☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

or

 

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

For the transition period from ____ to _____

 

Commission file number 001-32924

 

Green Plains Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  Common Stock, $.001 par value

Name of exchanges on which registered: Nasdaq Global Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes ☐    No ☒

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒. 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☒.      Accelerated filer ☐.      Non-accelerated filer ☐      Smaller reporting company ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

 

The aggregate market value of the company’s voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2015 (the last business day of the second quarter), based on the last sale price of the common stock on that date of $27.55, was approximately $980.0 million. For purposes of this calculation, executive officers, directors and holders of 10% or more of the registrant’s common stock are deemed to be affiliates of the registrant.

 

As of February 12, 2016, there were 38,474,154 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III herein. The company intends to file such Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K.

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       TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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Commonly Used Defined Terms

 

Green Plains Inc. and Subsidiaries:

 

 

Accounting Defined Terms:

 

 

Industry Defined Terms:

 

 

 

 

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so investors can better understand future prospects and make informed investment decisions. As such, we have included forward-looking statements in this report or by reference to other documents filed with the SEC.

 

Forward-looking statements are made in accordance with safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations which involve a number of risks and uncertainties and do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather to plans and objectives for future operations. These statements include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “outlook,” “plan,” “predict,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will” and similar words and phrases as well as statements regarding future operating or financial performance or guidance, business strategy, environment, key trends and benefits of actual or planned acquisitions.

 

Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied are discussed in this report under “Risk Factors” or incorporated by reference. Specifically, we may experience fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including: competition in the ethanol industry and other industries in which we operate; commodity market risks, including those that may result from weather conditions; financial market risks; counterparty risks; risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation; risks related to acquisitions and achieving anticipated results; risks associated with merchant trading, cattle feed operations, algae production and other factors detailed in reports filed with the SEC. Additional risks related to our newly formed subsidiary, Green Plains Partners LP include compliance with commercial contractual obligations, potential tax consequences related to our investment in the partnership and risks disclosed in the partnership’s SEC filings associated with the operation of the partnership as a separate, publicly traded entity.

 

We believe our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions; however, these assumptions may not be accurate or account for all risks and uncertainties. Consequently, forward-looking statements are not guaranteed. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. In addition, we are not obligated and do not intend to update our forward-looking statements as a result of new information unless it is required by applicable securities laws. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent management’s views as of the date of this report or document incorporated by reference.

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business.

 

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Green Plains,” or the “company” refer to Green Plains Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Overview

 

Green Plains is an Iowa corporation that was founded in June 2004.  We are a Fortune 1000, vertically integrated ethanol producer, marketer and distributor focused on generating stable operating margins through our diversified business segments and risk management strategy. We have operations throughout the ethanol value chain, beginning upstream with grain handling and storage, continuing through ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production and ending downstream with our marketing and distribution services. We believe owning and operating assets throughout the ethanol value chain enables us to mitigate volatility in commodity prices, differentiating us from companies focused only on ethanol production.

 

We group our business activities into four operating segments to manage performance:

 

 

 

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Risk Management and Hedging Activities

 

Our profitability is highly dependent on commodity prices, particularly for ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, corn and natural gas. Since market price fluctuations among these commodities are not always correlated, ethanol production may be unprofitable at times. We use a variety of risk management tools and hedging strategies to monitor real-time operating price risk exposure at each of our plants to secure favorable margins, when available, or temporarily reduce production levels during periods of compressed margins. Our multiple businesses and revenue streams also help to diversify our operations and profitability.

 

We use forward contracts to sell a portion of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production or buy some of the corn or natural gas we need to partially offset commodity price volatility. We also engage in other hedging transactions involving exchange-traded futures contracts for corn, natural gas,  ethanol and other commodities. The financial impact of these activities depends on price of the commodities involved and our ability to physically receive or deliver those commodities. We do not speculate on general price movements by taking significant unhedged positions on commodities.

 

Hedging arrangements expose us to risk of financial loss when the counterparty defaults on its contract or, in the case of exchange-traded contracts, when the expected differential between the price of the underlying commodity and physical commodity changes. Hedging activities can result in losses when a position is purchased in a declining market or sold in a rising market. Hedging losses may be offset by a decreased cash price for corn and natural gas and an increased cash price for ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. We vary the amount of hedging or other risk mitigation strategies we undertake and sometimes choose not to engage in hedging transactions at all.

 

Competitive Strengths

 

We are focused on managing commodity price risks, improving operational efficiencies and optimizing market opportunities to create an efficient platform with diversified income streams. Our competitive strengths include:

 

Disciplined Risk Management.  Risk management is our core competency and we use a variety of risk management tools and hedging strategies to maintain a disciplined approach. Our internally developed operating margin management system allows us to monitor real-time commodity price risk exposure at each of our plants and focus on locking in favorable margins or temporarily reducing production levels during periods of compressed margins.

 

Acquisition and Integration Capabilities.  We have the ability to acquire assets that create synergies and enhance our ability to mitigate risks. Our balance sheet allows us to be opportunistic in that process. Since inception, we built or acquired 14 ethanol plants and installed, or are in the process of installing at the Hopewell plant, corn oil extraction technology at each of our plants to generate incremental returns. In addition, we purchased or built a  grain handling and storage business, a cattle feedlot operation, and terminal and distribution facilities. Successful integration of these operations has enhanced our overall returns.

 

Operational Excellence.  Our plants are staffed by experienced industry personnel who share operational knowledge. We focus on making incremental operational improvements to enhance performance using real-time production data and control systems to monitor our plants and optimize performance. Our operational expertise provides us a cost advantage over most of our competitors and helps us improve the operating margins of acquired facilities.

 

Vertical Integration.  Our vertically integrated platform reduces commodity and operational risk and increases pricing visibility and influence in key markets. Combined, our ethanol production, agribusiness, marketing and distribution, and partnership segments provide efficiencies which extend across the ethanol value chain.

 

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Proven Management Team.  Our senior management team averages more than 25 years of commodity risk management and related industry experience. We have specific expertise across all of our businesses, including plant operations and management, commodity markets and risk management, and ethanol marketing and distribution. Our management team’s level of operational and financial expertise is essential to successfully executing our business strategies.

 

Business Strategy

 

We believe ethanol could become an increasingly larger portion of the global fuel supply due to factors described below driven by volatile oil prices, heightened environmental concerns, energy independence goals and national security concerns:

 

In light of our industry’s environment, we intend to further develop and strengthen our business by pursuing the following growth strategies:

 

Grow Organically.    We seek expansion projects that leverage our assets’ location and potential production capacity by maximizing operational capabilities or increasing grain storage capacity. We believe owning grain storage at our near our plants allows us to develop relationships with local producers and originate corn more effectively at a lower average cost. Since most of our plants are located in close proximity of our competitors in the Midwest, we believe this provides a competitive advantage.

 

Acquire Strategic Assets.    We seek acquisitions that allow us to apply our specialized knowledge, existing processes and expandable infrastructure as a competitive advantage in select agricultural and energy markets. We maintain a disciplined evaluation process in pursuit of strategic assets, taking into consideration rigorous design, engineering, financial and geographic criteria, to ensure the assets will generate favorable returns. For our recently formed subsidiary, Green Plains Partners, our strategy is to acquire additional assets that can be offered to the partnership to generate incremental distributable cash flow.

 

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Conduct Safe, Reliable, Efficient Operations and Improve Operational Efficiency.  We are committed to maintaining safe, reliable and environmentally compliant operations and employ an extensive production control system at each plant to continuously monitor performance. We use the performance data to develop strategies that can be applied across our platform. In addition, we research operational processes that may enhance our efficiency by increasing yields, lowering processing cost per gallon and growing production volumes.

 

Recent Developments

 

We are disciplined in evaluating potential acquisitions for growth. Ethanol plants must meet rigorous design, engineering, valuation and geographic criteria to be considered. The following is a summary of our significant developments during 2015. Additional information about these items can be found elsewhere in this report or in previous reports filed with the SEC.

 

On October 23, 2015, we acquired an ethanol production facility located in Hopewell, Virginia for approximately $18.6 million, including liabilities assumed of approximately $0.4 million. The dry mill ethanol plant’s production capacity is approximately 60 mmgy. We resumed ethanol production at the plant on February 8, 2016 and corn oil processing is expected to be operational during the second quarter of 2016.

 

On November 12, 2015, we acquired Hereford Renewable Energy, LLC located in Hereford, Texas, for approximately $78.8 million for the ethanol plant assets, as well as working capital acquired or assumed of approximately $19.4 million. The purchase includes an ethanol plant with production capacity of approximately 100 mmgy, a corn oil extraction system, working capital and other related assets.

 

As part of our Phase I ethanol production capacity expansion program, we added 35 mmgy of production capacity at a cost of $29.6 million through December 31, 2015. We anticipate adding up to 50 mmgy of production capacity over the next 12 months. The total cost of the Phase I expansion is estimated to be approximately $49.0 million.

 

On November 4, 2015, the partnership announced plans to form a joint venture, as a 50% partner, to build an ethanol unit train terminal in Maumelle, Arkansas. The terminal will be capable of unloading 110-car unit trains in less than 24 hours and initially include storage for approximately 4.2 mmg of ethanol. The project, which will allow ethanol to be delivered more efficiently into Little Rock and surrounding markets, is expected to cost approximately $12 million and be completed during the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the partnership acquired the storage and transportation assets of the Hereford, Texas and Hopewell, Virginia ethanol production facilities from us for an initial consideration of $62.5 million. The partnership used its revolving credit facility and cash on hand to fund the purchase of the assets. The acquired assets include three ethanol storage tanks that support the plants’ combined expected production capacity of approximately 160 mmgy and 224 leased railcars with capacity of approximately 6.7 mmg. The partnership amended the storage and throughput agreement, increasing the minimum volume commitment to 246.5 mmg per calendar quarter. The partnership also amended the rail transportation services agreement, increasing the minimum railcar volumetric capacity commitment to 76.3 mmg.

 

Initial Public Offering of Subsidiary

 

We formed Green Plains Partners LP, a master limited partnership, to provide fuel storage and transportation services. We expect the partnership to be our primary downstream logistics provider since its assets are the principal method of storing and delivering the ethanol we produce.

 

On July 1, 2015, the partnership completed its IPO. A total of 11,500,000 common units, representing limited partner interests, were sold to the public for $15.00 per common unit. The partnership received net proceeds of $157.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts, structuring fees and offering expenses, which it used to make a distribution of $155.3 million to us and pay $0.9 million in origination fees under its new $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The partnership retained the remaining $1.3 million for general purposes.

 

We now own a 62.5% limited partner interest consisting of 4,389,642 common units and 15,889,642 subordinated units, a 2.0% general partner interest in the partnership and all of the partnership’s incentive distribution rights. The public owns the remaining 35.5% limited partner interest. The partnership is consolidated in our financial statements.

 

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During the subordination period, which is described in the partnership agreement, holders of the subordinated units are not entitled to receive distributions until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. If the partnership does not pay distributions on the subordinated units, the subordinated units will not accrue arrearages for those unpaid distributions. Each subordinated unit will convert into one common unit at the end of the subordination period.

 

In conjunction with the IPO, we contributed our downstream ethanol transportation and storage assets to the partnership, including:

 

 

A substantial portion of the partnership’s revenue is derived from long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with our subsidiary, Green Plains Trade, including:

 

 

The partnership also assumed various terminal services agreements, including a 2.5-year agreement for the Birmingham, Alabama unit train terminal. The partnership’s storage and throughput agreement and some of the terminal services agreements, including the Birmingham terminal services agreement, are supported by minimum volume commitments. The rail transportation services agreement is supported by minimum take-or-pay capacity commitments.

 

We also have agreements with the partnership that establish fees for general and administrative services, and operational and maintenance services. These transactions are eliminated when we consolidate our financial results.

