U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2012
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _________
Commission File No. 000-19333
Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.
(Name of registrant in its charter)
Colorado |
| 84-1176672 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or formation) |
| (I.R.S. employer identification number) |
Box 566 / 1774 Summitview Way
Crestone, Colorado 81131
(Address of principal executive offices)
(212) 758-6622
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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.
x 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). x Yes ¨ No
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 the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
|
| Large accelerated filer ¨ |
| Accelerated filer ¨ |
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| Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
| Smaller reporting company x |
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SEC 1296 (03-10) Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
¨ Yes x No
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS: Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Not applicable.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. On February 6, 2013, there were 17,325,565 Common Shares issued and 16,621,256 Common Shares outstanding.
2
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1. | Financial Statements |
| 5 |
| Consolidated financial statements (unaudited): |
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| Balance sheets |
| 5 |
| Statements of operations |
| 6 |
| Statement of changes in equity (deficit) |
| 7 |
| Statements of cash flows |
| 8 |
| Notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements |
| 9-26 |
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Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
| 27 |
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Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
| 39 |
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
| 39 |
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
| 39 |
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Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
| 39 |
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Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
| 39 |
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Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
| 40 |
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Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
| 40 |
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Item 5. | Other Information |
| 40 |
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Item 6. | Exhibits |
| 40 |
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| Signatures |
| 41 |
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3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "predict," "plan," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. The expectations reflected in forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect.
4
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBISIDIARIES |
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CONSOLDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
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| December 31, 2012 |
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| June 30, 2012 |
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| (unaudited) |
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ASSETS: |
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Current assets: |
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Cash |
| $ | 380,483 |
| $ | 399,992 |
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Restricted cash (Note 8) |
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| 57,315 |
|
| - |
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Prepaid insurance and expenses |
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| 6,257 |
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| 42,707 |
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Deposits and other receivables |
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| 6,958 |
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| 6,958 |
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Total current assets |
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| 451,013 |
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| 449,657 |
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Restricted cash (Note 8) |
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| - |
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| 57,315 |
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Property and equipment, net (Note 3) |
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| 7,823,860 |
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| 8,172,702 |
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Total assets |
| $ | 8,274,873 |
| $ | 8,679,674 |
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| $ | 872,916 |
| $ | 711,677 |
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Deferred rent (Note 8) |
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| 19,461 |
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| - |
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Loans payable - affiliates (Note 4) |
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| 126,410 |
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| - |
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Current portion of deferred compensation (Note 5) |
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| 194,583 |
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| 83,083 |
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Total current liabilities |
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| 1,213,370 |
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| 794,760 |
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Loan payable (Note 6) |
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| 7,754,000 |
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| 7,754,000 |
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Deferred compensation, less current portion (Note 5) |
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| 1,143,580 |
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| 833,452 |
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Deferred rent (Note 8) |
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| - |
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| 27,992 |
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Total liabilities |
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| 10,110,950 |
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| 9,410,204 |
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Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 200 and 450 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; liquidation preference of $23,000 and $49,500, respectively |
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| 20,400 |
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| 43,650 |
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Deficit : |
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Bion's stockholders' equity (deficit): |
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Series A Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding |
|
| - |
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| - |
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Series C Convertible Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 60,000 shares authorized; 300 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; liquidation preference of $34,500 and $33,000, respectively |
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| 30,550 |
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| 29,050 |
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Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 17,314,819 and 16,814,103 shares issued, respectively; 16,610,510 and 16,109,794 shares outstanding, respectively |
|
| - |
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| - |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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| 93,728,542 |
