UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 19, 2011

 

 

 

FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-14204   06-0853042

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, Connecticut 06813

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 825-6000

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Item 5.02(e) – Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On December 19, 2011, FuelCell Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into new employment agreements, effective as of January 1, 2012 (the “New Employment Agreements”), with (i) its Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Rauseo (“Rauseo”), and (ii) its Chief Financial Officer, Michael Bishop (“Bishop”). The Company also entered into a First Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2012 (the “Bottone Amendment”), with its President and Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Bottone (“Bottone”). The Bottone Amendment amends Bottone’s Employment Agreement with the Company dated as of February 8, 2011 (the “Original Bottone Agreement”).

Pursuant to the employment agreement between the Company and Rauseo, Rauseo’s annual base salary will be $269,200.00, and commencing with fiscal year 2012, Rauseo will be eligible for a target bonus equal to 50% of his annual base salary, as determined and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). Pursuant to the employment agreement between the Company and Bishop, Bishop’s annual base salary will be $228,100.00, and commencing with fiscal year 2012, Bishop will be eligible for a target bonus equal to 50% of his annual base salary, as determined and approved by the Board. Any bonus payable to Rauseo or Bishop may be paid in cash, stock options and/or restricted stock, as determined by the Board.

In the event that the Company terminates either Rauseo’s or Bishop’s employment without cause or Rauseo or Bishop terminates his employment for “good reason”, he will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to six (6) months of his annual base salary at the date of termination plus payment by the Company of his COBRA premiums for up to six (6) months, provided that he elects continuation coverage under COBRA and he is not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. The Company reserves the right to provide Rauseo or Bishop with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments. In the event that Rauseo’s or Bishop’s employment is terminated due to a change in control (as such term is defined in the New Employment Agreements), he will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to one (1) year of his annual base salary as of the date of termination plus one (1) year of the average of bonuses paid to him since his promotion to Chief Operating Officer or Chief Financial Officer, as applicable, plus payment by the Company of his COBRA premiums for up to twelve (12) months, provided that he elects continuation coverage under COBRA and he is not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. The Company reserves the right to provide Rauseo or Bishop with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments. If the Company terminates Rauseo’s or Bishop’s employment without cause during the ninety (90) day period preceding a change in control or the eighteen (18) month period thereafter, the termination will be deemed to be due to a change in control. Any stock options and restricted stock granted by the Company will accelerate and immediately vest upon the occurrence of both a change in control and the termination of Rauseo’s or Bishop’s employment by the Company without cause or by Rauseo or Bishop for “good reason”.


Pursuant to the Bottone Amendment, Bottone’s base salary will be increased to $366,200, and commencing with fiscal year 2012, Bottone will be eligible for a target bonus equal to 90% of his base salary, as determined and approved by the Board based upon Bottone’s achievements in meeting his performance goals and those of the Company for its most recently ended fiscal year. Any bonus payable to Bottone may be paid in cash, stock options and/or restricted stock, as determined by the Board. In the event that the Company terminates Bottone’s employment without cause, in addition to severance payments provided for under the Original Bottone Agreement, he will also be entitled to receive payment by the Company of his COBRA premiums for up to twelve (12) months provided that he elects continuation coverage under COBRA and he is not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. The Company reserves the right to provide Bottone with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments. If Bottone’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause within the three (3) month period prior to a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the Original Bottone Agreement) or within the eighteen (18) month period immediately following a Change of Control, the termination will be deemed to be due to a change in control and the Company’s obligation to pay Bottone’s COBRA premiums or cash equivalents in lieu thereof will increase from up to twelve (12) months to up to eighteen (18) months.

The foregoing descriptions are not complete descriptions of the New Employment Agreements or the Bottone Amendment and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the New Employment Agreements and the Bottone Amendment, copies of which are attached to this report as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Employment Agreement, executed as of December 19, 2011 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between FuelCell Energy, Inc. and Anthony Rauseo.
10.2    Employment Agreement, executed as of December 19, 2011 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between FuelCell Energy, Inc. and Michael Bishop.
10.3    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, executed as of December 19, 2011 and effective as of January 1, 2012, by and between FuelCell Energy, Inc. and Arthur Bottone.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.