 

Operating Segments

 

Ethanol Production Segment

 

Industry Overview.    Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a colorless liquid produced by fermenting carbohydrates found in a number of different types of grains, such as corn, wheat and sorghum, and other cellulosic matter found in plants. Most of the ethanol produced in the United States is made from corn because it contains large quantities of carbohydrates that convert into glucose more easily than most other kinds of biomass, can be handled efficiently and is in greater supply than other grains. One bushel, or 56 pounds, of corn, produces approximately 2.8 gallons of ethanol, 16.5 pounds of distillers grains and 0.6 pounds of corn oil. Outside of the Unites States, sugarcane is the primary feedstock used in ethanol production.

 

Ethanol is a significant component of the biofuels industry, which includes all transportation fuels derived from renewable biological materials. Biofuels are an excellent oxygenate and source of octanes. When added to petroleum-based transportation fuels, oxygenates reduce vehicle emissions. Ethanol is the most economical oxygenate and source of octanes available on the market and its production costs are competitive with gasoline.

 

The global ethanol industry has grown significantly over the past decade due to ethanol’s environmental and economic benefits. Approximately 30 countries including the EU, which is regulated by a single policy with specific national targets for each country, either mandate or offer incentives for blending ethanol and biodiesel with motor fuels. These policies are motivated by the desire to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on foreign oil. Annual reported ethanol production worldwide has increased from approximately 5.0 billion gallons in 2001 to 24.6 billion gallons in 2014, and from 1.8 billion gallons in 2001 to 14.8 billion gallons in 2015 in the United States, according to the EIA. The United States and Brazil are the two largest producers and exporters of ethanol in the world. In 2015, ethanol comprised approximately 10% of the U.S. gasoline market.

 

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Ethanol Plants.  We operate 14 dry mill ethanol production plants, located in eight states, that produce ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil:

 

 

The majority of our plants are equipped with industry-leading ICM or Delta-T ethanol processing technology. Our years of experience building, acquiring and operating these technologies provides us with a deep understanding of how to effectively and efficiently manage both systems for maximum performance. All of our plants are adjacent to major rail lines.

 

Corn Feedstock and Ethanol Production.  Our plants use corn as feedstock in a dry mill ethanol production process. Each of our plants requires approximately 20 million to 40 million bushels of corn annually, depending on its production capacity. The price and availability of corn are subject to significant fluctuations driven by a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, weather, governmental programs, freight costs and global demand. Ethanol producers are generally unable to pass increased corn costs to customers since ethanol competes with other fuels.

 

Our corn supply is obtained primarily from local markets by our agribusiness segment and subsequently provided to our ethanol production segment. We use cash and forward purchase contracts with grain producers and elevators to buy corn. At ten of our ethanol plants, we maintain direct relationships with local farmers, grain elevators and cooperatives, which serve as our primary sources of grain feedstock. Most farmers in the area where these plants are located store corn in their own storage facilities. This allows us to purchase much of the corn needed to supply our plants directly from farmers throughout the year. At four of our ethanol plants, we contract with third-party grain originators to supply the corn necessary for ethanol production. These contracts terminate between October 2016 and November 2023. Each of our plants is also situated on rail lines or has other logistical solutions to access corn supplies from other regions of the country should local supplies become insufficient.

 

Corn is received at the plant by truck or rail then weighed and unloaded into a receiving building. Storage bins are used to inventory grain that is passed through a scalper to remove rocks and debris prior to processing. The corn is then transported to a hammer mill where it is ground into coarse flour and conveyed into a slurry tank for enzymatic processing. Water, heat and enzymes are added to convert the complex starch molecules into simpler carbohydrates. The slurry is heated to reduce the potential of microbial contamination and pumped into a liquefaction tank where additional enzymes are added. Next, the grain slurry is pumped into fermenters, where yeast, enzymes, and nutrients are added and the batch fermentation process is started. A beer column, within the distillation system, separates the alcohol from the spent grain mash. The alcohol is dehydrated to 200-proof alcohol and either pumped into a holding tank and blended with approximately two percent denaturant as it is pumped into finished product storage tanks, or marketed as undenatured ethanol.

 

Distillers Grains.    The spent grain mash is pumped from the beer column into a decanter-type centrifuge for dewatering. The water, or thin stillage, is pumped from the centrifuge into an evaporator, where it is dried into a thick syrup. The solids, or wet cake, that exit the centrifuge are conveyed to the dryer system and dried at varying temperatures to produce distillers

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grains. Syrup might be reapplied to the wet cake prior to drying to provide  additional nutrients. Distillers grains, the principal co-product of the ethanol production process, are used as high-protein, high-energy animal feed and marketed to the dairy, beef, swine and poultry industries.

 

We can produce three forms of distillers grains, depending on the number of times the solids are passed through the dryer system:

 

Corn Oil.    Corn oil systems extract non-edible corn oil from the thin stillage evaporation process immediately before the production of distillers grains. Corn oil is produced by processing the syrup and evaporated thin stillage through a decanter-style, or disk-stack, centrifuge. The centrifuges separate the relatively light corn oil from the heavier components of the syrup, eliminating the need for significant retention time. We extract approximately 0.7 pounds of corn oil per bushel of corn used to produce ethanol. Industrial uses for corn oil include feedstock for biodiesel, livestock feed additives, rubber substitutes, rust preventatives, inks, textiles, soaps and insecticides. The syrup is blended into wet, modified wet or dried distillers grains.

 

Utilities.  The production of ethanol requires significant amounts of natural gas, electricity and water.

 

Natural Gas.  Depending on production parameters, our ethanol plants use approximately 22,000 to 33,000 BTUs of natural gas per gallon of production. We have service agreements for the natural gas we need and pay tariff fees to providers that transport the gas through pipelines to our plants.

 

Electricity.  Our plants require between 0.5 and 1.2 kilowatt hours of electricity per gallon of production. Local utilities supply the necessary electricity to all of our ethanol plants.

 

Water.  While some of our plants satisfy a majority of their water requirements from wells located on their respective properties, each plant also obtains drinkable water from local municipal water sources. Each facility operates a filtration system to purify the well water that is used for its operations. Local municipalities supply all of the necessary water for our plants that do not have onsite wells. Much of the water used in an ethanol plant is recycled in the production process.

 

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Agribusiness Segment

 

Our agribusiness segment facilities include five grain elevators in four states with combined grain storage capacity of approximately 11.6  million bushels, a cattle feedlot operation with the capacity to support 70,000 head of cattle and 2.8 million bushels of grain storage capacity, and grain storage at our ethanol plants of approximately 44.2 million bushels, detailed in the following table:

 

 

 

We buy bulk grain, primarily corn and soybeans, from area producers, and provide grain drying and storage services to those producers. We buy cattle from producers and order buyers, the majority of which are from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The grain is used as feedstock for our ethanol plants or sold to grain processing companies and area livestock producers. The cattle are sold to meat processors. Bulk grain and cattle commodities are traded on commodity exchanges. Inventory values are affected by changes in these markets and spreads. To mitigate risks related to market fluctuations from purchase and sale commitments of grain and cattle, as well as grain and cattle held in inventory, we enter into exchange-traded futures and options contracts that function as economic hedges at times.

 

Seasonality is present within our agribusiness operations. The fall harvest period typically results in higher handling margins and stronger financial results during the fourth quarter of each year.

 

Marketing and Distribution Segment

 

Through Green Plains Trade, we market the ethanol we produce and a third-party produces to local, regional, national and international customers. We also purchase ethanol from independent producers for pricing arbitrage. To achieve the best price for the ethanol we market, we sell to various markets under sales agreements with integrated energy companies; retailers, traders and resellers in the United States and buyers for export to Brazil, Canada, Europe and other international markets. Under these agreements, ethanol is priced under fixed and indexed pricing arrangements.

 

We market wet, modified wet and dried distillers grains to local markets and dried distillers grains to local, national and international markets. The bulk of our demand is for deliveries to geographic regions that do not have significant local corn or distillers grains production.

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Our markets can be further segmented by geographic region and livestock industry. Most of our modified wet distillers grains are sold to midwestern feedlot markets. Our dried distillers grains are shipped to feedlots and poultry markets, as well as Texas and West Coast rail markets. A substantial amount of dried distillers grains are shipped by barge and rail to regional and national markets. Some of our distillers grains are shipped by truck to dairy, beef, and poultry operations in the eastern United States. We also ship by railcar to Eastern and Southeastern feed mills, poultry and dairy operations, and domestic trade companies. Dried distillers grains are also sold to exporters for shipment to international markets. Our largest export markets in 2015 included Vietnam, Thailand, Korea and Mexico. Access to diversified markets allows us to sell product to customers offering the highest net price.

 

Our corn oil is sold primarily to biodiesel manufactures and, to a lesser extent, feedlot and poultry markets. We transport our corn oil by truck to locations in a close proximity to our ethanol plants primarily in the southeastern and midwestern regions of the United States. We also transport corn oil by rail to national markets as well as to exporters for shipment to international markets.

 

Our railcar fleet for the marketing and distribution segment consists of approximately 900 leased hopper cars for the transportation of distillers grains and approximately 100 leased tank cars for the transportation of corn oil. The initial terms of the lease contracts are for periods up to ten years. 

 

Partnership Segment

 

Our partnership segment provides fuel storage and transportation services through its (i) 30 ethanol storage facilities located at or near our 14 ethanol production plants, (ii) eight fuel terminal facilities located near major rail lines, and (iii) a leased railcar fleet and other transportation assets. 

 

Transportation and Delivery.    Most ethanol plants are situated near major highways or rail lines to ensure efficient movement. We distribute ethanol by moving product from our ethanol plants to bulk terminals by  railcar or truck. We also manage the logistics and transportation requirements of our customers to improve our fleet’s efficiency and reduce operating costs. 

 

Deliveries within 150 miles of the partnership’s fuel terminal facilities and our plants are generally transported by truck. Deliveries to distant markets are shipped using major U.S. rail carriers that can switch cars to other major railroads, allowing our plants to ship product throughout the United States.

 

To meet the challenge of marketing ethanol and distillers grains to diverse market segments, several of our plants are capable of handling more than 150 railcars. Some of our locations have large loop tracks with unit train loading capabilities for both ethanol and dried distillers grains and spurs to connect the loop to the mainline or allow the movement and storage of railcars on site.

 

The partnership’s railcar fleet consists of approximately 2,500 leased tank cars for the transportation of ethanol. The initial terms of the lease contracts are for periods up to ten years. 

 

We seek to optimize the partnership’s railcar assets and will transport products other than ethanol and distillers grains depending on market opportunities and have used a portion of our railcar fleet to transport crude oil for third parties and to lease railcars to other users.

 

Terminal and Distribution Services.  Ethanol is transported from the partnership’s terminals to third-party terminal racks where it is blended with gasoline and transferred to the loading rack for delivery by truck to retail gas stations. The partnership owns and operates fuel holding tanks and terminals, and provide terminal services and logistics solutions to markets that do not have efficient access to renewable fuels. The partnership operates fuel terminals at one owned and seven leased locations in seven states with a combined storage capacity of approximately 7.4 mmg and throughput capacity of approximately 822 mmgy. We also have 30 ethanol storage facilities located at or near our 14 ethanol production plants with a combined storage capacity of approximately 31.8 million gallons and throughput capacity of approximately 1.7 bgy.

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Our Competition

 

Domestic Ethanol Competitors

 

We compete with other domestic ethanol producers. According to Ethanol Producer magazine, there were 216 ethanol-producing plants in the United States capable of producing 15.7 billion gallons of ethanol annually as of December 31, 2015. The industry does not typically operate at 100% of capacity. Historical annual production rates to total plant capacity averages between the high 80 percent to low 90 percent range. The three largest ethanol producers by capacity in North America are: Archer Daniels Midland Company, POET and Valero Energy Corporation. We are the fourth largest producer by capacity, followed by Flint Hills Resources. The top five producers’ annual production capacity ranges between approximately 800 mmgy and 1,800 mmgy.

 

In addition, our competitors include plants owned by farmers, oil refiners and retail fuel operators. These competitors may continue to operate their plants even when market conditions are not favorable due to the benefits realized from their other operations.

