Document:

Exhibit
      10.9

    

    TERMINATION
      AGREEMENT

    

    

    This
      Agreement, entered into August 24, 2006 is between Xethanol Corporation, a
      Delaware corporation (the "Company")
      and
      Christopher d’Arnaud-Taylor ("Employee").

    

    WHEREAS,
      prior to the date of this Agreement, Employee was an employee of the Company
      and
      served as its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
      Company;

    

    WHEREAS,
      effective as of the date of this Agreement, the Company and Employee have
      terminated Employee's employment by the Company and his positions as Chairman,
      President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company . The Company and Employee
      wish to resolve all claims between them. By this Agreement the parties set
      out
      the terms and ongoing obligations of the parties with respect to termination
      of
      Employee’s employment with the Company.

    

    The
      parties agree as follows:

    

    1.  Termination
      of Employment:

    

    a.  Termination
      as Employee.
      The
      parties agree that Employee's employment with the Company terminated on August
      22, 2006 (the “Termination
      Date”).

    

    b.  Termination
      as Officer.
      The
      parties agree that Employee's positions as President, Chairman and Chief
      Executive Officer of the Company terminated on the Termination
      Date.

    

    c.  Service
      as Director.
      Employee shall continue to serve his current term as a Director of the Company
      and, as such, shall receive such compensation as the Company may pay to its
      independent Directors.

     

    d.  Payment
      Obligations.
      In the
      event that Employee materially breaches this Agreement, then the Company shall,
      in addition to any other remedies the Company might have, be relieved of its
      obligation to pay any of the payments due under this Agreement. In such event,
      payments made prior to the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company
      shall be deemed adequate consideration for Employee's obligations
      hereunder.

    

    2.  Settlement
      and Release:

    

    a.  Employee
      Release.
      Employee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and discharges the
      Company, its past and present subsidiaries, divisions, officers, directors,
      agents, employees, successors, and assigns (separately and collectively,
      "releasees")
      jointly and individually, from any and all claims, known or unknown, which
      he,
      his heirs, successors or assigns have or may have against releasees and any
      and
      all liability which releasees may have to him whether denominated as claims,
      demands, causes or action, obligations, damages, or liabilities arising from
      any
      and all bases, however denominated, including but not limited to, any claims
      of
      discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers
      Benefit Protection Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Family Medical Leave Act,
      the American with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
      the Civil Rights Act of 1991 or any federal or state civil rights act, claims
      for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, or for damages under any federal,
      state or local law, rule or regulation, or common law under any theory;
      provided, however, that this release does not affect: (1) any claims which
      are
      based on releasees' willful acts, gross negligence or dishonesty; (2) any claims
      for benefits which have vested or shall vest on or before the date of this
      Agreement under any of the Company's benefit plans (other than its Employee
      Incentive Compensation Plan); (3) any claims for indemnification for acts of
      Employee which have occurred or may occur as an officer or employee of the
      Company; or (4) any claims which may arise after the execution of this
      Agreement. This release is for any relief, no matter how denominated, including,
      but not limited to, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages,
      or damages for pain and suffering. Employee further agrees that he will not
      file
      or permit to be filed on his behalf any such claim, will not permit himself
      to
      be a member of any class seeking relief against the releases, and will not
      counsel or assist in the prosecution of claims against the releases, whether
      those claims are on behalf of himself or others, unless he is under a court
      order to do so. 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    b.  Company
      Release.
      The
      Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally releases and discharges Employee
      and his heirs, successors, and assigns (separately and collectively,
      "releasees"),
      jointly and individually, from any and all claims, known or unknown, which
      it,
      its past and present officers, directors, agents, employees, successors, and
      assigns have or may have against releasees and any and all liability which
      releasees may have to it, whether denominated as claims, demands, causes of
      action, obligations, damages or liabilities arising from any and all bases,
      however denominated; provided, however, that this release does not affect any
      claims which are based on releasees' willful acts, gross negligence or
      dishonesty in the performance of duties as an employee of the Company, nor
      any
      claims which may arise after the execution of this Agreement. The Company
      further agrees that it will not file or permit to be filed on its behalf any
      claim against Employee which is released hereby.