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| 91,177,978 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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| (95,696,665) |
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| (92,065,095) |
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Total Bions stockholders deficit |
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| (1,937,573) |
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| (858,067) |
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Noncontrolling interest |
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| 81,096 |
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| 83,887 |
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Total deficit |
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| (1,856,477) |
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| (774,180) |
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Total liabilities and deficit |
| $ | 8,274,873 |
| $ | 8,679,674 |
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See notes to consolidated financial statements
5
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||
THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011 | ||||||||||||
(UNAUDITED) | ||||||||||||
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| Three Months ended December 31, |
| Six months ended December 31, | ||||||||
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| 2012 |
| 2011 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 | ||||
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Revenue |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
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Operating expenses: |
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General and administrative (including stock- based compensation (Note 7)) |
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| 1,071,694 |
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| 1,025,628 |
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| 3,420,754 |
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| 4,788,055 |
Research and development (including stock- based compensation (Note 7)) |
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| 37,713 |
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| 28,360 |
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| 86,319 |
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| 98,494 |
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Total operating expenses |
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| 1,109,407 |
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| 1,053,988 |
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| 3,507,073 |
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| 4,886,549 |
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Loss from operations |
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| (1,109,407) |
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| (1,053,988) |
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| (3,507,073) |
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| (4,886,549) |
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Other expense (income): |
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Interest expense |
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| 72,068 |
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| 7,215 |
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| 127,384 |
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| 14,430 |
Interest income |
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| (46) |
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| (695) |
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| (96) |
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| (1,702) |
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| 72,022 |
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| 6,520 |
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| 127,288 |
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| 12,728 |
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Net loss |
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| (1,181,429) |
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| (1,060,508) |
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| (3,634,361) |
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| (4,899,277) |
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Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest |
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| 1,393 |
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| 1,171 |
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| 2,791 |
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| 14,274 |
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Net loss attributable to Bion |
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| (1,180,036) |
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| (1,059,337) |
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| (3,631,570) |
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| (4,885,003) |
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Conversion inducement |
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| - |
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| (206,678) |
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| - |
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| (755,258) |
Dividends on preferred stock |
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| (1,250) |
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| (1,875) |
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| (2,917) |
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| (151,425) |
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Net loss applicable to Bion's common Stockholders |
| $ | (1,181,286) |
| $ | (1,267,890) |
| $ | (3,634,487) |
| $ | (5,791,686) |
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Net loss applicable to Bion's common stockholders per basic and diluted common share |
| $ | (0.07) |
| $ | (0.08) |
| $ | (0.21) |
| $ | (0.40) |
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Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: |
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Basic and diluted |
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| 17,196,001 |
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| 15,818,467 |
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| 17,061,635 |
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| 14,634,645 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
6
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
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SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 (UNAUDITED) |
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| Bions Shareholders |
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| Series C Preferred Stock |
| Common Stock |
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| Shares | Amount |
| Shares | Amount |
| Additional paid-in capital |
| Accumulated deficit |
| Noncontrolling interest |
| Total equity/(deficit) |
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Balances, July 1, 2012 |
| 300 | $29,050 |
| 16,814,103 | $ - |
| $91,177,978 |
| $(92,065,095) |
| $83,887 |
| $ (774,180) |
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Vesting of options for services |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| 353,110 |
| - |
| - |
| 353,110 |
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Issuance of common stock for services |
| - | - |
| 42,660 | - |
| 1,206,872 |
| - |
| - |
| 1,206,872 |
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Issuance of warrants for services |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| 33,000 |
| - |
| - |
| 33,000 |
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Sale of units |
| - | - |
| 458,056 | - |
| 960,499 |
| - |
| - |
| 960,499 |
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Dividends on Series B preferred stock |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| (1,417) |
| - |
| - |
| (1,417) |
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Dividends on Series C preferred stock |
| - | 1,500 |
| - | - |
| (1,500) |
| - |
| - |
| - |
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Net loss |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| - |
| (3,631,570) |
| (2,791) |
| (3,634,361) |
