United States

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

      

FORM 10-Q

      

(Mark One)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

or

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 000-54992

      

ADVANCED EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      

   

 

Delaware

   

27-5472457

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

   

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   

   

9135 South Ridgeline Boulevard, Suite 200,

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

   

80129

(Address of principal executive offices)

   

(Zip Code)

(303) 734-1727

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report )

      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x      No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x      No   ¨

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

   

x

   

   

   

   

Non-accelerated filer

   

¨

      

Smaller reporting company

   

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):    Yes   ¨      No   x

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  ¨   No  ¨

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

   

 

Class

   

Outstanding at July 31, 2013

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

   

10,108,265

   

      

      

   

   

   


Part I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

ADA-ES, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

( Amounts in thousands, except share data )

   

 

   

June  30,
2013

   

      

December 31,
2012

   

   

 (Unaudited)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

ASSETS

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Current Assets

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Cash and cash equivalents

$

12,289

      

      

$

9,737

      

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

   

18,009

      

      

   

11,025

      

Investment in securities

   

3,148

      

      

   

1,641

      

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

3,496

      

      

   

2,888

      

Total current assets

   

36,942

      

      

   

25,291

      

Property and Equipment, at cost

   

55,081

      

      

   

53,542

      

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

   

(11,530

)

      

   

(8,931

Net property and equipment

   

43,551

      

      

   

44,611

      

Investment in unconsolidated entity

   

2,447

      

      

   

1,850

      

Other assets

   

4,047

      

      

   

3,997

      

Total other assets

   

6,494

      

      

   

5,847

      

Total Assets

$

86,987

      

      

$

75,749

      

LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Current Liabilities

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Accounts payable

$

12,565

      

      

$

6,615

      

Accounts payable to related parties

   

2,713

      

      

   

5,082

      

Accrued payroll and related liabilities

   

3,979

      

      

   

2,569

      

Line of credit

   

—  

      

      

   

3,000

      

Current portion of notes payable

   

570

      

      

   

559

      

Deposits

   

7,200

      

      

   

21,200

      

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

   

27,900

      

      

   

10,372

      

Total current liabilities

   

54,927

      

      

   

49,397

      

Long-term Liabilities

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Long-term portion of notes payable

   

2,017

      

      

   

2,305

      

Deferred revenue

   

11,218

      

      

   

875

      

Accrued warranty and other liabilities

   

1,107

      

      

   

3,309

      

Total long-term liabilities

   

14,342

      

      

   

6,489

      

Total Liabilities

   

69,269

      

      

   

55,886

      

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Temporary Equity—Non-controlling Interest Subject to Possible Redemption

   

60,000

      

      

   

60,000

      

Stockholders’ Deficit

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

ADA-ES, Inc. stockholders’ deficit

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Preferred stock: 50,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

   

—  

      

      

   

—  

      

Common stock: no par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 10,097,272 and 10,028,269 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

   

64,794

      

      

   

63,724

      

Accumulated deficit

   

(85,112

)

      

   

(79,765

Total ADA-ES, Inc. stockholders’ deficit

   

(20,318

)

      

   

(16,041

Non-controlling interests

   

(21,964

)

      

   

(24,096

Total Stockholders’ Deficit

   

(42,282

)

      

   

(40,137

Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Stockholders’ Deficit

$

86,987

      

      

$

75,749

      

See accompanying notes.

   

   

   

   

 

 1 

   


ADA-ES, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

( Amounts in thousands, except per share data )

(Unaudited)

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

Revenues

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Refined coal

$

44,188

   

   

$

48,351

   

   

$

102,311

   

   

$

63,525

   

Emission control

   

12,014

   

   

   

3,965

   

   

   

20,783

   

   

   

6,729

   

CO 2 capture

   

2,728

   

   

   

195

   

   

   

4,150

   

   

   

477

   

Total revenues

   

58,930

   

   

   

52,511

   

   

   

127,244

   

   

   

70,731

   

Cost of Revenues

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Refined coal

   

36,167

   

   

   

41,908

   

   

   

87,636

   

   

   

53,951

   

Emission control

   

9,711

   

   

   

3,087

   

   

   

15,964

   

   

   

5,155

   

CO 2 capture

   

2,458

   

   

   

82

   

   

   

3,662

   

   

   

199

   

Total cost of revenues

   

48,336

   

   

   

45,077

   

   

   

107,262

   

   

   

59,305

   

Gross Margin before Depreciation and Amortization

   

10,594

   

   

   

7,434

   

   

   

19,982

   

   

   

11,426

   

Other Costs and Expenses

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

General and administrative

   

8,109

   

   

   

4,040

   

   

   

15,422

   

   

   

7,679

   

Research and development

   

577

   

   

   

618

   

   

   

924

   

   

   

1,182

   

Depreciation and amortization

   

1,347

   

   

   

1,181

   

   

   

2,769

   

   

   

2,205

   

Total expenses

   

10,033

   

   

   

5,839

   

   

   

19,115

   

   

   

11,066

   

Operating Income

   

561

   

   

   

1,595

   

   

   

867

   

   

   

360

   

Other Income (Expense)

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Net equity in net income from unconsolidated entity

   

274

   

   

   

132

   

   

   

597

   

   

   

168

   

Other income including interest

   

165

   

   

   

42

   

   

   

235

   

   

   

141

   

Interest expense

   

(248

)

   

   

(431

)

   

   

(631

)

   

   

(901

)

Other expense

   

(735

)

   

   

(469

)

   

   

(1,408

)

   

   

(753

)

Total other income (expense)

   

(544

)

   

   

(726

)

   

   

(1,207

)

   

   

(1,345

)

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Non-controlling Interests

   

17

   

   

   

869

   

   

   

(340

)

   

   

(985

)

Income Taxes

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

Net Income (Loss) Before Non-controlling Interests

   

17

   

   

   

869

   

   

   

(340

)

   

   

(985

)

Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

   

(3,195

)

   

   

(2,167

)

   

   

(5,007

)

   

   

(2,733

)

Net Loss Attributable to ADA-ES, Inc.

$

(3,178

)

   

$

(1,298

)

   

$

(5,347

)

   

$

(3,718

)

Net Loss Per Common Share – Basic and Diluted Attributable to ADA-ES, Inc.

$

(0.32

)

   

$

(0.13

)

   

$

(0.53

)

   

$

(0.37

)

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

   

10,076

   

   

   

10,002

   

   

   

10,063

   

   

   

10,004

   

See accompanying notes.

   

   

   

 

 2 

   


ADA-ES, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

   

 

   

Common Stock

   

Accumulated
Deficit

   

   

Total
ADA-ES
Stockholders’
Deficit

   

Non-
controlling
Interests

   

Total
Deficit

   

Shares

   

      

Amount

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Balances , January 1, 2012

   

9,996,144

      

      

$

63,184

   

   

$

(66,694

   

$

(3,510

)

   

$

(25,936

)

   

$

(29,446

)

Stock-based compensation

   

5,725

      

      

   

78

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

78

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

78

   

Issuance of stock to 401(k) plan

   

8,847

      

      

   

197

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

197

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

197

   

Issuance of stock on exercise of options

   

1,966

      

      

   

21

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

21

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

21

   

Distributions to non-controlling interests

   

—  

      

      

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

—  

   

   

   

(106

)

   

   

(106

)

Expense of stock issuance and registration

   

—  

      

      

   

(22

)

   

   

—  

      

   

   

(22

)

   

   

—  

   

   

   

(22

)

Net income (loss)

   

—  

      

      

   

—  

   

   

   

(3,718

   

   

(3,718

)

   

   

2,733

   

   

   

(985

)

Balances , June 30, 2012

   

10,012,682

      

      

$

63,458

   

   

$

(70,412

)

   

$

(6,954

)

   

$

(23,309

)

   

$

(30,263

)

   

Balances , January 1, 2013

   

10,028,269

      

      

$

63,724

   

   

$

(79,765

   

$

(16,041

)

   

$

(24,096

)

   

$

(40,137

)

Stock-based compensation

   

51,562

      

      

   

737

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

737

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

737

   

Issuance of stock to 401(k) plan

   

11,621

      

      

   

245

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

245

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

245

   

Issuance of stock on exercise of options

   

5,820

      

      

   

88

   

   

   

—  

      

   

   

88

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

88

   

Distributions to non-controlling interests

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

(2,875

)

   

   

(2,875

)

Net income (loss)

   

—  

      

      

   

—  

   

   

   

(5,347

   

   

(5,347

)

   

   

5,007

   

   

   

(340

)

Balances , June 30, 2013

   

10,097,272

      

      

  $

64,794

   

   

  $

(85,112

   

  $

(20,318

)

   

  $

(21,964

)

   

  $

(42,282

)

See accompanying notes.

   

   

   

 

 3 

   


ADA-ES, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

   

 

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

   

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Net loss

$

(5,347

)

   

$

(3,718

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Depreciation and amortization

   

2,769

   

   

   

2,205

   

Expenses paid with stock, restricted stock and stock options

   

982

   

   

   

275

   

Net equity in net income from unconsolidated entity

   

(597

)

   

   

(168

)

Non-controlling interest in income from subsidiary

   

5,007

   

   

   

2,733

   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Receivables, net

   

(6,984

)

   

   

(7,978

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

(658

)

   

   

(829

)

Accounts payable

   

3,581

   

   

   

625

   

Accrued payroll and related liabilities

   

1,410

   

   

   

(1,137

)

Deposits

   

(4,700

)

   

   

—  

   

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

   

16,369

   

   

   

(5,582

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   

11,832

   

   

   

(13,574

)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Investment in securities

   

(1,507

)

   

   

(227

)

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

   

(1,709

)

   

   

(6,837

)

Net cash used in investing activities

   

(3,216

)

   

   

(7,064

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Net borrowing (repayment) under line of credit

   

(3,000

)

   

   

3,503

   

Repayments of notes payable

   

(277

)

   

   

—  

   

Loan to unconsolidated entity

   

—  

   

   

   

(500

)

Distributions to non-controlling interests

   

(2,875

)

   

   

(106

)

Exercise of stock options

   

88

   

   

   

21

   

Stock issuance and registration costs

   

—  

   

   

   

(22

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   

(6,064

)

   

   

2,896

   

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   

2,552

   

   

   

(17,742

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period

   

9,737

   

   

   

40,879

   

Cash and Cash Equivalents , end of period

$

12,289

   

   

$

23,137

   

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Flow Financing Activities

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Stock and stock options issued for services

$

982

   

   

$

275

   

Cash paid for interest

$

932

   

   

$

1,110

   

Accrued capital expenditures

$

—  

   

   

$

1,594

   

Deposits transferred to deferred revenue

$

9,300

   

   

$

3,000

   

See accompanying notes.

   

   

   

 

 4 

   


ADA-ES, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   

(1) Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

ADA-ES, Inc. (“ADA”), its wholly-owned subsidiaries Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ADES”) and ADA Intellectual Property, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“ADA IP”), both of which had no operations during the first six months of 2013, BCSI, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BCSI”), ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“ADA LLC”) and ADA’s joint venture interest in Clean Coal Solutions, LLC (“Clean Coal”) are collectively referred to as the “Company”. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 25, 2013 (the “Reorganization”), effective July 1, 2013, ADES replaced ADA as the publicly-held corporation. As this periodic report pertains to the period ended June 30, 2013, and the reorganization was effective July 1, 2013, the term “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” means ADA and its subsidiaries and Clean Coal joint venture for the periods through and including June 30, 2013, and ADES and its subsidiaries and Clean Coal joint venture for the periods after June 30, 2013. The Reorganization is more fully described in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to ADA’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 25, 2013. ADES and its subsidiaries have continued to conduct the business previously conducted by the Company in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Reorganization. For further information, see Note 13 below.

The Company is principally engaged in providing environmental technologies and specialty chemicals to the coal-burning electric power generation industry. The Company generates a substantial part of its revenue from the sale of refined coal (“RC”), the sale of Activated Carbon Injection (“ACI”) and Dry Sorbent Injection (“DSI”) systems, contracts co-funded by the government and industry and the development and lease or sale of equipment for the RC market. The Company’s sales occur principally throughout the United States.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of ADA, ADES, ADA IP, BCSI, ADA LLC and Clean Coal. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The accounting policies used in preparing these consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K.

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

   

Reclassifications

Certain amounts have been reclassified from the prior periods to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on the net loss reported.

   

 

 5 

   


(2) Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following at the dates indicated:

   

 

   

Life in
Years

   

   

As of
June 30, 2013

   

   

As of
December 31, 2012

   

   

   

   

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Machinery and equipment

   

3-10

   

   

$

8,828

   

   

$

7,522

   

Leasehold improvements

   

2-5

   

   

   

1,190

   

   

   

1,106

   

Furniture and fixtures

   

3-7

   

   

   

878

   

   

   

781

   

RC assets

   

10

   

   

   

44,185

   

   

   

44,133

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

55,081

   

   

   

53,542

   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

   

   

   

   

   

(11,530

)

   

   

(8,931

)

Total property and equipment, net

   

   

   

   

$

43,551

   

   

$

44,611

   

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Depreciation and amortization

$

1,347

   

   

$

1,181

   

   

$

2,769

   

   

$

2,205

   

   

   

(3) Investment in Unconsolidated Entity

Clean Coal Solutions Services

On January 20, 2010, ADA, together with NexGen Resources Corporation (“NexGen”), formed Clean Coal Solutions Services, LLC (“CCSS”) for the purpose of operating RC facilities. ADA has a 50% ownership interest in CCSS (but does not have management control of it) and ADA’s investment in and advances to CCSS which totaled $2.4 million as of June 30, 2013 includes its share of CCSS income since its formation and is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

The following schedule shows ADA’s share of net income attributed to CCSS.

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

   

ADA’s share of net income attributed to CCSS

$

274

   

   

$

132

   

   

$

597

   

   

$

168

   

   

   

(4) Joint Venture Investment in Clean Coal

In November 2006, ADA sold a 50% interest in its joint venture Clean Coal to NexGen, which was formed in 2006 to market RC technology. In May 2011, ADA and NexGen entered into a transaction in which Clean Coal sold an effective 15% interest of the equity in Clean Coal to GSFS Investments I Corp. (“GSFS”), an affiliate of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS”), which is included in temporary equity subject to possible redemption in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 8). GSFS has certain preferences over ADA and NexGen as to liquidation and profit distribution. GSFS has no further capital call requirements and does not have a voting interest but does have approval rights over certain corporate transactions.

In September 2011, ADA, NexGen and GSFS entered into a First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Operating Agreement pursuant to which ADA and NexGen each transferred their 2.5% member interests in each of Clean Coal’s subsidiaries back to Clean Coal. As a result of these transactions, ADA’s interest in Clean Coal’s net profits and losses is 42.5%. This restructuring of ownership interests did not change the financial relationships of the parties and ADA still maintains a 50% governance interest in Clean Coal. In July 2012, ADA, NexGen and GSFS entered into a Second Amendment to the Operating Agreement (the “Operating Agreement”) which, among other things, expanded Clean Coal’s board of managers to allow for the appointment of an additional manager not directly representative of any of the members. Since its inception, ADA has been considered the primary economic beneficiary of this joint venture and has consolidated the accounts of Clean Coal.

Clean Coal’s function is to supply technology, equipment and technical services to cyclone-fired and other boiler users, and its primary purpose is to put into operation facilities that produce RC that qualifies for tax credits that are available under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 45 tax credits”). Clean Coal qualified two facilities in 2009 for such purposes and in June 2010 leased those facilities to GS RC Investments, LLC (“GS RC”), a related entity of GS.

 

 6 

   


In December 2010, the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2010 extended the placed in service deadline for the Section 45 tax credits to January 1, 2012. In consideration of the extension, Clean Coal built and qualified an additional 26 RC facilities in 2011, which met the extended placed in service date. In November and December 2011, the two leased RC facilities qualified in 2009 were exchanged with newly constructed, redesigned RC facilities. The new leases carried over most of the substantive terms and conditions of the initial leases. In March 2013 the parties amended and restated the lease agreements to modify the structure and timing of the lease payments. The payments are due quarterly in advance and are subject to adjustments for inflation. Each lease has an initial non-cancellable term of two years and will automatically renew unless terminated at the option of the lessee thereof, for successive one-year terms through November 9, 2021 and December 10, 2021, as applicable. The parties also amended and restated the two Operating and Maintenance Agreements pursuant to which CCSS (subject to oversight by the lessee) operates and maintains the RC facilities to provide for the payment of a fixed fee under the agreements instead of payments based on the production of RC as had previously been in place.

Clean Coal leased two additional RC facilities in 2012, the third to an entity related to GS and the fourth to a third party investor. All agreements included terms and conditions substantially similar to those applicable to the first two leased RC facilities. On February 28, 2013, Clean Coal sold an RC facility to a new third party investor. In July 2013, two additional RC facilities were leased to entities related to GS with terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms then in place for the first two leased RC facilities, bringing the total number of RC facilities leased or sold to seven.

