintained contains non-vitiation language to ensure such insurance policy will remain in full force in effect for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties or the Borrower, as the case may be, in the event other insured parties violate the specified terms and conditions of the policy/policies. Each such insurance policy contains a non-invalidation endorsement or provision that permits (but does not obligate) the Senior Secured Parties to pay any premiums due and continue coverage in the event that the Borrower fails to make premium payments; and

 

  (viii) Each such insurance policy (with the exception of workers’ compensation) provides a minimum of 30-days’ written notice of cancellation to the Senior Secured Parties.

It is our opinion that the insurance placed by or on behalf of the Borrower by OpCo II (as evidenced by certificates of insurance attached hereto as Attachment 1 ) is in compliance with the material insurance requirements of the Project Documents and with the requirements of the Credit Agreement.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

Exhibit I-7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Insurance Broker’s Certificate to be duly executed by an authorized offer as of the date first above written.

 

[INSURANCE BROKER]
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

Exhibit I-8


ATTACHMENT 1

to Insurance Broker’s Certificate

CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE

 

Exhibit I-9


EXHIBIT J-1

[FORM OF]

INDEPENDENT ENGINEER’S

CLOSING DATE CERTIFICATE

[Letterhead of Independent Engineer]

[                    ] , 2010

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

  Re: Seneca Landlord, LLC Project

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, a duly authorized representative of R.W. Beck, Inc. (the “ Independent Engineer ”), hereby provides this certificate to you in accordance with Section 6.01(o) of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The Independent Engineer certifies that it has reviewed the Capital Improvement Budget, the Borrower’s certification with respect thereto and other material relating to the Project as it believes are necessary to establish the accuracy of this certificate (collectively, the “ Materials ”) . The Independent Engineer’s review and observations were performed within the scope of our professional services agreement with the Administrative Agent and in accordance with standards of care normally practiced by professional engineers and consultants performing the same or similar services on like projects, including such investigations, observations and review as the Independent Engineer in our professional capacity deemed necessary under the circumstances. The Independent Engineer has not visited the Seneca Landlord, LLC facility in Seneca, Illinois (the “ Project ”). Based on the foregoing review and review procedures, and on the understanding and assumption that we have been provided true, correct, and complete information from the Borrower as to the matters covered by the Materials, as of the date hereof, the Independent Engineer certifies in our professional opinion that:

 

Exhibit J1-1


  (i) there is no reason to believe that the Capital Improvement Completion Date will not occur on or prior to the Commencement Date Certain;

 

  (ii) sufficient funds remain available to the Borrower from the Required Equity Contribution to complete the capital improvement work with respect to the Project in accordance with the Capital Improvement Budget, the Construction Contracts and the Credit Agreement[, except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto];

 

  (iii) while the Independent Engineer has not conducted a comprehensive examination, in the course of our normal and routine work in accordance with our Professional Services Agreement, nothing of a technical or environmental nature has come to our attention which would give us reason to believe that the statements contained in the Materials are not true and correct[, except as set forth on Exhibit A hereto];

 

  (iv) [except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto,] the Independent Engineer has no knowledge of any event of force majeure under the Construction Contracts set forth in Schedule 5.11 nor of any Default or Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing;

 

  (v) the Capital Improvement Budget and the feasibility and efficacy of the Borrower’s approach to performing capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to and start-up of the Project is reasonable; and

 

  (vi) [except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto,] the Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all material Environmental Approvals applicable to the Project and does not have any known present or contingent liability relating to any Environmental Approval or Environmental Claim regarding the Project.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page.]

 

Exhibit J1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned authorized representatives have caused this Independent Engineer’s Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

R.W. BECK, INC.
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

Exhibit J1-3


Exhibit A

Exceptions and Clarifications

Due to the Facility’s shut-down state since November 2008, certain permits and approvals are due to expire and will require renewal or extension. Specifically, the Facility’s air permit (Permit No. 099405AAD) issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection agency (IEPA) was due to expire March 24, 2010. The air permit will need to be either extended or renewed prior to its expiration date. According to the Borrower, the application for the renewal/extension of the air construction permit by Nova Biofuels Seneca LLC (the debtor in position) was submitted on March 8, 2010. The Borrower reported that the transfer of permits cannot be completed until the purchase transaction is complete. The Borrower also reported that the transfer of permits will likely involve a letter notification to the appropriate agency providing a written agreement between the current and new permitees containing the specific date of transfer of permit responsibility as well as the coverage and liability between the current and new permittees.

According to the Borrower, appropriate reports and/or correspondence (on suspended operations) have been submitted to the IEPA to maintain compliance with the air permit. Specifically, leak detection and repair reports (January 30th and July 30th of each year) were submitted as well as annual emission reports (by May 1st of each year) were submitted when the Facility was operating. The Facility performed compliance testing of Train C during August 2008. The testing was not successful in demonstrating compliance with methanol air emissions. Certain modifications were made to the Facility but the Facility may be required to perform compliance testing after start-up (likely within 180 days after start-up). Should the Facility not demonstrate compliance with conditions of the air permit, additional modifications to the Facility will likely be required. The extent of such modifications, if any, cannot be determined at the present time. Upon demonstration of compliance with the air construction permit conditions, an operating permit will be issued to the Facility by the IEPA.

 

Exhibit J1-4


EXHIBIT L

[FORM OF]

OPERATING STATEMENT

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention:     [Andrea Bailey]

Telephone:   [(212) 597-1158]

Facsimile:      [(212) 302-7946]

E-mail:           [NYC_Agency_Services@WestLB.com]

Date: [                      ]

Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

Each of the Borrower and OpCo II hereby represents and certifies as follows:

1. This Operating Statement is the Operating Statement described in the Credit Agreement, and it is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.03(p) ( Operating Statements ) of the Credit Agreement.

2. The individual executing this Operating Statement is an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and OpCo II, as applicable.

3. This Operating Statement is being delivered to the Administrative Agent within forty-five (45) days after the end of the Fiscal Quarter ending on [                      ] , 20 [          ] .

4. The biodiesel produced and sold by the Project during the period covered by this Operating Statement are reflected in the chart below entitled “Production and Sales of Biodiesel, Glycerin and Other Products.”

5. Each of the expenses reflected in the chart below entitled “Actual to Budgeted Operating Expenses” for the year to date, and for each month or quarter in such year, did not exceed the provision for each such period contained in the Operating Budget then in effect by more than the Permitted Operating Budget Deviation Levels [if this certification cannot be made, Borrower to provide detailed explanation] .

6. This Operating Statement is complete and correct in all material respects, subject to auditing review.

 

L-1


REG SENECA LLC

PLANT OPERATIONS STATEMENT

 

     Actual Current Month    Budget Current month    YTD Actual    YTD Budget    Actual Prior Month
     $$    Gal.    $$    Gal.    $$    Gal.    $$    Gal.    $$    Gal.

Income

                             

Biodiesel sales

                             

Dollar sales

                             

Gallons sold

                             

Toll fees

                             

Toll gallons

                             

Co-product sales

                             

Freight & Storage

                             

Other income

                             

Cost of goods sold

                             

Feedstock

                             

Chemicals

                             
  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

  

Gross Margin

                             

Gallons produced

                             

Direct control expenses

                             

Payroll - total

                             

Payroll production

                             

Payroll contract employees

                             

Payroll admin

                             

Benefits

                             

Operating Supplies

                             

Supplies & repairs (maint)

                             

Utilities

                             

R&D expenses

                             

Freight

                             

EHS

                             

Management fee

                             

Contract Services

                             

Professional fees

                             

Bad debt expense

                             

Misc. direct expenses

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total direct expenses

                             

Depreciation

                             

Property taxes

                             

Interest expense

                             

Insurance

                             

Rent and lease

                             

Storage

                             

Shared Assets

                             

Unrealized (gains) losses

                             

Realized (gains) losses

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total fixed expenses

                             

Absorption - Labor

                             

Absorption - Expenses

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total Absorption

                             

Total all expenses

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Net income

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

EBITDA

                             
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

L-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Operating Statement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

REG SENECA, LLC,

as OpCo II

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

L-3


DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 8th day of April 2010, by and among STERLING BANK, a Texas banking corporation (“Bank”), SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Company”) and WestLB AG, New York Branch in its capacity as collateral agent under the Loan Documents (as defined below) (“Secured Party”).

A. Company and Secured Party have previously entered into that certain Assignment and Security Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company has granted to Secured Party a security interest in and to the Pledged Accounts, as hereinafter defined.

B. The Company has established the following deposit accounts with Bank:

 

Style

   Account No.   

Description

     

For purposes of this Agreement, each of the foregoing deposit accounts shall be referred collectively as the “Pledged Accounts”, whether one or more.

C. The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth their relative priorities, rights, duties and obligations with respect to the Pledged Accounts and all funds from time to time on deposit therein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Security Interests .

(a) To secure the Company’s obligations and liabilities to the Secured Party under the loan documents executed by the Company and the Secured Party (the “Loan Documents”), the Company has granted to the Secured Party a lien upon and a continuing security interest in its rights in the Pledged Accounts and all monies from time to time on deposit therein pursuant to the Pledge Agreement. Bank acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes notice of the Secured Party’s security interest in such collateral and consents thereto.

(b) The Company hereby agrees that Bank, acting on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Party, shall be entitled to exercise, upon the written instructions of the Secured Party, any and all rights which the Secured Party may have under the Loan Documents or under applicable law with respect to the Pledged Accounts.

2. Control of Pledged Accounts .

(a) In order to give Secured Party control over the Pledged Accounts, as control is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Texas, Bank hereby agrees, as of the Effective Date of a Notice to Bank, to comply with any and all instructions from time to time originated by the Secured Party directing disposition of funds in the Pledged Accounts, without further consent by the Company. The parties hereto agree that (i) such Notice to Bank may include, without limitation, the


giving of stop payment orders and may further include instructions to transfer funds to or for the Secured Party’s benefit; and (ii) Bank shall have no duty to inquire or determine whether the Secured Party is entitled, under any of the Loan Documents, to give any such Notice to Bank. Any such Notice to Bank shall remain effective until further written notice is given by the Secured Party to Bank. Company hereby agrees that Bank shall be entitled to rely on any Notice to Bank originated by the Secured Party, as set forth in this Section 2, even if (i) such Notice to Bank is contrary to any instructions or demands that the Company may deliver to Bank; and/or (ii) a result of such Notice to Bank is the dishonoring by Bank of items which may be presented for payment. Furthermore, Bank shall have no duty or obligation whatsoever of any kind or character to determine the validity of a Notice to Bank or to take further instructions from the Company of Company’s agents after the Effective Date of a Notice to Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice to Bank” shall mean a written notification from Secured Party to Bank that Secured Party is entitled to direct the Bank to cease complying with all instruction originated by the Company or Company’s agents, or to exercise its rights under the Pledge Agreement, including the right to withdraw, transfer, or otherwise control the Pledged Accounts. The “Effective Date” of a Notice to the Bank shall be the beginning of the second Business Day after an officer of Bank at the level of Vice President or above has verified receipt of the Notice to Bank by fax to Secured Party, provided that Bank may, at its option, act on the Notice to Bank at any time after actual receipt by Bank of the Notice to Bank (even if before the beginning of the second Business Day after Bank has acknowledged receipt, as provided above. A “Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day on which Bank is closed for business.

(b) The parties hereto agree that, until such time as Secured Party has delivered a Notice to Bank pursuant to Section 2(a), and notwithstanding that Secured Party has “control” (as that term is defined in Articles 8 & 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Texas) of the Pledged Accounts, Company shall be permitted to make deposits to or withdrawals from the Pledged Accounts (including, without limitation, by means of checks, ACH transactions, wires, investment sweeps, or other transfers) without the prior consent of the Secured Party, and Company is not obligated to keep a minimum balance in any of the Pledged Accounts. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and the Secured Party anticipate that, at any time and from time to time, there may be no funds in any or all of the Pledged Accounts. The Company and Bank agree that following Bank’s receipt of a Notice to Bank from Secured Party pursuant to Section 2(a), Secured Party shall have the exclusive right to instruct Bank with respect to the Pledged Accounts and that, except for any claims that the Bank might have under Section 5, no withdrawals or transfers shall be made from the Pledged Accounts without the express prior written consent of Secured Party. The parties acknowledge that if the Bank receives a levy or other governmental, regulatory, or judicial instruction to withdraw or disburse funds from any of the Pledged Accounts, the Bank shall comply with such order, without authorization from Company or Secured Party.

3. Certain Representations, Warranties and Covenants .

(a) Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that such party has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and that such execution, delivery and performance shall not constitute or cause a breach of or default under such party’s organizational documents or any material contract to which such party is bound.

(b) Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that this Agreement is legally valid and binding on such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy or other comparable laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and except as limited by the availability of equitable remedies.

(c) Bank hereby represents and warrants to Secured Party that except for this Agreement, Bank has not entered into any agreement with any person or entity pursuant to which Bank is obligated to


comply with instructions as to the disposition of funds from the Pledged Accounts. Bank hereby covenants and agrees that Bank shall not, without the prior written consent of Secured Party, enter into any agreement with any other person or entity pursuant to which Bank is obligated to comply with instructions as to the disposition of funds from the Pledged Accounts. Bank certifies to Secured Party that (i) Bank’s records do not disclose any liens, claims or assignments of any kind against or relating to the Account, and (ii) the Account is not represented by a certificate.

4. Account Information . Bank shall provide Secured Party, upon such Secured Party’s reasonable written request therefor, information relating to the Pledged Accounts as shall be reasonably requested from time to time by Secured Party. Company agrees that Bank may provide Secured Party with such account information.

5. Fees . Company agrees to pay on written demand all usual and customary service charges, transfer fees and account maintenance fees (collectively, “Fees”) of Bank in connection with the Pledged Accounts pursuant to any Account Agreement (as defined below). In the event Company fails to timely make a payment to Bank of any Fees, Bank may thereafter exercise its right of set-off against the Pledged Accounts for such amounts. Furthermore, if following delivery of a Notice to Bank Secured Party directs Bank to wire or otherwise transfer funds to an account designated by Secured Party, the Bank may deduct wire fees, if any, and any other outstanding fees and expenses from the amount to be wired or otherwise transferred.

6. Set-Off . Except as otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to the preceding Section 5, Bank hereby agrees that Bank will not exercise or claim any right of setoff, security interest or banker’s lien against any Pledged Accounts or any deposits therein.

7. Exculpation of Bank; Indemnification by the Company . The Company and the Secured Party agree that Bank shall have no liability to either of them for any loss or damage that one or both may claim to have suffered or incurred, either directly or indirectly, by reason of this Agreement or any transaction or service contemplated by the provisions hereof, unless occasioned by the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of Bank. Without limitation of the preceding sentence, the Company agrees that Bank shall have no liability to Company for any wrongful dishonor in connection with the execution by Bank of any Secured Party instructions, as authorized by and in accordance with Section 2, and the Bank’s subsequent dishonor of any items presented for payment. In no event shall Bank be liable for losses or delays resulting from computer malfunction, interruption of communication facilities, labor difficulties or other causes beyond Bank’s reasonable control or for indirect, special or consequential damages. The Company agrees to indemnify Bank and hold it harmless from and against any and all claims, other than those ultimately determined to be founded on gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of Bank, and from and against any damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities, losses or reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements) incurred as a result of the assertion of any claim, by any person or entity, arising out of, or otherwise related to, any transaction conducted or service provided by Bank through the use of the Pledged Accounts at Bank pursuant to the procedures provided for or contemplated by this Agreement.

8. Termination . Absent the prior written consent of the Secured Party, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company only upon delivery to Bank of a written notification thereof jointly executed by the Company and the Secured Party. This Agreement may be terminated by the Secured Party at any time, with or without cause, upon its delivery of written notice thereof to Company and Bank. This Agreement may be terminated by Bank at any time on not less than 30 days prior written notice delivered to Company and Secured Party. Upon termination of this Agreement, all funds remaining in the Pledged Accounts shall be forwarded by the Bank to the Company or whoever is entitled to the funds by law (subject, in any event, to written instructions delivered by the Secured Party as authorized by, and in accordance with, Section 2). The provisions of Sections 1, 2 and 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement unless and until specifically released by the Secured Party in writing. All rights of Bank


under Sections 5 and 7 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

9. Notices . All notices, requests or other communications given to Company, Secured Party or Bank shall be given in writing (including by facsimile) at the addresses specified below:

 

Secured Party:   

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036

Attn: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: (212) 597-1158

Facsimile: (212) 302-7946

 

Bank:   

Sterling Bank

2201 Mangum Road

Houston, TX 77092

Attn: Peter Ellen

Telephone: (713) 507-2469

Facsimile: (713) 507-2320

 

with copies to:

 

Sterling Bank

5757 Memorial Drive

Houston, TX 77007

Attn: Janet Groue, Associate General Counsel

Telephone: (713) 507-7960

Facsimile: (713) 507-7900

 

Company:   

Seneca Landlord, LLC

2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 4050

West Santa Monica, CA 90404

Attn: Jonathan Koch

Telephone: (310) 586-3920

Facsimile: (310) 586-3995

 

 


  

with copies to:

 

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, MO 63146

Attn: General Manager — Bunge Biofuels

Telephone: (314) 292-2789

Facsimile: (314) 292-2110

 

and

 

US Renewables Group

10 Bank Street

White Plains, New York 10606

Attention: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director

Telephone: (914) 390-9620

Facsimile: (914) 206-3509

Any party may change its address for notices hereunder by notice to each other party hereunder given in accordance with this Section 9. Any Notice to Bank shall be effective on its Effective Date. Any other notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section 9 and confirmation of receipt is made by the appropriate party, (b) if given by overnight courier, on the business day after such communication is deposited with the overnight courier for delivery, addressed as aforesaid, or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section 9.

10. Miscellaneous . This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by Secured Party, Bank, and Company acting by their respective duly authorized representatives. This Agreement shall not amend the Rules and Regulations Governing Deposit Account (the “Account Agreement”) in effect from time to time by and between the Bank and the Company in connection with the Pledged Accounts, or abridge any rights that Bank may have under such Account Agreements. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but neither Bank nor Company shall be entitled to assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the express prior written consent of Secured Party. This Agreement may be executed in any number of several counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to choice or conflict of laws, and venue for any legal action or proceeding shall be in Harris County, Texas.

[signatures on following page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed and delivered this Deposit Account Control Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth.

 

BANK:
STERLING BANK
By:  
Name:  
Title:  
SECURED PARTY:
WestLB AG, New York Branch As collateral agent
By:  
Name:  
Title:  
By:  
Name:  
Title:  
COMPANY:
SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company
By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Deposit Account Control Agreement — Seneca Landlord, LLC


DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 8th day of April, 2010, by and among STERLING BANK, a Texas banking corporation (“Bank”), REG SENECA, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Company”), SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (the “Borrower”) and WestLB AG, New York Branch in its capacity as collateral agent under the Loan Documents (as defined below) (“Secured Party”).

A. Company and the Borrower have previously entered into that certain Assignment and Security Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company has granted to the Borrower a security interest in and to the Pledged Accounts, as hereinafter defined. The Borrower has assigned such security interest to the Secured Party.

B. The Company has established the following deposit accounts with Bank:

 

Style

   Account No.    Description
     

For purposes of this Agreement, each of the foregoing deposit accounts shall be referred to collectively as the “Pledged Accounts,” whether one or more.

C. The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement in order to set forth their relative priorities, rights, duties and obligations with respect to the Pledged Accounts and all funds from time to time on deposit therein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Security Interests .

(a) To secure the Company’s obligations and liabilities to the Borrower under the Pledge Agreement and any and all other documents executed in connection therewith (the “Lease Documents”), the Company has granted to the Borrower a lien upon and a continuing security interest in the Pledged Accounts and all monies from time to time on deposit therein. To secure the Borrower’s obligations and liabilities to the Secured Party under the loan documents executed by the Borrower and the Secured Party (the “Loan Documents”), the Borrower has granted to the Secured Party a lien upon and a continuing security interest in its rights under the Lease Documents including in the Pledged Accounts and all monies from time to time on deposit therein. Bank acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes notice of the Secured Party’s security interest in such collateral and consents thereto.


(b) Both the Borrower and the Company hereby agree that Bank, acting on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Party, shall be entitled to exercise, upon the written instructions of the Secured Party, any and all rights which the Secured Party may have under the Loan Documents or under applicable law with respect to the Pledged Accounts.

2. Control of Pledged Accounts .

(a) In order to give Secured Party control over the Pledged Accounts, as control is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Texas, Bank hereby agrees, as of the Effective Date of a Notice to Bank, to comply with any and all instructions from time to time originated by the Secured Party directing disposition of funds in the Pledged Accounts, without further consent by the Company or the Borrower. The parties hereto agree that (i) such Notice to Bank may include, without limitation, the giving of stop payment orders and may further include instructions to transfer funds to or for the Secured Party’s benefit; and (ii) Bank shall have no duty to inquire or determine whether the Secured Party is entitled, under any of the Loan Documents, to give any such Notice to Bank. Any such Notice to Bank shall remain effective until further written notice is given by the Secured Party to Bank. Company and Borrower hereby agree that Bank shall be entitled to rely on any Notice to Bank originated by the Secured Party, as set forth in this Section 2, even if (i) such Notice to Bank is contrary to any instructions or demands that the Company may deliver to Bank; and/or (ii) a result of such Notice to Bank is the dishonoring by Bank of items which may be presented for payment. Furthermore, Bank shall have no duty or obligation whatsoever of any kind or character to determine the validity of a Notice to Bank or to take further instructions from the Company, Borrower, or their respective agents after the Effective Date of a Notice to Bank. Company further acknowledges that Bank shall be entitled to rely upon instructions from Secured Party pursuant to the Loan Documents, even though Secured Party’s actions may be based on Borrower’s default under the Loan Documents. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice to Bank” shall mean a written notification from Secured Party to Bank that Secured Party is entitled to direct the Bank to cease complying with all instruction originated by the Company or Company’s agents, or to exercise its rights under the Pledge Agreement, including the right to withdraw, transfer, or otherwise control the Pledged Accounts. The “Effective Date” of a Notice to the Bank shall be the beginning of the second Business Day after an officer of Bank at the level of Vice President or above has verified receipt of the Notice to Bank by fax to Secured Party, provided that Bank may, at its option, act on the Notice to Bank at any time after actual receipt by Bank of the Notice to Bank (even if before the beginning of the second Business Day after Bank has acknowledged receipt, as provided above. A “Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day on which Bank is closed for business.

(b) The parties hereto agree that, until such time as Secured Party has delivered a Notice to Bank pursuant to Section 2(a), and notwithstanding that Secured Party has “control” (as that term is defined in Articles 8 & 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of Texas) of the Pledged Accounts, Company shall be permitted to make deposits to or withdrawals from the Pledged Accounts (including, without limitation, by means of checks, ACH transactions, wires, investment sweeps, or other transfers) without the prior consent of the


Secured Party or Borrower, and Company is not obligated to keep a minimum balance in any of the Pledged Accounts. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and the Secured Party anticipate that, at any time and from time to time, there may be no funds in any or all of the Pledged Accounts. The Company and Bank agree that following Bank’s receipt of a Notice to Bank from Secured Party pursuant to Section 2(a), Secured Party shall have the exclusive right to instruct Bank with respect to the Pledged Accounts and that, except for any claims that the Bank might have under Section 5, no withdrawals or transfers shall be made from the Pledged Accounts without the express prior written consent of Secured Party. The parties acknowledge that if the Bank receives a levy or other governmental, regulatory, or judicial instruction to withdraw or disburse funds from any of the Pledged Accounts, the Bank shall comply with such order, without authorization from Company or Secured Party.

3. Certain Representations, Warranties and Covenants .

(a) Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that such party has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and that such execution, delivery and performance shall not constitute or cause a breach of or default under such party’s organizational documents or any material contract to which such party is bound.

(b) Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that this Agreement is legally valid and binding on such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by bankruptcy or other comparable laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and except as limited by the availability of equitable remedies.

(c) Bank hereby represents and warrants to Secured Party that except for this Agreement, Bank has not entered into any agreement with any person or entity pursuant to which Bank is obligated to comply with instructions as to the disposition of funds from the Pledged Accounts. Bank hereby covenants and agrees that Bank shall not, without the prior written consent of Secured Party, enter into any agreement with any other person or entity pursuant to which Bank is obligated to comply with instructions as to the disposition of funds from the Pledged Accounts. Bank certifies to Secured Party that (i) Bank’s records do not disclose any liens, claims or assignments of any kind against or relating to the Account, and (ii) the Account is not represented by a certificate.

4. Account Information . Bank shall provide Secured Party, upon such Secured Party’s reasonable written request therefor, information relating to the Pledged Accounts as shall be reasonably requested from time to time by Secured Party. Company agrees that Bank may provide Secured Party with such account information.

5. Fees . Company agrees to pay on written demand all usual and customary service charges, transfer fees and account maintenance fees (collectively, “Fees”) of Bank in connection with the Pledged Accounts. In the event Company fails to timely make a payment to Bank of any Fees, Bank may thereafter exercise its right of set-off against the Pledged Accounts for such amounts. Furthermore, if following delivery of a Notice to Bank Secured Party directs Bank to wire or otherwise transfer funds to an account designated by Secured Party, the Bank may deduct wire fees, if any, and any other outstanding fees and


expenses from the amount to be wired or otherwise transferred.

6. Set-Off . Except as otherwise expressly permitted pursuant to the preceding Section 5, Bank hereby agrees that Bank will not exercise or claim any right of setoff, security interest or banker’s lien against any Pledged Accounts or any deposits therein.

7. Exculpation of Bank; Indemnification by the Company . The Company, the Borrower, and the Secured Party agree that Bank shall have no liability to any of them for any loss or damage that one or any of them may claim to have suffered or incurred, either directly or indirectly, by reason of this Agreement or any transaction or service contemplated by the provisions hereof, unless occasioned by the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of Bank. Without limitation of the preceding sentence, the Company agrees that Bank shall have no liability to Company for any wrongful dishonor in connection with the execution by Bank of any Secured Party instructions, as authorized by and in accordance with Section 2, and the Bank’s subsequent dishonor of any items presented for payment. In no event shall Bank be liable for losses or delays resulting from computer malfunction, interruption of communication facilities, labor difficulties or other causes beyond Bank’s reasonable control or for indirect, special or consequential damages. The Company agrees to indemnify Bank and hold it harmless from and against any and all claims, other than those ultimately determined to be founded on gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of Bank, and from and against any damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities, losses or reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and disbursements) incurred as a result of the assertion of any claim, by any person or entity, arising out of, or otherwise related to, any transaction conducted or service provided by Bank through the use of the Pledged Accounts at Bank pursuant to the procedures provided for or contemplated by this Agreement.

8. Termination . Absent the prior written consent of the Secured Party, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company only upon delivery to Bank of a written notification thereof jointly executed by the Company, the Borrower, and the Secured Party. This Agreement may be terminated by the Secured Party at any time, with or without cause, upon its delivery of written notice thereof to Company, Borrower, and Bank. This Agreement may be terminated by Bank at any time on not less than 30 days prior written notice delivered to Company and Secured Party. Upon termination of this Agreement, all funds remaining in the Pledged Accounts shall be forwarded by the Bank to the Company or whoever is entitled to the funds by law (subject, in any event, to written instructions delivered by the Secured Party as authorized by, and in accordance with, Section 2). Without limiting the foregoing, notwithstanding the pledge of the Pledged Accounts from the Company to the Borrower, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, upon termination of this Agreement, Bank shall have no obligation to deliver the funds in the Pledged Account to Borrower, or to otherwise hold the funds for the benefit of the Borrower, without further written instructions signed by both Borrower and Company. The provisions of Sections 1, 2 and 6 shall survive termination of this Agreement unless and until specifically released by the Secured Party in writing. All rights of Bank under Sections 5 and 7 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

9. Notices . All notices, requests or other communications given to Company, Secured Party or Bank shall he given in writing (including by facsimile) at the addresses specified below:


Secured Party:    WestLB AG, New York Branch
   1211 Avenue of the Americas
   New York, NY 10036
   Attn: Andrea Bailey
   Telephone: (212) 597-1158
   Facsimile: (212) 302-7946
Bank:    Sterling Bank
   2201 Mangum Road Houston, TX 77092
Attention: Peter Ellen
   Telephone: (713) 507-2469
   Facsimile: (713) 507-2320
   with copies to:
   Sterling Bank
5757 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007
ATTN: Janet Groue, Associate General Counsel
   Telephone: (713) 507-7960
   Facsimile: (713) 507-2900
Company:    REG Seneca, LLC
   c/o Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
   416 S. Bell Ave., P.O. Box 888
   Ames, Iowa 50010
   Attn: President
   Telephone: (515) 239-8000
   Facsimile: (515) 239-8029


Borrower:    Seneca Landlord, LLC
2425 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 4050
West Santa Monica, CA 90404
ATTN: Jonathan Koch
Telephone: (310 586-3920
Facsimile: (310) 586-3995
   with copies to:
   Bunge North America, Inc.
11720 Borman Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Attn: General Manager—Bunge Biofuels
Telephone: (314) 292-2789
Facsimile: (314) 292-2110
   and
   US Renewables Group
   10 Bank Street
   White Plains, NY 10606
   Attn: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director
   Telephone: (914) 390-9620
   Facsimile: (914) 206-3509

Any party may change its address for notices hereunder by notice to each other party hereunder given in accordance with this Section 9. Any Notice to Bank shall be effective on its Effective Date. Any other notice, request or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section 9 and confirmation of receipt is made by the appropriate party, (b) if given by overnight courier, on the business day after such communication is deposited with the overnight courier for delivery, addressed as aforesaid, or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section 9.

10. Miscellaneous . This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by Secured Party, Bank, Company, and Borrower acting by their respective duly authorized representatives. This Agreement shall not amend the Rules and Regulations Governing Deposit Account (the “Account Agreement”) in effect from time to time by and between the Bank and the Company in connection with the Pledged Accounts, or abridge any rights that Bank may have under such Account Agreements. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but neither Bank nor Company shall be entitled to assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the express prior written consent of Secured Party. This Agreement may be executed in any number of several counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to choice or conflict of laws, and venue for any legal action or proceeding shall be in Harris County,


Texas.

[signatures on following page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed and delivered this Deposit Account Control Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth.

 

BANK:
STERLING BANK
By    
Name:  
Title:  
SECURED PARTY:
WestLB AG, New York Branch As collateral agent
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
COMPANY:  
REG SENECA, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company
By:    
Name:  
Title:  
BORROWER:
SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company


By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Deposit Account Control Agreement — REG Seneca, LLC


EXHIBIT O

FORM OF

INTEREST PERIOD NOTICE

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: [Andrea Bailey]

Telephone: [(212) 597-1158]

Facsimile: [(212) 302-7946]

E-mail Address: [NYC_Agency_Services@WestLB.com]

 

Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower (the “ Borrower ”), refers to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower hereby delivers to the Administrative Agent this irrevocable notice pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Credit Agreement and irrevocably requests the duration set forth below [for the immediately succeeding Interest Period, in the case of Eurodollar Loans][, and][for the immediately succeeding Monthly Period, in the case of Base Rate Loans,] for the Loans identified herein.

[The Borrower hereby elects to continue Eurodollar Loans as Eurodollar Loans for the next Interest Period applicable to such continued Eurodollar Loans][[,] to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans at the end of the current Monthly Period][,][to continue Base Rate Loans as Base Rate Loans at the end of the current Monthly Period] [and] [to convert Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans at the end of the current Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loans], in each case as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

The Borrower hereby certifies that after giving effect to the immediately succeeding Interest Periods set forth on Schedule 1 , there will be no more than one (1) Eurodollar Loan outstanding at any one time.

 

O - 1


In connection herewith, the Borrower hereby further certifies that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

This Interest Period Notice is being delivered on or before 12:00 p.m., New York City time, at least [five (5) Business Days prior to the end of each Interest Period, in the case of Eurodollar Loans][, and at least three (3) Business Days prior to the end of the current Monthly Period, in the case of Base Rate Loans] as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

O - 2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Interest Period Notice to be duly executed by an Authorized Officer as of the date first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC,
as Borrower
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Signature Page to Interest Period Notice

 

O - 3


Schedule 1

to Interest Period Notice

 

LOAN
(specify loan type,
including whether
loan is Base Rate
Loan or Eurodollar
Loan)
   PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
   CURRENT
INTEREST
PERIOD
DURATION
(for Eurodollar
Loans only)
   CURRENT
INTEREST
PERIOD OR
MONTHLY
PERIOD ENDS
ON
  

DURATION OF
IMMEDIATELY
SUCCEEDING
INTEREST

PERIOD

(for Eurodollar Loans
only)

  

IMMEDIATELY
SUCCEEDING
MONTHLY PERIOD
ENDS ON

(for Base Rate Loans
only)

   $                                
   $                                

 

O - 4


EXHIBIT P-2

[FORM OF]

INDEPENDENT ENGINEER’S

[FIRST] [SECOND] TRAIN COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project (the “ IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate ”), and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Independent Engineer has reviewed provisions of the Credit Agreement which identify the responsibilities of the Borrower and Independent Engineer related to providing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate and the [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate of the Borrower dated [Date] and the reports and documents attached to this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate with the Construction Contractors and any other third party deemed appropriate, and have made such general observations, site visits, reviews and investigations as we believed were reasonably necessary to establish the accuracy of this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate.

The Independent Engineer has visited the Project periodically and has observed the progress of the capital improvement activities. The Independent Engineer last visited the Project on [Date] . Our review and observations were performed within the scope of our Professional Service Agreement with the Administrative Agent and in accordance with standards of care normally practiced by professional engineers and consultants performing the same or similar services on like projects.

 

P-2-1


Based on the foregoing review and review procedures and on the understanding and assumption that we have been provided true, correct, and complete information from the Borrower, the undersigned, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individuals executing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate on behalf of the Independent Engineer are duly authorized representatives of the Independent Engineer.

 

  3. [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.] [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.]

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

  5. We have verified that the Borrower has received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7.

Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid,

 

P-2-2


  in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

Each undersigned person is executing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an authorized representative of the Independent Engineer.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

P-2-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

R.W. BECK, INC.,
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

P-2-4


Attachment 1

to Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

P-2-5


Attachment 2

to Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

P-2-6


EXHIBIT P-1

[FORM OF]

BORROWER’S

[FIRST] [SECOND] TRAIN COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Borrower’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, on behalf of the Borrower, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate of the Borrower for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individual executing this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate on behalf of the Borrower is an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

 

  3.

[All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.] [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project in addition to

 

P-1-1


  the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.]

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

  5. We have received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7. Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

The undersigned person is executing this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

P-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC
as Borrower
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

P-1-3


Attachment 1

to Borrower’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

P-1-4


Attachment 2

to Borrower’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

P-1-5


EXHIBIT Q

FORM OF

LENDER ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

This LENDER ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                      ], is by and between [                      ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [                      ] (the “ Assignee ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Assignor is party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower (the “ Borrower ”), each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto;

WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign certain of its interests under the Credit Agreement to Assignee in accordance with Section 11.03(b) ( Assignments ) thereof;

WHEREAS, as provided under the Credit Agreement, Assignor is a Lender and, as such, as of the date hereof has the outstanding Commitments and has disbursed the outstanding Loans set forth in Annex Q-1 hereto;

WHEREAS, Assignor proposes to sell, assign and transfer to the Assignee, and the Assignee proposes to accept and assume from the Assignor, a [              ] percent ([__]%) interest in all of the rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents, all on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (such interest in such rights and obligations being hereinafter referred to as the “ Assigned Interest ”); and

WHEREAS, after giving effect to the assignment and assumption under this Agreement, the respective Loans and Commitments of Assignor and Assignee shall be in the amounts set forth on Annex Q-1.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions . All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Section 2. Assignment .

(a) As of the effective date set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”), subject to and in accordance with the Credit Agreement, the Assignor irrevocably sells, transfers, conveys and assigns, without recourse, representation or warranty

 

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(except as expressly set forth herein), to Assignee, and the Assignee irrevocably purchases from the Assignor, the Assigned Interest, which shall include (i) all of Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender with respect to the Assigned Interest under the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document, and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or in connection therewith to the extent related to the Assigned Interest and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender), to the extent related to the Assigned Interest, against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document, and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity (the foregoing rights, obligations and interests, collectively, the “ Assigned Rights ”).

(b) Upon acceptance and recording of the assignment and assumption made pursuant to this Agreement by the Administrative Agent, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest and the Assigned Rights (including all payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts that have accrued prior to the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts that have accrued from and including the Effective Date. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments by the Administrative Agent for periods prior to the Effective Date or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee agrees that if it receives any amount under the Credit Agreement or any other Financing Document that is for the account of the other, it shall hold the same for the other to the extent of the other’s interest therein and shall pay promptly the same to the other.

Section 3. Payments .

(a) As consideration for the sale, assignment and transfer contemplated in Section 2 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor, on the Effective Date, in the lawful currency of the United States and in immediately available funds, an amount equal to [                          ] Dollars ($[              ]), without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

(b) As a condition to the Effective Date, Assignee shall pay to the Administrative Agent in the lawful currency of the United States and in immediately available funds the processing and recordation fee of two thousand five hundred Dollars ($2,500), without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

Section 4. Representations, Warranties and Undertakings .

(a) The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that (A) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest and such Assigned Interest is free and clear of any Lien or adverse claim and (B) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to (A) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit

 

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Agreement or the other Financing Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability or genuineness, or sufficiency of value of the Credit Agreement, the other Financing Documents, or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith or (B) the financial condition of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Project Party or the performance or observance by any Loan Party or any other Person of any of its obligations under the Credit Agreement, any other Financing Document, or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith.

(b) The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it (A) has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents, and (B) meets all requirements of an Eligible Assignee, (ii) acknowledges and confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the Assigned Interest and assume the Assigned Rights, on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Senior Secured Party, (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Loan Party, or any other Senior Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement or any other Financing Document, (iv) appoints and authorizes each Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement or the other Financing Documents as are delegated to such Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and (v) will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Financing Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. The Assignee further confirms and agrees that in becoming a Lender and in making its Loans under the Credit Agreement, such actions have and will be made without recourse to, or representation or warranty, by any Senior Secured Party.

(c) The Assignee further agrees to furnish the tax form required by Section 4.07(e) (if so required) of the Credit Agreement no later than the Effective Date.

Section 5. Effectiveness .

(a) The effectiveness of the sale, assignment and transfer hereunder is subject to (i) the due execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Assignor and the Assignee, (ii) the receipt by the Assignor of the payment provided for in Section 3(a) hereof, (iii) consent by the Administrative Agent to this Agreement and the assignment contemplated hereby, (iv) the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the processing and recordation fee provided for in Section 3(b) hereof, and (v) the registration of such assignment by the Administrative Agent in the Register in accordance with Section 11.03(c) of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Simultaneously with the execution and delivery by the parties hereto of this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for its recording in the Register, the Assignor shall deliver its Note(s) (if any) to the Administrative Agent and may request that new Notes be executed and delivered to [the Assignor and] the Assignee and reflecting [the respective amounts

 

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of the reduced undisbursed Commitment and outstanding principal of Assignor and] the assigned and assumed outstanding principal and undisbursed Commitment of the Assignee (plus, if the Assignee is already a Lender, the amount of its outstanding principal and undisbursed Commitment immediately prior to the assignment effected hereby). Any such new Note shall carry the rights to unpaid accrued interest that were carried by any applicable superseded Note(s) such that no loss of interest shall result therefrom. Any applicable new Note executed and delivered in accordance with the foregoing shall have set forth thereon a legend substantially in the following form:

“This Note is issued in replacement of [describe replaced note(s) – including, if Assignee is already a Lender, the note(s) held by such Lender immediately prior to the assignment effected hereby] and, notwithstanding the date of this Note, this Note carries all of the rights to unpaid interest that were carried by such replaced Note, such that no loss of interest shall result from any such replacement.”

If the Assignee is already a Lender, it shall (promptly following its receipt of such new Note payable to it) return to the Borrower the prior Note, if any, held by it.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date:

(i) the Assignee shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to, and the Assignee agrees that it will be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement, and shall have all the rights and obligations of a “Lender” under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents as if it were an original signatory thereto or an original Lender thereunder with respect to the Assigned Interest and the Assigned Rights; and

(ii) the Assignor shall relinquish its rights (but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) of the Credit Agreement) and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents to the extent specified herein.

Section 6. Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

Section 7. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

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Section 8. Further Assurances . The Assignor and the Assignee hereby agree to execute and deliver such other instruments, and take such other action, as either party or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement including, without limitation, the delivery of any notices to the Loan Parties or the Agents that may be required in connection with the assignment contemplated hereby.

Section 9. Binding Effect; Amendment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, subject, however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto and by the Administrative Agent.

Section 10. Administrative Agent Enforcement . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon and enforce this Agreement against the Assignor and the Assignee in all respects.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this Lender Assignment Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers.

The effective date for this Agreement is the date this Agreement is acknowledged and accepted by the Administrative Agent [____________, 20[    ] (the “ Trade Date ”).

 

[ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
[ASSIGNEE]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Accepted and Acknowledged

this          day of                      , 20         

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

    as Administrative Agent

By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Q - 6


Annex Q-1

to Lender Assignment Agreement

 

[Note: Include only those Loans that Assignor has an interest in.]  

Loan

   Assignor’s
Outstanding
Loans Pre-
Assignment
     Percentage
(of
Assignor’s
interests)
Assigned
     Assignor’s
Outstanding
Loans Post-
Assignment
     Assignee’s
Outstanding
Loans Post-
Assignment *
 

Loans

   $           %       $         $     


EXHIBIT R-1

[FORM OF]

BORROWER’S

FINAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

[DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Borrower’s Final Completion Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, on behalf of the Borrower, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the Final Completion Certificate of the Borrower for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individual executing this Final Completion Certificate on behalf of the Borrower is an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

 

  3. The Capital Improvement Completion Date has occurred.

 

  4. The Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect to the air emissions of the Project has been notified that the Project is ready to commence commercial operation.

 

  5. Insurance required pursuant to Schedule 7.01(h) and under each Project Document is in place and has been confirmed by the Insurance Consultant.

 

R-1-1


  6. All Project Costs have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest).

The undersigned person is executing this Final Completion Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

R-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Final Completion Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

as Borrower

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

R-1-3


EXHIBIT R-2

[FORM OF]

INDEPENDENT ENGINEER’S

FINAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

[DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

  Re: SENECA LANDLORD, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Independent Engineer’s Final Completion Certificate for the Project (the “ IE Final Completion Certificate ”), and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Independent Engineer has reviewed provisions of the Credit Agreement which identify the responsibilities of the Borrower and Independent Engineer related to providing this IE Final Completion Certificate and the Final Completion Certificate of the Borrower dated [Date] and the reports and documents attached to this IE Final Completion Certificate with any other third party deemed appropriate, and have made such general observations, site visits, reviews and investigations as we believed were reasonably necessary to establish the accuracy of this IE Final Completion Certificate.

The Independent Engineer has visited the Project periodically and has observed the progress of the capital improvement activities. The Independent Engineer last visited the Project on [Date] . Our review and observations were performed within the scope of our Professional Service Agreement with the Administrative Agent and in accordance with standards of care normally practiced by professional engineers and consultants performing the same or similar services on like projects.

Based on the foregoing review and review procedures and on the understanding and assumption that we have been provided true, correct, and complete information from the Borrower, the undersigned, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

R-2-1


  1. This Certificate is the IE Final Completion Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individuals executing this IE Final Completion Certificate on behalf of the Independent Engineer are duly authorized representatives of the Independent Engineer.

 

  3. The Capital Improvement Completion Date has occurred.

 

  4. All Project Costs have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest).

Each undersigned person is executing this IE Final Completion Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an authorized representative of the Independent Engineer.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

R-2-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Final Completion Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

R.W. BECK, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

R-2-3


EXHIBIT S

to Credit Agreement

[FORM OF]

INSURANCE AND CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS REQUEST CERTIFICATE

Date: [                      ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Reference is made to Section 8.01 [(a)] [(b)] [(c)] of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower (the “ Borrower ”), each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as lead arranger and sole bookrunner, and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower shall withdraw and transfer from the [Proceeds Account] 1 on [              ] , 20 [      ] (the “ Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Withdrawal Date ”):

[ (i) In accordance with Section 8.01 [(a)] [(b)] of the Credit Agreement, the amounts and to the payees set forth on Schedule X-1 attached hereto; ]

[ (ii) In accordance with Section 8.01 [(b)] [(c)] of the Credit Agreement, [              ] Dollars ($ [              ] ) to the Administrative Agent; ]

 

1   Insert account established pursuant to Section 7.01(g)(iii) of the Credit Agreement.

 

S - 1


In support of such direction, the undersigned, on behalf of the Borrower, hereby represents and certifies, as of the date hereof and as of the Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Withdrawal Date, as follows:

(a) the undersigned is an Authorized Officer of the Borrower;

(b) this Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate is being delivered to the Administrative Agent no fewer than three (3) Business Days in advance of the Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Withdrawal Date, and the Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Withdrawal Date is a Business Day;

(c) all conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement for the withdrawals described herein have been satisfied;

(d) the funds to be withdrawn from the [Proceeds Account] described in this Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate will be applied [ directly for the replacement or repair of damaged assets relating to the Project, in accordance with [ Section 8.01(a) of the Credit Agreement (in the case of amounts less than or equal to one million Dollars ($1,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence) ][ (in the case of amounts in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000) but not exceeding five million Dollars ($5,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence) Section 8.01(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement and the Restoration or Replacement Plan attached hereto, which has been approved by the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer ]][ in accordance with Section 8.01(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement (in the case of amounts in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000) but not exceeding five million Dollars ($5,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence), by the Administrative Agent as a prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) of the Credit Agreement ][ in accordance with Section 8.01(c) of the Credit Agreement (in the case of amounts exceeding five million Dollars ($5,000,000) arising from any one claim or any series of claims relating to the same occurrence) by the Administrative Agent to prepay the Loans or for repair or replacement of damaged assets, as determined by the Required Lenders in their sole discretion ] ;

(e) [ in the case of a withdrawal pursuant to Section 8.01(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned is a Financial Officer of the Borrower, and the Borrower hereby certifies that (1) all work contemplated to be done under the Restoration or Replacement Plan can be done within the time periods, if any required under any Project Document; (2) all Governmental Approvals necessary to perform the work have been obtained (or are reasonably expected to be obtained without undue delay); and (3) the Project once repaired/restored will continue to perform at the annual levels set forth in the then-current Operating Budget with respect to production volume, yield and utility consumption (or other levels approved by the Required Lenders); ]

(f) no withdrawal has been made from any Borrower Account to pay the amounts described herein;

 

S - 2


(g) this Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate is being delivered, and the withdrawals described herein are being requested, in accordance with the Credit Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and

(h) no Default or Event of Default would occur as a result of the transfers or withdrawals requested hereby.

The undersigned officer is executing this Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate not in an individual capacity but as an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

S - 3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

S - 4


Schedule S-1 to

Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate

WITHDRAWALS FROM

[PROCEEDS ACCOUNT]

[ details to be attached ]

 

I. Withdrawals from [Proceeds Account] for the replacement or repair of damaged assets.

 

Payee

   Amount  
   $                


EXHIBIT BB

[FORM OF] CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STATUS REPORT

Capital Improvement Status Report,

Delivered to

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

and

R.W, Beck, Inc.,

as Independent Engineer for the Lenders

[ Date ]

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Reference is made to Section 7.03(o)(iii) of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among SENECA LANDLORD, LLC, as Borrower, each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and the other parties thereto. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 7.03(o)(iii) of the Credit Agreement, not less than ten (10) Business Days before each disbursement of the Required Equity Contribution from the Capital Improvements Account, Borrower is required to deliver a Capital Improvement Status Report to the Administrative Agent, covering the period since the preceding disbursement (or, in the case of the initial disbursement, since the commencement of the capital improvement work), each of which shall be certified as true and complete by Borrower and substantiated by the Independent Engineer.

Borrower has reviewed the status of each significant aspect of capital improvement for the Project as of the date of this report. Borrower has [ not identified any matters that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the capital improvement schedule for the Project, or the ability of the Project to achieve its Capital Improvement Completion Date on or before the Commencement Date Certain ][ identified the following matters which, in Borrower’s reasonable judgment, are expected to have a material adverse effect on the capital improvement schedule for the Project, or the ability of the Project to achieve its Capital Improvement Completion Date on or before the Commencement Date Certain ] .

 

BB – 1


Section 2. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT OVERVIEW

2.1. Major activities to be performed for each aspect of the Project during the current calendar month.

Please provide a brief summary of the Major 1 activities to be performed for each of the following aspects of the Project during the current calendar month:

2.1.1. [Design

2.1.2. Property Acquisition

2.1.3. Engineering

2.1.4. Major Equipment procurement

2.1.5. Construction

2.1.6. Utility Interconnections

2.1.7. Permitting (See Section 3.0 below)

2.1.8. O&M Mobilization

2.1.9. Startup Testing and Commissioning

2.1.10. Miscellaneous] 2

2.2. Major activities scheduled to be performed in the previous calendar month but not completed as scheduled.

Please provide a brief summary of the Major activities that were scheduled to be performed in the previous calendar month and their status, including those activities that were not completed as scheduled:

2.2.1. [Design

2.2.2. Property Acquisition

2.2.3. Engineering

2.2.4. Major Equipment procurement

 

 

1  

For Purposes of this report, “Major” shall mean any activity, event, or occurrence which may have a material adverse effect on the capital improvement of the Project on a timely basis if such activity, event, or occurrence occurs or if such activity, event, or occurrence fails to occur as anticipated or scheduled, which material adverse effect includes, but is not limited to, the inability to achieve the Capital Improvement Completion Date on or before the Commencement Date Certain.

2  

Categories to be determined.

 

BB – 2


2.2.5. Construction

2.2.6. Utility Interconnections

2.2.7. Permitting

2.2.8. O&M Mobilization

2.2.9. Startup Testing and Commissioning

2.2.10. Miscellaneous] 3

2.3. Critical Path Items.

Please provide a detailed list of all critical path construction work for the current calendar month, including a comparison of the current construction progress as compared against the baseline capital improvement schedule.

[                               ]

2.4. Capital Improvement Schedule.

Please provide a detailed schedule for capital improvement work for the current calendar month.

[                               ]

Section 3. PERMITTING

The following describes each of the Necessary Project Approvals required for the capital improvement of the Project and the status thereof:

 

GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS

   STATUS
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

 

3  

Categories to be determined.

 

BB – 3


Section 4. SAFETY AND HEALTH REPORTS

 

  4.1. Please list all accidents from the previous calendar month:

 

  4.2. Please list any work stoppage from the previous calendar month:

Please described any material impact on the capital improvement of the Project resulting from any such accidents or work stoppage.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page.]

 

BB – 4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Capital Improvement Status Report to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

SENECA LANDLORD, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

BB – 5

Exhibit 10.21

EXECUTION COPY

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of April 8, 2010

among

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC,

and

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC,

as Borrowers,

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.,

as Guarantor,

THE LENDERS REFERRED TO HEREIN,

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders,

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties,

and

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1   

Section 1.01

    

Defined Terms

     1   

Section 1.02

    

Principles of Interpretation

     41   

Section 1.03

    

UCC Terms

     42   

Section 1.04

    

Accounting and Financial Determinations

     42   

ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS AND BORROWING

     43   

Section 2.01

    

Loans

     43   

Section 2.02

    

Notice of Borrowings

     43   

Section 2.03

    

Borrowing of Loans

     44   

Section 2.04

    

Evidence of Indebtedness

     45   

Section 2.05

    

Increase of Commitments

     46   

Section 2.06

    

Termination or Reduction of Commitments

     47   

Section 2.07

    

Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers

     47   

ARTICLE III REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

     50   

Section 3.01

    

Repayment of Borrowings

     50   

Section 3.02

    

Interest Payment Dates

     50   

Section 3.03

    

Interest Rates

     50   

Section 3.04

    

Post-Maturity Interest Rates; Default Interest Rates

     52   

Section 3.05

    

Computation of Interest

     53   

Section 3.06

    

Interest Rate Determination

     53   

Section 3.07

    

Optional Prepayment

     53   

Section 3.08

    

Mandatory Prepayment

     54   

Section 3.09

    

Time and Place of Payments

     54   

Section 3.10

    

Borrowings and Payments Generally

     55   

Section 3.11

    

Fees

     56   

Section 3.12

    

Pro Rata Treatment

     56   

Section 3.13

    

Sharing of Payments

     56   

ARTICLE IV EURODOLLAR RATE AND TAX PROVISIONS

     57   

Section 4.01

    

Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful

     57   

Section 4.02

    

Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates

     58   

Section 4.03

    

Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs

     58   

Section 4.04

    

Obligation to Mitigate

     59   

Section 4.05

    

Funding Losses

     59   

Section 4.06

    

Increased Capital Costs

     60   

Section 4.07

    

Taxes

     60   

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     62   

Section 5.01

    

Organization; Power; Compliance with Law and Contractual Obligations

     62   

 

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Section 5.02

    

Due Authorization; Non-Contravention

     62   

Section 5.03

    

Validity

     63   

Section 5.04

    

Governmental Approvals

     63   

Section 5.05

    

No Defaults

     63   

Section 5.06

    

No Material Adverse Effect

     63   

Section 5.07

    

Litigation

     63   

Section 5.08

    

Liabilities; Material Agreements

     64   

Section 5.09

    

Collateral

     64   

Section 5.10

    

Ownership of Properties

     65   

Section 5.11

    

Taxes

     65   

Section 5.12

    

ERISA Plans

     65   

Section 5.13

    

Environmental Warranties

     65   

Section 5.14

    

Regulations T, U and X

     66   

Section 5.15

    

Investment Company Act

     67   

Section 5.16

    

Accuracy of Information; Financial Statements

     67   

Section 5.17

    

Indebtedness

     67   

Section 5.18

    

Subsidiaries

     68   

Section 5.19

    

Investments

     68   

Section 5.20

    

Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc.

     68   

Section 5.21

    

Solvency

     68   

Section 5.22

    

Legal Name and Place of Business

     68   

Section 5.23

    

No Brokers

     69   

Section 5.24

    

Insurance

     69   

Section 5.25

    

Accounts

     69   

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     70   

Section 6.01

    

Conditions to Closing Date

     70   

Section 6.02

    

Conditions to All Borrowings

     75   

Section 6.03

    

Effect of Certificates

     77   

ARTICLE VII COVENANTS

     77   

Section 7.01

    

Affirmative Covenants

     77   

Section 7.02

    

Negative Covenants

     84   

Section 7.03

    

Reporting Requirements

     90   

ARTICLE VIII DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT

     97   

Section 8.01

    

Events of Default

     97   

Section 8.02

    

Action Upon Bankruptcy

     100   

Section 8.03

    

Action Upon Other Event of Default

     101   

Section 8.04

    

Application of Proceeds

     101   

ARTICLE IX GUARANTEE

     102   

Section 9.01

    

Guarantee

     102   

Section 9.02

    

Obligations Unconditional

     103   

Section 9.03

    

Waiver

     105   

Section 9.04

    

Reinstatement

     108   

 

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Section 9.05

    

Subrogation

     108   

Section 9.06

    

Remedies

     109   

Section 9.07

    

Continuing Guarantee

     109   

ARTICLE X THE AGENTS

     110   

Section 10.01

    

Appointment and Authority

     110   

Section 10.02

    

Rights as a Lender

     111   

Section 10.03

    

Exculpatory Provisions

     112   

Section 10.04

    

Reliance by Agents

     113   

Section 10.05

    

Delegation of Duties

     113   

Section 10.06

    

Resignation or Removal of Agent

     113   

Section 10.07

    

No Amendment to Duties of Agent Without Consent

     114   

Section 10.08

    

Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders

     114   

Section 10.09

    

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

     115   

Section 10.10

    

Collateral Matters

     116   

Section 10.11

    

Copies

     116   

Section 10.12

    

No Lead Arranger or Bookrunner Duties

     116   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     117   

Section 11.01

    

Amendments, Etc.

     117   

Section 11.02

    

Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

     118   

Section 11.03

    

Assignments

     120   

Section 11.04

    

Benefits of Agreement

     123   

Section 11.05

    

Consultants

     123   

Section 11.06

    

Costs and Expenses

     124   

Section 11.07

    

Counterparts; Effectiveness

     124   

Section 11.08

    

Indemnification by the Borrowers

     124   

Section 11.09

    

Interest Rate Limitation

     126   

Section 11.10

    

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

     126   

Section 11.11

    

Notices and Other Communications

     127   

Section 11.12

    

Patriot Act Notice

     130   

Section 11.13

    

Payments Set Aside

     130   

Section 11.14

    

Right of Setoff

     130   

Section 11.15

    

Severability

     131   

Section 11.16

    

Survival

     131   

Section 11.17

    

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

     131   

Section 11.18

    

Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.

     133   

Section 11.19

    

Waiver of Litigation Payments

     133   

 

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SCHEDULES

  

Schedule 1.01(a)

  

Lenders, Commitments and Offices

Schedule 1.01(b)

  

Excluded Affiliates

Schedule 5.07

  

Litigation

Schedule 5.08

  

Material Liabilities

Schedule 5.09(b)

  

Filing Offices

Schedule 5.18

  

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.19

  

Investments

Schedule 7.02(f)

  

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 11.11

  

Notice Information

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A

  

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit B

  

Form of Note

Exhibit C

  

Form of Notice of Interest Rate Election

Exhibit D

  

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit E

  

Form of Lender Assignment Agreement

Exhibit F

  

Term Loan Definitions

Exhibit G

  

Form of Addendum

Exhibit H

  

Form of Investment Letter

Exhibit I-1

  

Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit I-2

  

Borrower’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit J-1

  

Independent Engineer’s Tank Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit J-2

  

Borrower’s Tank Completion Date Certificate

Exhibit K

  

Performance Test Plan

 

iv


This REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, is by and among REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC (“ REG Marketing ”), and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC (“ REG Services ”), each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”); RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party hereto; WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent for the Lenders; WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties; and WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders establish a credit facility the proceeds of which are to be used as further described herein;

WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to make such credit facility available upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, the Guarantor is willing to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations upon and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to enter into certain financing arrangements with and make term loans to OpCo I, OpCo I will enter into the Lease Agreement with OpCo II, an affiliate of the Borrowers, and OpCo II will enter into the Management and Operational Services Agreement with REG Services and provide additional economic benefits to the Borrowers.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.01 Defined Terms . The following terms when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:

Accelerated Maturity Date ” means, that date that is sixty (60) days after the occurrence of an “Event of Default”, as such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions, which “Event of Default” is continuing.


Account Control Agreement ” means an agreement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, among the Borrower for whom the Receivables Account is established, the Local Bank, and the Collateral Agent, with respect to one or more Receivables Accounts established in the name of such Borrower with such Local Bank.

Accounts Receivable ” means an Obligee’s right to the payment of money from an account debtor arising out of goods sold or to be sold, property leased or to be leased, and services rendered or to be rendered, whether secured or unsecured and whether now existing or hereafter arising.

Additional Collateral ” means any property or assets in which a Loan Party grants a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, in connection with any permitted increase of the Aggregate Commitment made in accordance with Section 2.05 ( Increase of Commitments ) .

Administrative Agent ” means WestLB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such Person excluding as related to the Loan Parties those Persons set forth on Schedule 1.01(b) .

Agent Parties ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.11(i) ( Notices and Other Communications ).

Agents ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Commitment ” means ten million Dollars ($10,000,000), as the same may be increased to up to eighteen million Dollars ($18,000,000) total, in accordance with Section 2.05 ( Increase of Commitments ) , or may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.06 ( Termination or Reduction of Commitments ) .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” means any of the following: (a) the Anti-Terrorism Order, (b) the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (Title 31 Part 595 of the US Code of Federal Regulations), as amended, (c) the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations (Title 31 Part 596 of the US Code of Federal Regulations), as amended,

 

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(d) the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (Title 31 Part 597 of the US Code of Federal Regulations), as amended, (e) the Patriot Act, (f) all other present and future legal requirements of any Governmental Authority addressing, relating to, or attempting to eliminate, terrorist acts and acts of war, and (g) any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto or pursuant to any legal requirements of any Governmental Authority governing terrorist acts and acts of war.

Anti-Terrorism Order ” means Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 24, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism, as amended.

Applicable Margin ” means (a) with respect to the Eurodollar Loans, three percent (3.0%) per annum and (b) with respect to the Base Rate Loans, two percent (2.0%) per annum.

Approved Funds ” means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that in the ordinary course of its business invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Authorized Officer ” means (a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, (b) with respect to any Person that is a partnership, an Authorized Officer of a general partner of such Person, (c) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, any manager, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, or an Authorized Officer of the managing member of such Person, or (d) with respect to any Person, such other representative of such Person that is approved by the Administrative Agent in writing who, in each such case, has been named as an Authorized Officer on a certificate of incumbency of such Person delivered to the Administrative Agent on or after the date hereof.

Available Commitment ” means (i) until the First Train Completion Date, the Aggregate Commitment then in effect, less one million five hundred thousand Dollars ($1,500,000), (ii) upon the First Train Completion Date but prior to the Second Train Completion Date, the Aggregate Commitment then in effect, less seven hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($750,000) and (iii) on or after the Second Train Completion Date, the Aggregate Commitment; provided that the Available Commitment shall at no time exceed the then-effective Borrowing Base, as certified from time to time by the Borrowers.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title II of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” or any successor statute, as amended, and all rules promulgated thereunder.

 

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Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by WestLB as its “prime rate”. The “prime rate” is a rate set by WestLB based upon various factors including WestLB’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by WestLB shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments and Borrowing ) .

Blender’s Production Credit ” means with respect to a Borrower, at any time, the amount, if any, of the “alcohol fuel mixture credit” (provided in section 6426 of the Code, which allows a credit against gasoline excise taxes imposed by section 4081 of the Code, together with any successor provisions thereto that provide for similar credit or any substitute credit that provides substantially equivalent economic benefit to such Borrower) to which such Borrower is entitled at such time from its blending or production of biodiesel, but excluding any such amounts not satisfying the standards for accounts receivable in conformity with GAAP; provided , that if the relevant Governmental Authority rejects any credit for which a Borrower has requested payment, no further such credit shall constitute a Blender’s Production Credit until such rejection is resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

Borrower ” and “ Borrowers ” have the meanings set forth in the Preamble.

Borrower Capital Expenditures ” shall mean with respect to a Borrower, for any period, the aggregate of all cash expenditures (including in all events all amounts expended under Capitalized Lease Liabilities but excluding any amount representing capitalized interest) by such Borrower during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included in the property, plant or equipment on the balance sheet of such Borrower, provided that Borrower Capital Expenditures shall in any event exclude Net Cash Proceeds that arise from a permitted sale of assets and that are used to purchase an asset to replace the asset the sale of which produced the Net Cash Proceeds, and proceeds of property insurance applied to restore or replace lost, damaged or stolen assets. For the avoidance of doubt, “Borrower Capital Expenditures” shall not include any cash expenditures by any Person that is not a Borrower.

Borrower Current Assets ” shall mean with respect to a Borrower, at any time, the current assets of such Borrower at such time determined in conformity with

 

4


GAAP and using the same methodology used to determine consolidated current assets in such Borrower’s financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date.

Borrower Current Liabilities ” shall mean with respect to a Borrower, at any time, the current liabilities of such Borrower at such time, including the outstanding principal of the Loans (regardless of when the Loans mature), but excluding the current portion of any other Indebtedness maturing more than twelve (12) months from the date of determination that would otherwise be included therein, determined in conformity with GAAP and using the same methodology used to determine such Borrower’s current liabilities in such Borrower’s financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date.

Borrower Current Ratio ” shall mean, at the date of determination, the ratio of (a) the Borrower Current Assets of both Borrowers on such date, to (b) the Borrower Current Liabilities of both Borrowers on such date.

Borrowing ” means the incurrence of each Loan made by the Lenders on a single date.

Borrowing Base ” means, on any date, the sum of:

 

  (i) 85% of Eligible Receivables — Investment Grade; plus

 

  (ii) 80% of Eligible Receivables — Other; plus

 

  (iii) 65% of Eligible Inventory consisting of Products; plus

 

  (iv) 40% of Eligible Inventory consisting of Raw Materials;

in each case, as set forth on the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent (subject to any correction of such Borrowing Base Certificate necessary to make the calculation thereof consistent with the terms of this Agreement); provided that the Borrowing Base shall be reduced to one Dollar ($1.00) during any period when the Borrowers have failed to furnish any computation of the Borrowing Base required hereby, commencing the day such computation was originally required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent; and provided further that Eligible Inventory shall not at any time exceed 40% of the Borrowing Base at that time.

Borrowing Base Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(m) ( Reporting Requirements ) .

 

5


Borrowing Date ” means, with respect to each Borrowing, the date on which funds are disbursed by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, to the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.03 ( Borrowing of Loans ).

Borrowing Notice ” means each request for Borrowing of Loans in the form of Exhibit A delivered in accordance with Section 2.02 ( Notice of Borrowings ).

Business Day ” means:

(a) any day that is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed in New York, New York; and

(b) relative to the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any Eurodollar Loans, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.

Capitalized Lease Liabilities ” of any Person means all monetary obligations of such Person under any leasing or similar arrangement that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capitalized leases on a balance sheet of such Person or otherwise disclosed as such in a note to such balance sheet and, for purposes of the Financing Documents, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

  (a) readily marketable direct obligations of the government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the government of the United States, in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

  (b) securities issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of AA- or higher from S&P or Aa3 or higher from Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); and

 

6


  (c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within two hundred and seventy (270) days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, any country that is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development or any political subdivision thereof, that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than five hundred million Dollars ($500,000,000).

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604, et seq.), as amended, and rules, regulations, standards guidelines and publications issued thereunder.

Change of Control ” means any transaction or series of related transactions (including any merger or consolidation) consummated without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent the result of which is that:

(A) the Guarantor fails to maintain, directly, indirectly or beneficially, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the Equity Interests of each Borrower;

(B) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the equity securities of the Guarantor entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of Guarantor on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided that the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2010, shall not be deemed to create a “group”; or

(C) other than as a result of a change in the composition of the board of directors as a result of an initial public offering of the equity securities of the Guarantor, a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Guarantor cease to be composed of individuals (i) who are members of that board on the date hereof, (ii) whose election or

 

7


nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

Closing Costs ” means all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders, and the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.