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Balances, December 31, 2012 |
| 300 | $30,550 |
| 17,314,819 | $ - |
| $93,728,542 |
| $(95,696,665) |
| $81,096 |
| $(1,856,477) |
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See notes to consolidated financial statements
7
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
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SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011 (UNAUDITED) |
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| 2012 |
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| 2011 |
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
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Net loss |
| $ | (3,634,361) |
| $ | (4,899,277) |
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Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
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Depreciation expense |
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| 412,537 |
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| 8,149 |
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Accrued interest on deferred compensation and other |
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| 44,431 |
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| 8,250 |
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Stock-based compensation |
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| 1,592,982 |
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| 3,567,424 |
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Decrease in prepaid insurance and expenses |
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| 36,450 |
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| 35,362 |
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Decrease in deposits and other receivables |
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| - |
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| 3,094 |
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Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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| 159,046 |
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| (822,787) |
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Increase in deferred compensation |
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| 384,050 |
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| 290,000 |
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Decrease in deferred rent |
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| (8,531) |
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| (10,233) |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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| (1,013,396) |
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| (1,820,018) |
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
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Decrease in restricted cash |
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| - |
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| 25,000 |
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Purchase of property and equipment |
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| (63,695) |
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| (386,699) |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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| (63,695) |
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| (361,699) |
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
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Proceeds from the sale of units |
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| 960,499 |
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| 475,000 |
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Proceeds from loans payable - affiliates |
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| 125,000 |
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| - |
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Proceeds from loan payable |
|
| - |
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| 1,342,432 |
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Redemption of Series B preferred shares |
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| (25,000) |
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| - |
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Payment of commissions on Series B and C conversions |
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| - |
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| (22,355) |
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Payment of Series B preferred dividends |
|
| (2,917) |
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| (69,175) |
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Payment of Series C preferred dividends |
|
| - |
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| (80,375) |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
| 1,057,582 |
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| 1,645,527 |
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Net decrease in cash |
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| (19,509) |
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| (536,190) |
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Cash at beginning of period |
|
| 399,992 |
|
| 1,394,388 |
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Cash at end of period |
| $ | 380,483 |
| $ | 858,198 |
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for interest, including $15,793 and $89,540 of capitalized interest |
| $ | 98,747 |
| $ | 90,678 |
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Cash paid for income taxes |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
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Non-cash investing and financing transactions: |
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Conversion of Series B preferred to common stock |
| $ | - |
| $ | 2,469,706 |
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Conversion of Series C preferred to common stock |
| $ | - |
| $ | 3,594,762 |
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Issuance of common stock in exchange for services |
| $ | - |
| $ | - |
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Series B preferred stock dividends accrued |
| $ | 1,417 |
| $ | 1,125 |
|
Series C preferred stock dividends accrued |
| $ | 1,500 |
| $ | 750 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements
8
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
1.
ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF BUSINESS, GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENTS PLANS:
Organization and nature of business:
Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (Bion or We or the "Company") was incorporated in 1987 in the State of Colorado and has developed and continues to develop patented and proprietary technology that provides a comprehensive environmental solution to a significant source of pollution in United States agriculture, large scale livestock facilities known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations ("CAFO's"). Bion's technology produces substantial reductions of nutrient releases (primarily nitrogen and phosphorus) to both water and air (including ammonia, which is subsequently re-deposited to the ground) from livestock waste streams based upon our operations and research to date (and third party peer review thereof). Because Bion's technology reduces the harmful releases and emissions from a CAFO on which it is utilized, the CAFO can potentially increase its herd concentration (thereby utilizing less land per animal) while lowering or maintaining its level of nutrient releases and atmospheric emissions.
From 2003 through early 2008, the Company primarily focused on completing re-development of its technology platform and business model. As such, during that period Bion elected not to pursue near-term revenue opportunities such as retrofitting existing CAFO's with waste management solutions, because management believed such efforts would have diverted scarce management and financial resources and negatively impacted Bions ability to complete: 1) re-development of technology for environmentally sound treatment of CAFO waste streams and 2) development of an integrated technology platform in support of large-scale sustainable Integrated Projects (defined below) including renewable energy production.
