Effective July 20, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the 2005 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan reserves approximately 136,364 shares of common stock for grants of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants performing services for the Company. Options and warrants granted under the 2005 Plan have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant and become exercisable based on a vesting schedule determined at the date of grant. The options expire 10 years from the date of grant whereas warrants generally expire 5 years from the date of grant. Restricted stock awards granted under the 2005 Plan are subject to a vesting period determined at the date of grant.

On May 6, 2009, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, which was obtained at the annual stockholders meeting held on June 19, 2009, an amendment to the 2005 Plan that increased the number of shares subject to the Stock Plan. The total number of shares subject to the Stock Plan was revised to 454,545.

On January 10, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted 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.

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 quarter ended March 31, 2014 is presented below:

The Company utilized the Black-Scholes options pricing model.

On March 16, 2011, Midwest Energy Emissions issued 50 shares to a consultant for a value of $125,000. The shares were valued at $2,500 per share upon Midwest Energy Emissions' then most recently completed equity financing transactions. These shares were converted into Series B Convertible Preferred Stock upon completion of the Merger on June 21, 2011.

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and pursuant to Midwest Energy Emissions’ obligations under a Business Consulting Agreement dated March 18, 2011, on July 6, 2011, the Company issued 45,455 shares of our common stock to Eastern Sky, LLC as compensation for consulting services rendered in connection with the transaction. The shares were valued at $77,500.

On July 6, 2011, the Company issued 18,258 shares of our common stock to The Lebrecht Group, APLC as compensation for legal services rendered in connection with the Merger Agreement. The shares were valued at $31,130.

On January 2, 2013, the Company issued Jana Stover 68,468 shares to settle accrued consulting services performed in 2011. Compensation of $106,125 was recognized in 2011 related to the services performed.

Effective as of June 29, 2012 the Company and Ken Rifkin entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”). Ken Rifkin is the brother of Jay Rifkin, a Company director. As compensation for Mr. Rifkin’s performance of consulting services over a three month period ending on September 29, 2012, the Company issued 100,000 shares of the Company’s unregistered common shares to Mr. Rifkin on March 5, 2013, upon receipt of the appropriate stock grant agreement from Mr. Rifkin. Compensation of $135,000 was recognized in 2012 related to this agreement.

On July 1, 2012, the Company and R. Alan Kelley entered into an amended employment agreement (the “New Kelley Employment Agreement”) that replaced and terminated the then existing employment agreement between Mr. Kelley and the Company, dated November 1, 2011. Pursuant to the terminated employment agreement, Mr. Kelley was to receive 500,000 unvested shares of common stock as a signing bonus. These shares were to have vested on November 1, 2012 and are valued at $525,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Under the New Kelley Employment Agreement, the Company will issue to Mr. Kelley 650,000 shares of common stock upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or January 1, 2014 (the “Stock Grant”) provided that Mr. Kelley remains an employee of the Company on January 1, 2014. In addition, the Company will make the Stock Grant to Mr. Kelley if his employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for good reason, or on his death or disability. The Stock Grant is valued at $1,300,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the difference from the previous valuation will be amortized from the date of the agreement through grant date. On December 12, 2013, the Company and Mr. Kelley entered into an amendment to the New Kelley Employment Agreement (“Kelley Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Kelley Agreement Amendment, Mr. Kelley will receive 650,000 stock unit awards, which replaces the Stock Grant that was to be made on January 1, 2014, provided that Mr. Kelley remains an employee on that date. Such stock units will vest and become non-forfeitable upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or when the Company has a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital and its cash position equals or exceeds $2.5 million after deducting the amount sufficient to cover all federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the stock units vesting and will be for forfeited if the conditions have not been met by January 1, 2017. The modification of this award did not result in incremental compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and no additional expense will be recorded for this grant. Compensation expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 on the New Kelley Employment Agreement was zero and $129,000, respectively.

On July 1, 2012, the Company and Johnny F. Norris, Jr. entered into an amended employment agreement (the “New Norris Employment Agreement”) that replaced and terminated the then existing employment agreement between Mr. Norris and the Company, dated October 17, 2011. Pursuant to the terminated employment agreement, Mr. Norris was to receive 1,500,000 unvested shares of common stock as a signing bonus. These shares were to have vested 1/3 on October 1, 2012, 1/3 on October 1, 2013 and 1/3 on October 1, 2014 and are valued at $2,805,300 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Under the New Norris Employment Agreement, the Company will issue to Mr. Norris 1,500,000 shares of common stock upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or January 1, 2014 (the “Stock Grant”) provided that Mr. Norris remains an employee of the Company on January 1, 2014. In addition, the Company will make the Stock Grant to Mr. Norris if his employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for good reason, or on his death or disability. The Stock Grant is valued at $3,000,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the difference from the previous valuation will be amortized from the date of the agreement through grant date. On December 12, 2013, the Company and Mr. Norris entered into an amendment to the New Norris Employment Agreement (“Norris Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Norris Agreement Amendment, Mr. Norris will receive 1,500,000 stock unit awards, which replaces the Stock Grant that was to be made on January 1, 2014, provided that Mr. Norris remains an employee on that date. Such stock units will vest and become non-forfeitable upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or when the Company has a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital and its cash position equals or exceeds $2.5 million after deducting the amount sufficient to cover all federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the stock units vesting and will be for forfeited if the conditions have not been met by January 1, 2017. The modification of this award did not result in incremental compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and no additional expense will be recorded for this grant. Compensation expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 on the New Norris Employment Agreement was zero and $32,000, respectively.