 

Demand for corn from ethanol plants and other corn consumers exists in all areas and regions in which we operate. At December 31, 2015, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Tennessee had a total of 111 operational ethanol plants, according to Ethanol Producer magazine. Iowa and Nebraska have the largest concentration of operational plants, including 42 primarily in the northern and central Iowa and 26 in Nebraska.

 

Foreign Ethanol Competitors

 

We also complete globally with production from other countries. Brazil is the second largest ethanol producer in the world after the United States. Brazil’s ethanol production is made from sugarcane and, depending on feedstock prices, may be less expensive to produce than ethanol made from corn. Under RFS II, certain parties are obligated to meet an advanced biofuel standard. In recent years, sugarcane ethanol imported from Brazil has been one of the most economical means for

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obligated parties to meet this standard. Any significant additional ethanol production capacity could create excess supply in world markets, resulting in lower ethanol prices throughout the world, including the United States.

 

Other Competition

 

Alternative fuels, gasoline oxygenates and ethanol production methods are continually under development. Ethanol production technologies also continue to evolve. We expect changes to occur primarily in the area of ethanol made from other sources of biomass, such as switch grass or fast-growing poplar trees. Since all of our plants are designed as single-feedstock facilities, adapting our plants for a different feedstock or process system would require additional capital investments and retooling.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Government Ethanol Programs and Policies

 

Demand for cleaner, more sustainable transportation fuel is growing worldwide. Growth in ethanol demand has been driven by policies, adopted by more than 30 countries including the EU, which is regulated by a single policy with specific national targets for each country, calling for increased ethanol in motor fuel. Ethanol has become a crucial component of the global fuel supply as an economical oxygenate and source of octanes.

 

In an effort to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil, federal and state governments enacted numerous policies, incentives and subsidies to encourage use of domestically produced alternative fuels. While the ethanol industry has benefited significantly as a result, the need for economic incentives may diminish as ethanol continues to gain acceptance as a primary fuel and fuel extender.

 

In the United States, the federal government mandates the use of renewable fuels under RFS II. The EPA assigns individual refiners, blenders and importers the volume of renewable fuels they are obligated to use based on their percentage of total fuel sales. Obligated parties use RINs to show compliance with RFS-mandated volumes. RINs are attached to renewable fuels by producers and detached when the renewable fuel is blended with transportation fuel or traded in the open market. The market price of detached RINs affects the price of ethanol in certain markets and influences the purchasing decisions by obligated parties.

 

RFS II has been a driving factor in the growth of ethanol usage in the United States. RFS II increased the required volume of renewable fuel to be blended with transportation fuel, mandating a minimum of 12.0 billion gallons of corn-based renewable fuel in 2010 and increasing that requirement by 600 million gallons each year to 15.0 billion gallons in 2015.

 

The EPA also has the authority to waive the mandates in whole or in part if one of two conditions are met: (1) there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply, or (2) implementation of the requirement severely harms the economy or environment of a state, region or the United States. During the third quarter of 2012, several waiver requests were filed with the EPA due to drought conditions, which were subsequently denied. 

 

Several amendments to the Energy Policy Modernization Act were introduced in the U.S. Senate that were removed from consideration in early February 2016, including amendments to repeal RFS II, eliminate the corn ethanol mandate in RFS II and prohibit the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from using Commodity Credit Corporation or other funds to construct blender pumps. It is not known if a vote on the numerous amendments to the EPMA or senate passage of the EPMA will take place.  

 

In November 2013, the EPA released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard, seeking comment on a range of total renewable fuel volumes and proposing a level within the range of 15.2 billion gallons, including approximately 13.0 billion gallons of corn-derived renewable fuel. The proposal included a variety of approaches for setting the 2014 standard and a number of production and consumption ranges of biofuels covered by RFS II to address two constraints of RFS II: (1) the volume limitations of ethanol given the practical constraints of vehicles that can use higher ethanol blends, and (2) the industry’s ability to produce sufficient volumes of qualifying renewable fuel. In November 2014, the EPA rescinded its 2013 proposal. Furthermore, the EPA did not finalize the 2014 standard under the RFS program before the end of the year. 

 

On June 10, 2015, the EPA proposed volume targets for conventional ethanol of 13.25 billion gallons, 13.40 billion gallons and 14.00 billion gallons for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. On November 30, 2015, the EPA announced final

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volume requirements for conventional ethanol that were higher than levels proposed in June of 13.61 billion gallons, 14.05 billion gallons and 14.50 billion gallons for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

 

On January 6, 2015, H.R. 21 was introduced to provide a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and technical research on the implications of mid-level ethanol blends, seeking to eliminate the waiver granted by the EPA allowing E15 in 2001 and newer cars and light trucks. On January 21, 2015, H.R. 434 was introduced, seeking to modify the Clean Air Act by limiting or removing the authority of the EPA to grant waivers for higher blends of ethanol in the U.S. gasoline supply and repeal existing waivers that the EPA previously granted. On February 4, 2015, H.R.704 was introduced to limit ethanol blends greater than 10% in the U.S. fuel supply and repeal the renewable fuel standard.

 

CAFE was first enacted by Congress in 1975 to reduce energy consumption by increasing the fuel economy of cars and light trucks. CAFE has helped the ethanol industry by encouraging the use of E85. CAFE provides a 54% efficiency bonus to flexible-fuel vehicles running on E85. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, there are 17.4 million flexible fuel vehicles on U.S. roads today. E85 is sold at more than 3,000 fuel stations in 47 states.

 

In April 2013, the Master Limited Partnership Parity Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as H.R. 1696 to extend the publicly traded partnership ownership structure to renewable energy projects, including ethanol production. The legislation was proposed to provide a more level financing system and tax burden for renewable energy equal to fossil energy projects. H.R. 1696 did not advance out of committee during the 113th Congress and its co-sponsors have not re-introduced the bill.

 

In addition to these federal standards, many states have taken steps to encourage ethanol consumption including tax credits, mandated blend rates and subsidies.

 

In July 2010, President Obama signed the Reform Act to improve transparency and accountability in the derivative markets. The Reform Act increases the regulatory authority of the CFTC regarding over-the-counter derivatives; however, there is uncertainty remaining on several issues related to market clearing, market participants and capital requirements. Although only some of the issues have been addressed, we do not anticipate any material impact to our risk management strategy.

 

In January 2012, the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and re-introduced in March 2013 as H.R. 1214 to protect consumers who unintentionally use an alternative fuel that is not approved for use by the automobile manufacturer. Some automobile manufacturers have stated that any damage resulting from misfueling is not covered under warranty. In June 2013, the American Fuel Protection Act of 2013, or H.R. 2267, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to make the United States exclusively liable for damages resulting from, or aggravated by, the inclusion of ethanol in transportation fuel. Both bills failed to advance out of congressional committee and were not enacted into law.

 

Environmental and Other Regulation

 

Our ethanol production and agribusiness activities are subject to environmental and other regulations. We obtain environmental permits to construct and operate our ethanol plants.

 

Ethanol production involves the emission of various airborne pollutants, including particulate, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court classified carbon dioxide as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act in a case seeking to require the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide in vehicle emissions, which the EPA later addressed in RFS II.

 

While our plants our grandfathered at their current authorized capacity under the RFS II mandate, expansion above these levels will require a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from a 2005 baseline measurement. This may require us to obtain additional permits, achieve the EPA’s efficient producer status under the pathway petition program, install advanced technology or reduce drying distillers grains.

 

CARB adopted LCFS requiring a 10% reduction in average carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel transportation fuels from 2010 to 2020. After a series of rulings that temporarily prevented CARB from enforcing these regulations, the State of California Office of Administrative Law approved the LCFS in November 2012, and revised LCFS regulations took effect in January 2013.

 

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The U.S. ethanol industry relies heavily on tank cars to deliver its product to market. As of January 1, 2016, the company leases approximately 2,600 tank cars, including 2,500 leased by our partnership to transport ethanol. In July 2014, the DOT proposed new regulations to improve the transportation of flammable materials by rail, which it finalized on May 1, 2015. The Enhanced Tank Car Standards and Operational Controls for High-Hazard Flammable Trains calls for an enhanced tank car standard known as the DOT specification 117 and establishes a schedule to retrofit or replace older tank cars that carry crude oil and ethanol. The rule also establishes braking standards intended to reduce the severity of accidents and new operational protocols.

 

Parts of our business are regulated by environmental laws and regulations governing the labeling, use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials. Our agribusiness operations are subject to government regulation and regulation by private sector associations. Our production levels are indirectly affected by federal government programs, which include the USDA, acreage control and price support programs. In addition, the grain we sell must conform to official grade standards imposed by the USDA. Other examples of government policies that may impact our business include tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions and outright embargos.

 

In September 2015, in response to FSMA, the FDA issued rules for Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for food for animals. The rules require FDA-registered food facilities to address safety concerns for sourcing, manufacturing and shipping food products through food safety programs and plans, which includes conducting hazard analyses, developing risk-based preventative controls and monitoring, and addressing intentional adulteration, recalls, sanitary transportation and supplier verification. While we are still reviewing the regulation, we may need additional resources to comply with the new requirements since our distillers grains are used as feed for animals. Our cattle feedlot operation is included under the FDA’s definition of “farm” and is exempt from the FSMA requirements.

 

We also employ maintenance and operations personnel at each of our ethanol plants. In addition to the attention we place on the health and safety of our employees, the operations of our facilities are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

 

BioProcess Algae Joint Venture

 

We are a majority owner of the BioProcess Algae joint venture that was formed in 2008. The joint venture is focused on developing technology to grow and harvest algae in commercially viable quantities, using the carbon dioxide that is created as part of the ethanol production process. Through multiple stages of expansion, BioProcess Algae constructed a five-acre algae farm next to our Shenandoah, Iowa ethanol plant and has operated its Grower Harvesters™ bioreactors since 2011. The joint venture continues to take critical steps towards commercialization, including verifying growth rates, energy balances, capital requirements and operating expenses of the technology. In 2015, we narrowed our focus on human nutrition, concentrating on protein value and EPA omega-3 fatty acids, and acquired a second production location, located in Texas, to further support our research and development efforts. 

 

Employees

 

On December 31, 2015, we had approximately 995 full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees, including 163 employees at our corporate office in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Available Information

 

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are available on our website at www.gpreinc.com shortly after we file or furnish the information with the SEC. You can also find the charters of our audit, compensation and nominating committees, as well as our code of ethics in the corporate governance section of our website. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. For more information on our partnership, please visit www.greenplainspartners.com. Alternatively, investors may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov to access our reports, proxy and information statements filed with the SEC.

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Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

We operate in an industry that has numerous risks, many of which are beyond our control or are driven by factors that cannot always be predicted. Investors should carefully consider all of the risk factors in conjunction with the other information included in this report as our financial results and condition or market value could be adversely affected if any of these risks were to occur.

 

Risks Related to our Business and Industry

 

Our profitability is dependent on managing the spread between the price of corn, natural gas, ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil.

 

Our ethanol production results are highly sensitive to commodity prices, including the spread between the corn and natural gas we purchase, and the ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil we sell. Price and supply are subject to market forces, such as weather, domestic and global demand, shortages, export prices, crude oil prices, currency valuations and government policies in the United States and around the world, over which we have no control. Price volatility of these commodities may cause our operating results to fluctuate substantially. Increases in corn or natural gas prices or decreases in ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil prices may make it unprofitable to operate our plants. No assurance can be given that we will purchase corn and natural gas or sell ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil at or near current prices. Consequently, our results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected by increases in corn or natural gas prices or decreases in ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil prices.

 

We continuously monitor the profitability of our ethanol plants using a variety of risk management tools and hedging strategies, when appropriate. In recent years, the spread between ethanol and corn prices has fluctuated widely and narrowed significantly. Fluctuations are likely to continue. A sustained narrow spread or further reduction in the spread between ethanol and corn prices as a result of increased corn prices or decreased ethanol prices, would adversely affect our results of operations and financial position. Should our combined revenue from ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil fall below our cost of production, we could decide to slow or suspend production at some or all of our plants.

 

The commodities we buy and sell are subject to price volatility and uncertainty.

