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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                                                           Contract No. BF 20665

              THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
                            INDUSTRY TRACK AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") made as of this 8th day of January, 2002,
(hereinafter "Effective Date") by and between THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND SANTA
FE RAILWAY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, hereinafter called "Railroad", and
NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL, LLC, a(n) limited liability company, hereinafter called
"Industry".

WHEREAS, Industry desires that Railroad: (i) maintain and operate over certain
rail, ties, ballast, and appurtenances thereto shown as heavy solid on Exhibit
"A" attached hereto and incorporated herein ("Railroad Track"); and (ii) operate
over certain additional track shown as heavy hatched on Exhibit "A" ("Industry
Track"), (Railroad Track and Industry Track collectively, together with all
appurtenances, called "Track"), located at Big Stone City, Grant County, South
Dakota, to serve a facility operated by Industry ("Plant");

WHEREAS, Railroad desires to provide such service, subject to the terms of this
Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the
parties agree to the maintenance and operation of the Track on the following
terms and conditions:

OWNERSHIP OF TRACK

1.   Railroad shall own the Railroad Track and Industry shall own the Industry
     Track.

MAINTENANCE OF TRACK

2.   (a)  Maintenance for the purpose of this Agreement includes, but is not
          limited to, responsibility for providing proper drainage along the
          relevant portion of the Track and for keeping the Track free and clear
          of snow, ice, vegetation, structures, and other obstacles. Maintenance
          also includes, but is not limited to, responsibility for the
          maintenance of grade crossing warning devices, stop signs, gates,
          fences or barriers, roadway construction, track drainage facilities,
          lighting, track signals and signal maintenance.

     (b)  Railroad shall, for the accommodation of and at the sole risk and
          expense of Industry, maintain the Railroad Track.

     (c)  Industry shall at all times, and at its sole risk and expense,
          maintain, or cause to be maintained, the Industry Track in a condition
          satisfactory to Railroad and in compliance with all applicable Legal
          Requirements as defined below. Without relieving Industry from any of
          its obligations under this Agreement, Railroad may refuse to operate
          over the Industry Track whenever Railroad, in its sole discretion,
          determines that the Industry Track is unsatisfactory for Railroad's
          operation. If

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          and when Industry has remedied such condition to Railroad's sole
          satisfaction, Railroad shall resume operation over the Industry Track.

     (d)  Railroad's operation over the Track with knowledge of an
          unsatisfactory condition is not a waiver of Industry's obligations
          contained herein or of Railroad's right to recover for or be
          indemnified and defended against such damages to property, and injury
          to or death of persons that may result therefrom.

TERM

3.   Unless earlier terminated as provided in Section 14, this Agreement shall
     be in force for the term of ONE MONTH from its date and shall automatically
     continue thereafter until terminated by either party giving to the other
     thirty (30) days written notice of its desire to terminate the same.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

4.   (a)  Industry shall be responsible for obtaining, without expense to
          Railroad, all necessary real property rights and public authority and
          permission, including applicable permits, for the maintenance and
          operation of the Track.

     (b)  Industry further agrees that it will fulfill all its obligations and
          exercise its rights hereunder in full compliance with all laws,
          statutes, regulations, ordinances, orders, covenants and restrictions
          (collectively, "Legal Requirements").

OPERATION OF TRACK

5.   (a)  Industry shall, at its sole expense, pay all costs for changes,
          repairs or alterations to the Industry Track that may be necessary in
          order to conform to any changes of grade or relocation of the Railroad
          Track at the point of connection with the Industry Track, if such
          change of grade or relocation is required to comply with any Legal
          Requirement or is made for any other reason beyond Railroad's
          reasonable control.

     (b)  In the event the Track is used for receiving, forwarding, or storing
          hazardous materials as defined by any federal, state, or local
          environmental law or regulation, Industry agrees to comply with all
          applicable Legal Requirements and with Railroad's further requirements
          concerning the same.

     (c)  In the event Industry desires to install any gates or fencing across
          the Track, or to install a track scale, unloading pit, loading or
          unloading device, adjustable loading dock, warehouse door, or any
          other structure within Minimal Clearances as defined below
          (collectively, "Facilities"), Industry shall first submit in writing
          to Railroad the plans and specifications for such Facilities, and
          secure written approval from Railroad, which may be withheld in
          Railroad's sole discretion, before construction of any Facilities is
          undertaken by Industry.