The Operating Agreement requires NexGen and ADA to each pay 50% of the costs of operating Clean Coal and specifies certain duties that both parties are obligated to perform.

Following is unaudited summarized information as to assets, liabilities and results of operations of Clean Coal:

   

 

   

As of
June 30,
2013

   

      

As of
December 31,
2012

   

   

(in thousands)

      

Primary assets

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Cash and cash equivalents

$

4,337

      

      

$

994

      

Accounts receivable, net

   

2,764

      

      

   

3,275

      

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

11,103

      

      

   

2,546

      

Property, plant and equipment including assets

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

under lease and assets placed in service, net

   

38,636

   

   

   

40,096

   

Primary liabilities

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

2,007

      

      

$

5,728

      

Accounts payable to related parties

   

2,767

      

      

   

5,082

      

Line of credit

   

—  

      

      

   

3,000

      

Deposits

   

7,200

      

      

   

21,200

      

Deferred revenue, current

   

19,516

      

      

   

625

      

Deferred revenue, long-term

   

11,218

      

      

   

875

      

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

      

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

      

2012

   

      

2013

   

      

2012

   

   

   

(in thousands)

      

Net revenue

$

44,188

      

      

$

48,351

      

      

$

102,311

      

      

$

63,525

      

Net income

$

5,556

      

      

$

3,767

      

      

$

8,707

      

      

$

4,752

      

   

Amounts due to CCSS

Clean Coal has recorded accounts payable to CCSS totaling $1.2 million and $3.5 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which are included in accounts payable to related parties in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

   

(5) Deferred Revenue and Deposits

Deferred revenue consists of:

 

billings in excess of costs and earnings on uncompleted contracts; and

 

deferred rent revenue related to Clean Coal ’s lease and sale of its RC facilities.

   

 

 7 

   


Clean Coal Deferred Rent Revenue

Clean Coal has received $20 million in prepaid rents related to RC facilities leased and sold thus far in 2013.

Following is a table of current deferred revenue which is included in deferred revenue and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and long-term deferred revenue which is included in deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets related to prepaid rents:

   

 

   

As of
June 30, 2013

   

      

As of
December 31, 2012

   

   

(in thousands)

      

Deferred revenue, short-term

$

19,516

      

      

$

625

      

Deferred revenue, long-term

$

11,218

      

      

$

875

      

The following table presents total rent revenues recognized and amortization with respect to the prepaid rents:

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

      

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

      

2012

   

      

2013

   

      

2012

   

   

   

(in thousands)

      

Rent revenue recognized

$

11,642

      

      

$

10,590

      

      

$

23,855

      

      

$

15,980

      

Amortization of prepaid rent included in amounts above

$

3,527

      

      

$

900

      

      

$

4,101

      

      

$

1,800

      

   

Clean Coal Deposits

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Clean Coal had deposits of $7.2 million and $21.2 million, respectively, from GSFS towards RC facilities which may be leased upon attainment of certain milestones, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets.  The deposit amount from 2012 decreased $14 million which included $9.3 million that was transferred to deferred revenue for one RC facility and $4.7 million that was returned to GSFS in the first quarter of 2013 as it was determined that they would not pursue leases on two particular RC facilities. As discussed in Note 4, in July 2013, two additional RC facilities were leased to entities related to GS. Clean Coal received more than $14 million in prepaid rents for these RC facilities and will transfer the related $7.2 million in deposits to deferred revenue and recognize this as revenue over the terms specified in the lease agreements.         

   

(6) Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average common shares outstanding in the period and the effect of dilutive securities (stock options and awards) except where the inclusion is anti-dilutive.

All outstanding stock options (see Note 7) to purchase shares of common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares, as their effect is anti-dilutive.

   

(7) Share Based Compensation

The Company currently has several stock and option plans, including the 2005 Directors’ Compensation Plan (the “2005 Plan”), the Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”), the Amended and Restated 2010 Non-Management Compensation and Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) and the Profit Sharing Retirement Plan, which is a plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”) as described below. These plans allow the Company to issue share-based awards, including common stock, restricted stock, stock options and other rights and benefits under the plans to employees, directors and non-employees. As discussed in Notes 1 and 13, effective July 1, 2013, ADES replaced ADA as the publicly held corporation and assumed and adopted these plans and the outstanding awards granted pursuant to the plans.

During 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Plan, which authorized the issuance of shares of common stock and the grant of options to purchase shares of common stock to non-management directors. Under the 2005 Plan, the award of stock is limited to not more than 1,000 shares per individual per year, and the grant of options is limited to 5,000 per individual in total. The aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan totals 90,000 shares (50,000 in the form of stock awards and 40,000 in the form of options). In February 2013, a new board member was issued 5,000 options under the 2005 Plan. These stock options vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year after the grant date.

 

 8 

   


The 2007 Plan, which was adopted by the Company in 2007, permits grants to employees, directors and non-employees of shares of common stock, restricted stock, stock options and other rights and benefits under the plan. The 2007 Plan was amended and restated as of August 31, 2010 to make non-material changes to assure Internal Revenue Code Section 409A compliance and to increase the non-management director annual grant limit to 15,000 shares of common stock from 10,000 shares. On July 19, 2012, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2007 Plan to increase the number of shares presently issuable to 1.3 million and increase the number of shares authorized for issuance to 1.8 million. In addition, the stockholders also approved an increase in the number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted in any fiscal year from 30,000 to 50,000 and the annual grant limit for the non-management director annual grant was increased to 30,000 shares.

In 2009, the Company revised its 401(k) Plan to allow the issuance of shares of its common stock to employees to satisfy its obligation to match employee contributions under the terms of the plan in lieu of matching contributions in cash. The Company reserved 300,000 shares of its common stock for this purpose. The value of common stock issued as matching contributions under the plan is determined based on the per share market value of the Company’s common stock generally on quarterly authorization dates.

The 2010 Plan, which was adopted by the Company in 2010, permits grants of awards, which may be shares, rights to purchase restricted stock, bonuses of restricted stock or other rights or benefits under the plan. The Company reserved 300,000 shares of its common stock for these purposes. The Plan was amended and restated as of July 19, 2012 to make non-material changes to assure Internal Revenue Code Section 409A compliance.

The fair value of stock options granted pursuant to one of the Company’s plans is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the stock award. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.

In May 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved long-term incentive awards for executive officers under the 2007 Plan. The awards included the grant of 44,789 shares of restricted stock at a per share price of $31.29 that will vest in equal installments on January 1, 2014, January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016 subject to the grantee’s continuous service with the Company and the grant of 89,578 performance share units (“PSUs”). Each PSU represents a contingent right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock if the Company meets certain performance measures over the period from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015. Vesting of the PSUs, if at all, will occur no later than January 1, 2016, subject to the grantee’s continuous service and the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals to be measured as of December 31, 2015, unless the PSUs vest sooner at the target amount as a result of certain transactions pursuant to Section 11 of the 2007 Plan.

The number of shares of common stock a participant receives will be increased (up to 200 percent of target levels) or reduced (down to zero) based on the level of achievement of performance goals. The number of PSUs that may be earned by a participant is determined at the end of the performance period based on the relative placement of the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) for that period with 75% of the award based on the relative performance of the Company’s TSR performance compared to the respective TSRs of a specified group of 15 peer companies and the remaining 25% based on the Company’s TSR performance compared to the Russell 3000 Index. Compensation expense is recognized for PSU awards on a straight-line basis over the applicable service period based on the estimated fair value at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The valuation model for the PSU award used an average expected volatility of 81.43%, expected dividend yield of 0% and a risk-free interest rate of 0.36%. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company recorded approximately $146,000 in compensation expense related to the PSU awards. There was unrecognized compensation expense for the PSU awards of approximately $2.2 million as of June 30, 2013.

         Following is a table summarizing the activity under various stock issuance plans for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

   

 

   

   

Stock Issuance Plans

   

   

   

2007 Plan

   

      

401(k) Plan

   

      

2010 Plan

   

   

Other Stock

  Plans

   

Shares available, January 1, 2013

   

   

531,764

   

      

   

136,582

   

      

   

298,102

   

   

      

5,065

   

Evergreen addition

   

   

3,213

   

      

   

—  

   

      

   

—  

   

   

      

—  

   

Restricted stock issued to executives and employees

   

   

(27,048

)

      

   

—  

   

      

   

(4,232

)

   

      

—  

   

Stock issued based on incentive and matching programs to employees

   

   

—  

   

      

   

(11,621

)

      

   

(2,354

)

   

      

—  

   

Stock issued to executives, directors and employees

   

   

(20,037

)

      

   

—  

   

      

   

—  

   

   

      

—  

   

Forfeited shares

   

   

2,109

   

      

   

—  

   

      

   

—  

   

   

      

—  

   

Balance available, June 30, 2013

   

   

490,001

   

      

   

124,961

   

      

   

291,516

   

   

      

5,065

   

   

As noted above, 89,578 PSUs were granted that represent a contingent right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock and such shares, if issued, would decrease the available shares in the 2007 Plan.

 

 9 

   


   

Expense recognized under the different plans for stock and stock options for the six months ended:

   

 

   

   

(in thousands)

   

June 30, 2013

   

$

632

      

      

$

245

      

      

$

87

      

   

$

18

      

June 30, 2012

   

$

78

      

      

$

197

      

      

$

—  

      

   

$

—  

      

   

 

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Unrecognized expense under the different plans as of June 30, 2013

   

$

2,040

      

      

$

—  

      

      

$

138

      

   

$

—  

      

A summary of the status of the non-vested restricted stock shares as of June 30, 2013 is presented below:

   

 

   

Shares

   

   

Weighted
Average Grant Date
Fair Value

   

Non-vested at January 1, 2013

107,563

   

      

$

8.26

   

Granted

31,280

   

      

$

28.60

   

Vested

(3,552

)

      

$

10.84

   

Forfeited

(2,109

)

      

$

18.21

   

Non-vested at June 30, 2013

133,182

   

      

$

16.97

   

Following is a table of stock option activity for the quarter ended June 30, 2013:

   

 

   

Employee and
Director
Options

   

      

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

   

Options outstanding, January 1, 2013

   

185,976

   

      

$

10.20

   

Options granted

   

5,000

   

      

$

23.85

   

Options expired

   

(5,000

)

      

$

10.20

   

Options exercised

   

(5,820

)

      

$

12.44

   

Options outstanding and exercisable, June 30, 2013

   

180,156

   

      

$

10.50

   

   

 

 10 

   


Following is a table of aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised and exercisable for the six months ended June 30, 2013:

   

 

   

Intrinsic
Value

   

      

Average
Market
Price

   

Exercised, June 30, 2013

$

90,600

      

      

$

28.00

      

   

 

   

Intrinsic
Value

   

      

Market
Price

   

Exercisable, June 30, 2013

$

5,696,600

      

      

$

42.12

      

Stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2013 are summarized in the table below:

   

 

Range of Exercise Prices

      

Number of
Options
Outstanding and
Exercisable

   

      

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

   

      

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Lives

   

$8.60 - $10.20

      

   

136,063

      

      

$

8.60

      

      

   

2.5

      

$13.80 - $15.20

      

   

34,093

      

      

$

14.82

      

      

   

2.1

      

$19.54 - $23.85

      

   

10,000

      

      

$

21.70

      

      

   

4.5

      

   

      

   

180,156

      

      

$

10.50

      

      

   

2.5

      

   

   

(8) Temporary Equity Subject to Possible Redemption

As described in Note 4, in May 2011, ADA and NexGen entered into a transaction in which Clean Coal sold an effective 15% interest of the equity in Clean Coal to GSFS. Approximately 15.8 units of non-voting Class B membership interests were issued to GSFS for $60 million in cash. ADA and NexGen each received $30 million as a result of the sale. The terms of the Operating Agreement permit GSFS to require redemption of the unreturned portion of its initial $60 million investment in Clean Coal plus a return of 15% in 2021 and under certain limited circumstances. As a result, $60 million is classified as temporary equity subject to possible redemption in the consolidated balance sheets.

   

(9) Stockholders’ Deficit

The non-controlling interest portion of stockholders’ deficit includes the non-controlling interests related to Clean Coal.

   

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

Line of Credit

Clean Coal has a revolving line of credit with a bank for $15 million secured by the equity interests and proceeds related to such equity interests of each subsidiary owned by Clean Coal. In January 2013, the revolving line of credit agreement was amended to provide a $2 million revolver with any borrowings under the amended agreement due on December 31, 2013. The increased commitment is secured by the equity interests and proceeds related to such equity interests of each subsidiary owned by Clean Coal. There was no outstanding balance under this agreement at June 30, 2013.

   

Retirement Plan

The 401(k) plan covers all eligible employees of ADA and the Company makes matching contributions to the plan in the form of cash and its common stock. Such contributions are as follows:

   

 

   

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Matching contributions in stock

$

132

   

   

$

113

   

   

$

245

   

   

$

197

   

Matching contributions in cash

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

   

   

—  

   

Total

$

132

   

   

$

113

   

   

$

245

   

   

$

197

   

   

Performance Guarantee on Emission Control Systems

Under certain contracts to supply emission control systems, the Company may guarantee certain aspects of the performance of the associated equipment for a specified period to the owner of the power plant. The Company may also guarantee the achievement of a

 

 11 

   


certain level of mercury and/or acid gas removal based upon the injection of a specified quantity of a qualified sorbent at a specified rate given other plant operating conditions. In the event the equipment fails to perform as specified, the Company may have an obligation to correct or replace the equipment. In the event the level of emission removal is not achieved, the Company may have a “make right” obligation within the contract limits. The Company assesses the risks inherent in each applicable contract and accrues an amount that is based on estimated costs that may be incurred over the performance period of the contract. Such costs are included in the Company’s accrued warranty and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Any warranty costs paid out in the future will be charged against the accrual. The adequacy of the warranty accrual balance is assessed at least quarterly based on the then current facts and circumstances and adjustments are made as needed.

The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s performance guaranties are as follows:

   

 

   

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended

June 30 ,

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

2013

   

   

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Beginning balance

$

814

   

   

$

546

   

   

$

668

   

   

$

547

   

Performance guaranties accrued

   

128

   

   

   

16

   

   

   

282

   

   

   

17

   

Expenses paid

   

(6

)

   

   

—  

   

   

   

(14

)

   

   

(2

)

Ending balance

$

936

   

   

$

562

   

   

$

936

   

   

$

562

   

In some cases, a performance bond may be purchased and held for the period of the warranty as an alternative to satisfy the obligation.

   

Clean Coal

The Company also has certain obligations in connection with the activities of Clean Coal. ADA, NexGen and two entities affiliated with NexGen have provided GS RC with joint and several guaranties (the “CCS Party Guaranties”) guaranteeing all payments and performance due under the related transaction agreements. ADA also entered into a contribution agreement with NexGen under which any party called upon to pay on a CCS Party Guaranty is entitled to receive contribution from the other party equal to 50% of the amount paid.

GS RC has provided Clean Coal with a guaranty as to the payment only if all the initial term fixed rent payments and the renewal term fixed rent payments under the related leases, which, although terminable at any time, cannot be terminated without the substitution of such guaranty with another guaranty on similar terms from a creditworthy guarantor.

   

Arbitration Award Liabilities

As previously reported in various filings, ADA had been engaged in litigation with Norit Americas, Inc. and Norit International N.V. f/k/a Norit N.V. (“Norit”). The Norit lawsuit initially filed in Texas was moved to arbitration, and on April 8, 2011, the arbitration panel issued an interim award holding ADA liable for approximately $37.9 million for a non-solicitation breach of contract claim and held ADA and certain other defendants liable for royalties of 10.5% for the first three years beginning in mid-2010 and 7% for the following five years based on adjusted sales of activated carbon from the Red River plant. The Company recorded $676,000 and $1.4 million in royalty expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, and $455,000 and $739,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, which are included in other expense in the consolidated statements of operations related to this award.

On August 29, 2011, ADA and Norit entered into a settlement agreement whereby ADA paid a lump-sum payment to Norit totaling $33 million on August 30, 2011. In addition, ADA agreed to pay an additional $7.5 million over a three-year period commencing on June 1, 2012, payable in three installments without interest of $2.5 million. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, ADA is also required to pay the royalty noted above and a lesser royalty on certain treated activated carbons. Payments of amounts due under the royalty award for each quarter are payable three months after such quarter ends. On October 18, 2011, the arbitration panel endorsed and confirmed the terms of the settlement agreement. The Company has accrued a current liability as of June 30, 2013 of $3.2 million which is included in deferred revenue and other liabilities related to this agreement.                     

   

 

 12 

   


(11) Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided if and when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. At each reporting date, management reviews existing income tax assessments and, if necessary, revises them to reflect changed circumstances. In a situation where recent losses have been incurred, the accounting standards require convincing evidence that there will be sufficient future taxable income to realize deferred tax assets.