    

    3.  Payments
      and Other Compensation:
      In the
      event that Employee complies in all respects with the terms of this Agreement,
      the Company will pay to Employee the amounts and provide Employee with the
      other
      consideration set forth in this Section 3:

    

    a.  Salary
      Continuation.
      The
      Company shall continue to pay Employee his salary and maintain in effect his
      benefits that were in effect as of the Termination Date, through September
      30,
      2006.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    
 

    b.  Lump
      Sum Payment.
      On the
      three month anniversary of the Termination Date, the Company will pay the
      employee the sum of One Hundred thousand Dollars ($100,000.00)

    

    c.  February
      Stock Options.
      On
      February 28, 2006, the Company granted the Employee an option (:the “February
      Options”) to purchase 250,000 shares of the $0.001 par value common stock
      (“Common
      Stock”)
      of the
      Company, at a purchase price of $5.56 per share (the “February Options”).
      Pursuant to the standard terms and conditions upon which stock options are
      granted to its employees by the Company, the portion of such stock options
      that
      are “Qualified Stock Options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal
      Revenue code of 1986, as amended, would ordinarily terminate if not exercised
      on
      or before 30 days after the Termination Date and the (the “non-qualified stock
      options”) balance would ordinarily terminate as of 90 days after the Termination
      Date. Employee represents that as of the date of this Agreement he has not
      exercised any of the February Options. In the event that Employee complies
      in
      all respects with the terms of this Agreement, one-half of the February options
      shall be treated as non-qualified stock options having a term extending until
      the third anniversary of the date of the Termination Date on the same terms
      and
      conditions as were heretofore in effect, after which date they shall expire
      if
      not exercised. The balance of the February Options shall be deemed to have
      terminated as of the Termination Date.

    

    d.  June
      Stock Options.
      On June
      12, 2006, the Company granted the Employee an option to purchase 450,000 shares
      of Common Stock at a purchase price of $8.37 per share (the “June Options”).
      Those options were not Qualified Stock Options. Pursuant to the standard terms
      and conditions upon which stock options are granted to its employees by the
      Company, such stock options would ordinarily terminate 90 days after the
      Termination Date. Employee represents that as of the date of this Agreement
      he
      has not exercised any of the June Options. In the event that Employee complies
      in all respects with the terms of this Agreement, the term of one-half of the
      June options shall be extended until the third anniversary of the Termination
      Date on the same terms and conditions as were heretofore in effect, after which
      date they shall expire The balance of the June Options shall be deemed to have
      terminated as of the Termination Date. 

    

    e.  Complete
      Compensation.
      Employee acknowledges that, except for compensation that may be due him at
      his
      standard rate of compensation for periods prior to the Termination Date, his
      right to obtain insurance at his own expense pursuant to the provisions of
      Paragraph 4 and the compensation and stock options provided for in this Section
      3, he has no right to any form of compensation, bonus, stock option, stock
      award
      or other compensation of any form or nature from the Company, and that such
      unpaid compensation and the payments and stock options provided for in this
      section 4 are in full satisfaction of all obligations of the Company to
      him.

    

    4.  Expenses.
      The
      Company shall promptly reimburse the Consultant for all appropriately
      documented, reasonable business expenses heretofore incurred by the Employee
      in
      the performance of his duties as an employee of the Company 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    5.  Employee
      Benefits:
      After
      September 30, 2006, Employee shall be entitled to continue his coverage, if
      any,
      under the Company's group medical and dental plans to the extent provided in,
      and subject to his satisfaction of the requirements of, the Company's standard
      Health Care Continuation Notice. If Employee chooses to extend any such benefits
      through COBRA, Employee will be responsible for completing all required forms
      and applications and for the payment of all premiums with respect to such
      policies of insurance.

    

    6.  Cooperation;
      Pending and Future Litigation:

    

    a.  Cooperation.
      Commencing on the Termination Date, and for a period ending three (3) months
      after the Termination Date, Employee shall render such advisory and consulting
      services to the Company as it may reasonably request, in order that an orderly
      transfer of his duties and responsibilities to other personnel of the Company,
      now existing or hereafter hired. Without limiting the foregoing Employee shall
      promptly; (but in any event within five (5) business days) deliver to the
      Company’s principal offices all papers, records and other materials, whether in
      written, printed, digital or other form, that relate to the Company’s business,
      including all copies thereof in his possession or under his control. This shall
      be a continuing obligation that shall survive the expiration of the three (e)
      month consulting period provided for in this Section 6(a). The Company will
      maintain such papers, records and other materials in a secure location and
      will
      provide Employee access to or copies thereof (subject to the confidentiality
      provisions of Section 6(b)) to the extent necessary in connection with the
      evaluation or defense of any claim made against Employee that relates to his
      employment or other involvement with the Company.