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     (d)  Railroad may require for safety purposes that Industry, at its sole
          cost and expense, provide flagmen, lights, traffic control devices,
          automatic warning devices, or any such safety measure that Railroad
          deems appropriate in connection with the Industry's use of the Track.
          Industry shall reimburse Railroad within thirty (30) days of receipt
          of bill rendered therefor for all costs expended by Railroad,
          including but not limited to the cost of Railroad's Flagman ($500.00
          per eight hour day, $95.00 per hour thereafter) in connection with
          this Section.

     (e)  Industry shall construct, install, use, maintain, and repair all
          Facilities at its sole risk and expense, in a manner and of materials
          satisfactory to Railroad. Industry, during the installation,
          construction, use, operation, renewal, relocation, modification,
          maintenance and repair of these Facilities, shall exercise utmost and
          extraordinary diligence to prevent damage to the property of Railroad
          or injury to its agents, employees, invitees and contractors. The
          presence of any Facilities must never be a source of danger to or
          interfere with the safe operations of Railroad over the Track.

          In furtherance of the foregoing obligation of Industry but not in
          limitation of the same, Industry shall do, among others, the following
          things:

          Industry shall keep any gates across the Track open whenever
          necessary, in Railroad's sole judgment, to enable Railroad to safely
          and efficiently operate over the Track. Industry shall keep unloading
          pits securely covered when not in actual use and at all times when the
          Track is being switched by Railroad. Industry must keep all doors
          firmly secured, and adjustable loading docks at warehouses shall
          likewise be securely fastened in an upright position when not in
          actual use and at all times when the Track is being switched by
          Railroad. Industry shall operate and maintain all other Facilities so
          as not to negatively affect the safe and efficient operation of
          Railroad over Track.

     (f)  In the event the public authority having jurisdiction thereover orders
          the separation of the grade of the Track and any street, road,
          highway, other rail line or the like, Industry hereby consents to the
          removal and/or relocation of the Track and shall reimburse Railroad
          all expenses in connection with the removal and/or relocation of the
          Track.

DEFINITION OF COST AND EXPENSE

6.   (a)  For the purpose of this Agreement, "cost' or "costs" "expense" or
          "expenses" includes, but is not limited to, actual labor and material
          costs including all assignable additives, and material and supply
          costs at current value where used.

     (b)  All invoices are due thirty (30) days after the invoice date. In the
          event that Industry shall fail to pay any monies due to Railroad
          within thirty (30) days after the invoice date, then Industry shall
          pay interest on such unpaid sum from thirty

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          (30) days after its invoice date to the date of payment by Industry at
          an annual rate equal to (i) the greater of (a) for the period January
          1 through June 30, the prime rate last published in THE WALL STREET
          JOURNAL in the preceding December plus two and one-half percent (2
          1/2%), and for the period July 1 through December 31, the prime rate
          last published in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL in the preceding June plus
          two and one-half percent (2 1/2%), or (b) twelve percent (12%), or
          (ii) the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is less.

RIGHT OF RAILROAD TO USE

7.   All rights granted to the Industry hereunder are subject and subordinate to
     the prior and continuing right of the Railroad, without liability to the
     Industry or any other party for compensation or damages thereto: (i) to use
     the Railroad Track; (ii) to construct, maintain, renew, use, operate,
     change, modify or relocate the Railroad Track; and (iii) to allow to be
     constructed upon its right-of-way such other facilities and to use its
     right-of-way in any manner, each Railroad in its sole discretion deems
     appropriate, provided Railroad uses all commercially reasonable efforts to
     avoid material interference with the use of said Track as described herein.

CLEARANCES

8.   (a)  Industry shall not place, permit to be placed, or allow to remain, any
          permanent or temporary material, structure, pole, or other obstruction
          within 8 1/2 feet laterally from the center (nine and one-half (9-1/2)
          feet on either side of the centerline of curved Track) or from 24 feet
          vertically from the top of the rail of said Track ("Minimal
          Clearances"), provided that if any Legal Requirement requires greater
          clearances than those provided for in this Section 8, then Industry
          shall strictly comply with such Legal Requirement. However, vertical
          or lateral clearances which are less than the Minimal Clearances but
          are in compliance with Legal Requirements will not be a violation of
          this Section 8, so long as Industry strictly complies with the terms
          of any such Legal Requirement.

     (b)  Railroad's operation over the Track with knowledge of an unauthorized
          reduced clearance will not be a waiver of the covenants of Industry
          contained in this Section 8 or of Railroad's right to recover and be
          indemnified and defended against such damages to property, or injury
          to or death of persons, that may result therefrom.

     (c)  Industry shall not place or allow to be placed any freight car within
          250 feet of either side of any at-grade crossings on the Track.