The Company has provided a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets of $44.2 million and $39.5 million as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 respectively, to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets that may not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers both positive and negative evidence and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

   

(12) Business Segment Information

The following information relates to the Company’s three reportable segments: Refined coal (“RC”), Emission control (“EC”) and CO 2 capture (“CC”).

All assets are located in the U.S. and are not evaluated by management on a segment basis. All significant customers are U.S. companies and the U.S Government.

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

      

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

      

2012

   

      

2013

   

      

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

      

Revenue

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

RC

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Rental income

$

11,642

   

      

$

10,590

      

      

$

23,855

   

      

$

15,981

      

Coal sales

   

31,769

   

      

   

37,739

      

      

   

76,730

   

      

   

47,512

      

Other revenues

   

777

   

      

   

22

      

      

   

1,726

   

      

   

32

      

   

   

44,188

   

      

   

48,351

      

      

   

102,311

   

      

   

63,525

      

EC

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

Systems and equipment

   

9,915

   

      

   

2,745

      

      

   

17,440

   

      

   

4,157

      

Consulting and development

   

2,020

   

      

   

1,058

      

      

   

3,024

   

      

   

2,193

      

Chemicals

   

79

   

      

   

162

      

      

   

319

   

      

   

379

      

   

   

12,014

   

      

   

3,965

      

      

   

20,783

   

      

   

6,729

      

   

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

CC

   

2,728

   

      

   

195

      

      

   

4,150

   

      

   

477

      

Total

$

58,930

   

      

$

52,511

      

      

$

127,244

   

      

$

70,731

      

Segment profit

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

RC

$

7,547

   

      

$

4,794

      

      

$

13,587

   

      

$

6,580

      

EC

   

1,736

   

      

   

102

      

      

   

3,358

   

      

   

177

      

CC

   

(316

)

      

   

16

      

      

   

(396

)

      

   

78

      

Total

$

8,967

   

      

$

4,912

      

      

$

16,549

   

      

$

6,835

      

 

 13 

   


A reconciliation of the reported total segment profit to net loss for the periods shown above is as follows:

   

 

   

Three Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

Six Months Ended
June 30,

   

   

2013

   

      

2012

   

   

2013

   

      

2012

   

   

(in thousands)

   

Total segment profit

$

8,967

   

      

$

4,912

   

   

$

16,549

   

      

$

6,835

   

Non-allocated general and administrative expenses

   

(7,059

)

      

   

(2,136

)

   

   

(12,913

)

      

   

(4,270

)

Depreciation and amortization

   

(1,347

)

      

   

(1,181

)

   

   

(2,769

)

      

   

(2,205

)

Interest and other income

   

165

   

      

   

42

   

   

   

235

   

      

   

141

   

Interest expense

   

(248

)

      

   

(431

)

   

   

(631

)

      

   

(901

)

Other expense

   

(735

   

      

   

(469

)

   

   

(1,408

)

      

   

(753

)

Net equity in net income of unconsolidated entity

   

274

   

      

   

132

   

   

   

597

   

      

   

168

   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

   

(3,195

)

      

   

(2,167

)

   

   

(5,007

)

      

   

(2,733

)

Net loss attributable to ADA-ES, Inc.

$

(3,178

)

   

$

(1,298

)

   

$

(5,347

)

   

$

(3,718

)

Non-allocated general and administrative expenses include costs that benefit the business as a whole and include but are not limited to accounting and human resources staff, information systems costs, facility costs, insurance, legal fees, audit fees and corporate governance expenses.

   

(13) Subsequent Event

Reorganization

At ADA’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, its shareholders approved a proposal to reorganize the Company. Effective July 1, 2013, ADES replaced ADA as the publicly-held corporation. The Reorganization is more fully described in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to ADA’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on April 25, 2013.

As a result of the Reorganization:

   

 

Each outstanding share of ADA’s common stock automatically converted into one share of common stock of ADES and the shareholders of ADA became stockholders of ADES on a one-for-one basis, holding the same number of shares in and the same ownership percentage of ADES after the Reorganization as they held in and of ADA prior to the Reorganization.

   

   

ADES’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The additional authorized shares of common stock enable the Company to issue additional common stock to raise capital expeditiously and economically for its ongoing operational needs and could be used for other purposes when the Board of Directors and management believe that such issuance is appropriate.

   

   

ADA became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADES.

   

   

All direct subsidiaries of ADA became indirect subsidiaries of ADES.

   

   

Each outstanding option to acquire shares of ADA’s common stock became an option to acquire an identical number of shares of ADES’s common stock with substantially the same terms and conditions as before the Reorganization.

   

   

Each outstanding PSU, which prior to the Reorganization represented the right to receive shares of common stock of ADA, became a PSU with the right to receive an identical number of shares of ADES’s common stock with substantially the same terms and conditions as before the Reorganization.

   

   

The management and business operations of ADA did not change.  Certain executive officers of ADA are also executive officers of ADES. We believe this simplified top-level management structure will best serve ADES and allow for continued growth.

   

   

The publicly traded company became subject to Delaware law.

   

   

ADES’s common stock became listed on the NASDAQ under “ADES”, ADA’s previous symbol, and ADA’s stock ceased trading on the NASDAQ.

   

   

 

 14 

   


   

 

The reorganization into a holding company structure is treated as a merger of entities under common control for accounting purposes.  The consolidated financial position and results of operations of ADA will be included in the consolidated financial statements of ADES on the same basis as currently presented.

   

   

The primary objectives of the Reorganization into a Delaware holding company structure include:

   

   

   

o

to better align our corporate structure with our business operations;

   

   

   

   

o

to provide us with greater strategic, business and administrative flexibility, which may allow us to acquire or form other businesses, if and when appropriate and feasible, that may be owned and operated by us, but which could be separate from our current businesses; and

   

   

   

   

o

to take advantage of the benefits of Delaware corporate law.

   

   

   

 

 15 

   


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 that involve risks and uncertainties. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” the negative expressions of such words, or similar expressions are used in this Report to identify forward-looking statements, and such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements or expectations regarding:

 

(a)

the scope and impact of mercury and other regulations or pollution control requirements, including the impact of the final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards ( “MATS”);

 

(b)

expected growth in and potential size of our target markets;

 

(c)

expected supply and demand for our products and services;

 

(d)

the effectiveness of our technologies and the benefits they provide;

 

(e)

the timing of awards of, and work under, our contracts and agreements and their value and their availability;

 

(f)

expected production levels at our refined coal ( “RC”) facilities, when those RC facilities will be placed into continuous operation, the expected use of the tax credits under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 45 tax credits”) generated by the RC facilities and the expected future value of Section 45 tax credits;

 

(g)

our ability to profitably sell, lease and/or recognize the tax benefits from operating additional RC facilities;

 

(h)

timing and amounts of or changes in future revenues, funding for our business and projects, margins, expenses, earnings, tax rate, cash flow, working capital, liquidity and other financial and accounting measures;

 

(i)

the materiality of any future adjustments to previously recorded revenue as a result of Department of Energy ( “DOE”) audits and the amount of contributions from the DOE and others towards project demonstrations;

 

(j)

the ability of third parties to which we lease or sell RC facilities to obtain any requested Private Letter Rulings ( “PLRs”) from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”);

 

(k)

whether any legal challenges or Environmental Protection Agency ( “EPA”) actions will have a material impact on the implementation of the MATS or other regulations; and  

 

(l)

the benefits we expect to receive from our recent reorganization.

The forward-looking statements included in this Report involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, timing of new and pending regulations and any legal challenges to or extensions of compliance dates of them; the government’s failure to promulgate regulations or appropriate funds that benefit our business; changes in laws and regulations, accounting rules, prices, economic conditions and market demand; impact of competition; availability, cost of and demand for alternative energy sources and other technologies; technical, start up and operational difficulties; inability to commercialize our technologies on favorable terms; our inability to ramp up our operations to effectively address expected growth in our target markets; loss of key personnel; failure to satisfy performance guaranties; the failure of the facilities operated, leased or sold by Clean Coal Solutions, LLC (“Clean Coal”) to continue to produce coal that qualifies for Section 45 tax credits; termination of the leases or other agreements related to such facilities; rulings by the courts on, interpretations by the IRS of and other official pronouncements on tax credit regulations adverse to our RC business; decreases in the coal available for treatment at Clean Coal’s RC facilities; utility plant outages; seasonality; failure to sell or lease the RC facilities; inability to put into permanent operation our available RC facilities and obtain necessary agreements, permits and private letter rulings from the IRS; adverse market impacts that may result from IRS audits of entities that claim Section 45 tax credits on their tax returns; availability of raw materials and equipment for our businesses; intellectual property infringement claims from third parties; as well as other factors relating to our business, as described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), with particular emphasis on the risk factor disclosures contained in those filings and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this report, and to consult filings we have made and will make with the SEC for additional discussion concerning risks and uncertainties that may apply to our business and the ownership of our securities. The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are presented as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements unless required by law to do so.

   

 

 16 

   


Overview

Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (“ADES”), a Delaware company incorporated in 2011, replaced ADA-ES, Inc. (“ADA”) as the publicly-held corporation.  As this periodic report pertains to the period ended June 30, 2013, and the reorganization was effective July 1, 2013, the term “we”, “us” and “our” means ADA for the periods through and including the period ended June 30, 2013, and ADES for the period after June 30, 2013. For further information, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The Company serves as the holding entity for a family of companies that provide emissions solutions to customers in the power generation and other industries. Through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, the Company is a leader in clean coal technologies and associated specialty chemicals, primarily serving the coal-fueled power plant industry. Our proprietary environmental technologies and specialty chemicals enable power and coal-fired plants to enhance existing air pollution control equipment, minimize mercury, CO 2 and other emissions, maximize capacity and improve operating efficiencies to meet the challenges of existing and pending emission control regulations. We have three operating segments: RC (refined coal), EC (emission control) and CC (CO 2 capture).

The RC segment includes revenues from the lease or sale of RC facilities and RC sales which approximate the cost of raw coal acquired for RC facilities operated for Clean Coal’s own account. The EC segment includes revenue from the supply of emissions control systems including activated carbon injection (“ACI”) systems to control mercury, dry sorbent injection (“DSI”) systems to control SO 2 , SO 3 and HCl and electrostatic precipitator (“ESP”) flue gas conditioning systems, the licensing of certain technology and provision of consulting services. The CC segment includes revenue from projects relating to the CO 2 capture and control market, including projects co-funded by government agencies, such as the DOE and industry supported contracts.

Our RC segment generates revenues through the lease or sale of RC facilities that produce RC intended to qualify for Section 45 tax credits to third party investors, as well as operating RC facilities and keeping the tax credits for our own and our partners’ accounts. To date, 28 RC facilities have been “placed-in-service” through Clean Coal, ADA’s RC joint venture with NexGen Refined Coal, LLC (“NexGen”), an affiliate of NexGen Resources Corporation, and with GSFS Investments I Corp. (“GSFS”), an affiliate of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS”). Unless Congress again extends the placed-in-service deadline for such facilities, which has passed, we have no ability to place any more RC facilities into service.

The primary drivers for many of our EC products and services are environmental laws and regulations impacting the electric power generation industry and other coal users. Environmental regulations, such as the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the MATS regulations, various Maximum-Achievable Control Technology (“MACT”) standards including the Industrial Boiler MACT (“IBMACT”) regulations, the Cement MACT regulation, various state regulations and permitting requirements for coal-fired power plants are requiring electric power generators and others to reduce emissions of pollutants, such as particulate matter, SO 2, NO x , mercury and acid gases. We are a key supplier of mercury control equipment and services, which includes ACI systems and chemical additives, to the EC market whose commercial equipment component first began in 2005 when several individual states began to require limits on mercury emissions. We also offer DSI systems to control SO 2 and acid gases such as HCl and SO 3 .

We conduct research and development efforts in CO 2 capture and control from coal-fired boilers and other technologies that we believe may have future commercial markets. In September 2010, we signed our second significant contract related to CO 2 capture with the DOE, for a project that is expected to continue through the end of 2014.

   

Refined Coal

We are marketing our CyClean and M-45 technologies, services and equipment exclusively through ADA’s joint venture Clean Coal.

   

Environmental Legislation and Regulations

Clean Coal’s primary opportunity is based on the availability of Section 45 tax credits established by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and as amended by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2010, the last of which extended the placed-in-service deadline for the Section 45 tax credits from its original date to January 1, 2012. The 2013 tax credit amounts to $6.59 per ton of RC and is expected to escalate annually through 2021. In December 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) issued the initial guidance as to the specifics concerning how the emissions reductions are to be measured and certified to demonstrate compliance necessary for RC production to qualify for the Section 45 tax credits. The IRS provided subsequent guidance on October 4, 2010 to address various issues that had arisen. Additionally, the IRS has published a number of PLRs that provide approval to specific taxpayers on matters related to the Section 45 tax credit issues addressed in the PLRs. Although the approval in each PLR only applies to the taxpayer and the specific project mentioned in the PLR, other taxpayers can gain an understanding on how the IRS interprets certain matters based on the conclusions reached in the PLR.

 

 17 

   


Use of any tax credits is subject to potential IRS audits of the entity that claims the credits on its tax return. If such use is challenged, negotiated/structured settlements may be reached with the IRS. In some cases, where the parties cannot reach agreement and the matter is litigated, court rulings may impact various aspects of the RC business including the viability of the market for Section 45 tax credits in general, the perceived risk involved in the allocation of Section 45 tax credits and thus the amount a third party would be willing to invest for the opportunity to produce RC and generate tax credits and the structure of contracts that we enter into to recognize value from our RC facilities.

   

Technology License Agreements

ADA licensed to Clean Coal, on an exclusive basis, the CyClean technology in November 2006. In July 2012 ADA licensed the M-45 technology (the “M-45 License”) to Clean Coal in order to leverage Clean Coal’s operating expertise and take advantage of the other synergies that can be obtained by Clean Coal having the ability to provide and use either the CyClean or M-45 technology.

In addition, the M-45 License gives Clean Coal, on a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, royalty-bearing basis, the right to sublicense (under specified terms to be approved by ADA prior to the sublicense being granted) to limited utilities that purchase or have purchased RC produced using the M-45 technology, the right to use the M-45 technology under certain circumstances for the purpose of “Mercury Only Emission Control”.

The M-45 License term runs through the latest of the expiration of (i) the Section 45 tax credits, (ii) any similar tax credit subsequently enacted, after the effective date of the agreement up to within one year of the expiration of the Section 45 tax credits, which tax credits provide for the production of a coal-based fuel (pre-combustion) that emits, when combusted, a lower level of both NO x and mercury emissions, and (iii) the date on which Clean Coal and all sublicensees of the M-45 technology have permanently ceased to provide Mercury Only Emission Control.

Pursuant to the M-45 License, we receive royalties equal to (i) a percentage of the per-ton, pre-tax margin from RC produced with the M-45 technology from leased or sold RC facilities, (ii) a percentage of the Section 45 tax credits claimed by Clean Coal (or a Clean Coal affiliate), or their respective owners, on RC produced by a facility that Clean Coal does not sell or lease to a third party and instead operates to retain the Section 45 tax credits from that facility for its (or an affiliate’s) own benefit, net of all directly allocable operating expenses and all utility payments incurred by Clean Coal (or an affiliate) in connection with the production and sale of such RC, and (iii) a percentage of the revenue, net of all direct expenses, received by Clean Coal as a direct result of Clean Coal’s exercise of the license for Mercury Only Emission Control described above. ADA received $10 million in prepaid royalty deposits as a result of attainment by Clean Coal of certain milestones. We have certain obligations to provide technical assistance to Clean Coal and its sublicensees during the term of the M-45 License, as well as certain obligations to protect and maintain the patents that underlie the M-45 technology and to indemnify Clean Coal against certain claims related to the technology. The income and expense related to these royalties are eliminated in consolidation of the financial results of Clean Coal.

   

Leased and Operating RC Facilities

Clean Coal initially placed two RC facilities in service prior to the initial placed-in-service deadline of January 1, 2010 and demonstrated the required emission reductions for their RC product to qualify for the Section 45 tax credits. On June 29, 2010, Clean Coal signed agreements to lease these two RC facilities through its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Lessors”) to GS RC Investments, LLC (“GS RC”). In November and December 2011, Clean Coal, the Lessors and GS exchanged the leased RC facilities at each power plant with newly constructed, redesigned RC facilities which resulted in termination of the original leases and entry into new lease agreements (the “Exchange Transactions”). The two facilities are installed at two different power plants in the Midwest each of which operates two cyclone boilers burning Powder River Basin (“PRB”) coal from Wyoming.

GS RC also entered into supply agreements for each RC facility pursuant to which it supplies RC to the applicable power plant owner. Clean Coal Solution Services (“CCSS”), a Colorado limited liability company owned 50% by ADA and 50% by NexGen, operates and maintains the RC facilities under two Operating and Maintenance Agreements (subject to oversight by GS RC). CCSS also arranges for the purchase and delivery of certain chemical additives necessary for GS RC’s production of RC under the supply agreements. The term of each such agreement runs coincident with the leases.