    .

    b.  Nondisclosure.
      Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to anyone outside of the
      Company any Proprietary Information or use any Proprietary Information other
      than pursuant to my employment by and for the benefit of the Company. The term
      “Proprietary Information” means any and all trade secrets and any and all data
      or information owned by the Company or used by the Company in its business,
      whether or not generally known outside the Company, regardless of whether it
      was
      prepared or developed by or for the Company, received by the Company from any
      outside source or developed for a customer or business partner of the Company.
      Without limiting the scope of this definition, Proprietary Information includes
      all business plans of the Company; all financial information relating to the
      Company; all lists of or information relating to suppliers to the Company;
      and
      any other record or information relating to the present or future business,
      product or services of the Company or offered or proposed to be offered by
      the
      Company to its customers.

    

    c.  Pending
      Litigation:
      Employee agrees to participate in any litigation currently active that is
      brought by or against the Company, by giving advice, participating in discovery,
      and giving deposition and trial testimony as may be reasonably necessary, as
      well as participation in other activities related to such lawsuit.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    d.  Future
      Litigation:
      During
      his employment and thereafter, Employee also agrees to participate in any future
      litigation arising out of events that occurred during the period of his
      employment with the Company by giving advice, participating in discovery, and
      giving deposition and trial testimony as may be reasonably necessary, as well
      as
      participation in other activities related to such litigation.

    

    e.  Pending
      and Future Litigation:
      If
      Employee is required to participate in either pending or future litigation,
      the
      Company agrees to reimburse Employee for all out of pocket expenses reasonably
      incurred in connection therewith. The Company will attempt to schedule said
      participation with the employee's schedule and other commitments in mind. If
      Employee is required to devote more than three (3) days in any calendar month
      to
      the satisfaction of his obligations under subsections 6(c) and 6(d), then the
      Company shall pay Employee at a per diem rate of $2000 for each additional
      full
      or partial day in excess of 3 days so devoted by him.

    

    7.  Non-Solicitation:

    

    a.  Covenant.
      Employee covenants and agrees that during the period ending one (1) year after
      the Termination Date, he will not, directly or indirectly, hire, solicit, or
      encourage then-current Company employees to apply for employment with any person
      or entity: with which Employee is (or intends to be) employed; (b) in which
      Employee or a firm in which he is employed, has a financial interest or is
      engaged as a consultant, recruiter, independent contractor or otherwise; or
      (c)
      in which Employee is otherwise substantially financially interested. Employee
      further covenants and agrees that he will not provide to any other person or
      entity the names of or references (other than a reference requested by the
      Company) on any person who is then employed by the Company.

    

    b.  Blue
      Pencil Clause.
      Employee and the Company agree that if in any proceeding, the tribunal shall
      refuse to enforce fully any covenants contained herein because such covenants
      cover too extensive a geographic area or too long a period of time or for any
      other reason whatsoever, any such covenant shall be deemed amended to the extent
      (but only to the extent) required by law.

    

    8.  Non-Disparagement:
      Employee covenants and agrees that after his termination and through the second
      anniversary of the Termination Date, he will not, except as specifically
      required by law or court process, to satisfy any fiduciary obligations he may
      have as a result of his employment by or directorship of the Company, to defend
      himself against claims arising from his employment or directorship of the
      Company, or as specifically consented to in writing by the Company: (i)
      communicate to any person or entity any adverse information, written or oral,
      concerning the Company, its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents
      or
      advisers (including without limitation any communication concerning information
      that he acquired while he was employed by the Company and that concerns or
      relates to the business, operations, prospects or affairs of the Company or
      any
      of its subsidiaries or affiliates) under circumstances in which there is a
      reasonable possibility that such information might be publicly reported or
      disclosed or otherwise made available to the public (regardless of whether
      the
      communication of such information is intended to have or cause that result
      or
      that result is within his control); or (ii) provide to any person (other than
      his attorney or accountant) or entity any information that concerns or relates
      to the negotiations or circumstances leading to the execution of this Agreement
      or to the terms and conditions hereof or the parties' performance hereunder.
      The
      parties agree that the term "information" as used in this Section 8 shall have
      the broadest possible meaning and shall include matters that are not considered
      confidential or proprietary and that constitute beliefs, views and opinions
      as
      well as facts.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    9.  Resignation
      and Execution of Documents:
      Employee will tender his resignation as Chairman, President, Chief Executive
      Officer of the Company and in all capacities with respect to any subsidiary
      or
      affiliate of the Company effective as of the Termination Date, and agrees to
      execute the letter of resignation in such form as the Company may reasonably
      request. Employee agrees to cooperate with the execution of any documents
      required to complete resignation formalities. Employee further agrees to
      cooperate with the Company to complete such documentation as is reasonably
      necessary to effect his termination from the Company.