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PUBLIC ASSESSMENTS

9.   Industry shall timely pay all compensation, assessments and levies required
     at any time by a municipality, public authority, corporation, or person for
     the privilege of maintaining and operating the Track, and shall not cause
     or permit any liens to be filed against the Railroad Track or any Railroad
     property. In the event any such liens are filed, Industry shall cause such
     liens to be released within fifteen (15) days.

LIABILITY

10.  (a)  TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INDUSTRY SHALL RELEASE,
          INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS RAILROAD AND RAILROAD'S AFFILIATED
          COMPANIES, PARTNERS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES,
          OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY,
          "INDEMNITEES") FOR, FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LIABILITIES,
          FINES, PENALTIES, COSTS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIENS, CAUSES OF ACTION,
          SUITS, DEMANDS, JUDGMENTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
          COURT COSTS, ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS OF INVESTIGATION, REMOVAL AND
          REMEDIATION AND GOVERNMENTAL OVERSIGHT COSTS) ENVIRONMENTAL OR
          OTHERWISE (COLLECTIVELY "LIABILITIES") OF ANY NATURE, KIND OR
          DESCRIPTION OF ANY PERSON OR ENTITY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT
          OF, RESULTING FROM OR RELATED TO (IN WHOLE OR IN PART):

               (i)   THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS
               ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS,

               (ii)  ANY RIGHTS OR INTERESTS GRANTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT,

               (iii) INDUSTRY'S OCCUPATION AND USE OF RAILROAD'S PROPERTY OR THE
               USE OF AND OPERATION BY RAILROAD UPON INDUSTRY'S PROPERTY,

               (iv)  THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION AND STATUS OF THE TRACK OR
               RAILROAD'S PROPERTY CAUSED OR AGGRAVATED BY, OR CONTRIBUTED TO,
               IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY INDUSTRY,

               (v)   THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION AND STATUS OF INDUSTRY'S PLANT,
               OR

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               (vi)  ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF INDUSTRY OR INDUSTRY'S OFFICERS,
               AGENTS, INVITEES, EMPLOYEES, OR CONTRACTORS, OR ANYONE DIRECTLY
               OR INDIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY ANY OF THEM, OR ANYONE THEY CONTROL OR
               EXERCISE CONTROL OVER,

          EVEN IF SUCH LIABILITIES ARISE FROM OR ARE ATTRIBUTED TO, IN WHOLE OR
          IN PART, ANY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY INDEMNITEE. THE ONLY LIABILITIES WITH
          RESPECT TO WHICH INDUSTRY'S OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE INDEMNITEES
          DOES NOT APPLY ARE LIABILITIES TO THE EXTENT PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY THE
          GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF AN INDEMNITEE.

     (b)  FURTHER, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LIMITATION IN SECTION 10(a), INDUSTRY NOW
          AND FOREVER WAIVES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, REGARDLESS WHETHER BASED ON THE
          STRICT LIABILITY, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, THAT RAILROAD IS AN
          "OWNER", "OPERATOR", "ARRANGER", OR "TRANSPORTER" OF INDUSTRY'S PLANT
          OR INDUSTRY TRACK FOR THE PURPOSES OF CERCLA OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
          LAWS. INDUSTRY WILL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD THE INDEMNITEES
          HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL SUCH CLAIMS REGARDLESS OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF
          ANY INDEMNITEES. INDUSTRY FURTHER AGREES THAT THE USE OF THE TRACK AS
          CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT IN ANY WAY SUBJECT RAILROAD
          TO CLAIMS THAT RAILROAD IS OTHER THAN A COMMON CARRIER FOR PURPOSES OF
          ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD
          THE INDEMNITEES HARMLESS FOR ANY AND ALL SUCH CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT
          SHALL RAILROAD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF
          INDUSTRY'S PLANT OR INDUSTRY'S TRACK UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

     (c)  INDUSTRY FURTHER AGREES, REGARDLESS OF ANY NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED
          NEGLIGENCE OF ANY INDEMNITEE, TO INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE
          INDEMNITEES AGAINST AND ASSUME THE DEFENSE OF ANY LIABILITIES ASSERTED
          AGAINST OR SUFFERED BY ANY INDEMNITEE UNDER OR RELATED TO THE FEDERAL
          EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACT ("FELA") WHENEVER EMPLOYEES OF INDUSTRY OR
          ANY OF ITS AGENTS, INVITEES, CONTRACTORS CLAIM OR ALLEGE THAT THEY ARE
          EMPLOYEES OF ANY INDEMNITEE OR OTHERWISE. THIS INDEMNITY SHALL ALSO
          EXTEND, ON THE SAME BASIS, TO FELA CLAIMS BASED ON ACTUAL OR ALLEGED
          VIOLATIONS OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS OR REGULATIONS,

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          INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE SAFETY APPLIANCE ACT, THE BOILER
          INSPECTION ACT, THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT, THE RESOURCE
          CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT, AND ANY SIMILAR STATE OR FEDERAL
          STATUTE.