 

Corn.  We are generally unable to pass increased corn costs to our customers since ethanol competes with other fuels. At certain corn prices, ethanol may be uneconomical to produce. Ethanol plants, livestock industries and other corn-consuming enterprises put significant price pressure on local corn markets. In addition, local corn supplies and prices could be adversely affected by prices for alternative crops, increasing input costs, changes in government policies, shifts in global markets or damaging growing conditions, such as plant disease or adverse weather, including drought.

 

Natural Gas.  The price and availability of natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions are often affected by factors beyond our control, such as weather, overall economic conditions and government regulations. Significant disruptions in natural gas supply could impair our ability to produce ethanol. Furthermore, increases in natural gas price or changes in our cost relative to our competitors may adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

 

Ethanol.  Our revenues are dependent on market prices for ethanol which can be volatile as a result of a number of factors, including: the price and availability of competing fuels; the overall supply and demand for ethanol and corn; the price of gasoline, crude oil and corn; and government policies. The low margin environment for 2015 was impacted by the energy market which saw historic low crude oil prices as world supply reached record levels.

 

Ethanol is marketed as a fuel additive that reduces vehicle emissions, an economical source of octanes and, to a lesser extent, a gasoline substitute. Consequently, gasoline supply and demand affect the price of ethanol. Should gasoline prices or demand decrease significantly, our results of operations could be materially harmed. 

 

Ethanol imports also affect domestic supply and demand. Imported ethanol is not subject to an import tariff and, under RFS II, sugarcane ethanol from Brazil is one of the most economical means for obligated parties to meet the advanced biofuel standard.

 

Distillers Grains.  Increased U.S. dry mill ethanol production has resulted in increased distillers grains production. Should this trend continue, distillers grains prices could fall unless demand increases or other market sources are found. The price of distillers grains has historically been correlated with the price of corn. Occasionally, the price of distillers grains will 

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lag behind fluctuations in corn or other feedstock prices, lowering our cost recovery percentage.

 

Distillers grains compete with other protein-based animal feed products. Downward pressure on commodity prices, such as soybeans, will generally cause the price of competing animal feed products to decline, resulting in downward pressure on the price of distillers grains.

 

Corn Oil.  Industrial corn oil is generally marketed as a biodiesel feedstock; therefore, the price of corn oil is affected by demand for biodiesel. In general, corn oil prices follow the prices of heating oil and soybean oil. Decreases in the price of corn oil could have an unfavorable impact on our business.

 

Our risk management strategies could be ineffective and expose us to decreased liquidity.

 

As market conditions warrant, we use forward contracts to sell some of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production or buy some of the corn or natural gas we need to partially offset commodity price volatility. We also engage in other hedging transactions involving exchange-traded futures contracts for corn, natural gas and ethanol. The financial impact of these activities depends on the price of the commodities involved and our ability to physically receive or deliver the commodities.

 

Hedging arrangements expose us to risk of financial loss when the counterparty defaults on its contract or, in the case of exchange-traded contracts, when the expected differential between the price of the underlying and physical commodity changes. Hedging activities can result in losses when a position is purchased in a declining market or sold in a rising market. Hedging losses may be offset by a decreased cash price for corn and natural gas and an increased cash price for ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. We vary the amount of hedging and other risk mitigation strategies we undertake and sometimes choose not to engage in hedging transactions at all. We cannot provide assurance that our risk management strategies effectively offset commodity price volatility. If we fail to offset such volatility, our results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected.

 

The use of derivative financial instruments frequently involves cash deposits with brokers, or margin calls. Sudden changes in commodity prices may require additional cash deposits immediately. Depending on our open derivative positions, we may need additional liquidity with little advance notice to cover margin calls. While we continuously monitor our exposure to margin calls, we cannot guarantee we will be able to maintain adequate liquidity to cover margin calls in the future.

 

Government mandates affecting ethanol usage could change and impact the ethanol market.

 

Under the provisions of the EISA, the EPA established a mandate setting the minimum volume of ethanol that must be blended with gasoline under the RFS II, which affects the domestic market for ethanol. The EPA has the authority to waive the requirements, in whole or in part, if there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply or the requirement severely harms the economy or the environment.

 

Our operations could be adversely impacted by legislation that reduces the RFS II mandate. Such legislation has been introduced in Congress, including the Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act, RFS Reform Bill and Domestic Alternatives Fuels Act; however, these bills failed to make it out of congressional committee and were not enacted into law. Similarly, should federal mandates regarding oxygenated gasoline be repealed, the market for domestic ethanol could diminish.

 

Future demand will be influenced by economic incentives to blend based on the relative value of gasoline versus ethanol, taking into consideration the octane value of ethanol, environmental requirements and the RFS II mandate. A significant increase in supply beyond the RFS II mandate could have an adverse impact on ethanol prices. Moreover, changes to RFS II which significantly affect the market price of RINs could negatively impact the price of ethanol or cause imported sugarcane ethanol to become more economical than domestic ethanol.

 

Flexible-fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on a mixture of fuels such as E85, receive preferential treatment to meet corporate average fuel economy standards. Absent CAFE preferences, auto manufacturers may not be willing to build flexible-fuel vehicles, reducing the growth of E85 markets and resulting in lower ethanol prices.

 

To the extent federal or state laws or regulations are modified, the demand for ethanol may be reduced, which could negatively and materially affect our ability to operate profitably.

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Future demand for ethanol is uncertain and changes in public perception, consumer acceptance and overall consumer demand for transportation fuel could affect demand.

 

Ethanol production has not been without controversy. While many trade groups, academics and government agencies support ethanol as a fuel additive that promotes a cleaner environment, others criticize the ethanol industry claiming production consumes considerably more energy,  emits more greenhouse gases than other biofuels and depletes water resources. Some studies suggest ethanol produced from corn is less efficient than ethanol produced from switch grass or wheat grain. Others claim corn-based ethanol negatively impacts consumers by causing the prices of dairy, meat and other food derived from corn-consuming livestock to increase. Ethanol critics also contend the industry redirects corn supplies from international food markets to domestic fuel markets.

 

If negative views of corn-based ethanol production persist and gain acceptance, support for existing measures promoting domestic production and its use could decline and lead to reduction or repeal of federal mandates, which could adversely affect ethanol demand. These views could also have a negative impact on public perception and overall acceptance of ethanol as an alternative fuel.

 

There are limited markets for ethanol beyond the federal mandates. Consumer acceptance of E15 and E85 fuels may be necessary before ethanol can achieve significant market share growth. Discretionary and E85 blending are important secondary markets. Discretionary blending is often determined by the price of ethanol relative to gasoline. When discretionary blending is financially unattractive, the demand for ethanol may be reduced. Demand for ethanol is also affected by overall demand for transportation fuel, which is affected by cost, number of miles traveled and vehicle fuel economy. Reduced demand for ethanol may depress the value of our products, erode our margins, and reduce our ability to generate revenue or operate profitably.

 

Increased federal support of cellulosic ethanol could result in increased competition to corn-based ethanol producers.

 

Recent legislation, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and EISA, provides numerous funding opportunities to support cellulosic ethanol production. In addition, RFS II mandates an increasing level of biofuel production that is not derived from corn. Federal policies suggest a long-term political preference for cellulosic processing using feedstocks such as switch grass, silage, wood chips or other forms of biomass. Cellulosic ethanol may be viewed more favorably since the feedstock is not likely diverted from food production. In addition, cellulosic ethanol may have a smaller carbon footprint because the feedstock does not require energy-intensive fertilizers or industrial production processes. Several cellulosic ethanol plants are currently under development. As research and development programs persist, there is risk that cellulosic ethanol could displace corn ethanol.

 

Any changes in federal mandates from corn-based to cellulosic-based ethanol production may reduce our profitability. Our plants are designed as single-feedstock facilities and would require significant additional investments to convert production to cellulosic ethanol. Furthermore, our plants are strategically located in high-yield, low-cost corn production areas. At present, there is limited supply of alternative feedstocks near our facilities. As a result, the adoption of cellulosic ethanol and its use as the preferred form of ethanol could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

 

Our ability to maintain the required regulatory permits or manage changes in environmental and safety regulations is essential to successfully operating our plants.

 

Our ethanol production and agribusiness segments are subject to extensive air, water and other environmental regulations. Ethanol production involves the emission of various airborne pollutants, including particulate, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds, which requires numerous environmental permits to operate our plants. Governing state agencies could impose costly conditions or restrictions that are detrimental to our profitability and have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Environmental laws and regulations at the federal and state level are subject to change. These changes can also be made retroactively. It is possible that more stringent federal or state environmental rules or regulations could be adopted, which could increase our operating costs and expenses. Consequently, even though we currently have the proper permits, we may be required to invest or spend considerable resources in order to comply with future environmental regulations. Furthermore, ongoing plant operations, which are governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, may change in a way that increases the cost of plant operations. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

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Part of our business is regulated by environmental laws and regulations governing the labeling, use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials. Since we handle and use hazardous substances, changes in environmental requirements or an unanticipated significant adverse environmental event could have a negative impact on our business. While we strive to comply with all environmental requirements, we cannot provide assurance that we have been in compliance at all times or will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Private parties, including current and former employees, could bring personal injury or other claims against us due to the presence of hazardous substances. We are also exposed to residual risk by our land and facilities which may have environmental liabilities from prior use. Changes in environmental regulations may require us to modify existing plant and processing facilities, which could significantly increase our cost of operations.

 

The distillers grains that we produce as part of the ethanol production process are used as feed for animals. Should the regulations under the FSMA regarding preventive controls for animal food apply to us, we may need additional resources to comply with the newly established requirements.

 

Any inability to generate or obtain RINs could adversely affect our operating margins.

 

Nearly all of our ethanol production is sold with RINs that are used by our customers to comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard. Should our production not meet the EPA’s requirements for RIN generation in the future, we would need to purchase RINs in the open market or sell our ethanol at lower prices to compensate for the absence of RINs. The price of RINs depends on a variety of factors, including the availability of qualifying biofuels and RINs for purchase, production levels of transportation fuel and percentage mix of ethanol with other fuels, and cannot be predicted. Failure to obtain sufficient RINs or reliance on invalid RINs could subject us to fines and penalties imposed by the EPA, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

 

We trade ethanol and associated RINs acquired from third-parties. Should it be discovered the associated RINs we purchased were invalid, albeit unknowingly, we could be subject to substantial penalties if we are assessed the maximum amount allowed by law. Prior to 2013, the EPA assessed only modest penalties for RIN violations; however, with the industry now on notice of the possibility of invalid RINs, the EPA could assess much higher penalties going forward, which could have an adverse impact on our profitability.

 

Compliance with evolving environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, particularly those related to climate change, could be costly.

 

Our plants emit carbon dioxide as a by-product of ethanol production. In February 2010, the EPA released its final regulations on RFS II, grandfathering our plants at their current authorized capacity. Expansion above these levels will require a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the 2005 baseline measurement. Separately, CARB adopted a LCFS that took effect in January 2013, which requires a 10% reduction in the average carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel transportation fuels from 2010 to 2020. An ILUC component is included in the greenhouse gas emission calculation, which may have an adverse impact on the market for corn-based ethanol in California.

 

To expand our production capacity, federal and state regulations may require us to obtain additional permits, achieve EPA’s efficient producer status under the pathway petition program, install advanced technology or reduce drying distillers grains. Compliance with future laws or regulations to decrease carbon dioxide could be costly and may prevent us from operating our plants as profitably, which may have an adverse impact on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Global competition could affect our profitability.

 

We compete with producers in the United States and abroad. Depending on feedstock, labor and other production costs, producers in other countries, such as Brazil, may be able to produce ethanol cheaper than we can. Under RFS II, certain parties are obligated to meet an advanced biofuel standard. In recent years, sugarcane ethanol imported from Brazil has been one of the most economical means for obligated parties to meet this standard. While transportation costs, infrastructure constraints and demand may temper the impact of ethanol imports, foreign competition remains a risk to our business. Moreover, significant additional foreign ethanol production could create excess supply, which could result in lower ethanol prices throughout the world, including the United States. Any penetration of ethanol imports into the domestic market may have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

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Increased ethanol industry penetration by oil and other multinational companies could impact our margins.

