Form 8-K Green Plains Partners For: Jan 25

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and among

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

GREEN PLAINS HOLDINGS LLC

GREEN PLAINS OPERATING COMPANY LLC

GREEN PLAINS ETHANOL STORAGE LLC

GREEN PLAINS LOGISTICS LLC

GREEN PLAINS INC.

GREEN PLAINS TRADE GROUP LLC



and

GREEN PLAINS ORD LLC

dated as of

January 25, 2021







 

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ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This This Asset Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of January 25, 2021, by and among Green Plains Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), Green Plains Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), Green Plains Operating Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Operating Company”), Green Plains Ethanol Storage LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Ethanol Storage LLC”), and Green Plains Logistics LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Logistics” and collectively with the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, and Ethanol Storage LLC, “Sellers”), Green Plains Inc., an Iowa corporation (“Green Plains”), Green Plains Ord LLC (“Green Plains Ord”) and Green Plains Trade Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Subsidiary of Green Plains (“Green Plains Trade Group”). Each of Sellers, Green Plains, Green Plains Ord and Green Plains Trade Group LLC are sometimes referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, Sellers own ethanol storage assets in Ord, NE, as described on Exhibit A hereto (the “Ord Storage Assets”);

WHEREAS, Sellers hold certain transportation assets, including approximately 180 railcars (the “Transportation Assets” and together with the Ord Storage Assets, the “Assets”);

WHEREAS, Sellers intend to sell, assign, transfer and convey the Ord Storage Assets to Green Plains Ord, and Green Plains Ord desires to purchase from Sellers the Ord Storage Assets, on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, Sellers intend to sell, assign, transfer and convey the Transportation Assets to Green Plains Ord, or its assignees, and Green Plains Ord, or its assignees, desires to purchase the Transportation Assets from Sellers, on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire that Green Plains transfer to the Partnership $27 million in cash in exchange for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

WHEREAS, Green Plains Trade Group intends to execute the Storage and Throughput Agreement Amendment (defined herein) regarding, among other things, the obligations of Green Plains Trade Group to agree to certain amendments to throughput a minimum volume of product at the Partnership’s storage facilities and to increase the term by one year; and

WHEREAS, as of the Effective Time (as defined below), each of the events and transactions set forth in Section 2.1 below shall occur;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings and agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

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Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:

“Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Allocation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

“Assets” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Assignment Agreement” means the form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement to be mutually agreed by and between Logistics, and Green Plains Ord LLC.  

“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

“Bill of Sale” means that certain Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Effective Time” means the date and time concurrent with the closing of all of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement between Green Plains and Ord Ethanol Partners, L.P. dated January 25, 2021, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C.

“Ethanol Storage LLC” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 “Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

“General Partner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Governmental Authority” means (a) the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America and (b) any court or any governmental or administrative department, commission, board, bureau or agency of the United States of America or of any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America.

“Green Plains Ord” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 “Green Plains Trade Group”  has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.  

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 “Group Member” means a member of the Parent Group.

 “Liability” or “Liabilities” means any direct or indirect liability, indebtedness, obligation, cost, expense, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, due or to become due, liquidated or unliquidated.

“Lien” means any security interest, lien, deed of trust, mortgage, pledge, charge, claim, restriction, easement, encumbrance or other similar interest or right.

“Logistics” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Material Adverse Effect” means, when used with respect to a Party, any change, circumstance, effect or condition that materially adversely affects, or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect such Party’s ability to satisfy its respective obligations under the Transaction Documents.

“Non-Exclusive License (Ord)” means the Non-Exclusive License for the Use of Track and Property, by and between Green Plains Ord LLC and the Partnership, dated the date hereof.

 “Operating Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Operational Services and Secondment Agreement” means that certain Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated effective July 1, 2015, by and between Green Plains and the General Partner, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated January 1, 2016, Amendment No. 2 to Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated Setember 23, 2016, Amendment No. 3 to Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated November 15, 2018 and Amendment No. 4 to Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated December 28, 2020. 