Date: December 23, 2011     By:  

/s/ Michael Bishop

     

Michael Bishop

Senior Vice President, Chief

     

Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and

Treasurer

Exhibit 10.1

LOGO

December 15, 2011

Anthony Rauseo

249 Metacomet Dr.

Kensington, CT 06037

Dear Tony,

This letter confirms our offer to you of continued employment as Chief Operating Officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. (“FCE”). Set forth below are the changes to the terms and conditions of your employment, effective as of January 1, 2012, unless otherwise noted. All other terms and conditions of your employment remain the same including your status as an at-will employee.

 

I. Compensation .

 

  A. Your base annual salary will increase to $269,200.00.

B.     For fiscal year 2012, you will be eligible for a target bonus equal to 50% of your base salary as determined and approved by FCE’s Board. The actual amount of the bonus may be more or less than the target amount. Any bonus may be payable in cash, stock options and/or restricted stock upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. FCE will pay any such bonus by the end of the first quarter of the following fiscal year, provided you are employed by FCE on the date the bonus is paid. Payment of the bonus in any year should not be construed as requiring the payment of a bonus in any other year.

You hereby acknowledge that your rights hereunder shall be subject to any future claw back or similar requirements in favor of FCE established by law or by FCE policy.

 

  II. Severance Benefits .

A.     Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason . In the event that FCE terminates your employment without cause or you terminate your employment for “good reason,” you will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to six (6) months of your base annual salary at the date of termination plus payment by FCE of your COBRA premiums for up to six (6) months provided you elect continuation coverage under COBRA and you are not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. FCE reserves the right to provide you with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments. The severance payment will be made over a six (6) month period, with payments made in equal installments in accordance with FCE’s usual pay periods.

You will be considered to have terminated your employment for “good reason” if one or more of the following conditions arises without your consent:

 

  (1) A material diminution in your base salary;


  (2) A material diminution in you authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

  (3) A material diminution in the budget over which you retain authority; or

 

  (4) A material change in the geographic location at which you must perform your duties.

For this provision to apply, you much provide notice to FCE of the existence of the condition constituting a good reason within a period not to exceed ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which FCE may be provided a period of at least thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay any severance.

B. Change of Control . In the event that your employment is terminated by either you or FCE due to a change in control, you will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to one (1) year of your base salary as of the date of termination plus one (1) year of the average of bonuses paid to you since your promotion to Chief Operating Officer plus payment by FCE of your COBRA premiums for up to twelve (12) months provided you elect continuation coverage under COBRA and you are not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. FCE reserves the right to provide you with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments.

In order to exercise your right to terminate in the event of a change in control, you must provide FCE with at least thirty (30) days written notice within the ninety (90) day period preceding the change in control or the eighteen (18) month period after the change in control. If FCE terminates your employment without cause during the ninety (90) day period preceding a change in control or the eighteen (18) month period thereafter, the termination will be deemed to be due to a change in control.

A “change in control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the transaction is of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on January 1, 2003, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); provided that, without limitation, such a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) a third Person, including a “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than the trustee of any employee benefit plan of the Corporation, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities ordinarily having the right to vote for the election of directors of the Corporation; (ii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months individuals who, at the beginning of such consecutive twenty-four (24) month period, constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) cease for any reason (other than retirement upon reaching normal retirement age, disability, or death) to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (iii) the Corporation shall cease to be a publicly owned corporation having its outstanding Common Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange or quoted in the NASDAQ National or Small Cap Market System, except where the delisting is related to a private purchase of the Corporation’s stock by a group consisting of the Corporation’s current officers.

 

2


For these purposes, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred where, with respect to any transaction otherwise constituting a “Change of Control,” you are reasonably expected to maintain your existing position as Chief Operating Officer.

For these purposes, Incumbent Board means the Board as in existence twenty-four (24) months prior to the date the action is being considered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Incumbent Board specifically determines that any transaction does not constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement such determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Any stock options and restricted stock granted to you by FCE shall accelerate and immediately vest upon the occurrence of both (1) a change in control and (2) the termination of your employment by FCE without cause or by you for good reason.

