Document:

paceth_8k-ex1002.htm

 Exhibit 10.2

 

[FORM OF]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ETHANOL MARKETING AGREEMENT

([__________] PROJECT)

 

by and between

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL [__________], LLC

 

and

 

KINERGY MARKETING, LLC

 

 

 

Dated as of June 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	 	
 

	
 

	
Page

	
Article I

	
DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION

	
1

	 	 	 
	 	
1.1

	
Definitions

	
1

	 	
1.2

	
Interpretation

	
5

	 	 	 
	
Article II

	
MARKETING ACTIVITIES

	
5

	 	 	 
	 	
2.1

	
Bilateral Transactions.

	
5

	 	
2.2

	
Storage

	
6

	 	
2.3

	
Obligations of Project Company.

	
6

	 	
2.4

	
Back-to-Back Transactions

	
7

	 	
2.5

	
Netting

	
7

	 	
2.6

	
Title; Delivery Point; Nominations; Measurement.

	
7

	 	
2.7

	
Benchmarking

	
8

	 	 	 
	
Article III

	
PAYMENTS

	
8

	 	 	 
	 	
3.1

	
Fees and Payments.

	
8

	 	
3.2

	
Overdue Payments; Billing Dispute

	
9

	 	
3.3

	
Audit

	
10

	 	 	 
	
Article IV

	
TERM; TERMINATION

	
10

	 	 	 
	 	
4.1

	
Term

	
10

	 	
4.2

	
Project Company Defaults and Kinergy Remedies

	
10

	 	
4.3

	
Kinergy Defaults and Project Company Remedies

	
11

	 	
4.4

	
Change of Control.

	
11

	 	
4.5

	
Effect of Termination

	
11

	 	 	 
	
Article V

	
INSURANCE

	
12

	 	 	 
	 	
5.1

	
Kinergy Insurance

	
12

	 	
5.2

	
Kinergy Insurance Premiums and Deductibles

	
13

	 	 	 
	
Article VI

	
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

	
13

	 	 	 
	 	
6.1

	
No Consequential or Punitive Damages

	
13

	 	 	 	 
	
Article VII

	 	
INDEMNIFICATION

	
13

	 	 	 	 
	 	
7.1

	
Project Company’s Indemnity

	
13

	 	
7.2

	
Kinergy’s Indemnity

	
14

	 	 	 
	
Article VIII

	
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

	
14

 

 

 

i

 

 

	
Article IX

	
FORCE MAJEURE

	
14

	 	 	 	 
	 	
9.1

	
Definition

	
14

	 	
9.2

	
Effect

	
15

	 	
9.3

	
Limitations

	
15

	 	 	 
	
Article X

	
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

	
15

	 	 	 
	 	
10.1

	
Attempts to Settle

	
15

	 	
10.2

	
Resolution by Expert

	
15

	 	
10.3

	
Arbitration

	
16

	 	
10.4

	
Consequential and Punitive Damages

	
16

	 	
10.5

	
Finality and Enforcement of Decision

	
16

	 	
10.6

	
Costs

	
16

	 	
10.7

	
Continuing Performance Obligations

	
16

	 	 	 
	
Article XI

	
CONFIDENTIALITY

	
16

	 	 	 
	
Article XII

	
ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER

	
17

	 	 	 
	
Article XIII

	
MISCELLANEOUS

	
17

	 	 	 
	 	
13.1

	
Entire Agreement

	
17

	 	
13.2

	
Counterparts

	
17

	 	
13.3

	
Survival

	
17

	 	
13.4

	
Severability

	
17

	 	
13.5

	
Governing Law

	
18

	 	
13.6

	
Binding Effect

	
18

	 	
13.7

	
Notices

	
18

	 	
13.8

	
Amendment

	
19

	 	
13.9

	
No Implied Waiver

	
19

	 	
13.10

	
Lines of Credit

	
19

	 	 	 	 
	
Exhibit A

	
Form of PEI Guaranty

	  
	
Exhibit B

	
Operating Protocol

	  
	
Exhibit C

	
Certain Customers

	  
	
Exhibit D

	
Benchmarking

	  

 

 

 

 

ii

 

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED ETHANOL MARKETING AGREEMENT (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between PACIFIC ETHANOL [__________], LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Project Company”), and KINERGY MARKETING, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company (“Kinergy”), as of June 30, 2011.  Project Company and Kinergy are each individually referred to herein as a “Party”, and collectively are referred to herein as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A.           The Parties hereto were previously party to that certain Ethanol Marketing Agreement, dated as of [_______], 2010 (the “Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which Kinergy provided certain services to Project Company.

 

B.           Kinergy provides marketing services for denatured fuel ethanol production facilities.

 

C.           Project Company is the owner of an approximately [___] million gallons-per-year denatured fuel ethanol production facility in [__________], [__________] (the “Facility”) and Project Company has requested that Kinergy provide denatured fuel ethanol marketing services for the Facility and maintain lines of credit available of not less than $5,000,000.

 

D.           The Parties desire to amend and restate in its entirety the Prior Agreement and enter into this Amended and Restated Ethanol Marketing Agreement pursuant to which Kinergy will provide such marketing services.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION

 

1.1           Definitions.  The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below when used in this Agreement:

 

“Act of Insolvency” means, with respect to any Person, any of the following:  (a) commencement by such Person of a voluntary proceeding under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law; (b) the filing of an involuntary proceeding against such Person under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law which is not vacated within 60 days after such filing; (c) the admission by such Person of the material allegations of any petition filed against it in any proceeding under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law; (d) the adjudication of such Person as bankrupt or insolvent or the winding up or dissolution of such Person; (e) the making by such Person of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors (assignments for a solvent financing excluded); (f) such Person fails or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (g) the appointment of a receiver or an administrator for all or a substantial portion of such Person’s assets, which receiver or administrator, if appointed without the consent of such Person, is not discharged within 60 days after its appointment; or (h) the occurrence of any event analogous to any of the foregoing with respect to such Person occurring in any jurisdiction.

 

 

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“Affiliate” of a specified Person means any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified.  The term “control” means the ownership, either direct or indirect, of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the voting securities (or comparable equity interests) or other ownership interests of a Person, or the possession, either direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or any other means whatsoever.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

“Asset Management Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Asset Management Agreement by and among PEI, as Manager, Pacific Ethanol Stockton, LLC, Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC, Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC and Pacific Ethanol Magic Valley, LLC, dated as of June 30, 2011, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

 “Bilateral Transaction” means a transaction entered into by Kinergy with one or more Third Parties consisting of one or more forward sales of Ethanol, with respect to which Ethanol produced at the Facility by Project Company is sold to such Third Party or Third Parties.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Sacramento, California or New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed.

 

“Change of Control” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and among Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC, Pacific Ethanol Stockton, LLC, Pacific Ethanol Magic Valley, LLC, and Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC, as Borrowers, Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, as Borrowers’ Agent, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as the administrative agent and the collateral agent, and the lenders parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Dispute” means a dispute, controversy or claim.

 

“Ethanol” means denatured fuel ethanol produced by the Facility satisfying the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D4806 specifications for denatured fuel ethanol.

 

“Expert” means an expert having sufficient technical expertise to address the matter subject to a Dispute.

 

“Extension Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.1.

 

 

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“Facility” has the meaning given to such term in the recitals hereto.

 

“Financing Documents” means any and all loan agreements, credit agreements (including the Credit Agreement), reimbursement agreements, notes, indentures, bonds, security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, guarantee documents, intercreditor agreements, subscription agreements, equity contribution agreements and other agreements and instruments relating to the financing (or refinancing) of the ownership, operation and maintenance of the Facility.

 

“Financing Parties” means the banks, lenders, noteholders and/or other financial institutions (or an agent or trustee thereof) party to the Financing Documents.

 

“Force Majeure Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

 

“Good Industry Practice” means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the ethanol production or marketing (as the case may be) industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition.  “Good Industry Practice” is not limited to a single, optimum practice, method or act to the exclusion of others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices, methods or acts generally accepted in the region.

 

“Governmental Authority” means any United States federal, state, municipal, local, territorial, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, regulatory authority, instrumentality, judicial or administrative body.

 

“Incentive Fee” means, for each Bilateral Transaction, the product of 1.0% multiplied by the aggregate amount of the Purchase Price for such Bilateral Transaction; provided, however, that in no event shall the Incentive Fee for any Bilateral Transaction be less than $.015 per gallon nor greater than $.0225 per gallon.

 

“Incentive Fee (Estimated)” means, for each Bilateral Transaction, the product of 1.0% multiplied by the aggregate amount of the Purchase Price (Estimated) for such Bilateral Transaction; provided, however, that in no event shall the Incentive Fee (Estimated) for any Bilateral Transaction be less than $.015 per gallon nor greater than $.0225 per gallon.

 

“Kinergy” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

“Kinergy Indemnified Person” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.2.

 

“Law” means any law, statute, act, legislation, bill, enactment, policy, treaty, international agreement, ordinance, judgment, injunction, award, decree, rule, regulation, interpretation, determination, requirement, writ or order of any Governmental Authority.

 

“Liabilities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.1.

 

  

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“Minimum Rating Criteria”, with respect to any Person, means such Person has a senior unsecured debt rating of at least “Baa2” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency, provided that each Person set forth on Exhibit C hereto shall be deemed to satisfy the Minimum Rating Criteria.

 

“Monthly Date” means the last Business Day of each calendar month.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

“NewCo” means New PE Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the indirect owner on the date hereof of all the equity interests in Project Company.

 

“Party” or “Parties” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

“Payment Adjustment Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1(b).

 

“PEI” means Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies and other organizations, whether or not legal entities, Governmental Authorities and any other entity.

 

“Prime Rate” means the rate per annum listed as the “Prime Rate” in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal from time to time.

 

“Prior Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

 “Project Company” has the meaning given to such term in the preamble hereto.

 

“Project Company Indemnified Person” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.1.

 

“Purchase Price” means, subject to Section 3.1(a), (a) for each Bilateral Transaction that is part of a “pooling” arrangement by Kinergy among Affiliate Persons that are “Borrowers” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement, the product of (i) the weighted average delivered price of denatured fuel ethanol attributable to sales of denatured fuel ethanol which were brokered by Kinergy for such Persons during the applicable calendar month multiplied by (ii) the amount (expressed in gallons) of Ethanol delivered by Project Company to Kinergy hereunder during such calendar month in respect of such Bilateral Transactions or (b) for each Bilateral Transaction that is not part of any such arrangement, the aggregate gross payments received by Kinergy (or, if the applicable Third Party defaults in its payment obligations to Kinergy in respect of such Bilateral Transaction, the aggregate amount of gross payments which Kinergy was entitled to receive) for such Bilateral Transaction from the applicable Third Party; provided that, in any event, Kinergy shall elect, in its sole discretion at the time of entering into any Bilateral Transaction (and by notice to Project Company), whether such Bilateral Transaction is part of any such “pooling” arrangement.

 

  

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“Purchase Price (Estimated)” means, with respect to each Bilateral Transaction, the anticipated aggregate payments of Purchase Price with respect to such Bilateral Transaction (as reasonably determined by Kinergy).

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

“Third Party” means any Person (other than PEI or a subsidiary thereof) that enters into a Bilateral Transaction with Kinergy.

 

“Transportation Costs” means, for each Bilateral Transaction, all actual, out-of-pocket and documented costs and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Kinergy in connection with the transportation of Ethanol to the applicable Third Party, including truck, rail, barge and/or terminal costs.

 

“Transportation Costs (Estimated)” means, for each Bilateral Transaction, the aggregate amount of Transportation Costs anticipated to be incurred by Kinergy in connection with such Bilateral Transaction (as reasonably determined by Kinergy).

 

1.2           Interpretation.  The following interpretations and rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement:  (a) titles and headings are for convenience only and will not be deemed part of this Agreement for purposes of interpretation; (b) unless otherwise stated, references in this Agreement to “Sections” or “Articles” refer, respectively, to Sections or Articles of this Agreement; (c) “including” means “including, but not limited to”, and “include” or “includes” means “include, without limitation” or “includes, without limitation”; (d) “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereof”, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to a particular Section or clause of this Agreement; (e) in the case of defined terms, the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (f) unless otherwise indicated, each reference to a particular Law is a reference to such Law as it may be amended, modified, extended, restated or supplemented from time to time, as well as to any successor Law thereto; (g) unless otherwise indicated, references to agreements shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, supplements and other modifications thereto; and (h) unless otherwise indicated, each reference to any Person shall include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

ARTICLE II

MARKETING ACTIVITIES

 

2.1           Bilateral Transactions.

 

(a)           Subject to the terms hereof, Project Company hereby grants Kinergy the exclusive right to market, purchase and sell all of Project Company’s Ethanol commencing on June 30, 2011 and continuing through the expiration or early termination of this Agreement, provided, that during the continuance of any default by Kinergy that would allow Project Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.3 or during the 30-day cure period provided in Section 4.3(c) (notwithstanding such cure period), if Kinergy is not performing its obligations with respect to marketing Project Company’s Ethanol or during the continuance of any Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) that renders Kinergy unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, then Project Company shall have the right to engage any other Person to market, purchase and sell Project Company’s Ethanol and Kinergy shall not be entitled to any compensation (including Incentive Fees) with respect to any replacement services provided by such Person.  Kinergy shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to solicit, negotiate and enter into, and Kinergy shall perform, Bilateral Transactions with Third Parties.  Kinergy shall have absolute discretion in the solicitation, negotiation, administration (including the collection of payments), enforcement and execution of Bilateral Transactions and all sales of Ethanol produced by the Facility shall be effectuated by Bilateral Transactions.  Kinergy shall not enter into any transaction in respect of Project Company’s Ethanol that (i) is not a Bilateral Transaction; (ii) requires deliveries of ethanol more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of execution of such transaction or (iii) is with a counterparty that does not satisfy the Minimum Rating Criteria, in each case without the prior written consent of Project Company, which consent may be withheld by Project Company in its discretion.  Project Company hereby grants Kinergy the power and authority necessary to perform its obligations and exercise its rights hereunder.

 

  

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(b)           As further described in Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 2.6 below and except as otherwise provided herein, Project Company shall provide Ethanol to Kinergy free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

 

(c)           Kinergy shall perform its obligations hereunder and under Bilateral Transactions in accordance with this Agreement, applicable Laws and Good Industry Practice and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize the proceeds generated from the sale of Ethanol.

 

(d)           Kinergy shall at all times maintain available lines of credit of not less than $5,000,000.

 

2.2           Storage.  Kinergy acknowledges that Project Company has only limited storage capacity and Kinergy agrees that it shall take any Ethanol requested by Kinergy within seven days (or such longer period of time as may reasonably be agreed by Project Company) of the time that Project Company has made such Ethanol available to Kinergy.

 

2.3           Obligations of Project Company.

 

(a)           Project Company shall provide Kinergy with all information reasonably requested by Kinergy, and Project Company shall assist Kinergy as reasonably requested in the solicitation, negotiation and performance of Bilateral Transactions.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Project Company shall not be responsible for the delivery of any Ethanol to Kinergy during any periods of scheduled Facility maintenance (unless and to the extent the applicable Ethanol is available to be delivered to Kinergy from Project Company’s storage facilities); provided, that, at any time that PEI or one of its Affiliates is not the asset manager pursuant to the Asset Management Agreement (or any successor agreement), Kinergy shall have received at least ten Business Days prior notice of such scheduled maintenance (it being acknowledged and agreed that if Kinergy does not receive at least ten Business Days prior notice, then such maintenance activity shall be deemed to be a mechanical breakdown and covered by clause (c) below for purposes hereof).

 

  

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(c)           If on any day, Project Company is unable to perform its obligations to deliver Ethanol under this Agreement due to a mechanical breakdown (including a forced outage of the Facility) that is not a Force Majeure Event and such mechanical breakdown has continued for more than three consecutive days, Kinergy shall, at Project Company’s option and at Project Company’s expense, and provided that,  at any time that PEI or one of its Affiliates is not the asset manager pursuant to the Asset Management Agreement (or any successor agreement), Project Company provides Kinergy with prompt notice of its intent to exercise such option, use commercially reasonable efforts to identify and procure replacement Ethanol to be delivered to the Third Party under the applicable Bilateral Transaction.  In such event, if and only if the Parties reach agreement as to an alternative delivery point, Kinergy shall acquire and deliver replacement Ethanol in a quantity sufficient to meet the contract quantity of such Bilateral Transaction at such alternate point (and Project Company shall be responsible for all transportation costs associated therewith).  In all other instances, Project Company shall be responsible for any damages incurred by Kinergy in connection with Kinergy’s failure to perform under the applicable Bilateral Transaction as a result of such mechanical breakdown (it being acknowledged and agreed that Kinergy shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects of any such mechanical breakdown and Project Company’s resulting inability to deliver Ethanol).