Closing Date ” means the first date on which all conditions precedent set forth in Article VI ( Conditions Precedent ) are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 11.01 ( Amendments, Etc. ).

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Collateral ” means the property or assets of, and Equity Interests in, the Borrowers whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document, including Additional Collateral, but excluding the real property interests of the Borrowers.

Collateral Agent ” means WestLB AG, New York Branch, not in its individual capacity, but solely as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Financing Documents, and each other Person that may, from time to time be appointed as successor Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Commitment Fee “ has the meaning set forth in Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Commitment Percentage ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the percentage that such Lender’s Commitment then constitutes of the Aggregate Commitment.

Commitments ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans, as set forth opposite the name of such Lender in Schedule 1.01(a) , as the same may be increased in accordance with Section 2.05 ( Increase of Commitments ) or may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.06 ( Termination or Reduction of Commitments ).

 

8


Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means any arrangement entered into by a Borrower or under which a Borrower could incur liability to hedge the price of biodiesel or commodities used as feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

Commodity Risk Management Plan ” means the risk management plan, prepared by the Borrowers or the Guarantor and in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender on the Closing Date, that sets forth terms and conditions under which the Borrowers may enter into or incur Liability under any Commodity Hedging Arrangements, as may be amended from time to time.

Communications ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.11(g) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

Construction Contractor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

Contest ” means, with respect to any matter or claim involving any Person, that such Person is contesting such matter or claim in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted; provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (a) adequate reserves have been established with respect to the claimed or assessed amount in respect of such matter or claim which, in accordance with GAAP, are sufficient to effect the satisfaction or discharge thereof; (b) during the period of such contest, the enforcement of any contested item is effectively stayed; (c) none of such Person or any of its officers, directors or employees, or any Senior Secured Party or its respective officers, directors or employees, is or would reasonably be expected to become subject to any criminal liability or sanction in connection with such contested items; and (d) such contest and any resultant failure to pay or discharge the claimed or assessed amount does not, and could not reasonably be expected to, (i) result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve a material risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation, existence or imposition of any Lien on, any of the Collateral.

Contingent Liabilities ” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person.

 

9


Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking, to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting or management power, by contract or otherwise.

Default ” means any condition, occurrence or event that, after notice or passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(c) ( Post-Maturity Interest Rates; Default Interest Rates ) .

Discharge Date ” means the date on which (a) all outstanding Commitments have been terminated, and (b) all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations have been irrevocably and indefeasibly paid in full in cash (other than obligations under the Financing Documents that by their terms survive and with respect to which no claim has been made by the Senior Secured Parties).

Distribution Conditions ” means (a) no “Default” or “Event of Default”, as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions, has occurred and is continuing and (b) Affiliates of the Guarantor (i) Control the Person that owns or leases the Project and (ii) operate the Project.

Distributions ” means any (a) dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests of a Person, or on account of any return of capital to any direct or indirect holder of any such Equity Interests in such Person, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment and (b) any payment of any management, consultancy, administrative, services, or other similar fee to any Person who owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in a Person, or any Affiliate of any such Person.

Dollar ” and the sign “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated on Schedule 1.01(a) or designated in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender (or any successor or assign of such Lender) within the United States as may be designated from time to time by written notice from such Lender to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

 

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Eligible Assignee ” means (a) any Lender, (b) an Affiliate of any Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent and, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers (such approval by the Borrowers not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include any Loan Party or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof.

Eligible Inventory ” means the excess of (a) the aggregate gross dollar value (valued at the lower of cost or market value) of the Inventory of a Borrower which meets all of the following requirements:

 

  (i) such Borrower has lawful, absolute and marketable title to such Inventory (including title that such Borrower has to such Inventory where such Borrower is obligated to pay all or a portion of the price at which such Borrower sells the goods constituting such Inventory, whether payment by such Borrower is due and payable before, in advance, upon or after such Borrower’s receipt of payment from the Person to whom such Borrower sells or will sell such goods);

 

  (ii) such Borrower has the full and unqualified right to assign and grant a Lien in such Inventory to the Collateral Agent as security for the Obligations and such assignment and grant will not violate any requirement of Law applicable to such Borrower;

 

  (iii)

such Inventory (and any related warehouse receipts or similar negotiable documents in respect of such Inventory) is subject to a fully perfected, first-priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Senior Secured Parties to secure the Obligations, pursuant to the Security Documents and none of such Inventory is subject to any Lien in favor of any other Person (including, without limitation, landlords or public warehousemen); provided that Inventory which would not be Eligible Inventory solely as a result of the fact that such Inventory is subject to any statutory Lien of public warehousemen (collectively, “ Warehousemen Liens ”), shall nevertheless be Eligible Inventory if the only Liens on such Inventory are the Warehousemen Liens securing only the public warehousemen’s claim for rent, storage and handling charges, and similar obligations, and provided further , that in no event shall

 

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  Inventory which is the subject of warehouse receipts or similar negotiable instruments be Eligible Inventory unless and until all such warehouse receipts or similar negotiable instruments in respect of such Inventory have been duly endorsed for transfer and delivered to the Collateral Agent;

 

  (iv) such Inventory, if held at leased premises (other than at public warehouses), is determined by the Administrative Agent to be Eligible Inventory, upon written notice to the Borrowers;

 

  (v) no Account Receivable has been created with respect to such Inventory other than an Account Receivable in favor of an Affiliate of a Borrower in respect of finished goods inventory;

 

  (vi) not more than 60 days have passed since the applicable Borrower took lawful, absolute and marketable title to such Inventory, calculated using the first-in, first-out accounting method;

 

  (vii) if more than 30 days have passed since a Borrower produced any such Inventory constituting Products, (A) any biodiesel constituting such Inventory shall meet the requirements of ASTM D6751-08 or the then current ASTM D6751 quality specifications then in effect as determined by ASTM International and (B) such Borrower shall have complied with the terms of a price risk management program with respect to such Inventory in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

 

  (viii) except as permitted in subsection (iii) above, any such Inventory consisting of Products or Raw Materials is held in tanks that are (i) located at a facility, all of the Equity Interests of which are wholly owned by the Guarantor or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor and (ii) (x) owned by the Guarantor or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor or (y) subject to lease arrangements satisfactory to the Lenders, in each case subject to a fully perfected, first-priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Senior Secured Parties to secure the Obligations; and

 

  (ix)

such Inventory, if biodiesel, shall not constitute Eligible Inventory if (A) a Borrower obtains actual knowledge (or in the ordinary course of business without independent investigation should have knowledge) that any counterparty to a Contractual Obligation is rejecting or has rejected as not conforming with the quality

 

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  specifications set forth in such Contractual Obligation more than five thousand (5,000) gallons of such biodiesel tendered for sale under such Contractual Obligation and such biodiesel was included as Eligible Inventory in the Borrower’s most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, or (B) such biodiesel is stored in a tank or at a terminal from which more than five thousand (5,000) gallons of biodiesel has been tendered for sale under a Contractual Obligation of a Borrower and rejected as not conforming with the quality specifications under such Contractual Obligation and, within seven (7) Business Days of such rejection, a test on the biodiesel stored in such tank or at such terminal has not been performed that demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, that the biodiesel then stored in such tank and at such terminal conforms with the quality specifications set forth in such Contractual Obligation,

over , to the extent not included in subsection (a)  above, (b) (i) the reserves for excess and obsolete Inventory and any other Inventory reserves, in any case as reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheets of the Borrowers delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.03(a) ( Reporting Requirements ) and (ii) reserves, in respect of Inventory held at any leased premises (including any public warehouse), in an amount equal to the greater of (A) four (4) months’ rent, storage and handling charges, and similar obligations in respect of each such location and (B) the actual rent, storage and handling charges, and similar obligations in respect of each such location which are past due.

Eligible Receivables ” means, at any date, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of: (a) all Accounts Receivable carried on the books of a Borrower arising in the ordinary course of business, less all reserves with respect to such Accounts Receivable and less any and all offsets, counterclaims or rebates in respect thereof (including the amount of any account payable (including any uninvoiced but accrued account payable) or other liability owed by such Borrower to any account debtor with respect to such Accounts Receivable, whether or not a specific netting agreement may exist), and (b) uninvoiced Accounts Receivable arising from deliveries during the 30-day period ending on the last Business Day for which calculations are provided in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate to be delivered in accordance herewith, in each case which Accounts Receivable or uninvoiced Accounts Receivable meet all of the following requirements:

 

  (i) are not outstanding for more than ninety (90) days past the applicable invoice date or for more than sixty (60) days past the payment due date;

 

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  (ii) arise pursuant to an Underlying Contract which constitutes the valid, binding and legally enforceable obligation of the account debtor thereon;

 

  (iii) are not evidenced by any instrument, unless a valid first-priority perfected Lien has been granted in such instrument in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

  (iv) are owned by a Borrower free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

  (v) are not the subject of any request for credit or adjustment (other than netting in the ordinary course of business) or any other dispute with an the account debtor with respect to the Account Receivable;

 

  (vi) do not arise out of transactions with an Affiliate of a Borrower;

 

  (vii) are not due from a Person located outside the United States unless the payment of such Accounts Receivable are supported by (A) a documentary or standby letter of credit, bank guarantee or payment bond sufficient to cover payment of such Account Receivable in each case in form and substance and issued by a Person satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or (B) funds deposited as security in a bank account of a Borrower with respect to which an Account Control Agreement has been entered into, in each case in an amount sufficient to cover payment of such Account Receivable;

 

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  (viii) do not (A) in the case of an Eligible Receivable — Investment Grade other than the Blender’s Production Credit, when added to the other Eligible Receivables — Investment Grade owed by such account debtor, exceed 20% of the total Eligible Receivables Base or (B) in the case of an Eligible Receivable — Other, when added to the other Eligible Receivables — Other owed by such account debtor, exceed 10% of the total Eligible Receivables Base, except that:

 

  (I) 20% of the total Eligible Receivables of one such account debtor may qualify as Eligible Receivables — Other under this subsection (viii)(B)(I) ; or

 

  (II) 15% of the total Eligible Receivables of two such account debtors may qualify as Eligible Receivables — Other under subsection (viii)(B)(II) , provided that if any Eligible Receivable — Other shall constitute an Eligible Receivable under this subsection (viii)(B)(II) no Eligible Receivable shall constitute an Eligible Receivable under subsections (viii)(B)(I) ; provided further , that “Eligible Receivables Base” means the balance of Accounts Receivable for Borrowers after all subsections in this definition of Eligible Receivables are taken into account except this subsection (viii) ;

provided , that, in the case of Eligible Receivables Other under subsections (viii)(B)(I) and (II) , only those Eligible Receivables  Other that are not more than fifteen (15) days from the date of invoice may be included under such subsections (viii)(B)(I) and (II) ;

 

  (ix) no Insolvency Event has occurred with respect to the account debtor on such Account Receivable;

 

  (x) are subject to a valid, first-priority perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

  (xi) are denominated in Dollars and are not payable outside of the United States;

 

  (xii) if due from a Governmental Authority, (including, but not limited to, the Blender’s Production Credit), including without limitation any authority, agency, branch or department of the government of the United States, are the subject of all filings or other actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the Administrative Agent under any law or regulation;

 

  (xiii) are not due from an account debtor with more than fifty percent (50%) of its Accounts Receivable owing to such Borrower outstanding more than ninety (90) days from the invoice date or more than sixty (60) days from the payment due date;

 

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  (xiv) the account debtor for such Account Receivable has been instructed in writing to deposit any and all amounts due in respect of each such Account Receivable into a Receivables Account;

 

  (xv) such Account Receivable is a bona fide Account Receivable (which, with respect to an Account Receivable arising from a sale of goods, was created as a result of a sale on an absolute basis and not on a consignment, approval or sale-and-return basis) of a Borrower arising in the ordinary course of such Borrower’s business, and which:

 

  (A) in the case of an Account Receivable arising from the sale of goods, such goods have been shipped or delivered to the account debtor for such Account Receivable, and

 

  (B) in the case of an Account Receivable relating to the sale of services, such services have been performed or completed; and

 

  (xvi) do not arise from a transaction in which such Borrower obtains actual knowledge (or in the ordinary course of business without independent investigation should have knowledge) that the counterparty to a Contractual Obligation is rejecting or has rejected any Product that has been tendered for sale by such Borrower pursuant to such Contractual Obligation as not conforming with the quality specifications set forth in such Contractual Obligation.

Eligible Receivable — Investment Grade ” means an Eligible Receivable (a) the account debtor for which has a corporate rating of at least BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody’s or a long-term unsecured debt rating of at least BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody’s or another rating agency of comparable standing if S&P and Moody’s cease to exist or to issue credit ratings, (b) the payment of which will be made pursuant to a letter of credit which satisfies the criteria set forth in clause (vii)(A) of the definition of Eligible Receivable or (c) due in respect of the Blender’s Production Credit.

Eligible Receivable — Other ” means an Eligible Receivable that is not an Eligible Receivable Investment Grade.

 

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Environmental Affiliate ” means any Person, to the extent a Borrower would reasonably be expected to have liability as a result of such Person assuming, accepting or otherwise being subject to liability for Environmental Claims relating to such Person, whether the source of such Borrower’s obligation is by contract or operation of Law.

Environmental Approvals ” means any Governmental Approvals required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim ” means any written notice, claim, demand or similar written communication by any Person alleging potential liability or requiring or demanding remedial or responsive measures (including potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup, remediation and mitigation costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, fines or penalties) in each such case arising out of, based on or resulting from (a) the presence, release or threatened release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals, or (c) exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern.

Environmental Laws ” means all applicable Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health, safety or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of Environmental Concern, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern.

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination, in each such case including all voting rights and economic rights related thereto.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, together with the regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA also refer to any successor sections.

 

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ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person, trade or business that, together with the Borrowers, is or was treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to any ERISA Plan, (b) the initiation of any action by a Borrower, any ERISA Affiliate or any ERISA Plan fiduciary to terminate an ERISA Plan (other than a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA) or the treatment of an amendment to an ERISA Plan as a termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA, (c) the institution of proceedings by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate an ERISA Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any ERISA Plan, (d) the incurrence of any accumulated funding deficiency with respect to any Plan, (e) the occurrence of an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, (f) the partial or complete withdrawal by a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any such Plan which is a multiple employer plan within the meaning of the Code has occurred which could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of liability under Title IV of ERISA, (g) the material failure to make timely contributions to or premium payment in respect of any Plan, (h) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan which would require the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA, (i) the incurrence of any potential withdrawal liability in respect of any Multiemployer Plan, (j) any Multiemployer Plan is in “reorganization” (as defined in Section 418 of the Code or Section 4241 of ERISA) or is “insolvent” (as defined in Section 4245 of ERISA), (k) the withdrawal of a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan during a plan year in which such Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or the cessation of operations which results in the termination of employment of twenty percent (20%) of Multiemployer Plan participants who are employees of such Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, (l) the partial or complete withdrawal of a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, or (m) a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is in default (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

ERISA Plan ” means any Plan that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

Eurodollar Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments and Borrowing ) and Article III ( Repayments, Prepayments, Interest and Fees ) .

Eurodollar Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated as such on Schedule 1.01(a) or designated in the Lender Assignment

 

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Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender as designated from time to time by notice from such Lender to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.04 ( Obligation to Mitigate ) that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans of such Lender hereunder.

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) one and one half percent (1.5%) per annum, and (b) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (x) LIBOR for such Interest Period and Eurodollar Loan, by (y) a percentage equal to (i) 100% minus (ii) the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day during any Interest Period, the reserve percentage in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S. Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”). The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

Event of Default ” means any one of the events specified in Section 8.01 ( Events of Default ) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, income Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located.

F.R.S. Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three (3) federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Fees ” means, collectively, each of the fees payable by the Borrowers for the account of any Lender or Agent pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Final Maturity Date ” means the earlier to occur of (i) the Accelerated Maturity Date and (ii) the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

Financial Default ” means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any one of the following with respect to such Person with respect to Indebtedness (other than Loans) having an outstanding principal amount in excess of two million Dollars ($2,000,000) (i) a default occurs in the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period), whether by acceleration or otherwise, of such Indebtedness or (ii) such Person fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of any Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; provided , that solely for the purposes of Section 2.01(c) ( Loans ), “Financial Default” shall mean any of the foregoing with respect to Indebtedness having an outstanding principal amount in excess of five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000).

Financial Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the controller, treasurer or chief financial officer of such Person.

Financing Documents ” means:

 

  (a) this Agreement;

 

  (b) the Notes;

 

  (c) the Security Documents;

 

  (d) each Interest Rate Protection Agreement;

 

  (e) the Management and Operational Services Agreement;

 

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  (f) the other financing and security agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement; and

 

  (g) each other document designated as a Financing Document by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

First Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by each Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a First Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iii) OpCo I shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

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  (v) each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time by OpCo I or OpCo II shall have been obtained.

First Train Completion Date Certain ” means the nine (9) month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if the First Train Completion Date has not been achieved by such date, then OpCo I, OpCo II and the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree within thirty (30) days of such date on the terms of a plan and budget for corrective action including a date by which the First Train Completion Date is required to be achieved (the “ First Train Corrective Action Plan ”) and (i) if a First Train Corrective Action Plan is not agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “First Train Completion Date Certain” shall mean the ten (10) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) if a First Train Corrective Action Plan is agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “First Train Completion Date Certain” shall mean the date set forth in the First Train Corrective Action Plan by which the First Train Completion Date is required to be achieved.

First Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit I-1 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit I-2 , in each case confirming that the First Train Completion Date has occurred.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year ” means any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States, applied on a consistent basis.

Governmental Approval ” means any authorization, consent, approval, license, lease, ruling, permit, certification, exemption, filing for registration by or with any Governmental Authority.

 

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Governmental Authority ” means any nation, state, sovereign, or government, any federal, regional, state, local or political subdivision and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien).

Guaranteed Obligations ” means all Obligations of the Borrowers.

Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for or in respect of moneys borrowed or raised, whether or not for cash by whatever means (including acceptances, deposits, discounting, letters of credit, factoring, and any other form of financing which is recognized in accordance with GAAP in such Person’s financial statements as being in the nature of a borrowing or is treated as “off-balance sheet” financing);

(b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

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(c) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts incurred in the ordinary course that are payable within sixty (60) days of being incurred and not past due for more than thirty (30) days);

(d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property or are otherwise limited in recourse);

(e) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(f) all Capitalized Lease Liabilities;

(g) net obligations of such Person under all Swap Contracts;

(h) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interests in such Person or any other Person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such Equity Interests, valued, in the case of redeemable preferred interests, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

(i) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ).

 

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Independent Engineer ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

“Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.17 ( Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality ).

Insolvency Event ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person:

(a) generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or unwillingness to pay, debts as they become due;

(b) applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in, the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or a substantial portion of its property, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(c) in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, permits or suffers to exist the appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for a substantial part of its property, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian is not discharged within ninety (90) days; provided that nothing in the Financing Documents shall prohibit or restrict any right any Senior Secured Party may have under applicable Law to appear in any court conducting any relevant proceeding during such ninety (90)-day period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Financing Documents (and such Person shall not object to any such appearance);

(d) permit or suffer to exist the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution, winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect of such Person and, if any such case or proceeding is not commenced by such Person, such case or proceeding is consented to or acquiesced in by such Person or results in the entry of an order for relief or remains for ninety (90) days undismissed; provided that nothing in the Financing Documents shall prohibit or restrict any right any Senior Secured Party may have under applicable Law to appear in any court conducting any such case or proceeding during such ninety (90)-day period to preserve, protect and defend its rights under the Financing Documents (and such Person shall not object to any such appearance);

(e) takes any action authorizing, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing; or

 

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(f) becomes insolvent.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) any case commenced by or against such Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of such Person, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to such Person or any similar case or proceeding relative to such Person or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(b) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to such Person, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(c) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of such Person are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Interest Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the last day of each applicable Interest Period or, if applicable, any date on which such Eurodollar Loan is converted to a Base Rate Loan and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on each Monthly Payment Date or, if applicable, any date on which such Base Rate Loan is converted to a Eurodollar Loan.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period beginning on the Borrowing Date in respect of such Eurodollar Loan or the date on which each successive interest period for each such Eurodollar Loan is determined pursuant to Section 3.03 ( Interest Rates ) and ending on the day that numerically corresponds to such date one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, in either case as the Borrowers may select in the relevant Borrowing Notice or Notice of Interest Rate Election; provided that (i) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next following Business Day (unless such next following Business Day is in a different calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day), (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the month at the end of such Interest Period, and (iii) no Interest Period may end later than the Final Maturity Date.

 

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Interest Rate Protection Agreement ” means each interest rate swap, collar, put, or cap, or other interest rate protection arrangement, between the Borrowers and a Qualified Counterparty, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the purpose of which is to hedge interest rate exposure in respect of the Loans.

Inventory ” means “inventory,” as that term is defined in the UCC.

Investments ” means, with respect to a Borrower:

(a) the purchase or acquisition of any Equity Interest, evidence of Indebtedness or other security issued by any other Person;

(b) any loan, advance or extension of credit to, or contribution to the capital of, any other Person;

(c) any Guarantee of the obligations of any other Person;

(d) any acquisition of all or any substantial portion of the business of any other Person or all or any substantial portion of the assets comprising such business; and

(e) items that are classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The investments described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) shall be included in the term “Investment” whether they are made or acquired by purchase, exchange, issuance of stock or other securities, merger, reorganization or any other method.

In determining the amount of outstanding Investments:

 

  (A) the amount of any Investment shall be the cost thereof (excluding any amounts paid in respect of inventory or other working capital items) minus any dividends, repayments of loans and other returns of capital in cash on such Investment (determined in conformity with GAAP without regard to amounts realized as income on such Investment);

 

  (B) the amount of any Investment in respect of a purchase described in clause (d) above shall be increased by the amount of any Indebtedness assumed by a Borrower in connection with such purchase or secured by any asset acquired by a Borrower in such purchase (whether or not any Indebtedness is assumed); and

 

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  (C) no Investment shall be increased as the result of an increase in the undistributed retained earnings of the Person in which the Investment was made or decreased as a result of an equity interest in the losses of such Person.

Law ” means, with respect to any Governmental Authority, any constitutional provision, law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, common law, holding, injunction, Governmental Approval (including each Necessary Governmental Approval) or requirement of such Governmental Authority along with the interpretation and administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term shall include each of the foregoing (and each provision thereof) as in effect at the time in question, including any amendments, supplements, replacements, or other modifications thereto or thereof, and whether or not in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

Lease Agreement ” means the Lease Agreement, dated as of April 8, between OpCo I, as landlord and OpCo II, as tenant.

Lease Documents ” has the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

Lender Assignment Agreement ” means a Lender Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Lenders ” means those Lenders identified on Schedule 1.01(a) , and each other Person that acquires the rights and obligations of any such Lender pursuant to Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) .

LIBOR ” means, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan:

 

  (a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the page of the Telerate screen (or any successor thereto) that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

  (b)

if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not appear on such page or service or such page or service is not available, the

 

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  rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

  (c) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by WestLB to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, bailment, conditional sales or title retention agreement, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge against or interest in property, in each case of any kind, to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation.

Loan Party ” or “ Loan Parties ” means, individually, each Borrower, the Pledgor or the Guarantor, and, collectively, the Borrowers, the Pledgor and the Guarantor.

Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) ( Loans ) .

Local Bank ” means a commercial bank, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), with which one or more Receivables Accounts is established in the name of a Borrower.

Management and Operational Services Agreement ” means the Management and Operational Services Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and between REG Services and OpCo II.

Mandatory Prepayment ” means a prepayment in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) .

 

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Master Services Agreement ” means the Master Services Agreement dated May 8, 2009 by and between the Pledgor and Bunge North America, Inc. (“ Bunge ”).

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise), or operations of any Loan Party or the Project, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of any Loan Party to perform its material obligations under any Financing Document to which it is a party, (iii) creation, perfection or priority of the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, in favor, or for the benefit, of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents or (iv) the rights or remedies of any Senior Secured Party under any Financing Document; provided , however , the expiration of the Blender’s Production Credit on December 31, 2009 shall not, during the six (6) month period following the Closing Date, be deemed a Material Adverse Effect if (x) the Environmental Protection Agency adopts revisions to the Renewable Fuel Standard program required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the form proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as publication EPA-420-F-09-023, May 2009 or (y) the Blender’s Production Credit as in effect on December 31, 2009 is reinstated.

Materials of Environmental Concern ” means chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances and hazardous substances, any toxic mold, radon gas or other toxic or hazardous substance or organism and any material that is regulated in any way, or for which liability is imposed, pursuant to an Environmental Law.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.09 ( Interest Rate Limitation ) .

Monthly Payment Date ” means the first Business Day of each month.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor thereto that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Necessary Governmental Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04 ( Governmental Approvals ) .

Necessary Project Approvals ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

 

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Net Cash Proceeds ” shall mean, with respect to any sale or disposition of assets, the aggregate cash payments (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable issued in connection with such sale or disposition, other than the portion of such deferred payment constituting interest, but only as and when so received) and Cash Equivalents received by a Borrower from such sale or disposition net of (a) fees, commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such sale and paid or payable to Persons who are not Affiliates a Borrower (including payment of principal of and premium and interest on Indebtedness secured by the assets the subject of such sale or disposition which is required to be, and which is, repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such sale or disposition) and (b) incremental taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (as reasonably estimated by a senior financial or accounting officer of the seller, giving effect to the overall tax position of the seller).

Non-Appealable ” means, with respect to any specified time period allowing an appeal of any ruling under any constitutional provision, law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, certificate, holding or injunction that such specified time period has elapsed without an appeal having been brought.

Non-U.S. Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(e) ( Taxes—Foreign Lenders ) .

Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrowers, including any promissory notes issued by the Borrowers in connection with assignments of any Loan of a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , as they may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Notice of Interest Rate Election ” means a notice in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C , executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers.

Obligations ” means and includes all loans, advances, debts, liabilities, Indebtedness and obligations, howsoever arising, owed by any Borrower to the Agents or the Lenders of every kind and description (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, including (a) interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Borrower of any Insolvency Event naming any Borrower as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding and (b) all principal, interest, fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, accountants’ fees and consultants’ fees payable by any Borrower hereunder or under any other Financing Document.

 

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Obligee ” means the Person to whom payment of an Account Receivable is owed.

OFAC Lists ” means any blocked persons list, designated nationals list, denied persons list, entity list, debarred party list, unverified list, sanctions list, or other list of Persons with whom United States Persons may not conduct business, including any list published and maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department or Treasury, the United States Department of Commerce, or the United States Department of State.

OpCo I ” means Seneca Landlord, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company formerly known as REG Seneca, LLC.

OpCo II ” means REG Seneca, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

Organic Documents ” means, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, its certificate of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital stock and, with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation or articles of organization and its limited liability agreement.

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(d) ( Assignments ) .

Patriot Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Performance Test ” means a performance test of a train of the Project completed pursuant to the terms of the Performance Testing Plan attached hereto as Exhibit K.

Permitted Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(e) ( Negative Covenants – Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, Etc. ) .

 

32


Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means those Commodity Hedging Arrangements entered into by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 7.02(l) ( Negative Covenants – Commodity Hedging Arrangements ) .

Permitted Distributions ” means Distributions identified in Section 7.02(h) ( Negative Covenants – Distributions ) .

Permitted Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness identified in Section 7.02(a) ( Negative Covenants – Restrictions on Indebtedness ) .

Permitted Investment ” means Investments identified in Section 7.02(c) (Negative Covenants – Permitted Investments) .

Permitted Liens ” means Liens identified in Section 7.02(b) ( Negative Covenants – Liens ) .

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code that is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate, or in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation to contribute or liability.

Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.11(h) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

Pledgor ” means REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Process Agent ” means any Person appointed as agent by any Loan Party, as required under the Financing Documents, to receive on behalf of itself and its property services of copies of summons and complaint or any other process which may be served in connection with any action or proceeding before any court arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Financing Document to which it is a party, including CT Corporation System.

Products ” means biodiesel, glycerin and any other co-product or by-product produced in connection with the production of biodiesel at the Project.

Project ” has the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

 

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Qualified Counterparty ” means a Person that is a counterparty to any Interest Rate Protection Agreement to which the Borrowers are a party, provided, that such Person is any of the following: (a) any Person who is a Lender, the Administrative Agent, or the Collateral Agent on the date the relevant Interest Rate Protection Agreement is entered into or (b) any Affiliate of any Person listed in clause (a).

Quarterly Payment Date ” means the last Business Day of March, June, September, and December.

Raw Materials ” means feedstocks or chemicals used in the production of Products.

RCRA ” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), as amended, and all rules, regulations, standards, guidelines, and publications issued thereunder.

Receivables Account ” means any deposit account, established in the name of a Borrower with a Local Bank and subject to an Account Control Agreement, into which are deposited all payments in respect of the Blender’s Production Credits and all Accounts Receivable of such Borrower that are subject to the Lien of the Senior Secured Parties under the Security Documents.

REG Marketing ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

REG Services ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(c) ( Assignments ) .

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Removal ,” “ Remedial ” and “ Response ” actions shall include the types of activities covered by CERCLA, RCRA, and other comparable Environmental Laws, and whether the activities are those that might be taken by a Governmental Authority or those that a Governmental Authority or any other Person might seek to require of waste generators, handlers, distributors, processors, users, storers, treaters, owners, operators, transporters, recyclers, reusers, disposers, or other Persons under “removal,” “remedial,” or other “response” actions.

Reportable Event ” means a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA.

 

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Required Lenders ” means Lenders holding Commitments in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Commitment.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Second Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by each Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a Second Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test conducted while the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate is in operation;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required Plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iii) OpCo I shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv)

all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there

 

35


  shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v) each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time by OpCo I or OpCo II shall have been obtained.

Second Train Completion Date Certain ” means the ten (10) month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if the Second Train Completion Date has not been achieved by such date, then OpCo I, OpCo II and the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree within thirty (30) days of such date on the terms of a plan and budget for corrective action including a date by which the Second Train Completion Date is required to be achieved (the “ Second Train Corrective Action Plan ”) and (i) if a Second Train Corrective Action Plan is not agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Second Train Completion Date Certain” shall mean the eleven (11) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) if a Second Train Corrective Action Plan is agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Second Train Completion Date Certain” shall mean the date set forth in the Second Train Corrective Action Plan by which the Second Train Completion Date is required to be achieved.

Second Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit I-1 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit I-2 , in each case confirming that the Second Train Completion Date has occurred.

Security Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, made by each Borrower and the Pledgor in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Security Documents ” means:

(a) the Security Agreement;

 

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(b) each Account Control Agreement;

(c) any other document pursuant to which a Lien on the Collateral is created in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties;

(d) any other document designated as a Security Document by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers; and

(e) any financing statements, notices, authorization letters, or other certificates filed, recorded or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Senior Secured Parties ” means the Lenders, the Agents, each Qualified Counterparty, and each of their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

Site ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of determination both (a) (i) the then-fair saleable value of the property of such Person is (A) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including Contingent Liabilities but excluding amounts payable under intercompany loans or promissory notes) of such Person and (B) not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person’s then-existing debts as they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to incur, or reasonably believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (b) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable Laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any Contingent Liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Subsidiary ” of any Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

 

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Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, commodity futures contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, as used herein, “Swap Contract” shall not include any contract for the purchase of any commodity.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) of this definition, the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Tank Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by each Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a Tank Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Tank Repair Agreement shall have been completed (other than punch list items);

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required Plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

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  (iii) OpCo I shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v) each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time by OpCo I or OpCo II shall have been obtained.

Tank Completion Date Certain ” means the eleven (11) month anniversary of the Closing Date.

Tank Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit J-1 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit J-2 , in each case confirming that the Tank Completion Date has occurred.

Tank Repair Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any present or future taxes (including income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, documentary,

 

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occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value-added, ad valorem, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever), levies, imposts, duties, fees or charges imposed by any government or any governmental agency or instrumentality or any international or multinational agency or commission, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto.

Tax Return ” means all returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund and information returns and statements of any Person required to be filed with respect to, or in respect of, any Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.

Term Loan ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among OpCo I, as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent for the lenders, collateral agent for the secured parties and sole lead arranger and bookrunner.

Term Loan Definitions ” means the definitions to the Term Loan, attached hereto as Exhibit F .

Threat of Release ” shall mean “threat of release” as used in CERCLA.

Title Policy ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Loan Definitions.

Trade Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(b) ( Assignments ) .

Underlying Contract ” means, with respect to any Account Receivable, the contract or agreement, in whatever form, which gave rise to such Account Receivable, but only to the extent such contract or agreement relates to such Account Receivable.

Unfunded Benefit Liabilities ” means, with respect to any ERISA Plan, the amount (if any) by which (a) the present value of all accrued benefits calculated on an accumulated benefit obligation basis and based upon the actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes ( i . e ., those determined in accordance with FASB statement No. 35 and used in preparing the ERISA Plan’s financial statements) exceeds (b) the fair market value of all ERISA Plan assets allocable to such benefits, determined as of the then most recent actuarial valuation report for such ERISA Plan; provided that such Unfunded Benefit Liabilities exist for twelve (12) consecutive months.

 

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Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection, effect of perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of provisions relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

United States ” or “ U.S. ” means the United States of America, its fifty States and the District of Columbia.

United States Person ” means a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

WestLB ” means WestLB AG, New York Branch.

Section 1.02 Principles of Interpretation . (a) Unless otherwise defined or the context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in this Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in each Financing Document, notice and other communication delivered from time to time in connection with any Financing Document.

(b) Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference in this Agreement to any Financing Document shall mean such Financing Document and all schedules, exhibits and attachments thereto.

(c) All the agreements, contracts or documents defined or referred to herein shall mean such agreements, contracts or documents as the same may from time to time be supplemented or amended or the terms thereof waived or modified to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the terms thereof and this Agreement, and shall disregard any supplement, amendment or waiver made in breach of this Agreement.

(d) Any reference in any Financing Document relating to a Default or an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing (or words of similar effect) shall be understood to mean that (i) in the case of a Default only, such Default has not been cured or remedied to the satisfaction of, or waived by, the Required Lenders, before becoming an Event of Default and (ii) in the case of an Event of Default, such Event of Default has not been cured or has not been waived by the Required Lenders.

(e) Defined terms in this Agreement or any other Financing Document shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural number the singular.

 

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(f) The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any other Financing Document shall, unless otherwise expressly specified, refer to this Agreement or such other Financing Document, as applicable, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Financing Document, as applicable, and all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement, or such other Financing Document, as applicable, unless otherwise specified.

(g) The term “knowledge” in relation to a Loan Party, and any other similar expressions, shall mean knowledge of such Loan Party after due inquiry.

(h) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” are not limiting.

(i) The word “or” is not exclusive.

(j) References to any Person or Persons shall be construed as a reference to any permitted successors or assigns of such Person or Persons to the extent not prohibited by any Financing Document.

(k) References in any Financing Document to any statute, law, decree, or regulation shall be construed as a reference to such statute, law, decree, or regulation as re-enacted, redesignated, consolidated, replaced, amended, or extended from time to time and any order, decree, proclamation, regulation, instrument, or other subordinate legislation made thereunder.

Section 1.03 UCC Terms . Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Agreement or any other Financing Document that are defined in the UCC shall have the respective meanings given to those terms in the UCC.

Section 1.04 Accounting and Financial Determinations . Unless otherwise specified, all accounting terms used in any Financing Document shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations and computations hereunder or thereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder or thereunder shall be prepared, in conformity with GAAP.

 

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ARTICLE II

COMMITMENTS AND BORROWING

On the terms, subject to the conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth:

Section 2.01 Loans . (a) Each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make loans (each such loan, a “ Loan ”) to the Borrowers, from time to time but not more frequently than six (6) times each calendar month, until the last Business Day immediately preceding the Final Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount from time to time outstanding not in excess of the Commitment of such Lender or of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Available Commitment; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of the Loans at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the Available Commitment.

(b) Each Borrowing of Loans shall be in the minimum amount of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) and in integral multiples of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) in excess thereof.

(c) Proceeds of each Loan shall be deposited into an account designated by the Borrowers and applied solely in accordance with this Agreement and used solely (i) for the payment of working capital expenses of the Borrowers and (ii) to pay transaction costs that the Borrowers incur in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Financing Documents. Following the Second Train Completion Date, not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) of the Aggregate Commitment shall be committed for use solely for working capital expenses at the Project. Proceeds of a Loan shall not be used for the benefit of any Person owned, operated or controlled in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the Guarantor if such Person is in Financial Default.

(d) Within the limits set forth in Section 2.01(a) , the Borrowers may pay or prepay and reborrow Loans.

Section 2.02 Notice of Borrowings . (a) From time to time, a Borrower may propose a Borrowing by delivering to the Administrative Agent a properly completed Borrowing Notice not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date in respect of any Eurodollar Loans and two (2) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date in respect of any Base Rate Loans. Each Borrowing Notice delivered pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be irrevocable and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) whether such Borrowing is requested to be of Eurodollar Loans and/or Base Rate Loans, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day) and (iii) the amount of such requested Borrowing.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise each Lender of any Borrowing Notice, in each such case given pursuant to this Section 2.02 , together with each such Lender’s portion of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.03 Borrowing of Loans . (a) Subject to Section 2.03(d) , each Borrowing shall consist of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages and shall consist of Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans as a Borrower may request, or as otherwise provided, pursuant to Section 2.02 ( Notice of Borrowings ) ; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender).

(b) Subject to Section 4.04 ( Obligation to Mitigate ), each Lender may (without relieving the Borrowers of their obligation to repay a Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes) at its option fulfill its Commitment with respect to any such Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan.

(c) Subject to Section 2.03(d) , each Lender shall make a Loan in the amount of its Commitment Percentage of each Borrowing hereunder on the proposed Borrowing Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent, not later than 12:00 noon New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall deposit the amounts so received into the account to be specified by such Borrower in its Borrowing Notice; provided, that if a Borrowing does not occur on the proposed Borrowing Date because any condition precedent to such requested Borrowing herein specified has not been met, the Administrative Agent shall return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders without interest.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent has been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a proposed Borrowing Date that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent its portion of the Borrowing proposed to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amounts available to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, in reliance upon such assumption, may make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender and the Administrative Agent has made such amount available to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender and, if such Lender pays such

 

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amount (together with the interest noted below), then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount upon the Administrative Agent’s demand or within two (2) Business Days from the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Borrowers shall repay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent within two (2) Business Days from the Administrative Agent’s request. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrowers, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative Agent, at an interest rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of a payment made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment made by the Borrowers, the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its commitment hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Financing Document, the Administrative Agent may, subject to the rights of the other Senior Secured Parties under the Security Documents, apply all funds and proceeds of Collateral available for the payment of any Obligation to repay any amount owing by any Lender to the Administrative Agent as a result of such Lender’s failure to fund its applicable share of any Borrowing hereunder. A notice by the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrowers with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(d) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

Section 2.04 Evidence of Indebtedness . (a) Each Loan made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business, including the Register for the recordation of the Loans maintained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.03(c) ( Assignments ) . The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive evidence, absent manifest error, of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control, absent manifest error.

(b) The Borrowers agree that in addition to the Register and any other accounts and records maintained pursuant to Section 2.04(a) , the Loans made by each Lender may, if requested by the Lenders, be evidenced by a Note or Notes duly executed on behalf of the Borrowers. The Notes shall be dated the Closing Date (or, if later, the

 

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date of any request therefor by a Lender). Each such Note shall be payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loan and payments with respect thereto.

(c) In the event that any amount hereunder or under any Note is not paid by the Borrowers when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), the Administrative Agent or any Lender may take all such actions as it sees fit to recover such amount, including the commencement and maintenance of proceedings in respect of its Note.

Section 2.05 Increase of Commitments . (a) From time to time the Borrowers may request, in a writing delivered to each of the Lenders, that the Commitments of each Lender and the Aggregate Commitment be increased. The requested increase in the Aggregate Commitment shall not be less than two million Dollars ($2,000,000) or greater than an amount that would cause the then-effective Aggregate Commitment to exceed eighteen million Dollars ($18,000,000). Any such increase greater than the minimum increase permitted above shall be in integral multiples of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000). Such writing shall include the date on which the Borrowers request that the increase of the Commitments and the Aggregate Commitment shall be effective.

(b) The Commitments and the Aggregate Commitment shall be increased by the amount that the Borrowers request in writing upon the written consent of the Lenders.

(c) The increase in Commitments and the Aggregate Commitment, to the extent approved by the Lenders, shall not be effective unless:

 

  (i) No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

  (ii) A Lien shall have been created in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents in any Additional Collateral and such Lien shall be a valid, enforceable, and perfected first-priority Lien. Such Additional Collateral shall be subject to no other Lien except Permitted Liens;

 

  (iii) The Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a revised Borrowing Base Certificate reflecting the inclusion of any Additional Collateral that would constitute Eligible Receivables, or Eligible Inventory;

 

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  (iv) All representations and warranties made by each of the Loan Parties in this Agreement and each of the other Financing Documents to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date the Commitments and Aggregate Commitment are increased (except with respect to representations and warranties that expressly refer to an earlier date), before and after giving effect to such increase;

 

  (v) No “Default” or “Event of Default” as such terms are defined in the Term Loan Definitions shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

  (vi) The Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed on fees necessary in connection with the increased Aggregate Commitment.

Section 2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments .

(a) Any unused Commitments shall be terminated upon the occurrence of an Event of Default if and to the extent required pursuant to Section 8.02 ( Action Upon Bankruptcy ) or Section 8.03 ( Action Upon Other Event of Default ) in accordance with the terms thereof.

(b) Any Commitments shall be automatically and permanently terminated in full on the Final Maturity Date.

(c) Any Commitments may be terminated or reduced, in whole or in part (in integral multiples of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000)), by the Borrowers upon no less than five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Any Commitments may be permanently terminated or reduced, in whole or in part, by the Lenders upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an “Event of Default” under the Term Loan.

Section 2.07 Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers .

(a) Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders

 

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under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations of each of them.

(b) Each of the Borrowers jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrower with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations arising under this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.

(c) If and to the extent that either of the Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other Borrower will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation.

(d) The obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.07 constitute full recourse obligations of such Borrower, enforceable against it to the full extent of its properties and assets.

(e) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to the extent permitted by Law, each Borrower (in its capacity as a joint and several obligor in respect of the Obligations of the other Borrower) hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (except to the extent notice is expressly required to be given pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the other Senior Secured Parties under or in respect of any of the Obligations hereunder, any requirement of diligence and, generally, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement. Each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the other Senior Secured Parties at any time or times in respect of any default by the other Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any of the Obligations any and all other indulgences whatsoever by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the other Senior Secured Parties in respect of any of the Obligations hereunder, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of such Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of the other Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower (in its capacity as a joint and several obligor in respect of the Obligations of the other

 

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Borrower) assents to any other action or delay in acting or any failure to act on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or the other Senior Secured Parties, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.07 afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its obligations under this Section 2.07 , it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the obligations of such Borrower under this Section 2.07 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance. The obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.07 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to either Borrower or any Senior Secured Party. The joint and several liability of the Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or any of any Senior Secured Party.

(f) The provisions of this Section 2.07 are made for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties and their successors and assigns, and may be enforced by them from time to time against either of the Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of any Senior Secured Party first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against the other Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it against the other Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 2.07 shall remain in effect until the Discharge Date. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by any Senior Secured Party upon any Insolvency Event in respect of either of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.07 will forthwith be reinstated and in effect as though such payment had not been made.

(g) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any of the other Financing Documents, to the extent the obligations of either Borrower shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the obligations of such Borrower hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount that is permissible under applicable Law (whether federal or state and including, without limitation, the Bankruptcy Code of the United States).

 

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ARTICLE III

REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

Section 3.01 Repayment of Borrowings . (a) The Borrowers unconditionally and irrevocably promise to pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans in accordance with this Section 3.01 .

(b) The Loans shall be repaid in full on the Final Maturity Date.

Section 3.02 Interest Payment Dates . (a) Interest accrued on each Loan shall be payable, without duplication:

 

  (i) on the Final Maturity Date for such Loan;

 

  (ii) on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; and

 

  (iii) with respect to any Loan, on any date when such Loan is prepaid hereunder.

(b) Interest accrued on the Loans or other monetary Obligations after the date such amount is due and payable (whether on the Final Maturity Date for such Loan, any Quarterly Payment Date, any Interest Payment Date, upon acceleration or otherwise) shall be payable upon demand.

(c) Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof, before and after judgment, regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding exists in respect of a Borrower and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Lenders shall be entitled to receive post petition interest during the pendency of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Section 3.03 Interest Rates . (a) Pursuant to each properly delivered Borrowing Notice or Notice of Interest Rate Election, as applicable, (i) each Eurodollar Loan shall accrue interest from (and including) the first day of each Interest Period to (but excluding) the last day of such Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Loans and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate from time to time in effect plus the Applicable Margin with respect to Base Rate Loans. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one (1) day.

 

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(b) The Loans included in each Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type of rate specified by a Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Notice. Thereafter, the Borrowers may from time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate borne by the Loans (subject in each to the provisions of Article IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) and the last sentence of this clause (b) ), as follows:

 

  (i) if such Loans are Base Rate Loans, the Borrowers may elect to convert such Loans to Eurodollar Loans as of any Business Day; and

 

  (ii) if such Loans are Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers may elect to convert such Loans to Base Rate Loans or elect to continue such Loans as Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest Period, subject to Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) in the case of any such conversion or continuation effective on any date other than the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loans.

 

  (iii) Each such election shall be made by delivering a Notice of Interest Rate Election to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least three (3) Business Days before the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective.

(c) Each Notice of Interest Rate Election shall specify:

 

  (i) the amount of the Loans to which such notice applies;

 

  (ii) the date on which the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective, which shall comply with the applicable clause of Section 3.03(b) above;

 

  (iii) if the Loans are to be converted, the new type of Loans and, if the Loans being converted are to be Eurodollar Loans, the duration of the next succeeding Interest Period applicable thereto; and

 

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  (iv) if such Loans are to be continued as Eurodollar Loan for an additional Interest Period, the duration of such additional Interest Period.

 

  (v) Each Notice of Interest Period Election shall comply with the provisions of the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

(d) Promptly after receiving a Notice of Interest Rate Election from the Borrowers pursuant to Section 3.03(b)(iii) above, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the contents thereof and such notice shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrowers. If no Notice of Interest Rate Election is timely received prior to the end of an Interest Period for any Loans constituting Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have elected that such Loans be converted to Base Rate Loans as of the last day of such Interest Period.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Borrowers shall have, in the aggregate, no more than three (3) separate Eurodollar Loans outstanding at any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, Eurodollar Loans having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Eurodollar Loans.

(f) An election by the Borrowers to change or continue the rate of interest applicable to any Loan pursuant to this Section 3.03 shall not constitute a “Borrowing” subject to the provisions of Section 6.02 ( Conditions to All Borrowings ).

(g) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Loan may be requested as, converted to, or continued as a Eurodollar Loan hereunder.

Section 3.04 Post-Maturity Interest Rates; Default Interest Rates . (a) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan is not paid when due (whether on the Final Maturity Date for such Loan, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto plus  two percent (2%) or (ii) any Obligation (other than principal on the Loans) is not paid when due (whether on the Final Maturity Date, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans plus  two percent (2%), in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) ( Events of Default - Nonpayment ) , the Borrowers shall pay, but only to the extent permitted by Law, in

 

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addition to the interest then payable on any Loan, additional interest (after as well as before judgment) on the Loans at two percent (2%) per annum until such Event of Default is cured or waived.

(c) The interest rate per annum that the Borrowers must pay pursuant to Sections 3.04(a) or (b)  shall be the “ Default Rate ”.

Section 3.05 Computation of Interest . All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by WestLB’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All computations of interest for Eurodollar Loans, and for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Federal Funds Effective Rate, shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed.

Section 3.06 Interest Rate Determination . The Administrative Agent shall determine the interest rate applicable to the Loans and shall give prompt notice of such determination to the Borrowers and the Lenders. In each such case, the Administrative Agent’s determination of the applicable interest rate shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

Section 3.07 Optional Prepayment . (a) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, to prepay, on any Interest Payment Date, the Loans, in whole or in part, upon not fewer than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Any partial prepayment of the Loans shall be in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) and in integral multiples of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) in excess thereof.

(c) Each notice of prepayment given by the Borrowers under this Section 3.07 shall specify the prepayment date and the portion of the principal amount of the Loans to be prepaid. All prepayments under this Section 3.07 shall be made by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to but excluding the date of payment and by any additional amounts required to be paid under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) .

(d) Amounts of principal prepaid under this Section 3.07 shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 3.12(b) ( Pro Rata Treatment ) .

 

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Section 3.08 Mandatory Prepayment . (a) If at any time the aggregate outstanding amount of the Loans exceeds the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base, as calculated by the Borrowers in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.03(m) ( Reporting Requirements ) and (ii) the Aggregate Commitment, the Borrowers shall, within three (3) Business Days thereof, prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and (2) the amount by which the aggregate amount of the Loans outstanding exceeds the lesser of the Borrowing Base (as recalculated) and the Aggregate Commitment.

(b) If at any time a Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.03(m) ( Reporting Requirements ) demonstrates that the then outstanding principal amount of the Loans exceeds the then effective Available Commitment, the Borrowers shall, within three (3) Business Days following the delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate, prepay the Loans in the amount of such excess.

(c) If the Borrowers elect to terminate or reduce the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06(c) ( Termination or Reduction of Commitments ), the Borrowers shall be required to prepay, on the date on which the Commitments will terminate or be reduced as determined by the Borrowers, an amount of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans and (ii) the amount by which the aggregate amount of the Loans outstanding exceeds, after giving effect to the termination or reduction of the Commitments, the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Commitment.

(d) All prepayments under this Section 3.08 shall be made by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders and shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to but excluding the date of payment and by any additional amounts required to be paid under Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) .

Section 3.09 Time and Place of Payments . (a) The Borrowers shall make each payment (including any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other Obligations) hereunder and under any other Financing Document without setoff, deduction or counterclaim not later than 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the date when due in Dollars in immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent at the following account: JPMorgan Chase Bank - NY, Acct. # 920-1-060663, for the account of WestLB AG-NY Branch, ABA #021-000-021, Ref: Renewable Energy Group, Inc. – Revolving Credit Agreement, Attention: Loan Administration, or at such other office or account as may from time to time be specified by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers. Funds received after 11:00 a.m. New York City time shall be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit in immediately available funds to each Senior Secured Party its share, if any, of any payments received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Senior Secured Party.

(c) Whenever any payment (including any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other Obligations) hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall (except as otherwise required by the proviso to the definition of “Interest Period” with respect to Eurodollar Loans) be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day, and such increase of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.

Section 3.10 Borrowings and Payments Generally . (a) Unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from the Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance with this Agreement and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. If the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from (and including) the date such amount is distributed to it to (but excluding) the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender with respect to any amount owing under this Section 3.10(a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(c) The Borrowers hereby authorize each Lender, if and to the extent payment owed to such Lender is not made when due under this Agreement or under the Notes held by such Lender, to charge from time to time against any or all of the Borrowers’ accounts with such Lender any amount so due.

 

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Section 3.11 Fees . (a) From and including the date hereof until the Final Maturity Date, the Borrowers agree to pay in arrears to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Lenders, on each Quarterly Payment Date, a commitment fee (a “ Commitment Fee ”) equal to one percent (1.0%) per annum on the average daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitment exceeds the outstanding amount of Loans, during the calendar quarter or portion thereof then ended. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 365 or 366 days, as pro-rated for any partial quarter, as applicable.

(b) From and including the date hereof until the Final Maturity Date, the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, on the Closing Date and each anniversary of the Closing Date, monitoring fee in respect of the Borrowing Base in an amount of $50,000.

(c) All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

Section 3.12 Pro Rata Treatment . (a) Each Borrowing and, except as otherwise provided in Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , each reduction of commitments of any type, pursuant to Section 2.06 ( Termination or Reduction of Commitments ) or otherwise, and each payment of Fees and other Obligations (other than the payments allocated pursuant to Section 3.12(b) ), shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective applicable Commitment Percentages.

(b) Except as required under Article IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) , (i) each payment or prepayment of principal of the Loans shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata among the Lenders in proportion to their respective principal amounts of the Loans then outstanding, (ii) each payment of interest on the Loans shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro   rata among the applicable Lenders in proportion to their respective amounts of unpaid interest on the Loans then outstanding, and (iii) each payment of fees on the Commitments shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata among the applicable Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

(c) Each Lender agrees that in computing such Lender’s portion of any Borrowing to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, round each Lender’s percentage of such Borrowing to the next higher or lower whole Dollar amount.

Section 3.13 Sharing of Payments . (a) If any Lender obtains any payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of setoff or

 

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otherwise) on account of any Loan (other than pursuant to the terms of Article IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) in excess of its pro rata share of payments then or therewith obtained by all Lenders holding Loans of such type, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations in Loans of such type made by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with each of them; provided , that if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and each Lender that has sold a participation to the purchasing Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the ratable extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such selling Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (x) the amount of such selling Lender’s required repayment to the purchasing Lender to (y) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrowers agree that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 3.13 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including pursuant to Section 11.14 ( Right of Setoff ) ) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

(b) If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.13 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this Section 3.13 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

ARTICLE IV

EURODOLLAR RATE AND TAX PROVISIONS

Section 4.01 Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful . (a) If any Lender reasonably determines (which determination shall, upon notice thereof to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers absent manifest error) that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any Law makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender to make, maintain or fund any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan, the obligations of such Lender to make, maintain or fund any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan shall, upon such determination, forthwith be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and all Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans at the end of the then-current Interest Periods with respect thereto or sooner, if required by such Law or assertion. Upon any such conversion the Borrowers shall pay any accrued

 

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interest on the amount so converted and, if such conversion occurs on a day other than the last day of the then-current Interest Period for such affected Eurodollar Loans, such Lender shall be entitled to make a request for, and the Borrowers shall pay, compensation for breakage costs under Section 4.05 (Funding Losses ).

(b) If such Lender notifies the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to the suspension described in Section 4.01(a) no longer apply, the principal amount of each such Base Rate Loan shall automatically again bear interest as Eurodollar Loans in accordance with this Agreement, on the first day of the next succeeding Interest Period applicable to the related Eurodollar Loans of other Lenders.

Section 4.02 Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rates . (a) In the event, and on each occasion, that on or before the day that is three (3) Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan, the Administrative Agent has determined in good faith that (i) Dollar deposits in the amount of such Loan and with an Interest Period similar to such Interest Period are not generally available in the London interbank market, or (ii) the rate at which such Dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to any Lender of making, maintaining or funding the principal amount of such Loan during such Interest Period, or (iii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of such determination, whereupon each such Eurodollar Loan will automatically, on the last day of the then-existing Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan, convert into a Base Rate Loan. In the event of any such determination pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(i) or (iii) , any Borrowing Notice delivered by the Borrowers shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan until the Administrative Agent determines that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist. In the event of any determination pursuant to Section 4.02(a)(ii) , each affected Lender may, and is hereby authorized by the Borrowers to, fund its portion of the Loans as a Base Rate Loan. Each determination by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(b) Upon the Administrative Agent’s determination that the condition that was the subject of a notice under Section 4.02(a) has ceased, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of such determination, whereupon each Base Rate Loan that was the subject of such notice will automatically, on the next succeeding Quarterly Payment Date, again bear interest as a Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 4.03 Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs . If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable Law or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Eurodollar

 

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Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority would increase the cost to such Lender of, or result in any reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) in respect of, making, maintaining or funding (or of its obligation to make, maintain or fund) the Loans as Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender the amount of any such increase or reduction. Such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in writing of the occurrence of any such event, such notice to state the additional amount required to compensate fully such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the Borrowers directly to such Lender within five (5) Business Days of delivery of such notice, and such notice and determination shall be binding on the Borrowers absent manifest error.

Section 4.04 Obligation to Mitigate . (a) Each Lender agrees that after it becomes aware of the occurrence of an event that would entitle it to give notice pursuant to Section 4.0l ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , or  4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) or to receive additional amounts pursuant to Section 4.07 ( Taxes ) , such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to make, fund or maintain its affected Loan through another lending office if as a result thereof the increased costs would be avoided or materially reduced or the illegality would thereby cease to exist and if, in the opinion of such Lender, the making, funding or maintaining of such Loan through such other lending office would not be disadvantageous to such Lender, contrary to such Lender’s normal banking practices or violate any applicable Law.

(b) No change by a Lender in its Domestic Office or Eurodollar Office made for such Lender’s convenience shall result in any increased cost to the Borrowers.

(c) If any Lender demands compensation pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) or  4.06 ( Increased Capital Costs ) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the Borrowers may, at any time upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to such Lender through the Administrative Agent, elect to convert such Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan. Thereafter, unless and until such Lender notifies the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer apply, all such Eurodollar Loans by such Lender shall bear interest as Base Rate Loans. If such Lender notifies the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer apply, the principal amount of each such Loan shall automatically again bear interest as Eurodollar Loans in accordance with this Agreement, on the first day of the next succeeding Interest Period applicable to the related Eurodollar Loans of other Lenders.

Section 4.05 Funding Losses . In the event that any Lender incurs any loss or expense (including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to make, continue or

 

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maintain any portion of the principal amount of any Loan as a Eurodollar Loan, and any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing) as a result of (a) any conversion of the type of interest rate borne by the Loans or repayment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans on a date other than the scheduled Interest Payment Date or Quarterly Payment Date applicable thereto, whether pursuant to Section 3.03 ( Interest Rates ) , Section 3.07 ( Optional Prepayment ) , 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) , 4.01(a) ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) or otherwise or (b) the Borrowers failing to make a Borrowing in accordance with any Borrowing Notice; then, upon the written notice of such Lender to the Borrowers (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrowers shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender such amount as will (in the reasonable determination of such Lender) reimburse such Lender for such loss or expense. Such notice and determination shall be binding on the Borrowers absent manifest error.

Section 4.06 Increased Capital Costs . If, after the date hereof, any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or phase-in of, any applicable Law or guideline, or request (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority affects the amount of capital required to be maintained by any Lender, and such Lender reasonably determines that the rate of return on its capital as a consequence of its Loan is reduced to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for the occurrence of any such circumstance then, in any such case upon notice from time to time by such Lender to the Borrowers, the Borrowers shall pay within five (5) Business Days after such demand directly to such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such reduction in rate of return. A statement of such Lender as to any such additional amount or amounts shall be binding on the Borrowers absent manifest error.

Section 4.07 Taxes .

(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any Obligations shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any Indemnified Taxes; provided that if the Borrowers are required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from any such payment, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.07 ) the Agent or Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrowers shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrowers shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

 

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(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers . In addition, the Borrowers shall timely pay any Indemnified Taxes arising from any payment made under any Financing Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Financing Document and not collected by withholding at the source as contemplated by Section 4.07(a) to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrowers . The Borrowers shall indemnify each Agent and each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.07 ) paid by such Agent or Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest, additions to tax and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by a Lender or Agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by the Borrowers to a Governmental Authority, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Foreign Lenders . Each Lender (including any Participant and any other Person to which any Lender transfers its interests in this Agreement as provided under Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) ) that is not a United States Person (a “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two (2) copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Form W-8BEN or Form W-8IMY (with supporting documentation), or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments of interest by the Borrowers under the Financing Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement. In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent (or any other form of certification adopted by U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose).

 

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ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce each Agent and each Lender to enter into this Agreement and to induce each Lender to make the Loans hereunder, each of the Borrowers or, as the case may be as expressly set forth hereafter, each Loan Party (but only as to those specific representations and warranties being made by each Loan Party) represents and warrants to each Agent and each Lender, as set forth in this Article V on the date hereof, on the date of each Borrowing Notice and on each Borrowing Date:

Section 5.01 Organization; Power; Compliance with Law and Contractual Obligations . Each Loan Party (a) is, in the case of each Borrower, a limited liability company, and, in the case of the Guarantor and the Pledgor, a corporation, in each case validly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization (b) is duly qualified to do business as is now being conducted and as is proposed to be conducted and is in good standing as a foreign limited liability company or corporation, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) has all requisite limited liability company or corporate, as applicable, power and authority and holds all Governmental Approvals required as of the date of this representation to enter into and perform its obligations under each Financing Document to which it is a party and to conduct its business as conducted by it on the date this representation is made or deemed repeated except where the failure to do so has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance with all Laws and Contractual Obligations applicable to it except where the failure to be in compliance with such Laws or Contractual Obligations could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.02 Due Authorization; Non-Contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Loan Party of each Financing Document to which it is a party are within its limited liability company or corporate powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company or corporate action, as applicable, and do not:

(a) contravene its Organic Documents;

(b) materially contravene any Law or Contractual Obligation binding on or affecting it; or

 

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(c) result in, or require the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any of its properties other than Permitted Liens.

Section 5.03 Validity . Each Loan Party has duly executed and delivered each Financing Document to which it is a party. Each Financing Document to which such Loan Party is a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Loan Party enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (b) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

Section 5.04 Governmental Approvals . All material Governmental Approvals required to be obtained by or on behalf of (a) the applicable Loan Party which are necessary under applicable Law (other than UCC filings) in connection with (i) the due execution, delivery and performance by it of the Financing Documents to which it is a party, and (ii) the grant by such Loan Party of the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, by it under the Security Documents, the validity, perfection and enforceability thereof and for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights and remedies thereunder (all of the foregoing, the “ Necessary Governmental Approvals ”) have been obtained, are in full force and effect and, if applicable, properly are in the name of such Loan Party (unless not required to be so by any Law or Governmental Authority), and are final and Non-Appealable. All amendments, supplements and renewals of such Necessary Governmental Approvals required to be filed by applicable Law or by the terms of any Necessary Governmental Approval obtained by or on behalf of the applicable Loan Party have been filed by the time required.

Section 5.05 No Defaults . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 5.06 No Material Adverse Effect . There has not occurred any event, occurrence or circumstance that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.07 Litigation . (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.07 , there is no pending or, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, threatened litigation, action, or proceeding before any Governmental Authority against or affecting any Borrower. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, threatened litigation, action, or proceeding before any Governmental Authority against or affecting the Guarantor or the Pledgor that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) The Borrowers may update and correct, with approval of the Administrative Agent, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Schedule 5.07 to reflect any other material additions after the date hereof.

Section 5.08 Liabilities; Material Agreements . Except as set forth on Schedule 5.08, (a) each Borrower has no material liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise that would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in conformity with GAAP.

(b) No Loan Party is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other corporate restriction which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.09 Collateral . (a) The respective Liens in the applicable Loan Party’s personal property granted, or purported to be granted, to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) pursuant to the Security Documents in effect on each date this representation is made or deemed made each constitute a valid and enforceable first-priority Lien in such personal property, subject only to Permitted Liens.

(b) The Liens granted, or purported to be granted, to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) pursuant to the Security Documents will be perfected (i) with respect to any property that can solely be perfected by filing a financing statement, upon the filing of UCC financing statements in the filing offices identified in Schedule 5.09(b) , (ii) with respect to each Receivables Account that can be perfected by control, upon execution of an Account Control Agreement in respect of such Receivables Account, and (iii) with respect to Collateral constituting Equity Interests, upon such Equity Interests being delivered to the possession of the Collateral Agent in order to provide the Collateral Agent control over such Equity Interests. All such action as is necessary has been taken (or will be taken prior to the date of the first Borrowing Notice) to create and perfect the Collateral Agent’s Lien in the Collateral. No filing, recordation, re-filing or re-recording other than those listed on Schedule 5.09(b) is necessary to perfect (or maintain the perfection of) the Liens of the Security Documents (to the extent the Collateral Agent’s Lien can be perfected by filing a financing statement), and all such filings or recordings have been made (or will be made prior to the date of the first Borrowing Notice). Each Loan Party has (or will have, prior to the date of the first Borrowing Notice) provided the Collateral Agent control or possession of all Collateral that requires perfection of the Liens described above by control or possession, respectively.

(c) Except for Permitted Liens, neither Borrower has created, incurred, assumed, or suffered to exist any Lien on any of its property, revenues or assets in which a Lien is or will be granted, or purported to be granted, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

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(d) As of the Closing Date, Guarantor does not have any secured indebtedness.

Section 5.10 Ownership of Properties . (a) Each Borrower has a good and valid ownership interest or rights in all of its property and assets (tangible and intangible) included in the Collateral.

(b) Each other Loan Party has a good and valid ownership interest, leasehold interest, license interest or other right of use in its respective properties and assets (tangible and intangible) except for any such rights the absence of which in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of such properties or assets are subject to any Liens or, to the knowledge of such other Loan Party, any other claims of any Person, other than Permitted Liens and, with respect to claims, to the extent permitted by Section 5.07 ( Litigation ), except, in each case, as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.11 Taxes . Each Loan Party has filed all Tax Returns required by Law to have been filed by it and has paid all Taxes it is required to pay, including Taxes on such Tax Returns shown to be owing unless the same are subject to a Contest.

Section 5.12 ERISA Plans . With respect to any Plan sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by the applicable Loan Party or an ERISA Affiliate of such Loan Party (and any Plan with respect to which such Loan Party or such an ERISA Affiliate has an obligation or liability, whether direct or indirect, actual or contingent), the following statements are true and correct: (a) such Plan has been maintained and administered in material compliance with the Code, ERISA, and all Laws, (b) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur, and (c) there are no Unfunded Benefit Liabilities with respect to any ERISA Plan.

Section 5.13 Environmental Warranties . (a) (i) Each Loan Party and its Environmental Affiliates are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, (ii) each Loan Party and its Environmental Affiliates have all Environmental Approvals required to operate their businesses as presently conducted or as reasonably anticipated to be conducted and are in compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions thereof, (iii) no Loan Party or any of its Environmental Affiliates have received any communication, whether from a Governmental Authority, employee or otherwise, that alleges that a Loan Party or any of its Environmental Affiliates is not in material compliance with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Approvals, and (iv) in the absence of any change in Environmental Laws or in the terms

 

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or conditions of any Environmental Approvals, there are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere in the future with compliance in all material respects by a Loan Party, its Environmental Affiliates with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Approvals.