Bion is now actively pursuing business opportunities in two broad areas 1) installation of Bion systems to retrofit and environmentally remediate existing CAFOs to reduce nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) releases, gaseous emissions (ammonia, greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, etc.), and pathogens, hormones and other compounds in order to clean the air and water in the surrounding areas (as described below) to ensure compliance with existing (and future) regulations and to permit herd expansion; and 2) development of "closed loop" Integrated Projects. Bion is pursuing these opportunities within the United States and internationally.
Management believes that Bion's technology platform allows the integration of large-scale CAFO's and their end-product users, renewable energy production from the CAFO waste stream, on site utilization of the renewable energy generated and biofuel/ethanol production in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner while reducing the aggregate capital expense and operating costs for the entire integrated complex ("Integrated Projects" or "Projects"). In the context of Integrated Projects, Bion's waste treatment process, in addition to mitigating polluting releases, generates renewable energy from cellulosic portions of the CAFO waste stream, which renewable energy can be utilized by integrated facilities including ethanol plants, CAFO end-product processors (including cheese, ice cream and/or bottling plants in the case of dairy CAFOs and/or slaughter and/or processing facilities in the context of beef CAFOs) and/or other users as a fossil fuel replacement. The nutrient rich solids recovered from the livestock waste stream can be utilized as either high value fertilizer and/or the basis for high protein animal feed and the nutrient rich effluent can potentially be utilized in integrated hydroponic agriculture and/or field applied as fertilizer.
9
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
1.
ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF BUSINESS, GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENTS PLANS (continued):
Organization and nature of business (continued):
Bion believes that its Integrated Projects will produce high quality, traceable animal protein at a lower cost than current industry practices while also maintaining a far lower net environmental footprint per unit of protein produced due to water recycling (possible due to the removal of nutrients, etc. from the water by Bions technology), production of renewable energy from the waste stream (reducing the use of fossil fuels), and multiple levels of economies of scale, co-location and integration savings in transportation and other logistics.
Bion is presently involved in the very early development and pre-development activities related to Integrated Projects in Pennsylvania. The Company is also involved in pre-development evaluations and discussions regarding opportunities for Integrated Projects in New York and in Nebraska and elsewhere in the Midwest and the North Central United States (dairy and/or beef). All such discussions are still in preliminary stages. Additionally, the Company is involved in very early stage discussions regarding development of Integrated Projects to meet specific needs of certain international markets (and regarding licensing our technology for use in overseas locations).
Additionally, Bion has recently commenced discussions that may lead to installation of Bion systems on existing and/or new dairies, beef facilities and swine farms in the Midwest.
A significant portion of Bions activities concern efforts with private and public stakeholders (at local and state level) in Pennsylvania and other Chesapeake Bay states and at the federal level (EPA (and other executive departments) and Congress) to establish appropriate public policies which will create regulations and funding mechanisms that foster installation of the low cost environmental solutions that Bion (and others) can provide through clean-up of agricultural waste streams.
On September 27, 2008, the Company executed an agreement with Kreider Farms (and its affiliated entities) (collectively "Kreider") to design, construct and operate (through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bion Services Group, Inc. (Bion Services) and Bion PA-1 LLC (PA-1) a Bion system to treat the waste of 1,200 milking dairy cows (milkers, dry cows and heifers) at the Kreider Dairy, located in Manheim, Pennsylvania. In addition, the agreement provides for a second phase which will treat the wastes from the rest of Kreiders herd and includes renewable energy production from the cellulosic solid wastes from the Phase 1 system (referred to as Kreider 1) together with the waste stream from Kreiders poultry facilities for use at the facilities and/or for market sales. The Kreider projects are owned and operated by Bion through subsidiaries, in which Kreider has the option to purchase a noncontrolling interest. To complete these projects substantial capital (equity and/or debt) has been and will continue to be expended. Additional funds will be expended for continuing operations. Upon successful construction and operation of these systems, the Company anticipates that it will earn revenue from the sale of nutrient (and other) environmental credits related to the Kreider system and through sales of renewable energy generated by the Kreider systems.