    

    10.  Continuing
      Obligations Regarding Stock Trading:
      Employee will be deemed a Corporate Officer for purposes of any restrictions
      on
      trading in the Company's securities through the Termination Date. He
      acknowledges that he is in possession of certain material non-public information
      concerning the Company, its business and its financial affairs, and agrees
      not
      to purchase or sell any of the Company’s securities, or to advise any other
      person to do so, until the filing of the Company’s next report on form 10-QSB
      with the Securities and Exchange Commission or, if earlier, on the date on
      which
      he is advised in writing by counsel to the Company that any information that
      he
      possesses by reason of his employment by and his service and an officer to
      the
      Company is either obsolete, public or otherwise immaterial, which advice shall
      be given promptly after Employee’s request..

    

    11.  Effect
      on Other Agreements and Plans:
      Except
      to the extent inconsistent herewith or as expressly provided herein, and except
      for changes resulting from the termination of Employee's employment with the
      Company, this Agreement shall have no effect upon the parties' respective rights
      and obligations under any proprietary rights agreement between the Employee
      and
      the Company..

    

    12.  Entire
      Agreement; Amendment:
      This
      Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with
      respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior oral or written
      agreements, commitments or understanding with respect to the matters provided
      for herein. No amendment, modification or discharge of this Agreement shall
      be
      valid or binding unless set forth in writing and duly executed by the party
      against whom enforcement of the amendment, modification, or discharge was
      sought.

    

    13.  Execution
      of Counterparts:
      To
      facilitate execution, this Agreement may be executed in as many counterparts
      as
      may be required; and it shall not be necessary that the signatures of, or on
      behalf of, each part, or that the signatures of all persons required to bind
      any
      party, appear on each counterpart; but it shall be sufficient that all such
      signatures appear on one or more of the counterparts. All counterparts shall
      collectively constitute a single agreement. It shall not be necessary in making
      proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than a number of
      counterparts containing the respective signatures of, or on behalf of, all
      of
      the parties hereto.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    14.  Limitation
      on Benefit:
      It is
      the explicit intention of the parties hereto that no person or entity other
      than
      the parties hereto shall be entitled to bring any action or to enforce any
      provision of this Agreement against any of the parties hereto, and the
      covenants, undertakings and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be
      solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable only by, the parties hereto
      or their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal
      representatives, and permitted assigns.

    

    15.  Binding
      Effect:
      This
      Agreement shall be binding upon and shall insure to the benefit of the parties
      hereto and their respective successors, heirs, executors, administrators, legal
      representatives and permitted assigns.

    

    16.  Severability:
      If any
      part of any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or
      unenforceable by reason of the extent, duration or geographical scope thereof,
      or otherwise, then the parties agree that the court making such determination
      may reduce such extent, duration or geographical scope, or other provisions
      thereof, and in its reduced form such part or provision shall then be
      enforceable in the manner contemplated hereby.

    

    17.  Governing
      Law:
      This
      Agreement and all other disputes or issues arising from or relating in any
      way
      to the Company’s relationship with Employee and Employee's termination shall be
      governed by federal law of the United States of America and the internal laws
      of
      the State of New York, irrespective of the choice of law rules of any state
      or
      other jurisdiction.

    

    18.  Ambiguities:
      The
      parties acknowledge that they have reviewed this Agreement in its entirety
      and
      have had a full opportunity to negotiate its terms, and therefore, waive all
      applicable rules of construction that any provision of this Agreement should
      be
      construed against its drafter and agree that all provisions of the Agreement
      shall be construed as a whole, according to the fair meaning of the language
      used.