     (d)  Upon written notice from Railroad, Industry agrees to assume the
          defense of any lawsuit or other proceeding brought against any
          Indemnitee by any entity, relating to any matter covered by this
          Agreement for which Industry has an obligation to assume liability for
          and/or save and hold harmless any Indemnitee. Industry shall pay all
          costs incident to such defense, including, but not limited to,
          attorneys' fees, investigators' fees, litigation and appeal expenses,
          settlement payments, and amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments.

     (e)  In the event Licensee causes any improvement of material or labor to
          be effected upon the Railroad's Property, Licensee shall, at its sole
          cost and expense, furnish to Railroad, in a form acceptable to
          Railroad, a fully executed Performance and Payment Bond, by a surety
          or sureties approved by Railroad, in the amount of [150% of the cost
          of the improvement], as security for the faithful performance of this
          Agreement and for payment of all persons performing labor or
          furnishing materials or equipment in connection therewith.

INSURANCE

11.  Industry shall, at its sole cost and expense, procure and maintain during
     the life of this Agreement the following insurance coverage:

     (a)  Commercial General Liability insurance. This insurance shall contain
          broad form contractual liability with a combined single limit of a
          minimum of $5,000,000 each occurrence and an aggregate limit of at
          least $10,000,000. Coverage must be purchased on a post 1998 ISO
          occurrence or equivalent and include coverage for, but not limited to,
          the following:

               - Bodily Injury and Property Damage
               - Personal Injury and Advertising Injury
               - Fire legal liability
               - Products and completed operations

          This policy shall also contain the following endorsements, which shall
          be indicated on the certificate of insurance:

               -  It is agreed that any workers' compensation exclusion does not
                  apply to Railroad payments related to the Federal Employers
                  Liability Act or a Railroad Wage Continuation Program or
                  similar programs and any payments made are deemed not to be
                  either payments made or obligations

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                  assumed under any Workers Compensation, disability benefits,
                  or unemployment compensation law or similar law.
               -  The definition of insured contract shall be amended to remove
                  any exclusion or other limitation for any work being done
                  within 50 feet of railroad property.
               -  Any exclusions related to the explosion, collapse and
                  underground hazards shall be removed.

          No other endorsements limiting coverage may be included on the policy.

     (b)  Business Automobile Insurance. This insurance shall contain a combined
          single limit of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, and include
          coverage for, but not limited to the following:

               -  Bodily injury and property damage
               -  Any and all vehicles owned, used or hired

     (c)  Workers Compensation and Employers Liability insurance including
          coverage for, but not limited to:

               -  Industry's statutory liability under the worker's compensation
                  laws of the state(s) in which the work is to be performed. If
                  optional under State law, the insurance must cover all
                  employees anyway.
               -  Employers' Liability (Part B) with limits of at least $500,000
                  each accident, $500,000 by disease policy limit, $500,000 by
                  disease each employee.
               -  All such coverage shall include coverage for the Federal
                  Employers Liability Act and include an alternate employer
                  endorsement naming Railroad as the alternate employer with
                  coverage for the Federal Employers Liability Act. The term
                  Alternate Employer as used herein and above is being used
                  solely as an insurance term of art. By Contractor's actions of
                  obtaining insurance coverage as set forth above Contractor is
                  in no way intending or evidencing an alternate or dual
                  employment relationship with Railroad. The parties agree: (1)
                  Railroad has no right to direct or control Contractor's
                  employees with respect to the physical conduct or the
                  performance of services; (2) Railroad does not supervise, nor
                  does it have the right to supervise, details of Contractor's
                  employees' work or the manner in which such work is
                  accomplished; (3) Railroad retains no control over the details
                  of the Contractor's employees' work; and (4) Railroad has no
                  right to select, hire, train or fire Contractor's employees.

          Other Requirements:

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          All policies (applying to coverage listed above) shall contain no
          exclusion for punitive damages and certificates of insurance shall
          reflect that no exclusion exists.