 

(d)           At the request of Project Company, Kinergy will cause PEI to execute and deliver and maintain in full force and effect a guaranty in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

 

2.4           Back-to-Back Transactions.  Each Bilateral Transaction undertaken by Kinergy shall immediately and automatically, without necessity of further documentation or any action whatsoever by any of the Parties, create and cause to be undertaken according to the terms of this Agreement an equivalent transaction in terms of the obligation to deliver Ethanol, the quantity of Ethanol sold and the timing for the delivery of such Ethanol by Project Company with Kinergy (as if Kinergy were the Third Party).

 

2.5           Netting.  Netting of amounts due in respect of Bilateral Transactions between Kinergy and a Third Party may arise in circumstances in which Kinergy owes amounts to such Third Party in respect of Bilateral Transactions and, at the same time, such Third Party owes amounts to Kinergy in respect of Bilateral Transactions.  In such circumstances, the party owing the greater amount may pay such amount to the other party as reduced by the amount owed to it and both parties will be deemed to have satisfied their obligations thereby.  When such netting occurs, for purposes of this Agreement, for all Bilateral Transactions that have been subject to such netting arrangements, Kinergy shall be deemed to have paid amounts owed by it and to have received amounts owed to it.

 

2.6           Title; Delivery Point; Nominations; Measurement.

 

(a)           Project Company shall deliver Ethanol to Kinergy in respect of Bilateral Transactions (or corresponding back-to-back transactions under Section 2.4) at the inlet flange of the applicable receiving truck, barge or railcar that will remove such Ethanol from the Facility.  Title to, risk of loss with respect to and the obligation to transport such Ethanol shall pass from Project Company to Kinergy at such delivery point.  The Parties acknowledge that the quality and quantity of Ethanol may degrade or shrink after such Ethanol is delivered by Project Company to Kinergy at such delivery point, and the Parties acknowledge that the risk of such degradation or shrinkage and all other risk of loss shall be borne by Kinergy.

 

  

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(b)           Kinergy and Project Company shall utilize the previously agreed upon operating protocol, with respect to the mechanics, timing and process for (i) Kinergy to communicate to Project Company its Ethanol requirements on a monthly, weekly and daily basis, (ii) determining the quantity of Ethanol to be stored by Project Company in its storage facilities, and (iii) implementing the Ethanol sales contemplated by this Agreement.  A copy of such operating protocol is attached hereto as Exhibit B.  By mutual agreement, such operating protocol shall be updated from time to time thereafter.

 

(c)           Project Company agrees to collect samples of each shipment of Ethanol it delivers to Kinergy hereunder and keep such samples for 30 days.  Project Company shall label each sample to include the customer order number and any other information reasonably necessary to identify such Ethanol and the applicable shipment.  Kinergy shall have the right, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times and at its expense, to test such samples to confirm that the Ethanol delivered to it hereunder meets the requirements of this Agreement.  The Parties agree that the amount of Ethanol delivered hereunder (whether measured as net gallons, net liters or otherwise) shall be corrected to and correspondingly adjusted by a reference temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.56 degrees Celsius.

 

2.7           Benchmarking.  Kinergy shall furnish on a monthly basis a report benchmarking its performance in accordance with Exhibit D.

 

ARTICLE III

PAYMENTS

 

3.1           Fees and Payments.

 

(a)           Within ten days after the date Project Company delivers Ethanol to Kinergy in accordance with Section 2.6(a), Kinergy shall pay to Project Company an amount equal to (i) the Purchase Price (Estimated) with respect to the Bilateral Transaction to which such delivery of Ethanol relates minus (ii) the aggregate amount of Transportation Costs (Estimated) with respect to such Bilateral Transaction minus (iii) the aggregate amount of the Incentive Fee (Estimated) with respect to such Bilateral Transaction (it being acknowledged that Kinergy shall retain for its own account the amount of such Transportation Costs (Estimated) and Incentive Fee (Estimated), and that such amount represents an estimate of the net amounts to be paid to Project Company in connection with such Bilateral Transaction).  In connection with each such payment, Kinergy shall deliver to Project Company a statement detailing its calculations of the applicable Purchase Price (Estimated), the applicable Transportation Costs (Estimated) and the applicable Incentive Fee (Estimated).

 

(b)           Within the first five Business Days of each calendar month (each such date, a “Payment Adjustment Date”), the Parties shall reconcile and “true-up” the actual Purchase Price, Transportation Costs and Incentive Fees for all Bilateral Transactions entered into since the previous Payment Adjustment Date, with the intent of the Parties being that Kinergy shall make up the difference of any “under estimations” and Project Company shall refund any “over estimations”.  For example, if there are “under estimations” then Kinergy shall pay to Project Company an amount equal to:

 

  

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(i)           (A) the Purchase Price with respect to such Bilateral Transaction minus (B) the Purchase Price (Estimated) with respect to such Bilateral Transaction (to the extent actually paid by Kinergy to Project Company pursuant to Section 3.1(a)), minus

 

(ii)           (A) the Transportation Costs with respect to each such Bilateral Transaction minus (B) the Transportation Costs (Estimated) with respect to such Bilateral Transaction, minus

 

(iii)           (A) the Incentive Fee with respect to each such Bilateral Transaction minus (B) the Incentive Fee (Estimated) with respect to such Bilateral Transaction.

 

Each such monthly reconciliation or “true-up” payment shall be paid by Kinergy or Project Company (as applicable) no later than five Business Days after the applicable Payment Adjustment Date.  Each Party acknowledges that Kinergy (and not Project Company) bears the risk of non-payment by (a) a Third Party in connection with a Bilateral Transaction with respect to any Third Party (or an Affiliate thereof) that does not satisfy the Minimum Rating Criteria and (b) PEI or any Affiliate thereof that purchases Ethanol from Project Company; provided that Project Company and Kinergy acknowledge and agree that any risk of non-payment not borne by Kinergy shall be shared on a pro rata basis among Project Company and each other Person with respect to which sales are brokered by Kinergy (with such pro rata calculations based upon the amount (expressed in gallons) of Ethanol delivered by, or on behalf of, each such Person during the applicable period in respect of which nonpayment has occurred), all as reasonably determined by Kinergy.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in clause (a) or (b) above, if Project Company defaults in its obligation to provide Ethanol to Kinergy in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, as contemplated by Section 2.3(c)), then Kinergy shall be entitled to set-off and deduct from current and/or future payments owed to Kinergy by Project Company (including the estimated payments pursuant to clause (a) above and the reconciliation and “true-up” payments pursuant to clause (b) above) an amount equal to, as applicable (i) the amount of damage payments owed by Kinergy to the applicable Third Party for failure to provide such Ethanol or (ii) the cost of any replacement Ethanol procured by Kinergy to satisfy the requirements of any Bilateral Transaction, each as a result of Project Company’s failure to perform hereunder net of any revenues received in respect of such Bilateral Transaction.

 

3.2           Overdue Payments; Billing Dispute.  If Project Company or Kinergy, in good faith, disputes the amount of any payment received by it or to be paid by it or set-off pursuant to Section 3.1 above, the disputing Party shall immediately notify the other Party of the basis for the dispute.  The Parties will then meet and use their best efforts to resolve any such dispute.  If any amount is ultimately determined to be due to or permitted to be set-off by Project Company or Kinergy (as the case may be), to the extent not previously paid or set-off, (a) Kinergy (or Project Company, as the case may be) shall pay such amount to Project Company (or Kinergy, as the case may be) within five Business Days of such determination or (b) Kinergy (or Project Company, as the case may be) may then set-off such amount (as the case may be).  If any Party shall fail to make any payment when due hereunder, such overdue payment shall accrue interest at the Prime Rate plus 2% from the date originally due until the date paid.

 

  

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3.3           Audit.  Notwithstanding the payment of any amount pursuant to this Article III, Project Company shall remain entitled (upon reasonable prior notice, at reasonable times and at Kinergy’s corporate offices) and the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement (and its consultants, as directed by the administrative agent) shall be entitled (upon reasonable prior notice, not more than once per calendar quarter and at Kinergy’s corporate offices) to conduct a subsequent audit and review of (a) all Bilateral Transactions and related records to verify the amount of gross payments, Incentive Fees, Transportation Costs and damage payments and (b) the determination and calculation of the Purchase Price, in each case for a period of two years from and after the applicable Payment Adjustment Date.  If, pursuant to such audit and review, it is determined that any amount previously paid by Kinergy to Project Company did not constitute all of the amounts which should have been paid to Project Company, Project Company shall advise Kinergy indicating such amount and the reason the amount should have been paid to Project Company and, subject to the next two sentences, Kinergy shall pay such amount to Project Company within five Business Days of such request along with interest accrued at the Prime Rate plus 2% from the date originally due until the date paid.  If the Parties do not agree with respect to any item so noted, the Parties will then meet and use their best efforts to resolve the dispute.  If Parties are not able to resolve issues raised by such an audit and review, any disputed items will be resolved in accordance with the provisions of Article X.

 

ARTICLE IV

TERM; TERMINATION

 

4.1           Term.  This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, shall continue in effect until and including June 30, 2012; provided, either Kinergy or Project Company may extend this Agreement for additional one year periods, in each case by written notice to the other (an “Extension Notice”) delivered not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the original or renewal term, provided further that this Agreement shall nonetheless terminate if the recipient of any such Extension Notice rejects such Extension Notice not more than fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Extension Notice.

 

4.2           Project Company Defaults and Kinergy Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, Kinergy may exercise such rights and remedies as may be available to it at law or in equity, including the right to terminate this Agreement, by written notice to Project Company, provided, that no such notice shall be required for a termination pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 4.2:

 

(a)           the failure by Project Company to make any payment, deposit or transfer required hereunder within thirty (30) Business Days after the date such payment, deposit or transfer is due, and such failure continues for fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of written notice from Kinergy of such failure;

 

  

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(b)           the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency with respect to Project Company; or

 

(c)           the failure of Project Company to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement and such failure continues for 30 days after receipt of written notice from Kinergy of such failure; provided, that such 30-day period shall be extended for up to an aggregate of 90 days so long as Project Company is diligently attempting to cure such failure.

 

4.3           Kinergy Defaults and Project Company Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, Project Company may exercise such rights and remedies as may be available to it at law or in equity, including the right to terminate this Agreement, by written notice to Kinergy, provided, that no such notice shall be required for a termination pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 4.3:

 

(a)           the failure by Kinergy to make any payment, deposit or transfer required hereunder within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date such payment, deposit or transfer is due, and such failure continues for fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of written notice from Project Company of such failure;

 

(b)           the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency with respect to Kinergy; or

 

(c)           the failure of Kinergy to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement and such failure continues for 30 days after receipt of written notice from Project Company of such failure; provided, that such 30-day period shall be extended for up to an aggregate of 90 days so long as Kinergy is diligently attempting to cure such failure.

 

4.4           Change of Control.

 

(a)           This Agreement shall terminate 45 days after the occurrence of (i) any Change of Control with respect to Project Company or any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of more than a  majority of the membership interests in Kinergy to any Person which is not an Affiliate of PEI or (ii) any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets comprising the Facility, unless in each case the Parties mutually agree to the contrary.

 

(b)           In the event that this Agreement (i) terminates pursuant to Section 4.4(a)(i) as a result of a Change of Control of Project Company or (ii) shall be terminated by Project Company pursuant to Section 4.3 above, Kinergy shall, if requested by Project Company, use its best efforts to assign to Project Company its interests in the rail car lease or leases (or the applicable portions thereof) to which Kinergy is a party and in respect of which are dedicated to the transportation of Ethanol purchased pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4.5           Effect of Termination.  No termination under this Article IV shall release any of the Parties from any obligations arising hereunder prior to such termination, including payment and obligations under any Bilateral Transaction (or such Bilateral Transaction’s corresponding back-to-back transaction arising under Section 2.4), that are not fully performed as of the date of such termination.  The exercise of the right of a Party to terminate this Agreement, as provided herein, does not preclude such Party from exercising other remedies that are provided herein or are available at law or in equity; provided, however, that no Party shall have a right to terminate, revoke or treat this Agreement as repudiated other than in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement; and provided, further, that the Parties’ respective rights upon termination shall be subject to the liability limitations of Article IV. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, remedies are cumulative, and the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, one or more remedies by a Party shall not, to the extent provided by Law, limit or preclude the exercise of, or constitute a waiver of, other remedies by such Party.

 

  

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ARTICLE V

INSURANCE

 

5.1           Kinergy Insurance.  Without limiting any of the other obligations or liabilities of Kinergy under this Agreement, Kinergy shall at all times carry and maintain or cause to be carried and maintained, the minimum insurance coverage set forth in this Section:

 

(a)           Kinergy shall maintain or cause to be maintained (i) Workers’ Compensation insurance in compliance with the workers’ compensation laws of the states in which Kinergy provides services hereunder as extended by the Broad Form All States Endorsements, the United States Longshoreman’s and Harbor Workers’ Coverage Endorsements on an if-any-exposure basis and the Voluntary Compensation Coverage Endorsement, and (ii) Employer’s Liability (including Occupational Disease) coverage with limits of not less than $1,000,000, which shall cover all of Kinergy’s employees engaged in providing services hereunder.

 

(b)           Kinergy shall maintain or cause to be maintained automobile liability insurance for owned (if any), non-owned and hired vehicles with combined single limits for bodily injury/property damage not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and containing appropriate no-fault insurance provisions wherever applicable.

 

(c)           Kinergy will maintain or cause to be maintained commercial general liability insurance with a limit for bodily injury/property damage of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the annual aggregate.  Such coverage shall include premises/operations, explosion, collapse and underground property damage, broad form contractual, independent contractors, products/completed operations (including operator errors and omissions), broad form property damage, personal injury and incidental professional liability (if not covered under product/completed operations and if commercially available).

 

(d)           Kinergy shall maintain or cause to be maintained umbrella liability insurance providing coverage limits in excess of those set forth in Section (a), (b) and (c) above.  The limits of this umbrella coverage shall not be less than $10,000,000 per occurrence and in the annual aggregate.

 

(e)           Kinergy shall maintain or cause to be maintained pollution legal liability for sudden and accidental pollution for physical damage and bodily injury to third parties in an amount of $3,000,000 per occurrence and in the annual aggregate.

 

  

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The terms and conditions of all insurance policies (including the amount, scope of coverage, deductibles, and self-insured retentions) shall be acceptable in all respects as of the effective date of this Agreement.  All insurance carried pursuant to this Section shall conform to the relevant provisions of this Agreement and be with insurance companies which are rated “A-, X” or better by Best’s Insurance Guide and Key Ratings, or other insurance companies of recognized responsibility satisfactory to Project Company.  Project Company shall be furnished with satisfactory evidence that the foregoing insurance is in effect and Project Company shall be notified 30 calendar days prior to the cancellation or material change of any such coverage.  Coverage for the insurance under Section (c) and (d) above shall be written on a claims made basis provided that if the policy is not renewed, Kinergy shall obtain for the benefit of Project Company an extended reporting period coverage or “tail” of at least three years past the final day of coverage of such policy.  Kinergy shall provide Project Company with evidence that such extended reporting period coverage or “tail” has been obtained.  Kinergy agrees to ensure that the insurance policies outlined in this Section require the insurer to waive subrogation against Project Company, the Financing Parties and their respective Affiliates together with their respective officers, directors, Affiliates and employees and all such Persons shall be an additional insured as their interests may appear with respect to all policies procured by Kinergy.

 

5.2           Kinergy Insurance Premiums and Deductibles.  All premiums for insurance coverage procured by Kinergy pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be reimbursed by Project Company upon demand.  Kinergy shall be liable for the payment of all deductibles on insurance policies obtained pursuant to Section 5.1, which amounts shall not be reimbursed by Project Company, provided that, to the extent that a claim under a policy described in Section 5.1 is attributable to Project Company’s (including its employees’ or agents’) gross negligence or willful misconduct, Project Company shall be liable for the entire amount of such deductible.  In no event shall any premiums, deductibles or any losses in excess of insurance coverage be reimbursed by Project Company hereunder.