    

    19.  Acknowledgements.
      

    

    a.  Employee
      acknowledges that he has been given 21 days by the Company to consider this
      Agreement. He understands that he may revoke this Agreement for a period of
      seven (7) days after signing it by delivering written notice of my revocation
      to
      the Company and that the Agreement does not become effective or enforceable
      until the expiration of such seven (7) day revocation period.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    b.  Employee
      represents that he has read the above Agreement, and is voluntarily signing
      this
      Agreement after having been advised to seek his own legal counsel, without
      threat or coercion, with full knowledge and understanding of its contents,
      and
      without promise of benefit, except as expressly recited in this
      Agreement.

    

    IN
      WITHESS WHEREOF, the parties have each executed this agreement as of the date
      first set forth above.

     

    
      	 	 	 
	 	Employee:
	 
 	 
 	 
 
	 	      	/s/ Christopher
              d’Arnaud-Taylor
	 	
              
Christopher
              d’Arnaud-Taylor

    

    
       

      
        	 	 	 
	 	Company:
	 	 
	 	Xethanol Corporation
	 
 	 
 	 
 
	 	By: 	/s/ Louis
                Bernstein
	 	
                

                Louis
                  Bernstein,

                Acting
                  Chief Executive OfficerExhibit
      10.10

     

    CONSULTING
      AGREEMENT

     

    This
      consulting agreement (the "Agreement")
      is made
      as of August 25, 2006, by and between Xethanol Corporation (hereinafter,
      the "Company")
      and
      Christopher d’Arnaud-Taylor (hereinafter,
      the "Consultant").

    

    Whereas,
      Consultant has heretofore been an employee and executive officer of the Company
      and, as such, has provided valuable services to the Company and become familiar
      with the Company, including its operations and facilities, its employees, its
      consultants and others with whom the Company has joint venture, license and
      other contractual relationships (together, the “Company Business”);
      and

    

    Whereas,
      because of the knowledge and familiarity of Consultant with the Company
      Business, the Company wishes to retain Consultant on the terms and conditions
      contained in this Agreement to provide those consulting services provided for
      herein, and Consultant wishes to be so retained and to provide those
      services

    

    Now,
      therefore, for and in consideration of the premises, the mutual covenants and
      the payments to be made hereunder, and other good and valuable consideration,
      the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and
      the
      Consultant each agrees as follows:

    

    1.
      Term.
      The
      term of this agreement shall begin on the date hereof, shall run for one (1)
      year, and shall end on that date which is the first (1st) annual anniversary
      date of the date hereof, unless terminated sooner by agreement of the parties
      or
      due to a default by a party as provided below. This Agreement may be extended
      by
      written agreement of the parties for such terms and with such modifications
      as
      the parties may agree.

    

    2.
      Consulting
      Services.
      Consultant shall perform during the term hereof such consulting and/or advisory
      services for the Company as may reasonably be requested by the Company from
      time
      to time with respect to the management, technology, relationships and operation
      of the Company and its business. By way of example only, Consultant may be
      requested from time to time to consult and advise the Company with respect
      to:

    

    
      	A.  	
              Its
                ownership interest in and the technology that it has licensed from
                H2Diesel, Inc., including the exercise of its rights under its Investment
                Agreement with, among others, H2Diesel, as amended, its Sublicense
                Agreement with H2Diesel, as amended, its other agreements with
                H2Diesel;

            

    

    

    
      	B.  	
              Its
                investment in, the agreements relating to and the operation of
                CoastalXethanol, LLC;

            

    

    

    
      	C.  	
              Its
                investment in, the agreements relating to and the operation of
                NewEnglandXethanol, LLC

            

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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      	D.  	
              The
                maintenance and enhancement of its business relationships with the
                principals of the foregoing entities, their management and other
                consultants to the Company

            

    

    

    
      	E.  	
              The
                best use of the skills and knowledge of the employees of the
                Company.