In addition, pursuant to the Exchange Transactions, ADA, NexGen and two entities affiliated with NexGen provided GS RC with joint and several guaranties (the “CCS Guaranties”) guaranteeing all payments and performance due under the agreements described above. ADA also entered into a contribution agreement with NexGen under which any party called upon to pay on a CCS Guaranty is entitled to receive contribution from the other party equal to 50% of the amount paid. GSFS, GS RC’s parent, provided Clean Coal with a guaranty as to the payment of all fixed rent payments under the leases, which, although terminable at any time, cannot be terminated without the substitution of such guaranty with another guaranty on similar terms from a creditworthy guarantor.

 

 18 

   


In March 2013 the parties amended and restated the Exchange Transaction lease agreements to change certain terms and timing of the lease payments. The payments are now due quarterly in advance and are subject to adjustments for inflation. Each lease has an initial non-cancellable term of two years and will automatically renew unless terminated at the option of the lessee for successive one-year terms through November 9, 2021 and December 10, 2021, as applicable. Revenues to Clean Coal are expected to remain at similar levels as seen under the prior written agreements. The parties also amended and restated the two Operating and Maintenance Agreements to provide for the payment of a fixed fee under the agreements instead of variable payments based on the production of RC.

Pursuant to an Exclusive Right to Lease Agreement, Clean Coal granted GSFS the exclusive right to lease additional RC facilities capable of producing up to approximately 12 million tons of RC (the “Target Tons”) per year on pre-established terms.  GSFS has exercised this right with respect to all but approximately 2 million of the Target Tons.

Clean Coal leased a third RC facility in the first quarter of 2012 to another entity related to GS. Clean Coal leased a fourth RC facility to another third party investor during the third quarter of 2012. All agreements included terms and conditions substantially similar to those applicable to initial leases for the first two leased RC facilities. On February 28, 2013, Clean Coal sold an RC facility to a new third party investor. The structure of the sale was similar to that of the initial leases and provided the buyer with the right to require Clean Coal to repurchase the RC facility for a nominal fee in certain situations. The terms of the sale included $20 million paid immediately to Clean Coal and a combination of fixed and variable payments going forward. An additional $5 million is to be paid to Clean Coal when the buyer receives an applied-for PLR from the IRS, which is expected later this year. In July 2013, two additional RC facilities were leased to entities related to GS with terms and conditions substantially similar to the first two leased RC facilities, bringing the total number of RC facilities leased or sold to seven. Clean Coal received more than $14 million in prepaid rents in July related to these facilities which will be amortized to revenue over the terms specified in the agreements.

In addition to the six leased RC facilities and the RC facility sold to a third party investor, Clean Coal currently operates three additional RC facilities for its own account, resulting in its owners’ ability to claim the Section 45 tax credits for the RC produced during those operations.

With the six leased RC facilities, the RC facility sold to a third party investor and the three RC facilities currently operated by Clean Coal for its own account, there are currently ten RC facilities in routine operations at coal plants that, in the aggregate, have historically burned more than 25 million tons of coal per year. One of Clean Coal’s goals is to place RC facilities at as many plants requiring large amounts of coal as possible. During the second quarter of 2013, RC facilities operated by Clean Coal for its own account produced 1.2 million tons of RC.

Clean Coal plans to retain and operate one or two of the currently operating RC facilities continuously for its own account and in the longer term a number sufficient to claim Section 45 tax credits for one of every five tons of RC produced by all RC facilities going forward. During the second quarter of 2013, the RC facilities operated for Clean Coal’s account generated $32 million in revenues from RC sales which were offset by $32 million in raw coal costs and generated $7.7 million in Section 45 tax credits that can be used to offset future tax expenses of its owners. ADA’s portion of these credits amounts to $3.3 million. Clean Coal is in negotiations to lease or sell several additional RC facilities with a goal to have all RC facilities in operation by the end of 2014 utilizing the CyClean and M-45 technologies.

In those cases where Clean Coal chooses to operate an RC facility for its own account, either on an interim basis or for the long-term, it receives the benefit of the Section 45 tax credits from the RC produced at the facility. As part of those operations Clean Coal purchases raw coal, refines the raw coal into RC and then sells the RC to the power plant, generally at the same price per ton, recognizing revenue from the RC sale and costs of revenue for the raw coal purchased. These amounts may be significant as the average per ton price for the raw coal purchased and RC sold has historically ranged from $20 to $40 per ton. In those operations Clean Coal also pays, recognizing as an expense, and may also deduct for tax purposes, operational costs, a fee to the utility for coal handling and a fee for the land used to site the RC facility. For the RC facilities that Clean Coal operates for its own account, it incurs operating expenses of approximately $3 per ton of coal treated and generates approximately $7.50 per ton in tax benefits.

In those cases where Clean Coal chooses to lease or sell an RC facility to a third party investor, once the final utility site and the third party investor have been determined, it takes approximately six to twelve months to obtain environmental permits for full-time operation, secure necessary approvals from state Public Utility Commissions, and negotiate and complete all necessary contracts. PLRs may be needed from the IRS if requested by the third party investor, which may take several additional months to obtain after formal contracts are completed.

 

 19 

   


Closings of several deals with utilities and third party investors for our RC facilities were delayed in 2012 and the first half of 2013 for various reasons, including: permitting, regulatory approval, corporate financial restructuring of utilities or third parties involved in some aspect of the transaction, changes in plant ownership, changes and retirements of personnel involved in the negotiations, involvement of additional parties in the transactions, and uncertainties in the tax credit community. As our previous disclosures have indicated, because of the complexities of each RC deal and the number of externalities that are outside our direct control and involvement, we may continue to experience delays beyond our initial estimates of six to twelve months to close the transactions.

We expect that future transactions for RC facilities not presently operating may be either lease or sale transactions with the purchase price payable over time. Regardless of the form the final transaction structures will provide long-term economic benefits substantially similar to those provided by the prior lease transactions. However, the economics of each facility will be unique as the revenue and expected margins will differ from one RC facility to another depending upon, among other factors, the size of the power plant that the facility serves, the amount of RC produced at the plant and the expenses incurred, including the cost of chemicals, labor costs, negotiated payments to the utility, upfront prepaid rent payments and royalty payments for the license of certain technologies. As is generally the case in these transactions, the sale or lease of the RC facilities involves a relationship between the utility, a third party investor and Clean Coal. By buying or leasing the RC facility and producing RC, the third party investor becomes the producer of RC, receives the benefit of the annually escalating per ton Section 45 tax credit and is able to deduct depreciation and/or a portion or all of the lease payments. In return it pays, and may also deduct, a portion or all of the fees to the utility for coal handling and land use to site the RC facility and operational costs. In addition, the third party investor pays a mutually agreed combination of fixed and contingent rents or fixed rents only, to Clean Coal for the lease of the RC facility. In the case of a sale, the overall economics of the payments made are substantially similar to the fixed and/or contingent rents paid under the initial leases. In addition to the site and coal handling payments, the utility receives the benefit of the resulting mercury and NO x reductions which have an estimated value of between $1.00- $4.00 per ton of RC burned.

Since its inception, we have been considered the primary economic beneficiary of Clean Coal and have consolidated its accounts in our financial statements, but we do not consolidate the accounts of CCSS because NexGen controls the entity pursuant to the operating agreement of the entity. Clean Coal’s total annual contribution to our operating income will ultimately depend on the utilities’ use of coal in the generation of electricity, which use will likely fluctuate over the term of the Section 45 tax credits. In order to maintain its interest in Clean Coal, ADA is obligated to fund half of its operating costs and capital expenditures.

   

Status of Remaining RC Facilities

Our goal is to place into full time operations the remaining RC facilities as soon as possible with an expectation that all will be in operation by the end of 2014. For the remaining facilities, there are a number of possible locations all with different sizes and characteristics. As a result, it is difficult to provide explicit guidance at this time as to the timing, location and likelihood of their permanent placement. For example, we are holding five facilities in reserve for placement at five very large potential RC production sites. Each of these sites has its own unique set of circumstances and issues that will likely require some change in operations at the utility or other changes such as technology improvements, switch in coal rank, or obtaining a PLR from the IRS, in order for those facilities to begin full time operation. In this regard we have made significant progress in expanding the potential target market by extending our RC technologies beyond cyclone boilers and PRB coals. Clean Coal is currently operating two RC facilities using the M-45 technology at plants burning Gulf Coast lignite and one RC facility using the CyClean technology at a plant burning North Dakota lignite. In addition, tests have demonstrated the potential to apply these RC technologies to bituminous coals. Clean Coal has successfully conducted tests on an improvement to the M-45 technology (referred to as M-45-PC TM technology) that was certified by an independent professional engineer as eligible for the Section 45 tax credit in late 2012 and is available for use on pulverized coal (“PC”) boilers. The ability to use the M-45 technology on PC boilers significantly increases the potential market for locations where the RC facilities could be located as PC boilers represent over 80% of the 1,200 electricity generating boilers in the U.S. and there are several plants where it may be possible to treat greater than five million tons of coal per year with a single RC facility. The tax credit rules further allows us to change the process by which coal is refined and use the RC facilities at plants other than those at which they were originally placed into service. We believe that the first RC facilities using M-45-PC technology could be put into full-time operation later this year.

We believe that once all new and existing RC facilities, other than those retained by Clean Coal and operated for its own account, are leased or sold to third party investors and become fully operational, they will achieve an annualized segment rental revenue rate of approximately $200 million; this revenue figure excludes approximately $250 million to $300 million in ongoing coal sales and raw coal purchases for RC facilities that Clean Coal is expected to operate in the long-term for its own account. These revenue rates would be expected to eventually generate approximately $100 million in segment income to the Company after payments to joint venture partners, including an estimated $30 million in tax credits (the Company’s share) to be generated by RC facilities operated by Clean Coal. The projected segment revenue and income are expected to continue through 2021.

From now through 2014, we expect leases and sales of new RC facilities to generate significant cash receipts from prepaid rent and upfront purchase price payments for Clean Coal. For the RC facilities that it retains and operates for its own account, Clean Coal will record operating costs, coal sales and costs of coal that may be significant. This will result in increased expenses and revenues over

 

 20 

   


and above the increased revenue recognized from the lease and sale of additional RC facilities and will reduce gross margin as a percent of total revenues. The ultimate benefit from these retained facilities is derived from the tax benefits they generate which amounts to approximately $7.50 per ton of RC produced.

   

Emission Control

Power companies have started to procure ACI and DSI systems to comply with new emission regulations and the Company is currently maintaining its market leading positions in both ACI and DSI awards. We continue to receive requests to evaluate mercury and acid gas control options at a number of plants. We expect to see additional ACI and DSI revenues as contracts are awarded on the outstanding proposals (see discussion below).

   

Environmental Legislation and Regulations

Mercury has been identified as a toxic substance and, pursuant to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued regulations for its control from power plants in March 2005, which was known as the “Clean Air Mercury Rule” or “CAMR.” CAMR was ultimately declared invalid.  On December 16, 2011 the EPA issued the MATS rule, a MACT-based hazardous pollutant regulation applicable to coal and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units (“EGU”), which provides for, among other provisions, control of mercury and volatile metals such as arsenic, selenium and control of acid gases such as HCl and other Hazardous Air Pollutants (“HAPs”). It took effect on April 16, 2012. The EPA issued the final rule for new source standards on March 28, 2013 although it is currently reconsidering certain aspects of the MATS relating to new source standards due to various lawsuits. We believe these lawsuits will not impact our ongoing business, which is focused on existing sources of HAPs.

The final MATS rule for existing HAP sources establishes standards for all HAPs emitted by coal and oil fired EGUs with a capacity of 25 megawatts or greater. Units with lower generating capacities will instead fall under the IBMACT rule with requirements to meet compliance levels scheduled to go into effect on January 31, 2016. The standards are based upon the average of the best performing 12% of existing applicable power plants. The MATS provides the option to use facility-wide averaging of 90 days to meet the limits for mercury emissions, which is 1.2 pounds per trillion BTU (1.0 pound per trillion BTU if 90 day averaging is used). This emission limit corresponds to the capture of up to 80-90% of the mercury in the coal burned in electric power generation boilers as measured at the exhaust stack outlet for most coals having a greater than 8,500 BTU per pound heat rate. For plants burning lower rank coals such as lignite, the emission limit is 4.0 pounds per trillion BTU. The EPA estimates that there are approximately 1,200 coal-fired units and 300 oil-fired units affected by the MATS. Existing sources must comply with the MATS standards by April 16, 2015. An authorized state permitting authority has the ability to grant sources up to a one year extension, on a case by case basis, if such additional time is necessary for the installation of controls. Recent data suggests that state permitting authorities have granted most of the extension requests they have received.

In addition to issuing standards covering electric power generators, the EPA has developed a MACT-based mercury emissions regulation for the Portland cement industry through amendments to the National Emission Standards for HAPs (the “Cement MACT”). The Cement MACT regulation was initially finalized on August 6, 2010. On May 11, 2011, the EPA denied requests to issue an administrative stay on the Cement MACT and denied in part and granted in part various petitions to reconsider the final revised Cement MACT. The EPA published the final Cement MACT regulation on February 12, 2013 with compliance required by September 9, 2015. The standards for new kilns apply to facilities where construction, modification, or reconstruction commenced after May 6, 2009.

The Cement MACT requires cement plants to reduce HAPs by September 9, 2015 including 92% of mercury emissions and 83% of hydrocarbons emissions. This regulation could require ACI systems on up to 90 cement kilns in the U.S., which are owned by approximately 15 companies. We have been engaged in several testing programs for cement companies to define their emissions and evaluate how ACI equipment and sorbents will work in that industry. The tests were designed to evaluate the effectiveness of collecting mercury and organics from cement kiln exhaust gas streams. 

The EPA also issued a new IBMACT regulation for coal-fired boilers that provide mostly steam and/or electricity for industrial and institutional power needs with no more than 25 megawatts of electricity sold to the grid per year. The final regulation was issued on March 21, 2011, with compliance deadlines originally scheduled for early 2014. On December 23, 2011, the EPA issued proposed reconsiderations of certain aspects of the IBMACT, including clarification of applicability and implementation issues.

The final IBMACT rule which was published on January 31, 2013 could impact over 600 existing coal-fired industrial boilers, which have until January 31, 2016 to comply. The final emission limit of 5.7 pounds of mercury per trillion BTU of heat input for existing and 0.80 pounds per trillion BTU of heat input for new coal-fired industrial boilers on average requires approximately 50% capture of mercury from coal-fired boilers burning various coals. However, we believe the final IBMACT could significantly increase the market for DSI systems when considering the requirements to also limit HCl emissions to levels of 0.022 pounds per million BTU.

The Clean Air Act requires that all emission control-related regulations be met within three years from the final date the new rule is posted in the Federal Register, with the potential extension of one year granted by individual states on a case by case basis. We believe

 

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that substantial long-term growth of the EC market for the electric power generation industry will most likely depend on how industry chooses to respond to the pending and new federal regulations. In general, all three of these regulations are less stringent than originally expected, meaning more flexibility for operators subject to the rules in choosing low capital expenditure (“CAPEX”) emissions control technologies and likely fewer forced plant retirements from having to install large CAPEX emission control equipment such as scrubbers and baghouses. We believe the MATS and MACT rules will create a large market for our emission control and RC products.

On December 15, 2009, the EPA issued an endangerment finding that triggered a Clean Air Act requirement that the agency regulate CO 2 emissions from stationary sources such as power plants. Industry and states have filed an extensive consolidated litigation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging numerous aspects of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) rules. The court is considering arguments regarding the EPA’s guidance memo on the timing of GHG regulations, such as when GHGs become a “regulated pollutant” under the Clean Air Act and thus if and when New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations would apply. On March 27, 2012, the EPA proposed its first new source performance standards for CO 2 emissions from new power plants as a result of a separate settlement with states and environmental groups in 2010.

   

Activated Carbon Injection and Dry Sorbent Injection Systems

ACI systems are currently the most established and accepted technology to specifically control mercury emissions and have been widely deployed to meet the existing state and new plant regulations. In addition to ACI systems for mercury control, we have developed and are providing commercial DSI systems that inject dry alkaline sorbents to control acid gases such as SO 3 and HCl. Our DSI technology is also used to control SO 2 , one of six criteria air pollutants. The use of DSI for SO 3 reduction in conjunction with ACI has also been shown to enhance the capture of mercury from bituminous coal-fired boilers.

In order to meet the expected demand in the ACI and DSI markets, on August 31, 2012, ADES’s wholly owned subsidiary BCSI, LLC (“BCSI”) acquired the assets of Bulk Conveyor Specialist Inc., a leading privately held fabricator and supplier of DSI systems and other material handling equipment, and Bulk Conveyor Services, Inc. (together, “Bulk Conveyor”). This acquisition provided us with the capacity, experience and resources to provide customers with additional solutions for emissions compliance and the addition of Bulk Conveyor’s manufacturing facility also allowed us to expand our capacity for supplying ACI systems. Currently BCSI is executing a large fleet utility contract for several DSI systems for SO 3 control and has several outstanding proposals for additional SO 3 and HCl control systems.