          Industry agrees to waive its right of recovery against Railroad for
          all claims and suits against Railroad. In addition, its insurers,
          through policy endorsement, waive their right of subrogation against
          Railroad for all claims and suits. The certificate of insurance must
          reflect waiver of subrogation endorsement. Industry further waives its
          right of recovery, and its insurers also waive their right of
          subrogation against Railroad for loss of its owned or leased property
          or property under its care, custody or control.

          Industry's insurance policies through policy endorsement must include
          wording which states that the policy shall be primary and
          non-contributing with respect to any insurance carried by Railroad.
          The certificate of insurance must reflect that the above wording is
          included in evidenced policies.

          All policy(ies) required above (excluding Workers Compensation and if
          applicable, Railroad Protective) shall include a severability of
          interest endorsement and shall name Railroad and Staubach Global
          Services, Inc. as an additional insured with respect to work performed
          under this agreement. Severability of interest and naming Railroad and
          Staubach Global Services, Inc. as additional insured shall be
          indicated on the certificate of insurance.

          Industry is not allowed to self-insure without the prior written
          consent of Railroad. If granted by Railroad, any deductible,
          self-insured retention or other financial responsibility for claims
          shall be paid directly by Industry. Any and all Railroad liabilities
          that would otherwise, in accordance with the provisions of this
          Agreement, be covered by Industry's insurance shall be paid by
          Industry as if Industry elected not to include a deductible,
          self-insured retention or other financial responsibility for claims.

          Prior to commencing the Work, Industry shall furnish to Railroad an
          acceptable certificate(s) of insurance including an original signature
          of the authorized representative evidencing the required coverage,
          endorsements, and amendments and referencing the contract audit/folder
          number if available. The policy(ies) shall contain a provision that
          obligates the insurance company(ies) issuing such policy(ies) to
          notify Railroad in writing at least 30 days prior to any cancellation,
          substitution or material alteration. This cancellation provision shall
          be indicated on the certificate of insurance. Upon request from
          Railroad, a certified duplicate original of any required policy shall
          be furnished.

          Any insurance policy shall be written by a reputable insurance company
          acceptable to Railroad or with a current Best's Guide Rating of A- and
          Class VII or better, and authorized to do business in the state(s) in
          which the service is to be provide.

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          Industry WARRANTS that this Agreement has been thoroughly reviewed by
          Industry's insurance agent(s)/broker(s), who have been instructed by
          Industry to procure the insurance coverage required by this Agreement.
          Allocated Loss Expense shall be in addition to all policy limits for
          coverages referenced above.

          Not more frequently than once every five years, Railroad may
          reasonably modify the required insurance coverage to reflect
          then-current risk management practices in the railroad industry and
          underwriting practices in the insurance industry.

          If any portion of the operation is to be subcontracted by Industry,
          Industry shall require that the subcontractor shall provide and
          maintain insurance coverage as set forth herein, naming Railroad as an
          additional insured, and shall require that the subcontractor shall
          release, defend and indemnify Railroad to the same extent and under
          the same terms and conditions as Industry is required to release,
          defend and indemnify Railroad herein.

          Failure to provide evidence as required by this section shall entitle,
          but not require, Railroad to terminate this Agreement immediately.

          The fact that insurance (including, without limitation,
          self-insurance) is obtained by Industry shall not be deemed to release
          or diminish the liability of Industry including, without limitation,
          liability under the indemnity provisions of this Agreement. Damages
          recoverable by Railroad shall not be limited by the amount of the
          required insurance coverage.

          For purposes of this section, Railroad shall mean "Burlington Northern
          Santa Fe Corporation", "The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway
          Company" and the subsidiaries, successors, assigns and affiliates of
          each.

ENVIRONMENTAL

12.  (a)  Industry shall strictly comply with all federal, state and local
          environmental laws and regulations in its use of the Track, including,
          but not limited to, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as
          amended (RCRA), the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the
          Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, CERCLA (collectively referred
          to as the "Environmental Laws"). Industry shall not maintain a
          treatment, storage, transfer or disposal facility, or underground
          storage tank, as defined by Environmental Laws on, under, or within
          the Minimal Clearances of the Track. Industry shall not release, or
          suffer the release of oil or hazardous substances, as defined by
          Environmental Laws on, under or within the Minimal Clearances of the
          Track.

     (b)  Industry shall give Railroad immediate notice to Railroad's Resource
          Operations Center at (800) 832-5452 of any release of hazardous
          substances on or from the Track, violation of Environmental Laws, or
          inspection or inquiry by governmental

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          authorities charged with enforcing Environmental Laws with respect to
          Industry's use of the Track. Industry shall use the best efforts to
          promptly respond to any release on or from the Track. Industry also
          shall give Railroad immediate notice of all measures undertaken on
          behalf of industry to investigate, remediate, respond to or otherwise
          cure such release or violation.