 

ARTICLE VI

LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

 

6.1           No Consequential or Punitive Damages.  In no event shall either Party be liable to any other Party by way of indemnity or by reason of any breach of contract or of statutory duty or by reason of tort (including negligence or strict liability) or otherwise for any loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of use, loss of production, loss of contracts or for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential or punitive damages of any other kind or nature whatsoever that may be suffered by such other Party, including any losses for which such other Party has insurance to the extent proceeds of insurance have been recovered for such losses.

 

6.2           Breach. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any failure, breach or default by Project Company under this Agreement that is caused by or is a result of a failure, breach or default by PEI under the Asset Management Agreement will not be a breach of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

7.1           Project Company’s Indemnity.  Project Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Kinergy and its Affiliates (and each officer, director, employee, shareholder, partner, member or agent of Kinergy and its Affiliates) (each, a “Project Company Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all third party claims, actions, damages, expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses), losses, settlements or liabilities (collectively, “Liabilities”) incurred or asserted against any Project Company Indemnified Person (a) as a result of any failure on the part of Project Company to perform Project Company’s obligations under this Agreement (including with respect to any back-to-back transaction under Section 2.4), or (b) arising out of or in any way connected with the grossly negligent acts or omissions of Project Company or its Affiliates.

 

  

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7.2           Kinergy’s Indemnity.  Kinergy shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Project Company and its Affiliates (and each officer, director, employee, shareholder, partner, member or agent of Project Company and their Affiliates) (each, a “Kinergy Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all third party Liabilities incurred or asserted against any Kinergy Indemnified Person (a) as a result of any failure on the part of Kinergy to perform its obligations under this Agreement (including with respect to any Bilateral Transaction), or (b) arising out of or in any way connected with the grossly negligent acts or omissions of Kinergy or its Affiliates.

 

ARTICLE VIII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Each Party represents that (i) it is duly organized under its jurisdiction of formation and in good standing in each jurisdiction where its failure to so qualify could have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations hereunder, (ii) it has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iii) it has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement and (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

ARTICLE IX

FORCE MAJEURE

 

9.1           Definition.  As used herein, “Force Majeure Event” means any cause(s) which render(s) a Party wholly or partly unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement (other than obligations to make payments when due), and which are neither reasonably within the control of such Party nor the result of the fault or negligence of such Party, and which occur despite all reasonable attempts to avoid, mitigate or remedy, and shall include acts of God, war, riots, civil insurrections, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, fires, explosions, earthquakes, lightning, storms, chemical contamination, epidemics or plagues, acts or campaigns of terrorism or sabotage, blockades, embargoes, accidents or interruptions to transportation, trade restrictions, acts of any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, strikes and other labor difficulties (other than with respect to its own employees), and other events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of such Party.  Mechanical breakdown (including a forced outage of the Facility) that continues for more than five consecutive days shall be deemed not to be “Force Majeure Event” unless such mechanical breakdown resulted from or was caused by a separate “Force Majeure Event.”

 

  

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9.2           Effect.  A Party claiming relief as a result of a Force Majeure Event shall give the other Parties written notice within five Business Days of becoming aware of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event, or as soon thereafter as practicable, describing the particulars of the Force Majeure Event, and will use reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform as soon as possible.  If the Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) continues for fifteen consecutive days, the affected Party shall report to the other Parties the status of its efforts to resume performance and the estimated date thereof.  If the Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) continues for 180 consecutive days, either Party may terminate this Agreement for convenience.  If the affected Party was not able to resume performance prior to or at the time of the report to the other Party of the onset of the Force Majeure Event, then it will report in writing to the other Party when it is again able to perform.  If a Party fails to give timely notice, the excuse for its non-performance shall not begin until notice is given.

 

9.3           Limitations.  Any obligation(s) of a Party (other than an obligation to make payments when due) may be temporarily suspended during any period such Party is unable to perform such obligation(s) by reason of the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, but only to the extent of such inability to perform, provided, that:

 

(a)           the suspension of performance is of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is reasonably required by the Force Majeure Event; and

 

(b)           the Party claiming the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event bears the burden of proof.

 

ARTICLE X

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

10.1           Attempts to Settle.  In the event that a Dispute between the Parties arises under, out of or in relation to, this Agreement, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to settle such Dispute by mutual discussions within fifteen Business Days after the date that an aggrieved Party gives written notice of the Dispute to the other Party.  In the event that a Dispute is not resolved by discussion in accordance with the preceding sentence within the time period set forth therein, the Parties shall refer the Dispute to their respective senior officers for further consideration and attempted resolution within fifteen Business Days after the Dispute has been referred to such individuals (or such longer period as the Parties may agree).

 

10.2           Resolution by Expert.  If the Parties shall have failed to resolve the Dispute within fifteen Business Days after the date that the Parties referred the Dispute to their senior officers, then, provided the Parties shall so agree, the Dispute may be submitted for resolution by an Expert, such Expert to be appointed by the mutual agreement of the Parties.  Proceedings before an Expert shall be held in Sacramento, California (or any other location agreed to by the Parties).  The Expert shall apply to such proceedings the substantive law of the State of New York in effect at the time of such proceedings.  The decision of the Expert shall be final and binding upon the Parties.  In the event that (a) the Parties cannot agree on the appointment of an Expert within ten Business Days after the date that the Parties agreed to submit the Dispute for resolution by the Expert or (b) the Expert fails to resolve such Dispute within 60 days after the Parties have submitted such Dispute to the Expert, then any Party may file a demand for arbitration in writing in accordance with Section 10.3.

 

  

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10.3           Arbitration.  Any Dispute that has not been resolved following the procedures set forth in Section 10.1 or 10.2 shall be settled by binding arbitration in Sacramento, California (or any other location agreed to by the Parties) before a panel of three arbitrators.  Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association as in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Such arbitration shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.  If arbitration proceedings have been initiated pursuant to this Section 10.3 and raise issues of fact or law which, in whole or in part, are substantially the same as issues of fact or law already pending in arbitration proceedings involving the applicable Parties, such issues shall be consolidated with the issues in the ongoing proceedings.  THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE X SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.5, THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO A COURT TRIAL OR TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

 

10.4           Consequential and Punitive Damages.  Awards of Experts and arbitral panels shall be subject to the provisions of Article VI.

 

10.5           Finality and Enforcement of Decision.  Any decision or award of an Expert or a majority of an arbitral panel, as applicable, shall be final and binding upon the Parties.  Each of the Parties agrees that the arbitral award may be enforced against it or its assets wherever they may be found and that a judgment upon the arbitral award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

10.6           Costs.  The costs of submitting a Dispute to an Expert shall be shared equally among the Parties involved in the Dispute, unless the arbitral panel or the Expert determines otherwise.  The costs of arbitration shall be paid in accordance with the decision of the arbitral panel pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association as in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.

 

10.7           Continuing Performance Obligations.  While a Dispute is pending, each Party shall continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement, unless such Party is otherwise entitled to suspend its performance hereunder or terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

ARTICLE XI

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Each Party and its Affiliates shall treat as confidential the data and information in their possession regarding the Facility, the other Parties or any Affiliate of any other Party, unless:  (a) the applicable other Party agrees in writing to the release of such data or information; (b) such data or information becomes publicly available other than through the wrongful actions of the disclosing Party or the disclosing Party’s Affiliate; (c) such data or information was in the possession of the receiving Party or the receiving Party’s Affiliate prior to receipt thereof from the disclosing Party with no corresponding confidentiality obligation; or (d) such data or information is required by Law to be disclosed.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, any Party may disclose data and information to (i) the officers, directors, managers, partners, members, employees and Affiliates of such Party, but only to the extent such Persons have a need to know such information for purposes of permitting such Party to perform its obligations hereunder, (ii) any successors in interest and permitted assigns of such Party, (iii) any actual or potential Financing Parties or actual or potential lenders to PEI or any subsidiary thereof, and (iv) any potential equity investors in such Party or its Affiliates or acquirer or potential acquirer of the Project or all or any of the equity interests in Newco or any subsidiary thereof; provided, that any Person who receives confidential data and information pursuant to an exception contained in clauses (ii) through (iv) of this Article agrees to confidentiality provisions at least as restrictive as the provisions set forth herein.

 

  

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ARTICLE XII

ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER

 

No Party shall assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the prior written consent of (a) in the case of Project Company, Kinergy, or (b) in the case of Kinergy, Project Company, provided, that any Party shall be entitled to assign its rights hereunder (as collateral security or otherwise) for financing purposes (including a collateral assignment to any Financing Parties) without the consent of any other Party.

 

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, negotiations and understandings among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a partnership or joint venture between the Parties.

 

13.2           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

13.3           Survival.  Cancellation, expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement shall not relieve the Parties of obligations that by their nature should survive such cancellation, expiration or termination, including remedies, limitations on liability, promises of indemnity and payment, and confidentiality.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following provisions of this Agreement shall survive:  Articles III, VI, VII, X and XI, and Sections 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.8 and 13.9.

 

13.4           Severability.  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The Parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic and practical effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

  

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13.5           Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

13.6           Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  This Agreement is not made for the benefit of any Person or entity not a party hereto, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as giving any Person or entity, other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

13.7           Notices.  All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given (a) upon delivery, if delivered personally, (b) the day the notice is received, if it is delivered by overnight courier or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or (c) upon the effective receipt of electronic transmission, facsimile, telex or telegram (with effective receipt being deemed to occur upon the sender’s receipt of confirmation of successful transmission of such notice or communication), to the addresses set forth below or such other address as the addressee may have specified in a notice duly given to sender as provided herein:

 

	
  

	
If to Kinergy:

 

	
  

	
Kinergy Marketing, LLC

	
  

	
400 Capitol Mall

	
  

	
Suite 2060

	
  

	
Sacramento, California  95814

	 	

Attention:  Neil Koehler

Telephone:  (916) 403-2123

Facsimile:  (916) 446-3936

 

	
  

	
with a copy to:

 

	
  

	
Kinergy Marketing, LLC

	
  

	
c/o Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	
  

	
400 Capital Mall

	
  

	
Suite 2060

	
  

	
Sacramento, CA 95814

	
  

	
Attn:  General Counsel

	
  

	
Telephone:  (916) 403-2130

	
  

	
Facsimile:  (916) 403-2785

 

  

18

  

 

	
  

	
If to Project Company:

 

	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol [__________], LLC

	
  

	
c/o JT Miller Group LLC

	
  

	
777 Campus Commons Road #200

	
  

	
Sacramento, CA 95825

	
  

	
Attn:  John Miller

	
  

	
Telephone:  (916) 565-7422

	
  

	
Facsimile:   (916) 565-7423

 

 

 

13.8           Amendment.  No Party hereto shall be bound by any termination, amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of any term hereof unless such Party shall have consented thereto in writing.

 

13.9           No Implied Waiver.  No delay or failure on the part of any Party in exercising any rights hereunder, and no partial or single exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver of such rights or of any other rights hereunder.

 

13.10           Lines of Credit.  Kinergy shall promptly notify Project Company if at any time during the term of this Agreement it does not have lines of credit available to it in an amount of not less than $5,000,000 or if an event of default shall occur and be continuing under any agreement evidencing such lines of credit.

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 

 

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Ethanol Marketing Agreement has been duly executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first written above.

 

 

	
  

	
PACIFIC ETHANOL [__________], LLC

 

 

	
  

	
By:

	                                                                    	 

	
  

	
Name:

	
  

	
Title:

 

 

 

 

 

	
  

	
KINERGY MARKETING, LLC

 

 

	
  

	
By:

	
/s/ Neil M. Koehler                             

	 

	
  

	
Name:  Neil M. Koehler

	
  

	
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

  

[Signature Page to Ethanol Marketing Agreement]  

  

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of PEI Guaranty

 

[Please see attached.]

 

  

  

  

 

Form of Parent Guaranty (Amended and Restated Ethanol Marketing Agreement)

 

[DATE]

 

Pacific Ethanol [__________], LLC

c/o JT Miller Group LLC

777 Campus Commons Road # 200

Sacramento, CA 95825

Attention: John Miller

 

Re:           Guaranty of Affiliate Project Party Obligations under Amended and Restated Ethanol Marketing Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1.           The Guaranty.  For value received, Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws  of Delaware (the “Guarantor”), hereby unconditionally and absolutely guarantees the prompt and complete payment and performance when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations and liabilities, whether now in existence or hereafter arising (the “Obligations”), of Kinergy Marketing, LLC, an Oregon limited liability company (“Affiliate Project Party”), to Pacific Ethanol [__________], LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Project Owner”), under the Amended and Restated Ethanol Marketing Agreement, dated as of ________ ___, 2011 (the “Agreement”); provided that the Guarantor’s maximum aggregate liability under this Guaranty shall not exceed the maximum amount which Affiliate Project Party owes Project Owner under the Agreement.

 

Following any demand by Project Owner for payment hereunder, the Guarantor shall pay, or cause to be paid, such Obligations within five (5) business days of receipt of such demand.  Such payments shall be made to:  [Insert Revenue Account Wire Instructions]

 

The Guarantor’s obligations hereunder are primary obligations of the Guarantor and are an absolute, unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guaranty of payment and performance and not of collectability, and are in no way conditioned on or contingent upon any attempt to enforce in whole or in part any liabilities and obligations of Affiliate Project Party or any other person.  Each failure by the Guarantor to pay or perform, as the case may be, any amounts due or any obligations under this Guaranty shall give rise to a separate cause of action hereunder, and separate suits may be brought hereunder as each cause of action arises.

 

2.           Waivers; Absolute Obligations.  The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and notice of any obligation or liability to which it may apply, and waives presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of dishonor or non-payment of any such obligation or liability, suit or the taking of other action by Project Owner against, and any other notice to, Affiliate Project Party, the Guarantor or others, notice of entry into the Agreement between Affiliate Project Party and Project Owner and of any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto; or any waiver of consent under the Agreement, including waivers of the payment and performance of the obligations thereunder; and any requirement that suit be brought against, or any other action by Project Owner be taken against, or any notice of default or other notice be given to, or any demand be made on Project Owner or any other person, or that any other action be taken or not taken as a condition to the Guarantor’s liability for the Obligations under this Guaranty or as a condition to the enforcement of this Guaranty against the Guarantor.

 

  

  

  

 

Project Owner may at any time and from time to time without notice to or consent of the Guarantor and without impairing or releasing the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder:  (1) agree with Affiliate Project Party to make any change in the terms of any obligation or liability of Affiliate Project Party to Project Owner, (2) take or fail to take any action of any kind in respect of any security for any obligation or liability of Affiliate Project Party to Project Owner, (3) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against Affiliate Project Party or others, or (4) compromise or subordinate any obligation or liability of Affiliate Project Party to Project Owner including any security therefor.

 

The liability of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
any lack of validity or enforceability of or defect or deficiency applicable to Affiliate Project Party in the Agreement or any other documents executed in connection with the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
any modification, extension or waiver of any of the terms of the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
any change in the time, manner, terms or place of payment of or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the Agreement or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection therewith; or

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
failure, omission, delay, waiver or refusal by Project Owner to exercise, in whole or in part, any tight or remedy held by Project Owner with respect to the Agreement or any transaction under the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
any change in the existence, structure or ownership of the Guarantor or Affiliate Project Party or Project Owner, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting Affiliate Project Party or its assets; or

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
any defense arising by reason of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, liquidation or dissolution proceeding commenced by or against any person, including any discharge of, or bar or stay against collecting, all or any part of the amounts due under this Guaranty (or any interest on all or any part of the amounts due under this Guaranty) in or as a result of any such proceeding, any failure of Project Owner to file a claim in any such proceeding, or the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the election by Project Owner, in any bankruptcy proceeding of any person, of the application or non-application of Section 1111(b)(2) of Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” (together with any successor statute, and all rules promulgated thereunder, the “Bankruptcy Code”), (ii) any extension of credit or the grant of any lien or encumbrance under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, (iii) any use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or (iv) any agreement or stipulation with respect to the provision of adequate protection in any bankruptcy proceeding of any person; or

 

  

  

  

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
any duty on the part of Project Owner to disclose to the Guarantor any facts Project Owner may now or hereafter know about Affiliate Project Party, regardless of whether Project Owner has reason to believe that any such facts materially increase the risk beyond that which the Guarantor intends to assume, or have reason to believe that such facts are unknown to the Guarantor, or have a reasonable opportunity to communicate such facts to the Guarantor, since the Guarantor acknowledges that the Guarantor is fully responsible for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of Affiliate Project Party and of all circumstances beating on the risk of non-payment of any amounts due or non-performance of any obligations under this Guarantor.