On July 1, 2012, the Company and Richard H. Gross entered into an amended employment agreement (the “New Gross Employment Agreement”) that replaced and terminated the then existing employment agreement between Mr. Gross and the Company, dated September 19, 2011. Pursuant to the terminated employment agreement, Mr. Gross was to receive 50,000 unvested shares of common stock as a signing bonus. These shares were to have vested on October 10, 2012 and are valued at $93,500 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Under the New Gross Employment Agreement, the Company will issue to Mr. Gross 100,000 shares of common stock upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or January 1, 2014 (the “Stock Grant”) provided that Mr. Gross remains an employee of the Company on January 1, 2014. In addition, the Company will make the Stock Grant to Mr. Gross if his employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for good reason, or on his death or disability. The Stock Grant is valued at $200,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the difference from the previous valuation will be amortized from the date of the agreement through grant date. On December 12, 2013, the Company and Mr. Gross entered into an amendment to the New Gross Employment Agreement (“Gross Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Gross Agreement Amendment, Mr. Gross will receive 100,000 stock unit awards, which replaces the Stock Grant that was to be made on January 1, 2014, provided that Mr. Gross remains an employee on that date. Such stock units will vest and become non-forfeitable upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or when the Company has a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital and its cash position equals or exceeds $2.5 million after deducting the amount sufficient to cover all federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the stock units vesting and will be for forfeited if the conditions have not been met by January 1, 2017. The modification of this award did not result in incremental compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and no additional expense will be recorded for this grant. Compensation expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 on the New Gross Employment Agreement was zero and $18,000, respectively.

On March 1, 2013, the Company and Marc Sylvester entered into an amended employment agreement (the “New Sylvester Employment Agreement”) that replaced and terminated the then existing employment agreement between Mr. Sylvester and the Company, dated July 25, 2011. Under the New Sylvester Employment Agreement, the Company will issue to Mr. Sylvester 250,000 shares of common stock upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or January 1, 2014 (the “Stock Grant”) provided that Mr. Sylvester remains an employee of the Company on January 1, 2014. In addition, the Company will make the Stock Grant to Mr. Sylvester if his employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for good reason, or on his death or disability. The Stock Grant is valued at $100,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. On December 12, 2013, the Company and Mr. Sylvester entered into an amendment to the New Sylvester Employment Agreement (“Sylvester Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Sylvester Agreement Amendment, Mr. Sylvester will receive 250,000 stock unit awards, which replaces the Stock Grant that was to be made on January 1, 2014, provided that Mr. Sylvester remains an employee on that date. Such stock units will vest and become non-forfeitable upon the earlier of a change in control of the Company or when the Company has a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital and its cash position equals or exceeds $2.5 million after deducting the amount sufficient to cover all federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the stock units vesting and will be for forfeited if the conditions have not been met by January 1, 2017. The modification of this award results in incremental compensation of $30,000 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and this additional compensation will only be recognized if certain performance criteria are met. Compensation expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 on the New Sylvester Employment Agreement was zero and $10,000, respectively.

During 2013, pursuant to a representation agreement to provide public and investor relations services dated March 7, 2013 and canceled September 7, 2013, the Company issued Lytham Partners 150,000 shares of common stock. The shares were valued at $121,000.

On January 31, 2014, pursuant to a representation agreement to provide public and investor relations services, the Company issued QualityStocks, LLC 25,000 shares of common stock. The shares were valued at $52,500.

On December 12, 2013, pursuant to amendments to their employment agreements on that date, the Company issued a five year, fully vested stock option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock to each of R. Alan Kelley, Johnny F. Norris, Jr., Marcus A. Sylvester and Richard H. Gross at a purchase price of $0.50, representing the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Based on a Black-Scholes valuation model, these stock options are valued at $37,790 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On January 1, 2014, the Company granted nonqualified stock options to acquire 250,000 shares each of the Company’s common stock to Jim Trettel and Keith McGee. The options granted are exercisable at $0.595 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. 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 are valued at $224,850 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On January 30, 2014, the Company granted the following nonqualified stock options to acquire an aggregate of 1,140,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s Equity Plan:

The options granted are exercisable at $1.20 per share, representing the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of 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 are valued at $1,963,825 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.