Since 2005, we have completed or are in the process of executing awarded projects for approximately 80 ACI systems intended to control mercury emissions from approximately 90 coal-fired EGU boilers. The ACI and DSI capital equipment we provide for the larger utility coal-boilers generally ranges from approximately $600,000 to $2 million per coal-fired boiler unit and in total we expect the MATS rule to create a market in excess of $1 billion for the combined market for ACI and DSI systems. DSI systems provide a low CAPEX alternative to scrubbers for meeting certain provisions of the MATS. The EPA predicts that about 200 DSI systems will be sold by 2015.

Since the MATS market commenced in 2011, ADA has won or received letters of intent to award contracts currently valued at approximately $80 million for ACI and DSI systems, with most of these systems scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2014. There has been indication that some generators have obtained extensions for MATS compliance, which could result in the consummation of these sales being extended for an additional one to two years. As an indication of progress in the development of this market, the Company is in discussion on or submitting bids on approximately $150 million of ACI and DSI systems.

   

Mercury Control Additives

Another ADA mercury-only coal treatment technology (formerly referred to as Enhanced Coal) is in the initial stages of being marketed by the Company as M-Prove™ to meet mercury requirements currently existing in 19 states and the MATS requirements set to go into effect in 2015. Since 2004, we have been working with Arch Coal to explore certain unique characteristics of some types of coals mined by Arch Coal that allow the coal to be burned with lower mercury emissions. We believe that a technical breakthrough that involves the application of proprietary chemicals to Western coals such as PRB reduces emissions of mercury when this pre-combustion additive is burned at power plants. We believe M-Prove may provide a benefit to the customer of up to $4 per ton of coal burned when used on Western coals, of which U.S. power plants burn up to 600 million tons per year.

We provide M-Prove through two channels – (1) through Arch Coal for use on PRB coal at the mine and (2) through direct coal treatment applied on-site at power plants. In June 2010, we entered into a Development and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Arch Coal giving them an exclusive, non-transferable license to use certain technology through the application of ADA’s proprietary pre-combustion additive to Arch Coal’s PRB mined coal. We expect that use of M-Prove will help utilities meet the mercury emissions requirements in the MATS. The initial demonstration of coal treated at the mine and shipped by rail to a power plant produced promising results, and we have completed several additional demonstrations of M-Prove at specific power plants. We are encouraged that some utilities are already purchasing equipment to apply chemical additives to their coal, and we expect demand for M-Prove to increase in 2015 when additional utilities will be required to control their mercury emissions.

 

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Under the License Agreement, we are entitled to royalties of as much as $1 per ton of a portion of the premium for the treated coal sold by Arch Coal, depending upon the premium Arch Coal is able to charge on sales of such coal. Any royalty ultimately payable under the License Agreement will first be subject to credit to Arch Coal of an amount equal to the initial license fee of $2 million, other development and operational costs paid by Arch Coal plus a rate of return on such payments.

In November 2012, we entered into a related Supply Agreement under which Arch Coal will purchase the additives used in conjunction with the technology licensed under the License Agreement exclusively from us, and we will supply Arch Coal with the additives it needs. For customers that prefer to have the coal treatment applied on-site at their plants, the Company will provide the technology directly to the power plants.

The MATS will likely create a market for chemicals to be used for the reduction in mercury emissions for much of the 600 million tons of western coals burned annually. One of the advantages of the chemical used in M-Prove is that it does not use bromine which is the basis of many other competing chemical additive technologies. The power industry is beginning to experience corrosion issues in their plants that they attribute to bromine that was used to enhance the capture of mercury. Thus, we have found the industry open to considering a new technology that could help avoid what could be very expensive repairs on the plants. In October 2012 we were awarded the first of what we believe will be a family of patents designed to protect M-Prove both in the U.S. and abroad.

   

Flue Gas, Injection Systems, Chemicals and Services

We have developed and deployed technologies for conditioning flue gas streams from coal-fired combustion sources that allow existing air pollution control devices such as ESPs to operate more efficiently without the use of traditional SO 3 additives, which have been shown to be detrimental to effective mercury control. Through various suppliers and contractors, we manufacture engineered systems for each individual application. The systems mix, pump and monitor the feed of proprietary chemical blends. The liquid chemical blends are applied to the flue gas streams by a pressurized system of specially designed lances and nozzles. Such treatment of the flue gas stream allows for effective collection of fly ash particles that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. The use of the proprietary chemical blends may help existing marginally sized ESPs continue to operate effectively when applied exclusively or in combination with other chemicals such as hydrated lime (DSI systems), activated carbon products or other high-resistivity materials.

   

Other Consulting Services

We also offer consulting services to assist electric power generators and others in planning and implementing strategies to meet the new and increasing government emission standards requiring reductions in SO 2 , NO x , particulates, acid gases and mercury. This includes demonstrations of our commercial products. We often receive funding for consulting and a portion of our development and testing activities from industry partners that have a strategic interest in the technology.

   

CO 2 Capture

In addition to our two key growth areas, RC and EC, we continue to demonstrate our position as a premier developer of innovative clean energy technologies. We expect that CO 2 capture technologies may be required to control CO 2 emissions from coal-fired power plants in the future. This expectation is supported by the fact that the EPA has announced that it will release standards for greenhouse gas emissions for new sources in the near future and that it will provide draft regulations for existing sources as early as next June. We see this as an opportunity and continue to develop technologies to address the long-term needs of our customers to reduce CO 2 from their existing and new plants.

In 2010 we began the first field tests of our CO 2 control technology on a $3.8 million program co-funded by the DOE, as well as several major utility companies. The initial results at a plant confirmed the promising performance we had demonstrated in our laboratory. The pilot plant was moved to another plant for additional testing.

In October 2010, we began work on a second major CO 2 project, which is expected to run for a total of 51 months to develop a full-scale conceptual design and validate the design at the pilot-scale, which is a key step in the technology development process. We are the prime contractor for the approximately $20.5 million project (including expected contributions by other industry partners) administered by the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory which is providing $15 million of the funding. The project provides funding to advance our commercialization plan for regenerable solid-sorbent technology.

In June 2012, we initiated the fabrication and construction phase for the pilot plant which will treat a slipstream of flue gas equivalent to that generated from producing one megawatt of electricity. We anticipate that DOE funded CO 2 programs will continue to represent an important component of the revenue stream of the Company over the next several years. We are considering different potential future commercial markets for carbon capture technology including producing CO 2 for use in enhanced oil recovery. This technology appears to offer potential cost and energy advantages over competing liquid-solvent-based technologies.

   

 

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Results of Operations – 2nd Quarter and YTD 2013 versus 2nd Quarter and YTD 2012

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

Revenues totaled $58.9 million and $127.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, versus $52.5 million and $70.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, representing an increase of 12% and 80% for the quarter and year to date.  Our RC segment revenue increased primarily due to the increased rental income from RC facilities we leased or sold to third parties and increased RC sales from other facilities operated by Clean Coal prior to being leased or sold to third parties. The increase is also due to an increase in our EC segment revenues. We expect overall revenues and costs for 2013 to be somewhat lower than for 2012 given our plans to sell or lease additional RC facilities which would reduce RC sales and raw coal costs.

Cost of revenues increased by $3.3 million and $48 million or 7% and 81% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, from the same periods in 2012 primarily as a result of costs of coal purchased for operations by Clean Coal and operating costs related to RC facilities operated by Clean Coal. In addition, costs increased in the EC segment by 215% and 210% to $9.7 million and $16 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, due to the increased work on contracts awarded for ACI and DSI systems in the first half of 2013.

Gross margins were 18% and 16% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to 14% and 16% for the same periods in 2012. The increase is reflective of an increase in RC facilities leased or sold to third parties and an increase in activity in the EC segment related to the MATS market. If the RC sales and raw coal purchases of $31.8 million and $76.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, and operating costs of $4.4 million and $10.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, related to RC produced for Clean Coal’s account, which will not continue with respect to any facilities after they are leased or sold, are subtracted from the revenue and cost of revenues, adjusted gross margins would have been 55% and 61% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively,  compared to similarly adjusted gross margins of 81% and 79% for the same periods in 2012. The revenues and cost of revenues for the three and six months of June 30, 2012 include RC sales and raw coal purchases of $37.7 million and $47.5 million, respectively, and operating costs of $4.6 million  and $7 million, respectively, related to RC produced for Clean Coal’s account. As expected, the decrease in adjusted gross margin for the current period is a result of the increase in equipment sales in our EC segment which carries a lower margin than RC revenues.  Adjusted gross profit margin percentage is a non-GAAP financial measure which is used to provide investors with greater transparency with respect to the effect on gross margin from Clean Coal’s operation of certain RC facilities for its own account. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information for investors regarding the performance of our business and the effect on gross margin of the operation of these RC facilities by Clean Coal for its own account.

For the near term, we expect the lease and sale of RC facilities to represent an increasing source of revenues, for which the anticipated gross margins are higher than our EC and CC segments. As a result, we expect the gross margin for fiscal year 2013 to be higher than the overall margin realized in 2012.

   

Refined Coal

Revenues in our RC segment totaled $44.2 million and $102.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $48.4 million and $63.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, representing a decrease of 9% for the quarter and an increase of 61% for the year to date. The decrease in the current quarter is primarily due to the lower per ton cost of coal processed and sold for Clean Coal’s own account. Rental income from the leased and sold RC facilities totaled $11.6 million and $23.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $10.6 million and $16 million for the same periods in 2012. Tonnage related to the leased or sold facilities totaled 2.6 million tons and 5.8 million tons for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to 2.6 million tons and 4.1 million tons for the same periods in 2012. RC coal sales totaled $31.8 million and $76.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $37.7 million and $47.5 million for the same periods in 2012.

Clean Coal incurs the operating costs for the RC facilities operated for its own account and retains for its owners the tax credits generated from the approximately 1.2 million tons and 3.1 million tons produced for its own account during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively compared to 1.2 million tons and 1.4 million tons during the same periods in 2012. The decline in tonnage produced from the first quarter of 2013 reflects a seasonally weaker energy demand period as well as downtime taken by the host utilities where our RC facilities operate. We expect our quarterly revenues to continue to fluctuate based on seasonal variations in electricity demand as well as planned and unplanned outages required by the power plants for equipment repair and maintenance. On an ongoing basis, we expect the seven RC facilities leased or sold to third party investors to generate more than $75 million in revenue per year now through 2021.

 

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Cost of revenues for the RC segment totaled $36.2 million and $87.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $41.9 million and $54 million for the same periods in 2012. Costs for the six months of 2013 increased due primarily to the cost of coal acquired to operate RC facilities which cost approximates the revenues realized on its sale as noted above. We expect future RC margins for the RC facilities leased or sold to others to be at a level near 95%.

RC segment profits increased by $2.8 million or 57% and $7 million or 106% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012 primarily as a result of the additional RC facilities leased and sold during 2013, offset by the costs of operating certain RC facilities for our own account and one-time transactional costs incurred as we continue to work through moving the placed-in-service facilities to full-time, long-term operations. These amounts are prior to the allocation of such profits to the non-controlling interests of Clean Coal.

   

Emission Control

Revenues in our EC segment totaled $12 million and $20.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $4.0 million and $6.7 million for the same periods in 2012, representing an increase of 203% and 209% for the quarter and year to date primarily due to increased sales of ACI and DSI systems and the recognition of revenues for previously awarded sales contracts as well as additional equipment sales revenues resulting from our acquisition of the assets of Bulk Conveyor in August 2012. Revenues from the EC segment for the six months ended June 30, 2013 were comprised of sales of ACI and DSI systems and services (84%), consulting and demonstration services (15%) and flue gas chemicals and services (1%) compared to 62%, 32%, and 6%, respectively, for the same periods in 2012. We expect our EC segment revenues related to ACI and DSI systems to continue to grow significantly in 2013 as we expect utilities, cement plants and industrial boilers to continue placing orders in response to the MATS and other MACT regulations. We expect our gross margin percentage for our EC segment for 2013 will approximate 20%.

Our consulting revenues totaled $2 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $1 million and $2.1 million for the same periods in 2012, representing an increase of 91% and 38% from the same periods in 2012 as we continued demonstrations and other work related to the MATS. We expect our consulting revenue to continue to be a significant part of EC revenues during 2013 as customers continue to seek alternatives on how best to comply with the MATS.

As of June 30, 2013, we had contracts in progress for work related to our EC segment totaling $33.2 million, which we expect to recognize as revenue starting in the last half of 2013 and the remainder in 2014 and 2015. Our ACI and DSI systems revenues totaled $9.9 million and $17.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, representing an increase of 261% and 319% compared to the same periods in 2012. The change was primarily due to increased sales of ACI and DSI systems and the recognition of revenues on previously awarded sales contracts as well as revenues from BCSI.

Cost of revenues for the EC segment increased by $6.6 million and $10.8 million or 215% and 210%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012, primarily as a result of the increased revenue-generating activities from our ACI and DSI system sales. Gross margins for the EC segment were 19% and 23% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to 22% and 23% for the same periods in 2012.

EC segment profits increased by $1.6 million and $3.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase was primarily a result of increased levels of business from recent contract awards and a reduction in overhead costs compared to 2012.

   

CO 2 Capture

Revenues in our CC segment totaled $2.7 million and $4.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, representing an increase of $2.5 million and $3.7 million from the same periods in 2012, primarily due to the billing milestones for these projects. We had outstanding DOE contracts, including anticipated industry cost share in progress totaling $8.5 million as of June 30, 2013. We expect to recognize approximately $5.5 million from these contracts during the remainder of 2013 if the anticipated schedule of activities is maintained. We are seeking additional cost share participants for the remaining work under the contracts.

Cost of revenues for the CC segment increased by $2.4 million and $3.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, primarily related to the increase in work being performed under these projects. Gross margins for this segment were 10% and 12% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to 58% for both periods in 2012. The Company records its estimated cost share portion of the DOE contracts as research and development (“R&D”) expense. The margin amounts shown are net of that allocation to R&D expense. The decrease in gross margin from 2013 to 2012 is due primarily to the increase in the use of subcontractors and purchasing of equipment, both of which typically have lower cost mark-ups than our internal labor under these contracts. Lower cost share participation from third parties also contributed to higher costs and lower margins. We expect the overall gross margin for the CC segment for fiscal year 2013 to be lower than the levels achieved in 2012, due to our likely share of costs and the mixture of direct costs (labor versus equipment and subcontractors) and indirect costs associated with this segment.

 

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CC segment profits decreased by $332,000 and $474,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to a decrease of $4,000 and increase of $44,000 for the same periods in 2012. The decrease was primarily the result of limited cost share participation by others so far this year and greater use of subcontractors and purchasing of equipment for construction of the pilot-scale technology validation unit required to further develop our CO 2 capture technology.

Our contracts with the government are subject to audit by the federal government, which could result in adjustments to previously recognized revenue. Our historical experience with these audits has not resulted in significant adverse adjustments to amounts previously received; however the audits for the years 2005 and later have not been finalized. Revenues recognized from 2005 through 2012 that are subject to government audit totaled approximately $31 million. In addition, we had $8.5 million of remaining unearned amounts under contracts subject to audit as of June 30, 2013. We believe, however, that we have complied with all requirements of the contracts and future adjustments, if any, will likely not be material. In addition, the federal government must appropriate funds on an annual basis to support DOE contracts, and funding is always subject to unknown and uncontrollable contingencies.

   

Other Items

General and administrative expenses increased by $4.1 million and $7.7 million or 101% and 101% to $8.1 million and $15.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. The increase is primarily due to increased compensation expense from new executive incentive plan awards approved by the Board of Directors in May 2013, increased sales, marketing, bid and proposal staff and activities, increased occupancy costs from our expanded space, the addition of activities of BCSI and increased overhead and transactional costs of Clean Coal.

We incur R&D expenses not only on direct activities we conduct but also by sharing a portion of the costs in the government and industry programs in which we participate. Total R&D expense decreased by $41,000 or 7% and $258,000 or 22% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2012. The higher costs in 2012 are related to additional costs to prepare for growth in the delivery of our ACI and DSI systems, as well as technology development costs related to the M-45 RC activities. We continue to anticipate that our future R&D expenses will grow for DOE funded CO 2 work that we perform over the next several years and for other technology development we choose to pursue.

We had other income including interest of $165,000 and $235,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $42,000 and $141,000 for the same periods in 2012. We recognized $676,000 and $1.4 million in expenses related to royalty payments to Norit Americas, Inc. and Norit International N.V. f/k/a Norit N.V. (“Norit”) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $469,000 and $753,000 for the same periods in 2012. We expect that these royalty payments to Norit will amount to between approximately $2 million and $4 million per year for the near future. We had interest expense of $248,000 and $631,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $431,000 and $901,000 for the same periods in 2012. The expense in 2013 is related to interest paid on the deposit repayment made to GS RC and due to the deferred gain resulting from Clean Coal’s tax treatment of leased and sold RC facilities. The 2012 amount is related to the line of credit agreements and the deferred gain resulting from Clean Coal’s tax treatment of leased RC facilities.