 

Without limiting the-foregoing, the Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives and relinquishes, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws, all rights and remedies accorded to sureties or guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such rights or remedies.

 

3.           Bankruptcy Waivers.  The Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the extent it may do so under applicable laws, any protection to which it may be entitled under Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) and 365(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or equivalent provisions of the laws or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to any proceedings, or any successor provision of law of similar import, in the event of any Act of Insolvency (as defined in the Agreement)with respect to Project Owner or Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety.  Specifically, in the event that the trustee (or similar official) in an Act of Insolvency with respect to Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety or the debtor-in-possession takes any action (including the institution of any action, suit or other proceeding for the purpose of enforcing the rights of the relevant Borrower(s), or any other guarantor or surety under this Guaranty), the Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent it may do so under applicable law, not assert any defense, claim or counterclaim denying liability hereunder on the basis that this Guaranty is an executory contract or a “financial accommodation” that cannot be assumed, assigned or enforced or on any other theory directly or indirectly based on Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) or 365(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, or equivalent provisions of the law or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to any proceedings or any successor provision of law of similar import.  If an Act of Insolvency with respect to Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety shall occur, the Guarantor agrees, after the occurrence of such Act of Insolvency, to reconfirm in writing, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, its pre-petition waiver of any protection to which it may be entitled under Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) and 365(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or equivalent provisions of the laws or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to proceedings and, to give effect to such waiver, the Guarantor consents, to the fullest extent it may do so under applicable law, to the assumption and enforcement of each provision of this Guaranty by the debtor-in-possession or the trustee in bankruptcy of Affiliate Project Party or of any other guarantor or surety, as the case may be.

 

4.           No Assignment.  The Guarantor may not assign its rights nor delegate its obligations under this Guaranty, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of Project Owner, and any purported assignment or delegation absent such consent is void, except for an assignment and delegation of all of the Guarantor’s rights and obligations hereunder in whatever form the Guarantor determines may be appropriate to a partnership, corporation, trust or other organization in whatever form that succeeds to all or substantially all of the Guarantor’s assets and business and that assumes such obligations by contract, operation of law or otherwise.  Upon any such delegation and assumption of obligations, the Guarantor shall be relieved of and fully discharged from all obligations hereunder, whether such obligations arose before or after such delegation and assumption.  Project Owner may, upon notice to the Guarantor, assign its rights hereunder (including any collateral assignment) without the consent of Guarantor to any person to which it assigns its interests in the Agreement.

 

  

  

  

 

5.           Representations and Warranties.  The Guarantor hereby represents and warrants for itself, as of the date hereof, that:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, has the corporate power and has obtained all required governmental approvals to comply with and perform its respective obligations under and enter into this Guaranty;

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
this Guaranty has been duly authorized and executed by it and constitutes its valid and legally binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally;

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
neither the execution and delivery of this Guaranty nor the compliance with its terms will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default or require any consent which has not been obtained under, any indenture, mortgage, agreement or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, or violate any of the terms or provisions of its organizational documents (including its bylaws) or any governmental approval, judgment, decree or order or any other applicable law;

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
it is, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated under this Guaranty will be, solvent; and

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
it is not executing this Guaranty with any intention to hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future creditor or creditors.

 

6.           Subrogation.  Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by the Guarantor or the exercise by Project Owner of any of the remedies provided under this Guaranty or any set-off or application of funds of the Guarantor by Project Owner, the Guarantor hereby waives all rights of subrogation with respect to payments made under this Guaranty until all of the Obligations have been paid in full.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor on account of such subrogation, such amount shall be held by the Guarantor in trust for Project Owner, segregated from other funds of the Guarantor, and shall be turned over to Project Owner, in the exact form received by the Guarantor (or duly endorsed by the Guarantor to Project Owner, if required) to be applied against such amounts in such order as Project Owner may elect.

 

  

  

  

 

7.           Notices.  All demands, notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, (a) be in writing addressed to the party receiving the notice at the address set forth below or at such other address as may be designated by written notice, from time to time, to the other party, and (b) be effective upon receipt, when mailed by U.S. mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, facsimile or personally delivered.  Notices shall be sent to the following addresses:

 

	
  

	
If to Project Owner:

 

	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol [__________], LLC

	
  

	
c/o JT Miller Group LLC

	
  

	
777 Campus Commons Road # 200

	
  

	
Sacramento, CA 95825Attention: John Miller

 

 

	
  

	
If to Guarantor:

 

	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	
  

	
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060

	
  

	
Sacramento, California 95814

	
  

	
Attn: Neil Koehler

	 	
Phone:

	
(916) 403-2123

	
  

	
Fax:

	
(916) 446-3937

 

	
  

	
with a copy to

 

	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	
  

	
400 Capital Mall, Suite 2060

	
  

	
Sacramento, CA 95814

	
  

	
Attn:

	
General Counsel

	
  

	
Fax:

	
(916) 446-3936

 

8.           Cumulative Remedies; Benefits.  No failure by Project Owner to exercise, and no delay by Project Owner in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.  The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.  Nothing in this Guaranty, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto, and each of their successors and permitted assigns under this Guaranty, any benefit or any legal or equitable right or remedy under this Guaranty.

 

9.           Reinstatement.  This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Obligations are annulled, set aside, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, rescinded or must otherwise be returned, refunded or repaid by Project Owner upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver or conservator of, or trustee for Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or any substantial part of its property or otherwise, all as though such payment or payments had not been made.

 

  

  

  

 

10.           Governing Law, etc.  (A) THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(B) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN OR NEAR NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH STATE OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(C) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY.  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

11.           Termination.  This Guaranty shall terminate on the earlier of (i) date the Agreement terminates in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the date on which the Affiliate Project Party ceases to be an Affiliate of Guarantor.

 

12.           Survivability.  If any provision of this Guaranty is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Guaranty shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

  

  

  

 

13.           Counterparts.  This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Guaranty shall become effective when it has been executed by each of the parties hereto.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

  

  

  

 

	
  

	
Very truly yours,

 

	
  

	
PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.

 

	
  

	
By:

	__________________________________________	 

 

	
  

	
Name: Neil M. Koehler

	
  

	
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Acknowledged and Accepted by:

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL [__________], LLC

 

	
By:

	_____________________________________	 

	
  

	
Name:

	
  

	
Title

 

 

  

  

  

Exhibit B

 

Operating Protocol

 

 

Pacific Ethanol [__________], LLC ([___]) will by the end of day Monday each week submit to Kinergy Marketing, LLC (Kinergy) a 12 week production forecast, (see attached example) that includes weekly production and scheduled maintenance downtime. [___] will promptly notify Kinergy of any unscheduled downtime or other event or circumstance that will affect forecasted production.

 

Kinergy will by end of day Tuesday each week submit to [___] a 12 week sales forecast in a format similar to the production forecast. Kinergy will by end of day Friday each week submit to [___] a weekly Truck and Barge schedule for the following week. Changes to the weekly truck and barge schedule will be communicated to [____] as the changes are identified.

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit C

 

Certain Customers

 

 

	
Name

	
Address

	
Address 2

	
City

	
State

	
ZIP Code

	
ABI Motor Sports

	
P.O. Box 3151

	  	
Clovis

	
CA

	
93613

	
Archer Daniels Midland Co

	
P.O. Box 1470

	  	
Decatur

	
IL

	
62525

	
Arizona Petroleum

	
DBA:  Colorado Petroleum

	
4080 Globeville Road

	
Denver

	
CO

	
80216

	
ArmorStruxx LLC

	
PO Box 2060

	  	
Lodi

	
CA

	
95241

	
Apex Oil Co Inc

	
23901 Calabasas Road  Ste 2090

	  	
Calabasas

	
CA

	
91302

	
BP West Coast Products LLC

	
6 Centerpointe Drive

	  	
La Palma

	
CA

	
90623-2502

	
BioUrja Trading LLC

	
757 N. Eldridge Pkwy Ste 620

	  	
Houston

	
Tx

	
77079

	
Big West Oil LLC

	
P.O. Box 150310

	  	
Ogden

	
UT

	
84415

	
Stan Boyett and Son Inc

	
DBA:  Boyett Petroleum

	
601 McHenry Ave

	
Modesto

	
CA

	
95350

	
CAF LLC

	
P.O. Box 1121

	  	
Maple Valley

	
WA

	
98038

	
Chevron Products

	
6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd

	  	
San Ramon

	
CA

	
94583

	
CHS Inc.

	
5500 Cenex Dr

	  	
Inner Grove Heights

	
MN

	
55077

	
Conoco Phillips

	
600 North Dairy Ashford

	  	
Houston

	
TX

	
77079

	
Coast Oil Company

	
4250 Williams Rd

	  	
San Jose

	
CA

	
95129

	
DAT's Trucking Inc

	
321 N Old Hwy 91

	  	
Hurricane

	
UT

	
84737

	
ECO Energy

	
730 Cool Springs Blvd, Ste 130

	  	
Franklin

	
TN

	
37067

	
ExxonMobil Oil Corporation

	
3225 Gallows Rd  RM 3B1417

	  	
Fairfax

	
VA

	
22037-00004

	
Gavilon Group LLC - Conagra

	
11 ConAgra Dr Ste 5021

	  	
Omaha

	
NE

	
68102

	
Holly Refining and Marketing

	
Company, LLC

	
100 Crescent Court, Suite 1600

	
Dallas

	
TX

	
75201

	
Hunt & Sons, Inc.

	
5750 S Watt Ave

	  	
Sacramento

	
CA

	
95829

	
Idemitsu Apollo Corporation

	
1831 16th Street

	  	
Sacramento

	
CA

	
95814

	
IPC  (USA) Inc.

	
20 Pacifica Ste 650

	  	
Irvine

	
CA

	
92618

	
Jaco Oil Co.

	
P O Box 82515

	  	
Bakersfield

	
CA

	
93380-2515

	
Kempler & Co Inc

	
233 Broadway Ste 2705

	  	
New York

	
New York

	
10279

	
Kern Oil & Refining Co.

	
Attn:  Gloria Gutierrez

	
7724 East Panama Lane

	
Bakersfield

	
CA

	
93307

	
Lansing Ethanol Services

	
9900 W 109th St

	
Ste 400

	
Overland Park

	
KS

	
66210

	
LiquidTitan LLC

	
139 South Marina Street

	  	
Prescott

	
AZ

	
86303

	
Maverik Inc

	
P.O. Box 8008

	
1014 S Washington

	
Afton

	
WY

	
83110-8008

	
Mieco Inc

	
301 East Ocean Blvd Ste 1100

	  	
Long Beach

	
CA

	
90802

 

 

  

  

  

 

	
Mansfield Oil Company of

	
Gainesville Inc

	
1025 Airport Pkwy SW

	
Gainesville

	
Georgia

	
30501-6813

	
Montana Refining Company Inc

	
1900 10th  St NE

	  	
Great Falls

	
MT

	
59404

	
Murex N.A. LTD

	
5057 Keller Springs Rd

	
Suite 150

	
Addison

	
TX

	
75001

	
Noble Americas Corp

	
333 Ludlow St Suite 1230

	  	
Stamford

	
CT

	
6902

	
Nella Oil Co., LLC

	
2360 Lindbergh Street

	  	
Auburn

	
CA

	
95602

	
Navajo Refining Company LLC

	
100 Crescent Court

	
Suite 1600

	
Dallas

	
TX

	
75201

	
New West Petroleum

	
1831 16Th Street

	  	
Sacramento

	
CA

	
95811

	
Propel Biofuels Inc

	
2317 Broadway Ste 350

	  	
Redwood City

	
CA

	
94063

	
Petro Diamond Inc.

	
18401 Von Karman Ave

	
Suite 300

	
Irvine

	
Ca

	
92612

	
Pro Petroleum Inc.

	
Attn Lisa Owens

	
P O Box 10128

	
Lubbock

	
TX

	
79416

	
QuikTrip Corp.

	
PO Box 3475

	  	
Tulsa

	
OK

	
74101

	
River City Petroleum

	
P O Box 235

	
840 Delta Lane

	
West Sacramento

	
CA

	
95691

	
Rebel Oil

	
2200 South Highland

	  	
Las Vegas

	
NV

	
89102

	
Renova Energy LLC

	
950 W Bannock St Ste 500

	  	
Boise

	
Idaho

	
83702

	
R.H. Smith Distributing Co

	
315 E. Wine Country Road

	  	
Grandview

	
WA

	
98930

	
Robinson Oil

	
955 Martin Avenue

	  	
Santa Clara

	
CA

	
95050

	
RPMG Inc

	
1157 Valley Park Dr #100

	  	
Shakopee

	
MN

	
55379

	
Southern Counties Oil Co.

	
P O Box 4159

	  	
Orange

	
CA

	
92863-4159

	
Silver Eagle Refining Inc

	
2355 So 1100 West

	  	
Woods Cross

	
Utah

	
84087

	
Shell Oil Products U.S.

	
909 Fannin

	
Plaza Level1

	
Houston

	
TX

	
77010

	
Sinclair Oil Corporation

	
550 E South Temple

	  	
Salt Lake City

	
UT

	
84102

	
SolJet LLC

	
DBA DealJet

	
125 N 53rd Ave

	
Phoenix

	
AZ

	
85043

	
Space Age Fuel Inc.

	
P.O. Box 1429

	  	
Clackamas

	
OR

	
97015

	
Self-Serve Petroleum

	
1045 Airport Blvd

	  	
South San Francisco

	
CA

	
94080

	
Stinker Stores Inc.

	
PO Box 7627

	  	
Boise

	
ID

	
83707

	
Supreme Oil Co.

	
PO Box 84717

	  	
San Diego

	
CA

	
92138

	
Tesoro Refining and Marketing

	
19100 Ridgewood Pkwy

	  	
San Antonio

	
TX

	
78259

	
Tower Energy Group

	
1983 West 190th St.

	
Suite 100

	
Torrance

	
CA

	
90504

	
Valero Marketing

	
P O Box 696000

	  	
San Antonio

	
TX

	
78269-6000

	
Vitol Incorporated

	
1100 Louisana Suite 5500

	  	
Houston

	
Texas

	
77002

	
Wilcox & Flegel Oil Co

	
PO Box 69

	  	
Longview

	
WA

	
98632

	
Western Ethanol Company LLC

	
1075 Yorba Place #101

	  	
Placentia

	
CA

	
92870

	
Western Refining Co LP

	
123 W Mills Ave Ste 200

	  	
El Paso

	
Texas

	
79901

	
Western Energetix

	
2360 Lindbergh Street

	  	
Auburn

	
CA

	
95602

 

  

  

  

 

Exhibit D

 

Benchmarking

 

 

  

  

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

BENCHMARK 

 

We propose the following example benchmarks and monitor criteria. Modifications to the benchmarks are expected to be made periodically as appropriate to reflect with changes in commodity market environments and in company purchase/sales contract pricing mechanisms.     

 

	
Commodity/Facility 

	
PEHC actual data 

	
Benchmark 

	
Market Data Provider 

	 	
Possible  Discrepancy Reasons/Noises 

	
ETHANOL 

	  	  	  	 	  
	
  PECOL 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS Pacific Northwest 

	
Posting as provided by 

	a)	
Fixed price contracts 

	 	sales price 	 	Oil Price 	b) 	
Other Price index

	
  PEMV 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS Chicago 

	Information Service 	c)	
Shipments distribution in a highly volatile market

	 	sales price 	 	(OPIS)  	d) 	Other accounting adjustments items 
	
  PES 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS LA CI-90 

	  	 	
 

	 	sales price 	 	 	 	 
	
CORN 

	 	 	 	 	 
	
  ALL 

	
Corn CBOT 

	
Delivered basis = FOB 

	
Trade West report 

	a)	
Fixed futures as a result of hedge  

	 	equivalent 	Midwest + freight 	 	b)	
Contracts based on corn futures other than nearby futures (Usually, this happens a couple of weeks before current future contract expires 

	 	 	 	 	c)	
Uneven distribution of corn consumptions (such as shut down) in a highly volatile market 

	
WDG/Syrup 

	  	  	  	 	  
	
  ALL 

	
Plant co-product 

	
WDG Value as a % of 

	
FC Stone Co-product 

	a)	
Fixed price contracts 

	 	netback	Plant delivered corn on	report	
b)

	Hedge activities
	 	 	DDG equivalent basis 	 	c)	
WDG freight 

 

  

  

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

ETHANOL  

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant Sales

Netback 

	  	
Basis

(netback) 

	
Benchmark 

	
Actual vs. 