            

    

    

    Consultant
      will perform his obligations under this Agreement in such a manner as to attempt
      to enhance and improve the business of the Company and to foster the Company's
      relationship with the past, existing and prospective customers, suppliers,
      contractors, consultants and/or vendors of the Company and its business.
      Consultant will provide advice to the employees of the Company with respect
      to
      its business and will share with the Company his knowledge regarding its
      business, operations and technologies. Upon the request of the Company,
      Consultant will provide the Company with contact names and information of,
      and
      his data base of information for, past, existing and prospective customers
      of
      the Company, suppliers to the Company, contractors with the Company, consultants
      to the Company and/or vendors to the Company, to the extent not already known
      to
      or in the possession of the Company.

    

    The
      amount of time to be devoted by Consultant to providing consulting services
      hereunder, the specific time when such will be provided, and the method of
      how
      such will be provided shall be determined in the reasonable discretion of
      Consultant after consultation with the Company and as necessary to reasonably
      accomplish Consultant’s obligations hereunder; provided, however, that (a) such
      services shall be provided at such times as are reasonably acceptable to both
      Consultant and the Company, (b) Consultant shall be responsible for receiving
      instructions as to his services from any person reasonably authorized by the
      Board of Directors of the Company to direct the services of Consultant, and
      (provided that such instructions are consistent with this Agreement) Consultant
      shall comply with such instructions and (c) Consultant shall not be required
      to
      dedicate more than eight (8) days in any calendar month to the rendering of
      services pursuant to this Agreement. If Consultant renders services for more
      than eight (8) days in any calendar month, he shall be compensated at the rate
      of $2,000 for each such additional day or part thereof.

    

    3.
      Consideration.
      The
      Company shall pay to Consultant the sum of $15,000 per month during the term
      hereof, which shall be paid on a monthly basis in arrears.

    

    4.
      Expenses.
      The
      Company shall promptly reimburse the Consultant for all appropriately
      documented, reasonable business expenses incurred by the Consultant in the
      performance of his duties under this Agreement.

     

    5.
      Default.
      A party
      shall be in default under this Agreement if that party fails to perform
      hereunder and fails to cure such failure to perform within ten (10) days of
      his/its receipt of written notice of such failure from the other party hereto.
      Should Consultant default under this Agreement, the Company may terminate this
      Agreement, in which case neither party shall have any obligations under items
      2
      or 3 of this Agreement with respect to time periods following termination,
      except that the Company shall remain obligated to pay amounts to Consultant
      due
      with respect to time periods ending at or before termination, prorated on a
      daily basis. Should this Agreement terminate early due to a default by
      Consultant, then the final payment due with respect to the final period shall
      be
      prorated on a daily basis and paid within fifteen days after termination. If
      this Agreement is breached and is placed in the hands of an attorney for
      enforcement or other action (whether suit be brought or not) or to otherwise
      protect the interests of the non-breaching party, the breaching party shall
      repay on demand all costs and expenses incurred by the non-breaching party
      arising therefrom, including reasonable attorney's fees. 

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    6.
      Independent
      Contractor Status.
      In
      performing Consultant’s obligations hereunder, Consultant is operating as an
      independent contractor and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed an employee
      or
      agent of the Company or be eligible to receive or qualify for any benefits
      offered by the Company to its employees. Consultant shall not be entitled to
      receive any benefits or payments not set forth in this agreement, and the
      parties hereto do not intend that any agency or partnership relationship be
      created between them by this Agreement. The Company shall not withhold any
      federal or state taxes or other applicable withholdings from amounts paid
      hereunder to Consultant, shall not issue to Consultant a form W-2 for payments
      made hereunder, and shall issue to Consultant the appropriate form 1099 for
      payments made hereunder.

    

    7.
      Confidentiality
      and Restrictive Covenants.
      

    