 

III. Eligibility for Severance; Requirement of Release .

Any severance payments required hereunder shall commence on the 60 th day after the date of termination of your employment with FCE so long as and prior to such date you execute and agree to be bound by a release of all claims, on a form provided by FCE, which releases any and all claims that you have or might have against FCE and which contains terms customary in such agreements. If FCE does not receive an executed release prior to the date occurring sixty (60) days after the date of termination of your employment with FCE (including within such sixty day period any applicable revocation period), FCE shall have no obligation to make severance payments to you.

 

IV. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code .

To the extent that FCE in the exercise of its reasonable judgment shall determine that Section 409A of the Code applies to any amounts payable to you hereunder, then any such amounts shall be paid in such fashion and at such times so as to ensure that FCE and you are in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

In the event that any stock of FCE or any entity within the same controlled group (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code), is publicly traded on an established securities market as defined in Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Regulations under Section 409A of the Code, distributions to you that are subject to the provisions of Section 409A will not be made until the date that is six (6) months plus one day after your date of separation from service, or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of your death, if you are a Specified Employee. Any payments delayed hereunder shall be paid in a single lump sum payment on such date. For purposes of this paragraph, “Specified Employee” means a key employee (as defined in Code Section 416(i)) of FCE or any affiliated organization with employees in the United States. You will be considered a key employee for the period commencing April 1 and ending on the March 31 thereafter if you were a key employee on the previous December 31 and such designation shall be effective solely for that period.

 

3


In no event shall any payment be made hereunder that shall exceed the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code and any regulations thereunder applicable to FCE.

Please acknowledge your receipt of this letter and your acceptance of its terms by signing below and returning to me by no later than December 19, 2011. A duplicate original of this letter will be provided to you for your files.

Sincerely,

/s/ Darrell Bradford

Darrell Bradford

Vice President, Human Resources

Acknowledged and Accepted:

/s/ Anthony Rauseo

Anthony Rauseo

December 19, 2011

Dated

 

4

Exhibit 10.2

LOGO

December 15, 2011

Michael Bishop

106 Winthrop Dr.

Cheshire, CT 06410

Dear Mike,

This letter confirms our offer to you of continued employment as Chief Financial Officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. (“FCE”). Set forth below are the changes to the terms and conditions of your employment, effective as of January 1, 2012, unless otherwise noted. All other terms and conditions of your employment remain the same including your status as an at-will employee.

 

I. Compensation .

 

  A. Your base annual salary will increase to $228,100.00.

B.     For fiscal year 2012, you will be eligible for a target bonus equal to 50% of your base salary as determined and approved by FCE’s Board. The actual amount of the bonus may be more or less than the target amount. Any bonus may be payable in cash, stock options and/or restricted stock upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. FCE will pay any such bonus by the end of the first quarter of the following fiscal year, provided you are employed by FCE on the date the bonus is paid. Payment of the bonus in any year should not be construed as requiring the payment of a bonus in any other year.

You hereby acknowledge that your rights hereunder shall be subject to any future claw back or similar requirements in favor of FCE established by law or by FCE policy.

 

  II. Severance Benefits .

A.     Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason . In the event that FCE terminates your employment without cause or you terminate your employment for “good reason,” you will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to six (6) months of your base annual salary at the date of termination plus payment by FCE of your COBRA premiums for up to six (6) months provided you elect continuation coverage under COBRA and you are not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. FCE reserves the right to provide you with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments. The severance payment will be made over a six (6) month period, with payments made in equal installments in accordance with FCE’s usual pay periods.

You will be considered to have terminated your employment for “good reason” if one or more of the following conditions arises without your consent:

 

  (1) A material diminution in your base salary;


  (2) A material diminution in your authority, duties or responsibilities;

 

  (3) A material diminution in the budget over which you retain authority; or

 

  (4) A material change in the geographic location at which you must perform your duties.

For this provision to apply, you much provide notice to FCE of the existence of the condition constituting a good reason within a period not to exceed ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which FCE may be provided a period of at least thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the condition and not be required to pay any severance.