10
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
1.
ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF BUSINESS, GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENTS PLANS (continued):
Organization and nature of business (continued):
The Company financed Kreider 1 through a $7.8 million loan from Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest). Initial construction-related activities of Kreider 1, including bidding and ordering of equipment, commenced in October 2010 and was completed and a period of system operation shakedown commenced in May 2011. Kreider 1 reached full, stabilized operation by the end of the 2012 fiscal year. During 2011 the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) re-certified the nutrient credits for this project. The PADEP issued final permits for Kreider 1 (including the credit verification plan) on August 1, 2012 on which date the Company deemed that Kreider 1 was placed in service. As a result, Bion can now commence generating and verifying nutrient reduction credits for sale during the 2013 fiscal year while continuing to utilize the system to test improvements and add-ons. To date liquidity in the Pennsylvania nutrient credit market has been slow to develop significant breadth and depth which has negatively impacted Bions business plans and has resulted in challenges to monetizing the nutrient reduction credits created by Bions existing Kreider project and proposed projects. A significant portion of Bions work with public and private stakeholders is related to policy and regulatory steps which will increase the depth and breadth of funding mechanisms for technology-based, verifiable agricultural nutrient reductions.
Development work, including amended credit certification and negotiations with venture partners, continues related to the details of the second phase of the Kreider project. It is anticipated that agreements related to the second Kreider project will be executed during 2013 and that permitting and construction will be completed in the 2014 fiscal year. As discussed above, this project faces challenges related to the current limits of the existing market and funding of technology-based, verifiable agricultural nutrient reductions.
Going concern and managements plans:
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has not generated revenues and has incurred net losses (including significant non-cash expenses) of approximately $6,465,000 and $6,998,000 during the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and a net loss of approximately $3,634,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2012, the Company has a working capital deficit and a stockholders deficit of approximately $762,000 and $1,938,000, respectively. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability or classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The following paragraphs describe managements plans with regard to these conditions.
During the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company received total proceeds of $1,259,250, (including $200,000 of subscriptions receivable) and $2,649,250 (including $40,000 from the exercise of warrants into common shares of the Company), respectively, from the sale of its equity securities. The lower level of proceeds during the 2012 year (which has continued in subsequent periods) has negatively impacted the Companys business development efforts.
11
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
1.
ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF BUSINESS, GOING CONCERN AND MANAGEMENTS PLANS (continued):
Going concern and managements plans (continued):
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company has sold 458,056 equity Units in two separate offerings (Note 7) and received proceeds of $960,499.
The Company continues to explore sources of additional financing to satisfy its current operating requirements as it is not currently generating any revenues.
During fiscal year 2012 and through the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company experienced greater difficulty in raising equity funding than in the prior year. As a result, the Company faced, and continues to face, significant cash flow management challenges due to material working capital constraints. To partially mitigate these working capital constraints, the Companys core senior management and several key employees have been deferring all or part of their cash compensation (Note 5). The extended constraints on available resources has had, and continues to have, negative effects on the pace and scope of the Companys effort to develop its business. The Company will need to obtain additional capital to fund its operations and technology development, to satisfy existing creditors, to develop Integrated Projects and CAFO waste remediation systems (including the Kreider 2 facilities) and to operate the Kreider 1 facilities. The Company anticipates that it will seek to raise from $7,500,000 to $50,000,000 or more (debt and equity) during the next twelve months. There is no assurance, especially in the extremely unsettled capital markets that presently exist (especially for small companies), that the Company will be able to obtain the funds that it needs to stay in business, complete its technology development or to successfully develop its business and projects.
There can be no assurance that funds required during the next twelve months or thereafter for the Companys basic operations and/or proposed projects will be generated from operations or that those funds will be available from external sources such as debt or equity financings or other potential sources. The lack of sufficient additional capital resulting from the inability to generate cash flow from operations or to raise capital from external sources would force the Company to substantially curtail or cease operations and would, therefore, have a material adverse effect on its business. Further, there can be no assurance that any such required funds, if available, will be available on attractive terms or that they will not have a significantly dilutive effect on the Company's existing shareholders. All of these factors have been exacerbated by the extremely unsettled credit and capital markets presently existing (especially for small companies).