    a.  A.
      Confidentiality.
      Consultant acknowledges and agrees that all Trade Secrets (as defined herein)
      are confidential to and shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property
      of
      Company. Consultant agrees that, during the period in which Consultant renders
      services to Company pursuant to this Agreement and for a period of three (3)
      years following the date Consultant ceases to be a consultant to the Company
      hereunder (the “Separation Date”), he shall (a) hold all Trade Secrets in
      strictest confidence; (b) not disclose, reproduce, distribute or otherwise
      disseminate such Trade Secrets, and shall protect such Trade Secrets from
      disclosure by others; and (c) make no use of such Trade Secrets without the
      prior written consent of Company, except in connection with the Consultant’s
      performing his ordinary and authorized duties as a consultant to the Company
      hereunder. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Trade Secrets” shall mean all
      information regarding the financial operations and/or results of the Company,
      terms of employment of the Company’s employees, independent contractors and
      consultants, customer, supplier and vendor lists and related information, and
      any and all data and information relating to Company or the Company’s
      subsidiaries or affiliates which (i) derive independent economic value, actual
      or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily
      ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value
      from their disclosure or use; and (ii) are the subject of efforts that are
      reasonable under the circumstances to maintain their secrecy. “Trade Secrets”
also shall include technical or non-technical data, formulas, patterns,
      compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes,
      financial data, financial plans, product plans or lists of customers, suppliers,
      prospective customers and/or prospective suppliers of Company, including but
      not
      limited to information concerning any of the processes utilized to manufacture
      ethanol. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Trade Secrets shall not include data
      and
      information which were: (i) at the time of disclosure to Consultant or became
      thereafter through no fault of Consultant a part of the public domain by
      publication or otherwise; (ii) subsequently developed or ascertained by or
      for
      Consultant by independent means without the benefit of the Trade Secrets; or
      (iii) received by Consultant without restriction from a third party who was
      under no obligation of confidentiality to Company with respect thereto. All
      information provided or made available by the Company to Consultant, including
      but not limited to technical information concerning the Company’s manufacturing
      processes or lists or other compilations or summaries of vendors, suppliers
      or
      customers, shall be used by Consultant exclusively for the purpose of performing
      those services for which Consultant is employed hereunder by the Company, and
      at
      the Separation Date, Consultant shall surrender to the Company in good condition
      all such records or information, and will not keep any copies, summaries,
      photocopies or computer copies thereof. Upon the Separation Date, or upon the
      request of Company, Consultant shall deliver to Company all property belonging
      to Company, including without limitation all documents evidencing and physical
      embodiments of Trade Secrets then in his custody, control or possession. The
      Company will maintain such records and information in a secure location and
      will
      provide Consultant access to or copies thereof (subject to the confidentiality
      provisions of this Section 7(a)) to the extent necessary in connection with
      the
      evaluation or defense of any claim made against Employee that relates to his
      employment or other involvement with the Company.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    B.
      Noncompetition.
      During
      the term of this agreement and for a period of six (6) months following the
      Separation Date, Consultant, except as a consultant of the Company and for
      the
      Company’s benefit or as an employee or contractor of a subsidiary or affiliate
      of the Company, shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person,
      whether as a shareholder, partner, joint venturer or employee, engage in the
      production of ethanol or any biofuel or in the construction of a facility to
      produce such products within 100 miles of any of the following: (a) a facility
      owned or under construction by the Company for the production of such products,
      (b) any real property owned or leased by the Company that can be used for the
      construction of such a facility or (c) to the knowledge of Consultant, any
      location with respect to which the Company has taken concrete action toward
      the
      development of such a facility.

     

    C.
      Nonsolicitation.
      During
      the term of this agreement and for a period of six (6) months year following
      the
      Separation Date, Consultant, except as a consultant to the Company and for
      the
      Company’s benefit or as an employee or contractor of a subsidiary or affiliate
      of the Company, (a) shall not, individually or in association with any person
      or
      entity, solicit, divert, or take away, or attempt to solicit, divert or take
      away, the business of any of the customers, prospective customers, suppliers
      or
      prospective suppliers of the Company, for the purposes of (in the case of
      customers and prospective customers) selling any product or service similar
      to
      that which provided or offered by the Company or (in the case of suppliers)
      purchasing from any such supplier or prospective supplier any raw material
      used
      to make any goods or services similar to that made by the Company, if such
      products would be manufactured and sold in any geographic are in which those
      fuels would be sold in competition with the products produced or proposed to
      be
      produced by the Company or its affiliates, nor shall he assist any other person
      to do so.

     

    D.
      Nonpiracy
      of Employees.
      For the
      three-year period immediately following the Separation Date, Consultant shall
      not, individually or in association with any person or entity, attempt in any
      manner to encourage any employee or consultant of or to the Company or any
      subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to leave the services of such
      entity.