Benchmark 

	
PECOL 

	  	
OPIS PNW 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.42 

	
2.42 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.38 

	
1.4% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.45 

	
2.50 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.46 

	
-0.2% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.60 

	
2.63 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.59 

	
0.5% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.73 

	
2.76 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.72 

	
0.2% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	
OPIS Chicago 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.38 

	
2.32 

	
0.01 

	
2.33 

	
2.1% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.47 

	
2.43 

	
0.01 

	
2.44 

	
1.5% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.54 

	
2.50 

	
0.01 

	
2.51 

	
1.2% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.65 

	
2.65 

	
0.01 

	
2.66 

	
-0.2% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	
OPISLA CI-90 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.47 

	
2.46 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.45 

	
1.0% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.57 

	
2.53 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.52 

	
2.1% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.68 

	
2.66 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.65 

	
0.9% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.80 

	
2.80 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.79 

	
0.1% 

 

  

  

  

   

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

CORN 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant CBOT 

Equivalent 

	
Plant basis 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/bu 

	
Market 

	
Actual vs. 

Market 

	
PECOL 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.27 

	
0.563 

	
6.83 

	
7.18 

	
(0.35) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.56 

	
0.595 

	
7.15 

	
7.74 

	
(0.59) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.68 

	
0.519 

	
7.20 

	
7.64 

	
(0.44) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.22 

	
0.496 

	
7.71 

	
8.35 

	
(0.64) 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.34 

	
0.650 

	
6.99 

	
7.04 

	
(0.06) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.87 

	
0.650 

	
7.52 

	
7.60 

	
(0.08) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.90 

	
0.563 

	
7.46 

	
7.50 

	
(0.04) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.38 

	
0.639 

	
8.02 

	
8.20 

	
(0.18) 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.22 

	
0.656 

	
6.88 

	
7.18 

	
(0.30) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.76 

	
0.663 

	
7.42 

	
7.74 

	
(0.32) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.74 

	
0.619 

	
7.36 

	
7.65 

	
(0.28) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.21 

	
0.687 

	
7.90 

	
8.36 

	
(0.46) 

 

  

  

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

CO PRODUCTS  

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant Co-product 

$/ton Netback 

	
Plant Co-product 

DM 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/bu 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/ton 

	
WDG Value 

% of Corn (1) 

	
PECOL 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
56.62 

	
30% 

	
6.83 

	
243.91 

	
69.2% 

	
Feb-11 

	
56.85 

	
30% 

	
7.15 

	
255.37 

	
66.4% 

	
Mar-11 

	
60.80 

	
31% 

	
7.20 

	
257.06 

	
68.0% 

	
Apr-11 

	
61.97 

	
31% 

	
7.71 

	
275.44 

	
65.3% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
61.90 

	
32% 

	
6.99 

	
249.48 

	
70.5% 

	
Feb-11 

	
67.04 

	
32% 

	
7.52 

	
268.48 

	
71.0% 

	
Mar-11 

	
69.53 

	
32% 

	
7.46 

	
266.45 

	
74.3% 

	
Apr-11 

	
71.74 

	
32% 

	
8.02 

	
286.40 

	
70.5% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
59.21 

	
33% 

	
6.88 

	
245.68 

	
65.4% 

	
Feb-11 

	
59.94 

	
33% 

	
7.42 

	
264.98 

	
61.4% 

	
Mar-11 

	
67.17 

	
33% 

	
7.36 

	
262.95 

	
70.3% 

	
Apr-11 

	
71.47 

	
32% 

	
7.90 

	
282.00 

	
70.5% 

 

(1)DDG equivalent, adjusted to standard 90% dry matterpaceth_8k-ex1003.htm

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

[FORM OF]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

[__________] AGREEMENT

 

by and between

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL [_________]

 

and

 

PACIFIC AG. PRODUCTS, LLC

 

Dated as of June 30, 2011

 

 

 

  

  

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
ARTICLE I  DEFINITIONS 

	1
	
1.1

	
Definitions

	
1

	
1.2

	
Interpretation

	
5

	 	 	 
	
ARTICLE II  AGREEMENT

	
5

	
2.1

	
Agreement

	
5

	
2.2

	
Entire Agreement

	
6

	 	 	 
	
ARTICLE III  CORN PROCUREMENT

	
6

	
3.1

	
Appointment and Acceptance; Performance of Obligations.

	
6

	
3.2

	
Limitations on Authority.

	
6

	
3.3

	
Obligations of [Plant Owner]

	
7

	
3.4

	
Transaction Reports

	
7

	
3.5

	
Delivery Point; Operating Protocol; Nominations; Measurement.

	
7

	
3.6

	
Benchmarking

	
8

	 	 
	
ARTICLE IV  COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT

	
8

	
4.1

	
Fees and Payments.

	
8

	
4.2

	
Overdue Payments; Indemnity Payments.

	
9

	
4.3

	
Billing Dispute

	
9

	
4.4

	
Audit

	
9

	 	 
	
ARTICLE V  TERM

	
10

	
5.1

	
Term

	
10

	
5.2

	
[Plant Owner] Defaults and PAP Remedies

	
10

	
5.3

	
PAP Defaults and [Plant Owner] Remedies

	
10

	
5.4

	
Change of Control

	
11

	
5.5

	
Replacement

	
11

	 	 
	
ARTICLE VI  INSURANCE

	
11

	
6.1

	
PAP Insurance

	
11

	
6.2

	
PAP Insurance Premiums and Deductibles

	
12

	 	 
	
ARTICLE VII  INDEMNIFICATION

	
13

	
7.1

	
[Plant Owner]’s Indemnity

	
13

	
7.2

	
PAP’s Indemnity

	
13

	 	 
	
ARTICLE VIII  LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES

	
13

	
8.1

	
No Consequential or Punitive Damages

	
13

 

 

  

i

  

 

 

	
ARTICLE IX  CONFIDENTIALITY

	
13

	 	 
	
ARTICLE X  FORCE MAJEURE

	
14

	
10.1

	
Events Constituting Force Majeure

	
14

	
10.2

	
Effect

	
14

	
10.3

	
Limitations

	
14

	 	 	 
	
ARTICLE XI  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

	
15

	
11.1

	
Attempts to Settle

	
15

	
11.2

	
Resolution by Expert

	
15

	
11.3

	
Arbitration

	
15

	
11.4

	
Consequential and Punitive Damages

	
15

	
11.5

	
Finality and Enforcement of Decision

	
16

	
11.6

	
Costs

	
16

	
11.7

	
Continuing Performance Obligations

	
16

	 	 	 
	ARTICLE XII  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 	
16

	
12.1

	
Assignment

	
16

	
12.2

	
Cooperation in Financing

	
16

	
12.3

	
Not for Benefit of Third Parties

	
16

	
12.4

	
Amendments

	
16

	
12.5

	
Survival

	
16

	
12.6

	
No Waiver

	
17

	
12.7

	
Notices

	
17

	
12.8

	
Representations and Warranties.

	
17

	
12.9

	
Counterparts and Execution

	
19

	
12.10

	
Governing Law

	
19

	
12.11

	
Severability

	
19

	
12.12

	
Successors and Assigns

	
19

	
12.13

	
Captions; Appendices

	
19

EXHIBIT

 

Exhibit A:                     Specifications

Exhibit B:                      Form of PEI Guaranty

Exhibit C:                      Operating Protocol

Exhibit D:                      Benchmarking

 

 

  

ii

  

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CORN PROCUREMENT AND HANDLING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 30, 2011 by and between Pacific Ethanol [_________], a Delaware limited liability company (“[Plant Owner]”), and Pacific Ag. Products, LLC, a California limited liability company (“PAP”).  [Plant Owner] and PAP are each individually referred to herein as a “Party”, and collectively are referred to herein as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

A.           The Parties hereto were previously party to that certain Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement, dated as of [________], 2010 (the “Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which PAP provided certain services to [Plant Owner].

 

B.           PAP provides grain services for denatured fuel ethanol production facilities.

 

C.           [________] owns an approximately [____] million gallons-per-year denatured fuel ethanol production facility in [______], [_______] (the “Facility”) and has requested that PAP procure corn for the Facility.

 

D.           The Parties desire to amend and restate in its entirety the Prior Agreement and enter into this Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement pursuant to which PAP will provide such procurement and handling services.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1           Definitions.  The following terms shall have the meanings set forth below when used in this Agreement:

 

“Act of Insolvency” means, with respect to any Person, any of the following:  (a) commencement by such Person of a voluntary proceeding under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law; (b) the filing of an involuntary proceeding against such Person under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law which is not vacated within 60 days after such filing; (c) the admission by such Person of the material allegations of any petition filed against it in any proceeding under any jurisdiction’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law; (d) the adjudication of such Person as bankrupt or insolvent or the winding up or dissolution of such Person; (e) the making by such Person of a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors (assignments for a solvent financing excluded); (f) such Person fails or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (g) the appointment of a receiver or an administrator for all or a substantial portion of such Person’s assets, which receiver or administrator, if appointed without the consent of such Person, is not discharged within 60 days after its appointment; or (h) the occurrence of any event analogous to any of the foregoing with respect to such Person occurring in any jurisdiction.

 

  

1

  

“Affiliate” of a specified Person means any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified.  The term “control” means the ownership, either direct or indirect, of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the voting securities (or comparable equity interests) or other ownership interests of a Person, or the possession, either direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or any other means whatsoever.

 

“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement, including all Appendices, as the same may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

“Asset Management Agreement” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Asset Management Agreement by and among PEI, Pacific Ethanol Stockton, LLC, Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC, Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC and Pacific Ethanol Magic Valley, LLC, dated as of June 30, 2011, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Bilateral Transaction” means, with respect to corn purchased by PAP for delivery to [Plant Owner], a transaction entered into by PAP with one or more Third Parties consisting of one or more forward sales of corn.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in Sacramento, California or New York, New York are required or authorized to be closed.

 

“Change of Control” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

“Control” means, when used with respect to any Person, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership or voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Corn Procurement and Handling Fee” means, as payment for the solicitation, proposal, negotiation and documentation of Bilateral Transactions and Grain Handling Services, $0.045 per bushel of corn delivered to [Plant Owner] pursuant to Bilateral Transactions.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by and among Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC, Pacific Ethanol Columbia, LLC, Pacific Ethanol Magic Valley, LLC, and Pacific Ethanol Stockton, LLC, as Borrowers, Pacific Ethanol Holding Co. LLC, as Borrowers’ Agent, WestLB AG, New York Branch, as the administrative agent and the collateral agent, and the lenders parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Dispute” means a dispute, controversy or claim.

 

“Effective Date” means June 30, 2011.

 

  

2

  

“Environmental Law” means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, order, decree, legally binding directive or requirement, or any similar form of decision of or determination by, or any interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by a Governmental Authority, relating to the environment, health or safety as affected by the environment or any Hazardous Materials as now or hereinafter in effect.

 

“Expert” means an expert having sufficient technical expertise to address the matter subject to a Dispute.

 

“Extension Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1.

 

“Financing Documents” means any and all loan agreements, credit agreements (including the Credit Agreement), reimbursement agreements, notes, indentures, bonds, security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, guarantee documents, intercreditor agreements, subscription agreements, equity contribution agreements and other agreements and instruments relating to the financing (or refinancing) of the operation, ownership and maintenance of the Facility.

 

“Financing Parties” means the banks, lenders, noteholders and/or other financial institutions (or an agent or trustee thereof) party to the Financing Documents.

 

“Force Majeure Event” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section ‎10.1.

 

“Good Industry Practice” means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the corn procurement and handling industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition.  “Good Industry Practice” is not limited to a single set of optimum practices, methods or acts to the exclusion of others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices, methods or acts generally accepted in the region.

 

“Governmental Authority” means any United States federal, state, municipal, local, territorial, or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, regulatory authority, instrumentality, judicial or administrative body.

 

 “Grain Handling Services” means (a) receiving, unloading and conveying corn into the Storage Silos, (b) in the case of whole corn delivered to [Plant Owner], processing and hammering such whole corn and (c) conveying corn to the surge bin at the Facility.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, and transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls; (b) any chemicals, materials or substances which are now or hereafter become defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restricted hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “pollution,” “pollutants,” “regulated substances,” or works of similar import, under the Environmental Laws, including but not limited to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.); the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.); the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.); the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.); the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.); or in the regulations promulgated pursuant to said laws; or (c) any other chemical, material, substance or waste declared to be hazardous, toxic, or polluting material by any Governmental Authority, exposure to which is now or hereafter prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority.

 

  

3

  

“Late Payment Rate” means a rate of interest per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus two percent (2%).

 

“Law” means any law (including any Environmental Law), statute, act, legislation, bill, enactment, policy, treaty, international agreement, ordinance, judgment, injunction, award, decree, rule, regulation, interpretation, determination, requirement, writ or order of any Governmental Authority.

 

“Liabilities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.1.

 

“Loading/Offloading Facilities” means the rail spurs, barge and/or truck docks located at the Facility, and all grain and grain products loading and unloading equipment, including, but not limited to, all conveyors, lifts and elevators used in connection with movement of grain and grain products in and out of the Storage Silos.

 

“Monthly Date” means the last Business Day of each calendar month.

 

“NewCo” means New PE Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the indirect owner on the date hereof of all the equity interests in [Plant Owner].

 

“PAP” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble.

 

“PAP Indemnified Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2.

 

“PAP’s Parties” means and includes, but is not limited to, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors, invitees, and other Persons under PAP’s Control or direction.

 

“Party” and “Parties” have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Preamble.

 

“PEI” means Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Permits” means all permits, authorizations, registrations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, orders, judgments, written interpretations, decrees, licenses, exemptions, publications, filings, notices to and declarations of or with, or required by, any Governmental Authority, or required by any Law, and shall include all environmental and operating permits and licenses that are required for the full use, occupancy, zoning and operation of the Facility.

 

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, business, trust, government or political subdivision thereof, governmental agency or other entity.

 

“[Plant Owner]” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble.

 

  

4

  

“[Plant Owner] Indemnified Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.1.

 

“[Plant Owner]’s Parties” means and includes, but is not limited to, employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors, invitees, and other Persons under [Plant Owner]’s Control or direction.

 

“Prime Rate” means the rate per annum listed as the “Prime Rate” in the “Money Rates” section of the Wall Street Journal from time to time.

 

“Prior Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

 

 “Services” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.

 

“Storage Silos” means the grain storage silos located at the Facility.

 

“Third Party” means any Person (other than PEI or a subsidiary thereof) that enters into a Bilateral Transaction with PAP.

 

1.2           Interpretation.  The following interpretations and rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement:  (a) titles and headings are for convenience only and will not be deemed part of this Agreement for purposes of interpretation; (b) unless otherwise stated, references in this Agreement to “Sections,” “Appendices” or “Articles” refer, respectively, to Sections, Appendices or Articles of this Agreement; (c) ”including” means “including, but not limited to”, and “include” or “includes” means “include, without limitation” or “includes, without limitation”; (d) ”hereunder”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereof’, when used in this Agreement, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to a particular Section or clause of this Agreement; (e) in the case of defined terms, the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (f) unless otherwise indicated, all accounting terms not specifically defined shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices in the United States; (g) unless otherwise indicated, each reference to a particular Law is a reference to such Law as it may be amended, modified, extended, restated or supplemented from time to time, as well as to any successor Law thereto; (h) unless otherwise indicated, references to agreements shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, supplements and other modifications thereto; and (i) unless otherwise indicated, each reference to any Person shall include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns.

 

ARTICLE II

AGREEMENT

 

2.1           Agreement.  [Plant Owner] has engaged PAP to (i) solicit, negotiate, enter into and administer, on behalf of [Plant Owner], corn supply arrangements necessary and sufficient to allow [Plant Owner] to procure corn necessary to operate the Facility and (ii) provide Grain Handling Services at the Facility as more specifically described herein (collectively, the “Services”).

 

  

5

  

2.2           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, negotiations and understandings among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating a partnership or joint venture between the Parties.

 

ARTICLE III

CORN PROCUREMENT

 

3.1           Appointment and Acceptance; Performance of Obligations.

 

(a)          Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in furtherance of PAP’s obligation to perform the Services, [Plant Owner] hereby appoints PAP as its agent, with effect from and after the Effective Date, having such authority as may be necessary for it to perform the Services including the authority to take actions and execute documents in the name of [Plant Owner], and PAP accepts such appointment and agrees to perform its duties under this Agreement.  On and after the Effective Date, [Plant Owner] shall have the right by notice to PAP to revoke or rescind all or any part of the authority granted to PAP hereunder or otherwise reduce or restrict the scope of the Services.