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bion Integrated Projects Group, Inc. (formerly Bion Dairy Corporation) (Projects Group), Bion Technologies, Inc., BionSoil, Inc., Bion Services, PA-1, and Bion PA 2 LLC; and its 58.9% owned subsidiary, Centerpoint Corporation (Centerpoint). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
12
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of consolidation (continued):
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring entries) that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position at December 31, 2012, the results of operations of the Company for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 and cash flows of the Company for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Operating results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2013.
Fair value measurements:
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value.
Level 1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 observable inputs other than Level 1, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived prices whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and
Level 3 assets and liabilities whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs are based on the Companys market assumptions. Unobservable inputs require significant management judgment or estimation. In some cases, the inputs used to measure an asset or liability may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is required to be classified using the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Such determination requires significant management judgment.
The fair value of cash and accounts payable approximates their carrying amounts due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the loan payable approximates its carrying amount as it bears interest at rates commensurate with market rates. The fair value of the redeemable preferred stock approximates its carrying value due to the dividends accrued on the preferred stock which are reflected as part of the redemption value. The fair value of deferred compensation and loans payable affiliates are not practicable to estimate due to the related party nature of the underlying transactions.
13
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
2.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Loss per share:
Basic loss per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share assumes the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock instruments, such as options or warrants, unless the effect is to reduce the loss per share. During the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the basic and diluted loss per share was the same, as the impact of potential dilutive common shares was anti-dilutive.
The following table represents the warrants, options and convertible securities excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share:
| December 31, 2012 |
| December 31, 2011 |
Warrants | 7,067,282 |
| 6,133,753 |
Options | 5,261,145 |
| 5,036,145 |
Convertible debt | 628,249 |
| 126,500 |
Convertible preferred stock | 20,125 |
| 31,500 |
The following is a reconciliation of the denominators of the basic loss per share computations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
| Three months ended December 31, 2012 | Three months ended December 31, 2011 | Six months ended December 31, 2012 | Six months ended December 31, 2011 |
Shares issued beginning of period | 16,974,517 | 15,682,975 | 16,814,103 | 13,730,291 |
Shares held by subsidiaries (Note 7) | (704,309) | (704,309) | (704,309) | (704,309) |
Shares outstanding beginning of period | 16,270,208 | 14,978,666 | 16,109,794 | 13,025,982 |
Weighted average shares for fully vested stock bonuses (Note 7) | 840,000 | 390,000 | 803,315 | 356,739 |
Weighted average shares issued during the period | 85,793 | 449,801 | 148,526 | 1,251,924 |
Basic weighted average shares end of period | 17,196,001 | 15,818,467 | 17,061,635 | 14,634,645 |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
The Company has evaluated all newly issued accounting pronouncements and believes such pronouncements do not have a material effect on the Companys financial statements.
14
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
3.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment consists of the following:
|
| December 31, 2012 |
| June 30, 2012 |
Machinery and equipment |
| $5,432,947 |
| $ - |
Buildings and structures |
| 2,574,010 |
| - |
Kreider 1 |
| - |
| 8,155,922 |
Leasehold improvements |
| 31,336 |
| 31,336 |
Furniture |
| 28,932 |
| 28,932 |
Computers and office equipment |
| 246,900 |
| 34,240 |
|
| 8,314,125 |
| 8,250,430 |
Less accumulated depreciation |
| (490,265) |
| (77,728) |
|
| $7,823,860 |
| $8,172,702 |
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, Kreider 1 was placed into service and the capitalized costs of $8,219,617 were allocated among its separately identifiable components. Depreciation expense was $246,746 and $4,065 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $412,537 and $8,149 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
4.