The net operating loss from continuing operations before income from non-controlling interests was $340,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to a net operating loss of $985,000 for the same period in 2012. The decrease in the net operating loss in 2013 is due in large part to the increase in activity in all three of our segments.

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

Our principal sources of liquidity are cash on hand and our cash flows from RC activities and other operations. We had consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaling $12.3 million at June 30, 2013 compared to consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $9.7 million at December 31, 2012. The cash on hand amounts reported exclude $3.1 million and $1.6 million of certificates of deposits which are included in investments in securities in the consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 that generally support letters of credit provided as security for various purposes.

At June 30, 2013, we had a working capital deficit of $18 million compared to a working capital deficit of $24.1 million at December 31, 2012. The decrease in deficit was in part due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents from the sale of an RC facility and the repayment of the outstanding balance on Clean Coal’s line of credit. In addition, included in the June 30, 2013 amount are $7.2 million in deposits from GSFS on RC facilities and $23.4 million in deferred revenues which will not require the use of cash but will generate revenue when amounts are earned. The deposit amount from 2012 decreased $14 million, which included $9.3 million transferred to deferred revenue and $4.7 million returned to GSFS in March 2013.  

 

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On February 28, 2013, Clean Coal sold an RC facility to a new third party investor. The terms of the sale included $20 million paid immediately to Clean Coal and a combination of fixed and variable payments going forward. An additional $5 million is to be paid to Clean Coal when the buyer receives an applied for PLR from the IRS, which is expected later this year.  In July 2013 two additional RC facilities were leased which resulted in more than $14 million in upfront cash payments to Clean Coal and will result in us no longer incurring more than $8 million in annual operating expenses that Clean Coal previously incurred while operating one of these facilities.

Our ability to generate the financial liquidity required to meet ongoing operational needs and to meet our obligations will likely depend upon our ability to maintain a significant share of the market for mercury control equipment, the continued operation of the RC facilities leased or sold to third parties to date, success in the sale or lease of additional RC facilities to third party investors and our ability to raise additional financing. We believe, with the lease of six RC facilities to date, and the sale of an additional RC facility, that we have sufficient sources of working capital to meet the operational needs of the Company for the next twelve months.  Further, we are in discussions to secure a line of credit to support working capital and letter of credit needs for our rapidly growing EC business.

We have recorded long-term liabilities of $14.3 million for deferred revenue, accrued warranty, and other liabilities as of June 30, 2013. Our stockholders’ deficit was $42.3 million as of June 30, 2013 compared to $40.1 million as of December 31, 2012. The increase in stockholders’ deficit is due to the net loss and is partially offset by the net income attributable to the non-controlling interests for 2013.

   

Clean Coal Related Items

Clean Coal, our joint venture with NexGen, placed two RC facilities into service in 2010 (which were exchanged for two newly constructed, redesigned RC facilities in November and December 2011), which are leased to a third party. In 2012, two additional RC facilities were leased, one to the lessee of the first two facilities and one to a new third party investor. In addition, in February 2013, an RC facility was sold which Clean Coal had been previously operating for its own account. In July 2013, two additional RC facilities, one of which had previously been operating for Clean Coal’s own account, were leased to entities related to GS, bringing the total number of RC facilities currently leased or sold to seven. On an ongoing basis, we expect our currently leased and sold RC facilities to generate more than $75 million in revenue per year from now through 2021 based on their operations and periodic payments we expect to receive. We expect by the end of 2013 to have additional RC facilities under lease or sold such that total revenues from these activities will be at a run-rate of over $100 million per year and be at a level of producing pre-tax cash flows of as much as $50 million per year to ADA. We would expect those levels to continue through 2021, the present term of the Section 45 tax credit, with an opportunity to double those amounts by the end of 2014 as we look to have all of our RC facilities operating on a continuous basis and leased or sold by that time. We believe that once most of the RC facilities are leased or sold to others and become fully operational, they will achieve an annualized segment rental revenue rate of approximately $200 million; excluding the approximately $250 million to $300 million in ongoing coal sales and raw coal purchases from RC facilities that Clean Coal is expected to operate in the long-term for its own account. These revenue rates would be expected to generate approximately $100 million in segment income to the Company after payments to minority partners, including an estimated $30 million in tax credits apportioned to the Company to be generated by RC facilities operated by Clean Coal.

   

Other Liquidity and Capital Resource Items

Our trade receivables balance is comprised of both amounts billed to customers as well as unbilled revenues that have been recognized. As of June 30, 2013 our trade receivables balance was $18 million compared to $11 million at December 31, 2012. Our trade receivables balance was higher at June 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 primarily due to the nature and timing of our progress on contracts as impacted by our billing milestones for our increased ACI and DSI systems contracts.

We had net current deferred tax assets of $2.5 million and long-term deferred tax assets of $41.7 million as of June 30, 2013 compared to net current deferred tax assets of $2.3 million and long-term deferred tax assets of $37.2 million as of December 31, 2012. The current period tax rate used to calculate deferred income taxes reflects our estimate of our full-year tax rate. We believe that our effective tax rate may vary significantly quarter to quarter as actual earnings or losses are realized and tax credits are generated.

The current and long-term amounts for both periods have been reduced to zero by recording a valuation allowance as discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements. Management determined that it was necessary to record the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets after considering the positive and negative evidence regarding the potential for ultimate realization of the net deferred tax assets.

Cash flows provided by operations totaled $11.8 million for the first six months of 2013 compared to cash flows used in operations of $13.6 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in operating cash flows primarily resulted from increases in deferred revenues and other liabilities of $16.4 million, accounts receivable of $7 million and accounts payable of $3.6 million, and was offset by a decrease in deposits of $4.7 million. These changes in our operating assets and liabilities correspond to the facility leasing and sale activities and the nature and timing of our procurement and billing cycle and development activities. In addition, adjustments related

 

 27 

   


to non-cash operating activities included expenses paid with stock and restricted stock of $982,000, depreciation and amortization of $2.8 million and non-controlling interests in Clean Coal of $5 million, each of which increased our cash flow from operations.

Net cash used in investing activities was $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2012. The cash used consisted primarily of purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements.

Cash used in financing activities was $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $2.9 million provided by financing activities for the same period in 2012. The cash used consisted of net payments on Clean Coal’s line of credit of $3 million, distributions to non-controlling interests of $2.9 million and payments on notes payable of $277,000.

   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Revenue Recognition – We follow the percentage of completion method of accounting for all significant contracts excluding RC leases, government contracts, coal and chemical sales and technology license royalties. The percentage of completion method of reporting income takes into account the estimated costs to complete and estimated gross margin for contracts in progress. RC base rents, which are fixed, are recognized over the life of the lease. RC contingent rents are recognized as they are earned. We recognize revenue on government contracts generally based on the time and expenses incurred to date. Royalties from technology licenses are recognized when earned.

Significant estimates are used in preparation of our financial statements and include:

   

 

   

our warranty costs;

   

   

   

   

our percentage of completion method of accounting for significant long-term contracts, which is based on estimates of gross margins and of the costs to complete such contracts;

   

   

   

   

stock compensation costs related to performance share unit awards;

   

   

   

   

the period over which we estimate we will earn up-front license payments; and

   

   

   

   

estimated future royalty obligations associated with our settlement with Norit.

In addition, amounts invoiced for government contracts are subject to change based on the results of future audits by the federal government. We have not experienced significant adjustments in the past, and we do not expect significant adjustments will be required in the future. We also use our judgment to support the current fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets of $3.8 million in our consolidated balance sheets. Management believes the value of other recorded intangibles is not impaired, although market demand for our products and services could change in the future, which would require a write-down in recorded values. As with all estimates, the amounts described above are subject to change as additional information becomes available, although we are not aware of anything that would cause us to believe that any material changes will be required in the near term.

Under certain contracts we may grant performance guaranties or equipment warranties for a specified period and the achievement of certain plant operating conditions. In the event the equipment fails to perform as specified, we are obligated to correct or replace the equipment. Estimated warranty costs are recorded at the time of sale based on current industry factors. The amount of the warranty liability accrued reflects our best estimate of expected future costs of honoring our obligations under the warranty section of each contract. We believe the accounting estimate related to warranty costs is a critical accounting estimate because changes in it can materially affect net income, it requires us to forecast the amount of equipment that might fail to perform in the future, and it requires a large degree of judgment.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. At each reporting date, management reviews deferred tax assets and liabilities and any related valuation allowance and, if necessary, revises them to reflect changed circumstances. In a situation where recent losses have been incurred, the accounting standards require convincing evidence that there will be sufficient future taxable income to realize deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets have been reduced to zero by a valuation allowance because, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A change in laws can have a material effect on the amount of income tax we are subject to. We are not aware of anything that would cause us to believe that any material changes will be required in the near term.

We recognize all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units, performance share units and employee stock purchase rights in our financial statements based upon their respective grant date fair values. The fair value of each

 

 28 

   


employee stock option and employee stock purchase right is estimated on the date of grant using an option pricing model that meets certain requirements. We currently use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock options and stock purchase rights. The Black-Scholes model meets the requirements of FASB Topic 718 but the fair values generated by the model may not be indicative of the actual fair values of our equity awards, as it does not consider certain factors important to those awards to employees, such as continued employment and periodic vesting requirements. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards utilizing the Black-Scholes model is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life and risk-free interest rate. We use a historical volatility rate on our stock options. The fair value of our restricted stock and performance share units are based on the closing market price of our Common Stock on the date of grant. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying securities, we may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unearned stock-based compensation expense. To the extent that we grant additional equity securities to employees or we assume unvested securities in connection with any acquisitions, our stock-based compensation expense will be increased by the additional unearned compensation resulting from those additional grants or acquisitions.

Consolidation of Subsidiaries – Since inception, ADA has been considered the primary economic beneficiary of the joint venture with Clean Coal and, therefore, we have consolidated its accounts with ours.

We hold a 50% interest in CCSS. However, we control only two of the five seats on the board of managers and our equity partner controls the other three seats. Therefore, we believe our 50% interest does not constitute control of CCSS and we have recorded our interest under the equity method.

   

Recently Issued Accounting Policies

None.

   

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2013.

   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We are required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.

   

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation and under supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on their review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to ensure that material information related to our financial statements are made known to them by others in a timely manner, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report on Form 10-Q was being prepared, and that no changes are required at this time.

   

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

   

 

 29 

   


   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

   

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no updates to our risk factors as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

   

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable

   

Item 6. Exhibits

   

 

3.1*

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

   

   

   

3.2*

   

Bylaws of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

   

   

   

4.1*

   

Specimen of Stock Certificate

   

   

   

10.61*

   

Form of Performance Share Unit Award under Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended

   

   

   

31.1**

   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)

   

   

   

31.2**

   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)

   

   

   

32.1**

   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

   

   

32.2**

   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

   

   

101

   

The following financial statements, from Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The information in Exhibit 101 is “furnished” and not “filed”, as provided in Rule 402 of Regulation S-T.

 

*

Filed herewith.

   

**

These certifications are “furnished” and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

   

 

 30 

   


SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

   

 

   

   

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

Registrant

   

   

   

   

Date: August 9, 2013

   

   

/s/ Michael D. Durham

   

   

   

Michael D. Durham

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

   

   

Date: August 9, 2013

   

   

/s/ Mark H. McKinnies

   

   

   

Mark H. McKinnies

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   

   

 

 31 

   


EXHIBIT INDEX

   

 

3.1*

   

Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

   

   

   

3.2*

   

Bylaws of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.

4.1*

   

Specimen of Stock Certificate

10.61*

   

Form of Performance Share Unit Award under Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended

   

   

   

31.1**

   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)

   

   

   

31.2**

   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a)

   

   

   

32.1**

   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

   

   

32.2**

   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

   

   

101

   

The following financial statements, from Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The information in Exhibit 101 is “furnished” and not “filed”, as provided in Rule 402 of Regulation S-T.

 

*

Filed herewith.

   

**

These certifications are “furnished” and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

   

 

 32 

   


   

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ADVANCED EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS, INC.

ADVANCED EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS, INC. (the “Corporation”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 10, 2011.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the Corporation is ADVANCED EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS, INC.

   

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICES

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company.

   

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

   

ARTICLE IV

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK

The total number of shares of common stock which the corporation is authorized to issue is 100,000,000 at a par value of $.001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”) and the total number of shares of preferred stock which the corporation is authorized to issue is 50,000,000 at a par value of $.001 per share (“ Preferred Stock ”).


The board of directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

Except as otherwise provided by law or by the resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of directors designating the rights, powers and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock, the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes. Each share of Common Stock shall have one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their vote, and the holders of the Common Stock shall vote together as a single class.

   

   

ARTICLE V

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

“Affiliate or Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on March 11, 2011.  

“Announcement Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(b)(i).

“Beneficial Owner or beneficially owned” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  In addition, a Person shall be the “Beneficial Owner” of any voting stock which such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (a) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options or otherwise or (b) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (but neither such Person nor any such Affiliate or Associate shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any shares of voting stock solely by reason of a revocable proxy or consent granted for a particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a public solicitation of proxies or consents for such meeting, and with respect to which shares neither such Person nor any such Affiliate or Associate is otherwise deemed the Beneficial Owner). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Person shall not be a “Beneficial Owner” of any voting stock for the purposes of this Article V which such person may have the right to acquire pursuant to the rights agreement from time to time in effect and the rights issued thereunder.

 

 

 2 


“Business Combination” shall mean any of the transactions described in any one or more of clauses (a) through (f) of Section 6.01.

“Commencement Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(b)(i).

“Continuing Director”  means any member of the Board who is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and was a member of the Board before the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, and any director who is thereafter chosen to fill any vacancy on the Board or who is elected and who, in either event, is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and in connection with his or her initial assumption of office is recommended for appointment or election by a majority of Continuing Directors then on the Board.

“Determination Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(b)(i).

Entity ” means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, association or other similar entity.

“Excluded Preferred Stock” means any series of Preferred Stock with respect to which a majority of the Continuing Directors have approved a Preferred Stock Designation creating such series that expressly provides that the provisions of Article VI shall not apply.

“Fair Market Value” shall mean (a) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange listed stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such exchange, on the principal U.S. securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System, or any system then in use, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 6.03; and (b) in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 6.03.

“Interested Stockholder” shall mean any Person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary or any trustee or fiduciary with respect to any such plan or holding voting stock for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Corporation or any Subsidiary when acting in such capacity) who or which: (a) itself, or along with its Affiliates, is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the then outstanding voting stock; or (b) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was itself, or along with its

 

 

 3 


Affiliates, the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the then outstanding voting stock; or (c) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any voting stock which was at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by an Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the number of shares of voting stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed beneficially owned by the Interested Stockholder, but shall not include any other shares of voting stock which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

“Person” means an individual, governmental or regulatory body or Entity.