 

We operate in a very competitive environment. The ethanol industry consists primarily of smaller entities engaged exclusively in ethanol production and large integrated grain companies that produce ethanol in addition to their base grain businesses. We compete for capital, labor, corn and other resources with these companies.

 

Until recently, oil companies, petrochemical refiners and gasoline retailers were not engaged in ethanol production even though they form the primary distribution network for ethanol blended with gasoline. During the past five years, several large oil companies have started producing ethanol. If these companies increase their ethanol plant ownership or additional companies commence production, the need to purchase ethanol from independent producers like us could diminish and adversely effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Sales of distillers grains depend on its continued market acceptance as livestock feed.

 

Antibiotics may be used during the fermentation process to control bacterial contamination; therefore, it is possible for antibiotics to be present in small quantities in our distillers grains, which is a co-product of the fermentation process and marketed as an animal feed. The FDA has expressed concern about potential animal and human health hazards using distillers grains with antibiotic residue as an animal feed. Should the FDA introduce regulations limiting the sale of such distillers grains in domestic or international markets, the market value of our distillers grains could be diminished, which would negatively impact our profitability.

 

Independently, if public perception regarding distillers grains as an acceptable animal feed were to change or if the public became concerned about the impact of distillers grains in the food supply, the market for distillers grains could be negatively impacted, which would adversely affect our profitability.

 

We extract industrial grade corn oil from the whole stillage process before producing distillers grains. Several universities are trying to determine how corn oil extraction affects nutritional energy values of the resulting distillers grains. If it is determined that corn oil extraction adversely affects the digestible energy content of distillers grains, the value of our distillers grains may be affected, which could have a negative impact on our profitability.

 

International activities such as boycotts, embargoes, product rejection, and compliance matters, may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

In 2010, the market share of U.S. ethanol exports to the EU began to increase significantly while the market share of European ethanol production began to modestly decline. In October 2011, the European Commission initiated anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations. In 2013, the EU imposed a five-year tariff of $83.33 per metric ton on U.S. ethanol to discourage foreign competition.

 

Since 2010, approximately 25% of distillers grains produced in the United States have been exported. China has been the largest importer of distillers grains in the world, importing approximately 50% of the world exports in 2015. In 2013, China began rejecting U.S. dried distillers grains because it contained genetically modified corn not yet approved for import. In early 2015, China lifted this ban, allowing distillers grains into their country. In January 2016, China’s Ministry of Commerce once again initiated an anti-dumping investigation into U.S.-produced dried distillers grains exported to China. Should the investigation result in additional findings, the market for distillers grains could be negatively impacted in the future and may affect our profitability.

 

Our agribusiness operations are subject to significant government and private sector regulations.

 

Our agribusiness operations are regulated by government and private sector associations that can impose significant costs on our business. Failure to comply could result in additional expenditures, fines or criminal action. Our production levels, markets and grains we merchandise are affected by federal government programs, which include USDA acreage control and price support programs. Government policies such as tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions and embargos can also impact our business. Changes in government policies and producer support could impact the type and amount of grains planted, which could affect our ability to buy grain. Export restrictions or tariffs could limit sales opportunities outside of the United States.

 

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Our agribusiness segment is affected by the supply and demand for grain, and is sensitive to factors that are often outside of our control.

 

Within our agribusiness segment, we compete with grain merchandisers, processors and end-users to buy grain, and grain merchandisers, private elevator operators and cooperatives to sell it. Many of our competitors are significantly larger than us and compete in more diverse markets. Failure to compete effectively would impact our profitability.

 

Fixed-price purchase obligations and grain inventories expose us to market price risk between the time of purchase and final sale. Weather, economic, political, environmental and technological conditions and developments, as well as other factors beyond our control, local and worldwide, can affect supply, demand and consequently, the value of our inventories held for sale and adversely affect profitability of the agribusiness segment.

 

We hedge the majority of our grain inventory with derivative instruments to manage the risk associated with commodity price changes. However, we are unable to hedge all of the risk due to timing, availability of hedge contract counterparties and third-party credit risk. Furthermore, it is possible that the derivatives we employ are not effective in offsetting price changes. This can happen when the derivative and the hedged item are not perfectly matched. Our grain derivatives, for example, do not hedge the basis component, or the difference between the cash price at one of our grain facilities and the soonest exchange-traded futures price, of our grain inventory and contracts. Although the basis component is smaller and generally less volatile than the futures component of grain market prices, significant unfavorable movement in basis on grain positions as large as ours may significantly impact our profitability.

 

Commodities futures trading is subject to extensive regulations.

 

The futures industry is subject to extensive regulation. Since we use exchange-traded futures contracts as part of our business, we are required to comply with a wide range of requirements imposed by the CFTC, National Futures Association and the exchanges on which we trade. These regulatory bodies are responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the futures markets and protecting the interests of market participants. As a market participant, we may be subject to regulation concerning trade practices, business conduct, reporting, position limits, record retention, the conduct of our officers and employees, and other matters.

 

Failure to comply with the laws, rules or regulations applicable to futures trading could have adverse consequences. It is possible for us, an officer or one of our employees to be subject to claims arising from acts that regulators assert violated these laws, rules or regulations. Such claims could result in fines, settlements or suspended trading privileges, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

Owning and operating a cattle feedlot operation involves numerous external factors that are outside of our control.

 

Our cattle feedlot operation involves numerous risks that could lead to increased costs or decreased demand for beef products, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, including:

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Our debt exposes us to numerous risks that could have significant consequences to our shareholders.

 

Risks related to the level of debt we have include:

 

Most of our debt bears interest at variable rates, which creates exposure to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations at variable rates would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, decreasing net income.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest, to make additional payments required under financial covenants, or to refinance our debt depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue generating cash flow sufficient to service our debt because of such factors, including the spread between corn prices and ethanol, corn oil and distillers grains prices. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows, we may be required to sell assets, restructure debt or obtain additional equity capital on terms that are onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our debt will depend on capital markets and our financial condition at that time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in default on our debt obligations. 

 

We are not restricted from incurring additional debt, pledging assets, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that could diminish our ability to make payments.

 

We are required to comply with a number of covenants under our existing loan agreements that could hinder our growth.

 

The loan agreements governing our secured debt financing and the 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018 contain a number of restrictive affirmative and negative covenants, which limit our ability to incur additional debt; exceed certain limits; pay dividends or distributions; or merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of our assets.

 

We are required to maintain specified financial ratios, including minimum cash flow coverage, working capital and tangible net worth under certain loan agreements. Other agreements require us to use a portion of excess cash flow generated by our operations to prepay the respective term debt. A breach of these covenants could result in default, and if such default is not cured or waived, our lenders could accelerate our debt and declare it immediately due and payable. If this occurs, we may not be able to repay or borrow sufficient funds to refinance the debt. Even if financing is available, it may not be on

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acceptable terms. No assurance can be given that our future operating results will be sufficient to comply with these covenants or remedy default.

 

In the past, we have received waivers from our lenders for failure to meet certain financial covenants and amended our loan agreements to change these covenants. In the event we are unable to comply with these covenants in the future, we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to obtain the necessary waivers or amend our loan agreements to prevent default. Under our 3.25% convertible senior notes, default on any loan in excess of $10.0 million could result in the notes being declared due and payable.

 

We operate in a capital intensive business and rely on cash generated from operations and external financing, which could be limited.

 

Some ethanol producers have faced financial distress, culminating to bankruptcy filings by several companies over the past seven years. This, combined with capital market volatility, has resulted in reduced available capital for the ethanol industry in general. The majority of our ethanol plants’ operations and related levels of working capital are funded by long-term credit facilities. Increased commodity prices could increase liquidity requirements. Our operating cash flow is dependent on overall commodity market conditions as well as our ability to operate profitably. In addition, we may need to raise additional financing to fund growth. In some market environments, we may have limited access to incremental financing, which could defer or cancel growth projects, reduce business activity or cause us to default on our existing debt agreements if we are unable to meet our payment schedules. These events could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial position.

 

Our subsidiaries’ debt facilities have ongoing payment requirements that we generally expect to meet from their operating cash flow. Our ability to repay current and anticipated future debt will depend on our financial and operating performance and successful implementation of our business strategies. Our financial and operational performance will depend on numerous factors including prevailing economic conditions, commodity prices, and financial, business and other factors beyond our control. If we cannot repay, refinance or extend our current debt at scheduled maturity dates, we could be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, restructure our debt or seek additional capital. If we are unable to restructure our debt or raise funds, our operations could be harmed and the value of our stock could be significantly reduced.

 

We have limitations, as a holding company, in our ability to receive distributions from our subsidiaries.

 

We conduct most of our operations through our subsidiaries and rely on dividends or intercompany transfers of funds to generate free cash flow. Some of our subsidiaries are currently, or are expected to be, limited in their ability to pay dividends or make distributions under the terms of their financing agreements. Consequently, we cannot rely on the cash flow from one subsidiary to satisfy the loan obligations of another subsidiary. As a result, if a subsidiary is unable to satisfy its loan obligations, we may not be able to prevent default by providing additional cash to that subsidiary, even if sufficient cash exists elsewhere within our organization.

 

Our success depends on our ability to manage our growing and changing operations.

 

Since our formation in 2004, our business has grown significantly in size and complexity. This growth places substantial demands on our management, systems, internal controls, and financial and physical resources. If we acquire additional operations, we may need to further develop our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems, and could incur expenses related to hiring additional qualified personnel and expanding our information technology infrastructure. Our ability to manage growth effectively could impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

 

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures or partnerships.

 

We have increased the size of our operations significantly through mergers and acquisitions and intend to continue exploring potential growth opportunities. Acquisitions involve numerous risks that could harm our business, including:

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The anticipated benefits of these transactions may not be fully realized or take longer to realize than expected. 

 

We may also pursue growth through joint ventures or partnerships, which typically involve restrictions on actions that the partnership or joint venture may take without the approval of the partners. These provisions could limit our ability to manage the partnership or joint venture in a manner that serves our best interests.

 

Future acquisitions may involve issuing equity as payment or to finance the business or assets, which could dilute your ownership interest. Furthermore, additional debt may be necessary to complete these transactions, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Failure to adequately address the risks associated with acquisitions or joint ventures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of our joint venture to commercialize algae production.

 

We own a majority of a joint venture that is focused on developing technology to grow and harvest algae in commercially viable quantities. The algae we produce have the potential to be used for high-quality feedstocks for human nutrition, pharmaceutical applications, animal feed and biofuels. Our primary focus is to grow algae efficiently on a large scale and further develop markets for algae. We believe this technology has specific applications for our ethanol plants that emit carbon dioxide. If we are unable to achieve acceptable production rates, operating costs, capital requirements and product market prices, we could fail to realize any benefit from capturing carbon dioxide to grow and harvest algae.

 

We depend on a continuous supply of energy and water to operate our plants.

 

Our plants require a substantial, uninterrupted supply of natural gas, electricity and water to operate. We rely on third parties to provide these resources. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to secure an adequate supply of energy or water to support current or expected plant operations. If there is an interruption in the supply any reason, we may be required to halt production. Halting production for an extended period of time could have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Replacement technologies could make corn-based ethanol or our process technology obsolete.

 

Ethanol is used primarily as an additive and oxygenate blended with gasoline. Critics of ethanol blends argue that it decreases fuel economy, causes corrosion and damages fuel pumps. Prior to federal restrictions and ethanol mandates, methyl tertiary-butyl ether, or MTBE, was the leading oxygenate. Other ether products could enter the market and prove to be environmentally or economically superior to ethanol. Alternative biofuel alcohols, such as methanol and butanol, could evolve and replace ethanol.

 

Research is currently underway to develop products that have advantages over ethanol, such as: lower vapor pressure, making it easier to add to gasoline; similar energy content as gasoline, reducing any decrease in fuel economy caused by blending with gasoline; ability to blend at higher concentration levels in standard vehicles; and reduced susceptibility to separation when water is present. Products offering a competitive advantage over ethanol could reduce our ability to generate revenue and profits from ethanol production.