     (c)  In the event that Railroad has notice from Industry or otherwise of a
          release or violation of Environmental Laws on the Track which occurred
          or may occur during the term of this Agreement, Railroad may require
          Industry, at Industry's sole risk and expense, to take timely measures
          to investigate, remediate, respond to or otherwise cure such release
          or violation affecting the Plant, Track or Railroad's right-of-way.

     (d)  Industry shall promptly report to Railroad in writing any conditions
          or activities upon the Plant or Track which create a risk of harm to
          persons, property or the environment and shall take whatever action is
          necessary to prevent injury to persons or property arising out of such
          conditions or activities; provided, however, that Industry's reporting
          to Railroad shall not relieve industry of any obligation whatsoever
          imposed on it by this Agreement. Industry shall promptly respond to
          Railroad's request for information regarding said conditions or
          activities.

DEFAULT

13.  (a)  If Industry creates or maintains any condition, including without
          limitation, any environmental condition, on or about the Track, which
          in Railroad's sole judgment interferes with or endangers the
          operations of Railroad, or in case of any assignment or transfer of
          this Agreement by operation of law, Railroad may, at its option,
          terminate this Agreement by serving five (5) days' notice in writing
          upon Industry.

     (b)  Except as otherwise set forth in subparagraph (a) above, if Industry
          defaults on any of the covenants or agreements of Industry contained
          in this document, for a period of thirty (30) days following written
          notice of such default by Railroad, Railroad may, at its option,
          terminate this Agreement on five (5) days' notice in writing to
          Industry.

          Any waiver by Railroad of any default or defaults shall not constitute
          a waiver of the right to terminate this Agreement for any subsequent
          default or defaults, nor shall any such waiver in any way affect
          Railroad's ability to enforce any Section of this Agreement. The
          remedy set forth in this Section 13 shall be in addition to, and not
          in limitation of, any other remedies that Railroad may have at law or
          in equity.

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TERMINATION

14.  (a)  In addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity,
          Railroad may, without incurring any liability to Industry, terminate
          this Agreement and discontinue the maintenance and operation of the
          Track and remove the Railroad Track, in the event of any of the
          following contingencies:

          (i) If Industry fails to utilize rail service from Railroad to or from
          the Plant for a period of eight (8) months in any period of twelve
          (12) months, Railroad may, at its option, expressed in writing,
          terminate this Agreement, effective immediately.

          (ii) If Railroad is authorized by competent public authority to
          abandon its line to which said Track is connected, Railroad may, upon
          written notice to Industry, terminate this Agreement effective
          immediately.

          (iii) If Railroad is dispossessed of the right to operate over the
          Track or its connecting track or any part thereof, Railroad may
          terminate this Agreement effective immediately by written notice to
          Industry.

     (b)  Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement as
          provided herein, Industry shall, at its sole cost and expense, remove
          any Facilities or improvements upon, over, or under the Track and
          restore the Railroad's right-of-way to substantially the state in
          which it was on the Effective Date of this Agreement. In the event
          Industry shall fail within thirty (30) days after the date of such
          termination to make such removal and restoration, the Railroad may, at
          its option, remove the Facilities or improvements or otherwise restore
          its right-of-way, and in such event Industry shall, within thirty (30)
          days after receipt of a bill therefor, reimburse Railroad for any
          costs incurred.

     (c)  Industry hereby agrees to waive and release all claims, rights, and
          causes of action that Industry has, may have, or may assert against
          Railroad because of the discontinuance of operation and removal of the
          Railroad Track as provided in this Section 14 of this Agreement.

JOINT USE BY OTHER RAILROADS

15.  This Agreement is also made for the benefit of such other railroads which,
     either by agreement with Railroad or order of competent public authority
     have the right to use the Track, all of which railroads shall be deemed
     "Railroad" under this Agreement.

ASSIGNMENT

16.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
     successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that
     Industry may not assign this

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     Agreement without the prior written consent of Railroad, which may be
     withheld in Railroad's sole discretion.

     Either party hereto may assign any receivables due them under this
     Agreement; provided, however, that such assignments will not relieve the
     assignor of any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement.

NOTICES

17.  Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder by one party to the
     other shall be in writing and the same shall be given and shall be deemed
     to have been served and given if (i) placed in the United States mail,
     certified, return receipt requested, or (ii) deposited into the custody of
     a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, addressed to the party
     to be notified at the address for such party specified below, or to such
     other address as the party to be notified may designate by giving the other
     party no less than thirty (30) days' advance written notice of such change
     in address.