(b) There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the knowledge of the each Loan Party, threatened against a Loan Party or, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, pending or threatened against any Environmental Affiliate.

(c) There are no present or past actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including the release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any Materials of Environmental Concern, that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate.

(d) Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) there are no on-site or off-site locations in which any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate has stored, disposed or arranged for the disposal of Materials of Environmental Concern that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim, (ii) no Loan Party knows of any underground storage tanks located or to be located on property owned or leased by a Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate, (iii) there is no asbestos or lead paint contained in or forming part of any building, building component, structure or office space owned or leased by any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate, and (iv) no polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are or will be used or stored at any property owned or leased by any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate.

(e) No Loan Party has received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of CERCLA, or comparable state laws, and to the knowledge of each Loan Party, none of the operations of any Loan Party is the subject of any investigation by a Governmental Authority evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release or threatened release of any Material of Environmental Concern, including any location to which such Loan Party has transported or arranged for the transportation of, any Material of Environmental Concern.

Section 5.14 Regulations T, U and X . No Borrower is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Loan will be used for any purpose that violates, or would be inconsistent with, F.R.S. Board Regulation T, U or X. Terms for which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation T, U or X or any regulations substituted therefore, as from time to time in effect, are used in this Section 5.14 with such meanings.

 

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Section 5.15 Investment Company Act . Each Borrower is not, and after giving effect to the Loans and the application of the proceeds of the Loans as described herein will not be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 5.16 Accuracy of Information; Financial Statements .

(a) All factual information heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party in this Agreement or in any other Financing Document or otherwise in writing to any Senior Secured Party, any consultant, or counsel for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Documents or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby (other than projections and other “forward-looking” information, which have been prepared on a reasonable basis and in good faith by such Loan Party) is, and all other such written factual information hereafter furnished by such Loan Party in writing to any Senior Secured Party, any consultant, or counsel will be, taken as a whole, true and accurate in every material respect and such information is not, or shall not be, as the case may be, incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading in any material respect.

(b) The audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2008 heretofore delivered to the Lenders were prepared in conformity with GAAP on the date such statements were prepared and fairly present the consolidated financial condition and operations of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries at such date and the consolidated results of their operations for the period then ended.

(c) The unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarters ending March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009, heretofore delivered to the Lenders, were prepared in conformity with GAAP on the date such statements were prepared and fairly present the consolidated financial condition and operations of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries at each such date and the consolidated results of their operations for each such Fiscal Quarter (subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

Section 5.17 Indebtedness . Except for Permitted Indebtedness outstanding on the date of this Agreement, the Obligations are, after giving effect to the Financing Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, the only outstanding Indebtedness of each Borrower. The Obligations rank at least pari passu with all other Indebtedness of such Borrower. The Guarantee ranks at least pari passu with all other guarantees of the Guarantor.

 

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Section 5.18 Subsidiaries . Neither Borrower has any Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary of the Guarantor is set forth on Schedule 5.18 .

Section 5.19 Investments . No Borrower has outstanding, or has acquired or committed itself to acquire or hold, any Investment.

Section 5.20 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc . (a) The use of the proceeds of the Loan by the Borrowers will not violate the Anti-Terrorism Laws.

(b) None of the Borrowers, the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries and, to its knowledge, none of their respective Affiliates (i) is a Person or entity described by or designated in any OFAC List or in the Anti-Terrorism Order, (ii) has knowingly engaged in dealings or transactions with any such Persons or entities described by or designated in any OFAC List or in the Anti-Terrorism Order, or (iii) is in violation of the Patriot Act.

Section 5.21 Solvency . Each Loan Party is and, upon the incurrence of any Obligations by such Loan Party and after giving effect to the transactions and the incurrence of Indebtedness in connection therewith, will be Solvent.

Section 5.22 Legal Name and Place of Business .

(a) The exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation of REG Marketing is: REG Marketing and Logistics Group, LLC, a limited liability company formed and existing under the laws of the State of Iowa. As of the date of this Agreement, the sole place of business and chief executive office of REG Marketing is 416 S. Bell Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

(b) The exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation of REG Services is: REG Services Group, LLC, a limited liability company formed and existing under the laws of the State of Iowa. As of the date of this Agreement, the sole place of business and chief executive office of REG Services is 416 S. Bell Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

(c) The exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation of the Guarantor is: Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Guarantor was formerly known as REG Newco, Inc., which name change became effective February 26, 2010 in conjunction with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger effective November 20, 2009 by and among REG Newco, Inc. (now know as Renewable Energy Group, Inc.), REG Merger Sub, Inc. and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (now known as REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc.). Except as set forth in this Section 5.22(c) , the Guarantor has not had any other legal names in the previous five (5) years.

 

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(d) The chief executive office of the Guarantor is located at 416 S. Bell Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

(e) The exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation of the Pledgor is: REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Pledgor was formerly known as Renewable Energy Group, Inc., which name change became effective February 26, 2010 in conjunction with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger effective November 20, 2009 by and among REG Newco, Inc. (now know as Renewable Energy Group, Inc.), REG Merger Sub, Inc. and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (now known as REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc.). Except as set forth in this Section 5.22(e) , the Pledgor has not had any other legal names in the previous five (5) years.

(f) The chief executive office of the Guarantor is located at 416 S. Bell Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

Section 5.23 No Brokers . No Loan Party has any obligation to pay any finder’s, advisory, brokers or investment banking fee, except for the fees payable pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Section 5.24 Insurance . The Borrowers maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers (a) business interruption insurance, (b) property insurance against theft, fraud, loss or damage by fire, explosion and hazards insured against by extended coverage, and (c) insurance against liability for hazards, risks and liability to persons and property, in each case, in the manner customary for, and in amounts and with deductibles at least as favorable as those generally maintained by, businesses of similar size engaged in similar activities. All premiums then due and payable on all such insurance have been paid.

Section 5.25 Accounts . Neither Borrower owns or has an interest in, or is the beneficiary of, any bank account into which payments in respect of Accounts Receivable have been or are required to be deposited other than any Receivables Account with respect to which an Account Control Agreement has been duly executed and delivered.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 6.01 Conditions to Closing Date . The obligation of each Lender to make available the first Borrowing of its Loans on the Closing Date, is subject to the fulfillment, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender, or waiver in writing by each Lender, of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Delivery of Financing Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following Financing Documents, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals), duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Lender:

 

  (i) this Agreement;

 

  (ii) the Notes, duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers in favor of each Lender, in the amount of such Lender’s Commitment and otherwise complying with the provisions of Section 2.04 ( Evidence of Indebtedness ); and

 

  (iii) the Security Documents.

(b) Certifications . The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely (i) certifying that all conditions set forth in this Section 6.01 have been fulfilled on and as of the date thereof and (ii) certifying that all representations and warranties made by it in this Agreement and each other Financing Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date thereof.

(c) Other Certifications . The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Guarantor, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely certifying that all representations and warranties made by it in each Financing Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date thereof. The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Pledgor, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely certifying that all representations and warranties made by it in each Financing Document to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date thereof.

 

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(d) Resolutions, Incumbency, Organic Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received from each Loan Party a certificate of an Authorized Officer, dated as of the Closing Date, upon which the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely, as to:

 

  (i) resolutions of its members, managers or directors, as the case may be, then in full force and effect authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each Financing Document to which it is party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein;

 

  (ii) the incumbency and signatures of those of its officers and representatives authorized to execute and otherwise act with respect to each Financing Document to which it is party; and

 

  (iii) such Person’s Organic Documents, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, and certifying that (A) such documents are in full force and effect and no term or condition thereof has been amended from the form thereof delivered to the Administrative Agent and (B) no material breach, material default or material violation thereunder has occurred and is continuing.

(e) Authority to Conduct Business . The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence, including certificates of good standing from the Secretaries of State of each relevant jurisdiction, that:

 

  (i) the Guarantor is duly authorized as a corporation to carry on its business, and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so authorized;

 

  (ii) the Pledgor is duly authorized as a corporation to carry on its business, and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so authorized; and

 

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  (iii) each Borrower is duly authorized as a limited liability company to carry on its business, and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so authorized.

(f) Opinions of Counsel . The Administrative Agent shall have received the following legal opinions, addressed to the Senior Secured Parties, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, and from counsel reasonably satisfactory to, each Lender (with sufficient copies thereof for each addressee):

 

  (i) the opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York counsel to the Loan Parties; and

 

  (ii) the opinion of Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O’Brien, P.C., Iowa counsel to the Loan Parties.

(g) Lien Search; Perfection of Liens . The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory copies or evidence, as the case may be, of the following actions in connection with the perfection of the Liens granted in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) under the Security Documents:

 

  (i) completed requests for information or lien search reports, dated no more than five (5) Business Days before the Closing Date, listing all effective UCC financing statements, fixture filings or other filings evidencing a security interest filed in Delaware, Iowa, and any other jurisdictions reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent that name the Borrower granting, or purported to grant, a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) under the Security Documents, as the case may be, as a debtor, together with copies of each such UCC financing statement, fixture filing or other filings;

 

  (ii) acknowledgment copies or stamped receipt copies of proper UCC financing statements and other filings and recordations, duly filed in all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect and protect the first-priority Liens created, or purported to be created, under the Security Documents covering the Collateral described therein;

 

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  (iii) the original certificates representing all Equity Interests in each of the Borrowers shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent, in each case together with a duly executed irrevocable proxy and transfer power in the form attached to the Security Agreement, relating to such Equity Interests; and

 

  (iv) evidence of the completion of all other actions, recordings and filings of or with respect to the Security Documents that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect and protect the first-priority Liens created thereunder.

(h) Financial Statements . The Administrative Agent shall have received accurate and complete copies of the audited annual consolidated financial statements of each Loan Party for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2008.

(i) Closing Balance Sheets . The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of (A) the balance sheets of each Loan Party accurate and complete as of the most recent month end prior to the date of Closing and (B) the unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for the Fiscal Quarters ending March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009.

(j) Establishment of Accounts . Each Borrower that has granted a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, under the Security Documents in its Accounts Receivable shall have established at least one (1) Receivables Account, established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, that is subject to an Account Control Agreement.

(k) Borrowing Base Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender.

(l) Necessary Approvals . All Necessary Governmental Approvals, and all Governmental Approvals that the Guarantor or the Pledgor must obtain under applicable Law to execute, deliver and perform the Financing Documents to which it is a party and to create and perfect the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, by the Pledgor under the Security Documents, have been duly obtained, and validly issued, are in full force and effect, and are final and Non-Appealable. All other approvals from any Person that each Loan Party must obtain in connection with such Borrowing have been duly obtained and validly issued and are in full force and effect.

 

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(m) Satisfactory Legal Form . All documents executed or submitted to the Agents or the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement or any other Financing Document by or on behalf of any Loan Party shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to each of the Lenders.

(n) Bank Regulatory Requirements . The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the first Borrowing Notice, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

(o) Process Agent . The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Lender, acceptances from the Process Agent for each Loan Party appointed under Section 11.02(d) ( Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. – Appointment of Process Agent and Service of Process) and as required under each other Financing Document.

(p) Commodity Risk Management Plan . The Administrative Agent shall have received the Commodity Risk Management Plan.

(q) Security . The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that (i) the Collateral Agent continues to have a perfected first priority security interest in all right, title and interest of the Borrowers and the Pledgor in and to the Collateral prior to all other Liens thereon and subject only to Permitted Liens, and (ii) all Governmental Approvals that are necessary or desirable in order to establish, protect, preserve and perfect the Collateral Agent’s Liens have been duly made or taken and are in full force and effect.

(r) Addendum to Stockholder Agreement; Investment Letter; Shares . WestLB shall have executed an Addendum to Guarantor’s Stockholder Agreement dated as of February 26, 2010 and an investment letter, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit G and Exhibit H , respectively. Guarantor shall have issued five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of its common stock par value $0.0001, to WestLB on terms and conditions acceptable to WestLB.

(s) Term Loan Closing . The “Closing Date” as defined in the Term Loan Definitions shall have occurred prior to the Closing Date, or shall occur concurrently with the Closing Date.

 

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Section 6.02 Conditions to All Borrowings . (a) In addition to the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 ( Conditions to Closing Date ) , the obligation of each Lender to make available each Borrowing of its Loans (including the first Borrowing of its Loans) shall be subject to the fulfillment, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender, or waiver in writing by each Lender, of the following conditions precedent:

(b) Borrowing Notice . The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Notice, as required by and in accordance with Section 2.02 ( Notice of Borrowings ) , which Borrowing Notice shall include the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, executed by an Authorized Officer of each Borrower, together with supporting schedules, which certificate shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(c) Borrowers’ Certifications . The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party certifying that:

 

  (i) such Loan Party is in compliance with all applicable conditions set forth in this Section 6.02 and all other applicable conditions in this Article VI on and as of the proposed Borrowing Date, before and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated on the Closing Date or such Borrowing including the application of the proceeds therefrom;

 

  (ii) all representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in this Agreement and each of the Financing Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified by Material Adverse Effect or materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such Borrowing Date (except with respect to representations and warranties that expressly refer to an earlier date), before and after giving effect to such Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds therefrom;

 

  (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Borrowing;

 

  (iv) no “Default” or “Event of Default”, as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions, has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Borrowing; and

 

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  (v) since the Closing Date, there has been no event or occurrence that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) No Default or Event of Default . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of such Borrowing.

(e) No Default or Event of Default under Term Loan . No “Default” or “Event of Default”, as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions, has occurred and is continuing, or could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of such Borrowing.

(f) Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in this Agreement and each of the Financing Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified by Material Adverse Effect or materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such Borrowing Date (except with respect to representations and warranties that expressly refer to an earlier date), before and after giving effect to such Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds therefrom.

(g) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the Closing Date, no event, occurrence or circumstance that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing, or could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of such Borrowing.

(h) No Litigation . No action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted or threatened in writing against any Loan Party that, if adversely determined, individually or in aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) Fees; Expenses . The Administrative Agent shall have received for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, all fees due and payable as of the date of such Borrowing pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) , and all costs and expenses (including costs, fees and expenses of legal counsel) for which invoices have been presented subject, in the case of Closing Costs payable on the Closing Date and Closing Costs (as such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions) payable on the Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions), to an aggregate maximum amount of one hundred and fifty thousand Dollars $150,000.

 

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(j) Term Loan Representations . Each representation and warranty set forth in Article V of the Term Loan shall be true, complete and correct as of the date such representation was last made in accordance therewith.

Section 6.03 Effect of Certificates . Each certificate that a Loan Party delivers under this Article VI shall constitute a representation and warranty made under this Agreement by such Loan Party to each of the Lenders, and each Agent that all of the statements made or facts certified to in such certificate are true and correct in all material respects on the date when made.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS

Section 7.01 Affirmative Covenants . Each Loan Party agrees with each Agent and each Lender that, until the Discharge Date, each Loan Party will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 7.01 applicable to it.

(a) Compliance with Laws . Each Loan Party shall comply with all Laws (other than Environmental Laws to the extent set forth in clause (b) below) applicable to it or to its business or property, except where the failure to so comply has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The Guarantor shall make all filings required to be made by the Guarantor pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(b) Environmental Matters . Each Loan Party shall (i) comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws, (ii) keep its properties and equipment free of any Lien imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law, (iii) take such action that is necessary or reasonably advisable to identify the nature and extent of any Materials of Environmental Concern in, on or about any real property owned or leased by such Loan Party and to delineate, manage, remediate, remove, treat or dispose of any such Materials of Environmental Concern in material compliance with Environmental Laws and (iv) use or allow its properties and equipment to generate, manufacture, refine, produce, treat, store, handle, dispose of, transfer, process or transport Materials of Environmental Concern in material compliance with Environmental Laws; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to impose any liability or responsibility upon any Loan Party if such liability or responsibility would not otherwise be imposed or incurred under Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals.

(c) Good Repair . (i) Subject to its reasonable business decisions, each Borrower shall ensure that its properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its

 

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business are kept in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and, subject to Section 7.02(c) ( Negative Covenants - Permitted Investments ) and Section 7.02(k) ( Negative Covenants - Capital Expenditures ), that from time to time there are made in such properties and equipment all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto, to the extent and in the manner useful or customary for companies in similar businesses.

(ii) Subject to its reasonable business decisions, each of the Guarantor and the Pledgor shall ensure that its properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business are kept in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted, and, subject to Section 7.02(c) ( Negative Covenants - Permitted Investments ) and Section 7.02(k) ( Negative Covenants - Capital Expenditures ), that from time to time there are made in such properties and equipment all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto, to the extent and in the manner useful or customary for companies in similar businesses, except where the failure to do so has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Payment of Obligations . (i) Each Borrower shall pay and discharge as the same become due and payable all of its obligations and liabilities, including (i) all Taxes levied upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are subject to a Contest, (ii) Contractual Obligations, unless the same are subject to a Contest, and (iii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, would by Law become a Lien upon its properties, unless the same are subject to a Contest.

(ii) Each of the Guarantor and the Pledgor shall pay and discharge as the same become due and payable all of its obligations and liabilities, including (i) all Taxes levied upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are subject to a Contest, (ii) Contractual Obligations, unless the same are subject to a Contest, and (iii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, would by Law become a Lien upon its properties, unless the same are subject to a Contest except where the failure to do so has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Necessary Governmental Approvals . Each Loan Party shall maintain in full force and effect, in its name, all Necessary Governmental Approvals, except where the failure to do so has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Books and Records; Inspections . Each Loan Party shall keep proper books of record and account in which complete, true and accurate entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of such Loan Party. Each Loan Party shall permit officers and

 

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designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or consultant to visit and inspect any of the properties of such Loan Party to examine its company, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its members, managers, directors, officers and auditors, all at the expense of the relevant Loan Party and at such reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable advance notice to such Loan Party provided that (i) if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no such visit or inspection by any Agent or any Lender or consultant (or any of their respective officers or designated representatives) may occur more frequently than once per Fiscal Quarter without the applicable Loan Party’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (ii) if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or for the purposes of verifying the accuracy of the certifications set forth in any Borrowing Base Certificate, any Agent, Lender or consultant (or any of their respective officers or designated representatives) may do any of the foregoing without advance notice or consent.

(g) Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence . Each Loan Party shall continue to engage in business of the same type as now conducted by it and preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate or limited liability company, as applicable, existence and good standing in the applicable state of formation, as applicable, and take all actions to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except where the failure to take such actions has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and, in the case of the Pledgor, except (i) in connection with an internal organizational restructuring of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries upon the consummation of which the Pledgor or an Affiliate of the Pledgor is the surviving entity and (ii) upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Collateral Agent.

(h) Contractual Obligations . Each Loan Party shall maintain in full force and effect, preserve, protect and defend all of its material rights under and take all actions reasonably necessary to prevent termination or cancellation (except by expiration or termination in accordance with its terms) of its Contractual Obligations, in each case, to the extent necessary to ensure that the failure to so maintain, preserve, protect and defend, or prevent the termination of, any such Contractual Obligation, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party shall perform its Contractual Obligations where the failure to perform such Contractual Obligations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) Preservation of Title . (i) Each Borrower shall preserve and maintain good, marketable and insurable fee interest or good, legal and valid leasehold interests, as applicable, in the real property in which it holds an interest, and good, legal

 

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and valid ownership interest in all of its other properties and assets, in each case, that are necessary to conduct its business in the ordinary course, and each Borrower shall preserve and maintain good, legal and valid title to its respective properties and assets constituting Collateral, in each case free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(ii) Each of the Guarantor and the Pledgor shall preserve and maintain good, marketable and insurable fee interest or good, legal and valid leasehold interests, as applicable, in the real property in which it holds an interest, and good, legal and valid ownership interest in all of its other properties and assets, in each case, that are necessary to conduct its business in the ordinary course, except, where the failure to do so has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, and the Pledgor shall preserve and maintain good, legal and valid title to its properties and assets constituting Collateral, in each case free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(j) Maintenance of Liens . Each Loan Party shall take or cause to be taken all action necessary or desirable to maintain and preserve the Lien of the Security Documents and the first-ranking priority thereof.

(k) First Priority Ranking of Obligations . Each Borrower shall cause its payment obligations with respect to the Loans, to constitute direct senior secured obligations of such Borrower and to rank no less than pari   passu in priority of payment, in right of security and in all other respects to all other Indebtedness of such Borrower. Without prejudice to its right to grant liens in its assets, the Guarantor shall cause its payment obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations to constitute direct senior obligations of the Guarantor not subordinate to any other Indebtedness of the Guarantor.

(l) Perfection of Liens . From time to time and at the expense of such Borrower, such Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver, or cause the Pledgor to execute and deliver, all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be reasonably necessary (including under applicable Law), or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to create, perfect, establish and preserve the validity, perfection and priority of the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, by the Security Documents in any and all of the Collateral, or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights, powers, privileges and remedies under the Security Documents with respect to any Collateral.

(m) Receivables Accounts .

 

  (i) Each Borrower shall instruct each account debtor in respect of any Account Receivable for which such Borrower is Obligee to pay all amounts due and owing to such Borrower directly into a Receivables Account established for such Borrower.

 

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  (ii) Each Borrower shall cause all payments received in connection with the Blender’s Production Credit to be deposited directly into a Receivables Account established in the name of such Borrower.

 

  (iii) All payments received by any Borrower under or in connection with any Account Receivable, and all payments received by the Borrower that would constitute a Blender’s Production Credit, that in either case are not otherwise deposited into a Receivables Account established in the name of such Borrower or not released from the Lien granted, or purported to be granted, to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) under the Security Documents shall be held by each such Borrower in trust for the Collateral Agent, shall be segregated from other funds of each such Borrower and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Borrower, be deposited into a Receivables Account established in the name of such Borrower.

(n) Insurance . Each Loan Party shall obtain and maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers (i) business interruption insurance, (ii) property insurance against theft, fraud, loss or damage by fire, explosion and hazards insured against by extended coverage, and (iii) insurance against liability for hazards, risks and liability to persons and property, in each case, in the manner customary for, and in amounts and with deductibles at least as favorable as those generally maintained by, businesses of similar size engaged in similar activities.

(o) ERISA . Each Loan Party shall comply in all material respects, and shall cause each ERISA Affiliate to comply in all material respects, with the provisions of ERISA and the Code applicable to each Plan. Each Loan Party shall meet, and shall cause all ERISA Affiliates to meet, all minimum funding requirements applicable to them with respect to any Plan pursuant to section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, without giving effect to any waivers of such requirements or extensions of the related amortization periods which may be granted.

(p) Commodity Hedging Programs . The Borrowers may, from time to time, amend the Commodity Risk Management Plan; provided that any material amendment thereto shall require the prior approval of the Administrative Agent.

 

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(q) Separateness . Each Borrower shall:

 

  (i) strictly comply with all organizational formalities necessary to maintain its separate and distinct existence;

 

  (ii) have a board of directors, board of managers, or similar management body that is separate from that or those of any other Person, provided that the Persons who serve on such board of directors, board of managers, or similar management body need not be different individuals;

 

  (iii) conduct its business solely in its own name and in a manner not misleading to other Persons as to its identity (without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all oral and written communications (if any), including letters, invoices, purchase orders, contracts, statements, and applications shall be made solely in the name of such Borrower, as applicable, if related to such Borrower, and to correct any known misunderstanding regarding its separate identity;

 

  (iv) provide for the payment of its own operating expenses and liabilities from its own funds and not the funds of any other Person;

 

  (v) maintain its assets, funds, and transactions, including its bank accounts, separate from those of any other Person, and reflect such assets and transactions in financial statements and books and records that are separate from those of any other Person;

 

  (vi) file its own tax returns separate from those of any other Person (except to the extent that such Borrower is treated as a “disregarded entity” for tax purposes and is not required to file tax returns under applicable law) and pay any taxes required to be paid under applicable Law;

 

  (vii) not hold itself out to be responsible for or have its credit or assets available to satisfy the debts or obligations of any other Person, except to the extent permitted under this Agreement;

 

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  (viii) not pledge its assets for the benefit of any other Person, except to the extent permitted under this Agreement;

 

  (ix) not acquire Equity Interests in any Person that is a direct or indirect parent of such Borrower;

 

  (x) maintain adequate capital and a sufficient number of employees for the normal operations reasonably foreseeable in a business of its size and character and in light of its contemplated business operations;

 

  (xi) pay the salaries of its own employees; and

 

  (xii) allocate fairly and reasonably any overhead for office space shared with any Affiliate.

(r) Closing Costs . Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, all Closing Costs for which invoices have been presented and all Closing Costs (as defined in the Term Loan Definitions) up to an aggregate maximum amount of seventy five thousand Dollars ($75,000). In addition to the payment required to be made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account, or for the account of each Senior Secured Party entitled thereto, all Closing Costs for which invoices have been presented and all Closing Costs (as defined in the Term Loan Definitions) up to an aggregate maximum amount of seventy five thousand Dollars ($75,000).

(s) Guaranties . If Guarantor at any time issues guaranty that is secured by any of its assets, Guarantor shall grant to the Collateral Agent an equitable and ratable Lien in such assets to secure its obligations hereunder.

(t) Term Loan . Guarantor hereby acknowledges Section 9.04(e)( Application of Proceeds ) of the Term Loan, and agrees that it will be bound and will cause any Affiliate that is the owner of the Project to be bound by the terms thereof.

(u) Master Services Agreement . Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by such Borrower to Bunge pursuant to the Master Services Agreement or in connection with any transaction contemplated by the Master Services Agreement in cash.

 

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(v) Further Assurances . Upon written request of the Administrative Agent, each Borrower shall, and shall cause the Guarantor and the Pledgor to, promptly perform or cause to be performed any and all acts (including the filing or registration of any document) and execute or cause to be executed any and all documents (i) for the purposes of ensuring the validity and legality of this Agreement or any other Financing Document and the rights of the Lenders and the Agents hereunder or thereunder and (ii) for the purposes of facilitating the proper exercise of rights and powers granted to the Lenders or the Agents under this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

Section 7.02 Negative Covenants . Each Loan Party agrees with each Agent and each Lender that, until the Discharge Date, each Loan Party will perform the obligations applicable to it set forth in this Section 7.02 .

(a) Restrictions on Indebtedness . No Borrower shall create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

  (i) the Obligations;

 

  (ii) Indebtedness under the Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements; provided that the outstanding amount of all such Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers, when combined with the cash deposits under Section 7.02(b)(vii) ( Liens ), does not exceed in the aggregate one million seven hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($1,750,000);

 

  (iii) Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection Agreements; provided , that the sum of the notional amounts under all such Interest Rate Protection Agreements does not at any time exceed eighty percent (80%) of the Aggregate Commitment;

 

  (iv) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course for the deferred purchase price of property; provided that the outstanding amount of all such Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers does not exceed in the aggregate five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000);

 

  (v) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances owing by (A) a Borrower to the Guarantor or (B) the Guarantor to a Borrower or any other Affiliate, and, in any such case, that is subordinated, pursuant to terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to the Obligations;

 

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  (vi) take or pay contracts entered into by a Borrower in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (vii) any Guarantee of obligations of the other Borrower not prohibited by this Agreement; provided that the outstanding amount of all such Guarantees does not exceed two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000); and

 

  (viii) Additional Indebtedness of the Borrowers, to the extent not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.02(a) ; provided that the outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness of the Borrowers does not exceed in the aggregate one million Dollars ($1,000,000).

(b) Liens . Neither Borrower shall create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, revenues or assets (including its Equity Interests), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

 

  (i) Liens granted, or purported to be granted, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents;

 

  (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges the payment of which is the subject of a Contest;

 

  (iii) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or the payment of which is subject to a Contest;

 

  (iv) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Borrower;

 

  (v) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(a)(v) ( Negative Covenants — Restrictions on Indebtedness ) ; provided that any such Liens attach only to the assets so acquired and that all Indebtedness secured by Liens created pursuant to this clause (v) constitutes Permitted Indebtedness;

 

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  (vi) pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws or similar legislation (other than ERISA);

 

  (vii) cash deposits by the Borrowers to secure the performance of bids, trade or supply contracts, leases and other ordinary course of business obligations; provided that the outstanding amount of all such cash deposits, when combined with the Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(a)(ii) ( Negative Covenants — Restrictions on Indebtedness ) , does not exceed in the aggregate one million two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($1,250,000);

 

  (viii) Liens in respect of judgments the occurrence of which would not result in the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default;

 

  (ix) Liens created in favor of a Qualified Counterparty to secure the Borrowers’ obligations under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement to which such Qualified Counterparty is a party; and

 

  (x) Liens arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted under Section 7.02(b)(v) ; provided such refinancings, extensions, renewals or refundings do not increase the outstanding amount of such Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding and no additional property or assets are made subject to such Lien.

(c) Permitted Investments . Neither Borrower shall have outstanding, acquire, commit itself to acquire or hold any Investment (including any Investment consisting of the acquisition of any business) or become contractually committed to do so, except for the following:

 

  (i) Cash Equivalents;

 

  (ii) Guarantees made by any Borrower that are otherwise permitted by Section 7.02(a)(vii) ( Negative Covenants — Restrictions on Indebtedness );

 

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  (iii) Investments (A) consisting of loans by a Borrower to the Guarantor in conditions in which the Borrowers are permitted to make a distribution pursuant to Section 7.02(h)(iii) ( Negative Covenants — Distributions ) or (B) by a Borrower to the other Borrower;

 

  (iv) Investments arising from the purchase from a Person of products which a Borrower resells within 60 days and recoups any loss from the sale thereof or pays any profit realized from the sale thereof to such Person and in connection with which such Borrower receives a charge, fee or commission in connection with such transaction; and

 

  (v) Investments outstanding on the date hereof and disclosed on Schedule 5.19 .

(d) Change in Business . No Loan Party shall engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which such Loan Party, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which such Loan Party, taken as a whole, is engaged on the date of this Agreement.

(e) Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, Etc . No Loan Party shall wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs, or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation except, in the case of the Pledgor, (i) if any such action has not had, or could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) in connection with an internal organizational restructuring of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries upon the consummation of which the Pledgor or an Affiliate of the Pledgor is the surviving entity and (iii) upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Collateral Agent. Neither Borrower shall sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property or assets (other than, in the ordinary course of business, inventory) or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire all or any substantial part of the property or assets of any Person (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, leases, materials, supplies and equipment in the ordinary course of business) or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time, except that the following shall be permitted (each of the following, a “ Permitted Acquisition ”):

 

  (i) either Borrower may transfer assets to the other Borrower if, on the date of, or after giving effect to, such transfer no Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing;

 

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  (ii) either Borrower may sell or otherwise dispose of (A) inventory sold to customers in the ordinary course of business, (B) tangible assets to be replaced in the ordinary course of business within six (6) months by other tangible assets of equal or greater value, and (C) assets that are no longer used or useful in the business of such Borrower;

 

  (iii) capital expenditures to the extent permitted and within the limitations set forth in Section 7.02(k) ( Negative Covenants — Capital Expenditures ) hereof;

 

  (iv) Permitted Investments;

 

  (v) either Borrower may lease (as lessee) real or personal property in the ordinary course of business (so long as such lease, if it constitutes Indebtedness, constitutes Permitted Indebtedness); and

 

  (vi) sales or dispositions by either Borrower of assets (other than assets described in clause (ii) above) for their fair market value and to the extent that the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received from all such sales and dispositions permitted by this clause (vi) shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the Borrower Total Assets of such Borrower determined in conformity with GAAP in any Fiscal Year of the Borrowers.

(f) Transactions with Affiliates . No Loan Party shall enter into or cause, suffer or permit to exist any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract (i) is fair and reasonable to such Loan Party and (ii) is an arrangement or contract that is on an arm’s-length basis and contains terms no less favorable than those that would be entered into by a prudent Person in the position of such Borrower with a Person that is not one of its Affiliates; provided , that that this Section 7.02(f) shall not apply to (i) agreements existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.02(f) and (ii) Permitted Investments.

(g) Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . Neither Borrower shall use any proceeds of any Loan other than in accordance with the provisions of Article II (Commitments and Borrowing) . Neither Borrower shall use any part of the proceeds of any Loan to purchase or carry any Margin Stock (as defined in Regulation U) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Loan in a manner that could violate or be inconsistent with (i) the provisions of Regulations T, U or X or (ii) Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

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(h) Distributions . Neither Borrower shall declare or make any Distribution except for the following:

 

  (i) if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would exist after giving effect to such Distribution and the Distribution Conditions are satisfied on the date of such Distribution, Distributions to the Pledgor with respect to each calendar year in an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate federal and state income taxes which are payable by the Pledgor for such calendar year, based upon the highest applicable marginal federal and state income tax rates attributable to the Pledgor, on the taxable income derived from Borrowers, which must be taken into account by the Pledgor under applicable provisions of the Code (as reflected on the Schedule K-1s provided by Borrowers to the Pledgor, copies of which will be supplied to the Administrative Agent upon request);

 

  (ii) Distributions to the Pledgor, made only on a Quarterly Payment Date, provided that before and after giving effect to such distributions (A) the Borrowers are and will be in compliance with the covenants in Sections 7.02(m) ( Borrowers’ Current Ratio ) , such compliance to be calculated as of the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter on the basis of the actual results and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such distributions, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing or would exist after giving effect to such Distribution and (C) the Distribution Conditions are satisfied on the date of such Distribution; and

 

  (iii) payments made pursuant to agreements permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(f) ( Transactions with Affiliates ) .

Each of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed made on the date of any Distribution.

(i) Accounts . Neither Borrower shall maintain, establish or use any deposit account, securities account (as each such term is defined in the UCC) or other

 

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banking account into which payments with respect to Accounts Receivable have been or will be deposited other than the Receivables Accounts, each of which shall be subject to an Account Control Agreement. Neither Borrower shall change the name or account number of any of the Receivables Accounts.

(j) Equity Issuances . Neither Borrower shall issue any Equity Interests unless such Equity Interests are immediately pledged to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties) on a first-priority perfected basis pursuant to the Security Documents or, if necessary, a supplement thereto or a pledge and security agreement in substantially the form of the Security Agreement.

(k) Capital Expenditures . Neither Borrower shall incur Borrower Capital Expenditures, provided that the Borrowers may make Borrower Capital Expenditures, in an aggregate amount not to exceed one million five hundred thousand Dollars ($1,500,000).

(l) Commodity Hedging Arrangements . Neither Borrower shall enter into any Commodity Hedging Arrangements that:

 

  (i) are not in accordance with the Commodity Risk Management Plan; or

 

  (ii) are for speculative purposes.

(m) Borrowers’ Current Ratio . Neither Borrower shall permit, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, the Borrower Current Ratio to be less than 1.10:1.0.

Section 7.03 Reporting Requirements . The Loan Parties, as applicable, will furnish to the Administrative Agent, who shall distribute copies of the following to each Lender:

(a) (i) if the Guarantor’s securities are not registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45)   days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, consolidated and to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of the Guarantor as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Guarantor for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter or (ii) if the Guarantor’s securities are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, promptly but in any event within three (3) Business Days of the date on which the Guarantor files such form with the SEC for each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, the Guarantor’s Form 10-Q or such other form prepared and filed in

 

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accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations that contains quarterly unaudited financial information for the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case filed in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations, for such Fiscal Quarter together with, to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of the Guarantor as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Guarantor for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending at the end of such Fiscal Quarter;

(b) as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45)   days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, consolidated and, to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of each Borrower as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of each Borrower for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter together with, to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of each Borrower as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of each Borrower for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and ending at the end of such Fiscal Quarter;

(c) as soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year beginning with Fiscal Year 2010, a copy of the annual audit report for such Fiscal Year for the Borrowers as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidated and, to the extent prepared, consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Borrowers for such Fiscal Year, and accompanied by an unqualified opinion of the auditors stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of each Borrower for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods, which report and opinion shall not be subject to any “ going concern ” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, together with, to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of the Borrowers as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of such Borrower for such Fiscal Year;

(d) (i) if the Guarantor’s securities are not registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after Fiscal Year 2009 and each Fiscal Year thereafter, a copy of the annual audit report for such Fiscal Year for the Guarantor as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidated and, to the extent prepared, consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Guarantor for such Fiscal Year, and accompanied by an unqualified opinion of the auditors stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Guarantor for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior periods, which report and opinion

 

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shall not be subject to any “ going concern ” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit or (ii) if the Guarantor’s securities are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, promptly but in any event within three (3) Business Days of the date on which the Borrower files such form with the SEC for each Fiscal Year, the Guarantor’s Form 10-K or such other form prepared and filed in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations that contains annual audited financial information for the Guarantor and its consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case filed in accordance with the SEC’s rules and regulations, for such Fiscal Year together with, to the extent prepared, consolidating balance sheets of the Guarantor as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Borrowers for such Fiscal Year;

(e) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.03(a) , (b) , (c)  and (d) , a certificate executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrowers or, in the case of the financial statements of the Guarantor, a Financial Officer of the Guarantor stating that:

 

  (i) such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrowers on the dates and for the periods indicated in accordance with GAAP subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to the absence of notes and normally recurring year-end adjustments;

 

  (ii) such Financial Officer has reviewed the terms of the Financing Documents and has made, or caused to be made under his or her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the business and financial condition of such Person during the accounting period covered by such financial statements; and

 

  (iii) as a result of such review such Financial Officer has concluded that no Default or Event of Default has occurred during the period covered by such financial statements through and including the date of such certificate or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and, if continuing, the action that the Borrowers have taken and proposes to take in respect thereof;

(f) promptly upon receipt, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to any Loan Party (or the audit or finance committee of any Loan Party) by the auditors in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any audit of any Loan Party;

 

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(g) as soon as possible and in any event within two (2) days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, a statement of an Authorized Officer of the applicable Loan Party setting forth details of such Default or Event of Default and the action that the applicable Loan Party has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

(h) within five (5) days after any Loan Party obtains knowledge thereof a statement of an Authorized Officer of such Loan Party setting forth details of:

 

  (i) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened in writing against any Loan Party that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (ii) any other event, act or condition that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after any Loan Party knows, or has reason to know, that any of the events described below have occurred, a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the applicable Loan Party setting forth the details of each such event and the action that the applicable Loan Party proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice or filing from the PBGC, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor or that may be required by the PBGC or other U.S. Governmental Authority with respect to each such event:

 

  (i) any Termination Event with respect to an ERISA Plan or a Multiemployer Plan has occurred or will occur that would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability to any Loan Party;

 

  (ii) any condition exists with respect to a Plan that presents a material risk of termination of a Plan (other than a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA) or other material liability on the Loan Parties;

 

  (iii) an application has been filed for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA under any Plan with respect to a Plan;

 

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  (iv) any Loan Party or any Plan fiduciary has engaged in a “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or as described in Section 406 of ERISA, that is not exempt under Section 4975 of the Code and Section 408 of ERISA that would reasonably be expected to result in material liability to any Loan Party;

 

  (v) there exists any Unfunded Benefit Liabilities under any ERISA Plan;

 

  (vi) any condition exists with respect to a Multiemployer Plan that presents a risk of a partial or complete withdrawal (as described in Section 4203 or 4205 of ERISA) from a Multiemployer Plan that would reasonably be expected to result in any liability to any Loan Party;

 

  (vii) a “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) occurs with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan and such default would reasonably be expected to result in any liability to any Loan Party;

 

  (viii) a Multiemployer Plan is in “reorganization” (as defined in Section 418 of the Code or Section 4241 of ERISA) or is “insolvent” (as defined in Section 4245 of ERISA);

 

  (ix) any Loan Party and/or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any potential withdrawal liability (as defined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA); or

 

  (x) there is an action brought against any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates under Section 502 of ERISA with respect to its failure to comply with Section 515 of ERISA;

(j) as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by any Loan Party of a demand letter from the PBGC notifying such Loan Party of its final decision finding liability and the date by which such liability must be paid, a copy of such letter, together with a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of such Loan Party setting forth the action that such Loan Party proposes to take with respect thereto;

(k) as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the existence of any of the following conditions, a duly executed certificate of an Authorized Officer of the applicable Loan Party specifying in detail the nature of such condition and, if applicable, proposed response thereto by the Loan Parties:

 

  (i) receipt by any Loan Party of any written communication from a Governmental Authority or any written communication from any other Person or other source of written information, including reports prepared by such Loan Party that alleges or states that such Loan Party or any of its Environmental Affiliates is not in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals;

 

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  (ii) such Loan Party obtains knowledge that there exists any Environmental Claim pending or threatened against such Loan Party or any of its Environmental Affiliates;

 

  (iii) such Loan Party obtains knowledge of any release, threatened release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Materials of Environmental Concern or obtains knowledge of any non-compliance with any Environmental Law that, in either such case, could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against such Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate; or

 

  (iv) any Removal, Remedial or Response action taken by such Loan Party or any other Person in response to any Materials of Environmental Concern in, at, on or under, a part of or about such Loan Party properties, or properties that such Loan Party leases, or any notice, claim or other information that such Loan Party might be subject to an Environmental Claim;

(l) each Loan Party shall, maintain and make available for inspection by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their agents and employees, on reasonable notice during regular business hours, accurate and complete records of all correspondence, investigations, studies, sampling and testing conducted, and any and all remedial actions taken, by such Loan Party to such Loan Party’s knowledge and to the extent obtained by such Loan Party, by such Governmental Authority or other Person in respect of Materials of Environmental Concern that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim;

 

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(m) (i) within fifteen (15) Business Days after the last day of each month, (ii) in connection with any written request of the Borrowers to increase the Commitments and the Aggregate Commitment pursuant to Section 2.05 ( Increase of Commitments ) , (iii) as soon as available but not later than three (3) Business Days following any request by the Administrative Agent and (iv) at any time in Borrowers’ sole discretion, a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto (the “ Borrowing Base Certificate ”) signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers supplying computations of the Borrowing Base as of such last day or day of such requests, as the case may be, accompanied by such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(n) the Borrowers shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent if either Borrower obtains actual knowledge (or in the ordinary course of business without independent investigation should have knowledge) that any Account Receivable that is included in Eligible Receivables that individually is equal to or greater than five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) in value becomes uncollectible or if either Borrower obtains actual knowledge (or in the ordinary course of business without independent investigation should have knowledge) that an Insolvency Event occurs with respect to the account debtor with respect to any such Account Receivable or such account debtor fails, suspends business operations or calls a meeting of its creditors for the purpose of obtaining any financial concession or accommodation;

(o) within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a report describing all of the Commodity Hedging Arrangements in effect as of the date of such report and (ii) a duly authorized certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers stating that the Commodity Hedging Arrangements set forth in the report delivered pursuant to clause (i) have been entered into in accordance with the Commodity Risk Management Plan;

(p) upon request from the Administrative Agent, information on each Borrower’s progress to improve management information systems and on financial controls implemented by such Borrower; and

(q) other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, through the Administrative Agent.

(r) (i) the Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days if either Borrower obtains actual knowledge (or in the ordinary course of business without independent investigation should have knowledge) that any counterparty to a Contractual Obligation is rejecting or has rejected as not conforming with the quality specifications set forth in such Contractual Obligation more than five thousand (5,000) gallons of biodiesel tendered for sale under such Contractual Obligation

 

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and such biodiesel was included as Eligible Inventory in the Borrower’s most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, and (ii) within seven (7) Business Days of such rejection, Borrowers shall submit to the Administrative Agent a revised Borrowing Base Certificate in which the Eligible Receivables and/or Eligible Inventory shall be reduced by (A) the amount of such non-conforming biodiesel rejected as described in subclause (i) of this paragraph and (B) the amount of any biodiesel, previously included as Eligible Inventory, that is stored in any tank or at any terminal from which the rejected biodiesel was tendered for sale if, subsequent to such rejection, a test has not been performed at such tank or terminal that demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, that the biodiesel then stored in such tank and at such terminal conforms with the quality specifications set forth in such Contractual Obligation.

(s) if the relevant Governmental Authority rejects (for reasons other than administrative error) any “alcohol fuel mixture credit” for which a Borrower has requested payment as a Blender’s Production Credit, such Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days, notify the Administrative Agent of such rejection.

ARTICLE VIII

DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT

Section 8.01 Events of Default . Each of the following events or occurrences described in this Section 8.01 shall constitute an Event of Default.

(a) Nonpayment . (i) The Borrowers fail to pay any amount of principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable or (ii) the Borrowers fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or other Obligation or amount payable hereunder or under any other Financing Document within three (3) days after the same becomes due and payable, or (iii) the Guarantor or the Pledgor fail to pay any Obligation for which it is liable hereunder or under any Financing Document to which it is a party within three (3) days after the same becomes due and payable.

(b) Breach of Warranty . Any representation or warranty of any Loan Party made or deemed to be restated or remade in any Financing Document is incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made, and such fact, event or circumstance resulting in such incorrect or misleading representation or warranty is not cured, corrected or otherwise remedied within thirty (30) days from the earlier of (i) the date such Loan Party obtains, or should have obtained, knowledge thereof, and (ii) the date such Loan Party receives notice from the Administrative Agent thereof.

 

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(c) Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations . Any Loan Party defaults in the due performance and observance of any of its applicable obligations under any covenant set forth in Section 7.01(g) ( Affirmative Covenants — Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence ), Section 7.01(j) ( Affirmative Covenants — Maintenance of Liens ) or Section 7.02 ( Negative Covenants ) of this Agreement, or any negative covenant under any other Financing Document to which it is a party.

(d) Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations . Any Loan Party defaults in the due performance and observance of any applicable covenant or agreement (other than covenants and agreements referred to in Section 8.01(a) or  8.01(c) ) contained in any Financing Document to which it is a party, and such default continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days from the earlier of (i) the date such Loan Party obtains, or should have obtained, knowledge thereof, and (ii) the date such Loan Party receives notice from the Administrative Agent thereof.

(e) Borrower Cross Defaults . Any Borrower is in Financial Default.

(f) Judgments . Any final judgment or order providing for non-monetary relief that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, is rendered against any Loan Party, or any final judgment or order not covered by insurance is rendered against any Loan Party requiring such Loan Party to pay an amount in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000) in the aggregate.

(g) ERISA Events . (i) Any Termination Event occurs, (ii) any Plan incurs an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), (iii) any Loan Party or any member of a Loan Party’s ERISA Controlled Group engages in a transaction that is prohibited under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA that is expected to result in material liability, (iv) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due any amount it has become liable to pay to the PBGC, any Plan or a trust established under Title IV of ERISA, (v) a condition exists by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that an ERISA Plan must be terminated or have a trustee appointed to administer it, (vi) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate suffers a partial or complete withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan or is in “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan, (vii) the aggregate amount of the then “current liability” (as defined in Section 412(l)(7) of the Code, as amended) of all accrued benefits under such Plan or Plans exceeds the then-current value of the assets allocable to such benefits by more than one million Dollars ($1,000,000) at such time, or (viii) any other event or condition occurs or exists with respect to any Plan that would subject any Loan Party to any material tax, penalty or other liability.

 

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(h) Insolvency Event . An Insolvency Event occurs with respect to any Loan Party.

(i) Unenforceability of Documentation . At any time after the execution and delivery thereof:

 

  (i) any Financing Document ceases to be in full force and effect;

 

  (ii) any Financing Document is revoked or terminated, becomes unlawful or is declared null and void by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction;

 

  (iii) any Financing Document becomes unenforceable, is repudiated or the enforceability thereof is contested or disaffirmed by or on behalf of any party thereto other than the Senior Secured Parties;

 

  (iv) any Lien against any Collateral having a book value in excess of five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) in the aggregate ceases to be a first-priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, or the enforceability thereof is contested by any Loan Party, or any of the Security Documents ceases to provide the security intended to be created thereby with the priority intended to be created thereby; or

 

  (v) any party to a Lease Document contests the enforceability, applicability or validity of any provisions of such Lease Document.

(j) Change of Control . Any Change of Control occurs.

 

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(k) Guarantor Cross Defaults . The Guarantor is in Financial Default.

(l) Pledgor Cross Defaults . The Pledgor is in Financial Default.

(m) Term Loan Cross Default . The transactions contemplated by the Put/Call Agreement (as defined in the Term Loan Definitions) are consummated while a Default or Event of Default (as each such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions) is continuing or after giving effect to the consummation of such transactions, an Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Term Loan Definitions) occurs and is continuing.

(n) Environmental Matters . (i) Any Environmental Claim has occurred with respect to any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate, (ii) any release, Threat of Release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern occurs, and such event would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or any Environmental Affiliate, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Approval occurs that could reasonably result in an Environmental Claim against any Loan Party or, to the extent any Loan Party may have liability, any Environmental Affiliate that, in the case of any of (i), (ii) or (iii) above , could reasonably be expected to result in liability for any Loan Party in an amount greater than fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) for any single claim or two hundred fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) for all such claims during any twelve (12) month period or could otherwise reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) First Train Completion . The First Train Completion Date does not occur on or before the First Train Completion Date Certain.

(p) Second Train Completion . The Second Train Completion Date does not occur on or before the Second Train Completion Date Certain.

(q) Tank Completion . The Tank Completion Date does not occur on or before the Tank Completion Date Certain.

Section 8.02 Action Upon Bankruptcy . If any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(h) ( Events of Default – Insolvency Event ) occurs with respect to any Loan Party, any outstanding Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) shall automatically terminate and the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and all other Obligations shall automatically be and become immediately due and payable, without notice, demand or further act of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Senior Secured Party. During the continuance of such an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required Lenders shall, instruct the Collateral Agent to exercise any or all remedies provided for under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents.

 

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Section 8.03 Action Upon Other Event of Default . (a) If any other Event of Default occurs for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Borrowers declare all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be due and payable and/or any outstanding Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) to be terminated, whereupon the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations that has been declared due and payable shall be and become immediately due and payable, without further notice, demand or presentment and/or, as the case may be, any outstanding Commitments shall terminate. During the continuance of such an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the direction of the Required Lenders shall, instruct the Collateral Agent to exercise any or all remedies provided for under this Agreement or the other Financing Documents.

(b) Any declaration made pursuant to Section 8.03(a) may, should the Required Lenders in their sole and absolute discretion so elect, be rescinded by written notice to the Borrowers at any time after the principal of the Loans has become due and payable, but before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies so due, or any part thereof, has been entered; provided that no such rescission or annulment shall extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 8.04 Application of Proceeds . Any moneys received by the Collateral Agent after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default may be held by the Collateral Agent as Collateral and/or, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, may be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against the Obligations in the following order of priority (but without prejudice to the right of the Collateral Agent to recover any shortfall from the Borrowers) and, after its execution:

(a) first , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, costs, expenses (and interest owing thereon (if any)) and any other amounts (including the fees and the fees, costs and expenses of counsel and amounts payable under Article IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) payable to the Agents in their capacities as such ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause first ;

(b) second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations (excluding principal and accrued interest on the Loans) constituting fees, costs, expenses (and interest owing thereon (if any)) and any other amounts (including the Fees and the fees, costs and expenses of counsel and amounts payable under Article IV ( Eurodollar Rate and Tax Provisions ) ) payable to the Lenders, and the Qualified Counterparties ratably among the Lenders, and the Qualified Counterparties in proportion to the amounts described in this clause second payable to them, as certified by the Administrative Agent;

 

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(c) third , to payment of the portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest (including default interest) with respect to the Loans and each Interest Rate Protection Agreement (other than any payments of Swap Termination Value), ratably among the Lenders and Qualified Counterparties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause third payable to them, as certified by the Administrative Agent;

(d) fourth , to payment of the principal amount of the Loans and payment of Swap Termination Value due and owing under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement ratably among the Lenders and Qualified Counterparties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause fourth held by them, as certified by the Administrative Agent; and

(e) last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required by applicable Law.

ARTICLE IX

GUARANTEE

Section 9.01 Guarantee . The Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Senior Secured Parties the performance and prompt payment in full when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, upon any optional or mandatory prepayment or otherwise) of the Guaranteed Obligations in each case strictly in accordance with their terms. The Guarantor hereby further agrees that if a Borrower fails to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration, upon any optional or mandatory prepayment or otherwise) all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Guarantor will immediately pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that, in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, it will timely pay the same in full when due (whether at extended maturity, upon acceleration, upon any optional or mandatory prepayment or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of that extension or renewal. This guarantee is irrevocable and unconditional in nature and is made with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations now existing or in the future arising. The liability of the Guarantor under this guarantee shall continue until full satisfaction of all the Guaranteed Obligations. This guarantee is a guarantee of due and punctual payment and performance and is not merely a guarantee of collection.

 

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Section 9.02 Obligations Unconditional . The obligations of the Guarantor under Section 9.01 ( Guarantee ) shall be continuing, irrevocable, primary, absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any Financing Document or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 9.02 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter, limit or impair the liability of the Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional, as described above, without regard to and not be released, discharged or in any way affected (whether in full or in part) by:

(a) any modification or amendment (including, without limitation, by way of amendment, extension, renewal, novation or waiver), or any acceleration or other change in the time for payment or performance of the terms of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any Financing Document or any other agreement or instrument whatsoever relating thereto;

(b) any release, termination, waiver, abandonment, lapse or expiration, subordination or enforcement of the liability of the Guarantor hereunder or of any other guarantee of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(c) any exchange, substitution, release, non-perfection or impairment of any collateral securing payment of any Guaranteed Obligation;

(d) any release of any other Person (including, without limitation, any other guarantor with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations) from any personal liability with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(e) any settlement, compromise, release, liquidation or enforcement, upon such terms and in such manner as applicable law may dictate, of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other guarantee of (including, without limitation, any letter of credit issued with respect to) all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(f) any agreement not to pursue or enforce or any failure to pursue or enforce (whether voluntarily or involuntarily as a result of operation of law, court order or otherwise) any right or remedy in respect of any Guaranteed Obligation, any guarantee or other liability in respect thereof or any collateral or other security for any of the foregoing; any sale, exchange, release, substitution, compromise or other action in respect of any such collateral or other security; or any failure to create, protect, perfect, secure, insure, continue or maintain any liens in any such collateral or other security;

 

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(g) the exercise of any right or remedy available under the Financing Documents, at law, in equity or otherwise in respect of any collateral or other security for any Guaranteed Obligation or for any guarantee or other liability in respect thereof, in any order and by any manner thereby permitted, including, without limitation, foreclosure on any such collateral or other security by any manner of sale thereby permitted, whether or not every aspect of such sale is commercially reasonable;

(h) any manner of application of any payments by or amounts received or collected from any Person, by whomsoever paid and howsoever realized, whether in reduction of any Guaranteed Obligations or any other obligations of the Loan Parties or any other Person directly or indirectly liable for any Guaranteed Obligations, regardless of what Guaranteed Obligations may remain unpaid after any such application;

(i) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or a defense, set-off or counterclaim available to the Loan Parties, the Guarantor or a surety or guarantor generally, other than irrevocable payment, performance, satisfaction or discharge in full (in accordance with the terms of the applicable Financing Document);

(j) the giving of any consent to the merger or consolidation or, the sale of substantial assets by, or other restructuring or termination of the existence of the Loan Parties or any other Person or any disposition of any shares of the Guarantor; or

(k) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any other Loan Party or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any Guaranteed Obligation. The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations include interest on the Guaranteed Obligations at the applicable rate therefor under the Financing Documents, which accrues after the commencement of any such proceeding (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of said proceeding, such Guaranteed Obligations include the interest which would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if said proceedings had not been commenced), since it is the intention of the parties that the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations which is guaranteed by the Guarantor should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve a Loan Party of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantor will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person to pay the Collateral Agent, or allow the claim of the Collateral Agent in respect of, interest which would have accrued after the date on which such proceeding is commenced.

 

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(l) Should any money due or owing hereunder not be recoverable from the Guarantor for any reason, whether by operation of law or otherwise, then, in any such case, such money shall nevertheless be recoverable by the Collateral Agent from the Guarantor as though the Guarantor were the principal debtor in respect thereof and not merely a guarantor and shall be paid by the Guarantor forthwith.

Section 9.03 Waiver .

(a) The Guarantor hereby expressly waives promptness, diligence, presentment, demand for payment or performance and protest; filing of claims with any court; any proceeding to enforce any provision of the Financing Documents; notice of acceptance of and reliance on this Agreement by the Senior Secured Parties, notice of the creation of any Guaranteed Obligations, and any other notice whatsoever; any requirement that the Collateral Agent exhaust any right, remedy, power or privilege or proceed or take any other action against the Loan Parties under any Financing Document, to which they are parties or any lien or encumbrance on, or any claim of payment against, any property of the Loan Parties or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any other Person under any other guarantee of, or lien securing, or claim for payment of, any of the Guaranteed Obligations; any right to require a proceeding by the Collateral Agent first against the Loan Parties whether to marshal any assets or to exhaust any right or take any action against the Loan Parties or any other Person or any collateral or otherwise, any diligence in collection or protection for realization upon any Guaranteed Obligation; any obligation hereunder or any collateral security for any of the foregoing; any right of protest, presentment, notice or demand whatsoever, and any claims of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise and all defenses, set-offs counterclaims, recoupments, reductions, limitations, impairments or terminations, whether arising hereunder or otherwise. The Guarantor further waives (i) any requirement that the Loan Parties or any other Person be joined as a party to any proceeding for the enforcement by the Collateral Agent of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and (ii) the filing of claims by the Collateral Agent in the event of the receivership or bankruptcy of a Loan Party. The Collateral Agent shall have the right to bring suit directly against the Guarantor with respect to the obligations owed to the Collateral Agent hereunder either prior to or concurrently with any lawsuit against, or without bringing any suit against the Guarantor, the Loan Parties or any other Person.

(b) The enforceability and effectiveness of this Agreement and the liability of the Guarantor, and the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement shall not be affected, limited, reduced, discharged or terminated, and the Guarantor hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defense now or in the future arising, by reason of:

 

  (i) the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, any Financing Document, or any agreement, security document, guarantee or other instrument relating to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

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  (ii) any disability or other defense with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, including the effect of any statute of limitations that may bar the enforcement of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

  (iii) the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any security or guarantee for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or the lack of perfection or continuing perfection or failure of the priority of any lien or encumbrance on any collateral for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

  (iv) the cessation, for any cause whatsoever, of the liability of the Guarantor for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than by reason of the full payment and performance of all Guaranteed Obligations);

 

  (v) any failure of the Collateral Agent to give notice of sale or other disposition of any collateral (including any notice of any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure or sale of any interest in real property serving as collateral for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations) for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations to the Loan Parties, the Guarantor or any other Person or any defect in, or any failure by the Loan Parties, the Guarantor or any other Person to receive, any notice that may be given in connection with any sale or disposition of any collateral;

 

  (vi) any failure of the Collateral Agent to comply with applicable laws in connection with the sale or other disposition of any collateral for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

  (vii)

any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure or sale of, or other election of remedies with respect to, any interest in real property or other collateral serving as security for all or any

 

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  part of the Guaranteed Obligations, even though such foreclosure, sale or election of remedies may impair the subrogation rights of either the Loan Parties or the Guarantor or may preclude the Loan Parties or the Guarantor from obtaining reimbursement, contribution, indemnification or other recovery from the other or any other Person and even though the Loan Parties or the Guarantor may not, as a result of such foreclosure, sale or election of remedies, be liable for any deficiency;

 

  (viii) any act or omission of the Collateral Agent or any other Person that directly or indirectly results in or aids the discharge or release of a Loan Party of any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security or guarantee (including any letter of credit) for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law or otherwise;

 

  (ix) any law which provides that the obligation of a surety or the Guarantor must neither be larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal or which reduces a surety’s or the Guarantor’s obligation in proportion to the principal obligation;

 

  (x) any counterclaim, set-off or other claim which a Loan Party or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations has or alleges to have with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

  (xi) any failure of the Collateral Agent to file or enforce a claim in any bankruptcy or other proceeding with respect to any Person;

 

  (xii) the election by the Collateral Agent, in any bankruptcy proceeding of any Person, of the application or non-application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

  (xiii) any extension of credit or the grant of any lien or encumbrance under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

  (xiv) any use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

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  (xv) any agreement or stipulation with respect to the provision of adequate protection in any bankruptcy proceeding of any Person;

 

  (xvi) the avoidance of any lien or encumbrance in favor of the Collateral Agent for any reason;

 

  (xvii) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, liquidation or dissolution proceeding commenced by or against any Person, including any discharge of, or bar or stay against collecting, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (or any interest on all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations) in or as a result of any such proceeding; or

 

  (xviii) any action taken by the Collateral Agent that is authorized by this Agreement or by any other provision of any Financing Document or any omission to take any such action.

Section 9.04 Reinstatement . The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of the Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise. The Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Collateral Agent on demand for all reasonable and reasonably documented costs and expenses (including reasonable and reasonably documented fees of counsel) incurred by the Collateral Agent in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

Section 9.05 Subrogation .

(a) To the extent of any payments made hereunder, the Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Senior Secured Parties, but the Guarantor covenants and agrees that such right of subrogation shall be subordinate in right of payment to the rights of the Senior Secured Parties under the Financing Documents for which full payment has not been made or provided for and, to that end, the Guarantor agrees not to claim or enforce any such right of subrogation or any right of set-off or any other right which may arise on account of any payment made by the Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations owned or held by Persons other than the Guarantor and all other sums due or payable under the Financing Documents have been fully, finally and indefeasibly, paid and discharged.

 

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(b) If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to the indefeasible and unconditional payment, discharge or performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Financing Documents, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and shall forthwith be paid to the Collateral Agent to be credited and applied upon and against the Guaranteed Obligations, to the extent then matured, in accordance with the terms of the Financing Documents, or, to the extent not then matured or existing, be held by the Collateral Agent as collateral security for the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 9.06 Remedies . The Guarantor agrees that, as between the Guarantor and the Collateral Agent, any obligations of the Loan Parties to the Senior Secured Parties under any of the Financing Documents may be declared to be forthwith due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and that, in the event of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable by the Loan Parties) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for purposes of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that any amount payable by the Guarantor pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence is intended to be applied to the payment or prepayment (as the case may be) of the related obligations of the Loan Parties (whether or not due and payable). Each of the obligations of the Guarantor under this Agreement is separate and independent of the Guaranteed Obligations, and the Guarantor agrees that a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted by the Collateral Agent against the Guarantor to enforce this Agreement, irrespective of whether any action is brought by the Collateral Agent against the Loan Parties under any Financing Document or whether a Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions.

Section 9.07 Continuing Guarantee . This guarantee is a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment and performance and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising have been paid in full in cash and all obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall have been paid in full in cash.

 

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ARTICLE X

THE AGENTS

Section 10.01 Appointment and Authority . (a) Each of the Lenders (in its capacity as Lender) hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes each Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Financing Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document, together with such actions as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article X are solely for the benefit of the Agents, and the Lenders, and no Loan Party or any other Person shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

(b) Each Lender (in its capacity as Lender) hereby appoints WestLB as its Administrative Agent under and for purposes of each Financing Document to which it is a party. WestLB hereby accepts this appointment and agrees to act as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and each other Financing Document. Each Lender appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act on behalf of such Lender, under each Financing Document to which it is a party and, in the absence of other written instructions from the Required Lenders received from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with respect to which the Administrative Agent agrees that it will comply, except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.01 or as otherwise advised by counsel), to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in any Financing Document, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Financing Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

(c) Each Senior Secured Party (in its capacity as Lender) hereby appoints WestLB as its Collateral Agent under and for purposes of each Financing

 

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Document to which it is a party. WestLB hereby accepts this appointment and agrees to act as the Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and each other Financing Document. Each Senior Secured Party hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Senior Secured Party for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any Loan Party to the Collateral Agent in order to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this respect the Collateral Agent, and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 10.05 ( Delegation of Duties ) for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article X and Article XI ( Miscellaneous Provisions ) (including Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ) , as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the Collateral Agent under the Financing Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in any Financing Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Financing Documents, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Senior Secured Party, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Financing Document or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

Section 10.02 Rights as a Lender . Each Person serving as Agent hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender, as any other Lender, and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent. Each such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with either Borrower or Affiliates of either Borrower as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or any other Agent.

 

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Section 10.03 Exculpatory Provisions . (a) No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Financing Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent shall:

 

  (i) be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

  (ii) have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Financing Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Financing Documents); provided that such Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Financing Document or applicable Law; or

 

  (iii) except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Financing Documents, have any duty to disclose, nor shall any Agent be liable for any failure to disclose, any information relating to either Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(b) No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the prior written consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as may be necessary, or as such Agent may believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.01 ( Appointment and Authority ) ), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Each Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent in writing by either Borrower or a Lender.

(c) No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Financing Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence or continuance of

 

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any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest created or purported to be created by any Security Document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article VI ( Conditions Precedent ) or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to any such Agent.

Section 10.04 Reliance by Agents . Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender, unless such Agent has received notice to the contrary from such Lender, prior to the making of such Loan. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 10.05 Delegation of Duties . Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise any and all its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Financing Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article X shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of such Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with their acting as Agent.

Section 10.06 Resignation or Removal of Agent . (a) Any Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder and/or under the other Financing Documents at any time by giving thirty (30)   days’ prior notice to each Loan Party and the Lenders. Any Agent may be removed at any time by the Required Lenders for the Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the event that WestLB is no longer an Agent, any successor Agent may be removed at any time with cause by the Required Lenders. Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Agent, in accordance with this Section 10.06 .

 

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(b) Upon any notice of resignation by any Agent or upon the removal of any Agent by the Required Lenders, the Required Lenders shall appoint a successor Agent hereunder and under each other Financing Document who shall be a commercial bank having a combined capital and surplus of at least one hundred million Dollars ($100,000,000).

(c) If no successor Agent has been appointed by the Required Lenders within thirty (30) days after the date such notice of resignation was given by such Agent or the Required Lenders elected to remove such Agent, any Lender may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a successor Agent, as applicable, who shall serve as Agent, hereunder and under each other Financing Document until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent, as provided above.

(d) Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Agent, and the retiring (or removed) Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Financing Documents. After the retirement or removal of any Agent hereunder and under the other Financing Documents, the provisions of this Article X shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring (or removed) Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent.

(e) If a retiring or removed Agent is the Collateral Agent, such Collateral Agent will promptly transfer any Collateral in the possession or control of such Collateral Agent to the successor Collateral Agent and will execute and deliver such notices, instructions and assignments as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to transfer the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to such Collateral property to the successor Collateral Agent.

