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 October 9, 2014, the Board of Directors terminated this plan upon the approving an amendment to the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

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. On October 9, 2014 the Board of Directors approved and adopted the First Amendment to the plan 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 quarter ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:

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 72.8%, and a risk free interest rate of 3%.

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 received 650,000 stock unit awards, which replaced 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 achieved a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital through its operations 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 on the New Kelley Employment Agreement was zero and $388,000, 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 received 1,500,000 stock unit awards, which replaced 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 achieved a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital through its operations 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 on the New Norris Employment Agreement was zero and $97,000, 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 received 100,000 stock unit awards, which replaced 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 achieved a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital through its operations 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 on the New Gross Employment Agreement was zero and $53,000, 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 received 250,000 stock unit awards, which replaced 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 achieved a minimum of $3.5 million in working capital through its operations 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 on the New Sylvester Employment Agreement was zero and $70,000, respectively.

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 were 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 were valued at $1,963,825 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

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 April 8, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with Acorn Management Partners, LLC to provide financial advisory, strategic business planning and professional relations services. The agreement is for one year and can be terminated an any time by either party. Compensation under the agreement includes $50,000 of restricted common stock issued quarterly with the number of shares issued determined by dividing $50,000 by the closing price on the first day of each quarter the contract is in force. On April 22, 2014, the Company issued 38,760 shares of common stock based on a current market value of $1.29 per share as determined under the terms of the agreement. On July 10, 2014, the Company issued 47,619 shares of common stock based on a current market value of $1.05 per share as determined under the terms of the agreement.

On April 29, 2014, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Chris Greenberg, a current director of the Company, under the Company’s Equity Plan. The options granted are exercisable at $1.50 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 $265,833 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On May 1, 2014, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 25,000 shares each of the Company’s common stock to Chris Greenberg, Jay Rifkin and John Norris, current directors of the Company, under the Company’s Equity Plan. The options granted are exercisable at $1.49 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 $85,122 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On May 1, 2014, the Company issued nonqualified stock options to acquire 10,000 shares each of the Company’s common stock to Chris Greenberg and Jay Rifkin and nonqualified stock options to acquire 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to John Norris, current directors of the Company, under the Company’s Equity Plan. The options are granted and exercisable at $1.49 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 $51,073 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On September 1, 2014, the Company granted nonqualified stock options to acquire 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Keith McGee. The options granted are exercisable at $1.15 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 were valued at $353,683 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

On September 19, 2014, the Company granted nonqualified stock options to acquire 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Robert W. O’Neal. The options granted are exercisable at $1.05 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 were valued at $64,586 in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.