 

(b)          PAP shall perform Services hereunder in all material respects in accordance with this Agreement, applicable Laws, applicable Permits and Good Industry Practice and with the intent to minimize the cost of corn to [Plant Owner].

 

3.2           Limitations on Authority.

 

(a)          PAP shall solicit, negotiate and administer Bilateral Transactions on general terms and conditions that have been established pursuant to the operating protocol established pursuant to Section ‎3.5(b) and subject to the limitations contained in this Section ‎3.2. PAP shall communicate to prospective corn suppliers that all proposals for Bilateral Transactions are subject to the conditions set forth in clause (c) below and any other conditions agreed by the Parties in the operating protocol.

 

(b)          PAP, as agent for [Plant Owner] or otherwise on behalf of [Plant Owner], shall not and shall cause each of its agents, employees and representatives not to enter into or execute any Bilateral Transaction or any other transaction in respect of the procurement of corn for the Facility having a term greater then one hundred eighty (180) days or otherwise involving forward purchases or sales of corn for more then one hundred eighty (180) days, in each case without the prior written consent of [Plant Owner], which consent may be withheld by [Plant Owner] in its discretion.

 

(c)          PAP, as agent for [Plant Owner] or otherwise on behalf of [Plant Owner], shall not and shall cause each of its agents, employees and representatives not to:  (i) enter into, execute, suspend or terminate (or accept any termination of), (ii) amend, modify or supplement, (iii) give or accept waivers with respect to or (iv) take any action or omit to take any action with respect to, any Bilateral Transaction between [Plant Owner] and a Third Party, that would result in a violation of or a default under any Financing Document, unless the consent of the necessary Financing Party or Financing Parties, as the case may be, has theretofore been obtained by [Plant Owner].

 

  

6

  

(d)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, PAP shall not (i) solicit or propose any Bilateral Transaction with any Third Party that is the subject of an Act of Insolvency, (ii) solicit or propose any Bilateral Transaction which provides for the provision of corn in excess of the amount of corn required by [Plant Owner] (after giving effect to [Plant Owner]’s existing contractual obligations and the scheduling provisions set forth in Section ‎3.5(b) below), or (iii) enter into Bilateral Transactions in its name.

 

(e)          In the event of a breach or default by a Third Party under any Bilateral Transaction, PAP shall promptly notify [Plant Owner] of any such breach and default and provide [Plant Owner] from time to time with reasonably detailed information in respect of the same (including copies of all written communications in respect thereof).  In the event of any such breach or default, PAP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to procure replacement corn.

 

(f)          [Plant Owner] and PAP expressly acknowledge and agree that:  (i) this Agreement does not convey ownership or control over all or any part of the Facility from [Plant Owner] to PAP; and (ii) [Plant Owner] retains ultimate decision-making authority relating to the operation of the Facility, which authority may be exercised by [Plant Owner] in its discretion, provided that, except as otherwise specifically instructed by written direction from [Plant Owner] to PAP, PAP shall exercise its authority and fulfill its responsibility to perform the Services.

 

3.3           Obligations of [Plant Owner].  [Plant Owner] shall provide PAP with all information reasonably requested by PAP, and [Plant Owner] shall assist PAP as reasonably requested in connection with the Services provided hereunder.  At the request of [Plant Owner], PAP will cause PEI to execute and deliver and maintain in full force and effect a guaranty in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

3.4           Transaction Reports.  Within 30 days after each Monthly Date occurring after the Effective Date, PAP shall deliver to [Plant Owner] a written summary of the Bilateral Transactions which were entered into or performed, in whole or in part, during the month ending on such Monthly Date.

 

3.5           Delivery Point; Operating Protocol; Nominations; Measurement.

 

(a)          PAP shall arrange for corn purchased pursuant to Bilateral Transactions to be delivered to [Plant Owner] at the truck, barge and/or rail receiving basin at the Facility specified  in the operating protocol described in Section ‎3.5(b).

 

(b)          PAP and [Plant Owner] shall use the agreed operating protocol with respect to the mechanics, timing and process for (i) determining how much corn is required to be purchased on any particular day from Third Parties, (ii) guidelines for the transmittal of solicitations or proposal of Bilateral Transactions and [Plant Owner]’s response to such solicitation or proposal, (iii) [Plant Owner] to communicate to PAP its corn requirements on a monthly, weekly and daily basis, (iv) determining the quantity of corn to be stored in the Storage Silos, and (v) administering the corn purchases contemplated by this Agreement.  By mutual agreement, such operating protocol shall be updated from time to time thereafter.  A copy of such protocol is attached hereto as Exhibit C.

 

  

7

  

(c)          All corn supplied under this Agreement shall conform to the minimum specifications set forth on Exhibit A hereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if PAP supplies the Facility with corn that fails to meet the minimum specifications set forth on Exhibit A and such failure was not caused by PAP, such failure will not be a breach of this Agreement provided that (x) PAP shall pursue any and all damages, price reductions and price refunds from the applicable Third Party with respect to any such failure and pass on such damages, price reductions and price refunds to [Plant Owner], (y) in the event of any such failure, PAP shall use commercially reasonable efforts to procure replacement corn and (z) in any event, PAP will not enter into any Bilateral Transactions which provide for a baseline corn quality that is materially worse than the minimum specifications set forth on Exhibit A.

 

(d)          On or before the date that is fifteen days prior to the end of a calendar month, [Plant Owner] shall provide PAP with a forecast of its projected monthly corn requirements for the following month.

 

(e)          PAP agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to procure corn according to “first official grades” performed at time of loading, and PAP shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the corn conforms to the standards of #2 Yellow Corn, as determined by the National Grain & Feed Association.  PAP shall have the right to collect samples of each shipment of corn delivered to [Plant Owner] under Bilateral Transactions at the point of unloading.  [Plant Owner] shall have the right, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times and at its expense, to request copies of the “first official grades” documentation that accompanies every shipment to confirm that the corn delivered to it under Bilateral Transactions meets the requirements of such Bilateral Transactions and the requirements of Section ‎3.5(b).

 

3.6           Benchmarking.  PAP shall furnish on a monthly basis a report benchmarking its performance in accordance with Exhibit D.

 

ARTICLE IV

COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT

 

As compensation to PAP for the performance of its services hereunder, [Plant Owner] shall pay PAP, in the manner and at the times specified in this ‎Article IV, the Corn Procurement and Handling Fee, all as further described herein.

 

4.1           Fees and Payments.

 

(a)          Following the last Business Day of each calendar month (each calendar month being referred to herein as a “Payment Period”) and within 15 days following receipt of an invoice from PAP in respect of such Payment Period, [Plant Owner] shall pay to PAP an amount equal to the Corn Procurement and Handling Fee for such Payment Period; provided, however, that [Plant Owner] shall not be required to make payments to PAP in respect of any Bilateral Transactions for which [Plant Owner] has not received corn from the corresponding Third Party.  In connection with each such invoice, PAP shall deliver to [Plant Owner] a statement detailing its calculations of the applicable Corn Procurement and Handling Fee.

 

  

8

  

(b)          If PAP defaults in its obligation to provide Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, then [Plant Owner] shall be entitled to set-off and deduct from current and/or future payments owed to PAP by [Plant Owner] an amount equal to the amount of any damage payments owed by PAP to [Plant Owner] as a result of PAP’s failure to perform hereunder.

 

4.2           Overdue Payments; Indemnity Payments.

 

(a)          If any Party shall fail to make any payment when due hereunder, such overdue payment shall accrue interest at the Late Payment Rate from the date originally due until the date paid.

 

(b)          Any indemnification payments received by PAP from a Third Party in respect of a Bilateral Transaction shall be paid to [Plant Owner] on or before the next payment date as determined in accordance with Section ‎4.1.

 

4.3           Billing Dispute.  If [Plant Owner] or PAP, in good faith, disputes the amount of any payment received by it or to be paid by it or set-off pursuant to Section ‎4.1 above, the disputing Party shall immediately notify the other Party of the basis for the dispute.  The Parties will then meet and use their best efforts to resolve any such dispute.  If any amount is ultimately determined to be due to or permitted to be set-off by [Plant Owner] or PAP (as the case may be), to the extent not previously paid or set-off, (a) PAP (or [Plant Owner], as the case may be) shall pay such amount to [Plant Owner] (or PAP, as the case may be) within five Business Days of such determination or (b) PAP (or [Plant Owner], as the case may be) may then set-off such amount (as the case may be).

 

4.4           Audit.  Notwithstanding the payment of any amount pursuant to this ‎Article IV, [Plant Owner] shall remain entitled (upon reasonable prior notice, at reasonable times and at PAP’s corporate offices) and the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement (and its consultants, as directed by the administrative agent) shall be entitled (upon reasonable prior notice, not more than once per calendar quarter and at PAP’s corporate offices) to conduct a subsequent audit and review of (a) all Bilateral Transactions and related records to verify the amount of gross payments and damage payments and (b) the determination and calculation of the Corn Procurement and Handling Fee, for a period of two years from and after the end of the applicable Payment Period.  If, pursuant to such audit and review, it is determined that any amount previously paid by [Plant Owner] to PAP was in excess of the amounts which should have been paid to PAP, [Plant Owner] shall advise PAP indicating such amount and the reason the amount should not have been paid by [Plant Owner] and, subject to the next two sentences, PAP shall pay such amount to [Plant Owner] within five Business Days of such request along with interest accrued at the Late Payment Rate from the date originally paid until the date repaid to [Plant Owner].  If the Parties do not agree with respect to any item so noted, the Parties will then meet and use their best efforts to resolve the dispute.  If the Parties are not able to resolve issues raised by such an audit and review, any disputed items will be resolved in accordance with the provisions of ‎Article XI.

 

  

9

  

ARTICLE V

TERM

 

5.1           Term.  This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms, shall continue in effect until and including June 30, 2012; provided, that either [Plant Owner] or PAP may extend this Agreement for additional one year periods, in each case by written notice to the other (an “Extension Notice”) delivered not less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the original or renewal term, provided further that this Agreement shall nonetheless terminate if the recipient of any such Extension Notice rejects such Extension Notice not more than fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Extension Notice.

 

5.2           [Plant Owner] Defaults and PAP Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, PAP may exercise such rights and remedies as may be available to it at law or in equity, including the right to terminate this Agreement, by written notice to [Plant Owner], provided, that no such notice shall be required for a termination pursuant to clause (c) of this Section ‎5.2:

 

(a)          the failure by [Plant Owner] to make any payment, deposit or transfer required hereunder within thirty (30) days after the date such payment, deposit or transfer is due, and such failure continues for fifteen (15) days after receipt of written notice from PAP of such failure;

 

(b)          the failure of any statement, representation or warranty made by [Plant Owner] in this Agreement to have been correct in any material respect when made if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on [Plant Owner]’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)          the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency with respect to [Plant Owner]; or

 

(d)          the failure of [Plant Owner] to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement and such failure continues for 30 days after receipt of written notice from PAP of such failure; provided, that such 30-day period shall be extended for up to an aggregate of 90 days so long as [Plant Owner] is diligently attempting to cure such failure.

 

5.3           PAP Defaults and [Plant Owner] Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, [Plant Owner] may exercise such rights and remedies as may be available to it at law or in equity, including the right to terminate this Agreement, by written notice to PAP, provided, that no such notice shall be required for a termination pursuant to clause (c) of this Section ‎5.3:

 

(a)          the failure by PAP to make any payment, deposit or transfer required hereunder within thirty (30) days after the date such payment, deposit or transfer is due, and such failure continues for fifteen (15) days after receipt of written notice from [Plant Owner] of such failure;

 

  

10

  

(b)          the failure of any statement, representation or warranty made by PAP in this Agreement to have been correct in any material respect when made if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on PAP’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)          the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency with respect to PAP; or

 

(d)          the failure of PAP to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement and such failure continues for 30 days after receipt of written notice from [Plant Owner] of such failure; provided, that such 30-day period shall be extended for up to an aggregate of 90 days so long as PAP is diligently attempting to cure such failure.

 

5.4           Change of Control.  This Agreement shall terminate 45 days after the occurrence of (i) any Change of Control with respect to [Plant Owner] or any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of more than a majority of the membership interests in PAP to any Person that is not an Affiliate of PEI or (ii) any transfer, assignment, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets comprising the Facility, in each case unless the Parties mutually agree to the contrary.

 

5.5           Replacement.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, during the continuance of any default by PAP that would allow [Plant Owner] to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section ‎5.3 or during the 30-day cure period provided in Section ‎5.3(b) (notwithstanding such cure period) if PAP fails to procure corn necessary to operate the Facility or during the continuance of any Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) that renders PAP unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, then [Plant Owner] shall have the right to engage any other Person to provide the Services and PAP shall not be entitled to any compensation (including any Corn Procurement and Handling Fee) with respect to any replacement services provided by such other Person.

 

ARTICLE VI

INSURANCE

 

6.1           PAP Insurance.  Without limiting any of the other obligations or liabilities of PAP under this Agreement, PAP shall at all times carry and maintain or cause to be carried and maintained, the minimum insurance coverage set forth in this Section:

 

(a)          PAP shall maintain or cause to be maintained (i) Workers’ Compensation insurance in compliance with the workers’ compensation laws of the states in which PAP provides Services as extended by the Broad Form All States Endorsements, the United States Longshoreman’s and Harbor Workers’ Coverage Endorsements on an if-any-exposure basis and the Voluntary Compensation Coverage Endorsement, and (ii) Employer’s Liability (including Occupational Disease) coverage with limits of not less than $1,000,000, which shall cover all of PAP’s employees engaged in providing services hereunder.

 

  

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(b)          PAP shall maintain or cause to be maintained automobile liability insurance for owned (if any), non-owned and hired vehicles with combined single limits for bodily injury/property damage not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and containing appropriate no-fault insurance provisions wherever applicable.

 

(c)          PAP will maintain or cause to be maintained commercial general liability insurance with a limit for bodily injury/property damage of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the annual aggregate.  Such coverage shall include premises/operations, explosion, collapse and underground property damage, broad form contractual, independent contractors, products/completed operations (including operator errors  and omissions), broad form property damage, personal injury and incidental professional liability (if not covered under product/completed operations and if commercially available).

 

(d)          PAP shall maintain or cause to be maintained umbrella liability insurance providing coverage limits in excess of those set forth in Section (a), (b) and (c) above.  The limits of this umbrella coverage shall not be less than $10,000,000 per occurrence and in the annual aggregate.

 

(e)          PAP shall maintain or cause to be maintained pollution legal liability for sudden and accidental pollution for physical damage and bodily injury to third parties in an amount of $3,000,000 per occurrence and in the annual aggregate.

 

The terms and conditions of all insurance policies (including the amount, scope of coverage, deductibles, and self-insured retentions) shall be acceptable in all respects as of the Effective Date.  All insurance carried pursuant to this Section shall conform to the relevant provisions of this Agreement and be with insurance companies which are rated “A-, X” or better by Best’s Insurance Guide and Key Ratings, or other insurance companies of recognized responsibility satisfactory to [Plant Owner].  [Plant Owner] shall be furnished with satisfactory evidence that the foregoing insurance is in effect and [Plant Owner] shall be notified 30 calendar days prior to the cancellation or material change of any such coverage.  Coverage for the insurance under Section (c) and (d) above shall be written on a claims made basis provided that if the policy is not renewed, PAP shall obtain for the benefit of [Plant Owner] an extended reporting period coverage or “tail” of at least three years past the final day of coverage of such policy.  PAP shall provide [Plant Owner] with evidence that such extended reporting period coverage or “tail” has been obtained.  PAP agrees to ensure that the insurance policies outlined in this Section require the insurer to waive subrogation against [Plant Owner], the Financing Parties and their respective Affiliates together with their respective officers, directors, Affiliates and employees and all such Persons shall be an additional insured as their interests may appear with respect to all policies procured by PAP.

 

6.2           PAP Insurance Premiums and Deductibles.  All premiums for insurance coverage procured by PAP pursuant to Section ‎6.1 shall be reimbursed by [Plant Owner] upon demand.  PAP shall be liable for the payment of all deductibles on insurance policies obtained pursuant to Section ‎6.1, which amounts shall not be reimbursed by [Plant Owner], provided that, to the extent that a claim under a policy described in Section ‎6.1 is attributable to [Plant Owner]’s (including its employees’ or agents’) gross negligence or willful misconduct, [Plant Owner] shall be liable for the entire amount of such deductible.  In no event shall any premiums, deductibles or any losses in excess of insurance coverage be a reimbursable cost hereunder.