B. Change of Control . In the event that your employment is terminated by either you or FCE due to a change in control, you will be entitled to receive a severance payment in an amount equal to one (1) year of your base salary as of the date of termination plus one (1) year of the average of bonuses paid to you since your promotion to Chief Financial Officer plus payment by FCE of your COBRA premiums for up to twelve (12) months provided you elect continuation coverage under COBRA and you are not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. FCE reserves the right to provide you with a cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments.

In order to exercise your right to terminate in the event of a change in control, you must provide FCE with at least thirty (30) days written notice within the ninety (90) day period preceding the change in control or the eighteen (18) month period after the change in control. If FCE terminates your employment without cause during the ninety (90) day period preceding a change in control or the eighteen (18) month period thereafter, the termination will be deemed to be due to a change in control.

A “change in control” shall be deemed to have occurred if the transaction is of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on January 1, 2003, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); provided that, without limitation, such a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) a third Person, including a “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than the trustee of any employee benefit plan of the Corporation, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities ordinarily having the right to vote for the election of directors of the Corporation; (ii) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months individuals who, at the beginning of such consecutive twenty-four (24) month period, constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) cease for any reason (other than retirement upon reaching normal retirement age, disability, or death) to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (iii) the Corporation shall cease to be a publicly owned corporation having its outstanding Common Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange or quoted in the NASDAQ National or Small Cap Market System, except where the delisting is related to a private purchase of the Corporation’s stock by a group consisting of the Corporation’s current officers.

 

2


For these purposes, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred where, with respect to any transaction otherwise constituting a “Change of Control,” you are reasonably expected to maintain your existing position as Chief Financial Officer.

For these purposes, Incumbent Board means the Board as in existence twenty-four (24) months prior to the date the action is being considered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Incumbent Board specifically determines that any transaction does not constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement such determination shall be conclusive and binding.

Any stock options and restricted stock granted to you by FCE shall accelerate and immediately vest upon the occurrence of both (1) a change in control and (2) the termination of your employment by FCE without cause or by you for good reason.

 

III. Eligibility for Severance; Requirement of Release .

Any severance payments required hereunder shall commence on the 60 th day after the date of termination of your employment with FCE so long as and prior to such date you execute and agree to be bound by a release of all claims, on a form provided by FCE, which releases any and all claims that you have or might have against FCE and which contains terms customary in such agreements. If FCE does not receive an executed release prior to the date occurring sixty (60) days after the date of termination of your employment with FCE (including within such sixty day period any applicable revocation period), FCE shall have no obligation to make severance payments to you.

 

IV. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code .

To the extent that FCE in the exercise of its reasonable judgment shall determine that Section 409A of the Code applies to any amounts payable to you hereunder, then any such amounts shall be paid in such fashion and at such times so as to ensure that FCE and you are in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

In the event that any stock of FCE or any entity within the same controlled group (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code), is publicly traded on an established securities market as defined in Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Regulations under Section 409A of the Code, distributions to you that are subject to the provisions of Section 409A will not be made until the date that is six (6) months plus one day after your date of separation from service, or, if earlier than the end of the six-month period, the date of your death, if you are a Specified Employee. Any payments delayed hereunder shall be paid in a single lump sum payment on such date. For purposes of this paragraph, “Specified Employee” means a key employee (as defined in Code Section 416(i)) of FCE or any affiliated organization with employees in the United States. You will be considered a key employee for the period commencing April 1 and ending on the March 31 thereafter if you were a key employee on the previous December 31 and such designation shall be effective solely for that period.

 

3


In no event shall any payment be made hereunder that shall exceed the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code and any regulations thereunder applicable to FCE.

Please acknowledge your receipt of this letter and your acceptance of its terms by signing below and returning to me by no later than December 19, 2011. A duplicate original of this letter will be provided to you for your files.

Sincerely,

/s/ Darrell Bradford

Darrell Bradford

Vice President, Human Resources

Acknowledged and Accepted:

/s/ Michael Bishop

Michael Bishop

December 19, 2011

Dated

 

4

Exhibit 10.3

FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This First Amendment (the “Amendment”) is made as of the first day of January, 2012 by and between FuelCell Energy, Inc. (the “Corporation”) and Arthur Bottone (“Executive”) (each of the Corporation and the Executive are referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”).