 

New ethanol process technologies could emerge that require less energy per gallon to produce and result in lower production costs. Our process technologies could become obsolete and place us at a competitive disadvantage, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

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We may be required to provide remedies for ethanol, distillers grains or corn oil that does not meet the specifications defined in our sales contracts.

 

If we produce or purchase ethanol, distillers grains or corn oil that does not meet the specifications defined in our sales contracts, we may be subject to quality claims. We could be required to refund the purchase price of any non-conforming product or replace the non-conforming product at our expense. Ethanol, distillers grains or corn oil that we purchase or market and subsequently sell to others could result in similar claims if the product does not meet applicable contract specifications, which could have an adverse impact on our profitability.

 

We are exposed to credit risk that could result in losses or affect our ability to make payments should a counterparty fail to perform according to the terms of our agreement.

 

We are exposed to credit risk from a variety of customers, including major integrated oil companies, large independent refiners, petroleum wholesalers, commercial grain buyers and other ethanol plants. We are also exposed to credit risk with major suppliers of petroleum products and agricultural inputs when we make payments for undelivered inventories. Our fixed-price forward contracts are subject to credit risk when prices change significantly prior to delivery. The inability by a third party to pay us for our sales, provide product that was paid for in advance or deliver on a fixed-price contract could result in a loss and adversely impact our liquidity and ability to make our own payments when due.

 

We may incur a loss should our counterparty fail to perform under a third-party marketing agreement.

 

Under a third-party marketing agreement, we purchase their ethanol production and sell it in various markets for future deliveries. Under the terms of the agreement, the third-party is not obligated to produce a minimum volume, therefore, we may not receive the full amount of ethanol the third-party plant is expected to produce. Any interruption or curtailment of production could force us to purchase ethanol at higher prices to meet contractual obligations. Recoveries would be dependent on the third party’s ability to pay, and in the event they were unable to pay, our profitability could be materially and adversely impacted.

 

Business disruptions due to unforeseen operational failures or factors outside of our control could impact our ability to fulfill contractual obligations.

 

Natural disasters, significant track damage resulting from a train derailment or strikes by our transportation providers could delay shipments of raw materials to our plants or deliveries of ethanol and distillers grains to our customers. Unforeseen operational issues due to faulty construction design or other factors could result in an extended facility shutdown. If we are unable to meet customer demand or contract delivery requirements due to stalled operations caused by business disruptions, we could potentially lose customers.

 

Adverse weather conditions, such as inadequate or excessive amounts of rain during the growing season, overly wet conditions, an early freeze or snowy weather during harvest could impact the supply of corn that is needed to produce ethanol. Corn stored in an open pile may be damaged by rain or warm weather before the corn is dried, shipped or moved into a storage structure.

 

We may not have adequate insurance to cover losses from certain events.

 

Losses related to risks that are not covered by insurance or available under acceptable terms such as war, riots or terrorism could have a material adverse effect on our operations, cash flows and financial position.

 

Our Obion, Tennessee plant and certain fuel terminals are located within a recognized seismic zone. We modified our Obion facility to comply with regional structural requirements and obtained additional insurance coverage specific to earthquake risk for this particular plant and these fuel terminals. We cannot provide assurance that these facilities would remain in operation should a seismic event occur.

 

Our ethanol-related assets may be at greater risk of terrorist attacks, threats of war or actual war, than other possible targets.

 

Terrorist attacks in the United States, including threats of war or actual war, may adversely affect our operations. We believe energy-related assets are at greater risk than other possible targets due to the level of disruption it could cause. A direct attack on our ethanol production plants, storage facilities, fuel terminals and railcars could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, a terrorist attack could have an adverse

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impact on ethanol prices. Disruption or significant increases in ethanol prices could result in government-imposed price controls.

 

Our network infrastructure, enterprise applications and internal technology systems could be damaged or otherwise fail and disrupt business activities.

 

Our network infrastructure, enterprise applications and internal technology systems are instrumental to the day-to-day operations of our business. Numerous factors outside of our control, including earthquakes, floods, lightning, tornados, fire, power loss, telecommunication failures, computer viruses, physical or electronic vandalism or similar disruptions could result in system failures, interruptions or loss of critical data and prevent us from fulfilling customer orders. We cannot provide assurance that our backup systems are sufficient to mitigate hardware or software failures, which could result in business disruptions that negatively impact our operating results and damage our reputation.

 

We could be adversely affected by cyber-attacks, data security breaches and significant information technology systems interruptions.

 

Information security risks have generally increased in recent years as a result of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks and data security breaches. To manage the risk associated with potential technology security breaches, we have implemented disaster recovery plans for our critical systems and security measures to protect us against cyber-based attacks. However, our information technology systems and network infrastructure may be subject to unauthorized access or attack at any time and there can be no assurances that our infrastructure protection technologies and disaster recovery plans are sufficient to prevent a technology systems breach, systems failure, business interruption or loss of sensitive data. The potential impact of any of these incidents, should they occur, could be material and have an adverse impact to our revenues, operating results, financial condition or damage our reputation.

 

We may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to operate our ethanol plants.

 

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain competent employees. Qualified managers, engineers, merchandisers and other personnel must be hired for each of our locations and competition for suitable candidates in the ethanol industry can be intense. If we are unable to hire and retain productive, skilled personnel, we may not be able to maximize ethanol production, optimize plant operations or execute our business strategy.

 

Disruptions in the credit market or a downgrade in our credit rating could limit our access to capital.

 

We may need additional capital to fund our growth or other business activities in the future. If our credit rating is downgraded, the cost of capital under our existing or future financing arrangements could increase and affect our ability to trade with various commercial counterparties or cause our counterparties to require additional forms of credit support. If capital markets are disrupted, we may not be able to access capital at all or capital may only be available under less favorable terms.

 

We have had a history of operating losses and could incur future operating losses.

 

We incurred operating losses in 2006, 2007, 2008 and during certain quarters of 2012 and 2015, and could incur operating losses in the future that are substantial. Although we have had periods of sustained profitability, we may not be able to maintain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis, which could impact the market price of our common stock and the value of your investment.

 

Risks Related to our Partnership

 

We depend on the partnership to provide fuel storage and transportation services.

 

The partnership’s operations are subject to all of the risks and hazards inherent in the storage and transportation of fuel, including: damages to storage facilities, railcars and surrounding properties caused by floods, fires, severe weather, explosions, natural disasters or acts of terrorism; mechanical or structural failures at the partnership’s facilities or at third-party facilities at which its operations are dependent; curtailments of operations relative to severe weather; and other hazards, resulting in severe damage or destruction of the partnership’s assets or temporary or permanent shut-down of the partnership’s facilities. If the partnership is unable to serve our storage and transportation needs, our ability to operate our business could be adversely impacted, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. The inability of the partnership to continue operations, for any reason, could also impact the value of our investment in the

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partnership and, because the partnership is a consolidated entity, our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The partnership may not have sufficient available cash to pay quarterly distributions on its units.

 

The amount of cash the partnership can distribute depends on how much cash is generated from operations, which can fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on ethanol and other fuel volumes, handling fees, payments associated with minimum volume commitments, timely payments by subsidiaries and other third parties, and prevailing economic conditions. The amount of cash available for distribution also depends on the partnership’s operating and general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, acquisitions and organic growth projects, debt service requirements, working capital needs, ability to borrow funds and access capital markets, revolving credit facility restrictions, cash reserves and other risks affecting cash levels. Increasing the partnership’s borrowings or other debt to finance its growth strategy could increase interest expense, which could impact the amount of cash available for distributions.

 

There are no limitations in the partnership agreement regarding its ability to issue additional units. Should the partnership issue additional units in connection with an acquisition or expansion, the distributions on the incremental units will increase the risk that the partnership will be unable to maintain or increase distributions on a per unit basis.

 

Increases in interest rates could adversely impact the partnership’s unit price, ability to issue equity or incur debt, and pay cash distributions at intended levels.

 

The partnership’s cash distributions and implied distribution yield affect its unit price. Distributions are often used by investors to compare and rank yield-oriented securities when making investment decisions. A rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on the partnership’s unit price, ability to issue equity or incur debt or pay cash distributions at intended levels, which could adversely impact the value of our investment in the partnership.

 

We may be required to pay taxes on our share of the partnership’s income that are greater than the cash distributions we receive from the partnership.

 

The unitholders of the partnership generally include, for purposes of calculating their U.S. federal, state and local income taxes, their share of the partnership’s taxable income, whether they have received cash distributions from the partnership. We ultimately may not receive cash distributions from the partnership equal to our share of taxable income or the taxes that are due with respect to that income.

 

We will incur increased costs as a result of owning and operating a publicly traded partnership.

 

We expect to incur an estimated $2.0 million of incremental costs each year associated with the partnership being publicly traded. It is possible, however, that the actual costs will be higher than currently estimated. Some of the costs include increased legal and financial expenses related to complying with SEC and Nasdaq requirements. The partnership is required to have at least three independent directors, create an audit committee and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures within one year of its initial listing on Nasdaq. We will also incur additional costs associated with officer liability insurance under a separate policy from our corporate director and officer insurance.

 

All of the executive officers and a majority of the initial directors of the partnership are also officers of Green Plains Inc., which could result in conflicts of interest.

 

We indirectly own and control the partnership and appoint all of its officers and directors. All of the executive officers and a majority of the initial directors of the partnership are also an officer or director. Although our directors and officers have a fiduciary responsibility to manage the company in a manner that is beneficial to us, as directors and officers of the partnership, they also have certain duties to the partnership and its unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between us and our affiliates, and the partnership and its unitholders, and in resolving these conflicts, the partnership may favor its own interests over the company’s interests. In certain circumstances, the partnership may refer conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest to its conflicts committee, which must consist entirely of independent directors, for resolution. The conflicts committee must act in the best interests of the public unitholders of the partnership. As a result, the partnership may manage its business in a manner that differs from the best interests of the company or our stockholders. 

 

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Cash available for distributions could be reduced and likely cause a substantial reduction in unit value if the partnership became subject to entity-level taxation for federal income tax purposes.

 

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or investments in its units could be modified, at any time, by administrative, legislative or judicial changes and interpretations. From time to time, members of Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. Should any legislative proposal eliminate the qualifying income exception, all publicly traded partnerships would be treated as corporations for federal income tax purposes. The partnership would be required to pay federal income tax on its taxable income at the corporate tax rate and likely state and local income taxes at varying rates as well. Distributions to unitholders would be taxed as corporate distributions. The partnership’s cash available for distributions and the value of the units would be substantially reduced.

 

Risks Related to our Common Stock

 

The price of our common stock may be highly volatile and subject to factors beyond our control.

 

Some of the many factors that can influence the price of our common stock include:

 

 

In recent years the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, which are sometimes unrelated to the operating performance of any particular company. These broad market fluctuations could materially reduce the price of our common stock price based on factors that have little or nothing to do with our company or its performance.

 

Anti-takeover provisions could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us.

 

Our restated articles of incorporation, restated bylaws and Iowa’s law contain anti-takeover provisions that could delay or prevent change in control of us or our management. These provisions discourage proxy contests, making it difficult for our shareholders to elect directors or take other corporate actions without the consent of our board of directors, which include:

 

 

We are subject to the provisions of the Iowa Business Corporations Act, which prohibits combinations between an Iowa

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corporation whose stock is publicly traded or held by more than 2,000 shareholders and an interested shareholder for three years unless certain exemption requirements are met.

 

Provisions in the convertible notes could also make it more difficult or too expensive for a third party to acquire us. If a takeover constitutes a fundamental change, holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase their notes in cash. If a takeover constitutes a make-whole fundamental change, we may be required to increase the conversion rate for holders who convert their notes. In either case, the obligation under the notes could increase the acquisition cost and discourage a third party from acquiring us.

 

These items discourage transactions that could otherwise command a premium over prevailing market prices and may limit the price investors are willing to pay for our stock.