LOANS PAYABLE - AFFILIATES:
As of December 31, 2012, Dominic Bassani (Bassani), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Mark A. Smith, the Companys President, have loaned the Company $100,000 and $25,000 respectively, for working capital needs. The loans bear interest at 6% per annum and will be repaid when the Companys cash position permits. Interest expense related to the loans payable affiliates was $1,410 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012.
5.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION:
Current:
The Company owes Edward Schafer, the Companys Executive Vice Chairman, and three other key employees, aggregate deferred compensation of $194,583 as of December 31, 2012.
Non-current:
As of December 31, 2012, the Company owed Brightcap Capital Ltd. (Brightcap), for services provided by Mr. Bassani, deferred compensation of $754,330, including interest of $69,330, which is due and payable on January 15, 2014. Of the $754,330, $206,250 of the deferred compensation accrues interest at 10% per annum and is convertible into the Companys restricted common stock at $1.50 per share. The remaining $548,080 of deferred compensation accrues interest at 8% per annum and is convertible into Units at $2.50 per Unit which consists of one share of the Companys common stock and one warrant to purchase a share of the Companys common stock. Conversion of this deferred compensation is at the sole discretion of Brightcap and Bassani.
15
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
5.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION:
Non-current (continued):
As of December 31, 2012, the Company owes Mr. Smith deferred compensation of $389,250, including interest of $19,496 which is due and payable on January 15, 2014. The deferred compensation accrues interest at 8% per annum. The deferred compensation plus accrued interest of $548,080 and $389,250 owed to Brightcap and Mr. Smith, respectively, may be converted, at the sole election of Brightcap and Mr. Smith, into Units consisting of one share of the Companys common stock and one warrant to purchase a share of the Companys common stock, at a price of $2.50 per Unit until December 31, 2016. As the conversion price of $2.50 per Unit approximated the fair value of the Units at the date of the agreements, no beneficial conversion feature exists at December 31, 2012. In addition, the conversion price of the deferred compensation plus accrued interest will be the lower of the $2.50 per Unit price or the lowest price at which the Company sells its common stock between April 1, 2012 and January 15, 2014. As of December 31, 2012, the lowest price at which the Company has sold its common stock during the relevant period is $1.91 per share. Subsequently, the Company sold shares of its common stock at a price of $1.64 per share during January 2013 pursuant to a formula for conversion of deferred compensation in an existing compensation agreement. Management evaluated the terms and conditions of the embedded conversion features based on the guidance of ASC 815-15-25-1 to determine if there was an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. An embedded derivative instrument (such as a conversion option embedded in the deferred compensation) must be bifurcated from its host instruments and accounted for separately as a derivative instrument only if the risks and rewards of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the risks and rewards of the host instrument in which it is embedded. Management concluded that the embedded conversion feature of the deferred compensation was not required to be bifurcated because the conversion feature is clearly and closely related to the host instrument, and because of the Companys limited trading volume that indicates the feature is not readily convertible to cash in accordance with ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging.
6.
LOAN PAYABLE:
As of December 31, 2012, PA-1, the Companys wholly-owned subsidiary, owes $7,754,000 under the terms of the Pennvest Loan related to the construction of the Kreider 1 System. The terms of the Pennvest Loan provide for funding of up to $7,754,000 which is to be repaid by interest-only payments for three years, followed by an additional ten-year amortization of principal. The Pennvest Loan accrues interest at 2.547% for years 1 through 5 and 3.184% for years 6 through maturity. The Pennvest Loan requires minimum annual principal payments of approximately $574,000 in fiscal year 2013, $704,000 in fiscal year 2014, $723,000 in fiscal year 2015, $741,000 in fiscal year 2016, $760,000 in fiscal year 2017 and $4,252,000 thereafter. The Pennvest Loan is collateralized by a pledge of all revenues generated from Kreider 1 including, but not limited to, revenues generated from nutrient reduction credit sales and by-product sales. In addition, in consideration for the excess credit risk associated with the project, Pennvest is entitled to participate in the profits from Kreider 1 calculated on a net cash flow basis, as defined. For the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has incurred interest expense related to the Pennvest Loan of $49,373 and $47,883, respectively. For the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company has incurred interest expense related to the Pennvest Loan of $98,747 and $93,527, respectively, of which $15,793 and $89,540 has been capitalized as a cost of Kreider 1 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Based on the limited development of the depth and breadth of the Pennsylvania nutrient reduction credit market to date, Pennvest and PA-1 have recently commenced preliminary discussions regarding the Pennvest Loan.