     

    E.
      Enforcement
      of Restrictive Covenants.
      The
      Company may disclose the prohibitions contained in this Section 76 to any person
      or entity who, at any time, employs, contracts with or considers employing
      or
      contracting with the Consultant. Consultant agrees that the remedy at law for
      any breach by Consultant under any of the covenants set forth in any of this
      Item 6, inclusive, will not be adequate, and that Company shall be entitled
      to
      immediate injunctive relief with respect to any such breach; provided, further,
      that the Company’s remedies for such a breach are cumulative and the Company may
      bring an action at law and/or in equity for any damages which it might sustain
      from such a breach and shall be entitled to recover from Consultant reasonable
      attorney's fees and costs and expenses of litigation generally, whether on
      appeal or otherwise, actually incurred by the Company as a result of such
      breach.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    8.
      Severability/Construction.
      Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement, or subpart thereof, shall
      be interpreted so as to be valid and effective under applicable law, but if
      any
      provision, or subpart thereof, of this Agreement shall be prohibited or invalid
      under applicable law, that provision, or subpart thereof, shall be ineffective
      only to the extent of the prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the
      remainder of that provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
      This
      Agreement is the product of joint drafting and shall not be interpreted against
      any party as the drafter of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed
      in
      accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without
      reference to the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof. Any legal action
      or proceeding with respect to this Agreement may be brought in any federal
      or
      state court having New York, New York, as or within its jurisdiction or
      district. By execution of this Agreement, Seller hereby submits to the
      jurisdiction and venue of said courts, hereby expressly waiving any defense
      of
      personal jurisdiction or improper venue. Nothing herein shall affect the right
      of any party to serve process in any manner permitted or required by law. The
      paragraph headings or captions appearing in this Agreement are for convenience
      only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to be considered in
      interpreting this Agreement. 

    

    9.
      Notices.
      All
      notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder
      or
      by reason of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
      been
      properly given when delivered in person or by a nationally recognized overnight
      courier to the person to whom such notice is directed; or three (3) days after
      deposited in the U.S. Mail, Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, postage
      prepaid, to the parties addressed as follows: (a) if to Buyer: 1185 Avenue
      of
      the Americas, 20th
      Floor,
      New York, NY 10036; and (b) if to Consultant: 360 W. 22nd
      Street,
      16B, New York, NY 10011.

    

    10.
      Binding
      Effect/Assignment/Waivers.
      This
      Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, estates,
      legal and personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns of the
      respective parties hereto. Consultant may not assign or delegate his rights,
      duties or obligations hereunder. Upon prior written notice to Consultant, the
      Company may assign or delegate its rights, duties or obligations hereunder
      in
      connection with any merger, sale or similar transaction. No waiver or release
      of
      any obligation or right of any party hereto shall be valid or enforceable unless
      made in writing and duly executed by all parties hereto. A party owing money
      under this Agreement (the “Owing Party”) to another party under this Agreement
      (the “Due Party”) may set off amounts owed by the Owing Party to the Due Party
      under this Agreement against amounts owed by the Due Party to the Owing Party,
      whether under this Agreement or otherwise. The terms of this Agreement shall
      survive the termination of this Agreement.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    11.
      Entire
      Agreement/Modification.
      This
      Agreement, along with all items incorporated herein, constitutes the entire
      and
      complete agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior oral
      or
      written agreement between the parties with respect to the obligations and
      covenants contemplated hereunder. It is expressly agreed that there are no
      verbal understandings or agreements which in any way change the terms,
      covenants, and conditions herein set forth, and that no modification of this
      Agreement and no waiver of any of its terms and conditions shall be effective
      unless made in writing and duly executed by all parties hereto. 

    

    12.
      Counterparts.
      This
      Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, and each
      counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all
      counterparts hereof taken together shall constitute but a single instrument.
      This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile transmission, and
      a
      facsimile copy of an executed counterpart shall be deemed and considered for
      all
      purposes as an original executed counterpart, in which case the parties then
      shall immediately circulate original documents for execution by all parties.
      

    

    In
      witness whereof, the undersigned each have caused this Agreement to be executed
      under seal individually or by their duly authorized officers as of the date
      first set forth above.

     

    
      	Xethanol Corporation 	 	Consultant 
	 	 	 
	By: 	/s/ Louis
              Bernstein	 	/s/
              Christopher
              d’Arnaud-Taylor
	Name:	
              
 Louis
              Bernstein	 	
              
Christopher
              d’Arnaud-Taylor
	Title:	 Acting
              Chief
              Executive Officer	 	 

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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