“Subsidiary” shall mean any Entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at any time directly or indirectly owned by the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Higher vote required for certain business combinations

Article I

Article II

Article III

Article IV

Article V

Article VI

   

Section 6.01    Higher Vote Required for Certain Business Combinations. In addition to any affirmative vote required by applicable law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 6.02 below:

(a)        any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary with any Interested Stockholder or any other Entity (whether or not an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder;

(b)        any sale, lease, exclusive license, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder, of any assets of the

 

 

 4 


Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value of more than the lower of either (i) 10% of the market capitalization of the Corporation’s stock, excluding the value of stock held by any Interested Stockholder and any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder, at any point during any such transaction or series of transactions or (ii) 10% of the value of the Corporation’s assets as such value is reported on the most recent balance sheet filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”);

(c)        the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder, in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market Value of more than the lower of either (i) 10% of the market capitalization of the Corporation’s stock, excluding the value of stock held by any Interested Stockholder and any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder, at any point during any such transaction or series of transactions or (ii) 10% of the value of the Corporation’s assets as such value is reported on the most recent balance sheet filed by the Corporation with the SEC in accordance with GAAP;

(d)        the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder;

(e)        any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization of the Corporation or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not an Interested Stockholder is a party thereto) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which are directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder; or

(f)        any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any one or more of the actions specified in the foregoing (a) to (e).

shall require, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock, voting together as a single class, including the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock not owned directly or indirectly by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage may be permitted, by applicable law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

 

 5 


Section 6.02    When Higher Vote Not Required. The provisions of Section 6.01 shall not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by applicable law or any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if the conditions specified in either of the following paragraphs (a) or (b) are met:

(a)        The Business Combination has been approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors; or

(b)        All of the following conditions have been met:

(i)        The aggregate amount, as of the date (the “Consummation Date”) of the consummation of the Business Combination, of (A) the cash and (B) the Fair Market Value of the consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination shall be at least equal to the higher of the following (in each case appropriately adjusted in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event):  (x) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder or any of its Affiliates for any shares of Common Stock acquired by them (1) within the two-year period immediately prior to the date of the first public announcement of the proposal of the Business Combination (the “Announcement Date”), or (2) in any transaction in which the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder (the “Determination Date”), whichever is higher; (y) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and (z)  (if applicable) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock, multiplied by the ratio of (1) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date to (2) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the first day in such two-year period upon which the Interested Stockholder acquired any shares of Common Stock;

(ii)        The aggregate amount, as of the Consummation Date, of (A) the cash and (B) the Fair Market Value of the consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class or series (other than Common Stock or Excluded Preferred Stock) of outstanding capital stock shall be at least equal to the highest of the following (in each case appropriately adjusted in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event), it being intended that the requirements of this paragraph (b)(ii) shall be required to be met with respect to every such class or series of outstanding capital stock whether or not the Interested Stockholder or any of its Affiliates has previously acquired any shares of a particular class or series of capital stock:  (w) (if applicable) the price per share equal to the Fair Market Value per share of such class of capital stock, multiplied by the ratio of (1) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees)

 

 

 6 


paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares of such class of capital stock acquired by it within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date to (2) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of capital stock on the first day in such two-year period upon which the Interested Stockholder acquired any shares of such class of capital stock; (x) (if applicable) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers’ fees) paid by the Interested Stockholder or any of its Affiliates for any shares of such class or series of capital stock acquired by them (1) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or (2) in any transactions in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher; (y) the Fair Market Value per share of such class or series of capital stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher; and  (z) the highest preferential amount per share, if any, to which the holders of shares of such class or series of capital stock would be entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;

(iii)        The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of outstanding voting stock (including Common Stock and other than Excluded Preferred Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested Stockholder has previously paid for shares of such class of voting stock. If the Interested Stockholder has paid for shares of any class of voting stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration for such class of voting stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class of voting stock previously acquired by it;

(iv)        After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination:  (A) there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or not cumulative) on any outstanding Preferred Stock, except as approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors; (B) there shall have been no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock), except as approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors; (C) there shall have been an increase in the annual rate of dividends as necessary fully to reflect any recapitalization (including any reverse stock split) or any similar reorganization which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock, unless the failure so to increase such annual rate is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors; and (D) such Interested Stockholder shall not have become the Beneficial Owner of any additional voting stock except as part of the transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;

 

 

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(v)        After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of, or in connection with, such Business Combination or otherwise; and

(vi)      A proxy or information statement describing the proposed Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such act, rules or regulations) shall have been mailed to stockholders of the Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such act or subsequent provisions).

Section 1.03    Determination by the Continuing Directors. The Continuing Directors of the Corporation shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article VI on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine compliance with this Article VI  including, without limitation (a) whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder; (b) the number of shares of capital stock beneficially owned by any Person; (c) whether a Person is an Affiliate or Associate of another; (d) whether the applicable conditions set forth in Section 6.02 have been met with respect to any Business Combination; (e) the Fair Market Value of stock or other property; and (f) whether the assets that are the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of more than the lower of either (i) 10% of the market capitalization of the Corporation’s stock, excluding the value of stock held by any Interested Stockholder and any Affiliate of an Interested Stockholder, at any point during any such transaction or series of transactions or (ii) 10% of the value of the Corporation’s assets as such value is reported on the most recent balance sheet filed by the Corporation with the SEC in accordance with GAAP. Any such determination made in good faith shall be binding and conclusive on all parties.

Section 1.04    No Effect on Fiduciary Obligations of Interested Stockholders. Nothing contained in this Article VI shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by applicable law.

 

 

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Section 1.05    Amendment or Repeal. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be permitted by applicable law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws), but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class of the voting stock required by applicable law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding voting stock voting together as a single class, including the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock not owned directly or indirectly by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, this Article VI or Article V.

ARTICLE VII

DIRECTOR ELECTION

Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE VIII

DIRECTOR LIABILITY

To the fullest extent permitted by law, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or to its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. No amendment to, modification of or repeal of this Article VIII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment.

ARTICLE IX

DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses, and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, 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, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Covered Person.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except for claims for indemnification (following

 

 

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the final disposition of such Proceeding) or advancement of expenses not paid in full, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE X

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the bylaws of the Corporation by the board of directors shall require the approval of a majority of the entire board of directors. Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the bylaws of the Corporation with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in addition to the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding voting stock voting together as a single class, including the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock not owned directly or indirectly by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder, shall be required to amend, repeal or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, this Article X of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the Bylaws, from time to time, to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision thereof in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any amendment thereof are conferred subject to such right.

 

 

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ARTICLE XII

Opt-Out of Restrictions on Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders.  

   

The Corporation shall not be governed by or subject to Section 203 of the DGCL.

ARTICLE XIII

WRITTEN CONSENT

   

Any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, are signed by all of the holders of outstanding stock entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof and delivered (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.  

   

ARTICLE XIV

EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME

   

The effective date and time of this Certificate is July 1, 2013 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time.

   

   

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

   

   

I, The Undersigned, for the purpose of amending and restating the Certificate of Incorporation of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. under the laws of the State of Delaware, do make, file and record this Amended and Restated Certificate, and do certify that the facts herein stated are true, and I have accordingly hereunto set my hand this 25 th day of June, 2013.

   

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.:

   

 

By:

/s/ Mark H. McKinnies

Name:

Mark H. McKinnies

Title:

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

   

       

 

 

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Exhibit 3.2

   

BYLAWS OF

Advanced emissions solutions, inc.

Article I
O
FFICES

Section 1.01 Offices. Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”) may have offices at such places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) from time to time shall determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

Section 1.02 Books and Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device or method so long as such records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time.  The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.

Article II
M
EETINGS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01 Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, as is designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of meeting.

Section 2.02 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as are determined by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.03 Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals.

(a)  Definitions.

Affiliate or Associate ” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect March 11, 2011.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Public Disclosure ” or “ Publicly Disclosed ” means a disclosure made in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Services, The Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(b)  Timely Notice. At a meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for the election of directors and such other business shall be conducted as have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations or such other business must be: (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the board of directors or any committee thereof, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors or any committee thereof, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time such notice of meeting is delivered, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.03. In addition, any proposal of business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the board of directors, which shall be governed by Section 2.03(c) below) must be a proper matter for stockholder action. For business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder or stockholders of record intending to propose the business (the “ Proposing Stockholder ”) must have given timely notice thereof pursuant to this Section 2.03(b) or Section 2.03(d) below, as applicable, in writing to the secretary of the Corporation even if such matter is already the subject of any notice to the stockholders or Public Disclosure from the board of directors. To be timely, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation in the case of an annual meeting of the stockholders, not less than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the date specified in the Corporation’s proxy statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the previous year’s annual meeting was held, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of such annual meeting or ten (10) calendar days following the date of

 

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Public Disclosure of the date ofsuch meeting.  In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new notice time period (or extend any notice time period).

   

(c)  Stockholder Nominations. For the nomination of any person or persons for election to the board of directors, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the secretary of the Corporation shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee, (iii) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned of record and beneficially by each such nominee (if any), (iv) such other information concerning each such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved) or that is otherwise required to be disclosed, under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (v) the consent of the nominee to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and (vi) as to the Proposing Stockholder: (A) the name and address of the Proposing Stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned by the Proposing Stockholder (beneficially and of record) and owned by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, as of the date of the Proposing Stockholder’s notice, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of the class and number of such shares owned of record and beneficially as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first Publicly Disclosed, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to such nomination between or among the Proposing Stockholder and any of its Affiliates or Associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first Publicly Disclosed, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the Proposing Stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, the Proposing Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of the Proposing Stockholder or any of its Affiliates or Associates with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first Publicly Disclosed, (E) a representation that the Proposing Stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, and (F) a representation whether the Proposing Stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of the nomination. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the qualifications and independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

(d)  Other Stockholder Proposals. For all business other than director nominations, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the secretary of the Corporation shall set forth as to each matter the Proposing Stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal and pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (iii) the information required by Section 2.03(c)(vi) above.

(e)  Proxy Rules. The foregoing notice requirements of Sections 2.03(c) and 2.03(d) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business or a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal or make a nomination at an annual meeting in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal or nomination has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

(f)  Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as has properly been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.  Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (x) by or at the direction of the board of directors or any committee thereof (or stockholders pursuant to Section 2.04 hereof) or (y) provided that the board of directors (or stockholders pursuant to Section 2.04 hereof have determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.03 is delivered to the secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.03.  If the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the board of directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.03 shall be delivered to the secretary at the

 

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principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the special meeting at which such business will be considered or the tenth (10th) day following the date of Public Disclosure of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting.  The foregoing notice requirements of this paragraph (f) of this Section 2.03 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a nomination at such special meeting in compliance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and such stockholder’s nomination has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such special meeting. In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any notice time period).

(g)  Effect of Noncompliance. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary: (i) no nominations shall be made or business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.03, and (ii) otherwise required by law, if a Proposing Stockholder intending to propose business or make nominations at an annual meeting pursuant to this Section 2.03 does not provide the information required under this Section 2.03 to the Corporation promptly following the later of the record date or the date notice of the record date is first Publicly Disclosed, or the Proposing Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Proposing Stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business or nominations, such business or nominations shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business or nominations may have been received by the Corporation. The requirements of this Section 2.03 shall apply to any business or nominations to be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder whether such business or nominations are to be included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 or Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange Act or presented to stockholders by means of an independently financed proxy solicitation. The requirements of the Section 2.03 are included to provide the Corporation notice of a stockholder’s intention to bring business or nominations before an annual meeting and shall in no event be construed as imposing upon any stockholder the requirement to seek approval from the Corporation as a condition precedent to bringing any such business or make such nominations before an annual meeting.

Section 2.04 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors or by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than twenty percent (20%) of the votes at the meeting, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. The only business that may be conducted at a special meeting shall be the matter or matters set forth in the notice of such meeting.  If a special meeting is properly called by any person or persons other than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted in compliance with the same advance notice requirements of Section 2.03(c) and 2.03(d), and shall be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the secretary of the Corporation. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which shall be held not less than thirty-five (35) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination of the time and place of the meeting, the secretary shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07 of these Bylaws. Nothing contained in this Section 2.04 shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

Section 2.05 Adjournments. Any meeting of the stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that may have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of the adjourned meeting and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.

Section 2.06 Notice of Meetings. Notice of the place, if any, date, hour, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and means of remote communication, if any, of every meeting of stockholders shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten days nor more than 60 days before such meeting (unless a different time is specified by law) to every stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Notices of special meetings shall also specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting has been called. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notice to stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation.  Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, notice of meetings may be given to stockholders by means of electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any stockholder who, either before or after the meeting, submits a waiver of notice or  attends such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

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Section 2.07 List of Stockholders. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Corporation registered in the name of each stockholder at least ten days before any meeting of the stockholders. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open for inspection by any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting as provided by applicable law. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger and the list of stockholders or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.08 Quorum. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”) or these bylaws, at each meeting of the stockholders, one-third of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 2.05, until a quorum is present or represented. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. At any such adjourned meeting at which there is a quorum, any business may be transacted that may have been transacted at the meeting originally called.

Section 2.09 Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of the stockholders as it deems appropriate. At every meeting of stockholders, the president or in his or her absence or inability to act, the secretary or, in his or her absence or inability to act, the person whom the president appoints, shall act as chairman of, and preside at, the meeting. The secretary or, in his or her absence or inability to act, the person whom the chairman of the meeting appoints secretary of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of the stockholders has the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) the determination of when the polls open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting determines; (e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.

Section 2.10 Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the election of directors and proposals so designated by the directors shall be decided by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote in the election. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any matter, other than the election of directors and proposals designated by the directors as being subject to a plurality vote, brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be approved if the votes cast favouring the matter exceed the votes cast opposing the matter at a meeting of the stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote thereon. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.  A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.  Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

Section 2.11 Inspectors at Meetings of Stockholders. The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof. The Board of Directors may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall (a) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, (b) determine the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count

 

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of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be determined by the person presiding at the meeting and shall be announced at the meeting. No ballot, proxies, votes or any revocation thereof or change thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware upon application by a stockholder determines otherwise. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

Section 2.12 Written Consent of Stockholders Without a Meeting. Any action to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action to be so taken, are signed by all of the holders of outstanding stock entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof and delivered (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 2.12, written consents signed by all of the holders of outstanding stock entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof are delivered to the Corporation as aforesaid.

Section 2.13 Fixing the Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment or postponement of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned or postponed meeting and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned or postponed meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote therewith at the adjourned or postponed meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting: (i) when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded and (ii) if prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action. Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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Article III
B
OARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and procedures, not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws or applicable law, as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation.

Section 3.02 Number; Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than one or more than fifteen members.  Each director shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

Section 3.03 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Any newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors, may be filled by the affirmative votes of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum. A director so elected shall hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office of the director whom he or she has replaced, a successor is duly elected and qualified or the earlier of such director’s death, resignation or removal.

Section 3.04 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice by the Corporation or at such later time as is therein specified.

Section 3.05 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such times and at such places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or its chairman.

Section 3.06 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such times and at such places as may be determined by the chairman or the president on at least 24 hours notice to each director given by one of the means specified in Section 3.09 hereof other than by mail or on at least three days notice if given by mail. Special meetings shall be called by the chairman or the president in like manner and on like notice on the written request of any two or more directors.

Section 3.07 Telephone Meetings. Board of Directors or Board of Directors committee meetings may be held by means of telephone conference or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and be heard. Participation by a director in a meeting pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.08 Adjourned Meetings. A majority of the directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, including an adjourned meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn and reconvene such meeting to another time and place. At least 24 hours notice of any adjourned or postponed meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director whether or not present at the time of the adjournment or postponement, if such notice shall be given by one of the means specified in Section 3.09 hereof other than by mail, or at least three days notice if by mail. Any business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting that could have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 3.09 Notices. Subject to Section 3.06 and Section 3.10 hereof, whenever notice is required to be given to any director by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, such notice shall be deemed given effectively if given in person or by telephone, mail addressed to such director at such director’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, facsimile, email or by other means of electronic transmission.

Section 3.10 Waiver of Notice. Whenever the giving of any notice to directors is required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a waiver thereof, given by the director entitled to the notice, whether before or after such notice is required, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special Board of Directors or committee meeting need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

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Section 3.11 Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the chairman or, in his or her absence, another director selected by the Board of Directors shall preside. The secretary or a person designated by secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board of Directors. If the secretary is absent from any meeting of the Board of Directors, an assistant secretary shall perform the duties of secretary at such meeting; and in the absence from any such meeting of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, the person presiding at the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 3.12 Quorum of Directors. The presence of a majority of the Board of Directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.13 Action by Majority Vote. Except as otherwise expressly required by these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.14 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all directors or members of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in accordance with applicable law.

Section 3.15 Committees of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. If a member of a committee is absent from any meeting, or disqualified from voting thereat, the remaining member or members present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may, by a unanimous vote, appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it to the extent so authorized by the Board of Directors. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise, at all meetings of such committee, a majority of the then authorized members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the members of the committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may make, alter and repeal rules and procedures for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules and procedures each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to this Article III.

Article IV
O
fficers

Section 4.01 Positions and Election. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall include a president, a treasurer and a secretary. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect a chairman (who must be a director), one or more vice chairmen (who must be directors) and one or more vice presidents, assistant treasurers, assistant secretaries and other officers. Any individual may be elected to, and may hold, more than one office of the Corporation.

Section 4.02 Term. Each officer of the Corporation shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualifies or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors at any time with or without cause by the majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors then in office. The removal of an officer shall be without prejudice to his or her contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer does not of itself create contract rights. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the president or the secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it becomes effective is not specified therein, immediately upon its receipt. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation is not necessary to make it effective. If any vacancy occurs among the officers, the Board of Directors shall, if required by law, or may appoint a person to fill the position for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 4.03 The President. The president shall have general supervision over the business of the Corporation and other duties incident to the office of president, and any other duties as may be from time to time assigned to the president by the Board of Directors and subject to the control of the Board of Directors in each case.

Section 4.04 Vice Presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the chairman of the Board of Directors or the president.

 

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Section 4.05 The Secretary. The secretary, or a person appointed by the secretary, president or Board of Directors, shall attend all sessions of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the president. The secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and shall see that it is affixed to all documents, the execution of which, on behalf of the Corporation, under its seal, is necessary or proper, and when so affixed may attest the same.

Section 4.06 The Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities, except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, and shall cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all his or her or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 4.07 Duties of Officers May be Delegated. In the case of the absence of any officer, or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may deem sufficient, the president or the Board of Directors may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer, director or person.