“Operational Services and Secondment Agreement Amendment” means that certain Amendment No. 5 to the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement.

“Ord Deed” means the quitclaim deed by and between Green Plains Ord LLC and Green Plains Ethanol Storage LLC, dated the date hereof.

“Ord Storage Assets” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Parent Group” means, collectively, Green Plains and its Subsidiaries (excluding the Partnership and its Subsidiaries).

 “Parent Parties” means, Green Plains and Green Plains Ord LLC.

“Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 “Partnership Agreement” means that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of July 1, 2015, as amended by that certain First

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Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of May 7, 2019. 

“Party” or “Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

“Property Tax” means all real property Taxes, personal property Taxes and similar ad valorem Taxes.

“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

“Rail Transportation Services Agreement” means that certain Rail Transportation Services Agreement, dated effective July 1, 2015, by and between Green Plains Logistics and Green Plains Trade Group, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Rail Transportation Services Agreement, dated September 1, 2015, Amendment No. 2 to Rail Transportation Services Agreement, dated November 30, 2016, Amendment No. 3 to Rail Transportation Services Agreement dated November 15, 2018 and Amendment No. 4 to Rail Transportation Services Agreement dated December 28, 2020.

 “Rail Transportation Services Agreement Amendment” means Amendment No. 5 to the Rail Transportation Services Agreement.

“Sellers” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Storage and Throughput Agreement”  means that certain Ethanol Storage and Throughput Agreement, dated effective July 1, 2015, by and between Ethanol Storage LLC and Green Plains Trade Group, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Ethanol Storage and Throughput Agreement, dated January 1, 2016, Clarifying Amendment to Ethanol Storage and Throughput Agreement, dated January 4, 2016, Amendment No. 2 to Ethanol Storage and Throughput Agreement, dated September 23, 2016, Amendment No. 3 to Ethanol Storage and Throughput Agreement, dated November 15, 2018 and Amendment No. 4 to Ethanol Storage and Thoughput Agreement dated December 28, 2020.

“Storage and Throughput Agreement Amendment” means Amendment No. 5 to the Storage and Throughput Agreement.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the general partner interests of such partnership is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof; or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a

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partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

“Tax” or “Taxes” means any federal, state, local or foreign income tax, ad valorem tax, excise tax, sales tax, use tax, franchise tax, real or personal property tax, transfer tax, gross receipts tax or other tax, assessment, duty, fee, levy or other governmental charge, together with and including, any and all interest, fines, penalties, assessments, and additions to Tax resulting from, relating to, or incurred in connection with any of those or any contest or dispute thereof.

“Tax Return” means any report, statement, form, return or other document or information return related to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement Amendment, the Non-Exclusive License (Ord), the Assignment Agreement, the Bill of Sale, the Rail Transportation Services Agreement Amendment, the Ord Deed, the Storage and Throughput Agreement Amendment and the other documents contemplated herein.

“Transaction Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

“Transportation Assets” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

ASSET PURCHASE AND SALE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS



2.1 Sale and Purchase of the Ord Storage Assets and Transportation Assets. Effective as of the Effective Time, on the terms and subject to the conditions contemplated herein:



2.2 Consideration. 

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2.3 Effective Time of Purchase and Sale. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Parties acknowledge and agree that:



2.4 Assumed Liabilities. 



 (a)At the Effective Time, the Parent Group agrees to assume and to pay, discharge and perform as and when due, all Liabilities that first accrue, are caused by, arise out of, are associated with, are in respect of, or are incurred, in each case, at any time from and after the Effective Time, in connection with the ownership of the Ord Storage Assets or other activities occurring in connection with and attributable to the ownership and operation of the Ord Storage Assets from and after the Effective Time.