 

  

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ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

7.1           [Plant Owner]’s Indemnity.  [Plant Owner] shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless PAP and its Affiliates (and each officer, director, employee, shareholder, partner, member or agent of PAP and its Affiliates)(each, a “[Plant Owner] Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all third party claims, actions, damages, expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses), losses, settlements or liabilities (collectively, “Liabilities”) incurred or asserted against any [Plant Owner] Indemnified Person (a) as a result of any failure on the part of [Plant Owner] to perform [Plant Owner]’s obligations under this Agreement, or (b) arising out of or in any way connected with the grossly negligent acts or omissions of [Plant Owner] or its Affiliates.

 

7.2           PAP’s Indemnity.  PAP shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless [Plant Owner] and its Affiliates (and each officer, director, employee, shareholder, partner, member or agent of [Plant Owner] and their Affiliates)(each, a “PAP Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all third party Liabilities incurred or asserted against any PAP Indemnified Person (a) as a result of any failure on the part of PAP to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or (b) arising out of or in any way connected with the grossly negligent acts or omissions of PAP or its Affiliates.

 

ARTICLE VIII

LIABILITIES OF THE PARTIES

 

8.1           No Consequential or Punitive Damages.  In no event shall either Party be liable to any other Party by way of indemnity or by reason of any breach of contract or of statutory duty or by reason of tort (including negligence or strict liability) or otherwise for any loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of use, loss of production, loss of contracts or for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential or punitive damages of any other kind or nature whatsoever that may be suffered by such other Party, including any losses for which such other Party has insurance to the extent proceeds of insurance have been recovered for such losses.

 

8.2           Breach. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any failure, breach or default by [Plant Owner] under this Agreement that is caused by or is a result of a failure, breach or default by PEI under the Asset Management Agreement will not be a breach of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IX

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Each Party and its Affiliates shall treat as confidential the data and information in their possession regarding the Facility, the other Parties or any Affiliate of any other Party, unless:  (a) the applicable other Party agrees in writing to the release of such data or information; (b) such data or information becomes publicly available other than through the wrongful actions of the disclosing Party or the disclosing Party’s Affiliate; (c) such data or information was in the possession of the receiving Party or the receiving Party’s Affiliate prior to receipt thereof from the disclosing Party with no corresponding confidentiality obligation; or (d) such data or information is required by Law to be disclosed.  Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, any Party may disclose data and information to (i) the officers, directors, managers, partners, members, employees and Affiliates of such Party, but only to the extent such Persons have a need to know such information for purposes of permitting such Party to perform its obligations hereunder, (ii) any successors in interest and permitted assigns of such Party, (iii) any actual or potential Financing Parties or actual or potential lenders to PEI or any subsidiary thereof, and (iv) any potential equity investors in such Party or its Affiliates or acquirer or potential acquirer of the Project or all or any of the equity interests in Newco or any subsidiary thereof; provided, that any Person who receives confidential data and information pursuant to an exception contained in clauses (ii) through (iv) of this Article agrees to confidentiality provisions at least as restrictive as the provisions set forth herein.

 

  

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ARTICLE X

FORCE MAJEURE

 

10.1           Events Constituting Force Majeure.  As used herein, “Force Majeure Event” means any cause(s) which render(s) a Party wholly or partly unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement (other than obligations to make payments when due), and which are neither reasonably within the control of such Party nor the result of the fault or negligence of such Party, and which occur despite all reasonable attempts to avoid, mitigate or remedy, and shall include acts of God, war, riots, civil insurrections, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, fires, explosions, earthquakes, lightning, storms, chemical contamination, epidemics or plagues, acts or campaigns of terrorism or sabotage, blockades, embargoes, accidents or interruptions to transportation not caused by PAP, trade restrictions, acts of any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, strikes and other labor difficulties (other than with respect to its own employees) not caused by PAP, mechanical breakdowns, and other events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of such Party.

 

10.2           Effect.  A Party claiming relief as a result of a Force Majeure Event shall give the other Party written notice within five Business Days of becoming aware of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event, or as soon thereafter as practicable, describing the particulars of the Force Majeure Event, and will use reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform as soon as possible.  If the Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) continues for fifteen consecutive days, the affected Party shall report to the other Party the status of its efforts to resume performance and the estimated date thereof.  If the Force Majeure Event (including the effects thereof) continues for 180 consecutive days, either Party may terminate this Agreement for convenience.  If the affected Party was not able to resume performance prior to or at the time of the report to the other Party of the onset of the Force Majeure Event, then it will report in writing to the other Party when it is again able to perform.  If a Party fails to give timely notice, the excuse for its non-performance shall not begin until notice is given.

 

10.3           Limitations.  Any obligation(s) of a Party (other than an obligation to make payments when due) may be temporarily suspended during any period such Party is unable to perform such obligation(s) by reason of the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, but only to the extent of such inability to perform, provided, that:

 

(a)          the suspension of performance is of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is reasonably required by the Force Majeure Event; and

 

(b)          the Party claiming the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event bears the burden of proof.

 

  

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ARTICLE XI

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

11.1           Attempts to Settle.  In the event that a Dispute between the Parties arises under, out of or in relation to, this Agreement, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to settle such Dispute by mutual discussions within fifteen Business Days after the date that an aggrieved Party gives written notice of the Dispute to the other Party.  In the event that a Dispute is not resolved by discussion in accordance with the preceding sentence within the time period set forth therein, the Parties shall refer the Dispute to their respective senior officers for further consideration and attempted resolution within fifteen Business Days after the Dispute has been referred to such individuals (or such longer period as the Parties may agree).

 

11.2           Resolution by Expert.  If the Parties shall have failed to resolve the Dispute within fifteen Business Days after the date that the Parties referred the Dispute to their senior officers, then, provided the Parties shall so agree, the Dispute may be submitted for resolution by an Expert, such Expert to be appointed by the mutual agreement of the Parties.  Proceedings before an Expert shall be held in Sacramento, California (or any other location agreed to by the Parties).  The Expert shall apply to such proceedings the substantive law of the State of New York in effect at the time of such proceedings.  The decision of the Expert shall be final and binding upon the Parties.  In the event that (a) the Parties cannot agree on the appointment of an Expert within ten Business Days after the date that the Parties agreed to submit the Dispute for resolution by the Expert or (b) the Expert fails to resolve such Dispute within 60 days after the Parties have submitted such Dispute to the Expert, then any Party may file a demand for arbitration in writing in accordance with Section ‎11.3.

 

11.3           Arbitration.  Any Dispute that has not been resolved following the procedures set forth in Section ‎11.1 or ‎11.2 shall be settled by binding arbitration in Sacramento, California (or any other location agreed to by the Parties) before a panel of three arbitrators.  Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association as in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.  Such arbitration shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.  If arbitration proceedings have been initiated pursuant to this Section ‎11.3 and raise issues of fact or law which, in whole or in part, are substantially the same as issues of fact or law already pending in arbitration proceedings involving the applicable Parties, such issues shall be consolidated with the issues in the ongoing proceedings.  THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE THAT THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION ‎11.3 SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION ‎11.5, THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO A COURT TRIAL OR TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

 

11.4           Consequential and Punitive Damages.  Awards of Experts and arbitral panels shall be subject to the provisions of ‎Article VIII.

 

  

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11.5           Finality and Enforcement of Decision.  Any decision or award of an Expert or a majority of an arbitral panel, as applicable, shall be final and binding upon the Parties.  Each of the Parties agrees that the arbitral award may be enforced against it or its assets wherever they may be found and that a judgment upon the arbitral award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

11.6           Costs.  The costs of submitting a Dispute to an Expert shall be shared equally among the Parties, unless the arbitral panel or the Expert determines otherwise.  The costs of arbitration shall be paid in accordance with the decision of the arbitral panel pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association as in effect on the date of execution of this Agreement.

 

11.7           Continuing Performance Obligations.  While a Dispute is pending, each Party shall continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement, unless such Party is otherwise entitled to suspend its performance hereunder or terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

12.1           Assignment.  No Party shall assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the prior written consent of (a) in the case of [Plant Owner], PAP, or (b) in the case of PAP, [Plant Owner], provided, that either Party shall be entitled to assign its rights hereunder (as collateral security or otherwise) for financing purposes (including a collateral assignment by [Plant Owner] to any Financing Parties) without the consent of the other Party.

 

12.2           Cooperation in Financing.  PAP shall use its reasonable efforts to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all further documents and instruments, and to take any other actions, which may be necessary to satisfy the reasonable requests of any Financing Party or prospective Financing Party in connection with the financing of the Facility.

 

12.3           Not for Benefit of Third Parties.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each and every provision hereof is for the exclusive benefit of the Parties hereto and is not for the benefit of any third party.

 

12.4           Amendments.  No Party hereto shall be bound by any termination, amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of any term hereof unless such Party shall have consented thereto in writing.

 

12.5           Survival.  Cancellation, expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement shall not relieve the Parties of obligations that by their nature should survive such cancellation, expiration or termination, including remedies, limitations on liability, promises of payment, indemnity and confidentiality.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following provisions of this Agreement shall survive:  Articles ‎IV, ‎VII, ‎VIII, ‎IX, ‎XI and ‎XII.

 

  

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12.6           No Waiver.  No delay or failure on the part of any Party in exercising any rights hereunder, and no partial or single exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver of such rights or of any other rights hereunder.

 

12.7           Notices.  All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given (a) upon delivery, if delivered personally, (b) the day the notice is received, if it is delivered by overnight courier or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or (c) upon the effective receipt of electronic transmission, facsimile, telex or telegram (with effective receipt being deemed to occur upon the sender’s receipt of confirmation of successful transmission of such notice or communication), to the addresses set forth below or such other address as the addressee may have specified in a notice duly given to sender as provided herein:

 

If to PAP:

 

	  	
Pacific Ag. Products, LLC

	  	
c/o Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	  	
400 Capitol Mall

	  	
Suite 2060

	  	
Sacramento, California 95814

	 	Attention	 Neil Koehler
	 	Telephone:	(916) 403-2123
	 	Facsimile:	 (916) 446-3936

 

With a copy to:

 

	  	
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	  	
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060

	  	
Sacramento, California 95814

	 	Attention	
General Counsel

	 	Telephone:	
(916) 403-2130

	 	Facsimile:	
(916) 403-2785

 

If to [Plant Owner]:

 

	  	

[Plant Owner]

	  	

c/o JT Miller Group LLC

	 	
777 Campus Commons Road # 200

	  	
Sacramento, California 95825

	 	Attention	

John Miller

	 	Telephone:	
(916) 565-7422

	 	Facsimile:	
(916) 565-7423

 

 

  

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12.8           Representations and Warranties.

 

12.8.1           PAP’s Representations and Warranties.  PAP represents and warrants to [Plant Owner], as of the date hereof, as follows:

 

12.8.1.1                      Due Formation.  PAP (a) is a limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of California, (b) has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and carry on its business as now being conducted and currently proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which failure so to qualify could be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on PAP’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.1.2                      Authorization; Enforceability.  PAP has taken all action necessary to authorize it to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of PAP enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

12.8.1.3                      No Conflict.  The execution, delivery and performance by PAP of this Agreement does not and will not (a) violate any Law applicable to PAP, (b) result in any breach of PAP’s constituent documents or (c) conflict with, violate or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which PAP or any of its properties or assets is bound or result in the imposition or creation of any lien or security interest in or with respect to any of PAP’s property or assets, other than in each case any such violations, conflicts, breaches or impositions which could not be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on PAP’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.1.4                      No Authorization.  No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority (other than those which have been obtained) is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by PAP of this Agreement, other than any such authorizations, approvals or actions the failure of which to obtain could not be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on PAP’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.1.5                      Litigation.  PAP is not a party to any legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceeding, and, to PAP’s knowledge, no such proceeding is threatened, which could be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on PAP’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.2           [Plant Owner]’s Representations and Warranties.  [Plant Owner] represents and warrants to PAP, as of the date hereof, as follows:

 

12.8.2.1                      Due Formation.  [Plant Owner] (a) is a limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (b) has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and carry on its business as now being conducted and currently proposed to be conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) is qualified to do business in the State of California and in every other jurisdiction in which failure so to qualify could be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on [Plant Owner]’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

  

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12.8.2.2                      Authorization; Enforceability.  [Plant Owner] has taken all action necessary to authorize it to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of [Plant Owner] enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

12.8.2.3                      No Conflict.  The execution, delivery and performance by [Plant Owner] of this Agreement does not and will not (a) violate any Law applicable to [Plant Owner], (b) result in any breach of [Plant Owner]’ s constituent documents or (c) conflict with, violate or result in a breach of or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which [Plant Owner] or any of its properties or assets is bound or result in the imposition or creation of any lien or security interest in or with respect to any of [Plant Owner]’s property or assets, other than in each case any such violations, conflicts, breaches or impositions which could not be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on [Plant Owner]’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.2.4                      No Authorization.  No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority (other than those which have been obtained) is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by [Plant Owner] of this Agreement, other than any such authorizations, approvals or actions the failure of which to obtain could not be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on [Plant Owner]’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.8.2.5                      Litigation.  [Plant Owner] is not a party to any legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceeding, and, to [Plant Owner]’s knowledge, no such proceeding is threatened, which could be reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on [Plant Owner]’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

12.9            Counterparts and Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

12.10           Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

12.11           Severability.  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The Parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic and practical effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

  

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12.12           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

12.13           Captions; Appendices.  Titles or captions of sections contained in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend, describe or otherwise affect the scope of meaning of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.  All appendices attached hereto shall be considered a part hereof as though fully set forth herein.

 

 

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement has been duly executed by the Parties hereto as of the date first written above.

 

	 	
PACIFIC ETHANOL [____________]

	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	
By: 

	 	 
	 	 	
Name:

	 
	 	 	
Title:

	 
	 	 	 	 

 

	 	
PACIFIC AG. PRODUCTS, LLC

	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	/s/ Neil M. Koehler	 
	 	 	
Name: Neil M. Koehler

	 
	 	 	
Title:   Chief Executive Officer 

	 
	 	 	 	 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Corn Procurement Agreement — [Plant Owner]]

 

 

 

 

  

21

  

Exhibit A

 

Corn Specifications

 

A minimum feedstock specification of 54/lb bushel test weight corn containing a maximum of 15.0% moisture (by weight) and a maximum of 4% broken corn and foreign material (by weight).

 

National Grain & Feed Association rules for #2 Yellow Corn to apply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of PEI Guaranty

 

[Please see attached.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

Form of Parent Guaranty (Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement)

 

[DATE]

 

Pacific Ethanol [_____________]

c/o JT Miller Group LLC

777 Campus Commons Road # 200

Sacramento, California  95825

Attention:  John Miller

 

	
Re:

	
Guaranty of Affiliate Project Party Obligations under Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1.           The Guaranty.  For value received, Pacific Ethanol, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Guarantor”), hereby unconditionally and absolutely guarantees the prompt and complete payment and performance when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations and liabilities, whether now in existence or hereafter arising (the “Obligations”), of Pacific Ag. Products, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Affiliate Project Party”), to [________], LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Project Owner”), under that certain Amended and Restated Corn Procurement and Handling Agreement, dated as of _, 20_ (the “Agreement”); provided that the Guarantor’s maximum aggregate liability under this Guaranty shall not exceed the maximum amount which the Affiliate Project Party owes the Project Owner under the Agreement.

 

Following any demand by the Project Owner for payment hereunder, the Guarantor shall pay, or cause to be paid, such Obligations within five (5) business days of receipt of such demand.  Such payments shall be made to:  [Insert Revenue Account Wire Instructions]

 

The Guarantor’s obligations hereunder are primary obligations of the Guarantor and are an absolute, unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guaranty of payment and performance and not of collectibility, and are in no way conditioned on or contingent upon any attempt to enforce in whole or in part any liabilities and obligations of the Affiliate Project Party or any other person.  Each failure by the Guarantor to pay or perform, as the case may be, any amounts due or any obligations under this Guaranty shall give rise to a separate cause of action hereunder, and separate suits may be brought hereunder as each cause of action arises.