Article V
S
TOCK CERTIFICATES AND THEIR TRANSFER

Section 5.01 Certificates Representing Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates unless the Board of Directors provides by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any class or series shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock. If shares are represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board of Directors. The certificates representing shares of stock of each class shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the chairman, any vice chairman, the president or any vice president, and by the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles. Although any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose manual or facsimile signature is affixed to such a certificate ceases to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate has been issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still such at the date of its issue.

Section 5.02 Transfers of Stock. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these bylaws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named as the holder thereof on the stock records of the Corporation, by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and in the case of shares represented by a certificate upon the surrender of the certificate thereof, which shall be cancelled before a new certificate or uncertificated shares may be issued. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it has been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom such stock was transferred. To the extent designated by the president or any vice president or the treasurer of the Corporation, the Corporation may recognize the transfer of fractional uncertificated shares, but shall not otherwise be required to recognize the transfer of fractional shares.

Section 5.03 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board of Directors may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars.

Section 5.04 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

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Article VI
G
ENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 6.01 Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form as is approved by the Board of Directors. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise, as may be prescribed by law or custom or by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.02 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.03 Checks, Notes, Drafts, Etc. All checks, notes, drafts or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed, endorsed or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board of Directors or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board of Directors to make such designation.

Section 6.04 Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of stock of the Corporation, unless otherwise provided by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 6.05 Conflict with Applicable Law or Certificate of Incorporation. These bylaws are adopted subject to any applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation. Whenever these bylaws may conflict with any applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of such law or the Certificate of Incorporation.  

Article VII

I NDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.01 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other Than Those By or in the Right of the Corporation. Subject to Section 7.03, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, 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, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent 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 such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 7.02 Power to Indemnify in Actions, Suit or Proceedings By or in the Right of the Corporation.  Subject to Section 7.03, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 7.03 Authorization of Indemnification. Any indemnification under this Article VII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 7.01 or Section 7.02, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iv)

 

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by the stockholders. Such determination shall be made, with respect to former directors and officers, by any person or persons having the authority to act on the matter on behalf of the Corporation. To the extent, however, that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

Section 7.04 Good Faith Defined. For purposes of any determination under Section 7.03, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Corporation or another enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the Corporation or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Corporation or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Corporation or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Corporation or another enterprise. The provisions of this Section 7.04 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 7.01 or Section 7.02, as the case may be.

Section 7.05 Indemnification by a Court. Notwithstanding any contrary determination in the specific case under Section 7.03, and notwithstanding the absence of any determination thereunder, any director or officer may apply to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or any other court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for indemnification (following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding) to the extent otherwise permissible under Section 7.01 or Section 7.02 or for advancement of expenses to the extent otherwise permissible under Section 7.06. The basis of such indemnification by a court shall be a determination by such court that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 7.01 or Section 7.02, as the case may be. Neither a contrary determination in the specific case under Section 7.03 nor the absence of any determination thereunder shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the director or officer seeking indemnification has not met any applicable standard of conduct. Notice of any application for indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to this Section 7.05 shall be given to the Corporation promptly upon the filing of such application. If successful, in whole or in part, the director or officer seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such application to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 7.06 Expenses Payable in Advance.   Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article VII. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate.

Section 7.07 Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation, these by-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in Section 7.01 and Section 7.02 shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of this Article VII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in Section 7.01 or Section 7.02 but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or otherwise.

Section 7.08 Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was a director or officer of the Corporation serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and 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 or the obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VII.

Section 7.09 Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Article VII, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors or officers, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. The term “another enterprise” as used in this Article VII shall mean any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. For purposes of this Article VII, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed

 

 10 


on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article VII.

Section 7.10 Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 7.11 Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article VII to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses (which shall be governed by Section 7.05), the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director or officer (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) or advance expenses in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.12 Indemnification of Employees and Agents.   The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation similar to those conferred in this Article VII to directors and officers of the Corporation.

Section 7.13 Other Sources.  The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any director or officer who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such director of officer may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

Section 7.14 Amendment or Repeal.  Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any director or officer arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of these by-laws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

Article VIII

A MENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, altered, changed, adopted and repealed or new bylaws adopted by the Board of Directors. The stockholders may make additional bylaws and may alter and repeal any bylaws whether such bylaws were originally adopted by them or otherwise only to the extent required or permitted by the Corporations’ Certificate of Incorporation.

   

 

 11 


Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO


Exhibit 10.61

ADVANCED EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Performance Share Unit Agreement

   

This Performance Share Unit Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of ____________ (the “ Grant Date ”) by and between Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and _________________ (the “ Grantee ”).

   

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “ Plan ”), pursuant to which awards of units tied to the performance of the Company (“performance share units” or “PSUs”) may be granted;

   

WHEREAS, the Administrator (as defined in the Plan) has adopted the Long Term Incentive Plan, pursuant to which Grantee may be issued PSUs that represent the right to receive Common Stock if the Company meets certain performance measures over the period from ____________ through _____________ (the “Performance Period”);

   

WHEREAS, the Administrator has set a target amount of stock that, as of the date hereof, has a fair market value equal to ____% of the Grantee’s ____ base salary (the “Target”); and

   

WHEREAS, the Administrator has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to grant the award of PSUs on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

   

1.       Grant of PSUs .

   

Pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Plan, the Company hereby issues to the Grantee on the Grant Date an Award consisting of, in the aggregate, ___________ PSUs (the “ PSUs ”) representing, at the current fair market value of the Common Stock, 200% of the Grantee’s Target.  Of the total PSUs, __% shall initially be TSR Peer Group PSUs, and __% shall initially be Russell 3000 Index PSUs; provided, however that if any company is removed from the TSR Peer Group for any reason (such as a merger of peers or otherwise), the percentage of PSUs comprised of Russell 3000 Index PSUs shall increase by _% for each company removed, and the percentage of PSUs comprised of TSR Peer Group PSUs shall decrease by _% for each company removed.   Each PSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan. Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan.

   

The PSUs shall be credited to a separate account maintained for the Grantee on the books and records of the Company (the “ Account ”). All amounts credited to the Account shall continue for all purposes to be part of the general assets of the Company.

   

The PSUs shall continue to be restricted as set forth herein, during the period from the date hereof to the Vesting Date. The “Vesting Date” for purposes of this Agreement shall be date on which the Administrator determines the performance results and resulting vesting in accordance with this Agreement, but in no event later than ____________; provided that if the Administrator’s determination is made after ____________, the Vesting Date shall nevertheless be ____________.

   

2.      Consideration . The grant of the PSUs is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company.

   


3.      Vesting .  Except as otherwise provided herein, and provided that Grantee remains in Continuous Service throughout the Performance Period:

   

3.1    The TSR Peer Group PSUs will vest, in whole or in part, on the Vesting Date, in accordance with the schedule set forth on Exhibit I; and

   

3.2    The Russell 3000 Index PSUs will vest, in whole or in part, on the Vesting Date, in accordance with the schedule set forth on Exhibit II.  

   

3.3    With effect as of the Vesting Date, any PSUs that vest as set forth above, become “Vested Units,” and all other PSUs shall be automatically forfeited, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any further obligations to the Grantee with respect to such forfeited PSUs.

   

3.4    The foregoing vesting schedules notwithstanding, if the Grantee’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason at any time before the Vesting Date, the Grantee’s unvested PSUs shall be automatically forfeited upon such termination of Continuous Service, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any further obligations to the Grantee under this Agreement.

   

3.5    Immediately prior to the consummation of a Corporate Transaction described in Section 2(q)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Plan or a Change of Control, the PSUs shall automatically vest in their entirety at the target amount and shall as of such moment become Vested Units; except to the extent this Agreement is Assumed, in which case this Agreement shall continue to apply to the PSUs or any similar rights issued in lieu thereof in connection with such assumption.  Adjustments shall be made to the number of PSUs to reflect the effect of the Corporate Transaction.  

   

4.       Restrictions . Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement or the Plan, during the Performance Period and until such time as the PSUs are settled in accordance with Section 6, the PSUs and any rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Grantee. Any attempt to assign, alienate, pledge, attach, sell or otherwise transfer or encumber the PSUs or the rights relating thereto shall be wholly ineffective and, if any such attempt is made, the PSUs will be forfeited by the Grantee and all of the Grantee’s rights to such units shall immediately terminate without any payment or consideration by the Company.

   

5.       Rights as Stockholder; Dividend Equivalents .

   

5.1    The Grantee shall not have any rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs unless and until the PSUs, and any resulting Vested Units, are settled by the issuance of such shares of Common Stock.

   

5.2    Upon and following the settlement of the Vested Units, the Grantee shall be the record owner of the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs unless and until such shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a stockholder of the Company (including voting rights).

   

5.3    Until such time as the PSUs vest, the Grantee’s Account shall be credited with an amount equal to all dividends (“Dividend Equivalents”) that would have been paid to the Grantee if one share of Common Stock had been issued on the Grant Date for each PSU granted to the Grantee as set forth in this Agreement. Dividend Equivalents shall be credited to the Grantee’s Account. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting restrictions as the PSUs to which they are attributable, and shall be paid, solely with respect to Vested Units, on the same date that the Vested Units to which they are attributable are settled in accordance with Section 6 hereof. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Grantee’s Account shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Administrator, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of the Dividend Equivalents.

   

6.       Settlement of Vested Units .  Subject to Section 6 hereof, promptly following the Vesting Date, and in any event no later than ________ of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Vesting Date occurs, the Company shall (a) issue and deliver to the Grantee the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested Units and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such Vested Units or, at the


discretion of the Administrator, shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents; and (b) enter the Grantee’s name on the books of the Company as the stockholder of record with respect to the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Grantee.  Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, if the shares that may be issued to the Grantee are limited in number by the terms of the Plan, (i) on or before ________ of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Vesting Date occurs, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Grantee the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan for the Vested Units at that time, and (ii) the Company shall issue shares for the remaining Vested Units as soon thereafter as practicable after their issuance becomes allowable under the Plan.  

   

7.       No Right to Continued Service . Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Grantee any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Grantee’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause.

   

8.       Adjustments . If any change is made to the outstanding Common Stock or the capital structure of the Company, if required, the PSUs shall be adjusted or terminated in the manner as contemplated by Section 10 of the Plan.

   

9.       Tax Liability and Withholding .

   

9.1    Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Plan, the Grantee shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Grantee pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the Vested Units and vested Dividend Equivalents and to take all such other action as the Administrator deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Administrator shall permit, and the Grantee may elect by notice to the Company promptly following the Vesting Date, the Grantee to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means:

   

(a )    tendering a cash payment;

   

(b)   authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Grantee as a result of the vesting of the PSUs; provided, however , that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or

   

(c)   delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

   

9.2    Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social security, Medicare or payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Grantee’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting or settlement of the PSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (b) does not commit to structure the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Grantee’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

   

10.     Acknowledgement . By electing to accept this Agreement, Grantee acknowledges receipt of this Agreement and hereby confirm his understanding that the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the matters contained herein and supersede any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties concerning the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to Awards awarded under the Plan or future Awards that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or request the Grantee’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

   


11.     Entire Agreement: Governing Law .  The Plan and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Grantee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Grantee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Grantee. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law rule that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of Delaware to the rights and duties of the parties. Should any provision of the Notice or this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

   

12.     Headings . The captions used in this Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement for construction or interpretation.

   

13.     Dispute Resolution . The provisions of this Section 13 shall be the exclusive means of resolving disputes arising out of or relating to the Plan and this Agreement. The Company, the Grantee, and the Grantee’s assignees (the “parties”) shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disputes arising out of or relating to the Plan and this Agreement by negotiation between individuals who have authority to settle the controversy. Negotiations shall be commenced by either party by notice of a written statement of the party’s position and the name and title of the individual who will represent the party. Within thirty (30) days of the written notification, the parties shall meet at a mutually acceptable time and place, and thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to resolve the dispute. If the dispute has not been resolved by negotiation, the parties agree that any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notice, the Plan or this Agreement shall be brought in the Courts of the State of Colorado, and the parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of such courts. The parties irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection the party may have to the laying of venue for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court. THE PARTIES ALSO EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. If any one or more provisions of this Section 13 shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties that such provisions shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable.

   

14.     Compliance with Laws . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or the Plan, the Company may not take any actions hereunder, and no award shall be granted, that would violate the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Code, or any other securities or tax or other applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the shares issuable upon vesting shall not be issued unless such shares are then registered under the Act, or, if such shares are not then so registered, the Company has determined that such vesting and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Act.

   

15.     Notices . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon facsimile or other electronic transmission (including by email) or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail (if the parties are within the United States) or upon deposit for delivery by an internationally recognized express mail courier service (for international delivery of notice), with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown beneath its signature in the Notice, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

   

   

[ Signature page follows. ]

   


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

   

 

   

COMPANY:

   

Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation

   

   

By: _________________________

   

Name: _______________________

Title:

   

 

   

   

   

GRANTEE:

   

   

By: _________________________

   

Name: _______________________

   


EXHIBIT I

   

TSR PEER GROUP PSUs

   

TSR Peer Group PSUs shall vest in whole or in part based on the relative rank of the Company Change, and the TSR Peer Change of and each of the companies in the TSR Peer Group, as set forth below:

   

 

Rank

Percentage of TSR Peer Group PSUs Vested

Percentage of Target for TSR Peer Group

1

___%

___%

2

___%

___%

3

___%

___%

4

___%

___%

5

___%

___%

6

___%

___%

7

___%

___%

8

___%

___%

9

___%

___%

10

___%

___%

11

___%

___%

12

___%

___%

13

___%

___%

14

___%

___%

15

___%

___%

   

For purposes of this Agreement, “TSR Peer Group” shall mean each of the companies included in the Company’s peer group for compensation purposes, as determined by the Administrator, which as of the date hereof, includes:

   

 

Headwaters International

   

Calgon Carbon Corporation

GSE Holdings Inc.

FutureFuel Corp.

Hawkins Inc.

Flotek Industries Inc.

KMG Chemicals Inc.

Rentech, Inc.

American Pacific Corporation

PMFG, Inc.

CECO Envinronmental Corp.

Met-Pro Corp.

Fuel-Tech, Inc.

Westmoreland Coal Co.

   

   

 

“Company Change” =

Company Initial Price – Company Final Price

   

Company Initial Price

   

   

“Company Initial Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of Common Stock for the period ending _________

   

   

“Company Final Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of Common Stock for the period

   

ending _________

   

   

“TSR Peer Change”=

TSR Peer Initial Price – TSR Peer Final Price

   

TSR Peer Initial Price

   

   

“TSR Peer Initial Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of the TSR Peer for the period ending _________

   

   

“TSR Peer Final Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of the TSR Peer for the period ending _________


EXHIBIT II

   

RUSSELL 3000 INDEX PSUs

   

Russell 3000 Index PSUs vest in whole or in part based on the following:

   

 

Performance Delta

Percentage of Russell 3000 Index PSUs vesting:

Percentage of Target for Russell 3000 Index

At least __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

At least __% and less than __%

___%

___%

Less than __%

___%

___%

   

For purposes of this Agreement:

   

 

“Performance Delta” =

Company Change – Russell 3000 Index Change

   

   

“Company Change” =

Company Final Price - Company Initial Price

   

Company Initial Price

   

   

“Company Initial Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of Common Stock for the period ending _________

   

   

“Company Final Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of Common Stock for the

   

period ending _________

   

   

“Russell 3000 Index Change” =

Russell 3000 Index Final Price  - Russell 3000 Index Initial Price

   

Russell 3000 Index Initial Price

   

   

“Russell 3000 Index Initial Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of the Russell 3000 Index for the period ending _________

   

   

“Russell 3000 Index Final Price” =

30-day trading average closing price of the Russell 3000 Index for the period ending _________

   


Exhibit 31.1

   

Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended

   

I, Michael D. Durham, certify that:

   

 

1.

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.;

   

   

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   

   

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   

   

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

   

   

   

   

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

   

   

   

   

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

   

   

   

   

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

   

   

   

   

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

   

   

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

   

   

   

   

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

   

   

   

   

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

   

 

Date: August 9, 2013

   

/s/ Michael D. Durham

   

Name:  Michael D. Durham

   


Exhibit 31.2

   

Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended

   

I, Mark H. McKinnies, certify that:

   

 

1.

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.;

   

   

   

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

   

   

   

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

   

   

   

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

   

   

   

   

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

   

   

   

   

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

   

   

   

   

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

   

   

   

   

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

   

   

   

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

   

   

   

   

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

   

   

   

   

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

   

   

   

   

Date:  August 9, 2013

   

/s/ Mark H. McKinnies

Name:  Mark H. McKinnies


Exhibit 32.1

   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

I, Michael D. Durham, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

   

 

(1)

the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

   

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

   

   

   

   

   

 

   

/s/ Michael D. Durham

   

Name:

Michael D. Durham

   

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

   

Date:

August 9, 2013

   


Exhibit 32.2

   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

I, Mark H. McKinnies, as Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

   

 

(1)

the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013  as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

   

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

   

 

   

/s/ Mark H. McKinnies

   

Name:

Mark H. McKinnies

   

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

   

Date:

August 9, 2013