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain Employment Agreement dated February 8, 2011 (the “Employment Agreement”) pursuant to which the Corporation promoted the Executive to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend certain terms of the Employment Agreement as set forth below.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

1. TERMS . Terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Employment Agreement.

2. BASE SALARY . The first sentence in Section 4. a. of the Employment Agreement is amended by deleting the word “initial” and deleting the number “$340,000” and replacing it with “$366,200.”

3. BONUS . Section 4. b. of the Employment Agreement is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: “Provided Executive first meets the Corporation’s expectations for his performance during the Employment Term and remains employed on the date of payment, commencing with fiscal year 2012, Executive shall be eligible for a target bonus equal to ninety percent (90%) of his base salary as determined and approved by the Board based upon Executive’s achievements in meeting his performance goals and those of the Corporation for its most recently ended fiscal year. The Board will endeavor to establish goals in the first quarter of any subsequent year. The Board shall establish performance goals for the bonus award, including performance criteria, target and maximum amounts payable, and any other terms and conditions, including, if applicable, the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Any such bonus may be payable in cash, stock options, and or restricted stock upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. The Corporation shall pay any such bonus by the end of the first quarter of the following fiscal year. Should Executive no longer be employed by the Corporation on the date such bonus is paid due to either a termination for Cause by the Corporation or a termination by Executive without Good Reason, such bonus shall be forfeited. The payment of any bonus in a year must not be construed as requiring the payment of a bonus in any other year.

Executive hereby acknowledges that his rights hereunder shall be subject to any future claw back or similar requirements in favor of FCE established by law or by FCE policy.”


4. TERMINATION BY THE CORPORATION WITHOUT CAUSE . Section 12. d. of the Employment Agreement is amended by adding the following language to the end of the second sentence: “plus payment by the Corporation of Executive’s COBRA premiums for up to twelve (12) months provided Executive elects continuation coverage under COBRA and is not eligible for health coverage under another employer’s plan. The Corporation reserves the right to provide Executive with the cash equivalent of the cost of such COBRA premiums in lieu of making the premium payments.

If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Corporation without cause within the three (3) month period prior to a Change of Control or within the eighteen (18) month period immediately following a Change of Control, the Corporation’s obligation hereunder to pay Executive’s COBRA premiums or cash equivalent in lieu thereof will increase from up to twelve (12) months to up to eighteen (18) months.”

5. BY EXECUTIVE FOLLOWING CHANGE OF CONTROL . Section 12 g. of the Employment Agreement is amended by adding the following language to the end of the second sentence; “, except that the Corporation’s obligation to pay Executive’s COBRA premiums or cash equivalent in lieu thereof will increase from up to twelve (12) months to up to eighteen (18) months.”

This Section 12 g. is further amended by adding the following new paragraph: “For this provision to apply, Executive must provide the above thirty (30) days written notice within the three (3) month period prior to a Change of Control or within the eighteen (18) month period immediately following a Change of Control.”

6. ELIGIBILITY FOR SEVERANCE . The second sentence in Section 12. K. is deleted in its entirely and replaced with the following: “Severance payments shall commence on the 60 th day after the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Corporation so long as on or prior to such date Executive executes and agrees to be bound by a release of all claims, on a form provided by the Corporation, which releases any and all claims that Executive has or might have against the Corporations and which contains terms customary in such agreements on or prior to such date.”

7. RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT . Except as specifically modified in this Amendment, the Employment Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified by the Parties. To the extent that this Amendment conflicts with any of the provisions of the Employment Agreement, this Amendment shall control and supersede the Employment Agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof.

8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Amendment and the Employment Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the Parties, all oral agreements being merged herein, and supersedes all prior representations.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the day and year first written above.

 

FuelCell Energy, Inc.    
By:  

/s/ Darrell Bradford

     

/s/ Arthur Bottone

  Darrell Bradford       Arthur Bottone
  Vice President Human Resources      
Date; December 15, 2011       Date; December 19, 2011