 

Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. income tax on gains related to the sale of their common stock.

 

If we are a U.S. real property holding corporation during the shorter of the five-year period before the stock was sold or the period the stock was held by a non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder could be subject to U.S federal income tax on gains related to the sale of their common stock. Whether we are a U.S. real property holding corporation depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to our other trade or business assets and non-U.S. real property interests. We cannot provide assurance that we are not a U.S. real property holding corporation or will not become one in the future.

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None.

 

Item 2.  Properties.

 

We believe that the property owned and leased at our locations is sufficient to accommodate our current needs, as well as potential expansion.

 

Substantially all of our owned real property is used to secure our loans. See Note 11 – Debt included as part of the notes to consolidated financial statements for information about our loan agreements.

 

Corporate

 

We lease approximately 30,000 square feet of office space at 450 Regency Parkway in Omaha, Nebraska for our corporate headquarters, which houses our corporate administrative functions and commodity trading operations. This lease expires on January 31, 2017. In October 2015, we signed a lease for new office space of approximately 54,000 square feet at 1811 Aksarben Drive in Omaha, Nebraska for our corporate headquarters. Payments on this lease begin in February 2017.

 

Ethanol Production Segment

 

We own approximately 2,400 acres of land at and around our ethanol production facilities. As detailed in our discussion of the ethanol production segment in Item 1 – Business, our ethanol plants have the capacity to produce approximately 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol per year.  

 

Agribusiness Segment

 

We own approximately 60 acres of land at our five grain elevators and approximately 2,590 acres of land at our cattle feedlot operation. As detailed in our discussion in Item 1 – Business, our agribusiness segment facilities include five grain elevators with combined grain storage capacity of approximately 11.6 million bushels, a cattle feedlot operation with the capacity to support 70,000 head of cattle and 2.8 million bushels of grain storage capacity, and grain storage capacity at our ethanol plants of approximately 44.2 million bushels.

 

Marketing and Distribution Segment

 

Our marketing operations are conducted primarily at our corporate office, in Omaha, Nebraska. We also lease office space in McKinney, Texas and Des Moines, Iowa for these operations.

 

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Partnership Segment

 

Our partnership owns approximately five acres of land and leases approximately 19 acres of land at eight locations in seven states, as disclosed in Item 1 – Business, where its fuel terminals are located. The partnership also owns approximately 50 acres where its storage tanks are located at our ethanol production facilities.

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

 

We are currently involved in litigation that has occurred over the ordinary course of doing business. We do not believe this will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

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PART II

 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Our common stock trades under the symbol “GPRE” on Nasdaq. The following table lists the common stock’s highest and lowest price for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Holders of Record

 

We had 2,225 holders of record of our common stock, not including beneficial holders whose shares are held in names other than their own, on February 12, 2016. This figure does not include approximately 34.3 million shares held in depository trusts. 

 

Dividend Policy

 

In August 2013, our board of directors initiated a quarterly cash dividend, which we have paid every quarter since and anticipate paying in future quarters. In August 2015 and November 2015, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share, which represents a 50% increase from the quarterly dividends declared in the first and second quarter of 2015 and the second annual increase in quarterly dividends paid to shareholders. On February 10, 2016, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share. The dividend is payable on March 18, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2016. Future declarations are subject to board approval and may be adjusted as our cash position, business needs or market conditions change.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Employees surrender shares when restricted stock grants are vested to satisfy statutory minimum required payroll tax withholding obligations. There were no shares that were surrendered during the fourth quarter of 2015.

 

In August 2014, we announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our common stock. Under this program, we may repurchase shares in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated buyback programs, tender offers or by other means. The timing and amount of the transactions are determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time, without prior notice. There were no shares repurchased under the program during the fourth quarter of 2015. Approximately $96.0 million of shares are remaining to be repurchased under the program.

 

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None.

 

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Equity Compensation Plans

 

Refer to Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters for information regarding shares authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans. 

 

Performance Graph

 

The following graph compares our cumulative total return with the S&P Smallcap 600 Index, Nasdaq Composite Index (IXIC) and the Nasdaq Clean Edge Green Energy Index (CELS) for each of the five years ended December 31, 2015. Green Plains’ stock is included in the S&P Smallcap 600 Index, which measures the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. The S&P Smallcap 600 Index may be considered more reflective of our stock’s performance than the Nasdaq Composite Index; therefore, the S&P Smallcap 600 Index was added into the performance graph this year. The graph assumes a $100 investment in our common stock and each index at December 31, 2010, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

 

 

The information in the graph will not be considered solicitation material, nor will it be filed with the SEC or incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless we specifically incorporate it by reference into our filing.

  

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

 

The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and should be read together with the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report.

 

The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this report, which describe a number of matters that materially affect the comparability of the periods presented.

 

The following selected financial data should be read together with Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report. The financial information below is not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period. Future results could differ materially from historical results due to numerous factors, including those discussed in Item 1A – Risk Factors of this report.

 

 

 

 

 

Management uses earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, to compare the financial performance of our business segments and manage those segments. Management believes EBITDA is a useful measure to compare our performance against other companies. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or cash flow, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA calculations may vary from company to company. Accordingly, our computation of EBITDA may not be comparable with a similarly titled measure of another company.

 

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The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

General

 

The following discussion and analysis includes information management believes is relevant to assess and understand our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes and the risk factors contained in this report.

 

Overview

 

Green Plains is an Iowa corporation that was founded in June 2004. As a vertically integrated ethanol producer, marketer and distributor, we focus on generating stable operating margins through our diversified business segments and risk management strategy. We have operations throughout the ethanol value chain, beginning upstream with our grain handling and storage operations, continuing through our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production operations, and ending downstream with our marketing, terminal and distribution services. We believe owning and operating assets throughout the ethanol value chain enables us to mitigate volatility in commodity prices, differentiating us from companies focused only on ethanol production.

 

Our profitability is highly dependent on commodity prices, particularly for ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, corn and natural gas. Since market price fluctuations among these commodities are not always correlated, ethanol production may be unprofitable at times. We use a variety of risk management tools and hedging strategies to monitor real-time operating price risk exposure at each of our plants and lock in favorable margins or temporarily reduce production levels during periods of compressed margins. Our multiple businesses and revenue streams also help to diversify our operations and profitability.

 

More information about our business, properties and strategy can be found under Item 1 – Business and a description of our risk factors can be found under Item 1A – Risk Factors.

 

Industry Factors Affecting our Results of Operations

 

U.S. Ethanol Supply and Demand

 

Domestic ethanol production has increased from 1.8 billion gallons in 2001 to 14.8 billion gallons in 2015, according to EIA. Domestic ethanol consumption has increased more than 15% per year, from 1.7 billion gallons in 2001 to more than 13.9 billion gallons in 2015, accounting for approximately 10% of the U.S. gasoline market.

 

Federal mandates supporting the production and use of renewable fuels have been a major driver in the demand for ethanol in the United States. Ethanol policies are influenced by the desire to reduce fuel emissions and our dependency on foreign oil. Under RFS II, the required volume of renewable fuel to be blended with transportation fuel was to increase each year to 15.0 billion gallons in 2015 when it was established in October 2010. Since that time, the EPA has sought to address the volume limitations of ethanol given that not all vehicles can use higher ethanol blends and the industry’s ability to produce sufficient volumes of the qualifying renewable fuel. On November 30, 2015, the EPA announced final volume requirements for conventional ethanol that were higher than levels proposed in June of 13.61 billion gallons, 14.05 billion gallons and 14.50 billion gallons for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Significant increases in production capacity beyond the RFS II mandated level could negatively impact the ethanol industry. Reductions in governmental usage mandates could adversely affect the market for ethanol and our results of operations. The results of the 2016 presidential election could impact federal policies regarding renewable fuels.

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Domestic demand has also been influenced by incentives to blend based on economics for refiners and blenders to use ethanol as an additive to reduce vehicle emissions and increase octane levels. Even though gasoline traded at a discount to ethanol during the year, ethanol continued to be the most economical oxygenate over Gulf Coast alkylate and reformate substitutes, and the most affordable source of octane over Gulf Coast 93 and toluene substitutes.  These incentives may be affected by the price of crude oil, which decreased in price per barrel by approximately 43% during 2015. Increased consumer acceptance and availability of higher blends, such as E15, at retail fuel stations also helped to support domestic demand. There are now 189 retail fuel stations in 23 states offering E15 to consumers as of January 5, 2016.

 

Global Ethanol Supply and Demand

 

Since 2010, the United States has been the world’s largest producer and consumer of ethanol. Approximately 6% of the ethanol produced domestically is marketed worldwide and competes with other sources, including Brazil. The United States and Brazil account for more than 80% of all ethanol production worldwide, according to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. Global production has increased from approximately 5.0 billion gallons in 2001 to approximately 24.6 billion gallons in 2014, according to the EIA. Increased ethanol production capacity could create excess supply in world markets, resulting in lower ethanol prices throughout the world, including the United States.

 

A significant change in feedstock prices, transportation rates, foreign exchange rates and government policies could also alter the global supply dynamics in the top producing countries. In the United States, the primary feedstock for ethanol is corn; in Brazil, the primary feedstock for ethanol is sugarcane. In March 2015, the Brazilian government increased their required ethanol blend to 27% from 25% which, along with more competitively priced ethanol produced from corn, significantly reduced U.S. ethanol imports from Brazil.

 

There are nearly 30 countries including the EU, which is regulated by a single policy with specific national targets for each country, mandating ethanol and biodiesel usage to reduce fuel emissions. As countries establish mandates or raise their required blend percentages, new export opportunities for U.S. producers are likely to emerge. In 2015, U.S. net exports were approximately 730 million gallons. Canada and Brazil remained the two largest export destinations for U.S. ethanol, importing 29.8% and 13.9%, respectively, in 2015, followed by the Philippines, China and South Korea, which imported 8.6%, 8.4% and 7.1%, respectively.

 

Variability of Commodity Prices

 

Our business is highly sensitive to commodity price fluctuations, particularly for corn, ethanol, corn oil, distillers grains and natural gas, which are impacted by factors that are outside of our control, including weather conditions, corn yield, changes in domestic and global ethanol supply and demand, government programs and policies and the price of crude oil, gasoline and substitute fuels. We use various financial instruments to manage and reduce our exposure to price variability. For more information about our commodity price risk, refer to Item 7A. - Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk, Commodity Price Risk in this report.

 

There may be periods of time that, due to the variability of commodity prices and compressed margins, we reduce or cease operations at certain of our ethanol plants. The reduced production rates increase ethanol yields and optimize cash flow in lower margin environments. In 2012, we reduced production volumes at several of our ethanol plants which resulted in total production of approximately 91% of our daily average capacity in direct response to unfavorable operating margins. During 2015 and 2014 we produced at approximately 91% and 96% of our daily average capacity, respectively. The low margin environment was impacted by the energy market which saw historic low crude oil prices as world supply reached record levels.

 

Reduced Availability of Capital

 

Some ethanol producers have faced financial distress over the past several years, culminating with bankruptcy filings by several companies. This, in combination with continued volatility in the capital markets, has resulted in reduced availability of capital for the ethanol industry in general. In this market environment, we may experience limited access to incremental financing.

 

Legislation

 

Federal and state governments have enacted numerous policies and incentives to encourage the use of domestically produced alternative fuels. RFS II has been, and we expect will continue to be, a driver in the growth of ethanol usage. Due

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to drought conditions in 2012 and claims that the market will be unwilling to accept greater than 10% ethanol blends, legislation aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of renewable fuels required by RFS II has been introduced to Congress.

 

The U.S. ethanol industry relies heavily on tank cars to deliver its product to market. The company leases approximately 2,600 tank cars, including 2,500 leased by our partnership to transport ethanol.  On May 1, 2015, the DOT finalized an enhanced tank car standard and established a schedule to retrofit or replace older tank cars, among other safety protocols. Adoption of the new standard will take existing railcars out of service for a period of time while these upgrades are made, tightening supply in our industry that is highly dependent on railcars to transport its product. In addition, companies that transport hazardous materials must develop more accurate classification protocols.

