Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

13. Stock Based Compensation

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13. Stock Based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements  
Note 13. Stock Based Compensation

On January 10, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted, subject to stockholder approval, which was obtained at the annual stockholders meeting held on November 16, 2014, the Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Plan"). The number of shares of the Company's Common Stock that may be issued under the Equity Plan is 2,500,000 shares, subject to the adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations and similar corporate events.Eligible participants under the Equity Plan shall include officers, employees of or consultants to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any person to whom an offer of employment is extended, or any person who is a non-employee director of the Company. On October 9, 2014, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the First Amendment to the plan, subject to stockholder approval, which was obtained at the annual stockholders meeting held on November 18, 2014, which increased the number of shares issuable under the plan to 7,500,000.

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, which addresses the accounting for employee stock options which requires that the cost of all employee stock options, as well as other equity-based compensation arrangements, be reflected in the consolidated financial statements over the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the awards. 

 

A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below:

 

    Number of Shares     Weighted Average Exercise Price     Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)     Aggregate Intrinsic Value  
December 31, 2014     5,095,458       1.70       4.5       -  
Grants     1,100,000       0.52       4.7       -  
Cancellations     -       -       -       -  
September 30, 2015     6,195,458       1.49       3.9       -  
                                 
Options exercisable at:                                
December 31, 2014     3,095,458       2.31       4.5          
September 30, 2015     3,870,458       1.95       3.8          

 

The Company utilized the Black-Scholes options pricing model. The significant assumptions utilized for the Black Scholes calculations consist of an expected life of equal to the expiration term of the option, historical volatility of 67.7%, and a risk free interest rate of 3%.

 

On November 16, 2014, the Company entered into an employment agreement with John Pavlish which terms include the issuance of stock options for the purchase of shares of the Company's common stock in the aggregate amount of three million shares, two million of which was issued on November 16, 2014 and one million of which would be issued on November 16, 2015, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Company's 2014 Equity Incentive Plan ("Equity Plan"). The options granted are exercisable at $0.74 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. These options are to vest two years after the original grant date, subject to his continued employment. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, the value of the issued options was $910,350 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $113,793 and $341,380, respectively.

 

On January 1, 2015, the Company granted nonqualified stock options to acquire 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Nick Lentz. The options granted are exercisable at $0.61 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. These options are to vest two years after the original grant date, subject to his continued employment, are exercisable as of the date of vesting and will expire five years thereafter. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, these options were valued at $93,803 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $11,724 and $35,183, respectively.

 

On May 1, 2015, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 25,000 shares each of the Company's common stock to Chris Greenberg, Jay Rifkin and Brian Johnson, current directors of the Company, under the Company's Equity Plan. The options granted are exercisable at $0.67 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the grant as determined under the Equity Plan. The options are fully vested and exercisable as of the date of grant and will expire five years thereafter. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, these options were valued at $30,909 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $7,727 and $12,879, respectively.

 

On May 4, 2015, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 25,000 shares each of the Company's common stock to Jay Rifkin and Brian Johnson, nonqualified stock options to acquire 50,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Chris Lee and nonqualified stock options to acquire 75,000 shares of the Company's common stock to Chris Greenberg, current directors of the Company, under the Company's Equity Plan. The options are granted and exercisable at $0.67 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the grant as determined under the Equity Plan. The options are fully vested and exercisable as of the date of grant and will expire five year thereafter. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, these options were valued at $74,990 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $0 and $74,990, respectively.

 

On August 14, 2015, pursuant to an agreement for separation and release effective on that date, the Company issued a five year, fully vested stock option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock to Keith McGee. The options granted are exercisable at $0.37 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, these options were valued at $24,050 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $24,050.

 

On September 11, 2015, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 250,000 shares each of the Company's common stock to James Trettel and Marc Sylvester under the Company's Equity Plan. The options are granted and exercisable at $0.42 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the grant as determined under the Equity Plan. The options are fully vested and exercisable as of the date of grant and will expire five year thereafter. Based on a Black-Sholes valuation model, these options were valued at $122,690 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 on the issued options was $122,690.