Section 10.07 No Amendment to Duties of Agent Without Consent . No Agent shall be bound by any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification of this Agreement or any other Financing Document that affects its rights or duties hereunder or thereunder unless such Agent shall have given its prior written consent, in its capacity as Agent, thereto.

Section 10.08 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders . Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to

 

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enter into this Agreement and make its Loans. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Section 10.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . (a) In case of the pendency of any Insolvency Event relative to either Borrower or any other Loan Party (including any event described in Section 8.01(h) ( Events of Default - Insolvency Event )) , the Administrative Agent or, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or any other Senior Secured Party shall have made any demand on a Borrower or any other Loan Party) shall be entitled and empowered, but shall not be obligated, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

  (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Senior Secured Parties (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Senior Secured Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Senior Secured Parties under Sections 3.11 ( Fees ) , 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and  11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ) ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

  (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent or, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent consents to the making of such payments directly to the Senior Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent or, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agents under Sections 3.11 ( Fees ) , 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and  11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ) .

 

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(b) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Senior Secured Party or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Senior Secured Party in any such proceeding.

Section 10.10 Collateral Matters . (a) The Senior Secured Parties irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Financing Document for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties (i) upon the occurrence of the Discharge Date, (ii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 11.01 ( Amendments, Etc. ) , or (iii) if such a release is permitted under the Financing Documents.

(b) Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release its interest in particular types or items of property pursuant to this Section 10.10 . In each case as specified in this Section 10.10 , the Collateral Agent will, at the Borrowers’ expense, execute and deliver to the Borrowers or such other Loan Party, as applicable, such documents as such Person may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the Lien granted under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Financing Documents and this Section 10.10 .

Section 10.11 Copies . Each Agent shall give prompt notice to each Lender of each notice or request required or permitted to be given to such Agent by a Borrower or any other Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document (unless concurrently delivered to the Lenders, as applicable, by a Borrower or such Loan Party, as applicable). Each Agent will distribute to each Lender each document or instrument (including each document or instrument delivered by any Loan Party to such Agent pursuant to Article V ( Representations and Warranties ) , Article VI ( Conditions Precedent ) and Article VII ( Covenants ) ) received for its account and copies of all other communications received by such Agent from any Loan Party for distribution to the Lenders Bank by such Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

Section 10.12 No Lead Arranger or Bookrunner Duties . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lead Arranger or Bookrunner shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as an Agent or a Lender hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 11.01 Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Financing Document, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party herefrom or therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and, in the case of an amendment, each Loan Party or, as the case may be, the applicable Loan Party, and in each such case acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 6.01 ( Conditions to Closing Date ) or Section 6.02 ( Conditions to All Borrowings ) without the written consent of all of the Lenders;

(b) except as provided in Section 2.05 (Increase in Commitments) , extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.03(a) (Action Upon Other Event of Default) without the prior written consent of such Lender;

(c) postpone any date scheduled for any payment of principal or interest under Section 3.01 (Repayment of Borrowings) or  3.02 (Interest Payment Dates) , or any date fixed by the Administrative Agent for the payment of Fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Financing Document without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or any Fees or other amounts (including any mandatory prepayments under Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) payable hereunder or under any other Financing Document to any Lender without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that only the prior written consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest at the Default Rate;

(e) change the order of application of any reduction in the Commitments or any prepayment of Loans from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 2.06 ( Termination or Reduction of Commitments ) , Section 3.07 (Optional Prepayment) or 3.08 (Mandatory Prepayment) , respectively, in any manner without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

 

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(f) change any provision of this Section 11.01 , the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender; provided , that any change in the definition of Required Lenders shall require the prior written consent of each Lender; or

(g) release (i) any Loan Party from all or substantially all of its obligations under any Financing Document, or (ii) all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the prior written consent of each Lender;

and provided further that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by an Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, such Agent under this Agreement or any other Financing Document.

Section 11.02 Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc . (a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY SENIOR SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SECTION 11.02(b) . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d) Appointment of Process Agent and Service of Process . Each Loan Party hereby appoints C T Corporation System with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on behalf of itself services of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process that may be served in any such action or proceeding in the State of New York. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to act as such for any Person, such Person hereby agrees to designate a new agent in New York City on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 11.02 reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to such Person in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s above address, and each Loan Party hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to receive and forward such service on its behalf. As an alternative method of service, each Borrower also irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the air mailing of copies of such process to such Person at its then effective notice addresses pursuant to Section 11.11 ( Notices and Other Communications ) . Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that any party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Financing Document in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(e) Immunity . To the extent that either Borrower has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, such Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the Financing Documents and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 11.02(e) shall have the fullest scope permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 of the United States and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of such Act.

 

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(f) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.02 .

Section 11.03 Assignments . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Agent and Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (A) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with Section 11.03(b) , (B) by way of participation in accordance with Section 11.03(d) or (C) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 11.03(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in this Section 11.03 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each Agent and Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may at any time after the date hereof assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the Commitment (which for this purpose includes the Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Lender Assignment Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “ Trade Date ” is specified

 

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in the Lender Assignment Agreement, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than one million Dollars ($1,000,000) and in integral multiples of one hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000) in excess thereof, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents in writing; (ii) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan and the Commitment assigned; (iii) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Lender Assignment Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of two thousand five hundred Dollars ($2,500); provided that (A) no such fee shall be payable in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender and (B) in the case of contemporaneous assignments by a Lender to one or more Funds managed by the same investment advisor (which Funds are not then Lenders hereunder), only a single such two thousand five hundred Dollars ($2,500) fee shall be payable for all such contemporaneous assignments; (iv) the Eligible Assignee, if it is not a Lender prior to such assignment, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire; and (vi) if the Aggregate Commitment is eighteen million Dollars ($18,000,000) or less, no assignment by a Lender of any of its rights or obligations under the Financing Documents shall be permitted if as a result of such assignment there will be more than three (3) Lenders under this Agreement. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.03(c) , from and after the effective date specified in each Lender Assignment Agreement, the Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Lender Assignment Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Lender Assignment Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of a Lender Assignment Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) , 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) , 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ) with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrowers (at their expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.03(b) shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 11.03(d) .

(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s office a copy of each Lender Assignment Agreement delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the

 

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Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Agents and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for consent to a material or other substantive change to the Financing Documents is pending, any Lender may request and receive from the Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.

(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, either Borrower or any Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or either Borrower or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Agents, and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 ( Amendments, Etc.) that directly affects such Participant. Subject to Section 11.03(e) , each Loan Party agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) , 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) and 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) , to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 11.03(b) . To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.14 ( Right of Setoff ) as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.13 ( Sharing of Payments ) as though it were a Lender.

(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 4.01 ( Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful ) or 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the prior written consent of the Borrowers.

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and any corresponding rights under

 

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the other Financing Documents (including under its Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) The words “ execution ,” “ signed ,” “ signature ,” and words of like import in any Lender Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Section 11.04 Benefits of Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement or any other Financing Document, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, and each of their successors and permitted assigns under this Agreement or any other Financing Document, any benefit or any legal or equitable right or remedy under this Agreement.

Section 11.05 Consultants . (a) The Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent may, in their sole discretion, appoint any consultant for the purposes specified herein. If any of the consultants is removed or resigns and thereby ceases to act for purposes of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall designate a consultant in replacement.

(b) The Borrowers shall reimburse each consultant appointed hereunder for the reasonable fees and documented expenses of such consultant retained on behalf of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to this Section 11.05 .

(c) In all cases in which this Agreement provides for any consultant to “ agree ,” “ approve ,” “ certify ” or “ confirm ” any report or other document or any fact or circumstance, such consultant may make the determinations and evaluations required in connection therewith based upon information provided by either Borrower or other sources reasonably believed by such consultant to be knowledgeable and responsible, without independently verifying such information; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such consultant shall engage in such independent investigations or findings as it may from time to time deem necessary in its reasonable discretion to support the determinations and evaluations required of it.

 

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Section 11.06 Costs and Expenses . The Borrowers shall pay (a) Closing Costs pursuant to Sections 6.02(i)( Conditions to All Borrowings – Fees; Expenses ) and 7.01(r) ( Affirmative Covenants – Closing Costs ) ; (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders and the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated); (c) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated); and (d) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents or any Lender (including all fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Senior Secured Party), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.06 , including in connection with any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Obligations; provided that payments made pursuant to subsection (a) above shall be subject to an aggregate maximum amount of three hundred thousand Dollars ($300,000) in respect of this Agreement and the Term Loan and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 11.07 Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement shall become effective when it has been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent has received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 11.08 Indemnification by the Borrowers . (a) The Borrowers hereby agree to indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of:

 

  (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby;

 

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  (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds from such Loan;

 

  (iii) any actual or alleged presence, release or threatened release of Materials of Environmental Concern on or from property owned or operated by any Loan Party, or any liability pursuant to an Environmental Law related in any way to any Loan Party, except for releases of Materials of Environmental Concern that are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and Non-Appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnitee;

 

  (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any of the members or shareholders, as applicable, managers or creditors of a Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not any of the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Financing Documents is consummated, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; and/or

 

  (v) any claim, demand or liability for broker’s or finder’s or placement fees or similar commissions, whether or not payable by any Loan Party, alleged to have been incurred in connection with such transactions, other than any broker’s or finder’s fees payable to Persons engaged by the Lenders or the Agents without the knowledge of any Loan Party;

 

  (vi) provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and Non-Appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

 

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(b) To the extent that the Borrowers for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 11.08(a) to be paid by it to any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub-agent), or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s ratable share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 11.08(b) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(d) ( Borrowing of Loans ) . The obligations of the Lenders to make payments pursuant to this Section 11.08(b) are several and not joint and shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement. The failure of any Lender to make payments on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to do so.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Article VI ( Conditions Precedent ) , all amounts due under this Section 11.08 shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.

Section 11.09 Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Financing Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Financing Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If any Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrowers. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by an Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

Section 11.10 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure by any Lender or any Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Financing Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

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Section 11.11 Notices and Other Communications . (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 11.11(b) ), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

  (i) if to any Loan Party or any Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.11 ; and

 

  (ii) if to any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its administrative questionnaire.

(b) Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 11.11(d) shall be effective as provided in Section 11.11(d) .

(c) Notices and other communications to the Lenders or any Agent hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II ( Commitments and Borrowing ) if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article II ( Commitments and Borrowing ) by electronic communication. Each of the Administrative Agent or the Borrowers may, in its or their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the

 

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return receipt requested ” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not received during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in Section 11.11(d)(i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(e) Each of the Borrowers and the Agents may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to each Borrower and each Agent.

(f) The Agents and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any written notices purportedly given by or on behalf of a Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Each Borrower shall indemnify each Agent, each Lender, and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of such Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with any Agent may be recorded by such Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

(g) So long as WestLB is the Administrative Agent, each Borrower hereby agrees that it will provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Financing Documents, including all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (i) relates to the Borrowing, (ii) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to the scheduled date therefor, (iii) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default or (iv) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the Closing Date (all such non-excluded communications being referred to herein collectively as “ Communications ”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format acceptable to the Administrative Agent to ny_agencyservices@westlb.com. In addition, the Borrowers agree to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent in the manner specified in the Financing Documents but only to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

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(h) So long as WestLB is the Administrative Agent, each Borrower further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on http: www.intralinks.com (or any replacement or successor thereto) or a substantially similar electronic transmission systems (the “ Platform ”).

(i) THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE AGENTS DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE AGENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY AGENT OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, ADVISORS OR REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, “ AGENT PARTIES ”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO EITHER BORROWER, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF EITHER BORROWER’S OR ANY AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY AGENT PARTY IS FOUND IN A FINAL NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY FROM SUCH AGENT PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

(j) The Administrative Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Administrative Agent at its e-mail address set forth in Schedule 11.11 shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Financing Documents. Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender, for purposes of the Financing Documents. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

 

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(k) Notwithstanding clauses (g) to (j) above, nothing herein shall prejudice the right of any Agent or any Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Financing Document in any other manner specified in such Financing Document.

Section 11.12 Patriot Act Notice . Each Lender and each Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or such Agent, as applicable, to identify each such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

Section 11.13 Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of a Borrower is made to any Agent or Lender, or any Agent or Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent or Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any Insolvency Event or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the Obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to each Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by such Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under Section 11.13(b) shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

Section 11.14 Right of Setoff . Each Lender and each of its respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time during the continuance of an Event of Default, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the either Borrower against any and all of the obligations of such Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Financing Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Financing Document and although such obligations of such Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section 11.14 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of

 

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setoff) that such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the relevant Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

Section 11.15 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or any other Financing Document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 11.16 Survival . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Article V ( Representations and Warranties ) and Section 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrowers ) shall survive any termination of this Agreement. In addition, each representation and warranty made hereunder and in any other Financing Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by each Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by any Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that any Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default at the time of the Borrowing, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder or under any other Financing Document shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.

Section 11.17 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Agents and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives for the sole purpose of exercising such Agents’ or Lenders’ rights or performing such Agents’ or Lenders’ obligations under the Finance Documents (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested or required by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization); (c) to the extent required by applicable Law or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder (including any actual or

 

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prospective purchaser of Collateral); (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.17 , to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty’s or prospective counterparty’s professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction relating to obligations of the Borrowers or (iii) any Person (and any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or advisors) that may enter into or support, directly or indirectly, or that may be considering entering into or supporting, directly or indirectly, either (A) contractual arrangements with such Agent or Lender, or any Affiliates thereof, pursuant to which all or any portion of the risks, rights, benefits or obligations under or with respect to any Loan or Financing Document is transferred to such Person or (B) an actual or proposed securitization or collateralization of, or similar transaction relating to, all or a part of any amounts payable to or for the benefit of any Lender under any Financing Document (including any rating agency); (g) with the consent of each Loan Party; (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.17 or (ii) becomes available to any Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than any Loan Party; or (j) to any rating agency when required by it (it being understood that, prior to any such disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of any Information relating to the Loan Party received by it from such Lender). In addition, with the prior written consent of the Borrowers (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, any Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Financing Documents, the Commitments and a Borrowing. For the purposes of this Section 11.17 , “ Information ” means written information that any Loan Party furnishes to any Agent or Lender after the date hereof (and designated at the time of delivery thereof in writing as confidential) pursuant to or in connection with any Financing Document, relating to the assets and business of any Loan Party, but does not include any such information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach by such Agent or Lender of its obligations hereunder, (ii) is or becomes available to such Agent or Lender from a source other than the Loan Party that is not, to the knowledge of such Agent or Lender, acting in violation of a confidentiality obligation with the Borrowers or (iii) is independently compiled by any Agent or Lender, as evidenced by their records, without the use of the Information. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.17 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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Section 11.18 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Financing Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Financing Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

Section 11.19 Waiver of Litigation Payments . To the extent that any Loan Party may, in any action, suit or proceeding brought in any of the courts referred to in Section 11.02(b) (Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.) or elsewhere arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Financing Document to which it is a party, be entitled to the benefit of any provision of Law requiring any Lender or any Agent in such action, suit or proceeding to post security for the costs of such Person or to post a bond or to take similar action, each such Person hereby irrevocably waives such benefit, in each case to the fullest extent now or in the future permitted under the laws of New York or, as the case may be, the jurisdiction in which such court is located.

[ Remainder of page intentionally blank. Next page is signature page. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Revolving Credit Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:  

/s/ Daniel J. Oh

 

Name: Daniel J. Oh

Title: President

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:  

/s/ Daniel J. Oh

 

Name: Daniel J. Oh

Title: President

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.,

as Guarantor

By:  

/s/ Daniel J. Oh

 

Name: Daniel J. Oh

Title: President


WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
By:  

/s/ Keith Min

 

Name: Keith Min

Title: Managing Director

By:  

/s/ Christopher Nunn

 

Name: Christopher Nunn

Title: Director

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

/s/ Keith Min

 

Name: Keith Min

Title: Managing Director

By:  

/s/ Christopher Nunn

 

Name: Christopher Nunn

Title: Director

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Keith Min

 

Name: Keith Min

Title: Managing Director

By:  

/s/ Christopher Nunn

 

Name: Christopher Nunn

Title: Director


WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

as Lender

By:  

/s/ Keith Min

 

Name: Keith Min

Title: Managing Director

By:  

/s/ Christopher Nunn

 

Name: Christopher Nunn

Title: Director


L ESSEE D ISCLOSURE S CHEDULE

APRIL 8, 2010

This Disclosure Schedule (this “Disclosure Schedule”) is being delivered by REG Seneca, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“Lessee”) pursuant to the Lease Agreements between Lessee and Seneca Landlord, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms, for all purposes of this Disclosure Schedule, shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

The schedule numbers in this Disclosure Schedule correspond to the section numbers of the Agreement; provided that any matter disclosed pursuant to one schedule or sub-schedule of the Agreement is deemed disclosed for all other Schedules or sub-schedules of this Disclosure Schedule to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other Schedule or sub-schedule is reasonably apparent.

The headings contained in this Disclosure Schedule are included for convenience only, and are not intended to limit the effect of the disclosures contained herein. The inclusion of any matter(s) in this Disclosure Schedule shall not imply any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking not expressly given in the Agreement nor shall such disclosure be taken as extending the scope of any of the representations, warranties or covenants in the Agreement. Nothing in this Disclosure Schedule shall (i) constitute an admission of liability or obligation of Lessee, or any of its respective Affiliates to any third party, (ii) a determination by Lessee that such matter(s) are material to business, assets, results of operations or affairs of Lessee or any of its respective Affiliates, nor (iii) an admission against the interest of Lessee or any of its respective Affiliates.


Schedule 1.01(a)

Lenders, Commitments and Offices

 

LENDER

  

COMMITMENT

  

DOMESTIC OFFICE

  

EURODOLLAR OFFICE

WestLB AG, New

York Branch

   $10,000,000 expandable to $18,000,000   

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946

  

WestLB AG, New York Branch

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946


Schedule 1.01(b)

Excluded Affiliates

 

   

Western Iowa Energy, LLC

 

   

Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC

 

   

SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC

 

   

East Fork Biodiesel, LLC

 

   

Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC


Schedule 5.07

Litigation

Iowa Renewable Energy, L.L.C . On October 31, 2009, Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC (“IRE”) served a Statement of Claims against Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Services Group, LLC, and REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (collectively “REG”). IRE alleges that REG failed to provide appropriate market information to IRE to establish prices, for both contracts and spot sales, in line with other biodiesel facilities; placed fewer contracts at IRE’s facility when compared with other facilities that REG owns and/or manages; placed contracts with and required IRE to fulfill contracts that resulted in substantial losses; failed to provide specific information regarding contracts between REG and third parties that IRE was expected to fulfill; failed to utilize premium markets to IRE’s benefit; failed to disclose payments to and\or relationships with certain individual members of IRE’s Board of Directors; and otherwise acted in a manner that did not maximize the long-term success and profitability of IRE and thereby breached a contract with IRE, breached a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breached a fiduciary duty, fraudulently failed to disclose information, and negligently misrepresented information to it. IRE does not specify the amount of the damages it alleges it has sustained under any of these theories. REG disputes these allegations and is vigorously defending these claims in arbitration. In addition, REG has asserted a counterclaim in the arbitration against IRE for breach of contract, breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and promissory estoppels arising out of IRE’s failure to supply biodiesel as agreed to enable REG to fulfill a contract with a third party.

Claims Being Pursued by REG

Avista Trade Oy . Avista Trade Oy (Avista) and REG entered into a contract dated August 29, 2008, pursuant to which Avista agreed to purchase product from REG. Avista breached the contract by failing to purchase the product. Although the exact damages have not been conclusively ascertained, the damages are currently estimated to be approximately $3 million. REG’s portion of the estimated damages is currently estimated to be approximately $1 million. The product that was the subject of the contract included some of REG’s product and also included product that was being sold by REG on behalf of two network plants. REG has commenced an arbitration proceeding against Avista.


Schedule 5.08

Material Liabilities

 

1. REG Marketing and Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Mason City, Iowa: Tank Space Lease Agreement; This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

2. REG Marketing and Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Alexandria) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

3. REG Marketing and Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Mankato This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

4. REG Marketing and Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Minneapolis) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

5. REG Marketing and Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P.; Biodiesel Tank Space Lease Agreement (Rochester) This Agreement will become effective for an initial term of four (4) months commencing on January 1, 2010 with a fourth (4) months evergreen unless otherwise notified.

 

6. REG Marketing and Krause Properties, L.C.; Lease-Business Property-Short Form; March 1, 2004 for Des Moines Biodiesel Remote Site.

 

7. REG Marketing and Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminal, LLC (Chicago) ; Agreement No. 78-0252; May 12, 2005.

 

8. REG Marketing and Alta Fuels, LLC- Terminal Storage & Put Thru Agreement (Alamosa) November 21, 2008.

 

9. REG Marketing and Kellerstrass Enterprises, Inc- Terminal Storage & Thru Put Agreement (Ogden) August 29, 2008.

 

10. REG Marketing and C.W. Terminal Biofuel, LLC – Terminal Storage and Thru Put Agreement dated August 14, 2009.

 

11. REGMarketing and IMTT-Terminal Storage and Thru Put Agreement dated March 10, 2010.


12. Contribution Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 1, 2008.

 

13. Intellectual Property License Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 1, 2008.

 

14. Services Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.

 

15. Sales & Marketing Agreement between REG Services and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.

 

16. Toll Processing Agreement between Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC and REG Marketingdated May 20, 2009

 

17. Bulk Transfer Services Agreements between Double S Liquid Feed Services, Inc. and REG Marketing dated October 27, 2009.

 

18. Intellectual Property License Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Services dated September 14, 2007.

 

19. Services Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.

 

20. Contribution Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Services dated January 1, 2008.

 

21. Intellectual Property License Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketingdated January 1, 2008.

 

22. Services Agreement between Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.


Schedule 5.09(b)

Filing Offices

 

1. Form UCC-1 filing relating to the Security Agreement with the Secretary of State of Iowa.


Schedule 5.18

Guarantor Subsidiaries

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. formerly REG Newco, conducts operations through a number of subsidiary limited liability companies. Articles of Organization have been filed for:

 

   

REG Newton, LLC

 

   

REG Danville, LLC

 

   

REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC

REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC conducts operations through a number of subsidiaries. For current locations and in preparation for possible locations, Articles of Organization have been filed for:

 

   

REG Ralston, LLC

 

   

REG Destrehan, LLC

 

   

REG Cairo, LLC (no further steps taken at this time)

 

   

REG Emporia, LLC

 

   

REG Albert Lea, LLC (no further steps taken at this time)

 

   

REG Houston, LLC

 

   

REG Stockton, LLC

 

   

REG Seneca, LLC

 

   

REG Construction & Technology Group, LLC

 

   

REG Services Group, LLC

 

   

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC

 

   

REG Manufacturing Group, LLC (no further steps taken at this time)

 

   

REG Ventures, LLC

 

   

REG Capital, LLC

 

   

REG Acceptance 1, LLC

 

   

REG Ames, LLC

REG Ventures, LLC owns the following entities:

 

   

REG Processing Systems, LLC – 100% owned

 

   

REG Ventures, LLC is a 50% owner of 416 S. Bell, LLC

 

   

REG Ventures also carries the minority investments in the following third party plants:

 

   

Western Iowa Energy, LLC, 500 Units

 

   

SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC, 2,000,000 Units

 

   

Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC, LLC, 2,500 Units

 

   

East Fork Biodiesel, LLC, 2,000 Units


Schedule 5.19

Investments

 

   

None


Schedule 7.02(f)

Transactions with Affiliates

West Central Cooperative of Ralston, Iowa, could be considered an affiliated entity because of its percentage ownership of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. West Central Cooperative’s main office is located at 406 1st Street, Ralston, Iowa 51459.

 

  1. Intellectual Property License Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Marketing dated January 1, 2008.

 

  2. Services Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Marketingdated January 31, 2008.

 

  3. Sales & Marketing Agreement between REG Services and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.

 

  4. Toll Processing Agreement between Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC and REG Marketing dated May 20, 2009

 

  5. Intellectual Property License Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Services dated September 14, 2007.

 

  6. Services Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Services dated January 31, 2008.

 

  7. Contribution Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Services dated January 1, 2008.

 

  8. Contribution Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Marketing dated January 1, 2008.

 

  9. Intellectual Property License Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and REG Marketing dated January 1, 2008.

 

  10. Services Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and REG Marketing dated January 31, 2008.

 

  11. Management and Operational Services Agreement dated September 14, 2007, by and between REG Services and REG Ralston, LLC. With First Amendment dated February 11, 2008.

 

  12. Management and Operational Services Agreement dated September 14, 2007, by and between REG Services and REG Destrehan, LLC.


  13. Management and Operational Service Agreement dated September 14, 2007, by and between REG Emporia, LLC and REG Services.

 

  14. Contract Manufacturing Agreement between REG Newton, LLC and REG Marketing dated March 8, 2010.

 

  15. Services Agreement between REG Newton, LLC and REG Services dated March 8, 2010.

 

  16. Management and Operational Services Agreement dated May 9, 2008, First Amendment entered into on November 25, 2009, and Second Amendment entered into November 25, 2009, by and among REG Services, REG Marketing and Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC, now REG Danville, LLC.

 

  17. Land Lease Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and West Central Coopertive dated August 1, 2006.

 

  18. Extended Payment Terms Agreement between REG Ralston, LLC and West Central Cooperative dated June 29, 2009.

 

  19. Oil Feedstock Supply Agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC(formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and West Central Cooperative dated July 8, 2007.

 

  20. Contract For Services agreement between REG Intermediate HoldCo, LLC (formerly Renewable Energy Group, Inc.) and West Central Cooperative dated August 1, 2006.


Schedule 11.11

Notice Information

 

I. BORROWER, PLEDGOR AND GUARANTOR:

BORROWER

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC

c/o Renewal Energy Group, Inc.

416 S. Bell Avenue

Ames, IA 50010

Attention: President

Telephone: (515) 239-8000

Facsimile: (515) 239-8009

GUARANTOR

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

416 S. Bell Avenue

Ames, IA 50010

Attention: President

Telephone: (515) 239-8000

Facsimile: (515) 239-8009

 

II. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946

 

III. COLLATERAL AGENT

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Telephone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946


EXHIBIT A

to Revolving Credit Agreement

FORM OF

NOTICE OF BORROWING

This notice of borrowing (this “ Notice of Borrowing ”), dated as of [                  ], [              ], is delivered to WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”), pursuant to Section 2.02 ( Notice of Borrowings ) of the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. This Notice of Borrowing sets forth certain undertakings of the Borrowers with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, [REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC] [REG Services Group, LLC] (the “ Borrower ”) wishes to propose a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement in accordance with Section 2.02 ( Notice of Borrowings ) of the Credit Agreement and on the terms and conditions set forth therein and herein.

WHEREAS, to induce the Lenders to extend Loans under the Credit Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1 . Borrowing Request . The Borrower hereby irrevocably proposes a Borrowing (the “ Proposed Borrowing ”) in the amount of [              ] Dollars ($[              ]).

The Borrowing Date proposed for such Proposed Borrowing is [                  ], 200[_] (the “ Proposed Borrowing Date ”). The Borrower hereby certifies that this Notice of Borrowing is being delivered to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. New York City time [three (3) Business Days][two (2) Business Days] 1 [ Advanced Notice requirement TBD ] prior to the Proposed Borrowing Date and that the Proposed Borrowing Date is a Business Day.

This Borrowing shall consist of [Eurodollar Loans][Base Rate Loans].

 

1  

Three Business Days for Eurodollar Loans, and two Business Days for Base Rate Loans.

 

A-1


[The duration of the initial Interest Period for the Proposed Borrowing is [              ] ([__]) months.] 2

The Borrower hereby requests that on the Proposed Borrowing Date the Administrative Agent deliver by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, the proceeds of such Proposed Borrowing to [              ] 3 .

Section 2 . Use of Proceeds . The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing as set forth in Section 2.01(c) ( Loans ) of the Credit Agreement.

Section 3 . Certifications . The Borrower certifies that on the date hereof, and as of the Proposed Borrowing Date:

(i) the Borrower is in compliance with all conditions set forth in [ Section 6.01 ( Conditions to Closing Date ) and] 4 Section 6.02 ( Conditions to All Borrowings ) of the Credit Agreement, on and as of the Proposed Borrowing Date, before and after giving effect to such Proposed Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds therefrom;

(ii) each of the representations and warranties made by each Borrower and the Guarantor in the Financing Documents is true and correct in all material respects (except with respect to representations and warranties that expressly refer to an earlier date), before and after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing;

(iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of the Proposed Borrowing;

(iv) no event, occurrence or circumstance that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing, or could reasonably be expected to occur, as a result of the Proposed Borrowing;

(v) all and each of the statements contained in this Notice of Borrowing are true and correct in all material respects; and

 

2  

Only to be included for Eurodollar Loans. Borrower can select duration of 1, 2, 3 or 6 months.

3  

Borrower to provide account details.

4  

To be included for first Borrowing only.

 

A-2


(vi) attached hereto as [ Annex A ] is the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement, executed by an Authorized Officer of each Borrower, together with supporting schedules.

Section 4 . Governing Law . This Notice of Borrowing shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Section 5 . Execution in Counterparts . This Notice of Borrowing may be executed by the parties hereto in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of the Notice of Borrowing by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Notice of Borrowing.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has caused this Notice of Borrowing to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first written above.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as the Administrative Agent

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

A-4


EXHIBIT B

to Revolving Credit Agreement

FORM OF NOTE

 

$ [                  ]    [                                   ]
   [              ], [          ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC AND REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC (each, a “ Borrower ” and together, the “ Borrowers ”) JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY PROMISE TO PAY to the order of [                          ], a [                          ] (the “ Lender ”), at its offices located at [                          ], the principal sum of [              ] Dollars ($[              ]) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrowers under the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Borrowers, each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrowers promise to pay (i) interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof from the date hereof until paid in full at the rates and at the times provided in the Credit Agreement and (ii) Fees and other amounts at such times and at such rates and amounts as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Borrowers promise to repay the principal amount of the Loans on the dates and in the amounts specified in the Credit Agreement.

Principal, interest, Fees and other amounts are payable in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, at the times and in the amounts provided in the Credit Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, the Final Maturity Date of the Loan is the date that is two (2) years from the date of the Credit Agreement set forth above.

This Note is entitled to the benefits and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of the security provided under the Security Documents. As provided in the Credit Agreement, this Note is subject to mandatory prepayment and voluntary prepayment, in whole or in part.

The Credit Agreement, among other things, contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events.

 

B-1


The Lender is hereby authorized (i) to, at its option, endorse on the schedule attached hereto (or on a continuation of such schedule attached to this Note and made a part hereof) an appropriate notation evidencing the date, amount and maturity of the Loans evidenced hereby and payments with respect thereto, or (ii) to record such Loans and such payments in one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender in the ordinary course of business. Such schedule or such accounts or records, as the case may be, shall constitute conclusive evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein, absent manifest error, but in no event shall any failure by the Lender to endorse or record, or any error in doing so, pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) be deemed to relieve the Borrowers from any of their Obligations.

The Borrowers hereby waive presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note. All amounts payable under this Note are payable without relief from valuation and appraisement Laws.

The Borrowers agree to pay all costs and expenses, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Note, in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to be provided by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations of each of them.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW).

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

B-2


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC ,

an Iowa limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC ,

an Iowa limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

B-3


Schedule to

Note

LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

   Amount of
Loan
   Amount of
Principal Paid
or Prepaid
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Notation
Made By
           
           
           
           
           

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

to Revolving Credit Agreement

FORM OF

NOTICE OF INTEREST RATE ELECTION

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of Americas

NY, New York 10036

Attention:    [Cheryl Wilson and Andrea Bailey] 5   
Email addresses:    [cheryl_wilson@westlb.com and andrea_bailey@westlb.com]

 

Re: REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC (each, a “ Borrower ” and together, the “ Borrowers ”), refer to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Borrowers, each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrowers hereby deliver to the Administrative Agent this irrevocable notice pursuant to Sections 3.03(b) and (c) ( Interest Rates ) of the Credit Agreement and irrevocably request the following with respect to the Loans (the “ Applicable Loans ”) identified herein:

 

  (i) The Applicable Loans are set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

 

  (ii)

The date on which the conversion or continuation selected in this Notice of Interest Rate Election shall be effective is ___________ 6 .

 

 

5  

[WestLB to confirm]

6  

If the Applicable Loans are to be converted from Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans, the effective date of such conversion may be any Business Day. If such Applicable Loans are Eurodollar Loans, such Applicable Loans may be converted to Base Rate Loans or continued as Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest Period, subject to Section 4.05 ( Funding Losses ) of the Credit Agreement if the elected conversion or continuation date is to become effective on any date other than the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Applicable Loans.

 

C-1


  (iii) If the Applicable Loans are to be converted, Schedule 1 hereto sets forth the new type of Loans, and if such Applicable Loans being converted are to be Eurodollar Loans, the duration of the next succeeding Interest Period applicable thereto shall be as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

 

  (iv) If the Applicable Loans are to be continued as Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest Period, the duration of such additional Interest Period shall be as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

The Borrowers do not, and will not as a result of this Notice of Interest Rate Election becoming effective, have, in the aggregate, more than three (3) separate Eurodollar Loans outstanding.

This Notice of Interest Rate Election shall comply with the provisions of the definition of the term “Interest Period” set forth in the Credit Agreement.

In connection herewith, the Borrowers hereby further certify that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

This Notice of Interest Rate Election is being delivered on or before 11:00 a.m. New York City time at least three (3) Business Days before the effective date selected in item (ii) above.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Notice of Interest Rate Election to be duly executed by an Authorized Officer as of the date first above written.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC ,

an Iowa limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC ,

an Iowa limited liability company

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

C-3


Schedule 1

to Notice of Interest Rate Election

 

CURRENT
TYPE OF
LOAN FOR
APPLICABLE
LOANS

(Base Rate or
Eurodollar
Rate)

   PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
OF SUCH
LOANS
   IF SUCH
LOANS ARE
TO BE
CONVERTED,
NEW TYPE
OF LOAN
SELECTED

(Base Rate or
Eurodollar Rate)
   IF
CONVERTING
SUCH LOANS
TO
EURODOLLAR
LOANS,
DURATION OF
NEXT
SUCCEEDING
INTEREST
PERIOD
APPLICABLE
THERETO
(1,
2, 3 or 6 months)
   IF
CONTINUING
SUCH LOANS
AS
EURODOLLAR
LOANS,
DURATION OF
ADDITIONAL
INTEREST
PERIOD
(1, 2, 3
or 6 months)
   $         
   $         

 

C-4


EXHIBIT D

to Revolving Credit Agreement

FORM OF

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

[DATE]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

NY, New York 10036

Attention: Andrea Bailey

Phone: 212-597-1158

Facsimile: 212-302-7946

E-mail Address: NYC_Agency_Services@WestLB.com

This Borrowing Base Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 7.03(m) of the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 (the “ Credit Agreement ”) by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and together, the “ Borrowers ”), each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

This Borrowing Base Certificate sets forth the Borrowing Base as of the date hereof.

 

1.

   85% of All Eligible Receivables – Investment Grade    $___________

2.

   80% of All Eligible Receivables - Other    $___________

 

D-1


3.

   65% of Eligible Inventory consisting of Products    $___________

4.

   40% of Eligible Inventory consisting of Raw Materials    $___________

TOTAL BORROWING BASE:

  

(sum of lines 1, 2, 3 and 4)

   $___________

The undersigned hereby represent, warrant and certify to the Administrative Agent that the information set forth above is true and correct.

The undersigned officers are executing this Borrowing Base Certificate not in their individual capacity but in their capacity as Authorized Officers of the Borrowers.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

to Revolving Credit Agreement

FORM OF

LENDER ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

This LENDER ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                  ], is by and between [                      ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [                  ] (the “ Assignee ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Assignor is party to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April 8, 2010, by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ” and together, the “ Borrowers ”); each of the Lenders from time to time party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner;

WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign certain of its interests under the Credit Agreement to Assignee in accordance with Section 11.03(b) ( Assignments ) thereof;

WHEREAS, as provided under the Credit Agreement, Assignor is a Lender of Loans and, as such, as of the date hereof has the outstanding Commitments and has disbursed the outstanding Loans as set forth in Annex A hereto;

WHEREAS, Assignor proposes to sell, assign and transfer to the Assignee, and the Assignee proposes to accept and assume from the Assignor, a [          ] percent ([__]%) interest in all of the rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents (which includes the outstanding Loans disbursed by and owing to, and the undisbursed Commitments of, Assignor), all on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (such interest in such rights and obligations being hereinafter referred to as the “ Assigned Interest ”); and

WHEREAS, after giving effect to the assignment and assumption under this agreement, the Loans and Commitments of Assignor and Assignee shall be in the amounts set forth on Annex A .

 

E-1


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions . All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Section 2. Assignment .

(a) As of the effective date set forth on the signature page to this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”), subject to and in accordance with the Credit Agreement, the Assignor irrevocably sells, transfers, conveys and assigns, without recourse, representation or warranty (except as expressly set forth herein), to Assignee, and the Assignee irrevocably purchases from the Assignor, the Assigned Interest, which shall include (i) all of Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender with respect to the Assigned Interest under the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document, and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or in connection therewith to the extent related to the Assigned Interest and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender), to the extent related to the Assigned Interest, against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document, and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity (the foregoing rights, obligations and interests, collectively, the “ Assigned Rights ”).

(b) Upon acceptance and recording of the assignment and assumption made pursuant to this Agreement by the Administrative Agent, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest and the Assigned Rights (including all payments of principal, interest, Fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts that have accrued prior to the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts that have accrued from and including the Effective Date. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments by the Administrative Agent for periods prior to the Effective Date or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves. Each of the Assignor and the Assignee agrees that if it receives any amount under the Credit Agreement or any other Financing Document that is for the account of the other, it shall hold the same for the other to the extent of the other’s interest therein and shall pay promptly the same to the other.

 

E-2


Section 3. Payments . (a) As consideration for the sale, assignment and transfer contemplated in Section 2 hereof, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor, on the Effective Date, in the lawful currency of the United States and in immediately available funds, an amount equal to [                  ] Dollars ($[              ]), without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind. (b) As a condition to the Effective Date, if the Assignee was not a Lender prior to the Effective Date or is not an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, Assignee shall pay to the Administrative Agent in the lawful currency of the United States and in immediately available funds the processing and recordation fee of two thousand five hundred Dollars ($2,500), without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

Section 4. Representations, Warranties and Undertakings .

(a) The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that (A) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest and such Assigned Interest is free and clear of any Lien or adverse claim and (B) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to (A) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the other Financing Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability or genuineness, of sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement, the other Financing Documents, or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, (B) the financial condition of the Borrowers or any other Loan Party or (C) the performance or observance by the Borrowers or any other Person of any of its obligations under the Credit Agreement, any other Financing Document, or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith.

(b) The Assignee (i) represents and warrants that it (A) has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents, and (B) subject to Section 5(a)(vi) , meets all requirements of an Eligible Assignee, (ii) acknowledges and confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, each other Financing Document and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the Assigned Interest and assume the Assigned Rights, on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Senior Secured Party, (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers, or any other Senior Secured Party and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit

 

E-3


Agreement or any other Financing Document, (iv) appoints and authorizes each Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement or the other Financing Documents as are delegated to such Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and (v) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Financing Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender. The Assignee further confirms and agrees that in becoming a Lender and in making its Loans under the Credit Agreement, such actions have and will be made without recourse to, or representation or warranty, by any Senior Secured Party.

(c) The Assignee further agrees to furnish the tax form required by Section 4.07(e) ( Taxes ) (if so required) of the Credit Agreement no later than the Effective Date.

Section 5. Effectiveness .

(a) The effectiveness of the sale, assignment and transfer hereunder is subject to (i) the due execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Assignor and the Assignee, (ii) the receipt by the Assignor of the payment provided for in Section 3(a)  hereof, (iii) acknowledgment by the Administrative Agent of this Agreement, (iv) the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the processing and recordation fee provided for in Section 3(b) hereof, (v) the registration of such assignment by the Administrative Agent in the Register in accordance with Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) of the Credit Agreement and (vi) if the Aggregate Commitment is eighteen million Dollars ($18,000,000) or less, the requirement that, after giving effect to the sale, assignment and transfer hereunder, there be no more than three (3) Lenders under the Credit Agreement.

(b) Simultaneously with the execution and delivery by the parties hereto of this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for its recording in the Register, the Assignor shall deliver its Note to the Administrative Agent and shall request that new Notes be executed and delivered [ to the Assignor and ] the Assignee and reflecting [ the respective amounts of the reduced undisbursed Commitment and outstanding principal of Assignor and ] the assigned and assumed outstanding principal and undisbursed Commitment of the Assignee (plus, if the Assignee is already a Lender, the amount of its outstanding principal and undisbursed Commitment immediately prior to the assignment effected hereby). Each new Note shall carry the rights to unpaid accrued interest that were carried by the applicable superseded Notes such that no loss of interest shall result therefrom. Each applicable new Note executed and delivered in accordance with the foregoing shall have set forth thereon a legend substantially in the following form:

 

E-4


“This Note is issued in replacement of [describe replaced note] and, notwithstanding the date of this Note, this Note carries all of the rights to unpaid interest that were carried by such replaced Note[s], such that no loss of interest shall result from any such replacement.”

If the Assignee is already a Lender, it shall (promptly following its receipt of such new Note payable to it) return to the Borrowers the prior Note held by it.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date:

(i) the Assignee shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to, and the Assignee agrees that it will be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement, and shall have all the rights and obligations of a “Lender” under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents as if it were an original signatory thereto or an original Lender thereunder with respect to the Assigned Interest and the Assigned Rights; and

(ii) the Assignor shall relinquish its rights (but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 11.06 ( Costs and Expenses ) and 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) of the Credit Agreement) and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents to the extent specified herein.

Section 6. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Section 7. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 8. Further Assurances . The Assignor and the Assignee hereby agree to execute and deliver such other instruments, and take such other action, as either party or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement including, without limitation, the delivery of any notices to the Borrowers or the Agents that may be required in connection with the assignment contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 9. Binding Effect; Amendment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, subject, however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto and by the Administrative Agent.

Section 10. Administrative Agent Enforcement . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon and enforce this Agreement against the Assignor and the Assignee in all respects.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused this Lender Assignment Agreement to be executed by their duly Authorized Officers.

The effective date for this Agreement is [the date this Agreement is acknowledged and accepted by the Administrative Agent] [____________, 20 [      ] (the “Effective Date”)].

 

[ASSIGNOR]
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

[ASSIGNEE]
By:    
 

Name:

Title:

Accepted and Acknowledged

this ___ day of _______, 20___

WESTLB AG, NEW YORK BRANCH,

as the Administrative Agent

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

By:    
 

Name:

Title:

 

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Annex A

to Lender Assignment Agreement

 

Loan

   Assignor’s
Undisbursed
Commitment
Pre-

Assignment
     Assignor’s
Outstanding
Loans Pre-

Assignment
     Percentage
(of Assignor’s
interests)
Assigned
     Assignor’s
Undisbursed
Commitment
Post-
Assignment
     Assignor’s
Outstanding
Loans Post-
Assignment
     Assignee’s
Undisbursed
Commitment
Post-
Assignment*
     Assignee’s
Outstanding
Loans Post-
Assignment*
 

Loans

   $         $           %       $         $         $         $     

 

* If Assignee is already a Lender, this number should be calculated taking into account only the Commitments and Loans assumed by Assignee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT F

to Revolving Credit Agreement

ABL Agreement ” means the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 among REG Marketing and REG Services, as borrowers, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. as guarantor, the Lenders referred to therein and WestLB AG, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner.

ABL Collateral ” means “Collateral” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Event of Default ” means an “Event of Default” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Obligations ” means “Obligations” as such term is defined in the ABL Agreement.

ABL Shortfall ” means (i) before the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, any amount of ABL Obligations in excess of seven hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($750,000) remaining unsatisfied after the occurrence of an ABL Event of Default and the application of the ABL Collateral to the ABL Obligations; provided that in no event shall the ABL Shortfall under this clause (i) exceed two million five hundred thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) and (ii) following the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, any amount of ABL Obligations remaining unsatisfied after the occurrence of an ABL Event of Default and the application of the ABL Collateral to the ABL Obligations.

Accelerated Maturity Date ” has the meaning set forth in the ABL Agreement.

Account Debtor ” means the Person that is obligated on or under any Account owing to the Borrower.

Accounts ” means all “accounts” as that term is defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC, now or hereafter owned by the Borrower.

Accounts Agreement ” means the Accounts Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among the Borrower, the Lessee, the Accounts Bank, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent.

Accounts Bank ” means Sterling Bank, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Accounts Bank.

Accounts Property ” means any funds, instruments, securities, financial assets or other assets from time to time held in the Borrower Accounts or the Lessee Revenue Account or credited to any of them or otherwise in possession or control of the Accounts Bank pursuant to the Accounts Agreement.

Additional Project Document ” means each contract, agreement, letter agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower becomes a party after the date hereof, other than any

 

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document under which (a) the Borrower could not reasonably be expected to have obligations or liabilities in the aggregate in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000), or be entitled to receive revenues in the aggregate in excess of one million Dollars ($1,000,000), in either case in value in any twelve (12) month period and (b) a termination of which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided , that for the purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions shall be considered as one transaction, and all contracts, agreements, letter agreements or other instruments in respect of such transactions shall be considered as one contract, agreement, letter agreement or other instrument, as applicable; provided further that with respect to Lessee, the definition of “Additional Project Document” shall be as set forth in the Lease.

Additional Rent ” has the meaning set forth in the Lease and shall include all amounts required to be paid under Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) and Section 3.03 of the Accounts Agreement ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account – Lessee Revenue Account ).

Administrative Agent ” means WestLB, not in its individual capacity but solely as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and under the other Financing Documents, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such other Person (a) possesses, directly or indirectly, power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise or (b) owns at least ten percent (10%) of the Equity Interests in such Person.

Agent Parties ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.11(i) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

Agents ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Loan Commitment ” means thirty-six million two hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($36,250,000).

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Ancillary Documents ” means, with respect to each Additional Project Document, the following, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of items (i), (ii) and (iv), the Collateral Agent:

 

  (i) each security instrument and agreement necessary or desirable to grant to the Collateral Agent (directly or pursuant to an assignment of the Lessee Security Agreement) a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens) in such Additional Project Document and all property interests received by the Borrower in connection therewith;

 

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  (ii) all recorded UCC financing statements and other filings required to perfect such Lien;

 

  (iii) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, opinions of counsel for the Borrower addressing such matters relating to such document, each applicable Security Document and Lien as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

  (iv) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, a Consent with respect to such Additional Project Document from each Project Party thereto and an opinion of counsel to such Project Party addressing matters relating to such Additional Project Document and such Consent as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

 

  (v) certified evidence of the authorization of such Additional Project Document by the Borrower.

Applicable Margin ” means (a) with respect to the Eurodollar Loans, three percent (3.0%) per annum and (b) with respect to the Base Rate Loans, two percent (2.0)% per annum.

Approved Fund ” means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Approved Lessee ” means (a) Bunge North America, Inc. (“ Bunge ”), (b) West Central Cooperative (“ West Central ”), (c) a Person the Equity Interests of which are owned by Bunge, West Central and an affiliate of USRG Management Company, LLC (“ USRG ”), USRG Power and Biofuels Fund II (“ USRG II ”) or USRG Power and Biofuels Fund III (“ USRG III ,” and together with USRG and USRG II, the “ USRG Parties ”), or (d) a Person reasonably satisfactory to the Senior Secured Parties the Equity Interests of which are owned by a USRG Party.

Approved Management Fees ” means any fees (excluding any special fees, bonus payments or similar amounts) payable pursuant to Section 3A of the Management and Operational Services Agreement that are expressly identified as such and (i) are included in an Operating Budget that has been approved by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j) ( Covenants –Affirmative Covenants – Operating Budget ) or (ii) have been expressly approved by the Administrative Agent in writing.

Asset Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” means the Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 among the Debtors, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto.

Auditors ” means those nationally recognized independent auditors selected by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

F-3


Authorized Officer ” means (i) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, (ii) with respect to any Person that is a partnership, an Authorized Officer of a general partner of such Person, (iii) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, any manager, the president, any vice president, the treasurer or the chief financial officer of such Person, or an Authorized Officer of the managing member of such Person, or (iv) with respect to any Person, such other representative of such Person that is approved by the Administrative Agent in writing who, in each such case, has been named as an Authorized Officer on a certificate of incumbency of such Person delivered to the Administrative Agent on or after the date hereof.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” or any successor statute, and all rules promulgated thereunder.

Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) and (ii) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by WestLB as its “prime rate”. The “prime rate” is a rate set by WestLB based upon various factors including WestLB’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by WestLB shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments; Other Credit Agreements ) .

Blender’s Production Credit ” means with respect to REG Marketing and REG Services, at any time, the amount, if any, of the “alcohol fuel mixture credit” (provided in section 6426 of the Code, which allows a credit against gasoline excise taxes imposed by section 4081 of the Code, together with any successor provisions thereto that provide for similar credit or any substitute credit that provides substantially equivalent economic benefit) to which REG Services or REG Marketing, as applicable, is entitled at such time from its blending or production of biodiesel, but excluding any such amounts not satisfying the standards for accounts receivable in conformity with GAAP; provided , that if the relevant Governmental Authority rejects any credit for which REG Marketing or REG Services, as applicable, has requested payment, no further such credit shall constitute a Blender’s Production Credit until such rejection is resolved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

Blocked Account Agreement ” means an agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-1 (or, if requested by the Borrower, such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), with respect to a Local Account among the Borrower, the bank with whom such Local Account was opened and the Collateral Agent.

 

F-4


Blocked Account Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in each Blocked Account Agreement or Lessee Blocked Account Agreement, as applicable.

Board ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(t) ( Covenants-Affirmative covenants – Observer Rights ) .

Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Borrower LLC Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Seneca Landlord, LLC dated as of April 8, 2010 and entered into by the Pledgor and each Manager of the Borrower.

Borrower Accounts ” means the Borrower Revenue Account and the Capital Improvements Account.

Borrower Intellectual Property ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(c) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Borrower Revenue Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 ( Establishment of Accounts – Borrower Accounts ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Bring Down Date ” means the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing Date and the date of any proposed making of a Restricted Payment.

Business Day ” means:

 

  (i) any day that is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed in New York, New York; and

 

  (ii) relative to the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying of any Eurodollar Loans, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.

Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds ” means all proceeds of any insurance policies required pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise obtained with respect to the Borrower or the Project relating to business interruption or delayed start-up.

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding Maintenance Capital Expenses). For purposes of this definition, the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment or with insurance proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount by which such purchase price exceeds the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time or the amount of such insurance proceeds, as the case may be.

 

F-5


Capital Improvements Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01 ( Establishment of Accounts – Borrower Accounts ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Capital Improvement Budget ” means the budget attached hereto as Schedule 6.01(q) that sets forth all categories of costs and expenses required in connection with the performance of capital improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the Project, including all construction costs, all costs under the Construction Contracts, all interest, taxes and other carrying costs, and costs related to the performance of capital improvements described under the Project Documents, as may be updated from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Capital Improvement Completion Date ” means the occurrence of (i) the First Train Completion Date and (ii) the Second Train Completion Date.

Capital Improvement Status Report ” means a monthly report on the capital improvement work with respect to the Project in substantially the form of Exhibit BB .

Capital Improvements Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.04 ( Capital Improvements Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Capitalized Lease Liabilities ” of any Person means all monetary obligations of such Person under any leasing or similar arrangement that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capitalized leases on a balance sheet of such Person or otherwise disclosed as such in a note to such balance sheet and, for purposes of the Financing Documents, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

  (a) readily marketable direct obligations of the government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the government of the United States, in each case maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

  (b) securities issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of AA- or higher from S&P or Aa3 or higher from Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service); and

 

  (c)

investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within two hundred and seventy (270) days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, any country that is

 

F-6


  a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development or any political subdivision thereof, that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than five hundred million Dollars ($500,000,000).

Cash Flow ” means, for any period, the sum (without duplication) of the following: (i) all cash paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period in connection with sales of Products, (ii) all interest and investment earnings paid to the Borrower or the Lessee or the Borrower Revenue Account or Lessee Revenue Account during such period on amounts on deposit in the Borrower Revenue Account or Lessee Revenue Account, as applicable, (iii) all cash paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period as Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds, and (iv) all other cash including biodiesel production tax credits paid to the Borrower or the Lessee during such period; provided , however , that Cash Flow shall not include any proceeds of the Loans or any other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower; Insurance Proceeds; Condemnation Proceeds; Required Equity Contributions; Project Document Termination Payments; proceeds from any disposition of assets of the Project, the Borrower or the Lessee (other than Products); amounts received, whether by way of a capital contribution or otherwise, from any holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower or the Lessee; and any other extraordinary or non-cash income or receipt of the Borrower or the Lessee under GAAP.

Casualty Event ” means an event that causes the Project, or any material portion thereof, to be damaged, destroyed or rendered unfit for normal use for any reason whatsoever.

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604, et seq.), as amended, and rules, regulations, standards guidelines and publications issued thereunder.

Change of Control ” means:

(a) before the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option, a USRG Party, Bunge and West Central collectively cease to own directly or indirectly 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower; or

(b) following the purchase of the equity interests of the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Option:

(i) Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“ REG ”) ceases to own directly or indirectly 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower; or;

(ii) other than as a result of an initial public offering of the equity securities of REG, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an

 

F-7


“option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the equity securities of REG entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of REG on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); provided that the REG Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2010, shall not be deemed to create a “group”; or

(iii) other than as a result of a change in the composition of the board of directors as a result of an initial public offering of the equity securities of REG, a majority of the members of the board of directors of REG cease to be composed of individuals (1) who are members of that board on the date hereof, (2) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (1) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or (3) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board (excluding, in the case of both clause (2) and clause (3), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

Chapter 11 Cases ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Closing Costs ” means all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders, and the Agents (including all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel for any Agent), in connection with the preparation, negotiation, syndication, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.

Closing Date ” means the date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 6.01 ( Conditions Precedent – Conditions to Closing Date ) have been satisfied or waived.

Closing Date Disbursements ” means an amount of the Required Equity Contribution disbursed on the Closing Date to or at the direction of the Persons and in the amounts set forth below:

(i) The Administrative Agent - $150,000 in payment of amounts due under Section 6.01(l) ( Conditions Precedent – Conditions to Closing Date ) .

(ii) Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc. - $316,537.50

(iii) Pledgor - $150,000.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

COGS Expenses ” means Operation and Maintenance Expenses for the purchase of fats, oils, chemicals, electricity and natural gas and variable costs incurred pursuant to the Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements.

 

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Cold Shutdown ” means the cessation of commercial operation of the Project as a biodiesel refinery and the maintenance of the Project in a state in which the Project facilities are not producing biodiesel, biodiesel work in process has been completed, and wherein (i) Project systems and equipment preservation are being managed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and prudent practices and (ii) Project facilities operate with a reduced headcount. “Cold Shutdown” contemplates minimized usage of the Project’s utility systems but does not contemplate any cessation of compliance monitoring with respect to Necessary Project Approvals.

Collateral ” means all assets of and Equity Interests in the Borrower, whether now owned or hereinafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document then in effect or contemplated to be in effect.

Collateral Agent ” means WestLB, not in its individual capacity but solely in its capacity as collateral agent for the Senior Secured Parties under the Financing Documents, and includes each other Person that may, from time to time, be appointed as successor Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.06 ( Resignation or Removal of Agent ) .

Commencement Date Certain ” means the eleven (11) month anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if the Capital Improvement Completion Date has not been achieved by such date, then the Borrower, the Lessee and the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree within thirty (30) days of such date on the terms of a plan and budget for corrective action including a date by which the Capital Improvement Completion Date is required to be achieved (the “ Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan ”) and (i) if a Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan is not agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Commencement Date Certain” shall mean the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) if a Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan is agreed within such thirty (30) day period, “Commencement Date Certain” shall mean the date set forth in the Capital Improvement Completion Date Corrective Action Plan by which the Capital Improvement Completion Date is required to be achieved.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans, as set forth opposite the name of such Lender in Schedule 2.01 .

Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means any arrangement entered into by Lessee or under which Lessee could incur liability to hedge the price of biodiesel or commodities used as feedstock for the production of biodiesel.

Commodity Risk Management Plans ” means risk management plans prepared by Lessee and approved by the Landlord pursuant to Section 5.5.20 of the Lease setting forth terms and conditions relating to any Commodity Hedging Arrangements from time to time proposed to be entered into by Lessee, including any updates made to such risk management plans in accordance with the terms of the Lease.

Communications ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.11(g) ( Notices and Other Communications ) .

 

F-9


Condemnation Proceeds ” means any amounts and proceeds of any kind (including instruments) payable in respect of any Event of Taking.

Consents ” means each Consent and Agreement entered into among a Project Party, the Borrower, the Lessee (if the Lessee is party to the agreement giving rise such Consent) and the Collateral Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Construction Contractors ” means each party, other than the Borrower, to each Construction Contract.

Construction Contracts ” means collectively, (i) Tank Repair Agreement, (ii) the REG Agreement, (iii) each other construction contract identified on Schedule 5.11 , (iv) any additional contracts relating to the capital improvement work with respect to the Project to which the Borrower is a party addressing matters that are critical to such work and (v) any Additional Project Document related to such matters.

Consultants ” means the Independent Engineer, the Financial Advisor, the Insurance Consultant and any other consultants appointed by or on behalf of the Required Lenders.

Contest ” means, with respect to any matter or claim involving any Person, that such Person is contesting such matter or claim in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted; provided that the following conditions are satisfied: (a) unless waived by the Administrative Agent, such Person has posted a bond or cash collateral for the full amount of such claim or other security reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; (b) during the period of such contest, the enforcement of any contested item is effectively stayed; (c) none of such Person or any of its officers, directors or employees, or any Senior Secured Party or its respective officers, directors or employees, is or would reasonably be expected to become subject to any criminal liability or sanction in connection with such contested items; and (d) such contest and any resultant failure to pay or discharge the claimed or assessed amount during the pendency of such contest does not, and could not reasonably be expected to (i) result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve a material risk of the sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation, existence or imposition of any Lien on, any of the Collateral.

Contingent Liabilities ” means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other Person. The amount of any Person’s obligation under any contingent liabilities shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed for purposes of this Agreement to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby; provided, however, that if the maximum amount of the debt, obligation or other liability guaranteed thereby has not been established, the amount of such contingent liability shall be the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of the debt, obligation or other

 

F-10


liability; provided, further, that any agreement to limit the maximum amount of such Person’s obligation under such contingent liability shall not, of and by itself, be deemed to establish the maximum reasonably anticipated amount of such debt, obligation or other liability.

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

CS End Date ” means the date all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project is complete and such train is ready to process feedstock and begin operation for its intended use.

Debt Service ” means, for any period, the sum of (i) all fees (including Fees) scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties, (ii) interest on the Loans scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties, (iii) principal payments of the Loans (excluding any mandatory prepayments) scheduled to become due and payable during such period to the Senior Secured Parties and (iv) all payments due by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.03 ( Increased Eurodollar Loan Costs ) and Section 4.07(a) ( Taxes ) with respect to such scheduled principal, interest and fees.

Debtors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Default ” means any condition, occurrence or event that, after notice or passage of time or both, would be an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 ( Default Interest Rate ) .

Deferred Approvals ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.03(a)(iii) ( Representations and Warranties – Governmental Approvals ) .

Deferred Contracts ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.11(a)(iii) ( Representations and Warranties – Contracts ) .

Designated Capital Improvement Costs ” means those line items on the Capital Improvement Budget related to the remediation construction costs, start up and testing of the project which items are marked on Capital Improvement Budget with an asterisk and which aggregate $4.0 million.

DIP Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

DIP Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

DIP Lender ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Discharge Date ” means the date on which (a) all outstanding Commitments have been terminated and (b) all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash (other than obligations under the Financing Documents that by their terms survive and with respect to which no claim has been made by the Senior Secured Parties).

 

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Dollar ” and the sign “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

Domestic Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated on Schedule 2.01 or designated in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender (or any successor or assign of such Lender) within the United States as may be designated from time to time by written notice from such Lender, as the case may be, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Electricity Supply Agreement ” means the Electrical Facilities Service Agreement/Service Entrance Specification/Addendum of General Terms and Conditions, dated as of May 12, 2007, between the Borrower and Exelon Corporation.

Elevator Maintenance Agreement ” means the Gold Maintenance Agreement between the Borrower and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation dated as of November 4, 2008.

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) any Lender, (b) an Affiliate of any Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Environmental Affiliate ” means any Affiliate of a Loan Party with respect to which such Loan Party could reasonably be expected to have liability as a result of such Loan Party retaining, assuming, accepting or otherwise being subject to liability for Environmental Claims relating to such Affiliate, whether the source of such Loan Party’s obligation is by contract or operation of Law.

Environmental Approvals ” means any Governmental Approvals required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim ” means any written notice, claim, demand or similar written communication by any Person alleging potential liability or requiring or demanding remedial or responsive measures (including potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup, remediation and mitigation costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, fines or penalties) in each such case (x) either (i) with respect to environmental contamination-related liabilities or obligations with respect to which a Loan Party could reasonably be expected to be responsible that are, or could reasonably be expected to be, in excess of fifty thousand Dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate or (ii) that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence, release or threatened release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person; (ii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals; or (iii) exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern.

Environmental Laws ” means all Laws applicable to the Project relating to pollution or protection of human health, safety or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of Environmental Concern, or otherwise applicable to the Project relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,

 

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treatment, storage, disposal, transport, management, remediation or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern.

Environmental Site Assessment Report ” means (i) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, NOVA Biofuels Seneca, LLC, 614 Shipyard Road, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by Conestoga Rovers and Associates (“CRA”) and dated January 2008; (ii) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Lot 1 of the Former Seneca Naval Shipyards, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by CRA and dated December 2006; (iii) “Test Pit Program and Soil Excavation and Disposal Activities Summary Report, NOVA Biofuels Seneca, LLC, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by CRA and dated May 2007; (iv) “Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, NOVA Biofuels, Seneca LLC – Seneca, Illinois” prepared by Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. (“Burns & McDonnell”) and dated September 2009; and (v) “Limited Phase II Environmental Site Investigation, 614 Shipyard Road, Seneca, Illinois” prepared by
Burns & McDonnell and dated October 13, 2009.

Equator Principles ” means The Equator Principles An Industry Framework for Financial Institutions to Manage Environmental and Social Issues in Project Financing (commonly referred to as “The Equator Principles”).

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination, in each such case including all voting rights and economic rights related thereto.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, together with the regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA also refer to any successor sections.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any Person, trade or business that, together with any Loan Party, is or was treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

ERISA Plan ” means any Plan that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

Eurodollar Loan ” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate and the provisions of Article II ( Commitments; Other Credit Agreements ) and Article III ( Repayments, Prepayments, Interest and Fees ) .

Eurodollar Office ” means, relative to any Lender, the office of such Lender designated as such on Schedule 2.01 or designated in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or such other office of a Lender as

 

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designated from time to time by notice from such Lender to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.04 ( Obligation to Mitigate; Replacement of Lender ) that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans of such Lender hereunder.

Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) one and one half percent (1.5%) per annum, and (b) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (x) LIBOR for such Interest Period and Eurodollar Loan, by (y) a percentage equal to (i) 100% minus (ii) the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Interest Period.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day during any Interest Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S. Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”). The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

Event of Abandonment ” means any of the following shall have occurred: (i) the abandonment by the Borrower of the capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to, operation (until the CS End Date in Cold Shutdown) or maintenance of the Project for a period of more than fifteen (15) consecutive days (other than as a result of force majeure, an Event of Taking or a Casualty Event) or (ii) any written acknowledgement by the Borrower of a final decision to take any of the foregoing actions.

Event of Default ” means any one of the events specified in Section 9.01 ( Events of Default ) .

Event of Taking ” means any taking, exercise of rights of eminent domain, public improvement, inverse condemnation, condemnation or similar action of or proceeding by any Governmental Authority relating to any material part of the Project, any Equity Interests of the Borrower, or any other assets of the Borrower.

Event of Total Loss ” means the occurrence of a Casualty Event affecting all or substantially all of the Project or the assets of the Borrower.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to any Agent or any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise Taxes imposed on (or measured by) such Agent’s, Lender’s or other recipient’s net income by the United States, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (b) any branch profits Tax imposed by the United States, or any similar Tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) any United States withholding Tax to the extent that it is imposed on amounts payable to such Agent or such Lender at the time such Agent or such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or to the extent it is imposed on amounts payable to such Agent or such Lender due

 

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to a merger, reorganization or acquisition of such Agent or such Lender or (d) in the case of a Participant, any Taxes (including United States withholding Taxes) in excess of the amount of Taxes to which the Lender selling the participation would have been entitled with respect to the participation if the Lender had not sold the participation to that Participant.

F.R.S. Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

Fees ” means, collectively, each of the fees payable by the Borrower for the account of any Lender or Agent pursuant to Section 3.11 ( Fees ) .

Final Completion ” means that each of the following conditions has been achieved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent as certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer in a Final Completion Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) the Capital Improvement Completion Date shall have occurred;

 

  (ii) The Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect to the air emissions of the Project has been notified that the Project is ready to commence commercial operation;

 

  (iii) insurance required pursuant to Schedule 7.01(h) and under any Project Document shall be in place, as confirmed by the Insurance Consultant; and

 

  (iv) all Project Costs shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest).

Final Completion Certificates ” means, as the context requires, certificates of the Borrower and the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit R-1 and R-2 confirming that Final Completion has occurred.

Final Completion Date ” means the date on which the Project has achieved Final Completion, as certified by the Borrower and the Independent Engineer.

Final Maturity Date ” means, with respect to the Loans, April 8, 2017.

Financial Advisor ” means Capstone Advisory Group, LLC or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

 

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Financial Assets ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(b) ( Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Accounts Bank ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Financial Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the controller, treasurer or chief financial officer of such Person.

Financing Documents ” means:

 

  (i) this Agreement;

 

  (ii) the Notes;

 

  (iii) the Security Documents; and

 

  (iv) the Accounts Agreement.

First Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a First Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iii) the Borrower shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v)

each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to

 

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  punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time shall have been obtained.

First Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-2 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-1 , in each case confirming that the First Train Completion Date has occurred.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year ” means any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months ending on December 31st.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States, applied on a consistent basis.

Governmental Approval ” means any authorization, consent, approval, license, lease, ruling, permit, certification, exemption, filing for registration by or with any Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation, state, sovereign, or government, any federal, regional, state, local or political subdivision and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Granting Lender ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(h) ( Assignments ) .

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). For all purposes

 

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hereof, “Guarantee” shall not include Borrower’s obligations, if any under Section 9.04(e) ( Application of Proceeds ) .

Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

  (i) all obligations of such Person for or in respect of moneys borrowed or raised, whether or not for cash by whatever means (including acceptances, deposits, discounting, letters of credit, factoring, and any other form of financing which is recognized in accordance with GAAP in such Person’s financial statements as being in the nature of a borrowing or is treated as “off-balance sheet” financing);

 

  (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

  (iii) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services;

 

  (iv) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property or are otherwise limited in recourse);

 

  (v) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

 

  (vi) all Capitalized Lease Liabilities;

 

  (vii) net obligations of such Person under all Swap Contracts;

 

  (viii) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interests in such Person or any other Person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such Equity Interests, valued, in the case of redeemable preferred interests, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

 

  (ix) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount

 

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of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

Indemnified Taxes ” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.08 ( Indemnification by the Borrower ) .

Independent Engineer ” means R.W. Beck, Inc., or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

Information ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.17 ( Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality ) .

Initial Quarterly Payment Date ” means the first Quarterly Payment Date following the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

Initial Semi-Annual Payment Date ” means the first Semi-Annual Payment Date following the second anniversary of the Closing Date.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (i) any case commenced by or against such Person under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of such Person, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to such Person or any similar case or proceeding relative to such Person or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

  (ii) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to such Person , in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

  (iii) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of such Person are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds Request Certificate ” means a certificate of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit S .

Insurance Consultant ” means Moore-McNeil, LLC, or a replacement appointed by the Required Lenders.

Insurance Proceeds ” means all proceeds of any insurance policies required pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise obtained with respect to the Borrower or the Project that are paid or payable to or for the account of the Borrower or the Collateral Agent as loss payee, or

 

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additional insured (other than Business Interruption Insurance Proceeds and proceeds of insurance policies relating to third party liability).

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(f) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Interest Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the last day of each applicable Interest Period or, if applicable, any date on which such Eurodollar Loan is converted to a Base Rate Loan and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on each Monthly Payment Date or, if applicable, any date on which such Base Rate Loan is converted to a Eurodollar Loan.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period beginning on (and including) the date on which each successive interest period for each such Eurodollar Loan is determined pursuant to Section 3.03 ( Interest Rates ) and ending on (and including) the day that numerically corresponds to such date one (1), two (2) or three (3) months thereafter, in either case as the Borrower may select in the relevant Interest Period Notice; provided , however , that (i) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next following Business Day (unless such next following Business Day is in a different calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day), (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the month at the end of such Interest Period, (iii) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that ends after any Quarterly Payment Date unless, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Eurodollar Loans having Interest Periods which end on or prior to such Quarterly Payment Date shall be at least equal to the aggregate principal amount of Eurodollar Loans due and payable on or prior to such Quarterly Payment Date, and (iv) no Interest Period may end later than the Final Maturity Date.

Interest Period Notice ” means a notice in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit O , executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

IP Security Agreement ” means, collectively, the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Patents, the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Trademarks and the Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Copyrights, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, by the Borrower in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Knowledge ” means actual knowledge, after due inquiry, of any Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Vice-President or Chief Operations Officer.

Law ” means, with respect to any Governmental Authority, any constitutional provision, law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, common law, holding, injunction, Governmental Approval or requirement of such Governmental Authority. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the term “ Law ” shall include each of the foregoing (and each provision thereof) as in effect at the time in question, including any

 

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amendments, supplements, replacements, or other modifications thereto or thereof, and whether or not in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

Lead Arranger ” means WestLB in its capacity as lead arranger, sole bookrunner and syndication agent hereunder.

Lease ” means the Lease dated as of April 8, 2010 between the Borrower and the Lessee as in effect on the date hereof and as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Lease Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Lease;

 

  (ii) the Lessee Pledge Agreement;

 

  (iii) the Lessee Security Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Leasehold Mortgage;

 

  (v) the Put/Call Agreement;

 

  (vi) the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement;

 

  (vii) any additional agreement with respect to any of the foregoing; and

 

  (viii) any replacement of any of the foregoing.

Leasehold Mortgage ” means the Leasehold Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing Statement, Fixture Filing and Assignment of Leases, Rents and Security Deposits, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, to be made by the Lessee to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties.

Lender Assignment Agreement ” means a Lender Assignment Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit Q .

Lenders ” means those Lenders of Loans, as identified on Schedule 2.01 , and each other Person that acquires the rights and obligations of any such Lender pursuant to Section 11.03 ( Assignments ) .

Lessee ” means REG Seneca, LLC in its capacity as lessee under the Lease and any successor of REG Seneca, LLC in such capacity in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Lessee Blocked Account Agreement ” means an agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit M-2 (or if requested by the Lessee, such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Lessee, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), with respect to a Lessee Local Account, among the Lessee, the bank with whom such Lessee Local Account was opened and the Collateral Agent (as assignee of the Borrower).

 

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Lessee Collateral ” means all assets of and Equity Interests in the Lessee, whether now owned or hereafter acquired upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Lessee Security Document then in effect or contemplated to be in effect.

Lessee Local Account ” means any local bank account (other than the Lessee Revenue Account) in the name of the Lessee.

Lessee Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date among the Lessee, the Lessee Pledgor and the Borrower pursuant to which the Lessee Pledgor pledges one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests in the Lessee to the Borrower and which Equity Interests shall be further assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Lessee Pledgor ” means REG Intermediate Holdco, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Lessee Revenue Account ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b) (Establishment of the Accounts – Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Lessee Security Agreement ” means the Assignment and Security Agreement between the Borrower and the Lessee to be entered into on or before the Closing Date by the Lessee in favor of the Borrower pursuant to which the Lessee grants a security interest to the Borrower and which security interest shall be further assigned by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Lessee Security Documents ” means (i) the Lessee Pledge Agreement, (ii) the Lessee Blocked Account Agreement, (iii) the Lessee Security Agreement and (iv) any chattel mortgages, financing statements, notices, authorization letters, or other certificates filed, recorded or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

LIBOR ” means, for any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan:

 

  (a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the page of the Telerate screen (or any successor thereto) that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

  (b) if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not appear on such page or service or such page or service is not available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; or

 

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  (c) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by WestLB to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, bailment, conditional sales or title retention agreement, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge against or interest in property, in each case of any kind, to secure payment of a debt or performance of an obligation.

Loan ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a) ( Loans ) .

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Pledgor.

Local Account ” means any local bank account (other than the Borrower Revenue Account or the Capital Improvements Account) in the name of the Borrower.

Maintenance Capital Expenses ” means all expenditures by the Borrower for regularly scheduled (or reasonably anticipated) major maintenance of the Project pursuant to Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice and vendor and supplier requirements constituting major maintenance (including teardowns, overhauls, capital improvements, replacements and/or refurbishments of major components of the Project).

Management and Operating Services Agreement ” means the Management and Operating Services Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, among the Manager, REG Marketing and the Lessee.

Manager ” means REG Services Group, LLC.

Mandatory Prepayment ” means a prepayment in accordance with Section 3.08 ( Mandatory Prepayment ) .

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Borrower or the Project, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or the Pledgor to perform its material obligations under any Transaction Document to which it is a party, (iii) creation, perfection or priority of the Liens granted, or purported to be granted, in favor, or for the benefit, of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents or (iv) the rights or remedies of any Senior Secured Party under any Financing Document; provided , however , the expiration of the Blender’s Production Credit on December 31, 2009 shall not, during the six (6) month period following the Closing Date, be deemed a Material Adverse Effect if (x) the Environmental Protection Agency adopts revisions to the Renewable Fuel Standard program required by the

 

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Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the form proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as publication EPA-420-F-09-023, May 2009 or (y) the Blender’s Production Credit as in effect on December 31, 2009 is reinstated.

Materials of Environmental Concern ” means chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances and hazardous substances, any toxic mold, radon gas or other naturally occurring toxic or hazardous substance or organism and any material that is regulated in any way, or for which liability is imposed, pursuant to an Environmental Law.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.09 ( Interest Rate Limitation ) .

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement ” means the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, between the Lessee Pledgor and the Pledgor.

Monthly Payment Date ” means the first Business Day of each month.

Monthly Period ” means each one (1) month period beginning on (and including) the day immediately following a Monthly Payment Date and ending on (and including) the next Monthly Payment Date.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

Mortgage ” means the Mortgage, Security Agreement, Financing Statement, Fixture Filing and Assignment of Leases, Rents and Security Deposits, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders, to be made by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties.

Mortgaged Property ” means all real property right, title and interest of the Borrower that is subject to the Mortgage in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Necessary Project Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.03(a)(i) ( Representations and Warranties – Governmental Approvals ) .

Necessary Project Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a)(ii) ( Representations and Warranties – Contracts ) .

Non-Appealable ” means, with respect to any specified time period allowing an appeal of any ruling under any constitutional provision, Law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, treaty, order, decree, judgment, decision, certificate, holding or injunction that such specified time period has elapsed without an appeal having been brought.

Non-U.S. Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(e) ( Taxes – Foreign Lenders ) .

 

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Non-Voting Lender ” means any Lender who (a) is also a Loan Party, a Project Party, or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof, or (b) has sold a participation in the Loan held by it to any such Person.

Notes ” means the promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B , evidencing the Loans.

Notice of Suspension ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.16 ( Notice of Suspension of Accounts ) .

Obligations ” means and includes the sum of (i) all loans, advances, debts, liabilities, Indebtedness and obligations, howsoever arising, owed to the Agents, the Lenders or any other Senior Secured Party of every kind and description (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding naming the Borrower as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Financing Documents, including all principal, interest, fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, accountants’ fees and Consultants’ fees payable by the Borrower hereunder or thereunder and (ii) any ABL Shortfall in existence while any Obligation set forth in clause (i) remains unsatisfied.

OpCo II Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(b) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

Operating Budget ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(j)(i) ( Covenants –Affirmative Covenants – Operating Budget ) .

Operating Budget Category ” means, at any time with respect to each Operating Budget, each line item set forth in such Operating Budget in effect at such time.

Operating Statement ” means an operating statement with respect to the Project, in substantially the form of Exhibit L .

Operation and Maintenance Expenses ” means, for any period, the sum without duplication of all (i) reasonable and necessary expenses of administering, managing and operating, and generating Products for sale from, the Project and maintaining it in good repair and operating condition, (ii) costs of the purchase, supply and transportation of all feedstock, natural gas, electricity and other supplies and raw materials to the Project and distribution and sale of Products from the Project that the Borrower or the Lessee is obligated to pay, (iii) all reasonable and necessary insurance costs (other than insurance premiums that are paid as Project Costs), (iv) property, sales and franchise taxes to the extent that the Borrower or the Lessee is liable to pay such taxes to the taxing authority (other than taxes imposed on or measured by income or receipts) to which the Project, may be subject (or payment in lieu of such taxes to which the Project may be subject), (v) reasonable and necessary costs and fees incurred in

 

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connection with obtaining and maintaining in effect Necessary Project Approvals, (vi) reasonable and arm’s-length legal, accounting and other professional fees attendant to any of the foregoing items during such period, (vii) the reasonable costs of administration and enforcement of the Transaction Documents, (viii) all other costs and expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget (ix) the Approved Management Fees, (x) Maintenance Capital Expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget, (xi) costs incurred pursuant to the Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements and (xii) repayments by the Lessee of non-interest bearing advances to the Lessee from Affiliates of the Lessee used to pay any of the foregoing in accordance with the Operating Budget. In no event shall Project Costs or Maintenance Capital Expenses (except Maintenance Capital Expenses included in the then-current Operating Budget) be considered Operation and Maintenance Expenses.

OPEX Expenses ” means Operation and Maintenance Expenses other than COGS Expenses.

Organic Documents ” means, with respect to any Person that is a corporation, its certificate of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements applicable to any of its authorized shares of capital stock and, with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation or articles of organization and its limited liability agreement.

Original Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Original Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Participant ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(d) ( Assignments ) .

Patriot Act ” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) of 2001, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

pdf ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.07 ( Counterparts; Effectiveness ) .

Performance Bond ” means any performance bond provided for the benefit of the Borrower or the Lessee under any Construction Contract.

Performance Test ” means a performance test of a train of the Project completed pursuant to the terms of the Performance Testing Plan attached hereto as Exhibit C.

Permitted Commodity Hedging Arrangements ” means those Commodity Hedging Arrangements entered into by Lessee in accordance with Section 5.6.22 of the Lease.

Permitted Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness identified in Section 7.02(a) ( Covenants Negative Covenants – Restrictions on Indebtedness ) .

 

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Permitted Liens ” means Liens identified in Section 7.02(b) ( Covenants – Negative Covenants – Liens ) .

Permitted Operating Budget Deviation Levels ” means, with respect to OPEX Expenses, ten percent (10%) of the amount projected in the then-current Operating Budget for OPEX Expenses.

Permitted Tax Distribution ” means, with respect to any distributee that is required to pay tax as a result of its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, an amount equal to (a) the Tax Rate at such time multiplied by (b) the lesser of (i) such distributee’s estimated share of the taxable income of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable, (after netting or otherwise taking account of a distributee’s shares of the income, loss, deduction and credit associated with the distributee’s interest in the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable) and (ii) the pro rata portion of such distributee’s estimated total taxable income attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable (after netting or otherwise taking account of a distributee’s shares of the income, loss, deduction and credit associated with the distributee’s interest in the Borrower or the Lessee, as applicable and all tax sharing arrangements to which such distributee is a party), in each case that the distributee is reasonably expected to have to report for income tax purposes for the Fiscal Quarter distributed to the extent necessary to fund a distributee’s timely payment to a Governmental Authority of tax liability (including estimated payments thereof) and subject to correction as described below. “ Tax Rate ” means, as of any date of calculation, a percentage equal to the sum of (x) the then-current maximum applicable federal corporate income tax rate plus (y) the then-current maximum applicable state corporate income tax rate. Permitted Tax Distributions as estimated for purposes of a Quarterly Payment Date shall be subject to later correction to reflect amounts as actually reported on an income tax return by a distributee for federal and state income tax purposes. Thus, on any Quarterly Payment Date, the Permitted Tax Distribution means the amount calculated as the product of (a) and (b), above, adjusted by the difference, if any, between the Permitted Tax Distribution for the preceding Quarterly Payment Date as estimated for such date and the Permitted Tax Distribution for that preceding Quarterly Payment Date as finally determined.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, association, trust, government, governmental agency or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA that is sponsored or maintained by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate, or in respect of which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate has any obligation to contribute or liability.

Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.11(h) ( Notices and Other Communications ).

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, among the Borrower, the Pledgor and the Collateral Agent,

 

 

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pursuant to which the Pledgor pledges one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests in the Borrower to the Collateral Agent.

Pledgor ” means Seneca Biodiesel Holdco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Preliminary Operating Budget ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(q) ( Conditions to Closing Date ) .

Process Agent ” means any Person appointed as agent by any Loan Party party to the Financing Documents, to the extent required under the Financing Documents, to receive on behalf of itself and its property services of copies of summons and complaint or any other process which may be served in connection with any action or proceeding before any court arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Financing Document to which it is a party, including CT Corporation.

Products ” means biodiesel, glycerin, and any other co-product or by-product produced at the Project in connection with the production of biodiesel at the Project.

Project ” means, the biodiesel plant located in Seneca, Illinois, which is designed to produce approximately sixty (60) million gallons-per-year of biodiesel, and all auxiliary and other facilities, together with all fixtures and improvements thereto and the Site and all other real property, easements and rights-of-way held by or on behalf of the Borrower and all rights to use easements and rights-of-way of others.

Project Costs ” means, the following costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower in connection with the Project prior to the Final Completion Date and set forth in the Capital Improvement Budget or otherwise approved in writing by the Required Lenders (in consultation with the Independent Engineer):

 

  (i) costs incurred by the Borrower under the Construction Contracts, and other costs related to the performance of capital repair, remediation and improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the Project;

 

  (ii) fees and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the Project and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including financial, accounting, legal, surveying and consulting fees, and the costs of preliminary engineering;

 

  (iii) Fees and interest on the Term Loans until the Capital Improvement Completion Date;

 

  (iv) financing fees and expenses in connection with the Loans and the fees, costs and expenses of the Agents’ counsel and the Consultants;

 

  (v) insurance premiums with respect to the Title Insurance Policy and the insurance required pursuant to Section 7.01(h) ( Covenants – Affirmative Covenants – Insurance ) ;

 

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  (vi) costs of feedstock and natural gas utilized for testing and operation of the Project prior to the Final Completion Date; and

 

  (vii) all other costs and expenses included in the Project Capital Improvement Budget.

Project Document Termination Payments ” means all payments that are required to be paid to or for the account of the Borrower as a result of the termination of any Project Document.

Project Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Construction Contracts;

 

  (ii) the Redevelopment Agreement;

 

  (iii) the Electricity Supply Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Sidetrack Agreement;

 

  (v) the Elevator Maintenance Agreement;

 

  (vi) any other documents designated as a Project Document by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent;

 

  (vii) the Lease;

 

  (viii) the Management and Operating Services Agreement;

 

  (ix) each Additional Project Document; and

 

  (x) any replacement agreement for any such agreement.

Project Party ” means each Person (other than the Borrower or the Lessee) who is a party to a Project Document.

Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice ” means those commercially reasonable practices, methods and acts that (i) are commonly used to manage, operate and maintain biodiesel production, distribution, equipment and associated facilities of the size and type that comprise the Project safely, reliably, and efficiently and in compliance with applicable Laws, manufacturers’ warranties and manufacturers’ and licensor’s recommendations and guidelines, and (ii) in the exercise of commercially reasonable judgment, skill, diligence, foresight and care are expected of a biodiesel plant operator, in order to efficiently accomplish the desired result consistent with safety standards, applicable Laws, manufacturers’ warranties, manufacturers’ recommendations and, in the case of the Project, the Project Documents. Prudent Biodiesel Operating Practice does not necessarily mean one particular practice, method, equipment specifications or standard in all cases, but is instead intended to encompass a broad range of acceptable practices, methods, equipment specifications and standards.

 

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Purchaser ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Put/Call Agreement ” means the Funding, Investor Fee and Put/Call Agreement dated as of [    ], 2010 among Pledgor, the Borrower, Lessor Pledgor and REG Seneca, LLC as in effect on the date hereof and as may be amended from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Put/Call Option ” means Lessee Pledgor’s call option to purchase and Pledgor’s put option to sell the Equity Interests in the Borrower pursuant to the Put/Call Agreement.

Quarterly Payment Date ” means each of January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31.

RCRA ” means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), as amended, and all rules, regulations, standards, guidelines, and publications issued thereunder.

Redevelopment Agreement ” means that certain Redevelopment Agreement among the Village of Seneca, LaSalle and Grundy Counties, Illinois, Shipyard Industrial Park, Inc., and the Borrower dated as of October 31, 2006.

REG Agreement ” means the Construction Management Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010, between the Borrower and REG Construction & Technology Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

REG Marketing ” means REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

REG Services ” means REG Services Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.03(c) ( Assignments ) .

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Removal ,” “ Remedial ” and “ Response ” actions shall include the types of activities covered by CERCLA, RCRA, and other comparable Environmental Laws, and whether the activities are those which might be taken by a Governmental Authority or those which a Governmental Authority or any other Person might seek to require of potentially responsible parties, liable parties, waste generators, handlers, distributors, processors, users, disposers, storers, treaters, owners, operators, transporters, recyclers, reusers, disposers, or other Persons under “removal,” “remedial,” or other “response” actions.

Reportable Event ” means a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA other than an event for which the 30 day notice provision has been waived pursuant to subclause 22, 23, 27 or 28 of the regulations thereunder.

 

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Required Equity Contribution ” means the equity contributions to be made to the Borrower on the Closing Date for Project Costs in the aggregate total amount of four million Dollars ($4,000,000).

Required Lenders ” means Lenders (excluding all Non-Voting Lenders) holding Loans in excess of fifty percent (50.00%) of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans (excluding the Loans of all Non-Voting Lenders).

Restricted Payments ” means (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests of the Borrower, or on account of any return of capital to any holder of any such Equity Interest in, or any other Affiliate of, the Borrower, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment, (b) any payment of any management, consultancy, administrative, services, or other similar payments, to any Person who owns, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interest in the Borrower or (c) any payment to the Manager pursuant to Section 3.03(a)(ii)(L) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement; provided , that the payment of the Approved Management Fees or any Permitted Tax Distribution, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Accounts Agreement, shall not constitute a Restricted Payment.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto that is a nationally-recognized rating agency.

Sale Order ” means the Order Authorizing (i) the Sale of Substantially All of the Seneca Assets and Process Technology of Debtors Free and Clear of Liens, Claims and Encumbrances and (ii) the Assumption and Assignment of Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases entered by the Bankruptcy Court on September 29, 2009.

Second Train Completion Date ” means the date on which the following conditions have been satisfied, and such satisfaction shall have been certified by the Borrower and confirmed in writing by the Independent Engineer, each in a Second Train Completion Date Certificate completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i) all capital repair, remediation and improvement work with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test conducted while the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate is in operation;

 

  (ii) training shall have been completed for all required plant personnel in a manner that is reasonably satisfactory to the Independent Engineer;

 

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  (iii) the Borrower shall have received any plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project, and in each case, shall have been verified as being received by the Independent Engineer;

 

  (iv) all capital improvement costs for the repairs set forth in clause (i) of this definition shall have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest) and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence (for example, an ALTA 122 Endorsement to the applicable Title Policy) that there shall be no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest);

 

  (v) each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project shall have provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work); and

 

  (vi) all Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained at such time shall have been obtained.

Second Train Completion Date Certificate ” means, as the context requires, (a) a certificate of the Independent Engineer, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-2 , or (b) a certificate of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit P-1 , in each case confirming that the Second Train Completion Date has occurred.

Security ” means the security created in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents.

Security Agreement ” means the Assignment and Security Agreement, to be entered into on or before the Closing Date, by the Borrower in favor of the Collateral Agent.

Security Documents ” means:

 

  (i) the Mortgage;

 

  (ii) the Consents;

 

  (iii) the Pledge Agreement;

 

  (iv) the Security Agreement;

 

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  (v) the IP Security Agreement;

 

  (vi) the Blocked Account Agreements;

 

  (vii) any other document designated as a Security Document by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; and

 

  (viii) any fixture filings, financing statements, notices, authorization letters, or other certificates filed, recorded or delivered in connection with the foregoing.

Sellers ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Semi-Annual Payment Date ” means each of January 31 and July 31.

Senior Secured Parties ” means the Lenders, the Agents and each of their respective successors, transferees and assigns.

Sidetrack Agreement ” means Private Sidetrack Agreement between the Borrower and CSX Transportation, Inc. dated November 15, 2007.

Site ” means those certain parcels described on Schedule 5.13 .

Software ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(j) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Special Costs ” has the meaning provided in Section 17 of the Management and Operational Services Agreement.

SPV ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(h) ( Assignments ) .

Subsidiary ” of any Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

Supplemental Capital Improvement Budget ” means a budget in the approximate amount of $850,000 in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Independent Engineer that sets forth all categories of costs and expenses required in connection with the performance of capital improvements with respect to, start-up, and testing of the third train of the Project, including all construction costs, all costs under the Construction Contracts, all interest, taxes and other carrying costs, and costs related to the performance of capital improvements, as well as terms and conditions for disbursement of funds substantially similar to the terms and conditions for the disbursement of funds pursuant to the Capital Improvement

 

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Budget set forth in this Agreement, as may be updated from time to time with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.

Survey ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01(r) ( Conditions to Closing – Survey; Site Description ) .

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, commodity futures contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement and (c) for the avoidance of doubt, excludes any contract for the physical sale or purchase of any commodity.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Swap Contract, or, if no provision is made therein, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Tank Repair Agreement ” means the Master Services Agreement to be entered into between the Borrower and Falcon Technologies and Services, Inc.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any present or future taxes (including income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, documentary, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value-added, ad valorem, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever), levies, imposts, duties, fees or charges (including any interest, penalty, or addition thereof) imposed by any government or any governmental agency or instrumentality or any international or multinational agency or commission.

Tax Return ” means all returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund and information returns and statements of any Person required to be filed with respect to, or in respect of, any Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.

 

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Termination Event ” means (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any ERISA Plan, (ii) the initiation of any action by any Loan Party, any ERISA Affiliate or any ERISA Plan fiduciary to terminate an ERISA Plan (other than a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA) or the treatment of an amendment to an ERISA Plan as a termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA (other than treatment as a standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA), (iii) the institution of proceedings by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate an ERISA Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any ERISA Plan, (iv) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan during a plan year in which such Loan Party or such ERISA Affiliate was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or the cessation of operations which results in the termination of employment of twenty percent (20%) of Multiemployer Plan participants who are employees of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate, (v) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is in default (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

Threat of Release ” shall mean “threat of release” as used in CERCLA.

Title Continuation ” means a written notice issued by the Title Insurance Company (including their local title insurance abstractors) confirming the status of title as set forth in the Title Insurance Policy, which indicates that, since the last preceding Funding Date (or, if the current Funding is on the Closing Date, since the date hereof), there has been no change in the title of title to the Mortgaged Property and no Liens or survey exceptions (in the case of any updated or “as-built” survey that has been issued) not theretofore approved by the Required Lenders, which written notice shall contain no recorded mechanic’s liens except as approved by the Required Lenders or as otherwise subject to a Contest.

Title Insurance Company ” means Chicago Title Insurance Company, or such other title insurance company or companies reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Title Insurance Policy ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01(s)(i) ( Conditions to Closing and First Funding – Title Insurance ) .

Trade Secrets ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.31(f) ( Representations and Warranties – Patents, Trademarks, Etc. ) .

Transaction Documents ” means, collectively, the Financing Documents and the Project Documents.

Unassumed Obligations ” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.02(b) ( Other Credit Agreement ) .

Unfunded Benefit Liabilities ” means, with respect to any ERISA Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all accrued benefits calculated on an accumulated benefit obligation basis and based upon the actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes (i.e., those determined in accordance with FASB statement No. 35 and used in preparing the ERISA Plan’s financial statements) exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all

 

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ERISA Plan assets allocable to such benefits, determined as of the then most recent actuarial valuation report for such ERISA Plan.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of provisions relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

United States ” or “ U.S. ” means the United States of America, its fifty States and the District of Columbia.

United States Person ” means a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

WestLB ” means WestLB AG, New York Branch.

Withdrawal Certificate ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(a) ( Deposits into and Withdrawals from Borrower Revenue Account; Deposits into and Withdrawals from Lessee Revenue Account ) of the Accounts Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT G

FORM OF

ADDENDUM TO

STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT OF

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

(FORMERLY KNOWN AS REG NEWCO, INC.)

Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement dated as of the 26th day of February 2010 (the “Agreement”) by and among Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and certain of its stockholders, the undersigned, now the holder of Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the Shares of the Corporation, does hereby become a party to the Agreement and is entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations as set forth therein with the same force and effect as though the undersigned had executed the Agreement as a signatory party thereto.

Dated this      day of              2010.

 

WESTLB, AG, NEW YORK BRANCH
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Accepted by RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. on this      day of              2010.

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

G-1


EXHIBIT H

THE COMMON STOCK OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. (“REG”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND NO INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, DISTRIBUTED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS COVERING ANY SUCH TRANSACTION INVOLVING SAID SECURITIES, (ii) REG RECEIVES AN OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES SATISFACTORY TO REG STATING THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, OR (iii) REG OTHERWISE SATISFIES ITSELF THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION. TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES IS FURTHER RESTRICTED AS PROVIDED IN THE STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT OF REG DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2010.

INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

THIS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 8th day of April, 2010 by and between WESTLB, AG, NEW YORK BRANCH (“WestLB”) and RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. (“REG”).

WHEREAS, REG, REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, REG Services Group, LLC, WestLB and the lenders referred to therein have executed simultaneously herewith that certain Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6.01(r) of the Loan Agreement, REG is to issue to WestLB Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the common stock of REG (the “Shares”); and

WHEREAS, WestLB and REG desire to enter into this Agreement as a condition to, and to set forth the terms and conditions of, the issuance of the Shares.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the mutual agreements set forth below and the transactions contemplated by the Loan Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Issuance . REG hereby agrees to issue the Shares to WestLB as provided in the Loan Agreement. REG shall deliver to WestLB a stock certificate evidencing the Shares as provided in the Loan Agreement.

2. Stockholder Agreement . As a condition to the issuance of the Shares, WestLB shall execute an Addendum to the Stockholder Agreement of REG dated February 26, 2010 (the “Stockholder Agreement”), in the form attached hereto. WestLB acknowledges receipt of copies of the Stockholder Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation of REG, to which the Shares are subject, and acknowledges the transfer restrictions in Article IX of the Certificate of Incorporation of REG.

3. Representations and Warranties : WestLB represents and warrants to REG as follows:

 

  (a) Purchase Entirely for Own Account . This Agreement is entered into by REG in reliance upon WestLB’s representation, which by its execution of this Agreement is hereby confirmed, that the Shares to be received by WestLB are and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that WestLB has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same.

 

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  (b) Disclosure of Information; Due Diligence . WestLB has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the officers, directors and controlling shareholders of REG regarding REG and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares hereunder and to obtain additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information supplied to WestLB or to which it had access.

 

  (c) Investment Experience; Accredited Investor Status . WestLB acknowledges that an investment in the Shares is a speculative risk. WestLB is able to fend for itself in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, can bear the economic risk of its investment (including possible complete loss of such investment) for an indefinite period of time and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. WestLB represents that it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares. WestLB understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or under the securities laws of any jurisdiction, by reason of reliance upon certain exemptions, and that the reliance on such exemptions is predicated, in part, upon the accuracy of WestLB’s representations and warranties in this paragraph 3. WestLB is familiar with Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and represents that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of such Regulation D.

 

  (d) Restricted Securities . WestLB understands that the Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from REG in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the legend described below. WestLB represents that it is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

 

  (e) Further Limitations on Disposition and Legend . Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, WestLB further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Shares unless and until the transferee thereof has agreed in writing for the benefit of REG to be bound by this paragraph 3 and the REG Stockholder Agreement to the extent this paragraph or such agreement are then applicable; and:

 

  (i) There is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such Registration Statement; or

 

  (ii) (A) WestLB shall have notified REG of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished REG with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (B) if reasonably requested by REG, WestLB shall have furnished REG with an opinion of counsel, or other evidence, reasonably satisfactory to REG that such disposition will not require registration of such shares under the Securities Act.

 

  (iii) WestLB understands that each of the certificates evidencing the Shares may bear the following legends:

“THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,

 

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AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND NO INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, DISTRIBUTED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS COVERING ANY SUCH TRANSACTION INVOLVING SAID SECURITIES, (ii) THE CORPORATION RECEIVES AN OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION STATING THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, OR (iii) THE CORPORATION OTHERWISE SATISFIES ITSELF THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE IX OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION, NO SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CORPORATION NOW OR HEREAFTER ISSUED SHALL BE SOLD, PLEDGED, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY, BY ANY STOCKHOLDER, SUCH STOCKHOLDER’S EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE IN BANKRUPTCY, RECEIVER OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE, OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON, TO ANY PERSON, UNLESS AND UNTIL THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE CORPORATION HAS FIRST BEEN OBTAINED, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN PERMITTED TRANSFERS AS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE IX OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE CORPORATION

THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE UPON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE A FULL STATEMENT OF THE DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES, LIMITATIONS, AND RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE SHARES OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, AS SET FORTH IN A STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND CERTAIN OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION.

4. Indemnification . WestLB understands that the offer, sale and issuance of the Shares to WestLB will be based upon the representations, warranties, acknowledgments and agreements of WestLB contained in this Agreement. WestLB hereby agrees to defend and indemnify REG, its affiliates, and their respective directors, shareholders, officers, employees, agents and any person acting for or on behalf of REG or its affiliates, and to hold the same harmless from and against all losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees) arising by reason of or in connection with ( i ) any misrepresentation or any breach or default of any representation, warranty, acknowledgment or agreement by WestLB hereunder; or ( ii ) any sale or distribution of the Shares by

 

H-3


WestLB in violation of this Agreement, the Securities Act, the Stockholder Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation of REG or any applicable state securities laws.

5. Miscellaneous . This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, but without regard to provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law. This Agreement together with applicable provisions of the Loan Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between WestLB and REG with respect to the subject matters hereof and may be amended only by a writing executed by the parties hereto. The remedies provided herein to REG and its directors, shareholders, officers, employees, agents and affiliates are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that may be available to any of them at law, in equity or otherwise. This Agreement and the representations, warranties, acknowledgments and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of WestLB.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

WESTLB, AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

      RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

By:

  

 

      By:   

 

Name:

  

 

      Name:   

 

Its:

  

 

      Its:   

 

 

H-5


FORM OF

ADDENDUM TO

STOCKHOLDER AGREEMENT OF

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.

(FORMERLY KNOWN AS REG NEWCO, INC.)

Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement dated as of the 26th day of February 2010 (the “Agreement”) by and among Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and certain of its stockholders, the undersigned, now the holder of Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the Shares of the Corporation, does hereby become a party to the Agreement and is entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations as set forth therein with the same force and effect as though the undersigned had executed the Agreement as a signatory party thereto.

Dated this      day of              2010.

 

WESTLB, AG, NEW YORK BRANCH

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Accepted by RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC. on this      day of              2010.

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

H-6


EXHIBIT I-1

[FORM OF]

BORROWERS’

[FIRST] [SECOND]TRAIN COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[DATE]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Re: REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Borrowers’ [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, on behalf of each Borrower, hereby represent and certify as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate of each Borrower for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individual executing this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate on behalf of each Borrower is an Authorized Officer of such Borrower.

 

  3.

[All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use

 

I-1-1


  as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.] [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.]

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

  5. OpCo I has received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7. Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

Each undersigned person is executing this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an Authorized Officer of each Borrower.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

I-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC

as Borrower

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

as Borrower

By:

 

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

I-1-3


Attachment 1

to Borrowers’ [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

I-1-4


Attachment 2

to Borrowers’ [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

I-1-5


EXHIBIT I-2

[FORM OF]

INDEPENDENT ENGINEER’S

[FIRST] [SECOND] TRAIN COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[DATE]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Re: REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit.

This Certificate is the Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project (the “ IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate ”), and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Independent Engineer has reviewed provisions of the Credit Agreement which identify the responsibilities of the Borrowers and Independent Engineer related to providing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate and the [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate of the Borrowers dated [Date] and the reports and documents attached to this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate with the Construction Contractors and any other third party deemed appropriate, and have made such general observations, site visits, reviews and investigations as we believed were reasonably necessary to establish the accuracy of this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate.

The Independent Engineer has visited the Project periodically and has observed the progress of the capital improvement activities. The Independent Engineer last visited the Project on [Date] . Our review and observations were performed within the scope of our Professional Service Agreement with the Administrative Agent and in accordance with standards of care normally practiced by professional engineers and consultants performing the same or similar services on like projects.

 

I-2-1


Based on the foregoing review and review procedures and on the understanding and assumption that we have been provided true, correct, and complete information from the Borrowers, the undersigned, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individuals executing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate on behalf of the Independent Engineer are duly authorized representatives of the Independent Engineer.

 

  3. [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.] [All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Capital Improvements Budget with respect to one train of the Project in addition to the train which is the subject of the First Train Completion Date Certificate shall have been completed (other than punch list items) and such train of the Project shall be ready to process feedstock and begin operation for the Project’s intended use as a biodiesel production facility as demonstrated by a Performance Test.]

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

  5. We have verified that each Borrower has received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7.

Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid,

 

I-2-2


  in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

Each undersigned person is executing this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an authorized representative of the Independent Engineer.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

I-2-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this IE [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

R.W. BECK, INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

I-2-4


Attachment 1

to Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

I-2-5


Attachment 2

to Independent Engineer’s [First] [Second] Train Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

I-2-6


EXHIBIT J-1

[FORM OF] BORROWERS’ TANK

COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[ DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Re: REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Certificate is the Borrowers’ Tank Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned, on behalf of each Borrower, hereby represent and certify as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the Tank Completion Date Certificate of each Borrower for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individual executing this Tank Completion Date Certificate on behalf of each Borrower is an Authorized Officer of such Borrower.

 

  3. All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Tank Repair Agreement is complete (other than punch list items).

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required Plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

J-1-1


  5. OpCo I has received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7. Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

Each undersigned person is executing this Tank Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an Authorized Officer of each Borrower.

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

J-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Tank Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC

as Borrower

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

as Borrower

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

J-1-3


Attachment 1

to Borrowers’ Tank Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

J-1-4


Attachment 2

to Borrowers’ Tank Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

J-1-5


EXHIBIT J-2

[FORM OF] INDEPENDENT ENGINEER’S

TANK COMPLETION DATE CERTIFICATE

[ DATE ]

WestLB AG, New York Branch,

as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Re: REG MARKETING AND LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC and REG SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2010 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC and REG Services Group, LLC, each an Iowa limited liability company, each as a borrower (each, a “ Borrower ,” and collectively the “ Borrowers ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), each of the Lenders from time to time a party thereto, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Senior Secured Parties and WestLB AG, New York Branch, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit.

This Certificate is the Independent Engineer’s Tank Completion Date Certificate for the Project (the “ IE Tank Completion Date Certificate ”), and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Independent Engineer has reviewed provisions of the Credit Agreement which identify the responsibilities of the Borrowers and Independent Engineer related to providing this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate and the Tank Completion Date Certificate of the Borrowers dated [Date] and the reports and documents attached to this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate with the Construction Contractors and any other third party deemed appropriate, and have made such general observations, site visits, reviews and investigations as we believed were reasonably necessary to establish the accuracy of this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate.

The Independent Engineer has visited the Project periodically and has observed the progress of the capital improvement activities. The Independent Engineer last visited the Project on [Date] . Our review and observations were performed within the scope of our Professional Service Agreement with the Administrative Agent and in accordance with standards of care normally practiced by professional engineers and consultants performing the same or similar services on like projects.

 

J-2-1


Based on the foregoing review and review procedures and on the understanding and assumption that we have been provided true, correct, and complete information from the Borrowers, the undersigned, hereby represents and certifies as follows:

 

  1. This Certificate is the IE Tank Completion Date Certificate for the Project, and is delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

  2. The individuals executing this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate on behalf of the Independent Engineer are duly authorized representatives of the Independent Engineer.

 

  3. All capital repair, remediation and improvement work set forth in the Tank Repair Agreement is complete (other than punch list items).

 

  4. All training has been completed for all required Plant personnel in a reasonably satisfactory manner.

 

  5. We have verified that OpCo I has received and reviewed a plant operation manual and plant maintenance manual, training manuals and all materials and documents provided by the Construction Contractors and other manufacturers, suppliers and vendors for the Project.

 

  6. All capital improvement costs for the work described in Section 3 above have been fully paid (other than amounts that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ) and the Administrative Agent has received reasonably satisfactory evidence ((attached as Attachment 1 )) that there are no mechanic’s, workmen’s, materialmen’s or other similar Liens or other claims on any part of the Project, Site, or other assets relating to the work or services of the Project provided by the Construction Contractors or any of their subcontractors (other than Liens that are subject to a Contest and the details of any such Contest are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  7. Each Construction Contractor and each subcontractor for the Project has provided all satisfactory Lien waivers, other than with respect to punch list items and other than Lien waivers from individual contractors who were paid, in the aggregate, less than $25,000 for all of their respective work relating the Project (taking into account any and all contracts or agreements pursuant to which such contractor has performed such work, the details of which are set forth on Attachment 2 ).

 

  8. All Necessary Project Approvals required to be obtained as of the date hereof have been obtained.

Each undersigned person is executing this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate not in an individual capacity but in his or her capacity as an authorized representative of the Independent Engineer.

 

J-2-2


[ The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. The next page is the signature page. ]

 

J-2-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this IE Tank Completion Date Certificate to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

R.W. BECK, INC.,
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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Attachment 1

to Independent Engineer’s Tank Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF NO LIENS

 

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Attachment 2

to Independent Engineer’s Tank Completion Date Certificate

EVIDENCE OF CONTESTED COSTS

 

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EXHIBIT K

Performance Testing Plan

Seneca Landlord, LLC. Seneca Biodiesel Refinery

 

K-1


Performance Testing Plan

Biodiesel Refinery

Located in Seneca, Illinois

 

 

1.0 Purpose

This document describes the plan for conducting performance tests at the Seneca Landlord, LLC (“Owner”) biodiesel facility located in Seneca, Illinois (“Facility”) for the conversion of high Free Fatty Acid (“FFA”) feedstock to ASTM 6751-09a quality biodiesel.

The performance test, (“Minimum Performance Criteria”) requires that one train meet the Table 1 criteria while operating at a minimum of 50 percent of nameplate 20 million gallons per year (“MGPY”) of biodiesel for a period of 24 hours on each one of its operating trains (Train C or Train A).

 

2.0 Performance Criteria

The following Schedule One is a summary of the major performance test criteria to be met.

Schedule One – Performance Test Criteria

 

Performance Criteria    Required  

Performance Test Biodiesel Capacity

  

Minimum Performance Criteria biodiesel production rate

(average gallons per hour per train, minimum, corrected to 60 F)

     1,262   

Minimum Performance Criteria test duration, hours

     24   

 

3.0 Pretest Activities

Before testing begins, the following activities should be completed.

 

1) The Facility has been provided with three individual Micro Motion F-Series Coriolis meters one for each inbound feedstock delivery pipeline and are located between the feedstock inventory tanks and the beginning of each process train. These meters have a mass flow accuracy of 0.1% and are equipped to provide both instantaneous and totalizer mass flow readings in pounds. These meters will be used as the “official” measurement of inbound feedstock and totalizer of total mass of feedstock consumed during the Performance Test. The totalizer readings shall be obtained on the train specific flow meter prior to the beginning of the Performance Test and again upon conclusion of the Performance Test and the difference shall be equal to the total pounds of feedstock consumed by each train. These meters are known as 04C-FI-0116 for train C and 04A-FI-0116 for train A.

 

2)

The Facility has been provided with three individual Micro Motion F-Series Coriolis meters, one for each outbound finished biodiesel pipeline and are located between the production line

 

K-2


  and the prequalification tanks. These meters have a mass flow accuracy of 0.1% and are equipped to provide both instantaneous and totalizer mass flow readings in pounds. These meters will be used as the “official” measurement of finished biodiesel product and totalizer of total mass of biodiesel produced during the Performance Test. The totalizer readings shall be obtained on the train specific flow meter prior to the beginning of the Performance Test and again upon conclusion of the Performance Test and the difference shall be equal to the total pounds of biodiesel produced by each train. These meters are known as 04C-FI-0532 for train C and 04A-FI-0532 for train A.

 

3)

It has been agreed to density correct all finished biodiesel to 60 o F upon conclusion of the Performance Test, hence, the sum of the cumulative mass of all three meters shall be divided by the average standard density of the produced biodiesel as reported by the 3 rd party laboratory to establish the volume in gallons of finished biodiesel produced as corrected to 60 o F and reported in gallons.

 

4) Identify the biodiesel receiving tank(s) to be used during the test. A sample shall be taken for quality by a 3rd party laboratory. Testing shall include:

 

  a. Flash Point by ASTM D 93

 

  b. Water and Sediment by ASTM D 2709

 

  c. Acid Number by ASTM D 664

 

  d. Free Glycerin by ASTM D 6584

 

  e. Total Glycerin by ASTM D 6584

 

5) Assuming dedicated tanks are used for the performance test, identify valve switching required at the beginning of the test.

 

6) Intermediate product volumes in process tanks and vessels shall be determined by existing level instruments and provided to the Independent Engineer.

 

7) All of the Micromotion flow meters used in the test were factory calibrated prior to installation and have a minimum 1-year stability guarantee. All level transmitters used during the test were factory calibrated prior to installation and have a 2-year stability guarantee. A zero trim will be performed on all level transmitters prior to the test and the as-found and as-left data shall be provided to the Independent Engineer.

 

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4.0 Testing Activities

 

  1) The train must be operated in a normal mode of operation, including only permanent operators and support staff, and while meeting applicable permits.

 

  2) If the test is interrupted for any reason, the Independent Engineer may require the test to be restarted. If the test is interrupted for an external cause, such as external power failure, the test does not need to be restarted from the beginning. However, steady state operation must be reestablished.

 

  3) The facility will be in stable operation for at least 24 hours at or near its performance test production rate prior to the start of the test or for such a period of time that the Owner and the Independent Engineer agree that the facility is in steady state and the test can begin.

 

  4) The performance test start time will be agreed upon before the test begins.

 

  5) The biodiesel, tank levels and temperatures as well as mass flow totalizer readings from involved individual Micro Motion Coriolis meters will be recorded by the control system process historian every 5 seconds. In addition, readings will be obtained directly from the instruments every 12 hours.

 

  6) The liquid level and temperature of intermediate tanks and/or vessels that can have variable liquid levels will be recorded by the control system process historian every 5 seconds. In addition, manual readings will be recorded at the start of the test and at the end of the test. Near the end of the test, operators should endeavor to bring the level in the intermediate tankage/vessels back to the levels recorded at the beginning of the test.

 

  7)

The 3 rd Party Independent Laboratory will analyze Owner-provided samples of any existing biodiesel in the storage tanks for compliance with 6751-09a prior to the start of the performance test as detailed in Article 3.0 – Pre Test Activities, paragraph 4.

 

  8) During the test, the 3rd Party Independent Laboratory will analyze Owner-provided samples of the produced biodiesel for compliance with 6751-09a. Quality samples will be drawn from the final storage tanks every 12 hours at the sample port locations on the recirculation lines. This sample will be sampled in accordance with BQ-9000 procedures for final qualification. The laboratory will determine the following parameters as outlined in Table 1 below:

 

K-4


LOGO

TABLE 1 Detailed Requirements for Biodiesel (B100) (All Sulfur Levels)

 

Property

   Test Method A    Grade S15
Limits
  Grade S500
Limits
  Units

Calcium and Magnesium, combined

   EN 14538    5 max   5 max   ppm (µg/g)

Flash point (closed cup)

   D 93    93 min   93 min   °C

Alcohol control

         

One of the following must be met:

         

1. Methanol content

   EN 14110    0.2 max   0.2 max   mass %

2. Flash point

   D 93    130 min   130 min   °C

Water and sediment

   D 2709    0.050 max   0.050 max   % volume

Kinematic viscosity, 40°C

   D 445    1 .9-6.0 B   1.9-6.0 B   mm 2 /s

Sulfated ash

   D 874    0.020 max   0.020 max   % mass

Sulfur C

   D 5453    0.0015 max (15)   0.05 max (500)   % mass (ppm)

Copper strip corrosion

   D 130    No. 3 max   No. 3 max  

Cetane number

   D 613    47 min   47 min  

Cloud point

   D 2500    Report D   Report D   °C

Carbon residu E

   D 4530    0.050 max   0.050 max   % mass

Acid number

   D 664    0.50 max   0.50 max   mg KOH/g

Cold soak filterability

   Annex A1    360 max F   360 max F   seconds

Free glycerin

   D 6584    0.020 max   0.020 max   % mass

Total glycerin

   D 6584    0.240 max   0.240 max   % mass

Phosphorus content

   D 4951    0.001 max   0.001 max   % mass

Distillation temperature,

   D 1160    360 max   360 max   °C

Atmospheric equivalent temperature,

         

90% recovered

         

Sodium and Potassium, combined

   EN 14538    5 max   5 max   ppm (µg/g)

Oxidation stability

   EN 14112    3 minimum   3 minimum   hours

 

A  

The test methods indicated are the approved referee methods. Other acceptable methods are indicated in 5.1.

B  

See X1.3.1. The 6.0 mm 2 /s upper viscosity limit is higher than petroleum based diesel fuel and should be taken into consideration when blending.

C

Other sulfur limits can apply in selected areas in the United States and in other countries.

D  

The cloud point of biodiesel is generally higher than petroleum based diesel fuel and should be taken into consideration when blending.

E

Carbon residue shall be run on the 100 % sample (see 5.1.11).

F

B100 intended for blending into diesel fuel that is expected to give satisfactory vehicle performance at fuel temperatures at or below –12°C shall comply with a cold soak filterability limit of 200 s maximum.

 

  9) The Independent Engineer will deliver a written performance test report within 5 working days of having received the data taken during the performance test, certificates of analysis from the 3rd party laboratory, and a written test report from the Owner detailing their performance test criteria calculations on how the facility performed during the performance test.

 

5.0 Calculations

 

5.1 Biodiesel Production Rate

The Performance Guarantee for throughput of gallons of biodiesel produced will be determined by the following Equation One and Two.

[Equation One]             Biodiesel Final – Biodiesel Initial = Biodiesel Produced

Where:

 

  1) Biodiesel Initial is the initial totalizer upon start of the performance test

 

  2) Biodiesel Final is the final totalizer upon conclusion of the performance test

 

K-5


  3)

The Biodiesel Produced during the performance test will be the difference between the Biodiesel Initial and Biodiesel Final weight in pounds. This mass of biodiesel shall be divided by the average standard density of the produced biodiesel as reported by the 3 rd party laboratory in pounds per gallon to correct for temperature and volume to 60 o F expressed in gallons.

 

[Equation Two]    Biodiesel Production Rate = Biodiesel Produced divided by 24 hours

Where:

 

  1) Biodiesel Production Rate is expressed in gallons per hour

 

  2) Biodiesel Produced is derived from Equation Two expressed in gallons

 

  3) 24 hours is the time of the Performance Test.

 

K-6

Exhibit 10.34

WARRANT EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

THIS WARRANT EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of the     day of July, 2011, by and between Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and                     (“ Holder ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Holder currently holds a warrant to purchase [                ] shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an exercise price of $[        ] per share (the “ Existing Warrant ”);

WHEREAS, the Company and Holder wish to exchange the Existing Warrant for a certain number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (to be authorized by the filing with the Delaware Secretary of State of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on July     , 2011 (the “ Class A Common Stock ”));

THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Exchange of Existing Warrant . At the Closing (as defined below), Holder shall surrender the Existing Warrant for, and the Company shall cancel the Existing Warrant and shall issue to Holder, [                ] shares of Class A Common Stock (adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations or splits after the date hereof) (the “ Shares ”).

2. Cancellation and Surrender of Existing Warrant . Holder agrees that, at the Closing, the Existing Warrant will be canceled and of no further force or effect. Holder further agrees to surrender to the Company the Existing Warrant or, if the Existing Warrant has been lost, mutilated or destroyed, an affidavit to such effect and indemnity reasonably acceptable to the Company, and the Existing Warrant shall be deemed cancelled and of no further force or effect as of the Closing and shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the Shares even if the Holder fails to surrender the Existing Warrant.

3. Closing. The closing of the exchange provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place immediately prior to the first sale by the Company of shares of its Common Stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which sale of shares is completed on or prior to June 30, 2012 and is not a QPO (as such term is defined in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation) (the “ Planned IPO ”).

4. Representations and Warranties of Holder . Holder hereby represents and warrants that:

(a) The Holder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized.

(b) The Holder has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and such execution,


delivery and consummation have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Holder and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. The Holder is the owner, beneficially and of record, of the Existing Warrant, free and clear of any encumbrances.

(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any provision of the Holder’s organizational documents, (ii) constitute, with or without notice or the passage of time or both, a breach violation or default under any law, rule, regulation, permit, license, agreement or other instrument of the Holder or to which the Holder or the Holder’s property is subject, or (iii) require any consent, approval or authorization of, or notification to, or filing with, any federal, state, local or foreign court, governmental agency or regulatory or administrative authority on the part of the Holder.

(d) This Agreement is made with the Holder in reliance upon the Holder’s representation, which by the Holder’s execution of this Agreement the Holder hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the Holder are and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that the Holder has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same.

(e) The Holder has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the Company regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and to obtain additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information supplied or to which it had access.

(f) The Holder acknowledges that an investment in the Shares is a speculative risk. The Holder is able to fend for itself in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, can bear the economic risk of its investment (including possible complete loss of such investment) for an indefinite period of time and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. The Holder represents that it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares to be acquired hereunder. The Holder understands that the Shares to be acquired hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any jurisdiction, by reason of reliance upon certain exemptions, and that the reliance on such exemptions is predicated, in part, upon the accuracy of the Holder’s representations and warranties in this Section 4 . The Holder is familiar with Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and represents that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of such Regulation D.

(g) The Holder understands that the Shares to be acquired hereunder are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the legend described in Section 4(h) below. The Holder represents that it is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

 

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(h) The Holder understands that each of the certificates evidencing the Shares to be acquired hereunder may bear the following legend:

“THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND NO INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, DISTRIBUTED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS COVERING ANY SUCH TRANSACTION INVOLVING SAID SECURITIES, (ii) THIS COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES SATISFACTORY TO THIS COMPANY STATING THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, OR (iii) THIS COMPANY OTHERWISE SATISFIES ITSELF THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.”

(i) Neither the Holder nor anyone acting on the Holder’s behalf has paid or given any person a commission or other remuneration directly or indirectly in connection with or in order to solicit or facilitate the exchange of the Existing Warrant for the Shares.

(j) The Holder acknowledges that the issuance of the Shares is intended to be exempt from registration by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). The Holder has not taken any action that would cause such exemption not to be available.

5. Representations and Warranties of the Company

(a) The Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.

(b) The Company has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and such execution, delivery and consummation have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Holder and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

(c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any provision of the Company’s organizational documents, (ii) constitute, with or without notice or the passage of time or both, a breach violation or default under any law, rule, regulation, permit, license, agreement or other instrument of the Company or to which the Company or the Company’s property is subject, or (iii) require any consent, approval or authorization of, or notification to, or filing with, any federal, state, local or foreign court, governmental agency or regulatory or administrative authority on the part of the Company.

 

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(d) The Shares to be issued to the Holder hereunder, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

(e) Neither the Company nor anyone acting on the Company’s behalf has paid or given any commission or other remuneration to any person directly or indirectly in connection with or in order to solicit or facilitate the exchange of the Existing Warrant for the Shares.

(f) The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Shares is intended to be exempt from registration by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company has not taken any action that would cause such exemption not to be available.

(g) The Company will issue no more than 335,453 shares of Class A Common Stock (adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations or splits after the date hereof) pursuant to this Agreement and all other Warrant Exchange Agreements to be executed by the Company prior to the Closing (the “ Other Warrant Exchange Agreements ”). The Other Warrant Exchange Agreements are identical in form to this Agreement, except for such differences as are necessary to reflect the identities of the holders of the warrants to be exchanged, the number and exercise price of the warrants to be exchanged and the number of shares to be issued thereunder.

6. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate, without further action by any party, on July 1, 2012, if the Planned IPO has not been completed by such date.

7. Miscellaneous .

7.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein.

7.2 Survival of Warranties . The warranties and representations of the parties contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

7.3 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles regarding conflicts of law.

 

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7.4 Amendments and Waivers . Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and Holder; provided, however, that if the Company agrees to amend in any material respect any of the Other Warrant Exchange Agreements, then the Company shall promptly make an offer to the Holder to make all (but not less than all) of the same amendments to this Agreement and the Holder shall have 10 business days to accept such offer, which it must do in writing delivered to the Company at its principal executive offices.

7.5 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

7.6 Severability . If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

7.7 Transfer of Existing Warrant . If the Holder transfers the Existing Warrant, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms thereof, then the Holder shall also assign to the transferee the Holder’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Existing Warrant so transferred. As conditions to any transfer of the Existing Warrant, such transferee and the Company and, if the Existing Warrant is transferred in part, the Holder and the Company, shall execute and deliver new Warrant Exchange Agreements substantially in the form of this Agreement, with the Holder’s new Warrant Exchange Agreement covering the portion of the Existing Warrant retained by the Holder. In no event shall the Company be obligated to issue to the Holder and any transferee(s) of the Existing Warrant a number of Shares greater than the number of Shares set forth in Section 1 above. Any assignment of this Agreement shall be subject to the same requirements for compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and agreements among stockholders as are applicable to a transfer of the Existing Warrant under the terms thereof.

[remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

COMPANY:
RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.
By:  

 

Name: Jeffrey Stroburg
Title: Chief Executive Officer
HOLDER
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

Exhibit 10.35

Confidential Treatment Requested. Confidential portions of this document have been redacted

and have been separately filed with the Commission.

PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC

BIODIESEL PURCHASE AGREEMENT

“AGREEMENT”

 

Buyer:   

Pilot Travel Centers LLC

5508 Lonas Road

Knoxville, TN 37909

   Buyer Contact:    Mr. David Dobbins
      Telephone:    ***
      Buyer Email:    ***
Seller:   

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC

416 South Bell Avenue

Ames, IA 50010

   Seller Contact:    Gary Haer
      Telephone:    ***
      Seller Email:    ***
Date:         
Product:   

Biodiesel *** or *** (“Product” or “Biodiesel”)

CoA/MSDS

Fax to:

  

David Dobbins, 865-297-1435

Quantity:   

Over the term of the Agreement, approximately *** gallons (the “Contract Quantity”) +/- ***

Price:   

Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB *** locations for *** or ***. *

 

Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB *** locations or bulk facilities for *** or *** excepting ***, and ***. *

 

Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB ***, ***, and *** locations for *** or ***. *

  

*Should the *** be *** in *** and *** to the ***, Seller will reduce the per gallon price of the *** or the *** by the *** of the *** received by Seller. *Should the *** be *** in *** as a ***, Seller will reduce the per gallon price of the *** by the amount of the *** on such gallons.

Terms:   

Net *** days receipt of invoice via ACH and per the “Biodiesel Purchase Terms” (“Terms”) of this Agreement

Term of Agreement:   

January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

F.O.B.   

FOB *** as required by *** and as further delineated in the Terms.


 

Mode of

Transportation:

  

Tanker truck

Invoice To:

  

Pilot Travel Centers LLC

5508 Lonas Road

Knoxville, TN 37909

Attn: Fuel Payables

SEE THE ATTACHMENT FOR

ADDITIONAL “TERMS” WHICH ARE REFERRED TO AND

INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE

 

Seller: REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC     Buyer: PILOT TRAVEL CENTERS LLC
By:   /s/ Gary Haer     By:   /s/ David A. Dobbins
Name:   Gary Haer     Name:   David A. Dobbins
Date:   12/21/2010     Date:   12/17/10

 


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

BIODIESEL PURCHASE TERMS

These terms and conditions (“Terms”) apply to any agreement to which they are attached, or in which they are incorporated by reference. The agreement which incorporates the Terms and these Terms are collectively referred to as the “Agreement”, and the terms “Biodiesel” and/or “Product” refer to those monalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids purchased by Pilot Travel Centers LLC (“Buyer”) under the Agreement from REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC (“Seller”).

1. Taxes: In addition to the per gallon purchase price stated below, Buyer will be liable for, and will pay and/or reimburse Seller for the payment of, any and all taxes, fees, duties, assessments and other charges (“Tax”), whether now existing or hereafter arising, which are imposed, levied or assessed by any federal, state, tribal or local governmental or regulatory authority with respect to the products sold and delivered to Buyer, the taxable incident of which arises out of or relates to the sale, delivery, receipt, transfer of title, inspection, removal from storage, measurement, receipt of payment, or other activity, regardless of when imposed, of the products to Buyer, or Buyer’s payment therefor. In the event that Seller is required to pay any such Tax directly to the appropriate authority, Buyer will promptly upon demand reimburse Seller for such payments. Buyer will furnish Seller with any exemption or resale certificate or direct payment permit to which Buyer may be entitled and will promptly notify Seller of any change in the validity or scope of the same. Buyer shall not be responsible for any taxes based on income, corporate franchise tax, or license fee of Seller. Buyer shall be responsible for any tax arising from the sale, transfer, or delivery of the Biodiesel to Buyer under this Agreement.

2. Quantity: Buyer shall purchase and receive from Seller and Seller shall sell and deliver to Buyer an amount equal to the Contract Quantity, as specified on the cover page of this Agreement. A purchasing variance of *** plus or minus shall apply.

Buyer will designate quantities required at each Designated Location (as defined below) on a monthly basis (the “Monthly Volumes”). The initial schedule of Monthly Volumes is attached as Appendix A. Buyer shall purchase and receive from Seller and Seller shall sell and deliver to Buyer on a ratable basis each month an amount equal to the Monthly Volumes specified for each Designated Location for that month. A purchasing variance of *** plus or minus shall apply to each of the Monthly Volumes. Buyer may modify Monthly Volumes required at each Designated Location with *** days prior notice to Seller for good reason, provided that during the Term of this Agreement, the Buyer purchases and receives a total amount equal to the Contract Quantity, plus or minus *** and provided further that any change in the Monthly Volumes greater than *** is mutually agreed. Good reason shall include, but not be limited to, a sale of a Designated Location. Buyer’s desire to source biodiesel from another party shall not be considered a good reason.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, at any time after this Agreement is executed or during the Term of this Agreement and any extensions thereof, in the event Buyer closes a Designated Location(s), ceases operation of a Designated Location(s) or transfers its ownership interest, whether fee or leasehold to a third party, Buyer shall be entitled to transfer the volume associated with said Designated Location(s) to another of Buyers locations, provided that such locations are within *** road miles of Seller’s facilities.

Upon mutual agreement between Buyer and Seller, the Contract Quantity specified on the cover page of this Agreement can be further increased or decreased.


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

3. Delivery Terms: All sales shall be *** locations. It is expressly understood that all sales are on a *** basis unless the parties mutual agree otherwise. The *** stated in these Terms shall, at a minimum, include the following locations (each, a “Designated Location”):

***

Buyer and Seller may mutually agree to modify, to add to and/or to delete Designated Locations throughout the term of this Agreement. *** to ***, to *** to and/or to *** is limited to Buyer’s locations within the states of ***, and *** and within *** road miles of Seller’s facility located at ***, ***, ***, or *** (“Seller’s Facility”), provided that during the Term of this Agreement, the Buyer purchases and receives a total amount equal to the Contract Quantity, plus or minus ***.

Seller, its agents or subcontractors must be properly licensed, trained, understand and follow Buyer’s policies and procedures regarding fuel delivery, and are familiar with the physical layout, drop sites, underground storage tanks, and ingress and egress routes of the Designated Location(s) before delivery. Seller, its agents or subcontractors agree to work with Buyer in keeping the unloading area clean. Seller, its agents or subcontractors further agree that in the event of a spill that occurs solely as a result of their negligence, they assume any and all cleanup liability related thereto. Buyer may, with good reason and with thirty (30) days notice to Seller, request that Seller replace any agent or subcontractor acting on Seller’s behalf. Good reason shall include safety, environmental and other legitimate operational concerns.

Upon first delivery of Biodiesel under this Agreement at each Designated Location, and unless waived by Buyer, Biodiesel inventory levels at each Designated Location will be managed ***, with Biodiesel inventory levels at each Designated Location maintained at a minimum of *** and a maximum of *** of that Designated Location’s Tank capacity, provided that maintaining the minimum inventory levels at each Designated Location does not require Seller to ship more than the applicable Monthly Volumes, plus or minus the *** variance.

If Seller, its agents or subcontractors fail to deliver or make available (up to the maximum quantity allowed to Buyer under this contract) the volume required by Buyer, by Designated Location, such that any or all of Buyer’s Designated Locations run out of Biodiesel for any reason other than force majeure (provided that Seller shall not by such provision be required to ship more than the applicable Monthly Volume for a Designated Location, plus or


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

minus the *** variance), then Seller shall have breached this Agreement. In addition to such other rights and remedies as may be available to Buyer, Seller shall, within ten (10) days after delivery of reasonable documentation from Buyer verifying the *** to *** by *** an *** to (i) ***, on a ***, of *** or *** to *** the *** has *** to ***, *** (ii) ***, if any, of ***, or *** directly caused by ***. In addition, the applicable Contract Quantity and the applicable Monthly Volume shall be reduced by the quantity of *** or *** sourced by the Buyer.

To the extent *** to ***, the *** will be *** by ***: (i) the *** the ***, at the ***, of the *** and the *** (ii) the *** of *** by the ***. To the extent *** to ***, *** will be *** by ***: (i) the *** the ***, at the ***, of the *** and the *** of the ***, if any times (ii) the *** of *** by the ***. To the extent *** a *** for *** or *** the *** (in the event of ***, *** of the ***, if any), *** shall *** the *** and no *** for *** shall be ***.

The *** will be calculated as the difference between the ***, or ***, to which the Buyer would have been entitled if not for the Seller’s breach, and the ***; provided that, it shall be the Buyer’s sole responsibility to evidence, with documentation provided by the ***, the extent of such difference and that such difference arose solely as a consequence of Seller’s breach.

4. Risk of Loss / Title Transfer: Title and risk of loss shall pass to Buyer at the *** transfers into the receiving Tank(s). Buyer will only be responsible for gallons actually delivered by Seller’s truck. Seller agrees that Buyer may (in order of preference) (a) use electronic monitoring systems to track fuel inventory levels and/or (b) cause Seller’s delivery trucks to be weighed on calibrated scales at Buyer’s Designated Locations before and after the Product has been delivered at Buyer’s Designated Locations. Quantities of Product delivered will be deemed to be the amount listed on the Bill of Lading generated by Seller’s Facility or any other Biodiesel facility or terminal; provided however, that in the event that either (a) the gallons shown on the electronic monitoring system installed by Buyer or (b) the gallons calculated from the before/after weight of the truck, is not within *** gallons of the gallons printed on Seller’s Bill of Lading, only those gallons calculated to have been delivered by (a) the electronic monitoring system or (b) the before/after weigh in of the delivery truck shall be deemed to have been delivered to and purchased by Buyer and Seller shall be deemed to have failed to sell and deliver any differences. Any scales and/or electronic monitoring systems used by Buyer will be, in all cases, certified by the relevant government agency, and such certification shall be current at the time of measurement. Seller has the right to inspect and verify the accuracy of the electronic monitoring systems or weigh scales.