(b)At the Effective Time, the Parent Group agrees to assume and to pay, discharge and perform as and when due, all Liabilities that first accrue, are caused by, arise out of, are associated with, are in respect of, or are incurred, in each case, at any time from and after the Effective Time, in connection with the operation of the Transportation Assets or other activities occurring in connection with and attributable to the ownership and operation of the Transportation Assets from and after the Effective Time. The Liabilities in this Section 2.4(b) shall include, but are not limited to, the requirement or obligation, whether accrued before or after the Effective Time, to clean and refurbish the Transportation Assets pursuant to any lease or other agreement assumed by the Parent Group pursuant to the Assignment Agreement. 

The Liabilities described in this Section 2.4 are referred to as the “Assumed Liabilities” in this Agreement. 

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2.5 Transaction Taxes. All sales, use, transfer, filing, registration, business and occupation and similar Taxes arising from or associated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (“Transaction Taxes”), other than Taxes based on income, shall be borne one hundred percent (100%) by Green Plains. The Parties shall provide such certificates and other information and otherwise cooperate to the extent reasonably required to minimize Transaction Taxes.



2.6 Allocation. In the event the transactions effected pursuant to this Agreement are taxable in whole or in part, the Purchase Price (plus the Assumed Liabilities, to the extent properly taken into account by the Code), shall be allocated among the Assets in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (and any similar provision of state or local law, as appropriate) (the “Allocation”).  If the Purchase Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, the Allocation will reflect such adjustment as mutually agreed by the Partnership and Green Plains and Green Plains shall file all Tax Returns (including, but not limited to, IRS Form 8594, if applicable) consistent with the Allocation.  Neither Sellers nor the Parent Group shall take any Tax position inconsistent with such Allocation and neither Sellers nor the Parent Group shall agree to any proposed adjustment to the Allocation by any Taxing authority without first giving the other Party prior written notice; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall prevent Sellers or the Parent Group from settling any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Taxing authority based upon or arising out of the Allocation, and neither Sellers nor the Parent Group shall be required to litigate before any court any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any taxing authority challenging such Allocation.



2.7 Withholding. The Parent Group shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Purchase Price such amounts as the Parent Group is required to deduct and withhold under the Code, or any Tax law, with respect to the making of such payment.  To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to Sellers.



The Partnership hereby represents and warrants to the Parent Parties that, as of the date hereof:

3.1 Approval of Conflicts Committee. The transaction contemplated by this Agreement has been approved by the Conflicts Committee of the Board of the General Partner.

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The Parent Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Sellers that as of the date hereof:

4.1 Organization and Existence. 



4.2 Authority and Approval; Enforceability. Each of the Parent Parties has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and any Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it.  The execution and delivery by each of the Parent Parties of this Agreement and any Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, the performance by it of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite action of the Parent Parties.  Each of this Agreement and any Transaction Document to which any of the Parent Parties is or will be a party constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery by such Parent Party, the valid and binding obligation of such Parent Party, enforceable against such Parent Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).



4.3 Brokerage Arrangements. None of the Parent Parties has entered, directly or indirectly, into any agreement with any person, firm or corporation that would obligate Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Parent Group) to pay any commission, brokerage, “finder’s fee” or other fee in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.



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5.1 Financial Statements. The Partnership shall permit Green Plains and its representatives to contact the Partnership’s accountants, auditors and employees, and shall cause such accountants, auditors and employees to discuss, cooperate and provide information reasonably requested by Green Plains or its representatives, in order for Green Plains to prepare financial statements with respect to the Assets and pro forma financial statements of Green Plains, in each case that are necessary to comply with applicable requirements promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and within the timeframe specified for Green Plains to file any such financial statements on Form 8-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “Financial Statements”).  The Partnership shall cause its accountants, auditors and employees to cooperate with Green Plains with regards to responding to any comments from the Commission on such Financial Statements.  Green Plains shall be responsible for and shall pay for or reimburse the Partnership for all costs incurred by the Partnership in connection with the external audit of any such Financial Statements (including reasonable accountants’ fees).  The obligations of the Partnership under this Section 5.1 shall survive for five (5) years after the Closing.