 

2.           Waivers; Absolute Obligations.  The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and notice of any obligation or liability to which it may apply, and waives presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of dishonor or non-payment of any such obligation or liability, suit or the taking of other action by the Project Owner against, and any other notice to, the Affiliate Project Party, the Guarantor or others, notice of entry into the Agreement between Affiliate Project Party and Project Owner and of any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto; or any waiver of consent under the Agreement, including waivers of the payment and performance of the obligations thereunder; and any requirement that suit be brought against, or any other action by the Project Owner be taken against, or any notice of default or other notice be given to, or any demand be made on the Project Owner or any other person, or that any other action be taken or not taken as a condition to the Guarantor’s liability for the Obligations under this Guaranty or as a condition to the enforcement of this Guaranty against the Guarantor.

 

  

B-2

  

The Project Owner may at any time and from time to time without notice to or consent of the Guarantor and without impairing or releasing the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder:  (1) agree with the Affiliate Project Party to make any change in the terms of any obligation or liability of the Affiliate Project Party to the Project Owner, (2) take or fail to take any action of any kind in respect of any security for any obligation or liability of the Affiliate Project Party to the Project Owner, (3) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Affiliate Project Party or others, or (4) compromise or subordinate any obligation or liability of the Affiliate Project Party to the Project Owner including any security therefor.

 

The liability of the Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
any lack of validity or enforceability of or defect or deficiency applicable to the Affiliate Project Party in the Agreement or any other documents executed in connection with the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
any modification, extension or waiver of any of the terms of the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
any change in the time, manner, terms or place of payment of or in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the Agreement or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection therewith; or

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
failure, omission, delay, waiver or refusal by the Project Owner to exercise, in whole or in part, any right or remedy held by the Project Owner with respect to the Agreement or any transaction under the Agreement; or

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
any change in the existence, structure or ownership of the Guarantor or the Affiliate Project Party or Project Owner, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Affiliate Project Party or its assets; or

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
any defense arising by reason of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, liquidation or dissolution proceeding commenced by or against any person, including any discharge of, or bar or stay against collecting, all or any part of the amounts due under this Guaranty (or any interest on all or any part of the amounts due under this Guaranty) in or as a result of any such proceeding, any failure of the Project Owner to file a claim in any such proceeding, or the occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the election by the Project Owner, in any bankruptcy proceeding of any person, of the application or non-application of Section 1111(b)(2) of Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy” (together with any successor statute, and all rules promulgated thereunder, the “Bankruptcy Code”), (ii) any extension of credit or the grant of any lien or encumbrance under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, (iii) any use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or (iv) any agreement or stipulation with respect to the provision of adequate protection in any bankruptcy proceeding of any person; or

 

  

B-3

  

	
  

	
(g)

	
any duty on the part of the Project Owner to disclose to the Guarantor any facts the Project Owner may now or hereafter know about the Affiliate Project Party, regardless of whether the Project Owner has reason to believe that any such facts materially increase the risk beyond that which the Guarantor intends to assume, or have reason to believe that such facts are unknown to the Guarantor, or have a reasonable opportunity to communicate such facts to the Guarantor, since the Guarantor acknowledges that the Guarantor is fully responsible for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of the Affiliate Project Party and of all circumstances bearing on the risk of non-payment of any amounts due or non-performance of any obligations under this Guarantor.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, the Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives and relinquishes, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable laws, all rights and remedies accorded to sureties or guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such rights or remedies.

 

3.           Bankruptcy Waivers.  The Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the extent it may do so under applicable laws, any protection to which it may be entitled under Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) and 365(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or equivalent provisions of the laws or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to any proceedings, or any successor provision of law of similar import, in the event of any Act of Insolvency (as defined in the Agreement) with respect to the Project Owner or the Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety.  Specifically, in the event that the trustee (or similar official) in an Act of Insolvency with respect to the Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety or the debtor-in-possession takes any action (including the institution of any action, suit or other proceeding for the purpose of enforcing the rights of the relevant Borrower(s), or any other guarantor or surety under this Guaranty), the Guarantor shall, to the fullest extent it may do so under applicable law, not assert any defense, claim or counterclaim denying liability hereunder on the basis that this Guaranty is an executor contract or a “financial accommodation” that cannot be assumed, assigned or enforced or on any other theory directly or indirectly based on Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) or 365(e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, or equivalent provisions of the law or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to any proceedings or any successor provision of law of similar import.  If an Act of Insolvency with respect to the Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or surety shall occur, the Guarantor agrees, after the occurrence of such Act of Insolvency, to reconfirm in writing, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, its pre-petition waiver of any protection to which it may be entitled under Sections 365(c)(1), 365(c)(2) and 365( e)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or equivalent provisions of the laws or regulations of any other jurisdiction with respect to proceedings and, to give effect to such waiver, the Guarantor consents, to the fullest extent it may do so under applicable law, to the assumption and enforcement of each provision of this Guaranty by the debtor-in-possession or the trustee in bankruptcy of the Affiliate Project Party or of any other guarantor or surety, as the case may be.

 

  

B-4

  

4.           No Assignment.  The Guarantor may not assign its rights nor delegate its obligations under this Guaranty, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the Project Owner, and any purported assignment or delegation absent such consent is void, except for an assignment and delegation of all of the Guarantor’s rights and obligations hereunder in whatever form the Guarantor determines may be appropriate to a partnership, corporation, trust or other organization in whatever form that succeeds to all or substantially all of the Guarantor’s assets and business and that assumes such obligations by contract, operation of law or otherwise.  Upon any such delegation and assumption of obligations, the Guarantor shall be relieved of and fully discharged from all obligations hereunder, whether such obligations arose before or after such delegation and assumption.  The Project Owner may, upon notice to the Guarantor, assign its rights hereunder (including any collateral assignment) without the consent of Guarantor to any person to which it assigns its interests in the Agreement.

 

5.           Representations and Warranties.  The Guarantor hereby represents and warrants for itself, as of the date hereof, that:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, has the corporate power and has obtained all required governmental approvals to comply with and perform its respective obligations under and enter into this Guaranty;

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
this Guaranty has been duly authorized and executed by it and constitutes its valid and legally binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally;

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
neither the execution and delivery of this Guaranty nor the compliance with its terms will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default or require any consent which has not been obtained under, any indenture, mortgage, agreement or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are bound, or violate any of the terms or provisions of its organizational documents (including its bylaws) or any governmental approval, judgment, decree or order or any other applicable law;

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
it is, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated under this Guaranty will be, solvent; and

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
it is not executing this Guaranty with any intention to hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future creditor or creditors.

 

6.           Subrogation.  Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by the Guarantor or the exercise by the Project Owner of any of the remedies provided under this Guaranty or any set-off or application of funds of the Guarantor by the Project Owner, the Guarantor hereby waives all rights of subrogation with respect to payments made under this Guaranty until all of the Obligations have been paid in full.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor on account of such subrogation, such amount shall be held by the Guarantor in trust for the Project Owner, segregated from other funds of the Guarantor, and shall be turned over to the Project Owner, in the exact form received by the Guarantor (or duly endorsed by the Guarantor to the Project Owner, if required) to be applied against such amounts in such order as the Project Owner may elect.

 

  

B-5

  

7.           Notices.  All demands, notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, (a) be in writing addressed to the party receiving the notice at the address set forth below or at such other address as may be designated by written notice, from time to time, to the other party, and (b) be effective upon receipt, when mailed by U.S. mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, facsimile or personally delivered.  Notices shall be sent to the following addresses:

 

	
  

	
If to Project Owner:

 

	 	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol [___________]

	 	
  

	
c/o JT Miller Group LLC

	 	
  

	
777 Campus Commons Road # 200

	 	
  

	
Sacramento, California  95825

Attention:     John Miller

 

	
  

	
If to Guarantor:

 

	 	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	 	
  

	
400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060

	 	
  

	
Sacramento, California 95814

	 	

Attention:     Neil Koehler

Telephone:   (530) 750-3017

Facsimile:      (530) 309-4172

 

	
  

	
with a copy to

 

	
  

	
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

	
  

	
4060 Capital Mall, Suite 2060

	
  

	
Sacramento, CA 95814

	
  

	
Attn:      General Counsel

	
  

	
Phone:   (916) 403-2130

	
  

	
Fax:        (916) 446-3937

 

8.           Cumulative Remedies; Benefits.  No failure by the Project Owner to exercise, and no delay by the Project Owner in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.  The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.  Nothing in this Guaranty, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto, and each of their successors and permitted assigns under this Guaranty, any benefit or any legal or equitable right or remedy under this Guaranty.

 

  

B-6

  

9.           Reinstatement.  This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Obligations are annulled, set aside, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, rescinded or must otherwise be returned, refunded or repaid by Project Owner upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver or conservator of, or trustee for the Affiliate Project Party or any other guarantor or any substantial part of its property or otherwise, all as though such payment or payments had not been made.

 

10.           Governing Law, etc.  (A)     THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(B)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH STATE OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(C)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY.  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

11.           Termination.  This Guaranty shall terminate on the earlier of (i) date the Agreement terminates in accordance with the terms thereof and (ii) the date on which the Affiliate Project Party ceases to be an Affiliate of Guarantor.

 

  

B-7

  

12.           Survivability.  If any provision of this Guaranty is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Guaranty shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

13.           Counterparts.  This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Guaranty shall become effective when it has been executed by each of the parties hereto.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy or portable document format (“pdf’) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

  

B-8

  

 

	 	
Very truly yours,

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.

	 
	 	 	 	 
	
 

	
By: 

	
/s/ Neil Koehler

	 
	 	 	
Name: Neil M. Koehler

	 
	 	 	
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

	 
	 	 	 	 

 

Acknowledged and Accepted by:

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL [___________]

 

	
By:

	 	 

	
  

	
Name:

	
  

	
Title:

  

B-9

  

Exhibit C

 

Operating Protocol

 

Pacific Ethanol [_______], LLC ([PLANT OWNER]) will by the end of day Monday each week submit to Pacific Agricultural Products, LLC (PAP) a twelve week corn consumption forecast, (see attached example) that includes weekly consumption and scheduled maintenance downtime. [PLANT OWNER] will promptly notify PAP of any unscheduled downtime or other event or circumstance that will affect forecasted consumption.

PAP will during the 1" week of each month submit to [PLANT OWNER] a monthly train/truck schedule for the next month. Changes to the monthly train/truck schedule will be communicated to [PLANT OWNER] as the changes are identified.

  

EX C-1

  

Exhibit D

 

Benchmarking

 

[Please see attached.]

 

 

  

 

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

BENCHMARK 

 

We propose the following example benchmarks and monitor criteria. Modifications to the benchmarks are expected to be made periodically as appropriate to reflect with changes in commodity market environments and in company purchase/sales contract pricing mechanisms.     

 

	
Commodity/Facility 

	
PEHC actual data 

	
Benchmark 

	
Market Data Provider 

	 	
Possible  Discrepancy Reasons/Noises 

	
ETHANOL 

	  	  	  	 	  
	
  PECOL 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS Pacific Northwest 

	
Posting as provided by 

	a)	
Fixed price contracts 

	 	sales price 	 	Oil Price 	b) 	
Other Price index

	
  PEMV 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS Chicago 

	Information Service 	c)	
Shipments distribution in a highly volatile market

	 	sales price 	 	(OPIS)  	d) 	Other accounting adjustments items 
	
  PES 

	
Netback ethanol 

	
OPIS LA CI-90 

	  	 	
 

	 	sales price 	 	 	 	 
	
CORN 

	 	 	 	 	 
	
  ALL 

	
Corn CBOT 

	
Delivered basis = FOB 

	
Trade West report 

	a)	
Fixed futures as a result of hedge  

	 	equivalent 	Midwest + freight 	 	b)	
Contracts based on corn futures other than nearby futures (Usually, this happens a couple of weeks before current future contract expires 

	 	 	 	 	c)	
Uneven distribution of corn consumptions (such as shut down) in a highly volatile market 

	
WDG/Syrup 

	  	  	  	 	  
	
  ALL 

	
Plant co-product 

	
WDG Value as a % of 

	
FC Stone Co-product 

	a)	
Fixed price contracts 

	 	netback	Plant delivered corn on	report	
b)

	Hedge activities
	 	 	DDG equivalent basis 	 	c)	
WDG freight 

 

  

EX D-2

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

ETHANOL  

 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant Sales

Netback 

	  	
Basis

(netback) 

	
Benchmark 

	
Actual vs. 

Benchmark 

	
PECOL 

	  	
OPIS PNW 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.42 

	
2.42 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.38 

	
1.4% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.45 

	
2.50 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.46 

	
-0.2% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.60 

	
2.63 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.59 

	
0.5% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.73 

	
2.76 

	
(0.04) 

	
2.72 

	
0.2% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	
OPIS Chicago 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.38 

	
2.32 

	
0.01 

	
2.33 

	
2.1% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.47 

	
2.43 

	
0.01 

	
2.44 

	
1.5% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.54 

	
2.50 

	
0.01 

	
2.51 

	
1.2% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.65 

	
2.65 

	
0.01 

	
2.66 

	
-0.2% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	
OPISLA CI-90 

	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
2.47 

	
2.46 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.45 

	
1.0% 

	
Feb-11 

	
2.57 

	
2.53 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.52 

	
2.1% 

	
Mar-11 

	
2.68 

	
2.66 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.65 

	
0.9% 

	
Apr-11 

	
2.80 

	
2.80 

	
(0.01) 

	
2.79 

	
0.1% 

 

  

EX D-3

  

   

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

CORN 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant CBOT 

Equivalent 

	
Plant basis 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/bu 

	
Market 

	
Actual vs. 

Market 

	
PECOL 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.27 

	
0.563 

	
6.83 

	
7.18 

	
(0.35) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.56 

	
0.595 

	
7.15 

	
7.74 

	
(0.59) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.68 

	
0.519 

	
7.20 

	
7.64 

	
(0.44) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.22 

	
0.496 

	
7.71 

	
8.35 

	
(0.64) 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.34 

	
0.650 

	
6.99 

	
7.04 

	
(0.06) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.87 

	
0.650 

	
7.52 

	
7.60 

	
(0.08) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.90 

	
0.563 

	
7.46 

	
7.50 

	
(0.04) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.38 

	
0.639 

	
8.02 

	
8.20 

	
(0.18) 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
6.22 

	
0.656 

	
6.88 

	
7.18 

	
(0.30) 

	
Feb-11 

	
6.76 

	
0.663 

	
7.42 

	
7.74 

	
(0.32) 

	
Mar-11 

	
6.74 

	
0.619 

	
7.36 

	
7.65 

	
(0.28) 

	
Apr-11 

	
7.21 

	
0.687 

	
7.90 

	
8.36 

	
(0.46) 

 

  

EX D-4

  

 

	 	PEHC Commodity Price Benchmark Example	  June 10, 2011

 

CO PRODUCTS  

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	
Plant Co-product 

$/ton Netback 

	
Plant Co-product 

DM 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/bu 

	
Plant Actual Corn 

dlvd $/ton 

	
WDG Value 

% of Corn (1) 

	
PECOL 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
56.62 

	
30% 

	
6.83 

	
243.91 

	
69.2% 

	
Feb-11 

	
56.85 

	
30% 

	
7.15 

	
255.37 

	
66.4% 

	
Mar-11 

	
60.80 

	
31% 

	
7.20 

	
257.06 

	
68.0% 

	
Apr-11 

	
61.97 

	
31% 

	
7.71 

	
275.44 

	
65.3% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PEMV 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
61.90 

	
32% 

	
6.99 

	
249.48 

	
70.5% 

	
Feb-11 

	
67.04 

	
32% 

	
7.52 

	
268.48 

	
71.0% 

	
Mar-11 

	
69.53 

	
32% 

	
7.46 

	
266.45 

	
74.3% 

	
Apr-11 

	
71.74 

	
32% 

	
8.02 

	
286.40 

	
70.5% 

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	
PES 

	  	  	  	  	  
	
Jan-11 

	
59.21 

	
33% 

	
6.88 

	
245.68 

	
65.4% 

	
Feb-11 

	
59.94 

	
33% 

	
7.42 

	
264.98 

	
61.4% 

	
Mar-11 

	
67.17 

	
33% 

	
7.36 

	
262.95 

	
70.3% 

	
Apr-11 

	
71.47 

	
32% 

	
7.90 

	
282.00 

	
70.5% 

 

(1)DDG equivalent, adjusted to standard 90% dry matter 

 

 

 

EX D-5

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00191-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00191-of-00352.parquet"}]]