Should Buyer desire to utilize its own transportation assets to take delivery ***, Buyer and Seller agree to use good faith efforts to accommodate Buyer. Should Buyer take delivery FOB Seller’s Facilities:

a) Buyer and Seller agree to renegotiate the pricing to reflect Seller’s changed cost of selling on an *** versus a delivered basis.


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

b) The title and risk of loss shall pass to Buyer as Biodiesel enters the receiving equipment of Buyer’s truck. In the event Buyer elects to take deliveries ***:

c) Buyer is responsible to present suitable trucks for loading and shall comply with all safety and operating procedures, applicable to and at Seller’s Facility, and the Quality and Quantity of the goods will be considered final at loading,

d) Buyer may splash-blend Biodiesel with petroleum diesel provided by Buyer at Seller’s facilities. Seller shall retain title to any vapors or condensate recovered during delivery,

e) Buyer and Seller will need to agree in advance on a schedule for pickup, or other suitable arrangement,

5. *** Changes:

Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained herein, in the event that any *** or *** or *** any *** or *** that *** or *** any *** to the Buyer for the Designated Location(s), Buyer at its sole discretion, may in whole or in part, unilaterally terminate this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s) (each a “Terminated Location”). Prior to unilaterally terminating this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s) pursuant to the terms of this paragraph, Buyer and Seller shall meet and discuss alternatives to termination. In the event that Buyer and Seller are not able to agree upon an alternative to termination, all of the parties rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement related to such Terminated Location(s) shall terminate and be of no further force and effect. Buyer may only exercise this right within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the elimination and/or reduction in the credit.

Due to the *** of the *** of the ***, both parties recognize and agree that the future environment over the term of this contract may not reflect the environment as of this date. Therefore, should any *** or *** in a manner that *** or *** (in each party’s sole judgment), Buyer and Seller agree to a good faith effort to renegotiate the terms and conditions of this Agreement to account for such change. Should that renegotiation be unsuccessful, then the disadvantaged party may, at its sole discretion, unilaterally terminate this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s). In the event a disadvantaged party makes such an election, all of the parties rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement related to such Terminated Location(s) shall terminate and be of no further force and effect ten (10) days after such party provides written notice to the other party that it does not believe in good faith that efforts to renegotiate the Agreement will be successful.

In the event that any ***, or ***, or specifically related to the *** of *** for the ***, Buyer and Seller agree to a good faith effort to renegotiate the terms and conditions of this Agreement to account for such change. Should that renegotiation be unsuccessful, then Buyer at its sole discretion, may in whole or in part, unilaterally terminate this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s) on sixty (60) days prior written notice. In the event Buyer makes such an election, all of the parties rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement related to such Terminated Location(s) shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at the later of the effective date of such taxes or the end of said sixty (60) day notice period.

In the event that any *** or *** or *** any *** or *** that *** or *** the *** of ***, and such *** results in Buyer having to *** already *** with *** for


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

the ***, Buyer may reduce the Contract Quantity by an amount equal to the *** at the *** the *** by the *** or Buyer and Seller agree to a good faith effort to renegotiate the terms and conditions of this Agreement to account for such change. Should that renegotiation be unsuccessful, then Buyer at its sole discretion, may in whole or in part, unilaterally terminate this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s) on sixty (60) days prior written notice. In the event Buyer makes such an election, all of the parties rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement related to such Terminated Location(s) shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at the later of the effective date of the Mandate or the end of said sixty (60) day notice period. If such *** the *** of *** that can be *** may reduce the Contract Quantity to *** with the ***. Such reduction(s) in the Contract Quantity will take effect at the later of the effective date of the *** days from Seller’s receipt of Buyer’s written notice.

In the event that any *** or *** or *** any *** or *** that *** the ***, the *** or *** of *** or ***, or the *** uses for *** for the Designated Location(s), Buyer and Seller agree to a good faith effort to renegotiate the terms and conditions of this Agreement to account for such change. Should that renegotiation be unsuccessful, then Buyer at its sole discretion, may in whole or in part, unilaterally terminate this Agreement for the affected Designated Location(s) on sixty (60) days prior written notice and this Agreement. In the event Buyer makes such an election all of the parties rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement related to such Terminated Location(s) shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at the later of the effective date of the *** or the end of said sixty (60) day notice period.

6. Measurement: Quantities delivered to Buyer’s Designated Facilities shall be determined in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement and the requirements of this Section 6. All volumes for delivery shall be temperature-adjusted to 60°F using built-in temperature compensators or ASTM tables. Either party may require that Biodiesel quantity be determined by a jointly selected, licensed petroleum inspector, whose findings shall be conclusive. Customary inspection costs shall be shared equally, but additional services shall be paid for by the party requesting them. The term “gallon” means a U.S. gallon of 231 cubic inches. All measurements and/or tests shall be made in accordance with the latest standards or guidelines published by ASTM. Objections to measurements, including claims for shortage, for quantities delivered from Seller’s facility must be made to Seller within Sixty (60) calendar days from the date of delivery.

7. Price: Daily prices will be *** determined from the Product Bill of Lading as Product is loaded from the Seller’s Facility or any other Biodiesel facility or terminal.

The daily price per gallon will be based on the Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB *** locations for *** or ****.

The daily price per gallon will be based on the Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB *** locations or bulk facilities for *** or *** excepting ***, and ***.

The daily price per gallon will be based on the Previous day *** for *** plus $*** per gallon FOB ***, and *** locations for *** or ****.


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

*Should the *** be *** in *** and *** to the ***, Seller will reduce the per gallon price of the *** or the *** by the *** gallon amount of the *** received by Seller. *Should the *** be *** in *** as a ***, Seller will reduce the per gallon price of the *** by the amount of the *** on such gallons.

The last reported *** price will be used for weekends, holidays, or other such times that *** does not publish a value.

8. Payment Terms:

(a) Buyer agrees to pay Seller by bank ACH wire transfer based on weekly invoices with said wire transfer to be made to Seller within *** days after receipt of invoice. Buyer shall pay for Net gallons delivered as determined in accordance with Sections 4 and 6 hereof. Buyer shall pay Seller for delivered product(s) in U.S. dollars without any adjustments, discounts, or setoffs, on or before the due date. All past due payments hereunder shall bear interest from the date due until the date paid at the rate of *** per month or at the maximum rate authorized by law, whichever is less. Accounts that are past due will be ineligible for applicable allowance, deductions, or discounts, if any. In addition to all other rights and remedies, Seller shall have the right to suspend, cancel or terminate this Agreement if Buyer does not pay all amounts due to Seller in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) In addition to all other rights and remedies, in the event of either party’s default respecting any provision of this Agreement, the non-defaulting party may offset any damages arising therefrom, including, without limitation, withholding payment, delivery or acceptance of product, material or services, relating to any and all agreements or transactions with the defaulting party.

9. Compliance With Laws: Each of Seller and Buyer will make commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that it and its employees, contractors, carriers, and agents shall comply with all laws, regulations, and standards applicable to the manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, and disposition of Biodiesel.

10. Safety and Health: Seller is required to furnish Buyer with a complete Material Safety Data Sheet and other information about the safety and health aspects of Biodiesel prior to the first delivery and shall provide current and updated Material Safety Data Sheets to Buyer during the term of this Agreement.

11. Warranty of Title: Seller warrants that it has good title to the Biodiesel sold and delivered hereunder, free of all liens, charges, encumbrances, pledges or security interests. Seller warrants the Biodiesel is free of any claims of infringement of any patent, copyright or misappropriation of any confidential information or trade secret of other parties. THIS WARRANTY AND THE WARRANTY IN SECTION 12 ARE THE SOLE WARRANTIES MADE BY SELLER AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES.

12. Warranty of Quality: Seller represents and warrants that all Biodiesel supplied to the Buyer’s point of title transfer complies with the most current version of ***


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

*** for use in ***, or in the case of *** when it was *** immediately prior to blending to ***. Seller further represents and warrants that the Biodiesel sold and delivered hereunder complies both with *** and the most current quality assurance standard observed by *** or its successor, or in the case of ***, complied when it was *** immediately prior to *** to ***. Seller represents and warrants that the Biodiesel is merchantable and fit for blending into petroleum diesel for on-road consumption.

Seller will, at Buyer’s option and at Seller’s cost (including, but not limited to, laboratory costs, shipping, and handling), submit sufficient samples of Biodiesel to an independent third party laboratory of Buyer’s choosing for quality assurance testing that the Biodiesel meets all specifications described in the Warranty of Quality.

Seller will, at Buyer’s option and at Seller’s cost (including expense of return and re-delivery), remedy the defect in, replace, or refund the purchase price of, any Biodiesel that fails to meet this warranty.

Seller additionally represents and warrants that any Biodiesel sold to Buyer during the months of *** will have a maximum cloud point of ***; and during the months of *** a maximum cloud point of ***. If Buyer, after handling the Biodiesel in conformance with industry practices, experiences any problems with Biodiesel blending resulting from cold weather situations, both parties agree to work together to resolve the issue.

***, or diligently pursuing compliance, during the term of this contract.

13. Biodiesel Certification: Seller shall provide Buyer a Biodiesel Certificate of Analysis (“CoA”) for each shipment setting forth at least the following data: Biodiesel source; lab ID; date of lab receipt, date of analysis; test results for the requirement that the Biodiesel meet the most recent *** for *** for use in ***.

Seller shall provide Buyer at the delivery at the Designated Location, documentation for each load uniquely referencing the CoA applicable to that load and stating; “*** containing a *** by *** and meeting all applicable ***” or ***, made from *** containing a *** by *** and meeting *** and ***.

In accordance with EPA’s RFS regulations at *** shall *** to *** and ***, but no more than *** and ***, *** to *** for each *** by *** at the *** of the *** is *** to ***. All such *** shall be for the *** in which *** was *** to ***, shall be *** with a ***, and shall be *** via a *** that is *** with ***.

14. Force Majeure: Neither party shall be liable to the other for any delay or failure


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

in performance to the extent that it is caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, or by fire; explosion; flood; earthquake; storm; act of God; sabotage or vandalism; strike or other labor disturbance (neither Seller nor Buyer shall be required to settle a labor dispute or take an action that might involve it in a labor dispute); interruption of utility services; or compliance with any law, regulation or order (regardless of validity) of any governmental or military authority (“Force Majeure Event”); provided however, that notwithstanding the forgoing, a failure to make payments accrued prior to a Force Majeure Event when due shall not be excused. *** of *** or *** is not a Force Majeure Event. In the event of a Seller Force Majeure Event, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to require Seller to produce or acquire Biodiesel from facilities other than Seller’s Facility.

15. Indemnity: Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and its employees and agents (“Buyer Indemnitees”) against any loss, claim, liability (actual or alleged), fine, or expense (including consequential, incidental, lost profits, or punitive damages, and further to include court costs, attorney fees, and litigation expenses) (“Damages”), of any kind (including those based in tort, warranty, or strict liability), to the extent asserted by a third party against the Buyer Indemnitees and arising out of, or in connection with any failure of Seller to comply with this Agreement, or any act or failure to act by Seller in the handling, storage, transportation, or sale of Biodiesel purchased under the Agreement. In responding to such third-party claims, if Seller has acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify Buyer Indemnitees from any such Damages, Seller may select an attorney and may enter into any settlement without affecting this obligation.

Likewise, Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller and its employees and agents (“Seller Indemnitees”) against any Damages, of any kind (including those based in tort, warranty, or strict liability), to the extent asserted by a third party against the Seller Indemnitees and arising out of, or in connection with any failure of Buyer to comply with this Agreement, or any act or failure to act by Buyer in the handling, storage, transportation, or sale of Biodiesel purchased under the Agreement. In responding to any third-party claims, if Buyer has acknowledged in writing its obligation to indemnify Seller Indemnitees from any such Damages, Buyer may select an attorney and may enter into any settlement without affecting this obligation.

16. Limitation of Liability: Subject to the obligations of Section 3, Section 14, and Section 15, neither party shall be liable to the other for consequential, incidental, lost profits, or punitive damages arising out of any breach of this Agreement or for any other reason.

17. Default and Termination: Either party may terminate the Agreement in the event of a material default by the other party that is not cured within thirty (30) days after notice of default is given. Upon giving of such notice to the defaulting party, the non-defaulting party may defer shipments or receipt of deliveries until default is cured by the defaulting party. The right to terminate is in addition to any other remedy that may be available. A waiver of a default in one instance does not extend to any subsequent default. Termination of this Agreement shall not relieve Buyer from payment for all Product delivered prior to such termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement, Buyer shall have no further obligation to take Product pursuant to this Agreement and Seller shall have no further obligation to sell or deliver Product pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 17 or this Agreement, if a specific damage remedy for a default is provided under this Agreement (including without limitation, Section 3) and such damages are timely paid by the defaulting party, then such payment shall constitute cure of the default for the purposes of this Section 17 and the non-defaulting party shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement for such default.


19. Biodiesel Tax Credit Exemption: Both parties shall make all necessary reasonable efforts to ensure that the Federal Blender’s Credit is fully available to the Blender of Record of the fuel. However, Seller makes no warranties regarding whether Buyer will ultimately receive the Credit.

20. Governing Law: The purchase of Biodiesel by Buyer, and the Agreement, shall be governed by Tennessee law, excluding its conflict of laws provisions and excluding the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sales of Goods.

21. Survivorship: Seller’s obligations in Sections 1, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16 , and 19 above shall survive termination of the Agreement. Buyer’s obligations in Sections 1, 8, 15, 16 and 19 above shall survive termination of the Agreement.

22. Enforceability: The invalidity or unenforceability of any part of the Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of its remaining provisions.

23. Anti-Waiver: The right of either party to require strict performance by the other of any and/or all the obligations imposed upon the other by the Agreement shall not in any way be affected by any previous waiver, forbearance or course of dealing.

24. Merger: The Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter.

25. Assignment: The Agreement, and any rights or duties under it may not be assigned or delegated by operation of law or otherwise by Seller or Buyer without the prior written consent of the other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall be permitted to assign its rights and/or obligations under the Agreement without the prior consent of Buyer (a) to another entity, or to Seller’s affiliate or successor (collectively herein “Assignee”), if such Assignee expressly assumes all obligations not otherwise remaining with Seller hereunder, and Seller nonetheless remains responsible hereunder, and (b) to any lender as collateral security for any indebtedness of Seller to such lender, provided, however, that any further assignment by Seller’s lender requires the prior written consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Any attempted assignment or delegation in violation of this Section 25 shall be void.

26. Notice Requirement: Any claim or notice required by the Agreement to be given shall be in writing and shall be sent by either (a) certified mail return receipt requested; (b) by a national overnight courier service to the address specified on page one of the Biodiesel Purchase Agreement to which these terms are attached; or (c) by facsimile to the number specified on page one of the Biodiesel Purchase Agreement to which these terms are attached followed within five business days by a copy delivered by certified mail return receipt requested or by national overnight courier service.

27. Modification: Both parties agree that no proposals, amendments, modifications, purchase orders, other writings or actions will modify the terms of this Agreement unless they are in writing and are signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

 


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

28. Buyer’s Quality Initiative: Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that Seller’s employees, contractors, carriers, and agents reasonably cooperate with Buyer’s reasonable product quality initiatives, including completion of Buyer’s survey questionnaires and granting Buyer permission to conduct reasonable periodic on-site auditing upon reasonable prior notice of the manufacturing, storage, sampling, testing, inspection, loading, and transportation processes; provided that prior to the event of such on-site auditing Buyer agrees to be bound by such confidentiality provisions as are requested by Seller.

29. ***: Effective as of the date of this Agreement, and through the end of its Term, in the event that *** to an *** in a *** at a *** for *** than the *** to the *** as provided herein, then *** shall *** the *** to the *** to *** any such ***. The *** of the *** shall be effective as of the date that the *** was *** for the ***, and shall be effective for the *** to be *** within the *** for which the *** is *** for the ***.

An *** as that term is used here, is defined as a *** within the states of *** or ***.

A *** as that term is used here, is defined as a *** within the *** of a *** between the *** and a single *** taken as a whole; involving not less than *** for *** within a ***; for the same *** as those specified *** or portions thereof; for delivery within the states of *** or ***; and with *** and *** to those ***.

The *** shall be *** on the basis of *** by *** to an *** in a ***, on the *** at which the *** was ***.

Should Buyer desire an inspection or audit to determine compliance with provisions of this Section 29, Buyer shall nonetheless not be entitled to review any information which relates to the confidential information of a third party. With respect to such information the Buyer shall have the right, subject to the terms of this Section 29, to engage an independent auditor to perform such inspection that is otherwise permitted hereunder (such independent auditor agreeing to sign an appropriate agreement to hold such information confidential). Alternatively, at Buyer’s option, the Buyer may seek the verification and certification of compliance contemplated above from Seller’s independent auditors.

The expense of any such inspection or audit shall be borne by the Buyer, unless the need for a material correction in the premium to be charged to the Buyer results, in which case the reasonable expense of such inspection or audit shall be borne by the Seller whose books and records are being audited.

30. Miscellaneous: If Buyer designates a third party location for delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Seller shall use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that its transport carriers, contractors, and agents execute and comply with third parry’s


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

access, loading/unloading, receipt and/or delivery procedures. Seller shall use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure that all Seller’s employees, contractors, and agents comply with all reasonable rules and guidelines established by Buyer from time to time, including applicable safety rules and its Drug, Alcohol, And Firearm Policy which prohibits possession, use, consumption, distribution or sale of drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcohol, firearms, ammunition or other weapons upon Buyer’s premises.

31. Carbon Credits: *** shall retain title to any and all carbon credits associated with the Biodiesel sold pursuant to this Agreement

END OF DOCUMENT-NO SIGNATURE REQUIRED.


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

Appendix A to 2011 REG - Pilot Contract

 

Store Number

  

Store Name

   JAN    FEB    MAR    APR    MAY    JUN    JUL    AUG    SEP    OCT    NOV    DEC    TOTAL

***

                                         

Note: The April Monthly Volume is not part of the 2011 Contract Quality, but rather will be shipped from Seller to Buyer from the *** as provided in the 2010 Biodiesel Purchase Agreement, as amended.

Exhibit 10.36

LIMITED WAIVER AGREEMENT

This Limited Waiver Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 13, 2011, by and between FIFTH THIRD BANK, an Ohio banking corporation, successor by merger with FIFTH THIRD BANK, a Michigan banking corporation (“Lender”), having an address at 8000 Maryland Avenue, Suite 1400, St. Louis, Missouri 63105, and REG DANVILLE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, formerly known as BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC (“Borrower”), having an address at 416 S. Bell Ave., Ames, Iowa 50010.

Recitals

The following recitals are a material part of this Agreement:

A. Lender and Borrower are parties to that certain Loan Agreement dated as of May 9, 2008, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated December 23, 2008, as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated November 25, 2009, as further amended by that certain Third Amendment to Loan Agreement dated February 26, 2010, and as further amended by that certain Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement and First Amendment to Revolving Credit Loan Note dated as of September 30, 2010 (as further amended, modified and/or restated from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

B. Borrower is in violation of certain covenants of the Loan Agreement, as more particularly described as follows (the “Existing Defaults”): (i) Section 7.33(a) of the Loan Agreement required Borrower to achieve a Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2011 of at least 1.25 to 1.00, and Borrower failed to achieve such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such period, and (ii) Section 7.33(b) of the Loan Agreement required Borrower to record no more than a Maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio for the fiscal quartering ending March 31, 2011 of no more than 5.0 to 1.0 and Borrower exceeded such Maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA for such period.

C. Borrower has requested that Lender waive the Existing Defaults.

D. Lender is willing to waive the Existing Defaults, but only subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Contractual Provisions

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements hereinafter contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Limited Waiver of Defaults . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Lender hereby waives the Existing Defaults (“Waiver of Defaults”). This Waiver of Defaults shall be effective only in this specific instance and solely with respect to the Existing Defaults. This Waiver of Defaults shall not entitle the Borrower to any other or further waiver in any similar or other circumstances. Except as expressly set forth herein with respect to the Existing Defaults, by entering into this Agreement, Lender is not waiving any other default that may exist at this time under the Loan Agreement, and Lender reserves all rights and remedies available to it.

 

1


2. Waiver Fee . The Waiver of Defaults is expressly conditioned on Borrower’s payment to Lender of a non-refundable waiver fee in the amount of Ten Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($10,000.00), which fee shall be due and payable by Borrower upon execution of this Agreement.

3. No Claims . Borrower acknowledges that there are no existing claims, defenses (personal or otherwise) or rights of set-off or recoupment whatsoever with respect to any of the Loan Documents. Borrower agrees that this Agreement in no way acts as a release or relinquishment of any liens in favor of the Lender securing payment of obligations and indebtedness between Borrower and Lender.

4. Representations and Warranties . Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Lender as follows:

(a) The Recitals in this Agreement are true and correct in all respects.

(b) Borrower has the limited liability company power, and has been duly authorized by all requisite limited liability company action, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower.

(c) This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors and (ii) applicable laws and regulations and principles of equity which may restrict the enforcement of certain remedies or the availability of certain equitable remedies.

(d) Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not and will not (i) violate any law, rule, regulation or court order to which Borrower is subject; (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of Borrower’s Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement or any agreement or instrument to which Borrower is party or by which Borrower or its properties is bound, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, security interest or encumbrance on any property of Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than liens in favor of Lender.

(e) The obligation of Borrower to repay the Obligations, together with all interest accrued thereon, is absolute and unconditional, and there exists no right of set off or recoupment, counterclaim or defense of any nature whatsoever to payment of the Obligations.

5. Effect and Construction of Agreement . Except as expressly provided herein, the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms, and this Agreement shall not be construed to:

(a) impair the validity, perfection or priority of any lien or security interest securing the Obligations; or

(b) waive or impair any rights, powers or remedies of Lender under the Loan Documents.

In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, this Agreement shall govern. Borrower acknowledges that it has consulted with counsel and with such other experts and advisors as it has deemed necessary in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to

 

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any presumption or rule requiring that it be construed against the party causing this Agreement or any part hereof to be drafted.

6. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of Agreement . This Agreement shall not be effective until:

(a) Lender shall have received this Agreement duly executed along with both Consents of Guarantor attached hereto;

(b) Lender shall have received notification from the IFA that the IFA has agreed and consented, without reservation, to all the terms of this Agreement to the extent the IFA’s consent and agreement is required under the IFA Guaranty Documents;

(c) Lender shall have received payment of the fees and costs required herein and under the Loan Agreement; and

(d) Lender has received such other and further documents as Lender shall have reasonably requested prior to the date hereof, all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender and its counsel.

7. Costs and Expenses . Borrower hereby reaffirms its agreement under the Loan Agreement to pay or reimburse the Lender on demand for all costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the Loan Agreement, the Loan Documents and all other documents contemplated thereby, including without limitation all reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower specifically agrees to pay all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Lender for the services performed by such counsel in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the documents and instruments incidental hereto.

8. Miscellaneous .

(a) Borrower agrees to execute such other and further documents and instruments as Lender may reasonably request to implement the provisions of this Agreement and to perfect and protect the liens and security interests created by the Loan Agreement.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns. No other person or entity shall be entitled to claim any right or benefit hereunder, including, without limitation, the status of a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

(c) The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or enforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction.

(d) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties to this Agreement on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature delivered by a party by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be an original signature hereto.

 

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(e) Any notices with respect to this Agreement shall be given in the manner provided for in the Loan Agreement.

(f) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Missouri.

(g) All representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, undertakings, waivers and releases of Borrower contained herein shall survive until the Obligations are paid in full.

(h) Incorporation by Reference; Statement Required By Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 432.047 . All of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Loan Documents are incorporated in, restated by, and made part of this Agreement by reference. Pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 432.047, Lender hereby gives the following notice to Borrowers:

“Oral agreements or commitments to loan money, extend credit or to forbear from enforcing repayment of a debt including promises to extend or renew such debt are not enforceable, regardless of the legal theory upon which it is based that is in any way related to the Loan Agreement. To protect you (borrower(s)) and us (creditor) from misunderstanding or disappointment, any agreements we reach covering such matters are contained in this writing, which is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between us, except as we may later agree in writing to modify it.”

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in the opening paragraph above.

 

BORROWER:     LENDER:

REG DANVILLE, LLC, a Delaware limited

liability company, formerly known as

BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC

   

FIFTH THIRD BANK, an Ohio banking

corporation, successor by merger with FIFTH

THIRD BANK, a Michigan banking corporation

By:   /s/ Daniel J. Oh     By:   /s/ Mary Ann Lemonds
  Daniel J. Oh, President       Mary Ann Lemonds, Vice President

 

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CONSENT OF GUARANTOR

Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Guarantor ”), has executed in favor of Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio banking corporation, successor by merger with Fifth Third Bank, a Michigan banking corporation (“ Lender ”), those certain Guaranties dated as of May 9, 2008 and November 25, 2009 (the “ Guaranties ”) in which Guarantor guaranteed certain obligations of Borrower to Lender. The undersigned Guarantor does hereby consent to the terms of this Agreement and does hereby ratify and reaffirm the Guaranties as amended as of the date hereof, and agrees that the Guaranties shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms as amended hereby. The undersigned Guarantor further agrees that its consent to this Agreement is not required, and that the Lender’s obtaining such consent shall in no way imply any requirement for obtaining such consent in similar circumstances in the future.

Date: May 13, 2011

 

RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.
By:   /s/ Daniel Oh
Name:   Daniel Oh
Title:   President

 

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CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUARANTOR

The Illinois Finance Authority (“ Guarantor ”), has executed in favor of Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio banking corporation, successor by merger with Fifth Third Bank, a Michigan banking corporation (“ Lender ”), that certain Guaranty dated May 9, 2008 (the “ Guaranty ”) in which Guarantor guaranteed certain obligations of Borrower to Lender. The undersigned Guarantor does hereby consent to the terms of the Loan Agreement as further amended by this Agreement and does hereby ratify and reaffirm the Guaranty as amended as of the date hereof, and agrees that the Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms as amended hereby.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et. seq.) (“Act”) requires that the public bodies are required to open their files for inspection or copying unless a specific exemption applies under 5 ILCS 140/7 of the Act. The Borrower has represented to the Guarantor that it will be furnishing information to the Guarantor that will be exempt under sections 5 ILCS 140/7 (1)(f) and (g) of the Act (or such future sections of the Act that may relate to the disclosure of trade secrets and commercial or financial information), which will include, but will not be limited to, operational performance of its facilities and other information which it considers to be trade secrets or which could otherwise cause competitive harm to the Borrower (“Confidential Information”). Any information furnished by Borrower in any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other Federal agency shall not be considered Confidential Information for purposes of the Act. Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the information to be furnished by Borrower or Lender to Guarantor pursuant to the Loan Agreement, if disclosed to others, could cause competitive harm to Borrower and its business.

So long as the information furnished by Borrower to Guarantor clearly states on each page of the submissions that it is Confidential Information under the Act, Guarantor will not release such information, unless directed to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, without first advising Borrower in writing of the details under which the request is made and what action the Guarantor has taken to refrain from revealing the Confidential Information pursuant to a Freedom of Information request and providing Borrower with the opportunity to prevent disclosure by Guarantor.

Date: May 13, 2011

 

ILLINOIS FINANCE AUTHORITY
By:   /s/ Christopher B. Meister
Name:   Christopher B. Meister
Title:   Executive Director

 

7

Exhibit 10.37

FEEDSTOCK PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

(with tolling agreement)

THIS FEEDSTOCK PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of July 6, 2009 (“ Effective Date ”) by and among Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (“ Owner ”), REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“ Producer ”) and Bunge North America, Inc., a New York corporation (“ Bunge ”) (each of Owner, Producer and Bunge, a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”).

RECITALS

A. Producer has and will enter into one or more toll processing agreements (collectively, “ Tolling Agreement ”) with Owner for the processing of biodiesel at Owner’s biodiesel production facility located in the City of Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois (the “ Facility ”).

B. Bunge, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. and Producer are parties to that certain Master Service Agreement dated May 8, 2009 (the “ REG Master Agreement ”).

B. Producer desires to engage Bunge to purchase supplies of corn oil, animal fat or other products as feedstock (“ Feedstock ”) for resale to Producer for biodiesel production at the Facility in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement.

C. The Parties desire to purchase and sell Feedstock in accordance with the fees, payment, delivery and other terms set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Feedstock Purchase and Resale .

1.1 Feedstock Transactions . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Bunge will purchase Feedstock from Feedstock suppliers for resale to Producer, and Producer will purchase from Bunge such Feedstock during the Term (as hereinafter defined) (the “ Services ”). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Bunge shall have no liability to Owner for any obligations of Producer under the Tolling Agreement.

1.2 Sole Provider of Services . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Producer agrees during the Term to use Bunge as the sole provider of the Services described in this Agreement and not to engage any other third party to provide such Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Producer shall be allowed to purchase Feedstock directly from the actual producer of Feedstock on Producer’s own behalf; provided, Producer may only use internally generated funds of Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“ REG ”) or an Affiliate of REG or funds


obtained from REG’s or an REG Affiliate’s senior secured credit facilities in connection with such transactions.

2. Feedstock Procurement .

2.1 Location of Feedstock Transactions .

(a) Producer and/or Producer’s Affiliates shall be responsible for locating and negotiating the terms of transactions with Feedstock suppliers (including price and terms of sale) (each a “ Feedstock Transaction ”). No Feedstock supplier shall be an Affiliate of Producer or Renewable Energy Group, Inc. without the prior consent of Bunge. Producer shall consult with Bunge periodically with respect to such activities and shall consult with Bunge with respect to the terms of and negotiations with respect to such transactions. Producer or Producer’s Affiliate may present to Bunge any such Feedstock Transaction that is acceptable to Producer and all accompanying information relating to such Feedstock Transaction to allow Bunge to evaluate the Feedstock Transaction. Upon presentation of any Feedstock Transaction to Bunge, Bunge will have a period of up to 24 hours to review the Feedstock Transaction and determine whether it will agree to enter into such Feedstock Transaction. Bunge’s determination as to whether it will agree to enter into any Feedstock Transaction or decline to enter into a Feedstock Transaction shall be in Bunge’s sole and absolute discretion and, except as expressly provided in Section 6 , Bunge shall have no liability to Producer or Owner with respect to such determination. If Bunge has declined to enter into such Feedstock Transaction, then such Feedstock Transaction shall not be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(b) All Feedstock which Producer purchases on its own behalf shall be stored separately from any Bunge-Owned Volumes (as that term is hereinafter defined) so that Bunge-Owned Volumes are and at all times remain readily identifiable and fully distinguishable from any other Feedstock stored at the Facility and neither Producer nor Owner shall commingle any other Feedstock with any Bunge-Owned Volumes. Any violation of the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement. Owner hereby grants Bunge and its agents the non-exclusive right, privilege, right of way and easement for the purpose of access, ingress and egress by trucks and other vehicles in a manner and at times reasonably necessary and convenient for Bunge to inspect any and all Feedstock stored at the Facility to ensure there is no commingling and that the Bunge-Owned Volumes are and at all times remain readily identifiable and fully distinguishable from any and all other Feedstock stored at the Facility.

2.2 Production Estimates . At least 30 days before the beginning of each calendar month during the Term, Producer will deliver to Bunge a written estimate of its anticipated Feedstock requirements and biodiesel production volumes for the Facility for the 90 day period beginning on the first day of such month.

2.3 Resale of Feedstock .

(a) Contracting and Sales Confirmations . If Bunge accepts a Feedstock Transaction pursuant to Section 2.1 , Bunge will execute in its own name and on its own behalf a

 

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sales contract for the purchase of the Feedstock (each, a “ Contract ”) from the applicable feedstock supplier upon the terms presented by Producer to Bunge. Effective as of 1:15 pm Central Time on each business day during the Term, Producer and Bunge shall enter into a sales confirmation evidencing the sale by Bunge to Producer of all Feedstock (“ Contracted Feedstock Volume ”) covered by any Contract that Bunge has entered into since 1:16 pm Central Time on the most recent preceding business day. Each such sales confirmation shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, a “ Sales Confirmation ”) and shall set the applicable per pound sale price (each, a “ Confirmed Sale Price ”) equal to the price set forth in the applicable Contract. Producer shall bear any freight or other transportation costs for shipment of Feedstock to the Facility where the delivery terms are FOB supplier’s location, and any such costs shall be set forth in the Sales Confirmation. In no event with Bunge be responsible for any freight or other transportation costs for shipment of Feedstock to the Facility. The cost of any demurrage for transportation of Feedstock shall be passed along by Bunge and charged to Producer. No Sales Confirmation may alter the terms of this Agreement. To the extent that the terms of a Sales Confirmation conflict with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Delivery Location; Shrinkage . The place of delivery for all Feedstock provided by Bunge pursuant to this Agreement will be the Facility (the “ Delivery Destination ”). Bunge will cause Feedstock to be delivered via truck or rail to the extent that the Delivery Destination has appropriate receiving facilities. Bunge, its agents, and the counterparties to Contracts will be given access to the Delivery Destinations in a manner and at times reasonably necessary and convenient for performance under this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that Bunge shall cause the delivery of Feedstock to the Delivery Destination by providing for such delivery pursuant to the terms of the Contracts. Producer and not Bunge shall be responsible for and bear the cost of any differences between the volume of Feedstock purchased by Bunge pursuant to a Contract and the corresponding volume of Feedstock upon arrival at the Delivery Destination or in storage pursuant to the applicable Sales Confirmation (any such difference, “ Shrinkage ”). Bunge shall not be in violation of this Agreement to the extent that a feedstock supplier fails to deliver Feedstock in accordance with a Contract (unless such default was as the result of Bunge’s breach of the Contract or Bunge’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct). Upon any such default by a feedstock supplier or upon the occurrence of any Shrinkage, Bunge shall pursue any available remedy against the feedstock supplier or freight carrier for such default or Shrinkage upon request of Producer and Producer and Owner shall reimburse all costs and expenses of Bunge (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees) associated therewith.

(c) Unloading . Producer will direct (or Producer will cause the Owner to direct) the unloading and receiving of all Feedstock purchased hereunder. All labor and equipment necessary to unload Feedstock delivered by or on behalf of Bunge pursuant to Contracts will be supplied by Producer (or Owner) without additional charge to Bunge. Producer agrees to handle (or cause the Owner to handle) the unloading and receiving of all Feedstock in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with Bunge’s reasonable requirements and normal industry practice. Producer will maintain or cause the Owner to maintain (at Producer’s own expense) receiving facilities at the Delivery Destination in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in safe operating condition in accordance

 

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with normal industry standards. Producer will be responsible for any additional costs to Bunge resulting from any breach by Producer to meet its obligations set forth in this Section 2.3(c) . If Producer or Owner fails to unload or receive a quantity of Feedstock that is scheduled for delivery to a Delivery Destination pursuant to a Contract or otherwise causes Bunge to be in default under the terms of a Contract (either, a “ Producer Default ”), Bunge will utilize commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate or remedy such Producer Default after consultation with Producer. Such efforts may include, without limitation, Bunge arranging for the storage of Feedstock by a feedstock supplier for which Producer or Owner failed to take delivery to delay the purchase of Feedstock pursuant to a Contract, directing delivery of such Feedstock to another facility or selling such Feedstock to a third party. Producer and Owner will, jointly and severally, defend, indemnify and hold Bunge harmless for, all costs, liabilities and expenses of Bunge incurred in connection with any Producer Default, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, storage costs, price adjustments, rail/truck demurrage and freight costs.

(d) Receiving Agent; Title; Storage . Bunge hereby appoints Producer as its receiving agent to take delivery, on Bunge’s behalf, of all Contracted Feedstock Volumes delivered to the Delivery Destination and Producer hereby accepts such appointment. Risk of loss, and responsibility for the quality of Contracted Feedstock Volume will pass to Producer upon unloading the Contracted Feedstock Volume at the Delivery Destination, but title to Contracted Feedstock Volumes will remain in Bunge and will not pass to Producer until Producer pays the applicable Confirmed Sale Price to Bunge in accordance with Section 3.1 (prior to title passing to Producer, such unloaded Contracted Feedstock Volumes are “ Bunge-Owned Volumes ”). Owner and Producer will allow Bunge to store all Bunge-Owned Volumes at the applicable Delivery Destination free of additional charge to Bunge in storage containers that are segregated and committed solely to Bunge-Owned Volumes until (a) title to a Bunge-Owned Volume passes to Producer, or (b) Bunge removes a Bunge-Owned Volume from such location. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or a Sales Confirmation to the contrary, Bunge may at any time during the Term remove any or all Bunge-Owned Volumes from the Facility. Owner hereby grants Bunge and its agents the non-exclusive right, privilege, right of way and easement for the purpose of access, ingress and egress by trucks and other vehicles in a manner and at times reasonably necessary and convenient for Bunge to remove any or all Bunge-Owned Volumes, including access to rail and truck loadout equipment. Bunge shall act in a reasonably careful manner in removing such Bunge-Owned Volumes so as not to cause damage to Owner’s property. Bunge shall be entitled, but shall not be required, to post a sign or other notice reasonably acceptable to Producer to put third parties on notice that certain Contracted Feedstock Volumes are Bunge-Owned Volumes.

(e) Feedstock Specifications . Prior to unloading, Producer will have the right to inspect and reject any Feedstock delivery that does not meet the “Feedstock Specifications” set forth in Exhibit A to this Agreement; provided, that Producer may have Owner perform such inspection pursuant to the Tolling Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Bunge will not be responsible for any failure of Feedstock to comply with the terms of this Agreement, a Sales Confirmation or any Contract. If any Feedstock supplied under this Agreement fails to comply with the Feedstock Specifications, a Sales Confirmation or any Contract, then Producer’s exclusive remedy and recourse against Bunge (including under any Sales Confirmation) will be to exercise any remedy which Bunge may have

 

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against the feedstock producer, such as rejecting non-compliant Feedstock, on Bunge’s behalf as Bunge’s agent under the terms of any Contract (and provide Bunge with written notice of such exercise) prior to Producer unloading the Feedstock. Bunge will have no liability to Owner under the Tolling Agreement for any non-compliant Feedstock. Bunge will pursue any available remedy under a Contract against the feedstock supplier for such non-conformance with the terms of this Agreement, a Sales Confirmation or any Contract upon request of Producer and Producer shall reimburse all costs and expenses of Bunge (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees) associated therewith. Any failure by Producer to provide written notice of rejection as set forth in this Section 2.3(e) will be deemed an absolute and unconditional waiver of its rejection right and any claims relating to such Feedstock. At Bunge’s request, Producer will promptly deliver to Bunge a representative sample of any rejected Feedstock.

2.4 Services, Weights, and Quality .

(a) Weight Certificates . Except as contemplated by Section 2.4(b) , the inbound weight certificates generated pursuant to Section 2.4(b) will determine the quantity of Feedstock for which Producer is obligated to pay pursuant to Article 3 .

(b) Scales . Bunge may cause to be delivered Feedstock that may have origin official weights. In such event, Bunge will timely notify Producer and the origin official weights of such Feedstock will govern. In the event Bunge causes to be delivered Feedstock that has estimated origin weights, Producer will (or Producer will cause Owner to) determine the weight of such Feedstock delivered by Bunge to the Delivery Destination using scales at the Delivery Destination; provided, that, to the extent Owner does not have scales at a Delivery Destination to determine the weight of Feedstock delivered by rail, then such estimated weights shall govern. Owner shall maintain (at its expense) the accuracy of such scales and ensure that they are inspected and certified as required by applicable law. Upon Bunge’s request, Producer will promptly provide Bunge with copies of all scale certifications. Bunge may, at its sole expense, test the accuracy of such scales. If the scales at a Delivery Destination are unavailable or inoperable, any scales certified as required by applicable law may be used, at Producer’s sole cost and expense, until the scales at a Delivery Destination are available and operable.

2.5 Owner’s Obligations . During the Term, Owner agrees not to enter into any tolling agreement without Bunge’s prior written consent. To the extent Owner enters into any tolling agreement with a third party, Owner agrees to segregate any feedstock owned by such other third party from feedstock of Producer. Owner hereby waives any lien or security interest (statutory or otherwise) which Owner may claim or hold on any Feedstock purchased by Bunge hereunder or any Feedstock owned by REG.

3. Title to Feedstock; Price and Payment .

3.1 Producer’s Request for Feedstock . Producer shall provide Bunge with 24 hour prior written notice when Producer desires to purchase from Bunge a volume of Feedstock. Producer shall pay the applicable Confirmed Sale Price in accordance with Section 3.2 for such volume of Feedstock within such 24-hour time period but prior to removing any Bunge-Owned Volumes from storage or otherwise using Feedstock of Bunge in its operations. Title to Bunge-

 

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Owned Volumes shall pass to Producer upon Producer’s payment of the applicable Confirmed Sale Price in full and removal of the Feedstock from shipment or storage. Neither Producer nor Owner shall have any right to remove any Bunge-Owned Volumes from storage or otherwise use Feedstock of Bunge in its operations until Producer has paid the applicable Confirmed Sale Price in full.

3.2 Payments . Interest will accrue on amounts past due at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (a) Seven and One-Half Percent (7-1/2%) per annum over and above the LIBOR Rate (which rate shall fluctuate as and when the LIBOR Rate shall change but which rate shall not be less than Thirteen Percent (13%) per annum) and (b) the highest rate permitted by law. All amounts due to Bunge under this Agreement will be paid without setoff, counterclaim or deduction. “LIBOR Rate” means the daily average of interbank offered rates for US Dollar deposits in the London market based on quotations at major banks, as published under the heading “London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR)” in the “Money Rates” column of The Wall Street Journal for the one month maturity.

3.3 Tax . For purposes of personal property taxation and/or assessment or other similar taxation, if any, any tax assessed on Feedstock acquired by Bunge will be the responsibility of Producer, and at no time will Bunge be responsible for the payment of any such tax.

3.4 Additional Fees . The Parties acknowledge that fees payable with respect to the Services performed hereunder shall be paid to Bunge pursuant to the REG Master Agreement.

4. Term and Termination .

4.1 Term . The initial term of this Agreement will begin upon execution of this Agreement by both Parties and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, will expire upon the third anniversary of the Effective Date. Unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement, this Agreement will automatically renew for successive three-year terms thereafter unless either Party gives written notice to the other Party of its election not to renew, no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or the then current renewal term, as applicable. The “ Term ” will be the total of the initial term of this Agreement and any renewal terms.

4.2 Termination Rights .

(a) Bunge may terminate this Agreement (i) immediately upon notice to Producer and Owner if Producer or Owner has breached any material representation, warranty, or obligation under this Agreement (including the failure to make any payment within 3 days of when due), (ii) at any time, with or without cause, upon at least 15 days prior written notice to Producer and Owner; provided, that if at any time the four month rolling average of production of Producer’s Biodiesel at the Facility is greater than forty percent (40%) of the nameplate capacity for such Facility (“ Capacity Test ”), then the requirement to provide at least 15 days prior written notice shall be extended to 45 days during the period of time that the Capacity Test is met, and/or (iii) immediately upon termination of the Tolling Agreement.

 

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(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to Bunge if Bunge has (i) breached any material representation, warranty, or obligation under this Agreement, and (ii) failed to remedy such breach within 30 days after Producer has given notice of such breach, or if such breach cannot reasonably be cured within such 30-day period, as soon as reasonably possible, but in all events within 45 days after Producer has given notice of such breach.

(c) Producer and Owner, on the one hand as a Party, and Bunge, on the other hand as a Party, may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to the other Party if (i) such other Party (and with respect to Producer or Owner, either or both) files a petition for adjudication as bankrupt, for reorganization or for an arrangement under any bankruptcy or insolvency law; (ii) an involuntary petition under such law is filed against such other Party (and with respect to Producer or Owner, either or both) and is not dismissed, vacated or stayed within 60 days thereafter; or (iii) such other Party (and with respect to Producer or Owner, either or both) makes an assignment of all or substantially all of its assets for the benefit of its creditors.

(d) Producer and Owner acknowledge that Bunge has additional rights to terminate this Agreement as are set forth in the REG Master Agreement.

(e) Owner may terminate this Agreement upon 10 days notice to Bunge and Producer (i) if the Tolling Agreement terminates without renewal or replacement thereof, (ii) if the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Owner, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Newco, Inc. and REG Danville, LLC dated May 11, 2009 (the “Merger Agreement”) terminates, and (iii) if the Closing under the Merger Agreement has not occurred by January 8, 2010.

4.3 Survival . The provisions of this Agreement which expressly or by their nature survive expiration or termination of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 11 and 12 , will remain in effect after the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

5. Representations and Warranties . Producer and Owner represent and warrant to Bunge that all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as the case may be, has been taken for the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Producer and Owner does not, and will not, violate or constitute a breach of or default under any Governmental Requirement or any indenture, contract or other instrument to which Producer or Owner, or their respective assets, are bound or to which their respective businesses are subject.

6. Limitation of Liability; General Disclaimer . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, BUNGE MAKES NO STATUTORY, WRITTEN, ORAL, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY BUNGE OR ITS AFFILIATES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER BUNGE NOR ITS AFFILIATES, NOR ANY OTHER PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT), WILL BE LIABLE TO PRODUCER,

 

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OWNER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO OR RESULTING FROM SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARISE OUT OF OR RESULT FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INTENTIONAL BREACH OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF BUNGE OR SUCH PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT); PROVIDED, THAT THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ALL SUCH DAMAGES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY FISCAL YEAR WILL NOT EXCEED $200,000. THE REMUNERATION TO BE PAID FOR THE SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED REFLECTS THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL BUNGE OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT) BE LIABLE TO PRODUCER, OWNER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

7. Remedies .

7.1 Suspend Performance . Bunge may suspend its performance under this Agreement until Producer has paid all amounts due under this Agreement if Producer fails to pay any amount within three business days after the date when such amount is due and uncured under this Agreement.

7.2 Specific Enforcement . The Parties shall have the right and remedy to seek to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction without the necessity of posting any bond, it being acknowledged and agreed by the parties that the scope of the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable under the circumstances.

7.3 Rights Not Exclusive . No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement will be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy now or hereafter available to a Party at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

7.4 Rights in REG Master Agreement . The Parties acknowledge that Bunge has additional rights with respect to this Agreement as are set forth in the REG Master Agreement.

8. Force Majeure .

8.1 Definition of Force Majeure Event . Each Party is excused from performing its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that such performance is prevented by an act or event (a “ Force Majeure Event ”) whether or not foreseen, that: (i) is beyond the reasonable control of, and is not due to the fault or negligence of, such Party, and (ii) could not have been avoided by such Party’s exercise of due diligence, including, but not limited to, a labor controversy, strike, lockout, boycott, transportation stoppage, action of a court or public authority, fire, flood, earthquake, storm, war, civil strife, terrorist action, epidemic, or act of God; provided

 

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that a Force Majeure Event will not include economic hardship, changes in market conditions, or insufficiency of funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a Force Majeure Event does not excuse any obligation to make any payment required by this Agreement and will not affect either Party’s right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.2 .

8.2 Conditions Regarding Force Majeure Event . A Party claiming a Force Majeure Event must: (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to cure, mitigate, or remedy the effects of its nonperformance; provided that neither Party will have any obligation hereunder to settle a strike or labor dispute; (ii) bear the burden of demonstrating its existence; and (iii) notify the other Party of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event as quickly as reasonably possible, but no later than five business days after learning of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event. Any Party that fails to notify the other Party of the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event as required by this Section 8.2 will forfeit its right to excuse performance of its obligations due to such Force Majeure Event. When a Party claiming a Force Majeure Event is able to resume performance of its obligations under this Agreement, it will immediately give the other Party notice to that effect and resume performance.

8.3 Third Parties; Termination . During any period that a Party claiming a Force Majeure Event is excused from performance under this Agreement, the other Party may accept performance from other parties as it may reasonably determine under the circumstances.

9. Insurance .

9.1 Other Required Coverage .

(a) Producer and Owner will maintain automobile liability insurance covering owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles against claims for bodily injury, death and property damage, with a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000, or equivalent coverage using split limits. Such insurance will name Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as additional insureds thereunder, and will be primary to any other insurance available to Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as insureds or otherwise.

(b) Producer and Owner will maintain commercial general liability insurance and property casualty insurance (including, without limitation, coverage for Contractual Liability and Products/Completed Operations) against claims for bodily injury, death and property damage (including damage to Feedstock), with limits of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $1,000,000 in the General and Products/Completed Operations Aggregate. Such insurance will name Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as additional insureds there under, and will be primary and non-contributory to any other insurance available to Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as insureds or otherwise.

(c) An excess or umbrella liability policy with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Such excess or umbrella liability policy shall follow form with the primary liability policies, and contain a drop-down provision in case of impairment of underlying limits.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1(b) and (c) , Producer’s and Owner’s total coverage under both of their respective commercial general liability insurance in Section 9.1(b) and excess or umbrella liability policy in Section 9.1(c) must have combined limits together totaling $4,000,000 for each occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate.

(e) Worker’s Compensation insurance providing statutory benefits for injury or disease in the state(s) of operation of Producer and Owner, and Employer’s Liability with limits of at least $500,000 for individual injury or disease, with an aggregate of $500,000 for disease.

9.2 Policy Requirements . All insurance policies required by this Agreement will (a) provide coverage on an “occurrence” basis; (b) provide that no cancellation or non-renewal will be effected without giving Bunge at least thirty (30) days prior written notice, except ten (10) days notice for non-payment of premium; and (c) be valid and enforceable policies issued by insurers of recognized responsibility, properly licensed in the State where the Facility is located, with an A.M. Best’s Rating of A- or better and Class VII or better. General Liability and Excess/Umbrella Liability policies will not contain a cross-liability exclusion, or an exclusion for punitive or exemplary damages where insurable under law. Prior to the Effective Date and, thereafter, within five business days of renewal, certificates and endorsements of such insurance will be delivered to Bunge as evidence of the specified insurance coverage. From time to time, upon Bunge’s request, Producer and Owner will provide Bunge, within five business days, a certified duplicate original of any policy required to be maintained hereunder. Producer and Owner will provide Bunge at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of any material change or amendment to a policy.

10. Relationship of Parties . This Agreement creates no partnership, joint venture or other joint or mutual enterprise or undertaking created hereby and neither Party, or any of such Party’s representatives, agents or employees, will be deemed to be the representative or employee of the other Party. Except as expressly provided herein or as otherwise specifically agreed in writing, neither Party will have authority to act on behalf of or bind the other Party.

11. Governing Law; Disputes .

11.1 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Illinois, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

11.2 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

12. Indemnification .

12.1 Indemnification . Producer and Owner agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify, defend and hold Bunge and its officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from any Loss suffered or incurred by Bunge arising out of, or in any way relating to:

 

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(a) any default by Producer or Owner of the terms of this Agreement;

(b) Producer’s use or possession or operations on or at, or any action or failure to act at, the Facility;

(c) any personal injury or property damage related to the use, possession, condition of, disposal of, physical contact with or exposure to any products manufactured at the Facility;

(d) injuries or alleged injuries suffered by Producer’s, Owner’s or Bunge’s employees in connection with performance under this Agreement at the Facility, whether or not under the direction of Bunge, Owner and/or the Producer; or

(e) any violation or alleged violation of this Agreement or any Governmental Requirement by Producer, unless and to the extent such Loss was directly caused by Bunge’s gross negligence, intentional breach or willful misconduct and in each case only to the extent Bunge is not otherwise compensated for such Loss by applicable insurance (to the extent actually paid).

12.2 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “ Governmental Requirement ” means all laws, statutes, codes, ordinances and governmental rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental authority that are applicable to the Parties, the property of the Parties or activities described in or contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) “ Loss ” means any claim, loss, cost, expense, liability, fine, penalty, interest, payment or damage, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and any cost and expense of litigation, negotiation, settlement or appeal

13. Notices . All notices required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given and made: (i) if by personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if by facsimile, on the date sent (as evidenced by confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment), (iii) if by nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day following deposit, and (iv) if by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, on the third business day following such mailing; in each case addressed to the address or facsimile number shown below for such Party, or such other address or facsimile number as such Party may give to the other Party by notice:

If to Bunge:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

 

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Attn: General Manager – Bunge Biofuels

Facsimile: (314) 292-2110

with copy to:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (314) 292-2521

If to Producer:

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC

c/o Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

416 S. Bell Avenue, P.O. Box 888

Ames, Iowa 50010

Attn: President

Facsimile: (515) 239-8029

with copy to:

Wilcox, Polking, Gerken, Schwarzkopf & Copeland, P.C.

115 E. Lincolnway, Suite 200

Jefferson, Iowa 50129-2149

Attn: John A. Gerken

Facsimile: (515) 386-8531

If to Owner:

Blackhawk Biofuels, LLC

210 W. Spring Street

Freeport, Illinois 61032

Attn: Chairman

Facsimile: (815) 235-4727

with copy to:

Lindquist & Vennum PLLP

4200 IDS Center

80 South 8th Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-2205

Attn: Dean R. Edstrom

Facsimile: (612) 371-3207

14. Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire

 

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agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the Parties (or their Affiliates, successors, assignees or subcontractors to the extent set forth herein).

15. Amendments; Waiver . The Parties may amend this Agreement only by a written agreement of the Parties. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, except as expressly provided herein or pursuant to a writing signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. No failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy or requiring the satisfaction of any condition under this Agreement, and no “course of dealing” between the Parties, operates as a waiver or estoppel of any right, remedy or condition. A waiver made in writing on one occasion is effective only in that instance and only for the purpose that it is given and is not to be construed as a waiver on any future occasion or against any other person.

16. Assignment . No Party may assign this Agreement, or assign or delegate any of its rights, interests, or obligations under this Agreement, voluntarily or involuntarily, whether by merger, consolidation, dissolution, operation of law, or any other manner, without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any purported assignment or delegation without such consent will be void, provided, that Bunge may assign this Agreement to any of its Affiliates without Producer’s prior consent. Subject to the preceding sentences in this Section 16 , this Agreement binds and benefits the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. As used here, the term “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Party, any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Party, with “control” for such purpose meaning either the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to designate fifty percent (50%) or more of the Board of Directors or Managers (or similar governing body) of the entity or the ownership, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting securities or voting interests.

17. Subcontracting . In connection with Bunge providing the Services, Bunge may subcontract with or otherwise retain the services of Bunge’s Affiliates, and Producer and Owner hereby consent to such subcontracting activities for purposes of Section 16 hereof. Notwithstanding any such subcontracting by Bunge to its Affiliates, Bunge shall remain liable for performance under the terms of this Agreement.

18. Severability . If a court or arbitrator with proper jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement remain in full force. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to replace such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision with a legal, valid, and enforceable provision that carries out the Parties’ intentions to the greatest lawful extent under this Agreement.

19. Interpretation . Each Party has been represented by counsel during the negotiation of this Agreement and agrees that any ambiguity in this Agreement will not be construed against one of the Parties.

20. Further Assurances . Each Party will execute and cause to be delivered to the other Party

 

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such instruments and other documents, and will take such other actions, as the other Party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out or evidencing any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by the Parties by facsimile and in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first above written.

 

BUNGE NORTH AMERICA, INC.     REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC
By:   /s/ Eric Hakmiller     By:   /s/ Gary Haer
Name:   Eric Hakmiller     Name:   Gary Haer
Title:   V.P. Bunge Biofuels     Title:   Vice President Sales and Marketing

 

BLACKHAWK BIOFUELS, LLC
By:   /s/ Daniel Oh
Name:   Daniel Oh
Title:   President

 

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EXHIBIT A

FEEDSTOCK SPECIFICATIONS

Definitions of Tallow and Grease Specifications

All analytical tests are to be performed in accordance with the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) methods.

 

TITRE:

   The Titre determines the solidification point of fatty acids and is expressed in degrees centigrade (°C). For practical purposes the Titre can be considered as a measure of the hardness or softness of the material in question.

F.F.A.:

   Means Free Fatty Acid. It is customarily reported in percentage of Oleic Acid.

FAC:

   Stands for Fat Analysis Committee. This method determines the color of Fats and Oils by comparison with AOCS FAC color standards.

R&B Color:

   Is the color after Refining and Bleaching and is expressed in terms of Red on a 5 1/4 inch cell or tube of AOCS methods.

M.E./K.:

   Peroxide Value is expressed in Milli Equivalents per Kilo and is a measure of Fat Oxidation.

M.I.U.:

   These common tests often grouped together and referred to as MIU content are:
   (M) Moisture and Volatile Matter
   (I) Insoluble Impurities
   (U) Unsaponifiable Matter
   All three are reported as percentages and serve to measure the amount of non-fatty matter present.

I.V.:

   Stands for Iodine Value. The iodine value is a measure of the unsaturation of fats and oils and is expressed in terms of the number of centigrams of iodine absorbed per gram of sample. The iodine value of fat is another method of measuring the hardness or softness of fat.

Standard Grades Specifications, and Quality Tolerances for Tallows and Greases

Rule 7. The standard grades of tallows and greases as set forth below are the official American Fats and Oils Association export and domestic grades. The specifications therefore shall govern trading in tallow and greases under these rules unless the written contract specifically provides otherwise.

 

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Grade    Specifications  
          Titre      FFA      FAC    R&B    MIU  
          min.      max.      max.    max.       
1)    Edible Tallow      41.0         0.75       3    none      *   
2)    Lard (Edible)      38.0         0.50       **    none      *   
3)    Top White Tallow      41.0         2       5    0.5      1   
4)    All Beef Packer Tallow      42.0         2       none    0.5      1   
5)    Extra Fancy Tallow      41.0         3       5    none      1   
6)    Fancy Tallow      40.5         4       7    none      1   
7)    Bleachable Fancy Tallow      40.5         4       none    1.5      1   
8)    Prime Tallow      40.5         6       13-11B    none      1   
9)    Special Tallow      40.0         10       21    none      1   
10)    No. 2 Tallow      40.0         35       none    none      2   
11)    “A” Tallow      39.0         15       39    none      2   
12)    Choice White Grease      36.0         4       13-11B    none      1   
13)    Yellow Grease      ***         ****       39    none      2   
14)    “Technical Tallow (inedible)” as Grade 1A      41.0         0.75       3    none      *   

 

* Moisture maximum 0.20%. Insoluble Impurities maximum 0.05%
**

Lovibond Color 5  1 / 4 inch cell – Max. 1.5 Red. Lard Peroxide Value 4.0 ME/K Max.

*** Titre minimum, when required, to be negotiated between buyer and seller on a contract by contract basis.
**** FFA Maximum, when required, to be negotiated between buyer and seller on a contract by contract basis.

Settlement for Deficiency of Specifications

Rule 8. Should any tender, other than a tender of Top White Tallow, or All Beef Packer Tallow, not meet contractual specifications, the following adjustments will be made, unless otherwise provided in the contract:

TITRE: The seller shall allow the buyer 0.2% of contract price for each 0.1°C. titre deficiency, fractions in proportion. The buyer may reject the tender when titre deficiency exceeds 0.5°C.

 

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F.F.A.:

 

  A) Where a contract specifies an FFA maximum of less that 10%, the seller shall allow the buyer 2% of contract price for each 1% of excess FFA, fractions in proportion, however, the buyer may reject the tender if the FFA exceeds the contractual limit by more than 2.0% FFA.

 

  B) Where the contract specifies an FFA maximum of 10% or more, the seller shall allow the buyer 1% of contract price for each 1% of excess FFA, fractions in proportion, however, the buyer may reject the tender if the FFA exceeds the contractual limit by more than 5.0% FFA.

FAC Color: The seller shall allow the buyer 2% of contract price should the FAC color be one shade darker that the FAC color specified in the contract, however, if the FAC color is darker by 2 shades or more, the buyer may reject the tender.

R&B Color: The seller shall allow the buyer 2% of contract price for each excessive 0.5 Red, fractions in proportion, however, if the R&B Color exceeds the contractual limit by more than 0.5 Red, the buyer may reject the tender.

M.I.U.: The seller shall allow the buyer 1% of contract price for each 1% of excess M.I.U., fractions in proportion, however, the buyer may reject the tender should the MIU exceed 2% when the contractual limit is 1% and 4% when the contractual limit is 2%. No premium will be due to the seller for analytical results below the contractual limits.

Rule 9. Top White Tallow and All Beef Packer Tallow—Should any tender be deficient in contractual quality specifications, settlement shall be made in accordance with provisions set forth in Rule 8, however, the tender may be rejected if the titre deficiency exceeds 0.5°C from contract specifications; or if the FFA exceeds 2.5%; or if the R&B color exceeds 0.6 Red; or if the total M.I.U. exceeds 1%.

Rule 10. Edible Tallow and Lard (Edible) – Should any tender be deficient in contractual quality specifications, settlement shall be made in accordance with provisions set forth in Rule 8, however, the tender may be rejected if:

Edible Tallow

Titre deficiency exceeds 0.5°C, or

FFA exceeds 1%, or

FAC color exceeds 3, or

Insoluble impurities exceed 0.10%, or

Moisture exceeds 0.20%

Lard (Edible)

Titre deficiency exceeds 0.5°C, or

FFA exceeds 0.5%, or

Lovibond color exceeds 1.5 Red, or

Peroxide Value exceeds 4.0 ME/K or

Insoluble impurities exceed 0.05%, or

Moisture exceeds 0.20%.

Rule 11. No claim for deficiency in specifications or weights need be recognized unless made within thirty (30) days after the date of the applicable survey report on initial claims, and if

 

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the transaction is part of a chain, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the survey report by each subsequent buyer. All uncontested claims shall be paid or settled within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the claim by the original shipper, and of the transaction is part of a chain, within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of a claim by an intermediate shipper or buyer.

Rule 12. When animal tallow and grease tendered are rejectable in accordance with these rules, the buyer, at his option, may reject the material or may accept the material at an allowance to be agreed upon, or, if not agreed upon, then as may be fixed by arbitration as provided in these rules.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SALES CONFIRMATION

LOGO

SALES CONFIRMATION

Date:                         

Bunge North America, Inc. “Bunge”

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC “Producer”

416 S. Bell Avenue, P.O. Box 888

Ames, Iowa 50010

The following confirms the sale of Feedstock from Bunge to Producer in accordance with Section 2.3 of that certain Feedstock Purchase and Sale Agreement between Bunge and Producer dated as of              (the “FPSA”). Bunge hereby agrees to sell, and Producer hereby agrees to purchase, in the amounts and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the following:

 

QUANTITY

  

GRADE AND COMMODITY

  
  
  

PRICE

  

UNDERLYING CONTRACT

  
  
  

SHIPMENT PERIOD

    
  
  
  

This Confirmation is subject to the FPSA WHICH CONTAINS IMPORTANT RISK ALLOCATION AND OTHER PROVISIONS AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED CAREFULLY.

ADDITIONAL TERMS:

 

PRODUCER:     BUNGE:
BY:         BY:    
Dated:          

 

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Exhibit 10.39

BIODIESEL PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

(with tolling agreement)

THIS BIODIESEL PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of October 22 , 2009 (“ Effective Date ”) by and between REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“ Producer ”) and Bunge North America, Inc., a New York corporation (“ Bunge ”) (each of Producer and Bunge, a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”). Central Iowa Energy, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“ Owner ”) is executing this Agreement solely for purposes of Section 2.4 of this Agreement.

RECITALS

A. Producer has and will enter into one or more toll processing agreements (collectively, “ Tolling Agreement ”) with Owner for processing of biodiesel at Owner’s biodiesel production facility located near the City of Newton, Jasper County, Iowa (the “ Facility ”).

B. Bunge and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. are parties to that certain Master Service Agreement dated May 8, 2009 (the “ REG Master Agreement ”).

C. Producer desires to engage Bunge to purchase biodiesel produced at the Facility (“ Biodiesel ”) for resale to purchasers in accordance with the terms set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

Now, therefore, the Parties agree:

1. Biodiesel Purchase and Sale .

1.1 Biodiesel Transaction . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Bunge will purchase Biodiesel from Producer for resale to purchasers, and Producer will sell to Bunge such Biodiesel produced at the Facility during the Term (as hereinafter defined) (the “ Services ”).

1.2 Sole Provider of Services . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Producer agrees during the Term to use Bunge as the sole provider of the Services described in this Agreement and not to engage any other third party to provide such Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Producer shall be allowed to sell Biodiesel directly to the ultimate purchaser of Biodiesel on Producer’s own behalf; provided, Producer may only use internally generated funds of Owner’s Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“ REG ”) or an Affiliate of REG or funds obtained from Owner’s, REG’s or an REG Affiliate’s senior secured credit facilities in connection with such transactions.

2. Biodiesel Sale Transactions .

2.1 Location of Biodiesel Transactions . Producer shall be responsible for locating and negotiating the terms of transactions with purchasers of Biodiesel (including price and terms of sale) (each a “ Biodiesel Transaction ”). Producer shall consult with Bunge periodically with

 

1


respect to such activities and shall consult with Bunge with respect to the terms of and negotiations of such transactions. Producer may present to Bunge any such Biodiesel Transaction that is acceptable to Producer and all accompanying information relating to such Biodiesel Transaction to allow Bunge to evaluate the Biodiesel Transaction. Upon presentation of any Biodiesel Transaction to Bunge, Bunge will have a period of up to 24 hours to review the Biodiesel Transaction and determine whether it will agree to enter into such Biodiesel Transaction. Bunge’s determination as to whether it will agree to enter into any Biodiesel Transaction or decline to enter into a Biodiesel Transaction shall be in Bunge’s sole and absolute discretion and, except as expressly provided in Section 7 , Bunge shall have no liability to Producer with respect to such determination. If Bunge has declined to enter into such Biodiesel Transaction, then such Biodiesel Transaction shall not be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

2.2 Production Estimates . At least 30 days before the beginning of each calendar month during the Term, Producer will deliver to Bunge a written estimate of its anticipated biodiesel production volumes under the Tolling Agreement for the Facility for the 90 day period beginning on the first day of such month.