             FOR INDUSTRY:                 FOR RAILROAD:
             ------------                  ------------
       Northern Lights Ethanol, LLC      Staubach Global Services
       1303 East Fourth Avenue           5650 N. Riverside Dr., Ste. 101
       Milbank, South Dakota 57252       Fort Worth, Texas 76137-2464

SURVIVAL

18.  Neither termination nor expiration will release either party from any
     liability or obligation under this Agreement, whether of indemnity or
     otherwise, resulting from any acts, omissions or events happening prior to
     the date of termination or expiration, or, if later, the date when the
     Track, Facilities, and improvements are removed and the right-of-way is
     restored to its condition as of the Effective Date.

RECORDATION

19.  It is understood and agreed that this Agreement shall not be placed of
     public record.

APPLICABLE LAW

20.  All questions concerning the interpretation or application of provisions of
     this Agreement shall be decided according to the laws of the State of
     Texas.

SEVERABILITY

21.  To the maximum extent possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be
     interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
     law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by, or held
     to be invalid under, applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective
     solely to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, and

<Page>

     this shall not invalidate the remainder of such provision or any other
     provision of this Agreement.

INTEGRATION

22.  This Agreement is the full and complete agreement between Railroad and
     Industry with respect to all matters relating to the maintenance and
     operation of the Track and supersedes all other agreements between the
     parties hereto relating to the maintenance and operation of the Track.
     However, nothing herein is intended to terminate any surviving obligation
     of Industry or Industry's obligation to defend and hold Railroad harmless
     in any prior written agreement between the parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

23.  In the event that the Industry consists of two of more parties, all
     covenants and agreements of Industry herein contained shall be the joint
     and several covenants and agreements of such parties.

24.  The waiver by Railroad of the breach of any provision herein by Industry
     shall in no way impair the right of Railroad to enforce that provision for
     any subsequent breach thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
in duplicate the day and year first herein above written.

                                              THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN AND
                                               SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
                                               c/o Staubach Global Services
                                               5650 N. Riverside Dr., Ste. 101
                                               Fort Worth, Texas 76137-2464

                                              By: /s/ M.E. Devine
                                                 -------------------------------
                                               M. E. Devine
                                               Director Industrial Development

                                              NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL, LLC 1303
                                               East Fourth Avenue Milbank, South
                                               Dakota 57252

                                              By: /s/ Del Strasser
                                                 -------------------------------
                                              Title: President
                                                    ----------------------------

<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                     [Plat Drawing of Track not reproduced]<Page>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                   NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE - SOUTH DAKOTA
                              SERVICE REQUEST FORM

This form shall constitute the Customer's Agreement to the terms of the Gas
Transportation Tariff. The Company shall have the right, to file for, and seek
approval by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission of, changes in rates,
charges or other tariff provisions applicable to service hereunder and to place
such changes in effect in accordance with applicable law; and this Agreement
shall be deemed to have been amended to include such changes and any other
changes which become effective by operation of law or by order of any
governmental body with jurisdiction.

This agreement shall become effective as of INITIAL START-UP PLANT, and shall be
in effect for a primary term of 10 year(s) from such date, and from year to year
thereafter, unless and until terminated by either party upon six (6) months'
written notice.

CUSTOMER NAME: NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL - LLC

CUSTOMER ACCOUNT NUMBER: ___________________________ SIC CODE: 2869

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CODE: 325193

CUSTOMER ADDRESS - GAS DELIVERY POINT: BIG STONE, SD

CUSTOMER ADDRESS - NOTICES: BIG STONE, SD

CUSTOMER ADDRESS - INVOICES: BIG STONE, SD

CUSTOMER CONTACT: CASEY WHELAN      TITLE: AGENT FOR CUSTOMER

PHONE: 952-745-4310       FAX: 952-473-1224

RECEIPT POINT (NWPS TBS): MILBANK LATERAL

DELIVERY POINT: NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL

METER NUMBER(S):

PREVIOUS RATE DESIGNATION(S): N/A

SERVICE QUANTITY:       THERMS/DAY     17,000 - DRYER AND 25,000 - BOILERS WHEN
                                       PLANT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT FOR STEAM HEAT

FIRM TRANSPORTATION:    THERMS/DAY

DAILY BALANCING:        THERMS/DAY

STANDBY SUPPLY          THERMS/DAY

<Page>

                   NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE - SOUTH DAKOTA
                              SERVICE REQUEST FORM

PRICING:

From time to time, Customer and Company shall negotiate a rate and term of
transportation which shall be by purchase nomination order in the form which is
attached as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference in this Agreement.