5.2 Independent Investigation. Each of the Parent Parties acknowledge that in making the decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Green Plains has relied on both its own independent investigation of the Assets and the express written representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement and that the Assets are being purchased on an as-is, where-is basis.  Without diminishing the scope of the express written representations, warranties and covenants of the Parties and without affecting or impairing its right to rely thereon, THE PARENT PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SELLERS HAVE NOT MADE, AND SELLERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM AND NEGATE, ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE ASSETS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS), OTHER THAN THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THIS AGREEMENT.



5.3 Post-Closing Payments. Should Sellers or any of their respective Subsidiaries, after Closing, receive any payments related to the Assets to which the Parent Group is entitled pursuant to this Agreement, then Sellers or their applicable Subsidiaries shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such payments, forward such payments to Green Plains.  If any demand is made on Sellers or any of their respective Subsidiaries after Closing to pay any invoice or other obligation contracted or incurred in connection with the ownership of the Assets on or after the Effective Time, Green Plains shall pay the same to the extent such invoice or obligation constitutes an Assumed Liability.  If any demand is made on Green Plains or any of its Subsidiaries to pay any invoice or other obligation contracted or incurred in connection with the ownership of the Assets prior to the Effective Time, Sellers shall be responsible for the same. To the extent that the railcars conveyed as part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are lower than 110 railcars or greater than 150 railcars, a post-closing Purchase Price adjustment shall be made, equal to the change in EBITDA from railcars being more or less, multiplied by an 8.3x multiple.



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5.4 Further Assurances. From time to time after the Effective Time, and without any further consideration, the Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and to do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate (a) more fully to assure that the applicable Parties own all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges granted by this Agreement, or which are intended to be so granted, (b) more fully and effectively to vest in the applicable Parties and their respective successors and assigns beneficial and record title to the interests sold and assigned by this Agreement or intended to be so sold and assigned (including any actions required to effect the assignment and conveyance of the Assets as of the Effective Time), and (c) more fully and effectively to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.



5.5 Tax Covenants. 



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5.6 Real Property. After the Closing and without any further consideration, Sellers will use all commercially reasonable efforts, in accordance with applicable law, to execute, file and deliver all such additional deeds, instruments and other documents with any Governmental Authority necessary to fully and effectively vest in the applicable Group Member and their successors and assigns title to the real property assets sold, conveyed and assigned pursuant to this Agreement.



6.1 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing (the “Closing”) of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be held at a mutually agreed upon location and time (the “Closing Date”).



6.2 Deliveries by Sellers. At the Closing, Sellers will deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following:



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6.3 Deliveries by the Parent Parties. At the Closing, the Parent Parties will deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following:



7.1 Expenses. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each Party shall pay its own expenses incident to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and all action taken in preparation for effecting the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.



7.2 Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment. To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale” or “assignment” of the assets and the liabilities referenced herein.



7.3 Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any notice, request, instruction, correspondence or other document to be given under or in relation to this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if: (i) personally delivered (with written confirmation of receipt); or (ii) delivered by a recognized overnight delivery service (delivery fees prepaid), in either case to the appropriate address set forth below:



If to Sellers, addressed to:

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Green Plains Partners LP

c/o Green Plains Holdings LLC, its general partner

1811 Aksarben Dr

Omaha, Nebraska 68106

Facsimile: (402) 952-4916

Attention: Chief Legal & Administrative Officer

E-mail:  [email protected]



If to the Parent Parties, addressed to:

Green Plains Inc.

1811 Aksarben Dr

Omaha, Nebraska 68106

Facsimile: (402) 952-4916

Attention: Chief Legal & Administrative Officer

E-mail:  [email protected]



Any Party may change any address to which notice is to be given to it by giving notice as provided above of such change of address.