2.3 Resale of Biodiesel .

(a) Contracting and Sales Confirmations . With respect to any Biodiesel Transaction that has been accepted by Bunge pursuant to Section 2.1 , Bunge will take assignment of an executed sales contract (or portion thereof) from Producer for the sale of the Biodiesel to the applicable purchaser upon the terms presented by Producer to Bunge (collectively, “ Contracts ”). Upon assignment of any executed sales contract by Producer to Bunge, such assignment shall be evidenced by an assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A . Bunge shall not take assignment of any Contract (or portion thereof) unless and until (i) Producer has produced Biodiesel to cover amounts required by such Contract (or portion thereof, as applicable) and the Biodiesel is loaded for immediate shipment to the applicable purchaser, and (ii) the Contract shall have been duly executed by the third party thereto and shall expressly authorize assignment of such Contract (or portion thereof) to Bunge. Upon the assignment of any Contract, Producer and Bunge shall immediately enter into a sales confirmation evidencing the purchase by Bunge from Producer of all Biodiesel (“ Contracted Biodiesel Volume ”) covered by the applicable Contract. Each such sales confirmation shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each, a “ Sales Confirmation ”) and shall set the applicable per gallon sale price (each, a “ Confirmed Sale Price ”) equal to the price set forth in the applicable Contract. Each Sales Confirmation shall also set forth the applicable Party that shall bear the cost of freight to the purchaser and the applicable delivery terms. The cost of any demurrage for transportation of Biodiesel shall be passed along by Bunge and charged to Producer. To the extent that freight for shipment of Biodiesel to the purchaser is arranged by the Producer, then the Producer shall assign such contract for freight or carriage to Bunge prior to shipment thereof. No Sales Confirmation may alter the terms of this Agreement. To the extent that the terms of a Sales Confirmation conflict with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

(b) Delivery . Producer will deliver (or Producer will cause the Owner to deliver) and make the Biodiesel available for shipment to purchasers at the Facility or as otherwise agreed by the Parties (the “ Delivery Destination ”). Producer will direct (or Producer

 

2


will cause the Owner to direct) the loading of all Biodiesel purchased hereunder. All labor and equipment necessary to load Biodiesel for transportation from the Facility pursuant to Contracts will be supplied by Producer (or Owner) without additional charge to Bunge. Producer agrees to handle (or cause the Owner to handle) the loading of all Biodiesel in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with Bunge’s reasonable requirements and normal industry practice. Producer will maintain or cause the Owner to maintain (at Producer’s own expense) its loading facilities at the applicable loading location in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and in safe operating condition in accordance with normal industry standards. Producer will be responsible for any additional costs to Bunge resulting from any breach by Producer to meet its obligations set forth in this Section 2.3(c) . If Producer or Owner fails to deliver and make Biodiesel available for shipment or otherwise causes Bunge to be in default under the terms of a Contract (either, a “ Producer Default ”), Bunge will utilize commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate or remedy such Producer Default after consultation with Producer. Such efforts may include, without limitation, Bunge arranging for purchase and delivery of substitute Biodiesel. Producer will defend, indemnify and hold Bunge harmless for, all costs, liabilities and expenses of Bunge incurred in connection with any Producer Default, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, storage costs, price adjustments, rail/truck demurrage and freight costs.

(c) Title . Title, risk of loss and full shipping responsibility shall pass to Bunge upon Producer loading the Biodiesel into trucks or rail cars at the Delivery Location as directed by Bunge and delivery to Bunge of a bill of lading for each shipment. Bunge and Producer shall agree upon documented inspection, loading and sealing procedures.

(d) Quality; Shrinkage . Producer shall be responsible for any failure of Biodiesel to comply with the “Biodiesel Quality Standards” set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto. Producer and not Bunge shall be responsible for and bear the cost of any differences between the volume of Biodiesel purchased by Bunge for shipment to a purchaser pursuant to a Contract and the corresponding volume of Biodiesel upon arrival to the purchaser (“ Shrinkage ”). If any Biodiesel supplied under this Agreement fails to comply with the Biodiesel Quality Standards and any purchaser seeks a remedy against Bunge for the non-compliant Biodiesel or for Shrinkage or rejects or returns Biodiesel, then Producer shall reimburse all costs and expenses of Bunge (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees) associated therewith.

2.4 Owner’s Obligations and Representations .

(a) During the Term, Owner agrees not to enter into any tolling agreement without Bunge’s prior written consent. To the extent Owner enters into any tolling agreement with a third party, Owner agrees to segregate any feedstock and biodiesel owned by such other third party from feedstock and Biodiesel of Producer. Owner hereby waives any lien or security interest (statutory or otherwise) which Owner may hold on Biodiesel sold by Producer to Bunge hereunder. Owner hereby acknowledges and agrees the Bunge shall have the benefit of all representations and warranties granted or made by Owner to Producer with regard to the quality of Biodiesel produced by Owner under the Tolling Agreement and Owner further agrees that Bunge may exercise any remedies for a breach of such representations or warranties against Owner directly with respect to any Biodiesel purchased by Bunge hereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Bunge shall have no liability to Owner

 

3


under the Tolling Agreement.

(b) Owner hereby represents and warrants to Bunge that all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as the case may be, has been taken for the authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Owner does not, and will not, violate or constitute a breach of or default under any Governmental Requirement or any indenture, contract or other instrument to which Producer or its assets are bound or to which its business is subject.

3. Quantity .

3.1 Meters . Producer will determine (or cause the Owner to determine) the quantity of Biodiesel (expressed in both gross and net 60° Fahrenheit temperature compensated gallons) delivered for transportation from the Facility using meters at the Facility. Producer will maintain or cause the Owner to maintain (at its expense) the accuracy of such meters and ensure that they are inspected and certified as required by applicable law. Upon Bunge’s request, Producer will promptly provide Bunge with copies of all meter certifications. Bunge may, at its sole expense, test the accuracy of such meters. Producer will maintain all meter certificates for at least two years after their creation and provide copies of such meter certificates to Bunge upon request. If the meters are found to be inaccurate, the Parties will negotiate in good faith a reasonable adjustment for Biodiesel sales reasonably believed to have been affected.

3.2 Meter Certificates . The net 60° Fahrenheit temperature compensated gallon volumes of Biodiesel recorded on outbound meter certificates generated pursuant to Section 3.1 will determine the quantity of Biodiesel for which Bunge is obligated to pay pursuant to Section 4 , in the absence of manifest error (greater than 0.5% variation). Producer will provide a copy of each such meter certificate to Bunge at the same time that a truck or rail car is loaded and a certificate is produced for such loading.

4. Price and Payment .

4.1 Price . Bunge will pay the purchase price for all Biodiesel at the time of execution of the Sales Confirmation. Bunge will pay the purchase price by wire transfer.

4.2 Tax . For purposes of personal property taxation and/or assessment or other similar taxation, if any, any tax assessed on Biodiesel acquired by Bunge will be the responsibility of Producer or the purchaser of such Biodiesel from Bunge, and at no time will Bunge be responsible for the payment of any such tax.

4.3 Additional Fees . The Parties acknowledge that fees payable with respect to the Services performed hereunder shall be paid to Bunge pursuant to the REG Master Agreement.

5. Term and Termination .

5.1 Term . The initial term of this Agreement will begin upon execution of this Agreement by both Parties and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, will expire upon the third anniversary of the Effective Date. Unless earlier terminated in accordance

 

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with this Agreement, this Agreement will automatically renew for successive three-year terms thereafter unless either Party gives written notice to the other Party of its election not to renew, no later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the initial term or the then current renewal term, as applicable. The “ Term ” will be the total of the initial term of this Agreement and any renewal terms.

5.2 Termination Rights .

(a) Bunge may terminate this Agreement (i) immediately upon notice to Producer if Producer has breached any material representation, warranty, or obligation under this Agreement (including the failure to make any payment hereunder when due), (ii) at any time, with or without cause, upon at least 15 days prior written notice to Producer; provided, that if at any time the four month rolling average of production at the Facility is greater than forty percent (40%) of the nameplate capacity for such Facility (“ Capacity Test ”), then the requirement to provide at least 15 days prior written notice shall be extended to 45 days during the period of time that the Capacity Test is met, and/or (iii) immediately upon termination of the Tolling Agreement.

(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to Bunge if Bunge has (i) breached any material representation, warranty, or obligation under this Agreement, and (ii) failed to remedy such breach within 30 days after Producer has given notice of such breach, or if such breach cannot reasonably be cured within such 30-day period, as soon as reasonably possible, but in all events within 45 days after Producer has given notice of such breach.

(c) Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to the other Party if (i) such other Party files a petition for adjudication as bankrupt, for reorganization or for an arrangement under any bankruptcy or insolvency law; (ii) an involuntary petition under such law is filed against such other Party and is not dismissed, vacated or stayed within 60 days thereafter; or (iii) such other Party makes an assignment of all or substantially all of its assets for the benefit of its creditors.

(d) Producer acknowledges that Bunge has additional rights to terminate this Agreement as are set forth in the REG Master Agreement.

(e) Owner may terminate this Agreement upon 10 days notice to Bunge and Producer (i) if the Tolling Agreement terminates without renewal or replacement thereof, (ii) if the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Owner, Renewable Energy Group, Inc., REG Newco, Inc. and REG Danville, LLC dated May 11, 2009 (the “Merger Agreement”) terminates, and (iii) if the Closing under the Merger Agreement has not occurred by January 8, 2010.

5.3 Survival . The provisions of this Agreement which expressly or by their nature survive expiration or termination of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 13, will remain in effect after the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

6. Representations and Warranties . Producer represents and warrants to Bunge that all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as the case may be, has been taken for the

 

5


authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement; the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Producer does not, and will not, violate or constitute a breach of or default under any Governmental Requirement or any indenture, contract or other instrument to which Producer or its assets are bound or to which its business is subject.

7. Limitation of Liability; General Disclaimer . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, BUNGE MAKES NO STATUTORY, WRITTEN, ORAL, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS OR GUARANTEES OF ANY KIND CONCERNING THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY BUNGE OR ITS AFFILIATES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER BUNGE NOR ITS AFFILIATES, NOR ANY OTHER PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT), WILL BE LIABLE TO PRODUCER, OWNER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO OR RESULTING FROM SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARISE OUT OF OR RESULT FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INTENTIONAL BREACH OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF BUNGE OR SUCH PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT); PROVIDED, THAT THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ALL SUCH DAMAGES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY FISCAL YEAR WILL NOT EXCEED $200,000. THE REMUNERATION TO BE PAID FOR THE SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED REFLECTS THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT WILL BUNGE OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY PROVIDING SERVICES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY SUBCONTRACTOR ALLOWED TO PROVIDE SERVICES BY THIS AGREEMENT) BE LIABLE TO PRODUCER, OWNER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

8. Remedies .

8.1 Suspend Performance . Bunge may suspend its performance under this Agreement until Producer has paid all amounts due under this Agreement if Producer fails to pay any amount within three business days after the date when such amount is due and uncured under this Agreement.

8.2 Specific Enforcement . The Parties shall have the right and remedy to seek to have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction without the necessity of posting any bond, it being acknowledged and agreed by the parties that the scope of the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable under the circumstances.

8.3 Rights Not Exclusive . No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement will be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy now or hereafter available to a Party at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

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8.4 Rights in REG Master Agreement . The Parties acknowledge that Bunge has additional rights with respect to this Agreement as are set forth in the REG Master Agreement.

9. Force Majeure .

9.1 Definition of Force Majeure Event . Each Party is excused from performing its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that such performance is prevented by an act or event (a “ Force Majeure Event ”) whether or not foreseen, that: (i) is beyond the reasonable control of, and is not due to the fault or negligence of, such Party, and (ii) could not have been avoided by such Party’s exercise of due diligence, including, but not limited to, a labor controversy, strike, lockout, boycott, transportation stoppage, action of a court or public authority, fire, flood, earthquake, storm, war, civil strife, terrorist action, epidemic, or act of God; provided that a Force Majeure Event will not include economic hardship, changes in market conditions, or insufficiency of funds. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a Force Majeure Event does not excuse any obligation to make any payment required by this Agreement and will not affect either Party’s right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 .

9.2 Conditions Regarding Force Majeure Event . A Party claiming a Force Majeure Event must: (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to cure, mitigate, or remedy the effects of its nonperformance; provided that neither Party will have any obligation hereunder to settle a strike or labor dispute; (ii) bear the burden of demonstrating its existence; and (iii) notify the other Party of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event as quickly as reasonably possible, but no later than five business days after learning of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event. Any Party that fails to notify the other Party of the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event as required by this Section 9.2 will forfeit its right to excuse performance of its obligations due to such Force Majeure Event. When a Party claiming a Force Majeure Event is able to resume performance of its obligations under this Agreement, it will immediately give the other Party notice to that effect and resume performance.

9.3 Third Parties; Termination . During any period that a Party claiming a Force Majeure Event is excused from performance under this Agreement, the other Party may accept performance from other parties as it may reasonably determine under the circumstances.

10. Insurance .

10.1 Other Required Coverage .

(a) Producer will maintain automobile liability insurance covering owned, hired, and non-owned vehicles against claims for bodily injury, death and property damage, with a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000, or equivalent coverage using split limits. Such insurance will name Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as additional insureds thereunder, and will be primary to any other insurance available to Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as insureds or otherwise.

(b) Producer will maintain commercial general liability insurance (including, without limitation, coverage for Contractual Liability and Products/Completed Operations)

 

7


against claims for bodily injury, death and property damage, with limits of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence and $1,000,000 in the General and Products/Completed Operations Aggregate. Such insurance will name Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as additional insureds there under, and will be primary and non-contributory to any other insurance available to Bunge, its parents, subsidiaries and Affiliates as insureds or otherwise.

(c) An excess or umbrella liability policy with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Such excess or umbrella liability policy shall follow form with the primary liability policies, and contain a drop-down provision in case of impairment of underlying limits.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.1(b) and (c) , Producer’s total coverage under both its commercial general liability insurance in Section 10.1(b) and excess or umbrella liability policy in Section 10.1(c) must have combined limits together totalling $4,000,000 for each occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate.

(e) Worker’s Compensation insurance providing statutory benefits for injury or disease in the state(s) of operation of Producer, and Employer’s Liability with limits of at least $500,000 for individual injury or disease, with an aggregate of $500,000 for disease.

10.2 Policy Requirements . All insurance policies required by this Agreement will (a) provide coverage on an “occurrence” basis; (b) provide that no cancellation or non-renewal will be effected without giving Bunge at least thirty (30) days prior written notice, except ten (10) days notice for non-payment of premium; and (c) be valid and enforceable policies issued by insurers of recognized responsibility, properly licensed in the State where the Facility is located, with an A.M. Best’s Rating of A- or better and Class VII or better. General Liability and Excess/Umbrella Liability policies will not contain a cross-liability exclusion, or an exclusion for punitive or exemplary damages where insurable under law. Prior to the Effective Date and, thereafter, within five business days of renewal, certificates and endorsements of such insurance will be delivered to Bunge as evidence of the specified insurance coverage. From time to time, upon Bunge’s request, Producer will provide Bunge, within five business days, a certified duplicate original of any policy required to be maintained hereunder. Producer will provide Bunge at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of any material change or amendment to Producer’s policy.

11. Relationship of Parties . This Agreement creates no partnership, joint venture or other joint or mutual enterprise or undertaking created hereby and neither Party, or any of such Party’s representatives, agents or employees, will be deemed to be the representative or employee of the other Party. Except as expressly provided herein or as otherwise specifically agreed in writing, neither Party will have authority to act on behalf of or bind the other Party.

12. Governing Law; Disputes .

12.1 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of Iowa, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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12.2 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

13. Indemnification .

13.1 Indemnification by Producer . Producer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Bunge and its officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from any Loss suffered or incurred by Bunge arising out of, or in any way relating to:

(a) any default by Producer of the terms of this Agreement;

(b) Producer’s use or possession or operations on or at, or any action or failure to act at, the Facility;

(c) any personal injury or property damage related to the use, possession, condition of, disposal of, physical contact with or exposure to any products manufactured at the Facility;

(d) injuries or alleged injuries suffered by Producer’s or Bunge’s employees in connection with performance under this Agreement at the Facility, whether or not under the direction of Bunge and/or the Producer; or

(e) any violation or alleged violation of this Agreement or any Governmental Requirement by Producer, unless and to the extent such Loss was directly caused by Bunge’s gross negligence, intentional breach or willful misconduct and in each case only to the extent Bunge is not otherwise compensated for such Loss by applicable insurance (to the extent actually paid).

13.2 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “ Governmental Requirement ” means all laws, statutes, codes, ordinances and governmental rules, regulations and requirements of any governmental authority that are applicable to the Parties, the property of the Parties or activities described in or contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) “ Loss ” means any claim, loss, cost, expense, liability, fine, penalty, interest, payment or damage, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and any cost and expense of litigation, negotiation, settlement or appeal

14. Notices . All notices required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given and made: (i) if by personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if by facsimile, on the date sent (as evidenced by confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment), (iii) if by nationally recognized overnight courier, on the next business day following

 

9


deposit, and (iv) if by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, on the third business day following such mailing; in each case addressed to the address or facsimile number shown below for such Party, or such other address or facsimile number as such Party may give to the other Party by notice:

If to Bunge:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attn: General Manager – Bunge Biofuels

Facsimile: (314) 292-2110

with copy to:

Bunge North America, Inc.

11720 Borman Drive

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile: (314) 292-2521

If to Producer:

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC

416 S. Bell Avenue, P.O. Box 888

Ames, Iowa 50010

Attn: President

Facsimile: (515) 239-8029

with copy to:

Wilcox, Polking, Gerken, Schwarzkopf & Copeland, P.C.

115 E. Lincolnway, Suite 200

Jefferson, Iowa 50129-2149

Attn: John A. Gerken

Facsimile: (515) 386-8531

If to Owner:

Central Iowa Energy, LLC

3426 E. 28th Street, N

Newton, Iowa 50208

Attn: James Johnston

Facsimile: 641-791-1192

with copy to:

 

10


Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum, P.L.C.

666 Grand Avenue, Suite 2000

Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Attn: Thomas D. Johnson

Facsimile: (515) 323-8514

15. Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement does not, and is not intended to, confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the Parties (or their Affiliates, successors, assignees or subcontractors to the extent set forth herein).

16. Amendments; Waiver . The Parties may amend this Agreement only by a written agreement of the Parties. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, except as expressly provided herein or pursuant to a writing signed by the Party against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced. No failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy or requiring the satisfaction of any condition under this Agreement, and no “course of dealing” between the Parties, operates as a waiver or estoppel of any right, remedy or condition. A waiver made in writing on one occasion is effective only in that instance and only for the purpose that it is given and is not to be construed as a waiver on any future occasion or against any other person.

17. Assignment . No Party may assign this Agreement, or assign or delegate any of its rights, interests, or obligations under this Agreement, voluntarily or involuntarily, whether by merger, consolidation, dissolution, operation of law, or any other manner, without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any purported assignment or delegation without such consent will be void, provided, that Bunge may assign this Agreement to any of its Affiliates without Producer’s prior consent. Subject to the preceding sentences in this Section 17 , this Agreement binds and benefits the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns. As used here, the term “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Party, any other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Party, with “control” for such purpose meaning either the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to designate fifty percent (50%) or more of the Board of Directors or Managers (or similar governing body) of the entity or the ownership, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding voting securities or voting interests.

18. Subcontracting . In connection with Bunge providing the Services, Bunge may subcontract with or otherwise retain the services of Bunge’s Affiliates, and Producer hereby consents to such subcontracting activities for purposes of Section 17 hereof. Notwithstanding any such subcontracting by Bunge to its Affiliates, Bunge shall remain liable for performance under the terms of this Agreement.

19. Severability . If a court or arbitrator with proper jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement is illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement remain in full force. The Parties will negotiate in good faith to replace such illegal, invalid, or

 

11


unenforceable provision with a legal, valid, and enforceable provision that carries out the Parties’ intentions to the greatest lawful extent under this Agreement.

20. Interpretation . Each Party has been represented by counsel during the negotiation of this Agreement and agrees that any ambiguity in this Agreement will not be construed against one of the Parties.

21. Further Assurances . Each Party will execute and cause to be delivered to the other Party such instruments and other documents, and will take such other actions, as the other Party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out or evidencing any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

22. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by the Parties by facsimile and in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed the day and year first above written.

 

 

BUNGE NORTH AMERICA, INC.     REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC
By:   / S / E RIC H AKMILLER     By:   / S / G ARY H AER
Name:   Eric Hakmiller     Name:   Gary Haer
Title:   V.P. Bunge Biofuels     Title:   Vice President Sales and Marketing
Executed solely for purposes of Section 2.4:    
CENTRAL IOWA ENERGY, LLC    
By:   / S / J IM J OHNSTON      
Name:   Jim Johnston      
Title:   Chairman      

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

ASSIGNMENT

This Assignment (“Assignment”) is made as of the              day of                      , 2010, by and between REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“REG”), and BUNGE NORTH AMERICA, INC., a New York corporation (“Bunge”).

This Assignment is entered into pursuant to the terms of that certain Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement (with tolling agreement) by and between REG and Bunge dated as of              , 20      (“Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement”).

REG hereby assigns to Bunge the following:

All of REG’s rights and obligations under that certain REG Contract #                          entered into with                          , as Buyer, but only with respect to REG’s rights and obligations under such REG Contract with respect to the following deliveries of biodiesel under such contract:

 

Volume of Biodiesel

  

Delivery Date

[insert]    [insert]

For the avoidance of doubt, Bunge does not assume all of REG’s rights and obligations under the above referenced REG Contract, but only such rights and obligations with respect to the designated deliveries of biodiesel set forth above.

This Assignment shall be governed by the terms of the Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement, Bunge hereby assumes all risk of loss as it relates to Buyer’s performance of its obligations with respect to the designated deliveries of biodiesel set forth above, including, without limitation, Buyer’s obligation to pay the purchase price for the designated deliveries.

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of this Assignment and the Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement, the terms of the Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement shall control.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Bunge and REG have executed this Assignment as of the date first written above.

 

REG MARKETING & LOGISTICS GROUP, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

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BUNGE NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

15


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SALES CONFIRMATION

LOGO

SALES CONFIRMATION

 

Bunge North America, Inc. “Bunge”    Date: _______________
11720 Borman Drive   
St. Louis, Missouri 63146   

REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC “Producer”

416 S. Bell Avenue, P.O. Box 888

Ames, Iowa 50010

The following confirms the sale of Biodiesel from Producer to Bunge in accordance with Section 2.3 of that certain Biodiesel Purchase and Sale Agreement between Bunge and Producer dated as of              (the “BPSA”). Producer hereby agrees to sell, and Bunge hereby agrees to purchase, in the amounts and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the following:

 

QUANTITY

  

GRADE AND COMMODITY

  
  
  

PRICE

  

UNDERLYING CONTRACT

  
  
  

SHIPMENT PERIOD

    
  
  
  

This Confirmation is subject to the BPSA WHICH CONTAINS IMPORTANT RISK ALLOCATION AND OTHER PROVISIONS AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED CAREFULLY.

ADDITIONAL TERMS:

 

PRODUCER:     BUNGE:
BY:         BY:    
Dated:          

 

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EXHIBIT C

QUALITY STANDARDS

ASTM D 6751-08 Requirements for Biodiesel (B100)

 

Test

  

Method

  

Specification

Cloud Point    ASTM D 2500    Report °C
Free Glycerin    ASTM D 6584    0.020 % mass [max]
Total Glycerin    ASTM D 6584    0.240 % mass [max]
Water and Sediment    ASTM D 2709    0.050 % volume [min]
Acid Number    ASTM D 664    0.50 mg KOH/g [max]
Visual Inspection    ASTM D 4176    2 [max]
Relative Density @ 15°C    ASTM D 1298    Report
Kinematic Viscosity at 40°C    ASTM D 445    1.9—6.0 mm 2 /s
Sulfur Content    ASTM D 5453    15 ppm [max]
Copper Strip Corrosion    ASTM D 130    No. 3 [max]
Sodium & Potassium Content    EN 14538    5.0 ppm [max]
Calcium & Magnesium Content    EN 14538    5.0 ppm [max]
Cold Soak Filterability    ASTM D 6751 Annex A1    360 seconds [max]
Oxidation Stability    EN 14112    3.0 hr [min]
Cetane Number    ASTM D 613    47 [min]
Flash Point    ASTM D 93    93°C [min]
Alcohol Control: Methanol Content    EN 14110    0.20 mass% [max]
Phosphorus Content    ASTM D 4951    10.0 ppm [max]
Carbon Residue    ASTM D 4530    0.050 % mass [max]
Sulfated Ash    ASTM D 874    0.020 % mass [max]
Distillation at 90% Recovered    ASTM D 1160    360 °C [max]

 

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Exhibit 10.40

Confidential Treatment Requested. Confidential portions of this document have been redacted

and have been separately filed with the Commission.

TOLL AGREEMENT

THIS TOLL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) IS MADE AND ENTERED INTO EFFECTIVE September 25 , 2009, BY AND BETWEEN REG HOUSTON , LLC (“REGH”) AND ED&F MAN BIOFUELS, INC. (“MBF”) (together the “PARTIES”).

WHEREAS, MBF is in the business of trading Feedstock (as defined below) and Biodiesel;

WHEREAS, REGH will be in the business of manufacturing and blending Biodiesel from Feedstock at its biodiesel facility located in Seabrook, TX (the “REGH Facility”); and

WHEREAS, MBF wishes to engage REGH to process certain of MBF’s Feedstock into Biodiesel, and REGH desires to accept that engagement, according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. LBC TERMINAL:    LBC Terminal shall mean the LBC Houston, LP (“LBC”) terminal located in Seabrook, TX. The LBC Terminal is accessible by barge, rail, and tank truck.
2. FEEDSTOCK:    Feedstock shall mean Tallow that conforms to the specifications per “ Attachment A ” or RBD Soybean Oil that conforms to the specifications per Attachment A or D or such other feedstock to be agreed to between REGH and MBF.
   Except for RBD Soy Bean Oil or Tallow that REGH is required to procure pursuant to this section, MBF shall be responsible for procurement and delivery of Feedstock to REGH at the LBC Terminal, in accordance with this Agreement. REGH will not be responsible for payment for the Feedstock and the Feedstock will remain the property of MBF, unless ownership is transferred to REGH pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(d) hereafter. Such Feedstock will be processed by REGH into Biodiesel in accordance with this Agreement. Such Feedstock, and the Biodiesel that results from the manufacturing process, will remain the property of MBF at all times. Upon the request of MBF, REGH will assist MBF in the procurement of RBD Soy Bean Oil or Tallow, and will procure RBD Soy Bean Oil or Tallow on behalf of MBF when instructed to do so by MBF. REGH will provide assistance to MBF with soybean oil basis hedging, and if requested by MBF, will promptly execute basis hedge trades on behalf of and in the name of MBF upon receipt of written instructions from MBF

 

1


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

   (MBF to provide any funds required with respect to such trades). REGH will also provide information and advice on the soybean oil basis and soybean oil market expediently to MBF when requested.
3. CONTRACTUAL YIELD:    REGH will be obligated to deliver to MBF *** gallon of Biodiesel (the “Contractual Yield”) for every *** pounds of Tallow delivered by MBF to REGH (whether or not procured with the assistance of REGH) and REGH will be obligated to deliver to MBF *** gallon of Biodiesel (the “Contractual Yield”) for every *** pounds of RBD Soy Bean Oil delivered by MBF to REGH (whether or not procured with the assistance of REGH) . Such Contractual Yield shall be the sole allowance to REGH for loss of product for any reason, including, without limitation, production inefficiencies, line losses, clingage, evaporation, or accumulation.
4. BIODIESEL:    Biodiesel shall mean B100 Biodiesel that meets or exceeds the Product Specifications contained in Section 5 hereof and that was produced using Feedstock of the same type, mixture, and specifications as the Feedstock provided by MBF for use in the production thereof.
5. PRODUCT SPECIFICATION:    REGH represents and warrants that all the Biodiesel delivered to MBF will comply, at the time of delivery at the Biodiesel Delivery Point, with the Standard EN 14214 in force at the time of delivery subject to the following additions and amendments : water maximum of 350ppm, Monoglycerides 0.5 mass % Max, CFPP maximum of 12 degrees Celsius for TME, and Monoglycerides 0.5 mass % Max ,CFPP maximum of minus 3 degrees Celsius, iodine maximum 135 and cetane minimum 47 for SME, FOB specification. No additives will be combined with or added to the Biodiesel unless requested by MBF. If MBF requests that no oxidative stabilizer be added, the oxidative stability requirements of the EN14214 and ASTM D6751 specifications in force at time of delivery will be waived, provided however that REGH shall make reasonable best efforts to meet the EN14214 and ASTM D6751 oxidative stability requirements to the extent possible without the addition of any additives. REGH also represents and warrants that all Biodiesel delivered to MBF will comply, at the time of delivery at the Biodiesel Delivery Point, with the ASTM biodiesel standards in force at the time of delivery including winter cold soak requirements (with the exception of oxidative stability if MBF request that no oxidative stabilizer be added). If MBF requests the addition of oxidative stabilizer to the Biodiesel, REGH will add such oxidative stabilizer at REGH’s expense, and in the

 

 

2


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

   case of oxidative stabilizer being added Biodiesel will meet EN14214 specifications for oxidative stability. Should MBF request the use of an oxidative stabilizer not normally used by REG, MBF will bear the cost of said oxidative stabilizer.
6. BIODIESEL CONTRACTED AND TERM OF AGREEMENT:    The Biodiesel to be produced by REGH pursuant to this Agreement shall be produced on the dates and in the quantities specified on Schedule 1. The period commencing with the Production Commencement Date specified on Schedule 1 (attached hereto) and ending on the date on which MBF has accepted delivery of the entire Biodiesel Volume specified on Schedule 1 will be the “Initial Production Period,” with the possibility of additional volumes of Biodiesel to be produced in one or more renewal production periods thereafter. The period commencing with the Production Commencement Date specified on Schedule 1 with respect to a Renewal Production Period and ending on the date on which MBF has accepted delivery of the entire Biodiesel Volume specified on Schedule 1 for such Renewal Production Period will be the “Renewal Production Period.”
   MBF will deliver to REGH the Feedstock that MBF wishes for REGH to process into Biodiesel, and REGH will produce from such Feedstock, an amount of Biodiesel at least equal to the Contractual Yield, but shall not be obligated to exceed the Biodiesel Volume listed on Schedule 1. MBF will deliver its Feedstock to the Feedstock Delivery Point in such quantities and at such times as is necessary for REGH to have a Feedstock inventory at least equal to *** gallons by the Production Commencement Date specified on Schedule 1 and maintain an inventory of Feedstock at least equal to *** gallons until such time that MBF has delivered sufficient Feedstock for REGH to produce the total volume of Biodiesel specified on Schedule 1 for the Contract Month in question (the “Required Feedstock Inventory”). REGH will produce from the Feedstock Biodiesel (in accordance with the Contractual Yield and meeting the Product Specifications contained in Sections 4 and 5 hereof) and make such Biodiesel available to MBF for pick up at the Biodiesel Delivery Point in the quantities and on the Biodiesel Delivery Dates specified on Schedule 1 hereto. MBF will accept delivery of the Biodiesel at the Biodiesel Delivery Point within ten (10) days of the later of (i) the date on which REGH makes such Biodiesel available to MBF for pickup, or (ii) the Biodiesel Delivery Date specified on Schedule 1 (as amended by the provisions of this Section 6).

 

 

3


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

   REGH will provide notice to MBF of the daily ending inventory of Feedstock in their possession or control.
   MBF’s failure to establish or maintain the Required Feedstock Inventory shall not be a breach of this Agreement. In the event that MBF fails to deliver sufficient Feedstock to establish and maintain the minimum *** gallons of Required Feedstock Inventory, REGH will nevertheless use its commercially reasonable best efforts to meet the Biodiesel Delivery Dates. If despite such efforts, REGH is unable to meet the original delivery dates due to MBF’s failure to provide the agreed quantities of Feedstock, then at REGH’s option (and except as limited by the next sentence) all Biodiesel Delivery Dates occurring after the first date on which the Feedstock inventories dropped below the required levels will be delayed by one day for each day that the Feedstock inventories are below the required levels, and Schedule 1 shall be deemed to have been amended accordingly. (If a particular day constitutes a Low Inventory Day as defined hereafter, all Biodiesel Delivery Dates will be delayed by one day under the terms of the following paragraph, and REGH shall have no right to additionally delay the Biodiesel Delivery Dates by the provisions of this paragraph.)
   In the event that MBF fails to deliver sufficient Feedstock to establish and maintain a minimum of *** gallons of Feedstock in inventories, REGH may choose not to run the REGH Facility, and for every day after the first date on which the Feedstock inventories dropped below *** gallons (a “Low Inventory Day”) and continuing until a minimum of *** gallons of Feedstock inventories is maintained for a full day, all Biodiesel Delivery Dates will be delayed by one day for each day that the Feedstock inventories are below *** Schedule 1 shall be deemed to have been amended accordingly, and (except as stated in the following sentence) MBF shall pay to REGH (“Daily Toll Fee”) for each such Low Inventory Day. No Daily Toll Fees shall be assessed until after the Production Commencement Date. REGH *** will in any event use its commercially reasonable best efforts to meet the Biodiesel Delivery Dates. The Parties hereby agree that Required Feedstock Inventory requirements will be waived for the Month of August 2009 only.
   If during the term of a production period MBF determines that it will not continue delivering Feedstock for processing hereunder, the parties agree to mutually determine the new quantity of Biodiesel which shall be delivered from the amount of Feedstock which MBF has or will deliver for processing (based upon the Contractual Yield) , and negotiate in good faith a new schedule for

 

 

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   delivery of the Biodiesel (which shall not extend beyond the end of the production period (as it may have been modified by Section 6). Such modified quantity under this paragraph shall not however be used for purposes of computing the Payment Difference as defined hereafter at Section 16(c)(i), which shall continue to be based upon the metric tons of Biodiesel required to be delivered during the production period in accordance with Schedule 1 as originally agreed upon by the parties.
   The Toll Fee with respect to the Biodiesel contracted for delivery shall be as specified in Section 14.
   At least sixty days prior to the intended Production Commencement Date for any subsequent Renewal Production Period, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith the Biodiesel Volume to be produced during such Renewal Production Period, the Production Commencement Date for such Renewal Production Period, the Biodiesel Delivery Dates and associated quantities for such Renewal Production Period, the Base Toll Fee for such Renewal Production Period, and the Final Toll Date for such Renewal Production Period. Upon agreement of the parties, such information shall be included on Schedule 1 and shall become a part of this Agreement. By way of illustration, the Parties will agree on or before August 10, 2008, on the Biodiesel Volume, Production Commencement Date, Biodiesel Delivery Dates, and the Base Toll Fee with respect to Biodiesel to be produced by REGH for MBF for the Renewal Production Period having a Production Commencement Date of October 9, 2008. If the Parties do not agree on the Biodiesel Volume, Production Commencement Date, Biodiesel Delivery Dates, and Base Toll Fee terms for any subsequent production period prior to sixty days before the intended Production Commencement Date for any subsequent Renewal Production Period, this Agreement shall terminate following the delivery of all Biodiesel produced during the last production period for which such items were timely agreed. Upon termination of this Agreement all Feedstock and Biodiesel of MBF shall be returned to MBF.
7. UTILITIES & CHEMICALS:    REGH shall purchase and provide at its sole cost and expense all utilities, chemicals and other consumable property used in the production process, including but not limited to methanol and sodium methylate (collectively, the “Chemicals”) and all machinery, equipment, or any other non-consumable property utilized in the production process (“Machinery”).

 

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*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

8. GLYCERIN:    MBF and REGH acknowledge that REGH is subject to a certain Master Glycerin Purchasing Agreement dated July 3, 2007 originally made between U.S. Biodiesel Group, LLC and Westway Feed Products, Inc. (“Glycerin Agreement”) and that under the Glycerin Agreement, Westway Feed Products, Inc. has agreed to purchase and REGH is required to sell all of the Glycerin, as that term is defined in the Glycerin Agreement, that REGH produces at its facility. However, the parties acknowledge that this Toll Contract extension of the 10th December 2008 will be governed by the subsequent REG Toll glycerin agreement between Westway Feed Products, Inc and REGH; the terms of which are outlined below:
   Westway Feed Products will remove up to *** percent of the crude glycerine from the REGH facility at a base payment of ***. If there are higher value markets, identified by either party, REGH will sell to the higher returning market, Westway and REGH agree to co-market the crude glycerine produced by REGH. For co-marketed crude glycerine REGH will receive a base payment *** of and a *** share between REGH and Westway Feed Products of the revenue above this base payment for glycerine sold outside for non-Animal Feed applications. If REGH sells the product, REGH will invoice directly to the REGH customer. If Westway Feed Products sells the product to non-Animal Feed customers, then Westway will invoice directly to the customer. REGH and Westway Feed Products will collaborate closely on the logistics and supply chain planning so as to smoothly manage the contract fulfillment of all glycerin contract commitments. All glycerin volume allocation must be mutually approved by both parties.
9. FEEDSTOCK DELIVERY POINT:    The Feedstock Delivery Point shall be the entry flange going into the raw material tanks at the LBC Terminal. MBF shall arrange for delivery of Feedstock to the LBC terminal (meeting Attachment A specifications) and REGH shall coordinate with LBC the delivery of Feedstock to the raw materials storage tank(s) during the applicable Feedstock delivery period. MBF shall be deemed to have delivered the Feedstock to the Feedstock Delivery Point upon notification by the Feedstock carrier that the Feedstock has arrived and is ready for discharge. REGH will reimburse MBF for any demurrage resulting from REGH’s lack of readiness to receive the Feedstock during the agreed Feedstock delivery period. At MBF’s request, two (2) samples of Feedstock containing one (1) liter each will be gathered and delivered to MBF from each tank

 

 

6


   car, tank truck, barge or other delivery vessel, or at the Feedstock Delivery Point, prior to loading into the raw material storage tanks at the REGH facility. Any and all sampling costs charged by the LBC Terminal (as set out on Attachment B hereto) shall be paid by MBF. After delivery, quality is the responsibility of REGH. MBF in no way will be responsible for contamination or product degradation beyond the Feedstock Delivery Point.
10. BIODIESEL DELIVERY POINT:    The Biodiesel Delivery Point shall be the flange at loadport at the LBC Terminal. Attachment B outlines applicable LBC Terminal loading procedures for product lifting, charges and hours of operation.
11. TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS:   

a)      Risk of loss (but not title, which shall remain with MBF at all times) of Feedstock shall pass from MBF to REGH at the Feedstock Delivery Point. MBF shall be deemed to own, be in exclusive possession and control of, and be responsible for any damages or injury caused by or to, Feedstock delivered hereunder up to the point of delivery at the Feedstock Delivery Point. REGH shall be deemed to be in exclusive possession and control of, and be responsible for any damages or injury caused by or to, the Feedstock upon and following receipt of the Feedstock at the Feedstock Delivery Point.

  

b)      Risk of loss (but not title, which shall remain with MBF at all times) of Biodiesel shall pass from REGH to MBF at the Biodiesel Delivery Point. REGH shall be deemed to be in exclusive possession and control of, and be responsible for any damages or injury caused by or to, Biodiesel from the Feedstock Delivery Point until delivery at the Biodiesel Delivery Point. MBF shall be deemed to be in exclusive possession and control of, and be responsible for any damages or injury caused by or to, Biodiesel upon receipt of the Biodiesel at the Biodiesel Delivery Point, except to the extent that such damages or injury are caused by REGH’s negligence, intentional misconduct, or breach of this Agreement.

12. SECURITY INTEREST:    To evidence MBF’s ownership of the Feedstock and the Biodiesel produced therefrom, REGH hereby irrevocably authorizes MBF at any time and from time to time to file protective financing statements in any Uniform Commercial Code jurisdiction, which

 

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   may include, without limitation, any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that (a) describe the Feedstock and the Biodiesel, that is the subject of this Agreement, as provided herein, and (b) contain any other information required by part 5 of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the state for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including whether REGH is an organization, the type of organization and that the taxpayer identification number of REGH is 20-3914060. REGH agrees to furnish any such information to MBF promptly upon request. REGH also ratifies its authorization for MBF to have filed in any Uniform Commercial Code jurisdiction any like initial financing statements or amendments thereto if filed prior to the date hereof. MBF shall have all rights and remedies under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code as a result of any such protective filings. REGH will not purport to pledge, mortgage or create, or suffer to exist a security interest in the Feedstock and the Biodiesel that is the subject of this agreement, in favor of any third party, and REGH will inform any lender, lessor or other third party that has or may have a lien or security interest in property of REGH, that MBF is the owner of the Feedstock and Biodiesel that is the subject of this Agreement. To the extent that MBF’s purchase and delivery of possession of the purchased Feedstock from REGH pursuant to this Agreement is construed as a financing arrangement or consignment instead of the bailment that is intended by the parties (whether due to the commingling of the purchased Feedstock or otherwise), REGH hereby grants to MBF a security interest in the purchased Feedstock and any product thereof, including the work in process biodiesel and finished product biodiesel derived there from.”
13. PRODUCT SEGREGATION:    No commingling of MBF’s Feedstock with feedstock belonging to any other person will be permitted, except that REGH shall be permitted to commingle Feedstock belonging to REGH or REG Marketing & Logistics Group LLC with Feedstock owned by MBF so long as such Feedstocks is of the same type, and meet the same sustainability criteria and applicable specifications for Feedstock set forth in the Agreement. The Biodiesel produced by any commingled Feedstock must in any event meet the qualifications set forth in the Agreement. No commingling of MBF’s Biodiesel with Biodiesel belonging to any other person will be permitted, except that REGH shall be permitted to commingle Biodiesel belonging to REGH or REG Marketing & Logistics Group LLC with Biodiesel owned by MBF so long as such Biodiesel was produced from Feedstock of the same type and

 

8


   sustainability criteria as Feedstock provided by MBF, and such Biodiesel meets the Product Specifications set forth in the Agreement No commingling of MBF’s Feedstock or Biodiesel with feedstock or biodiesel belonging to any other person other than REGH or REG Marketing &Logistics Group LLC will be permitted.
14. TOLL FEE:    The Toll Fee to be paid to REGH for its processing of the Feedstock into Biodiesel shall be the Base Toll Fee as stated on Schedule 1.
15. BLENDER’S CREDIT:    Immediately following sale of the Biodiesel to MBF, REGH will, at the request of MBF, blend the Biodiesel with petroleum diesel (supplied by REGH at its cost) to create B99.9 biodiesel at no additional charge to MBF. Any excise tax or income tax credit relating to the Biodiesel delivered to MBF will be for the account of the MBF and shall be submitted to the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) by MBF. REGH will provide MBF with a certificate guaranteeing that the Biodiesel has been domestically produced and from 100% animal fat and any other documentation reasonably requested by MBF to facilitate the application for the Blender’s Credit. REGH will not claim any excise tax or income tax credit relating to the Biodiesel delivered to MBF without the written consent of MBF.
16. PAYMENT; INABILITY TO SUPPLY:   

a)      Reserved.

  

b)      Payment to REGH for Biodiesel Deliveries & Daily Toll Fees:

  

Upon delivery of Biodiesel (other than REGH Replacement Biodiesel or Third Party Replacement Biodiesel) at the Biodiesel Delivery Point, REGH shall prepare and deliver to MBF an invoice for the Toll Fee applicable to such Biodiesel. Each invoice must show (a) the volume of Biodiesel delivered to MBF at the Biodiesel Delivery Point, (b) the Base Toll Fee applicable to such Biodiesel, and (c) any quality differentials and other detail as agreed between the Parties. Invoices may be in either electronic or hard copy form. Upon the occurrence of a Low Inventory Day, REGH shall prepare and deliver to MBF an invoice for the Daily Toll Fee applicable to such Low Inventory Day. Upon receipt of an invoice and all related bills of lading and, as applicable, BQ9000 and/or quality certifications from REGH, MBF shall make prompt payment of

 

9


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

  

the invoice amounts for Toll Fees and Daily Toll Fees by direct wire or electronic transfer to the designated account of REGH no later than three (3) days from such receipt unless otherwise provided hereunder or agreed in writing by the Parties. REGH will, upon request, provide MBF with copies of paid invoices and other evidence reasonably satisfactory to MBF, to verify the amount used and cost of any additives requested by MBF set forth on any invoice.

  

If MBF fails to pay all or any part of any invoiced amount when due, interest will accrue daily on the unpaid amount (except for any portion thereof that is subsequently determined to be overstated) at the prime rate at WestLB AG bank plus *** per annum, compounded monthly until all amounts are paid in full. The parties agree to a rebuttable presumption that the invoices delivered by HDB are correct, if MBF does not give written notice of a dispute within 30 days of delivery of such invoice. MBF’s failure to pay any moneys due and owing under an invoice shall, subject to the default provisions of this Agreement, constitute an event of default of this Agreement.

  

“Final Delivery Date” will mean, with respect to a particular production period, the earlier of (i) the date upon which the final lot of the Biodiesel Volume to be delivered by REGH in such production period is ready for delivery or (ii) the date that is a number of days following the last Biodiesel Delivery Date listed on Schedule 1 (as originally stated and amended pursuant to Section 20 due to a Force Majeure, but not amended pursuant to Section 6 hereof) equal to the number of days for which MBF is obligated to pay a Daily Toll Fee. “Paid-Up Production Date” will mean the date that is a number of days following the Final Toll Date specified on Schedule 1 equal to the number of days in such production period for which MBF is obligated to pay a Daily Toll Fee. If MBF incurs Daily Toll Fees within a particular production period and the Final Delivery Date occurs prior to the Paid-Up Production Date, REGH will refund to MBF, to the extent paid by MBF, or cancel and treat as satisfied any such charge to the extent due but not paid, the Daily Toll Fees for each day for which the Final Delivery Date precedes the Paid-Up Production Date. MBF may offset any such refund due against any invoice from REGH.

  

c)      Payment Difference:

 

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At the end of the Initial Production Period and each Renewal Production Period thereafter, MBF shall pay to REGH any positive difference between (the “Payment Difference”): (i) the applicable Toll Fee multiplied by the number of metric tons of Biodiesel required to be delivered during such production period in accordance with Schedule 1, less (ii) the product of the Toll Fee multiplied by the sum of (A) the actual number of metric tons of Biodiesel delivered by REGH to MBF during such production period (and including any REGH Replacement Biodiesel and Third Party Replacement Biodiesel referenced herein at Section 16(d) and delivered to MBF, for which MBF has paid to REGH the applicable REGH Replacement Biodiesel Price or Third Party Replacement Biodiesel Price (as such terms are defined hereafter)), plus (B) the number of metric tons of Biodiesel required to be delivered to MBF during such production period that REGH failed to deliver in accordance with its obligations under this Agreement.

  

REGH shall deliver to MBF a statement of payment difference (“Statement of Payment Difference”) within three days of the end of the applicable production period. Such Payment Difference shall be paid by MBF to REGH within seven days of receipt by MBF of the Statement of Payment Difference.

  

d)      Inability to Supply:

  

REGH will provide MBF with a prior written notice of any anticipated production downtime or disruption to Biodiesel production at the REGH facility caused by operational (minimum of three (3) calendar days’ notice) or maintenance issues (minimum of ten (10) calendar days’ notice) and provide detailed descriptions (including specifications and feedstock) of any available amounts of Biodiesel that REGH would propose to supply in replacement of any volumes of Biodiesel that cannot be provided by the REGH facility due to a default of REGH to perform hereunder. Such proposed replacement Biodiesel that (a) meets or exceeds the Biodiesel specifications contained in Section 5 hereof, (b) is produced using the same feedstock type or feedstock blend, (c) is produced using feedstocks meeting the same sustainability criteria as the Feedstock from with the Biodiesel being replaced would have been produced, (d) is of like kind and quality, (e) is available at the MBF’s intended port of embarkation for the Biodiesel being replaced (or such other port that the MBF agrees to in writing in its sole discretion and in advance, in which case the REGH will reimburse MBF for the Incremental Transportation

 

11


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

  

Costs associated with such substitute port) on or before the date on which the Biodiesel that is being replaced was to be at such port of embarkation, and (f) is offered by REGH for sale to MBF, free and clear of any liens or claims of any third party, for the price equal to the Toll Fee that MBF would have been obligated to pay hereunder for the Biodiesel being replaced (“REGH Replacement Biodiesel Price”), shall be referred to as “REGH Replacement Biodiesel.” If all above criteria are met, MBF will accept the REGH Replacement Biodiesel, and upon delivery REGH will reimburse MBF for the Incremental Transportation Costs and MBF shall pay to REGH the REGH Replacement Biodiesel Price. Any proposed replacement Biodiesel that is not REGH Replacement Biodiesel shall be referred to as “Third Party Replacement Biodiesel.”

  

In the event that REGH’s notice offers Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, MBF shall have the sole discretion to accept or reject such Third Party Replacement Biodiesel. If MBF does not accept an offer of Third Party Replacement Biodiesel within three (3) business days of REGH’s notice, such offer shall be deemed rejected. If MBF accepts such offer of Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, upon delivery REGH will reimburse MBF for the Incremental Transportation Costs and MBF shall pay to REGH a price equal to the Toll Fee that MBF would have been obligated to pay hereunder for the Biodiesel being replaced (“Third Party Replacement Biodiesel Price”). If REGH delivers REGH Replacement Biodiesel to MBF, and/or if MBF elects to accept Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, then REGH will be deemed to have performed its obligation with respect to the volume of REGH Replacement Biodiesel and/or the accepted volume of Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, as applicable; provided that REGH reimburses MBF for the Incremental Transportation Costs of any REGH or approved Third Party Replacement Biodiesel.

  

If REGH delivers REGH Replacement Biodiesel to MBF, and/or if MBF elects to accept Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, then REGH will become the owner of the Feedstock that REGH failed to process into Biodiesel, free and clear of any liens or claims of any third party, up to the volume of REGH Replacement Biodiesel delivered and/or the accepted volume of Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, as applicable, multiplied by a factor of *** for tallow Feedstock, and multiplied by a factor of *** for soybean oil Feedstock. Title to such Feedstock will pass to REGH only upon delivery and passage of title, free and clear of any liens or claims of any third party,

 

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to MBF of the REGH Replacement Biodiesel and/or the accepted Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, as applicable. If REGH does not offer REGH Replacement Biodiesel and/or Third Party Replacement Biodiesel, or if MBF does not accept the Third Party Replacement Biodiesel offered, as applicable, REGH’s failure to deliver the committed Biodiesel shall, subject to the default provisions of this Agreement, constitute a default of this Agreement.

  

For purposes of this Section, “Incremental Transportation Costs” means the excess of (a) the sum of any and all costs to transfer the REGH Replacement Biodiesel or approved Third Party Replacement Biodiesel to MBF’s final destination and any and all costs associated with delaying or cancelling transportation arrangements previously arranged by MBF for transportation of the Biodiesel, over (b) the sum of any and all costs that would have been incurred to transfer the Biodiesel to MBF’s final destination had REGH delivered such Biodiesel in accordance with this Agreement, as measured by the cost of the transportation arrangements previously arranged by MBF for transportation of the Biodiesel.

  

e)      BQ-9000 Accreditation:

  

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, MBF agrees that the BQ9000 quality accreditation for the REGH facility will not be required for the first twelve (12) months of operation of the REGH facility, (with such twelve month period commencing after the date of first delivery of Feedstock by MBF to the REGH facility) to allow the REGH facility to achieve BQ9000 accreditation. At all times prior to achieving BQ9000 accreditation, the Biodiesel processed for MBF shall meet the Product Specification as outlined above and REGH shall provide a chemical analysis confirming adherence to these specifications. MBF and REGH may waive the BQ9000 accreditation requirement for the REGH facility if both Parties mutually agree to use a different quality certification system.

  

f)      Excess Capacity:

  

In the event that REGH determines during the Initial Production Period that the REGH Facility has the capacity to produce more Biodiesel than the amount contained on Schedule 1, REGH will notify MBF of such additional capacity and the revisions to the Biodiesel Delivery Dates on the

 

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applicable Schedule 1 that would result from such increased production and MBF shall have the option to agree to such increased production.

  

In the event REGH determines the REGH Facility has the capacity to produce more Biodiesel for MBF in any future Renewal Production Period than the amount contained in Schedule 1, REGH will notify MBF of such additional capacity, and MBF shall have the option to agree to such increased production (subject to the parties negotiating in good faith and agreeing to appropriate revisions to the Schedule 1 and other necessary terms of a such Renewal Production Option).

  

In either case, if MBF acquires additional production capacity, REGH will be compensated for such increased production at the Base Toll Fee agreed for such production period. If MBF does not elect to acquire such additional production capacity, REGH shall be free to utilize such additional capacity as it deems appropriate, including contracting with third parties or producing for its own account.

17. TAXES:    The Toll Fee does not include any federal, state or municipal tax, duty, charge, levy or fee, that REGH now or hereafter may be required to pay to any governmental authority or collect and pay over to any governmental authority, by reason of the processing of MBF’s Feedstock into Biodiesel pursuant to this Agreement (collectively “Taxes”). Any Taxes shall be invoiced by REGH to MBF as soon as reasonably practicable, along with a detailed calculation of the tax due, and must be paid by MBF to REGH at the same time and on the same conditions as REGH is required to pay them under applicable law. As used in this Section “Taxes” shall not include any income or franchise taxes, or similar taxes based on the income, revenue, assets or capital of REGH. MBF shall have the right to contest the imposition or amount of any Taxes through appropriate legal proceedings, which proceedings may be brought in the name of REGH if required by applicable law.
18. INSPECTION AND BIODIESEL/FEEDSTOCK QUANTITY MEASUREMENT:    The parties agree to a rebuttable presumption that the quality and quantity of Feedstock delivered at the Feedstock Delivery Point are as stated on the weight and quality certificates issued upon loading of the delivery vessel, barge, or railcar at its origin. REGH may, at

 

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   its sole expense, obtain independent measurement of the quantity and quality of Feedstock delivered, including by means of a third-party witness surveyor and/or lab, and may dispute any such measurements and/or quality assertions.
   For purposes of tracking any loss of Biodiesel and for invoicing, REGH shall provide MBF the bills of lading in accordance with the measurements taken at the Biodiesel Delivery Point. The quantity of Biodiesel delivered by REGH and accepted by MBF will be measured at the location where the Biodiesel is loaded into the transportation equipment, using standard industry practice at the time of measurement, and: (i) in the case of delivery into rail cars, by means of the railcar’s gauging device and applicable outage tables; (ii) in the case of delivery into tank trucks, by means of metering device at REGH’s option; and (iii) in the case of delivery into barges, pipelines or storage facilities, by gauges in officially calibrated land tanks at the LBC Terminal. REGH shall ensure that such tank gauges are calibrated per API standards. All such volumetric measurements will be corrected for temperature to: (A) 60º F when measured in Imperial or U.S. units; and (B) 15º C when measured in metric or the Systeme Internationale units. The parties agree to a rebuttable presumption that these measurements are correct for the purposes of this Toll Agreement. MBF may, at its sole expense, obtain independent measurement of the quantity of Biodiesel delivered, including by means of a third-party witness surveyor, and may dispute any such measurements.
   REGH will gather two (2) samples of Biodiesel containing one (1) liter each from the final Biodiesel storage tank prior to delivery of the Biodiesel, prior to loading a barge or other vessel, tank car or tank truck and deliver one sample to MBF and one sample to a mutually agreed independent laboratory for testing. After the sample has been drawn, no further additions of any kind will be made to such final tank until after the Biodiesel delivery for which such sample was drawn to certify. Based upon such independent testing results, REGH will provide to MBF at the time of each delivery of Biodiesel, quality certificates certifying that the delivered Biodiesel meets the product specifications required by this Agreement at the Biodiesel Delivery Point. All costs, including demurrage, for such independent inspection shall be borne equally by MBF and REGH, if such independent inspection confirms that the Biodiesel meets the product specifications required by this Agreement at the Biodiesel Delivery Point; and all costs, including demurrage, for such independent inspection shall be borne exclusively by REGH, if such independent inspection fails to confirm that the Biodiesel meets the product specifications

 

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   required by this Agreement at the Biodiesel Delivery Point. Unless instructed by MBF not to do so, REGH will further draw two (2) samples of Biodiesel containing one (1) liter each to be drawn at the Biodiesel Delivery Point and delivered to MBF at MBF’s expense (at the sampling costs stated on Attachment B). MBF may appoint, at its own expense, employ a third-party witness surveyor to witness the drawing of any samples required to be taken pursuant to this paragraph; and, upon written notice of MBF, REGH will arrange access to the sample drawing procedure for such third-party witness surveyor.
19. DEFAULT:    Each Party will be entitled to all damages and other rights and remedies available at law or in equity, in addition to any other remedies as may be provided in this Agreement, upon the default or other failure to perform of the other Party; provided, however, that before terminating this Agreement the party claiming default or failure to perform shall first provide the defaulting party with written notice detailing the circumstances of its failure to meet its obligations hereunder and an opportunity to cure such failure within ten (10) days of such notice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Party shall be liable to any other Party for consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or indirect damages, lost profits or revenues, (except as a part of direct damages) or other indirect damages claimed in contract, equity, strict liability or indemnity, by statute or otherwise.
20. FORCE MAJEURE:    The following events, to the extent that they are unforeseen or beyond a party’s reasonable control notwithstanding the exercise of due diligence, shall constitute events of “Force Majeure” if affecting a party’s ability to perform an obligation required under this Agreement: (i) acts of God; (ii) war, terrorism, fire, storm, flood, earthquake, or explosion; (iii) strike, lock-out, disputes with workmen or labor shortages; (iv) transportation embargoes, failures or delays that affect a Party’s source of supply for the Feedstock or Chemicals, or delays (except failures or delays resulting from a lack of a party’s funds or other default of obligations) in delivery or acceptance of any inventory or materials (except delays resulting from a lack of a party’s funds), including, without limitation, crude oil, natural gas, natural gasoline, supplies, raw materials, ingredients necessary in the production of the Biodiesel. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a lack of funds or insolvency or plant start-up or production trouble does not constitute an event of Force Majeure.

 

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   If either party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and such failure is a consequence of an event of Force Majeure, such failure does not constitute a breach and the performance or observance of such obligation will be suspended during the continuation of the Force Majeure provided that the party claiming Force Majeure:
  

(a)    provides prompt written notice to the other party specifying in reasonable detail the nature of the Force Majeure;

  

(b)    takes reasonable actions to remedy the Force Majeure as soon as is reasonably possible; and

  

(c)    provides written notice to the other party after the Force Majeure has been remedied as soon as is reasonably possible.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a claim of Force Majeure does not under any circumstances suspend the obligation of MBF to make payment for any Product already delivered in accordance with this Toll Agreement. If by reason of Force Majeure, REGH is unable to supply its total demand for Biodiesel among all of REGH’s other buyers, REGH will, to the extent that it has received MBF Feedstock for which it has not delivered Biodiesel, process such Feedstock into Biodiesel and deliver such Biodiesel to MBF in preference to any other customers of REGH. REGH is not under any obligation to obtain Biodiesel from any other source. MBF is not obligated to take any deliveries as set out in Schedule 1, included in this Toll Agreement and by this reference incorporated herein, that would otherwise have been made during the period of the Force Majeure.
21. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE; UNDER-LIFTING:    Time is of the essence, and all deliveries will be made in accordance with Schedule 1 (as may be modified by Section 6 herein, if applicable) during loading hours agreeable to LBC, REGH and MBF. Unless otherwise agreed, MBF will be responsible for lifting the total Biodiesel Volume in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and will be liable for any costs incurred or direct damages, including, to the extent REGH is forced to halt production, toll fees owed per Schedule 1, caused to REGH if the product is not lifted according to this Agreement.
22. RAIL CAR DELIVERIES OF FEEDSTOCK:    MBF understands that REGH has the contractual right under its lease with LBC to receive four inbound rail cars per day of Feedstock and two inbound rail cars per day of Chemicals and that any additional

 

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   storage of rail cars at the LBC Terminal may require storage, switching and heating fees passed through from LBC Terminal and/or the Union Pacific Railroad and any charges incurred by REGH as a result of MBF‘s delivery of more than four inbound railcars in one day pursuant to this Agreement shall be passed through to MBF at cost.
23. BARGE OR VESSEL DELIVERIES OF FEEDSTOCK AND BARGE OR VESSEL OFF-TAKE OF BIODIESEL:    MBF shall notify or cause REGH to be notified of ETA 48/24 hours prior to barge arrival at load port. In the event MBF fails to provide such notice, laytime shall start when barge is all fast at berth.
   The LBC vessel and barge berth is approved by MBF. Attachment B hereto details the minimum requirements for the vessel and barge berths. MBF’s barges and vessels must comply with U.S. Coast Guard (“USCG”), load port and terminal regulations in effect at the time of load.
   Laytime/Demurrage – The amount of laytime to apply to a barge or vessel is to be agreed to by the parties prior to placement of a barge at loading berth. Laytime will commence upon a barge’s arrival at the terminal or waiting area if barge is tendered within the delivery period. If the barge or vessel is tendered prior to the delivery period, laytime will commence at 00:00 hours local time on the first day of the delivery period or when the barge is all fast, whichever is first. If the barge or vessel is tendered after the delivery period, laytime shall commence with the barge is all-fast. In the event discharge occurs at a public terminal that provides dock availability on a first come, first serve basis, laytime shall commence when the barge is all-fast. Demurrage shall be calculated per running hour after the expiration of agreed to laytime, and prorated for any part thereof. Demurrage and claims, if any, shall be based on charter party rate, terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph c), any Laytime/Demurrage charges incurred by REGH imposed by the LBC Terminal shall be passed through at cost to MBF, unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Agreement.
   Wharfage charges from the port of Houston and intra-terminal transfer charges shall be passed through at cost to MBF.

 

18


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

 

   Attachment B contains a detailed listing of wharfage rates and charges.
24. INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY    REGH will not be obligated to obtain or carry any property insurance on MBF’s Feedstock or Biodiesel covering losses due to fire or other physical perils, it being expressly understood and agreed that such property insurance on the Feedstock and Biodiesel, if any be desired by MBF, shall be so carried by MBF at its own expense. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the risk of loss and responsibility for the Feedstock and Biodiesel shall be allocated as stated in Section 11 hereof.
   REGH and MBF must each, at its own cost and expense, obtain and maintain throughout the term of the Agreement commercial general liability insurance providing, in the case of the insurance carried by REGH, for a combined single limit of *** United States dollars *** for each occurrence or accident/***aggregate and, in the case of the insurance carried by MBF, for a combined single limit of *** United States dollars *** for each occurrence or accident/***aggregate, each with provision in respect of coverage for bodily injury (including death at any time resulting from bodily injury) and personal injury sustained by any person or persons and for injury to, or destruction of property (including loss of use or occupancy), and including all contractually assumed obligations covered in this Agreement, with extension of territorial limits to include operations under this Agreement. REGH will cause its insurers to endorse the commercial general liability insurance described in this Section 24 (and any property insurance coverage purchased by REGH) to include MBF as an additional insured on all such insurance policies to the extent of the liabilities agreed to be assumed by REGH hereunder.
   REGH will obtain and maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage for all of its employees and require that any subcontractor engaged by REGH has workers’ compensation coverage for all of the subcontractors’s employees.
   Each party must promptly (a) provide, upon request of the other party, certificates of insurance or other documentary evidence that the insurance coverages required by this Section 24 are in place and valid; and (b) notify the other party of any termination of any insurance policy required by this Section 24.
   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, REGH shall indemnify and hold MBF harmless from and against all claims,

 

19


   demands, losses, fines, penalties, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) costs, suits, and liabilities (collectively “Claims”) caused by or resulting from negligent or intentional wrongful acts or omissions on the part of REGH, its employees, agents, or contractors in the performance of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, MBF shall indemnify and hold REGH harmless from and against all Claims, caused by or resulting from negligent or intentional wrongful acts or omissions on the part of MBF, its employees, agents or contractors in the performance of this Agreement. In the event that any Claim is caused in whole or in part by the concurrent negligent or intentional wrongful acts or omissions of REGH, its employees, agents or contractors on the one hand, and MBF, its employees, agents or contractors on the other hand, then this obligation to indemnify shall be comparative and each party shall indemnify the other to the extent that such party’s negligent or intentional wrongful acts or omissions were the cause of such Claim.
25. NOTICE:    Any notice required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement is validly given if in writing and: (i) personally delivered; (ii) sent by electronic facsimile transmission or other means of electronic communication capable of producing a printed copy and a confirmation of delivery; or (iii) sent by prepaid registered mail or recognized overnight carrier, addressed to the applicable party at its address indicated below or to such other address as any party may specify by notice in writing to the other. Any notice personally delivered on a business day will be deemed conclusively to have been effectively given on the date notice was delivered. Any notice given by facsimile or other means of electronic communication will be deemed conclusively to have been given on the date specified on the confirmation of such transmission. Any notice sent by prepaid registered mail will be deemed conclusively to have been effectively given when actually received.
   In the case of MBF:
   Paul Chatterton,
   ED&F Man Biofuels, Inc.
   Cottons Centre
   Hay’s Lane
   London
   SE1 2QE
   Fax: (0044) 207 089 8301
   With a copy to:

 

20


   Olivia Adams
   ED&F Man Biofuels, Inc.
   365 Canal Street, Suite 2929
   New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
   Facsimile: (504) 522 1638
   With a copy to:
   Leon J. Reymond, III, Esq.
   Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.
   546 Carondelet Street
   New Orleans, LA 70130
   Facsimile: (504) 581-3361
   In the case of REGH:
   Houston Biodiesel, LLC
   11666 Port Rd
   Seabrook, TX 77586
   Attn: Greg Fleming
   Facsimile: 281-474-3349
   With a copy to:
   Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
   416 S. Bell Ave., PO Box 888
   Ames, IA 50010-0888
   Attn: Nile Ramsbottom
   Facsimile: 515-239-8019
26. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET:    MBF has provided to REGH, and by taking delivery of Feedstock in accordance with this Agreement, REGH acknowledges receipt of, MBF‘s current Material Safety Data Sheet(s) concerning the properties of and safe handling procedures of the Feedstock. REGH represents and warrants that it is familiar with the properties of and safe handling procedures for the storage, handling, transportation and use of the Feedstock. REGH has provided to MBF, and by taking delivery of Biodiesel in accordance with this Agreement, MBF acknowledges receipt of, REGH’s current Material Safety Data Sheet(s) concerning the properties of and safe handling procedures of the Biodiesel. MBF represents and warrants that it is familiar with the properties of and safe handling procedures for the storage, handling, transportation

 

21


   and use of the Biodiesel. MBF will inform its customers of the safe-handling procedures for the Biodiesel.
27. CHANGES IN BLENDER’S TAX CREDIT:    If any changes occur in the applicable law prior to or during this contract period that will affect the availability of the blender tax credit of $1 per gallon for Biodiesel delivered during this contract period, then MBF may terminate this Agreement at their option without any further liability or obligation to HBD other than in respect to amounts due for liabilities that have accrued prior to the date of such termination
28. GOVERNING LAW:    This Toll Agreement shall be interpreted and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, USA (excluding any conflicts of law rule or principle that would otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction). The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, or any subsequently enacted treaty or convention, will not apply or govern this Agreement, its interpretation, or performance by the parties.
29. RINS:    Renewable identification numbers (“RINS”) associated with the Biodiesel produced from MBF’s Feedstock will be the property of MBF. REGH will generate RINS for the biodiesel produced from MBF’s Feedstock and will transfer said RINS to MBF within 7 working days of the lifting of the Biodiesel by MBF.
30. CONFIDENTIALITY:    This Agreement may not be disclosed in whole or in part by either MBF or REGH to any third party without obtaining prior written consent of the other party, unless such disclosure is required by law, is necessary to obtain regulatory approval or reporting, or for obtaining any necessary financing. MBF acknowledges and agrees that REGH may disclose the Agreement to its investors, provided that such investors are advised of its confidential nature.
31. ASSIGNMENT:    In all cases, neither party may assign its rights pursuant to this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. Any transfer of either party’s interest in this Agreement by merger, consolidation, dissolution, or liquidation will be deemed an assignment of rights within the meaning of this Section 31. Further, unless REGH’s

 

22


   stock is listed on a recognized stock exchange, any transfer or transfers of REGH’s capital stock, membership interests or partnership interests (whether of record or beneficially) subsequent to the date of this Agreement which, in any one calendar year, amount to thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the capital stock, membership interests or partnership interests of REGH will also be deemed an assignment of rights within the meaning of this Section 31.
32. DISPUTE RESOLUTION:    Any controversy or claim (a “Claim”), whether based on contract, tort, statute, or other legal or equitable theory (including, but not limited to, any claim of fraud, misrepresentation, or fraudulent inducement or any question of validity or effect of this Agreement including this Section), arising out of or related to this Agreement (including any amendments, annexations, and extensions) or any breach will be settled by consultation between the parties. If consultation does not resolve the Claim within 30 days (unless otherwise extended by mutual agreement of the parties) after receipt of the written notice of the Claim, the Claim must be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the then current CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes and this Section. The arbitration will be governed by the United Stated Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16, to the exclusion of any inconsistent provision of state law or provision that would produce a different result. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction. The arbitration will be held in Houston, Texas. There will be one arbitrator. The arbitration will determine the Claim of the parties and render a final award in accordance with the substantive law set forth in Section 28. The arbitrator will set forth the reasons for the award in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, MBF shall be entitled to enforce, perfect, protect, or maintain its ownership rights in the Feedstock and Biodiesel against any lien or competing claim of any third party, and to obtain possession of its property, in any court of competent jurisdiction for such purpose.