 

In September 2015, in response to FSMA, the FDA issued rules for Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for food for animals. The rules require FDA-registered food facilities to address safety concerns for sourcing, manufacturing and shipping food products through food safety programs and plans, which includes conducting hazard analyses, developing risk-based preventative controls and monitoring, and addressing intentional adulteration, recalls, sanitary transportation and supplier verification. While we are still reviewing the regulation, we may need additional resources to comply with the new requirements since our distillers grains are used as feed for animals. Our cattle feedlot operation is included under the FDA’s definition of “farm” and is exempt from the FSMA requirements.

 

Industry Fundamentals 

 

The ethanol industry is supported by a number of market fundamentals that drive its long-term outlook and extend beyond the short-term margin environment. Domestic ethanol production continues to be fairly fragmented. As of January 23, 2016, there were 216 ethanol plants capable of producing 15.7 bgy, according to Ethanol Producer magazine. The top five producers account for 43% of the domestic production capacity. In seven years, we have more than tripled our daily production capacity through strategic acquisitions and intend to continue pursuing both organic and acquisitive growth opportunities.

 

The domestic gasoline market continues to evolve as refiners produce more CBOB, a sub-grade, 84 octane gasoline, which requires ethanol or other octane sources to meet the minimum octane rating requirements for the U.S. gasoline market. The demand for ethanol is also affected by the overall demand for transportation fuel. Currently, total U.S. gasoline demand is approximately 139.0 billion gallons annually, according to the EIA. The ethanol blend rate in 2015 was approximately 9.9% of total gasoline demand, or 13.9 billion gallons. Demand for transportation fuel is affected by the number of miles traveled by businesses and consumers and the fuel economy of vehicles. Consumer acceptance of E15 and E85 fuels and flex-fuel vehicles is one factor that may be necessary before ethanol can achieve significant growth in U.S. market share. Although the ethanol export markets are affected by competition from other ethanol exporters, mainly Brazil, we expect exports to remain active in 2016. Overall, the U.S. ethanol industry is producing at levels to meet current domestic and export demand and ethanol prices have remained at a discount to octane substitutes, providing blenders and refiners an economic incentive to blend.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that we use estimates that affect the reported assets, liabilities, revenue and expense and related disclosures for contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on experience and assumptions we believe are proper and reasonable. While we regularly evaluate the appropriateness of these estimates, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. The following accounting policies, in particular, may be impacted by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We recognize revenues when there is evidence that an arrangement exists, title of product and risk of loss are transferred to the customer, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.

 

Sales of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities by our marketing business are recognized when title of product and risk of loss are transferred to an external customer. Revenues related to third-party marketing are presented on a gross basis when we take title of the product and assumes risk of loss. Unearned revenue is recorded for goods in transit when we have received payment but the title has not yet been transferred to the customer. Revenues for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer.

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We routinely enter into fixed-price, physical-delivery energy commodity purchase and sale agreements. At times, we settle these transactions by transferring our obligation to another counterparty rather than delivering the physical commodity. These transactions are reported net as a component of revenue. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

 

Sales of agricultural commodities, including cattle, are recognized when title of product and risk of loss are transferred to the customer, which depends on the terms of the agreement. The sales terms provide passage of title when shipment is made or the commodity is delivered and the customer has agreed to final weights, grades and settlement price. Revenues  related to grain merchandising are presented gross and include shipping and handling, which is also a component of cost of goods sold. Revenue from grain storage is recognized when services are rendered.

 

A substantial portion of our partnership revenues are derived from fixed-fee commercial agreements for storage, terminal or transportation services. The partnership recognizes revenues when there is evidence an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably ensured. Revenues from base storage, terminal or transportation services are recognized once these services are performed, which occurs when the product is delivered to the customer.

 

Intercompany revenues are eliminated on a consolidated basis for reporting purposes.

 

Depreciation of Property and Equipment 

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on our ethanol production and grain storage facilities, railroad tracks, computer equipment and software, office furniture and equipment, vehicles, and other fixed assets is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, which currently ranges from 3 to 40 years.

 

Land improvements are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred.

 

We periodically evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that warrant a revision of the estimated useful life of the asset, which is accounted for prospectively.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

 

Our long-lived assets consist of property and equipment. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset with the estimated undiscounted future cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, we record an impairment charge for the amount in excess of the fair value. No impairment charges have been recorded during the periods presented.

 

Our goodwill is related to certain acquisitions within our ethanol production and partnership segments. We review goodwill at the individual plant or subsidiary level for impairment at least annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred.

 

We assess the qualitative factors of goodwill to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Under the first step, we compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value including goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, we complete a second step to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment that we should record. In the second step, we allocate the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill to determine an implied fair value. We compare the result with the carrying amount and record an impairment charge for the difference.

 

We estimate the amount and timing of projected cash flows that will be generated by an asset over an extended period of time when we review our long-lived assets and goodwill. Circumstances that may indicate impairment include: a decline in future projected cash flows, a decision to suspend plant operations for an extended period of time, a sustained decline in our market capitalization, a sustained decline in market prices for similar assets or businesses or a significant adverse change in legal or regulatory matters, or business climate. Significant management judgment is required to determine the fair value of

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our long-lived assets and goodwill and measure impairment, including projected cash flows. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, sales of comparable properties and third-party independent appraisals. Changes in estimated fair value could result in a write-down of the asset.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments 

 

We use various derivative financial instruments to minimize the adverse effect price changes related to corn, ethanol, cattle and natural gas may have on our operating results. We monitor and manage this exposure as part of our overall risk management policy. These commodities may be hedged to mitigate risk, however, there may be situations when these hedging activities themselves result in losses.

 

Using derivatives exposes us to credit and market risk. Our exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. We minimize this risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure we have with each counterparty and monitoring their financial condition. We manage the risk that the value of the financial instrument is exposed to by a change in commodity prices or interest rates, or market risk, by incorporating parameters to monitor our exposure within our risk management strategy. These parameters limit the types of derivative instruments and strategies we can use and the degree of market risk we can take by using derivative instruments.

 

We evaluate our physical delivery contracts to determine if they qualify for normal purchase or sale exemptions and are expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Contracts that do not meet the normal purchase or sale criteria are recorded at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and we elect, hedge accounting treatment.

 

Certain qualifying derivatives related to the ethanol production and agribusiness segments are designated as cash flow hedges. We evaluate the derivative instrument to determine its effectiveness prior to entering into cash flow hedges. Ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results, while other unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income until the gain or loss from the underlying hedged transaction is realized. When it becomes probable a forecasted transaction will not occur, the cash flow hedge treatment is discontinued. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or other current liabilities at fair value.

 

At times, we hedge our exposure to changes in inventory value and designate qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted in current period results for changes in fair value. Ineffectiveness is recognized in the current period to the extent the change in fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in fair value of the derivative.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with GAAP. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences between existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, and for net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in years temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a tax rate change is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies to make this assessment. Management considers the positive and negative evidence to support the need for, or reversal of, a valuation allowance. The weight given to the potential effects of positive and negative evidence is based on the extent it can be objectively verified.

 

To account for uncertainty in income taxes, we gauge the likelihood of a tax position based on the technical merits of the position, perform a subsequent measurement related to the maximum benefit and degree of likelihood, and determine the benefit to be recognized in the financial statements, if any.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information related to recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included as part of the notes to consolidated financial statements in this report.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Components of Revenues and Expenses

 

Revenues.  For our ethanol production segment, our revenues are derived primarily from the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. For our agribusiness segment, the sale of grain and cattle are our primary sources of revenue. For our marketing and distribution segment, sales of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil that we market for our ethanol plants, sales of ethanol we market for a third-party and sales of other commodities purchased in the open market represent our primary sources of revenue. Revenues include net gains or losses from derivatives related to the products sold. For our partnership segment, our revenues consist primarily of fees for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels.

 

Cost of Goods Sold.    For our ethanol production segment, cost of goods sold includes direct labor, materials and plant overhead costs. Direct labor includes compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in ethanol plant operations. Plant overhead consists primarily of plant utilities and outbound freight charges. Corn is the most significant raw material cost followed by natural gas, which is used to power steam generation in the ethanol production process and dry distillers grains. Cost of goods sold also includes net gains or losses from derivatives related to commodities purchased.

 

For our agribusiness segment, the cost of grain is the primary component of cost of goods sold. Grain inventories held for sale and forward purchase and sale contracts are valued at market prices when available or other market quotes adjusted for differences, such as transportation, between the exchange-traded market and local markets where the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the market value of grain inventories, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized as a component of cost of goods sold. For the cattle feedlot operation, the costs of cattle, feed and veterinary supplies, direct labor and feedlot overhead are accumulated as inventory and included as a component of cost of goods sold when the cattle are sold. Direct labor includes compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in the feedlot operation. Feedlot overhead costs include feedlot utilities, repairs and maintenance and yard expenses.

 

For our marketing and distribution segment, purchases of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil is the largest component of cost of goods sold.

 

Operations and Maintenance Expense.  For our partnership segment, transportation expense is the primary component of operations and maintenance expense. Transportation expense includes rail car leases, shipping and freight and costs incurred for storing ethanol at destination terminals.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense.  Selling, general and administrative expenses are recognized at the operating segment and corporate level. These expenses consist of employee salaries, incentives and benefits; office expenses; director fees; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting and investor relations services. Personnel costs, which include employee salaries, incentives and benefits, are the largest expenditure. Selling, general and administrative expenses that cannot be allocated to an operating segment are referred to as corporate activities.

 

Other Income (Expense).    Other income (expense) includes interest earned, interest expense, equity earnings in nonconsolidated subsidiaries and other non-operating items.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Comparability

 

The following summarizes various events that affect the comparability of our operating results for the past three years:

 

 

The year ended December 31, 2013, includes approximately seven months of operations at our Atkinson plant and a little more than five weeks of operations at our Wood River plant. Our Fairmont plant, which was not operational at the time of its acquisition, began production in early January 2014. The year ended December 31, 2014, includes approximately six months of operations at our Kansas cattle feedlot business. The year ended December 31, 2015, includes approximately two months of operations at our Hereford plant. Our Hopewell plant, which was not operational at the time of its acquisition, resumed ethanol production on February 8, 2016.

 

Segment Results

 

As a result of the IPO, we implemented organizational changes during the third quarter of 2015. We now report the financial and operating performance for the following four operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, (2) agribusiness, which includes grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations, (3) marketing and distribution, which includes marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the revised segment presentation.

 

When transferring assets between entities under common control under GAAP, the entity receiving the net assets initially recognizes the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities at the date of transfer. The transferee’s prior period financial statements are restated for all periods its operations were part of the parent’s consolidated financial statements. On July 1, 2015, the partnership received ethanol storage and railcar assets and liabilities in a transfer between entities under common control. The transferred assets and liabilities are recognized at our historical cost and reflected retroactively in the segment information of the consolidated financial statements presented in this Form 10-K. The partnership’s assets were previously included in the ethanol production and marketing and distribution segments. Expenses related to the ethanol storage and railcar assets, such as depreciation, amortization and railcar lease expenses, are also reflected retroactively in the following segment information. There are no revenues related to the operation of these ethanol storage and railcar assets in the partnership segment prior July 1, 2015, the date the related commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade became effective.

 

Corporate activities incudes selling, general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of employee compensation, professional fees and overhead costs not directly related to a specific operating segment. When we evaluate segment performance, we review the following operating segment information as well as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA.

 

During the normal course of business, our operating segments do business with each other. For example, our ethanol production segment sells ethanol to our marketing and distribution segment, our agribusiness segment sells grain to our ethanol production segment and our partnership segment provides fuel storage and transportation services for our marketing and distribution segment. These intersegment activities are treated like third-party transactions and recorded at market values. Consequently, these transactions affect segment performance; however, they do not impact our consolidated results since the revenues and corresponding costs are eliminated.

 

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The selected operating segment financial information are as follows (in thousands):