7.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.



7.5 Public Statements. The Parties shall consult with each other and no Party shall issue any public announcement or statement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby without the consent of the other Parties, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless the Party desiring to make such announcement or statement, after seeking such consent from the other Parties, obtains advice from legal counsel that a public announcement or statement is required by applicable law or securities exchange regulations.



7.6 Form of Payment. All payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars and, unless the Parties making and receiving such payments shall agree otherwise or the provisions hereof provide otherwise, shall be made by wire or interbank transfer of immediately available funds on the date such payment is due to such account as the Party receiving payment may designate at least three business days prior to the proposed date of payment.



7.7 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the exhibits hereto, (a) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) are not intended to confer upon any other Person or entity any rights or remedies hereunder except as otherwise expressly provided herein.  Each Party agrees that (i) no other Party (including its agents and representatives) has made any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement to or with such Party relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, other than those expressly set forth in the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered

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pursuant hereto, including the exhibits and schedules hereto, and (ii) such Party has not relied upon any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby other than those referred to in clause (i) above.  No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Parties.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.



7.8 Binding Effect and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties.



7.9 Severability. If any provision of the Agreement is rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted legislation or by decree of a court of last resort, the Parties shall meet promptly and negotiate substitute provisions for those rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable, but all of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and will not be affected or impaired in any way thereby.



7.10 Interpretation. The Parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or document.



7.11 Headings and Schedules. The headings of the several Articles and Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  The schedules referred to herein are attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, and unless the context expressly requires otherwise, those schedules are incorporated in the definition of “Agreement.”



7.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including electronic, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.



[Signature page follows]





 

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

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP







GREEN PLAINS HOLDINGS LLC







GREEN PLAINS OPERATING COMPANY LLC







GREEN PLAINS ETHANOL STORAGE LLC







GREEN PLAINS LOGISTICS LLC







GREEN PLAINS INC



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GREEN PLAINS ORD LLC







GREEN PLAINS TRADE GROUP LLC





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Green Plains Partners to Sell Ethanol Storage Assets to Green Plains Ord LLC

OMAHA, Neb. Jan. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)  Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ: GPP) today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its ethanol storage and transportation assets located at the Green Plains Ord, Neb. ethanol facility to Green Plains Ord LLC for $27 million, along with the transfer of certain railcar leases. As part of the transaction, the minimum volume commitment of Green Plains will be reduced by 14.75 million gallons per quarter.

“The sale of the assets affiliated with the Ord location allows Green Plains Partners to continue to deleverage its balance sheet while enabling the parent, Green Plains Inc., to reallocate the proceeds from the sale toward its protein technology initiatives which should result in higher throughput rates,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains Partners. 

The storage and throughput services agreement will be amended to adjust the quarterly minimum volume commitment to 217.7 million gallons per quarter or, approximately 91% of the 958 million gallons of annual production capacity of Green Plains Inc. and to extend the maturity date by one year to June 30, 2029. Approximately 180 of the 2,450 railcars managed by Green Plains Partners are anticipated to be conveyed as part of the transaction.

The transaction is anticipated to close within the next 45 days in conjunction with the completion of the Green Plains Ord LLC ethanol asset sale. The purchase agreement is subject to customary closing conditions.

The terms of this transaction were approved by both the board of directors of the general partner and the board of directors’ conflicts committee, which consists entirely of independent directors.



About Green Plains Partners LP

Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ: GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com. 



Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, anticipated financial and operating results, plans and objectives that are not historical in nature. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include risks related to Green Plains’ ability to successfully complete the sale of the Ord, Nebraska ethanol plant to GreenAmerica Biofuels Ord LLC and other risks discussed in Green Plains’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Green Plains assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.



Green Plains Inc. Contacts

Investors: Phil Boggs | Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer | 402.884.8700 | [email protected]

Media: Leighton Eusebio | Manager, Public Relations | 402.952.4971 | [email protected]



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