 

 

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

23


MBF

 

ED&F MAN BIOFUELS, INC.

By:  /s/ Olivia S. Adams                                                 
Print Name:  Olivia S. Adams                                         
Title: Head of ED&F Man Biodiesel North America

REGH

 

REG HOUSTON, LLC

By: /s/ Gary Haer                                                         
Print Name: Gary Haer                                                 
Title: Vice President Sales and Marketing              

 

24


Attachment A

 

Houston Biodiesel         
   Revised    5/16/2008    Myron Danzer
RBD Palm Oil Specification         
Parameter    Specification    Test Procedure    Notes
FFA (as Palmitic)    0.1% max.      
M&I    0.1% max.      
I.V (Wijs)    50-55      
M.Pt degrees C (AOCS Cc 3-25)    33-39      
Colour (5  1 / 4 ” Lovibond cell)    3 Red max.      
RBD Palm Olein Specification         
Parameter    Specification    Test Procedure    Notes
FFA (as Palmitic)    0.1% max.      
M&I    0.1% max.      
I.V (Wijs)    56 min.      
M.Pt degrees C (AOCS Cc 3-25)    24 max.      
Colour (5  1 / 4 ” Lovibond cell)    3 Red max.      
RBD Soybean Oil         
Parameter    Specification    Test Procedure    Notes
In accordance with Rule 103 – Definitions of Grades and Quality of Soybean Oil Used for Specific Purposes    See Attachment D      

[        ]

 

FFA %: Typical .025, Our Spec .10 Max,

Phos ppm: Typical 1 Max, Our Spec 3 Max

Moisture %: Typical .05 to .08, Our Spec .10 Max

Soaps: Typical 0 ppm, Our Spec 5 Max

        

Iodine Value: Typical 128 to 131

Our Spec 125-139

Appearance Clear and Free of Foreign Material

        
Tallow Specification         
Parameter         
Max 0.75% FFA         
MIU max 1%         

 

25


Attachment B

Marine Requirements at the LBC Terminal - Houston

 

1 Barge Specifications

 

Barge    Max
Draft    12.5 feet
Beam    50 feet
Length    295 feet

Barge Notes

Header must be located on either bow or stern

No mid-ship headers allowed

Barge must be equipped with off-loading pump(s)

Barge header smaller than 6” will result in longer wharf times for loading/unloading

 

2 Ship Specifications

 

Ship    Max
Draft    40 feet
Beam    106 feet
Length    625 feet

 

3 Notes General to both Barge and Ship

Max pump discharge pressure not to exceed 90 psig

 

4 Port of Houston wharfage fee currently at $.24 per metric ton of product transferred which is the responsibility of MBF. Wharfage fee is subject to change per Port of Houston’s discretion.

 

5 Marine delay charges are as follows (MBF shall be responsible for):

 

Ship    $525 per hour
Barge    $263 per hour

Ship and/or barge must be ready to load/unload upon arrival at LBC docks. There will be a four (4) hour grace period per ship visit and two (2) hour grace period per barge visit. All customer testing /sampling, etc., must be completed during this grace period.

 

6 Hours of operation are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

7 Sampling, excludes postage and packaging if shipped, $63.00 per sample up to 5 gallon

 

26


Attachment C – reserved.

 

27


Attachment D

Rule 103 c. Fully Refined Soybean Oil

Fully Refined Soybean Oil sold for export shall be pure soybean oil. It shall be produced from fair average quality crude soybean oil from which essentially all of the free fatty acids and non-oil substances have been removed by refining treatments. It shall meet the following specifications:

Analytical Requirements:

 

  i. Flavor shall be bland.

 

  ii. Color (Lovibond) Maximum 20Y/2.0R using AOCS Method Cc 13b-45

 

  iii. % FFA (% by wt.) Maximum 0.05 using AOCS Method Ca 5a-40

 

  iv. Clear and brilliant in appearance at 70-85° F

 

  v.

Cold Test – Minimum 5  1 / 2 hrs. using AOCS Method Cc 11-53

 

  vi. Shall contain not more than 0.10% moisture and volatile matter using AOCS Official Method Ca 2c-25.

 

  vii. The unsaponifiable content shall not exceed 1.5% when determining according to AOCS Method Ca 6a-40.

 

  viii. The peroxide value Meq/Kg shall not exceed 2.0 when determined by AOCS Method Cd 8-53.

 

  ix. Stability – AOM, Minimum is 8 hrs. 35 Meq/Kg when using AOCS Method Cd 12-57.

 

  x. Preservatives (GRAS) are permitted.

Chemical analysis shall be made in accordance with the methods from “official Methods and Recommended Practices of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Chapter: Commercial Fats and Oils, Section C.”

The chemical analysis to determine quality shall include the qualitative test for fish oil and marine animal oils as prescribed by AOAC Method No. 974.20, and shall be negative.

Physical Requirements:

 

  i. The oil shall be clear and brilliant in appearance at 70° - 85° F.

 

  ii. The oil shall be free from settlings or foreign matter of any kind.

 

  iii. The oil shall have a clean, fresh flavor and shall be free from rancid, beany, painty, sour or other objectionable flavors or odors, as specified in U.S. Department of Agriculture specifications A-A-20091D.

 

28


*** Confidential material redacted and filed separately with the Commission.

Schedule 1

 

Production Period    January 1 2010 - March 31 2010
Biodiesel Volume   

*** gallons January

*** gallons February

*** gallons March

Total *** U.S gallons.

Total Biodiesel Volume is approx; actual volume will be determined by Feedstock railcar weights converted by Contractual Yields outlined in clause 3)

Production Commencement Date    January 1 2010
Base Toll Fee per mt    $*** per gallon.
Biodiesel Delivery Dates:    Date    Quantity to be Delivered US gallons)
     
   Lifting dates to be mutually agreed by Parties   
Final Toll Date    March 31 2010   

 

29

Exhibit 10.41

TERMINATION AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE

This Termination Agreement and Mutual Release (“ Agreement ”) is made and entered into this 15 th day of July, 2011 by and among USRG Holdco IX, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ USRG ”), Renewable Energy Group, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”) and REG Services , LLC, an Iowa limited company (“ REG ”).

RECITALS:

 

  A. USRG and REG are parties to that certain Glycerin Option Agreement dated as of April 8, 2010 (the “ Glycerin Agreement ”).

 

  B. Parent is planning its first sale of its shares of common stock in a firmly underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration on Form S-l (or any successor form) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which sale of shares is to be completed on or prior to June 30, 2012 and is not a QPO (as such term is defined in the Parent’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended) (the “ Planned IPO ”).

 

  C. USRG and REG desire to terminate the Glycerin Agreement immediately prior to the Planned IPO for the consideration specified herein.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, USRG and REG agrees as follows:

1. Effective immediately prior to the closing of the Planned IPO, Parent shall issue to USRG 500,000 shares of Parent’s Class A Common Stock (adjusted for any stock combinations, stock splits, stock dividends and the like) in an unregistered private placement pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

2. Upon issuance of the shares hereunder (the “Effective Time”), the Glycerin Agreement shall be and is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect and neither USRG or REG shall have any further rights, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of the Agreement.

3. Upon the Effective Time, USRG for itself and for its managers, officers, directors, members, affiliates, employees and agents hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges REG and Parent and their respective managers, officers, directors, members, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all debts, liabilities, obligations, duties and demands of whatever type or nature whatsoever whether at law or in equity and whether known or unknown, which any of such releasing parties have or may hereafter have for or by reason of any act, omission, cause,

 

1


matter, circumstance or thing whatsoever occurring or otherwise arising in whole or in part at any time and in any way arising from or related to or connected with the Glycerin Agreement.

4. Upon the Effective Time, REG and Parent for themselves and for their respective managers, officers, directors, members, affiliates, employees and agents hereby release, acquit and forever discharge USRG and its managers, officers, directors, members, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all debts, liabilities, obligations, duties and demands of whatever type or nature whether at law or in equity or whether known or unknown, which any of such releasing parties have or may hereafter have for or by reason of any act, omission, cause, matter, circumstance or thing whatsoever occurring or otherwise arising in whole or in part at any time and in any way arising from or related to or connected with the Glycerin Agreement.

5. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other parties as follows:

 

  a. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, assuming enforceability against the other parties, is the legal, valid and binding agreement of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws, rules and regulations affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

 

  b. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation, as amended, or bylaws, as amended, or comparable governing documents of such party, or any resolution of its board of directors or managers or stockholders or members, (ii) result in a violation of applicable law by such party or (iii) conflict with, or result in a breach of, or constitute (or, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute) a default under, or give rise to any right of termination, acceleration or cancellation under any agreement, contract, note, license or other instrument to which such party is bound.

 

  c. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or limited liability company action on the part of such party.

6. Parent acknowledges and agrees that the Shares shall constitute “Senior Registrable Securities” pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement of Parent dated February, 26, 2010, as amended (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) and shall execute any

 

2


documentation necessary or appropriate to confirm that USRG shall be afforded all rights of a “Series A Stockholder” under the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Shares.

7. USRG represents and warrants to Parent on the date hereof as follows:

 

  a. This Agreement is entered into by Parent in reliance upon USRG’s representation, which by its execution of this Agreement is hereby confirmed, that the Shares to be received by USRG are and will be acquired for investment for its own account and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that USRG has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same.

 

  b. USRG has had the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from the officers, directors and controlling shareholders of Parent regarding Parent and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares hereunder and to obtain additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information supplied to USRG or to which it had access.

 

  c. USRG acknowledges that an investment in the Shares is speculative. USRG is able to fend for itself in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, can bear the economic risk of its investment (including possible complete loss of such investment) for an indefinite period of time and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. USRG represents that it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares. USRG understands that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any jurisdiction, by reason of reliance upon certain exemptions, and that the reliance on such exemptions is predicated, in part, upon the accuracy of USRG’s representations and warranties in this Section 7. USRG is familiar with Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and represents that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of such Regulation D.

 

  d. USRG understands that the Shares are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws in as much as they are being acquired from Parent in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the legend described below. USRG represents that it is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

 

3


  e. Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, USRG further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Shares unless:

(i) There is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such Registration Statement; or

(ii) (A) USRG shall have notified Parent of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished Parent with a reasonably detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (B) if reasonably requested by Parent, USRG shall have furnished Parent with an opinion of counsel, or other evidence, reasonably satisfactory to Parent that such disposition will not require registration of such shares under the Securities Act.

 

  f. USRG understands that each of the certificates evidencing the Shares may bear the following legends:

“THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW, AND NO INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE SOLD, DISTRIBUTED, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS COVERING ANY SUCH TRANSACTION INVOLVING SAID SECURITIES, (ii) THE CORPORATION RECEIVES AN OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION STATING THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION, OR (iii) THE CORPORATION OTHERWISE SATISFIES ITSELF THAT SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE UPON REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE A FULL STATEMENT OF THE DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES, LIMITATIONS, AND RELATIVE RIGHTS OF THE SHARES OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES AUTHORIZED TO BE ISSUED BY THE CORPORATION.”

8. Parent represents and warrants to USRG that the Shares when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with this Agreement will be duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

4


9. The legends set forth in Section 7(e) above shall be removed and Parent shall issue or cause to be issued a certificate without such legends to USRG if such shares are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, Rule 144 promulgated thereunder or another applicable exemption from registration. Parent will cooperate with USRG at its own expense and will direct its agents to cooperate to remove any legend pursuant to this paragraph 9.

10. Until the Effective Time, the Glycerin Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In the event the sale of shares in the Planned IPO is not completed prior to July 1, 2012, this Agreement shall be terminated and of no further force or effect and the Glycerin Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

11. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matters hereof and may be amended only by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

12. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure the benefit of the successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

13. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts which when taken together shall constitute a complete, original document.

14. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, USRG, Parent and REG have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

USRG Holdco IX, LLC     REG Services, LLC.
By:   /s/ Jonathan Koch     By:   /s/ Daniel J. Oh
        Daniel J. Oh
Renewable Energy Group, Inc.    
By:   /s/ Jeffrey Stroburg      
       

 

 

5

Exhibit 10.42

LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of August 4, 2011, by and between USRG HOLDCO IX, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Lender ”), REG ALBERT LEA, LLC , an Iowa limited liability company (“ Borrower ”), and USRG MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC (“ USRG ”).

RECITALS

A. Borrower has requested Lender extend to Borrower a loan for the purpose of providing working capital to operate a biodiesel production facility located in Freeborn County, Minnesota (the “ Plant ”).

B. Lender has agreed to make a Loan (as defined below) to Borrower under this Agreement on the date on which all of the conditions set forth in Article III hereof have been satisfied by Borrower or waived by Lender (such date, the “ Financial Closing Date ”), with such Loan and all interest thereon being repayable by Borrower to Lender no later than the Maturity Date.

C. The Loan to be made to Borrower under this Agreement will be secured in the manner described herein.

D. Lender has agreed to make a Loan, provided that the terms set forth herein incorporate late payment penalties designed to offset payments and additional expenses Lender Affiliate (as defined below), USRG Power & Fuels Fund II, LP, would incur in the event of a Default (as defined below).

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, intending to be legally bound hereby, and in consideration of Lender making a loan to Borrower, Lender and Borrower agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

Section 1.01. Certain Defined Terms . All capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings. Terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in New York, as amended from time to time.

Additional Fees ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(b) .

Affiliates ” means as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person. For purposes


of this definition, “ control ” of a Person (including, with its correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”) means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

Agreement ” means this Agreement, as this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, together with all exhibits and schedules attached to or made a part of this Agreement from time to time.

Borrower ” means REG Albert Lea, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

Collateral ” means and includes, without limitation, all property and assets granted as collateral security for the Loan, whether real or personal property, and whether granted in the form of a security interest, mortgage, assignment of rents, assignment, pledge, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever; whether created by law, contract or otherwise.

Current Interest ” means interest payable in such calendar month pursuant to this Agreement.

Customer ” shall mean, collectively, all Persons who purchase biodiesel or any other product (however characterized) directly or indirectly from Borrower, including Affiliates of Borrower, affiliated or third party intermediaries and residential, commercial, industrial and other end-users of such product (however characterized).

Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.01(l) .

Default Rate ” means the lesser of: (a) the Maximum Rate; or (b) the rate per annum, calculated each day during which such rate shall apply, which shall on the first day be equal to eight percent (8%) in excess of the rate of interest under the Note, and then on each subsequent day be equal to five percent (5%) in excess of the rate of interest as computed on the prior day. For example, if the rate of interest under the Note is twelve percent (12%), the first day the Default Rate applies the rate would be twenty percent (20%), and the second day the Default Rate applies the rate would be twenty-five percent (25%)

Deposit Account ” means the account maintained by Borrower with First National Bank, Ames, Iowa.

EBITDA ” means for each calendar month, as determined based on financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, Borrower’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.


Events of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01 .

FC Loan ” means the loan proceeds received by Borrower as assignee of SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC pursuant to the Agreement for Loan of Minnesota Investment Fund, dated as of July 18, 2006 by and between Freeborn County and SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC (as amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time).

Financial Closing Date ” means the date on which the conditions set forth in Article III have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 7.01 .

FMCF Loan ” means the loan proceeds received by Borrower as assignee of SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement dated July 1, 2005 between Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, Inc., a Minnesota cooperative corporation, and SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time).

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority ” means and includes any and all courts, boards, agencies, commissions, offices, or authorities of any nature whatsoever for any governmental unit (federal, state, county, district, municipality, city, or otherwise) whether now or hereafter in existence.

Guaranty” shall mean that guaranty, dated as of the date hereof, given by Guarantor, pursuant to which Guarantor shall guarantee the prompt payment and performance of Borrower under the Note and this Agreement subject to the terms thereof.

Guarantor ” means Renewable Energy Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Hedging Agreement ” means any interest rate swap, interest rate caps, interest rate collars or other similar agreements enabling a Person to fix or limit its interest expense or pursuant to any foreign exchange, currency hedging, commodity hedging, security hedging or other agreement enabling a Person to limit the market risk of holding currency, a security or a commodity in either the cash or futures markets.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.01(j) .

Inventory ” means the Plant’s feedstock and chemicals used in the manufacturing of biodiesel.

Lender ” means USRG Holdco IX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and assigns.

Lender Fee ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a) .


Loan ” means and includes the financial accommodations extended to Borrower by Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Note, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Mortgage, and all other agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates of Borrower delivered to, or in favor of, Lender under this Agreement or in connection herewith or therewith.

Loan Obligations ” means all obligations, indebtedness, and liabilities of Borrower to Lender, arising pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the obligation of Borrower to repay the Loan, interest on the Loan, and all fees, costs, and expenses provided for in the Loan Documents.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any set of circumstances or events which: (i) has any material adverse effect upon the validity or enforceability of any Loan Documents or any material term or condition contained therein; (ii) is material and adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), business assets, operations, or property of Borrower; or (iii) materially impairs the ability of Borrower to perform the obligations under the Loan Documents.

Mandatory Prepayment Date ” means November 15, 2011; provided , however , that Lender may, in its sole discretion, extend this date to December 1, 2011 upon receipt of a written request of Borrower.

Maturity Date ” means December 15, 2011.

Maximum Rate ” means the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, at any time, or from time to time, that may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received under applicable state or federal laws.

Mortgage ” means that certain Mortgage of even date herewith, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, pursuant to which a mortgage interest shall be granted by Borrower to Lender in the Real Property to secure payment to Lender of the Loan Obligations.

Note ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.01(b).

Permitted Liens ” has the meaning provided in Section 5.02(b).

Person ” means any individual, corporation, business trust, association, company, partnership, joint venture, governmental authority, or other entity.

Personal Property ” means all equipment, fixtures, improvements, building supplies and materials and other personal property now or hereafter attached to, located in, placed in or necessary to the use of the improvements on the Real Property including, but without being limited to, all machinery, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, and appliances, as well as all renewals, replacements, additions, and substitutes thereof, and all products and


proceeds thereof, and including without limitation all inventory, farm products, accounts, instruments, chattel paper, other rights to payment, money, deposit accounts, commodity accounts, investment property, insurance proceeds and general intangibles of Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

Plant ” means the biodiesel production facility owned by Borrower and located in Freeborn County, Minnesota.

Pledge Agreement ” means the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Borrower, the Pledgor and Lender, pursuant to which the Pledgor pledges 100% of the equity interests in Borrower to Lender.

Pledgor ” means Renewable Energy Group, Inc, a Delaware corporation.

Real Property ” means that real property located in Freeborn County, Minnesota, owned by Borrower, upon which the Plant is located and which is described in Schedule 3.01(d).

Restricted Payments ” means any distributions, dividends, loans or advances to Borrower and Affiliates of Borrower; provided that , after all payments of Loan Obligations then due have been paid, and the financial statements of Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c)(ii) hereof demonstrate compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 5.01(n) hereof for the month to which the payments relate, Borrower or an Affiliate of Borrower may make payments required under the Services Agreement.

Sales Proceeds ” means all proceeds from any sale, transfer or other disposition of biodiesel or any other product (however characterized) directly or indirectly from Borrower.

Security Agreement ” means and includes, without limitation, any agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, understandings, or other agreements, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise, which evidence, govern, represent, or create a Security Interest, as the same has been and may hereafter be amended or otherwise modified.

Security Interest ” means and includes without limitation any type of collateral security, whether in the form of a lien, charge, mortgage, assignment of rents, assignment, pledge, or any other security or lien interest whatsoever, whether created by law, contract, or otherwise.

Services Agreement ” means the Management and Operational Services Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and between Borrower and REG Services Group, LLC.

Side Letter ” means the Side Letter Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2011, by and between Borrower and Lender.

Uniform Commercial Code ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.


WCC Loan ” means the loan proceeds received by Borrower as assignee of SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC pursuant to the Loan Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2005 (as amended, amended and restated, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time), among SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC and West Central Cooperative.

Section 1.02. Accounting Matters . All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, except as otherwise stated herein. To enable the ready and consistent determination of compliance by Borrower with its obligations under this Agreement, Borrower will not change the manner in which either the last day of its fiscal year or the last days of the first three fiscal quarters of its fiscal years is calculated.

Section 1.03. Construction . Wherever herein the singular number is used, the same shall include the plural where appropriate, and words of any gender shall include each other gender where appropriate. The headings, captions or arrangements used in any of the Loan Documents are, unless specified otherwise, for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of the Loan Documents, nor affect the meaning thereof.

ARTICLE II

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE LOAN

Section 2.01. Loan Fees . In consideration of the Loan to be made by Lender to Borrower, Borrower agrees to pay (a) Lender a fee of $500,000 payable on the Financial Closing Date (the “ Lender Fee ”) and (b) any and all additional fees paid by Lender for all administrative and other costs incurred in the Loan’s origination, including all costs, fees and expenses of legal counsel and other consultants (the “ Additional Fees ”). The Lender Fee and the Additional Fees shall be fully earned on the Financial Closing Date and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever. The Lender Fee shall be payable to USRG at the account listed on Schedule 2.01.

Section 2.02. Loan . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, Lender has agreed to lend to Borrower and Borrower has agreed to borrow from Lender as of the date hereof the amount of $10,000,000. Such amount shall be loaned by Lender pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Note.

Section 2.03. Maturity Date Default Interest . In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and notwithstanding the Note, if Borrower fails to make the required payment to Lender on the Maturity Date, then the unpaid principal balance of the Loan, including any accrued interest, shall automatically bear interest at the Default Rate. As a further addition to the rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and the Note, if Borrower fails to make the required payment to Lender on the Maturity Date, Borrower agrees to pay Lender, without further notice or demand, (i) an additional amount of $1,000,000 and (ii) $500,000 on every fifth day thereafter until all Loan Obligations are paid. The rights and remedies provided for in this section shall only be available to Lender in the event of nonpayment by Borrower upon the Maturity Date, and not in the event of maturity of the Loan by reason of acceleration or otherwise.


Section 2.04. Late Charge . If any payment of interest due under the Note prior to the Maturity Date is not paid within ten (10) days of the due date thereof, Borrower shall, in addition to such amount, pay a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment.

Section 2.05. Prepayment of Loan .

(a) Optional Prepayment . Borrower may, at anytime and from time to time, upon ten (10) days advance written notice to Lender, prepay the outstanding amount of the Loan in whole or in part with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, without penalty or premium.

(b) Mandatory Prepayment . On the Mandatory Prepayment Date and on the Monday of each week thereafter, Borrower shall be required to prepay to Lender an amount equal to cash or cash equivalents available in excess of $250,000 as determined by the most recent report of Borrower’s operations delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c)(i) hereof.

Section 2.06. No Reborrowings . Any portion of the Loan repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

Section 2.07. Withholding and Other Taxes . If any withholding or deduction from any payment to be made by Borrower under this Agreement is required in respect of any taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, Borrower will: (a) pay to the relevant authority the full amount required to be so withheld or deducted; (b) promptly forward to Lender an official receipt or other documentation satisfactory to Lender evidencing such payment to such authority; and (c) make such payment to Lender net any such withholding deduction.

Section 2.08. Payments and Computations .

(a) Method of Payment . All payments of principal, interest, and other amounts to be made by Borrower under the Loan Documents (with the exception of the Lender Fee) shall be made to Lender in U.S. dollars and in immediately available funds, without set-off, deduction, or counterclaim, not later than 3:00 P.M. (central standard time) on the date on which such payment shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day) to account number 112863958 in the name of USRG Holdco IX, LLC at City National Bank (ABA#122016066). Borrower shall, at the time of making each such payment, specify to Lender the sums payable under the Loan Documents to which such payment is to be applied, and in the event that Borrower fails to so specify or if an Event of Default exists, Lender may apply such payment and any proceeds of any Collateral to the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as it may elect in its reasonable discretion.

(b) Application of Funds . Lender may apply all payments received by it to the Loan Obligations in such order and manner as Lender may elect in its reasonable discretion; provided that any payments received from any guarantor or from any disposition of any collateral provided by such guarantor shall only be applied against obligations guaranteed by such guarantor.


(c) Payments on a Non-Business Day . Whenever any payment under any Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of the payment of interest and fees, as the case may be.

(d) Proceeds of Collateral . All proceeds received by Lender from the sale or other liquidation of the Collateral when an Event of Default exists shall first be applied as payment of the accrued and unpaid fees and expenses of Lender hereunder, and then to all other unpaid or unreimbursed Loan Obligations (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) owing to Lender and then any remaining amount of such proceeds shall be applied to the unpaid amounts of Loan Obligations, until all the Loan Obligations have been paid and satisfied in full or cash collateralized. After all the Loan Obligations (including without limitation, all contingent Loan Obligations) have been paid and satisfied in full, and all other obligations of Lender to Borrower otherwise satisfied, any remaining proceeds of Collateral shall be delivered to the Person entitled thereto as directed by Borrower or as otherwise determined by applicable law or applicable court order.

(e) Computations . All computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of actual number of days lapsed over a year of 365 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.

Section 2.09. Maximum Amount Limitation . Anything in this Agreement, the Note, or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall not be required to pay unearned interest on the Note or any of the Loan Obligations, or ever be required to pay interest on the Note or any of the Loan Obligations at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any. If the effective rate of interest which would otherwise be payable under this Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents would exceed the Maximum Rate, if any, then the rate of interest which would otherwise be contracted for, charged, or received under this Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall be reduced to the Maximum Rate, if any. If any unearned interest or discount or property that is deemed to constitute interest (including, without limitation, to the extent that any of the fees payable by Borrower for the Loan Obligations to Lender under this Agreement, the Note, or any of the other Loan Documents are deemed to constitute interest) is contracted for, charged, or received in excess of the Maximum Rate, if any, then such interest in excess of the Maximum Rate shall be deemed a mistake and canceled, shall not be collected or collectible, and if paid nonetheless, shall, at the option of the holder of the Note, be either refunded to Borrower, or credited on the principal of such Note. It is further agreed that, without limitation of the foregoing and to the extent permitted by applicable law, all calculations of the rate of interest or discount contracted for, charged or received by Lender under the Note, or under any of the Loan Documents, that are made for the purpose of determining whether such rate exceeds the Maximum Rate applicable to Lender, if any, shall be made, to the extent permitted by applicable laws (now or hereafter enacted), by amortizing, prorating and spreading over the period of the Loan evidenced by the Note, and any renewals thereof, all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by Lender in connection therewith. This section shall control every other provision of all agreements among the parties to this Agreement pertaining to the transactions contemplated by or contained in the


Loan Documents, and the terms of this section shall be deemed to be incorporated in every Loan Document and communication related thereto.

ARTICLE III.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 3.01. Conditions Precedent to Funding . The obligations of Lender to make the Loan are subject to the conditions precedent that Lender shall have received the following, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender:

(a) this Agreement, duly executed by Borrower and Lender;

(b) Borrower shall have delivered to Lender a promissory note duly executed by Borrower evidencing the Loan substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Note ”);

(c) the Mortgage, fully executed and notarized, to secure the Loan encumbering on a first lien basis the fee interest of Borrower in the Real Property and the fixtures thereon described in Schedule 3.01(c);

(d) a Security Agreement duly executed by Borrower and in a form as provided by Lender by which security agreement Lender is granted a security interest by Borrower in the Collateral;

(e) the Guaranty duly executed by Guarantor;

(f) financing statements in form and content reasonably satisfactory to Lender and in proper form under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of Lender, desirable to perfect the security interests created by the Security Agreement and Pledge Agreement; and

(g) a deposit account control agreement for the Deposit Account kept and maintained by Borrower.

(h) a title insurance policy issued in favor of Lender by Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender;

(i) the Pledge Agreement, duly executed by Borrower, Pledgor and Lender;

(j) a duly executed certificate of an authorized officer of Borrower certifying that each representation and warranty of Borrower and each other Person that is party to a Loan Document in each Loan Document to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date that all conditions in this Article III (other than this subsection) have been satisfied or waived in writing by Lender;


(k) a duly executed certificate of an authorized officer of Borrower certifying that no event or condition which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default (any such event or condition, a “ Default ”) or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(l) the Services Agreement, duly executed by Borrower and REG Services Group, LLC;

(m) Lender shall have received for its own account the Lender Fee and the Additional Fees due and payable (including reasonable costs, fees and expenses of legal counsel);

(n) Lender shall have received evidence, in form and substance acceptable to Lender, of (1) the subordination of the WCC Loan and FC Loan and (2) the payoff of the FMCF Loan; and

(o) the Side Letter, duly executed by Borrower and Lender.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.01. Representations and Warranties of Borrower . Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

(a) Borrower . Borrower is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Iowa. Borrower has the power and authority to own and operate its assets and to carry on its business and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is or may become a party.

(b) The Loan Documents . The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of the Loan Documents are within Borrower’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, do not contravene: (i) the articles of organization or operating agreement of Borrower; or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting Borrower the failure to comply with which may have a Material Adverse Effect and do not result in or require the creation of any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) upon or with respect to any of its properties.

(c) Governmental Approvals . No consent, permission, authorization, order or license of any Governmental Authority or of any party to any agreement to which Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its property may be bound or affected, is necessary in connection with the acquisition and operation of the Plant, the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Loan Documents or the creation and perfection of the liens and security interests granted thereby, except as such have been obtained and are in full force and effect or which are required in connection with the exercise of remedies hereunder and except as such that are not materially required for the operation of the Plant.


(d) Enforceability . This Agreement is, and each other Loan Document to which Borrower is a party when delivered will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

(e) Liens . Except as created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens, there is no lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, and no other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of the properties or income of Borrower, which secures debt of any Person.

(f) Taxes . Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all other taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies upon it and its property, income, profits and assets which are due and payable, except where the payment of such tax, assessment, government charge or levy is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in compliance with GAAP have been set aside on Borrower’s books therefore.

(g) Title to Properties . Borrower has such title in and to the Real Property owned by it as is necessary or desirable to the conduct of its business and valid and legal title or leasehold interest in and to all of its Personal Property.

(h) Solvency . Borrower is now and, after giving effect to the making of the Loan, will be, solvent.

(i) No Material Adverse Effect . Since June 8, 2011, no event, development or circumstance has occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE V.

COVENANTS OF BORROWER

Section 5.01. Affirmative Covenants . So long as any Loan Obligations remain unpaid, Borrower shall, unless Lender shall otherwise consent in advance in writing:

(a) Compliance with Laws, etc . Comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, and pay before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its property except to the extent contested in good faith.

(b) Visitation Rights; Field Examination . At any reasonable time during normal business hours and from time to time, permit Lender or its representatives, to, at Borrower’s expense, (i) examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of Borrower, and (ii) enter onto the property of Borrower to conduct unannounced field examinations and collateral inspections, with such frequency as Lender in its reasonable discretion may deem appropriate, and (iii) discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of Borrower


with any of Borrower’s officers or directors. Borrower consents to and authorizes Lender to enter onto the property of Borrower for purposes of conducting the examinations, inspections and discussions provided above.

(c) Reporting Requirements . Furnish to Lender:

(i) Beginning on the Monday of the first (1 st ) week following the date hereof, and continuing each week thereafter, a report of Borrower operations, including all current asset and liability balances. For purposes of this Agreement, current assets and liabilities shall mean cash, accounts receivable, inventory (with detail including, but not limited to, the book value of biodiesel feedstock inventory), the current market value of biodiesel available by Borrower for sale and accounts payable, and shall be reported as of Wednesday of the prior week;

(ii) Beginning with the first (1 st ) month following the date hereof, as soon as available but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the end of each month, unaudited monthly financial statements of Borrower, in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP in all material respects consistently applied (except for the omission of footnotes and for the effect of normal year-end audit adjustments) and in a format that demonstrates any accounting or formatting change that may be required by various jurisdictions in which the business of Borrower is conducted (to the extent not inconsistent with GAAP);

(iii) promptly, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, notice of such Event of Default;

(iv) such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of Borrower as Lender may from time to time reasonably request;

(v) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of the commencement of all actions, suits, or proceedings before any court, arbitrator, or government department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality affecting Borrower which, if determined adversely, could have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower;

(vi) promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of any matter which has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower.

(d) Liens . There shall be no lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, and no other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of the properties or income of Borrower, which secures debt of any Person, except for the security interests of the Security Agreement and Permitted Liens.

(e) Insurance . Maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies in such amounts and covering such risks as are usually carried by entities engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which Borrower operates. All such policies insuring any collateral for Borrower’s obligations to


Lender shall have lender or mortgagee loss payable clauses or endorsements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender.

(f) Property Maintenance . Maintain and preserve all of its property and each and every part and parcel thereof that is necessary to or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good repair, working order, and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, and make all alterations, replacements, and improvements thereto as may from time to time be necessary in order to ensure that its properties remain in good working order and condition and compliance.

(g) Deposit Account . (i) Maintain its Deposit Account in which it shall have granted Lender a first priority security interest at First National Bank, Ames, Iowa at all times during the term of this Agreement, over which Lender shall have “control” as such term is defined in the UCC. Borrower shall also grant a first priority perfected security interest in the Deposit Account and shall enter into all documentation and perform all acts reasonably requested by Lender and its counsel to vest control over the Deposit Account in Lender for purposes of perfecting Lender’s security interest therein.

(ii) Cause each Customer or REG Marketing & Logistics Group, LLC to make all payment of all Sales Proceeds due and payable to Borrower directly to the Deposit Account.

(h) Additional Assurances . Make, execute and deliver to Lender such promissory notes, mortgages, financing statements, control agreements, instruments, documents and other agreements as Lender or its counsel may reasonably request to evidence and secure the Loan and to perfect all Security Interests.

(i) Maintenance of Existence . Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence in the State of Iowa and take all actions to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business.

(j) Indemnification . Defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless, Lender and its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees, representatives and agents (each, an “ Indemnitee ”), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, claims (including environmental claims), reasonable costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any hazardous materials), reasonable expenses and reasonable disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity) incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (a) this Agreement, the Guaranty, or any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) any environmental


claim against or any hazardous materials relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of Borrower.

(k) Security Interest . Take, or cause to be taken, all actions required by the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and the Mortgage to create, attach, perfect, protect, preserve, and maintain as first priority Liens the Liens on the collateral granted, or purported to be granted, under the Loan Documents in favor of Lender, subject to no liens other than Permitted Liens.

(l) Use of Loan Proceeds . Apply all Loan proceeds towards the purchase of Inventory.

(n) Financial Condition Covenant . Commencing September 30, 2011, maintain, as of the last day of each calendar month, an EBITDA to Current Interest ratio of not less than 1.5 to 1.0.

Section 5.02. Negative Covenants . So long as any of the Loan Obligations remain unpaid, Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of Lender:

(a) Liens, etc . Create or suffer to exist any lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance, or any other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign any right to receive income, in each case to secure any debt of any Person, other than the permitted liens listed below (the “ Permitted Liens ”):

(i) those described on Schedule 5.02(a) hereto and renewals and extensions on the same or substantially the same terms and conditions and at no increase in the debt or obligation; or

(ii) liens or security interests which are subject to an intercreditor and subordination agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender in Lender’s sole discretion; or

(iii) the liens or security interests of Lender in the Security Agreement, Mortgage or otherwise; or

(iv) liens for taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges that are not more than thirty (30) days overdue or, if the execution thereof is stayed, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and for which adequate reserves have been established; or

(v) liens of warehousemen, carriers, landlords, mechanics, materialmen, or other similar statutory or common law liens securing obligations that are not yet due and are incurred in the ordinary course of business or, if the execution thereof is stayed, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and for


which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or

(vi) liens resulting from good faith deposits to secure payments of workers’ compensation unemployment insurance, or other social security programs or to secure the performance of tenders, leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds, bids or contracts (other than for payment of debt); or

(vii) any attachment or judgment lien not constituting an Event of Default; or

(viii) liens arising from filing UCC financing statements regarding leases not prohibited by this Agreement; or

(ix) customary offset rights of brokers and deposit banks arising under the terms of securities account agreements and deposit agreements; or

(x) any real estate easements and easements, covenants and encumbrances that customarily do not affect the marketable title to real estate or materially impair its use; or

(xi) liens for purchase money security interest in equipment and vehicles or any other property acquired or held in the ordinary course of business not to exceed an aggregate amount of $500,000.00 per year or $200,000.00 for a single purchase.

(b) Indebtedness, etc . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any debt or other indebtedness, liabilities or obligations, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or contingent, joint or several, without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except: (i) the liabilities of Borrower to Lender hereunder; (ii) trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities (other than debt) arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business; (iii) debt to which Lender has consented in writing and with regard to which Lender has received, if it deems appropriate, a duly executed subordination agreement in form and substance acceptable to Lender in its reasonable discretion; (iv) the liabilities of Borrower constituting Permitted Liens, (v) contracts or agreements arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business; (vi) debt under a Hedging Agreement; or (vii) debt to Guarantor pursuant to a promissory note dated on or about the date hereof in the original principal amount of $670,000.

(c) Organization; Name; Chief Executive Office . Change its state of organization, name or the location of its chief executive office without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(d) Loans, Guaranties, etc . Make any loans or advances to (whether in cash, in-kind, or otherwise) any Person, or directly or indirectly guaranty or otherwise assure a creditor against loss in respect of any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of any Person.


(e) Amendments to Organizational Documents . Amend its articles of organization, operating agreement or any other organizational document in any material respect without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(f) Restricted Payments . Make any Restricted Payments.

ARTICLE VI.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default . Each of the following events shall be an “ Event of Default ”:

(a) Payment Obligations . Borrower shall fail to pay when due any amount of principal of, or within five (5) days after same becomes due, interest on any Loan Obligations; or any fee or other amount payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents; or

(b) Breach of Representation . Any representation or warranty made by Borrower or Guarantor, or any of its officers or directors under or in connection with any Loan Document or the Guaranty shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made; or

(c) Breach of Covenants . Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those listed in clauses (a) and (b) of this section) on its part to be performed or observed and any such failure shall remain unremedied for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof shall have been given to Borrower by Lender; or

(d) Insolvency . Borrower or Guarantor shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against Borrower or Guarantors seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property, and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it) either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or Borrower or Guarantor shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this subsection; or


(e) Change of Ownership . Borrower shall dissolve, merge, consolidate with other Persons, or suspend or discontinue doing business.

Section 6.02. Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and at any time while such Event of Default is continuing, Lender:

(a) may accelerate the due date of the unpaid principal balance of the Note, all accrued but unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement making such amounts immediately due and payable, whereupon the Note, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith immediately due and payable, without presentment, notice of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower;

(b) may, by written notice to Borrower, obtain the appointment of a receiver to take possession of all Collateral of Borrower, including, but not limited to all personal property, including all fixtures and equipment leased, occupied or used by Borrower. Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the appointment of such receiver and agrees to cooperate and assist any such receiver as reasonably requested to facilitate the transfer of possession of the Collateral to such receiver and to provide such receiver access to all books, records, information and documents as requested by such receiver;

(c) may exercise all other rights and remedies afforded to Lender under the Loan Documents or by applicable law or equity.

Section 6.03. Remedies Cumulative . Each and every power or remedy herein specifically given shall be in addition to every other power or remedy, existing or implied, given now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, and each and every power and remedy herein specifically given or otherwise so existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by Lender, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of one power or remedy shall not be deemed a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other power or remedy. No delay or omission of Lender in the exercise of any right or power accruing hereunder shall impair any such right or power or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein.

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.01. Amendments, etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document to which Borrower is a party, nor any consent to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be agreed or consented to by Lender and Borrower, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.


Section 7.02. Notices, etc . All notices and other communications provided for under any Loan Document shall be in writing and mailed, faxed, or delivered at the addresses set forth below, or at such other address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:

 

If to Borrower:

   REG Albert Lea, LLC
   c/o Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
   416 S. Bell Ave., P.O. Box 888
   Ames, Iowa 50010
   Attn: President
   Fax: (515) 239-8009

With a copy to:

   Wilcox, Polking, Gerken,
   Schwarzkopf & Copeland, P.C.
   115 E. Lincolnway, Suite 200
   Jefferson, Iowa 50129-2149
   Attn: John Gerken
   Fax: (515) 386-8531

If to Lender:

   USRG Holdco IX, LLC
   c/o US Renewables Group, LLC
   10 Bank Street
   White Plains, NY 10606
   Fax: (914) 206-3509
   Attn: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director
   Telephone: (914) 390-9620
   Fax: (914) 206-3509

With a copy to:

   US Renewables Group, LLC
   2425 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 4050 West
   Santa Monica, CA 90404
   Attn: Derek Bacon, Chief Financial Officer
   Telephone: (310) 586-3920

If to USRG:

   USRG Management Company, LLC
   2425 Olympic Blvd,
   Suite 4050 West
   Santa Monica, CA 90404

With a copy to:

   c/o US Renewables Group, LLC
   10 Bank Street
   White Plains, NY 10606
   Fax: (914) 206-3509
   Attn: Jonathan Koch, Managing Director
   Telephone: (914) 390-9620


All such notices and communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective: (a) when delivered; (b) the Business Day following the day on which the same has been delivered prepaid (or pursuant to an invoice arrangement) to a reputable national overnight air courier service; or (c) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid.

Section 7.03. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure on the part of Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right under any Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies provided in the Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 7.04. Severability of Provisions . Any provision of this Agreement or of any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 7.05. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrower, Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that Borrower shall not have the right to assign or otherwise transfer its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

Section 7.06. Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 7.07. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and on telecopy counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

Section 7.08. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by Borrower in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan Obligations are outstanding and unpaid.

Section 7.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING


TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED THEREUNDER.

Section 7.10. Entire Agreement . THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO HEREIN EMBODY THE FINAL, ENTIRE AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND SUPERSEDE ANY AND ALL PRIOR COMMITMENTS, AGREEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND UNDERSTANDINGS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED OR VARIED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES THERETO.

Section 7.11. Assignment . Borrower shall not be permitted to transfer any of its rights, benefits and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Lender.

{SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW}


BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, AND BORROWER AGREES TO ITS TERMS. THIS AGREEMENT IS DATED AS OF THE DATE FIRST ABOVE STATED.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers and duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:
REG ALBERT LEA, LLC
an Iowa limited liability company

/s/ Daniel J. Oh            

By:   Daniel J. Oh
Its:   President
LENDER:

USRG HOLDCO IX, LLC , a Delaware

limited liability company

By:   USRG MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
  By:  

Jonathan Koch

    Name: Jonathan Koch
    Title: Managing Director
By:  

USRG POWER & BIOFUELS FUND II GP, LLC

  By:   USRG MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Jonathan Koch

      Name: Jonathan Koch
      Title: Managing Director
SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 2.01 OF THE AGREEMENT,
USRG:
By:   USRG MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
  By:  

/s/ Jonathan Koch

    Name: Jonathan Koch
    Title: Managing Director

{SIGNATURE PAGE TO LOAN AGREEMENT}


Schedule 2.01

Account Information for Lender Fee


Schedule 3.01(c)

Real Property

PARCEL 1:

All that part of Lot Four (4), Block One (1), in the plat of Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota; described as follows:

Commencing at the northeast corner of said Lot 4; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 506.59 feet, on the north line of said Lot 4; thence South 00°10’45” East a distance of 519.88 feet, to a point on the south line of said Lot 4; thence South 89°47’19” East a distance of 506.93 feet, on the south line of said Lot 4, to the southeast corner thereof; thence North 00°13’01” West a distance of 520.44 feet, on the east line of said Lot 4, to the point of beginning.

PARCEL 2:

All that part of Lot Four (4), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota; described as follows: Commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot Three (3), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence South 00°08’52” West a distance of 311.57 feet, on a Southerly extension of the East line of said Lot 3, to a point on the South line of said Lot 4; thence North 89°47’19” West a distance of 434.88 feet, on the South line of said Lot 4, to the Southwest corner thereof; thence North 00°18’23” West a distance of 311.10 feet, on the West line of said Lot 4, to the Southwest corner of said Lot 3; thence South 89°51’08” East a distance of 437.34 feet, on the South line of said Lot 3, to the point of beginning.

PARCEL 3:

The South 172.52 feet of that part of Lot Four (4), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of Lot 4, Block 1 in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 506.59 feet, on an assumed bearing on the north line of said Lot 4, to the point of beginning; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 266.29 feet, on the north line of said Lot 4, to the northeast corner of Lot 3 in said Block 1; thence South 00°08’52” West a distance of 519.57 feet, on the east line of said Lot 3 and a southerly extension thereof, to a point on the south line of said Lot 4; thence South 89°47’19” East a distance of 269.26 feet, on the south line of said Lot 4, to a point 506.93 feet west of the southeast corner thereof; thence North 00°10’45” West a distance of 519.88 feet, to the point of beginning.

 

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PARCEL 4:

The North 97.34 feet of that part of Lot 4, Block 1, Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of Lot 4, Block 1 in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 506.59 feet, on an assumed bearing on the north line of said Lot 4, to the point of beginning; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 266.29 feet, on the north line of said Lot 4, to the northeast corner of Lot 3 in said Block 1; thence South 00°08’52” West a distance of 519.57 feet, on the east line of said Lot 3 and a southerly extension thereof, to a point on the south line of said Lot 4; thence South 89°47’19” East a distance of 269.26 feet, on the south line of said Lot 4, to a point 506.93 feet west of the southeast corner thereof; thence North 00’10’45” West a distance of 519.88 feet, to the point of beginning.

PARCEL 5:

All that part of Lot Four (4), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of said Lot 4; thence North 89’51’08” West a distance of 506.59 feet, on the north line of said Lot 4, to the point of beginning; thence North 89°51’08” West a distance of 266.29 feet, on the north line of said Lot 4, to the northeast corner of Lot 3 in said Block 1; thence South 00°08’52” West a distance of 519.57 feet, on the east line of said Lot 3 and a southerly extension thereof, to a point on the south line of said Lot 4; thence South 89°47’19” East a distance of 269.26 feet, on the south line of said Lot 4, to a point 506.93 feet west of the southeast corner thereof; thence North 00°10’45” West a distance of 519.88 feet, to the point of beginning.

LESS AND EXCEPTING THEREFROM:

The North 97.34 feet thereof and the South 172.52 feet thereof.

PARCEL 6:

All that part of Lot Two (2), Block Three (3), in the plat of Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of said Lot 2; thence North 89°47’19” West a distance of 507.00 feet, on the north line of said Lot 2; thence South 00°10’45” East a distance of 647.26 feet, to a point on the

 

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south line of said Lot 2; thence South 89°47’22” East a distance of 507.42 feet, on the south line of said Lot 2, to the southeast corner thereof; thence North 00°13’01” West a distance of 647.2 feet, on the east line of said Lot 2, to the point of beginning.

PARCEL 7:

All that part of Lot Two (2), Block Three (3) in the plat of Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of said Lot 2; thence North 89°47’19” West a distance of 507.00 feet, on the north line of said Lot 2, to the point of beginning; thence South 00°10’45” East a distance of 647.26 feet, to a point on the south line of said Lot 2; thence North 89°47’22” West a distance of 273.53 feet, on the south line of said Lot 2, to the southwest corner thereof; thence North 00°08’52” West a distance of 647.25 feet, on the east line of said Lot 2, to the northwest corner thereof; thence South 89°47’19” East a distance of 269.83 feet, on the north line of said Lot 2, to the point of beginning.

Note: Parcel designations are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute an integral part of the legal description.

AND TOGETHER WITH THE FOLLOWING EASEMENTS:

SIDE TRACK EASEMENT AREA AS STATED IN RAILROAD TRACKAGE EASEMENT AND USE AGREEMENT:

An easement over, under and across all that part of Lot One (1), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows:

Commencing at the southeast corner of Lot Four (4), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 00°13’01” West a distance of 410.17 feet, on an assumed bearing on the east line of said Lot 4, to the point of beginning; thence North 89°49’27” East a distance of 135.72 feet; thence North 84°14’24” East a distance of 1137.61 feet, to a point on the east line of Lot One (1), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park, which is 529.43 feet north of the southeast corner of said Lot One (1), Block One (1); thence North 89°33’35” West a distance of 1268.10 feet, to a point on the east line of Lot Two (2), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence South 00°13’01” East a distance of 124.33 feet, on the east line of Lots Two (2) and Four (4) in said Block

 

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One (1), to the point of beginning.

An easement over, under and across the South 25.00 feet of the East 600.00 feet of Lot Two (2), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder, Freeborn County, Minnesota.

SPUR LOOP EASEMENT AREA AS STATED IN RAILROAD TRACKAGE EASEMENT AND USE AGREEMENT:

An easement over, under and across all that part of Lots One (1) and Two (2), Block One (1); Lot One (1), Block Two (2); Outlot A and 787th Avenue in the plat of Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, described as follows:

Commencing at the northwest corner of Lot One (1), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence South 45°26’01” East a distance of 354.86 feet, on an assumed bearing on the northeasterly line of said Block One (1); thence Southeasterly a distance of 282.53 feet, on a nontangential curve concave to the west with a radius of 662.27 feet, a central angle of 24°26’35” and a chord bearing of South 12°25’44” East; thence South 00°12’26” East a distance of 1147.40 feet, on a tangential line; thence Southeasterly a distance of 530.04 feet, on a tangential curve concave to the northeast with a radius of 675.34 feet and a central angle of 44°58’07”; thence South 45°10’33” East a distance of 1725.06 feet; thence Southeasterly a distance of 399.55 feet, on a tangential curve concave to the northeast with a radius of 612.32 feet and a central angle of 37°23’11”; thence South 82°33’44” East a distance of 285.01 feet, on a tangential line; thence South 89°33’35” East a distance of 1440.10 feet; thence Southeasterly a distance of 390.04 feet, on a nontangential curve concave to the southwest with a radius of 792.72 feet, a central angle of 28°11’28” and a chord bearing of South 77°17’39” East, to a point on the northeasterly line of Lot One (1), Block Two (2) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence South 40°06’30” East a distance of 127.49 feet, on a nontangential line on the northeasterly line of said Lot One (1), Block Two (2) and the northeasterly line of Outlot A in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 63°11’55” West a distance of 117.28 feet; thence Westerly a distance of 366.60 feet, on a tangential curve concave to the south with a radius of 742.72 feet and a central angle of 28°16’51”; thence North 89°33’35” West a distance of 961.96 feet, on a nontangential line to a point on the east line of said Lot One (1), Block One (1), which is 529.43 feet north of the southeast corner of said Lot One (1); thence

 

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North 89°33’35” West a distance of 806.09 feet; thence Northwesterly a distance of 513.18 feet, on a tangential curve concave to the northeast with a radius of 662.47 feet and a central angle of 44°23’02”; thence North 45°10’33” West a distance of 1660.83 feet, on a tangential line; thence Northwesterly a distance of 246.89 feet, on a tangential curve concave to the northeast with a radius of 830.34 feet and a central angle of 17°02’11”, to a point on the west line of said Lot One (1), Block One (1); thence North 00°12’24” West a distance of 1536.43 feet, on a nontangential line on the west line of said Lot One (1), Block One (1), to a corner of said Lot One (1), Block (1); thence North 25°59’10” West a distance of 581.79 feet, on the west line of said Lot One (1), Block One (1), to the point of beginning.

EASEMENT AGREEMENT AS STATED IN EASEMENT AGREEMENT POTABLE WATER, RO WATER, STEAM, CARBON DIOXIDE:

An easement over, under and across Lot Two (2), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, said easement being 12 feet in width, 6 feet on each side of the following described centerline:

Commencing at the southwest corner of Lot Two (2), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’06” East a distance of 509.39 feet, on the south line of said Lot Two (2), to the point of beginning of the centerline to be described; thence North 00°07’18” West a distance of 321.00 feet, and there terminating.

AND

An easement over, under and across Lot Two (2), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, said easement being 13 feet in width, 6.5 feet on each side of the following described centerline;

Commencing at the southeast corner of Lot Two (2), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’06” East a distance of 521.89 feet, on the south line of said Lot Two (2), to the point of beginning of the centerline to be described; thence North 00°07’18” West a distance of 239.51 feet; thence South 89°55’52” East a distance of 70.90 feet; thence North 28°07’18” East a distance of 84.76 feet; thence North 55°54’31” East a distance of 53.09 feet, and there terminating.

AND

 

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Together with that certain easement as shown in JOINT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM USE AGREEMENT;

An easement over, under and across Lot Two (2), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, said easement being 12 feet in width, 6 feet on each side of the following described centerline:

Commencing at the southwest corner of Lot Two (2), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’06” East a distance of 509.39 feet, on the south line of said Lot Two (2), to the point of beginning of the centerline to be described; thence North 00°07’18” West a distance of 321.00 feet, and there terminating.

AND

An easement over, under and across Lot Two (2), Block One (1), Agra Resources Industrial Park, as the same is platted and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Freeborn County, Minnesota, said easement being 13 feet in width, 6.5 feet on each side of the following described centerline;

Commencing at the southeast corner of Lot Two (2), Block One (1) in said Agra Resources Industrial Park; thence North 89°51’06” East a distance of 521.89 feet, on the south line of said Lot Two (2), to the point of beginning of the centerline to be described; thence North 00°07’18” West a distance of 239.51 feet; thence South 89°55’52” East a distance of 70.90 feet; thence North 28°07’18” East a distance of 84.76 feet; thence North 55°54’31” East a distance of 53.09 feet, and there terminating.

 

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Schedule 5.02(a)

Description of Certain Liens, Lease Obligations, etc.

 

1. Real estate taxes and assessments that are not due and owing.

 

2.

Right of Way of County State Aid Highway No. 13 aka 150 th St. along southerly portion of subject property.

 

3. Rights of the public and other property owners in and to the free flow of water through County Ditches crossing subject property.

 

4. Property may be subject to assessment for the repair, maintenance and/or improvement of said County Ditches.

 

5. Easement for electric purposes in favor of Interstate Power Company as contained in Transmission Line Easement dated 6-18-1964, filed of record 6-29-1964, as Document No. 207984, in Book 49 of Misc., page 698.

 

6. Affidavit of Succession and Identity filed of record 5-17-2002, as Document No. 426068 states that present name of the company is Interstate Power and Light Company.

 

7. Easement for right of way purposes in favor of Freeborn-Mower Electric Cooperative as contained in Right of Way Easement dated 10-12-1998, filed of record 10-14-1998, as Document No. 398173; and Amendments to Articles of Incorporation changing name to Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services dated 4-6-1998, filed of record 11-21-2001, as Document No. 421693.

 

8. Easement for electric purposes in favor of Dairyland Power Cooperative as contained in Right of Way Easement for Rural Electric Line dated 9-29-1998, filed of record 11-25-1998, as Document No. 399071.

 

9. Terms and conditions of Resolution 01-104, filed of record 8-22-2001, as Document No. 419250 and Revocation of Option, Resolution, Motion and Purchase Agreement, and Agreement to Reimburse Real Estate Closing Costs and Finance Rail Spur Line Construction Costs and Hard Surface Road Improvement Costs, dated 8-21-2001, filed of record 8-22-2001, as Document No. 419251.

 

10. Terms and conditions of Agreement for Apportionment of Benefits and Damages, County Ditch #16 Lateral 1A, dated June 20, 2005, filed of record June 22, 2005, as Document No. 454283.

 

11. Terms and conditions of Agreement for Apportionment of Benefits and Damages, County Ditch #16, dated June 20, 2005, filed of record June 22, 2005, as Document No. 454284.

 

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12. Easement for ingress and egress purposes in favor of SoyMor Biodiesel, LLC as contained in Easement dated July 11, 2005, filed of record August 12, 2005, as Document No. 455490.

 

13. Utility easement(s) as shown on the proposed Plat of Agra Resources Industrial Park.

 

14. Easement for electric purposes in favor of Dairyland Power Cooperative as contained in Right of Way Easement for Rural Electric Line dated 5-28-2009, filed of record 6-9-2009, as Document No. 482746.

 

15. Legal access to parcels 4 and 5 (PID NOS. 03.04100.43 and 03.04100.44) is over adjoining land by common ownership by the insured of the adjoining land.

 

16. Terms and conditions of Railroad Trackage Easement and Use Agreement, dated 7-1-2011, recorded 7-12-2011, as Document No. 495135, by and between Agra Resources Coop, a Minnesota cooperative and REG Albert Lea, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

 

17. Terms and conditions of Joint Fire Suppression System Use Agreement, dated 7-1-2011, recorded 7-12-2011, as Document No. 495137, by and between Agra Resources Coop, a Minnesota cooperative and REG Albert Lea, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

 

18. Terms and conditions of Easement Agreement Potable Water, RO Water, Steam, Carbon Dioxide, dated 7-1-2011, recorded 7-12-2011, as Document No. 495136, by and between Agra Resources Coop, a Minnesota cooperative and REG Albert Lea, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company.

 

19. Restricted access to 150th Street/C.S.A.H. No. 13 as shown on the survey dated 6-15-2011, revised 7-1-2011, revised 7-11-2011 by John H. Schulte IV of Jones, Haugh & Smith Inc.

 

20. The following items appear as encroachments on the survey dated 6-15-2011, revised 7-1-2011, revised 7-11-2011 by John H. Schulte IV of Jones, Haugh & Smith Inc:

 

  a) Two underground electric lines from Lot 3, Block 1, Agra Resources Industrial Park without the benefit of an easement;

 

  b) Underground telephone onto Lot 3, Block 1, Agra Resources Industrial Park;

 

  c) Gravel driveway/roadway outside of easement description set forth in Doc. No. 455490;

 

  d) Gravel driveway/roadway onto Lot 3, Block 1, Agra Resources Industrial Park;

 

  e) Storm sewer crossing Lot 1, Block 3, Agra Resources Industrial Park;

 

  f) Bituminous, concrete, gravel over underground electric, underground telephone, water main, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, “2 FM”;

 

  g) Bituminous onto easement at Doc. No. 399071.

 

21.

Development Agreement by and between Freeborn County, a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, the Freeborn Housing and Redevelopment Authority, a housing and

 

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  redevelopment authority, a public body corporate and political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, and Agra Resources Coop, a Minnesota cooperative association, dated 5-1-1998, filed of record 8-7-1998, as Document No. 396767.

 

22. Assessment Agreement by and between Freeborn County, a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, the Freeborn County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, a political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, and Agra Resources Coop, a Minnesota cooperative association, dated 5-1-1998, filed of record 8-14-1998, as Document No. 396932.

 

23. Agreement and Consent of Bank by and between Freeborn County, the Freeborn County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, a public body corporate and politic of the State of Minnesota, and Stearns Bank National Association, a national banking association, dated 5-1-1998, filed of record 8-14-1998, as Document No. 396933.

 

24. Ditch Lien No. 16 in Agreement for Apportionment of Benefits and Damages, filed of record 6-8-1999, as Document No. 403193.

 

25. Drainage Agreement dated 7-30-2001, filed of record 8-3-2001, as Document No. 418895.

 

26. Auditor’s Tabular Lien Statement in the Matter of the Petition of Agra Resources Coop and Others for Construction, filed of record 5-13-2003, as Document No. 435685.

 

27. Right of Way Easement for Rural Electric Line filed of record 6-17-2009, as Document No. 482886. Consented to by Consent filed of record 7-9-2009, as Document No. 483301.

 

28. Unrecorded Industry Tract Contract, Articles of Agreement dated 5-14-2001 between Union Pacific Railroad, and Agra Resources Coop dba Exol.

 

29. Subject to the rights of the public in and to 787th Avenue.

 

30. Memorandum of Interruptible Product Supply Agreement by and between AGRA Resources Coop, d/b/a POET BioRefining Glenville, a Minnesota Cooperative Association, and REG Albert Lea, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company, dated 7-1- 2011, filed of record 7-12-2011, as Doc. No. 495138.

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

(see attached)

 

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NOTE

 

$10,000,000.00   August      , 2011

1. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, REG ALBERT LEA, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of USRG HOLDCO IX, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ Lender ”), the principal sum of Ten Million and no/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00), with interest thereon, to be computed from the date hereof, and which remains unpaid, in lawful money of the United States and immediately available funds. This Note (the “ Note ”) is issued pursuant to the terms and provisions of that certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith, by and between Lender, Borrower and USRG Management Company, LLC (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”) and is entitled to all of the benefits provided for in the Loan Agreement. All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

2. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear interest at a rate equal to twelve percent (12%) per annum.

3. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days.

4. Beginning on August 15, 2011 and continuing on the fifteenth (15 th ) day of each month thereafter until and including November 15, 2011, Borrower will pay accrued interest on the Loan in monthly installments.

5. The outstanding principal balance hereof, together with all accrued interest, if not paid sooner, shall be due and payable in full on December 15, 2011 (the “ Maturity Date ”).

6. All payments and prepayments shall, at the option of Lender, be applied first to any costs of collection, second to any late charges, third to accrued interest and the remainder thereof to principal.

7. This Note may be prepaid, at any time, at the option of Borrower, either in whole or in part, without prepayment premium or penalty.

8. Any portion of the Loan repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

9. In addition to the rights and remedies set forth in the Loan Agreement, if Borrower fails to make the required payment to Lender on the Maturity Date, then the unpaid principal balance of this Note, including any accrued interest, shall automatically bear interest at the applicable Default Rate. As a further addition to the rights and remedies set forth in the Loan Agreement, if Borrower fails to make the required payment to Lender on the Maturity Date, Borrower agrees to pay Lender, without further notice or demand, (i) an additional amount of One Million and no/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and (ii) $500,000 on every fifth day thereafter until all Loan Obligations are paid. The rights and remedies provided for in this Section 9 shall

 

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only be available to Lender in the event of nonpayment by Borrower upon the Maturity Date, and not in the event of maturity by reason of acceleration or otherwise.

10. If Borrower fails to make any payment of interest to Lender prior to the Maturity Date, within ten (10) days of the due date thereof, Borrower shall, in addition to such amount, pay a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment.

11. This Note is secured by, among other instruments, that certain Mortgage of even date herewith, as it may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time (the “ Mortgage ”), covering various parcels of real property, fixtures, and personal property located in Freeborn County, Minnesota, and that certain Security Agreement of even date herewith, as it may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time. In the event any such security is found to be invalid for whatever reason, such invalidity shall constitute an event of default hereunder. All of the agreements, conditions, covenants, provisions, and stipulations contained in the Mortgage, or any instrument securing this Note are hereby made a part of this Note to the same extent and with the same force and effect as if they were fully set forth herein. It is agreed that time is of the essence of this Note.

12. Upon the occurrence at any time of an Event of Default or at any time thereafter, the outstanding principal balance hereof plus accrued interest hereon plus all other amounts due hereunder shall, at the option of Lender, be immediately due and payable, without notice or demand and Lender shall be entitled to exercise all remedies provided in this Note, the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan Documents.

13. Upon the occurrence at any time of an Event of Default or at any time thereafter, Lender shall have the right to set off any and all amounts due hereunder by Borrower to Lender against any indebtedness or obligation of Lender to Borrower.

14. Borrower promises to pay all reasonable costs of collection of this Note, including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees paid or incurred by Lender on account of such collection, whether or not suit is filed with respect thereto and whether or not such costs are paid or incurred, or to be paid or incurred, prior to or after the entry of judgment.

15. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES OR CHOICE OF LAWS RULES THEREOF EXCEPT SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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REG ALBERT LEA, LLC,
an Iowa limited liability company
   
By: Daniel J. Oh
Its: President

S IGNATURE P AGE TO N OTE