SERVICE QUALIFICATIONS:

The Company is notifying Customers who have elected Gas Transportation Service
of the risks of transportation reasonably known at the time the Customer begins
transporting gas. The Customer hereby understands it may be subject to risks
which include, but may not be limited to, the following:

     1)   The Company may not have firm or interruptible gas sales service
          available if the Customer seeks to purchase gas from the Company;

     2)   The Customer may be subject to pipeline penalties assessed to the
          Company which are caused by the Customer consuming the Company's gas
          with no authority to do so; and

     3)   If the Customer elects to discontinue transporting gas and if the
          Company is able to secure a source of gas supply and transportation
          for the Customer, the cost of such gas and transportation may exceed
          the cost of gas being purchased by the Company's other Customers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Service Request Form
as of the day and year set forth below.

Company                                     Customer

Northwestern Public Service                 NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL - LLC

By: /s/ Curt Pohl                          By: /s/ Delton Strasser
    ---------------------------------          ---------------------------------

Title: VP Energy Engineering               Title: President
      -------------------------------            -------------------------------
Date: 3-13-02                              Date: 3-5-02

<Page>

                   NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE - SOUTH DAKOTA
                              SERVICE REQUEST FORM

                                   EXHIBIT "A"
                            GAS TRANSPORTATION TARIFF
                            PURCHASE NOMINATION ORDER

     This Purchase Nomination Order ("PNO") is made and entered into by and
between Customer and Company. This PNO is pursuant to and in accordance with the
provisions of the Agreement for Gas Transportation Tariff executed between the
Parties and Company's Gas Transportation Tariff as on file with and made
effective by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

TELECOPY TO: Northern Lights Ethanol

ATTENTION: Casey Whelan, Agent for Customer

Telephone: 952-745-4310    Telecopier: 952-473-1224

RATES:

Service shall be rendered under Company's Gas Transportation Tariffs on file
with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission:

RATE NO. 87 TRANSPORTATION SERVICE MONTHLY CHARGES:

Customer Charge per Meter:                   $330.00  Sheet No. 6.1  Option B 1/
Commodity Charge, all use, per therm:        $0.0204  Sheet No. 6.1  Option B 1/
Ad Valorem Taxes Paid Adjustment Clause
  Commodity Charge, all use, per therm:      $0.0041  Sheet No. 9b  Option B 2/

1/ - Subject to change upon approval by PUC of new base rates.
2/ - Subject to change in monthly surcharge filing with PUC.

Others:
    One-time Telemarketing Charge - $2,100 per unit installed

Please acknowledge the terms outlined above by signing below, and return via
facsimile to 605-353-8216.

NorthWestern Public Service                NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL -LLC
"Company"                                  "Customer"

/s/ Clyde J. Gross          3/19/02        /s/ Delton Strasser          3/5/02
-------------------------------------      -------------------------------------
Name                         Date          Name                          Date

<Page>

                           EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT

NAME(S)  Northern Lights Ethanol - LLC                  DATE: December 4, 2001

SERVICE ADDRESS________________________________________ CITY  Big Stone, SD

ACCOUNT NO.__________________________RATE NO.____________BILLING CYCLE__________

          The undersigned Customer and NorthWestern Public Service ("NPS") agree
that natural gas will be provided by Company to Customer as follows:

     (1)  Customer has natural gas requirements of at least 2,000 therms per day
and is receiving natural gas service from NPS under the rate listed above.

     (2)  During the term of this Agreement, the rate per therm of natural gas
delivered by NPS to Customer will be subject to the discounts on the non-gas
portion of the commodity rate in accordance with the following:

        YEARS REMAINING IN CONTRACT TERM              DISCOUNT

                 More than four                      8 percent
                 Four                                4 percent
                 Three                               3 percent
                 Two                                 2 percent
                 One                                 1 percent

     (3)  The term of this Agreement shall be five years, beginning with the
execution of this Agreement.

     (4)  All provisions of NPS' filed tariff listed above, including NPS'
General Terms and Conditions, all as amended from time to time and filed with
the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, not specifically changed by this
Agreement shall apply.

        Accepted and approved this ___ day of _____________________, 200__.

NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE,                NORTHERN LIGHTS ETHANOL - LLC
a DIVISION OF NORTHWESTERN
CORPORATION

By /s/ Curt Pohl                             By /s/ Delton Strasser
  ------------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Title  VP Energy Operations                  Title  President
     ---------------------------------            ------------------------------

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