16
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
6.
LOAN PAYABLE (continued):
In connection with the Pennvest Loan, the Company provided a technology guaranty regarding nutrient reduction performance of Kreider 1 which was structured to expire when Kreider 1s nutrient reduction performance had been demonstrated. On August 1, 2012 the Company informed Pennvest that the Kreider 1 System had surpassed the requisite performance criteria and that, as a result, the Companys technology guaranty had been met.
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Series B Preferred stock:
At July 1, 2012, the Company had 450 shares of Series B redeemable convertible Preferred stock outstanding with a par value of $0.01 per share, convertible at the option of the holder at $2.00 per share, with dividends accrued and payable at 2.5% per quarter. The Series B Preferred stock is mandatorily redeemable at $2.00 per share by the Company three years after issuance and accordingly was classified outside of shareholders equity.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012 the Company redeemed 250 shares of its Series B Preferred stock plus accrued dividends of $2,500 for $27,500. The remaining 200 shares have reached their maturity date, but due to the cash constraints of the Company have not been redeemed.
During the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company declared dividends of $72,550 and $281,700 respectively. During the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company declared dividends of $1,417 and $70,300, respectively. At December 31, 2012, dividends payable are $3,000.
Series C Preferred stock:
At July 1, 2012 the Company had 300 shares of Series C Preferred stock outstanding, which have a par value of $0.01 per share and are convertible at the option of the holder at any time from the date of issuance, into shares of the Companys common stock calculated by dividing the sum of the $100 per share purchase price plus any accrued and unpaid dividends by $4.00 (the Conversion Rate), provided the shares have not been redeemed into common shares by the Company at is sole election. A portion (up to 100% as calculated below) of each share of Series C Preferred stock shall be automatically and mandatorily converted into shares of the Companys common stock at the Conversion Rate upon each occasion (at least 30 calendar days apart) after a date of six months subsequent to the initial issuance of the Series C Preferred stock on which the closing price of the Companys common stock has been equal or greater than 150% of the Conversion Rate (initially $6.00) for twenty consecutive trading days with a reported average daily trading volume of 10,000 shares or more. On each occasion for mandatory conversion as set forth above, a sufficient portion of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred stock shall be prorata converted so that the holders of the Series C Preferred stock receive an aggregate number of shares of the Companys restricted common stock equal to 7.5 times the average reported daily volume of trading in the Companys publicly traded common stock for the applicable twenty day period and each outstanding share shall thereafter be proportionately reduced in its rights to represent the effect of the partial conversions. The Series C Preferred stock accrues dividends at a rate of 2.5% per quarter (10% per year) and shall be earned and accrued or paid quarterly.
17
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Series C Preferred stock (continued):
Dividends on the Series C Preferred stock are reflected as part of the redemption value with an offset to reduce additional paid-in capital, and are included in the determination of net loss applicable to common stockholders.
During the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company declared dividends of $82,625 and $274,675 respectively. During the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company declared dividends of $1,500 and $81,125, respectively. At December 31, 2012 dividends payable are $4,500.
Common stock:
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by common stockholders. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share in all assets remaining after liabilities have been paid in full or set aside and the rights of any outstanding preferred stock have been satisfied. Common stock has no preemptive, redemption or conversion rights. The rights of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock or any series of preferred stock the Company may designate in the future.
Centerpoint holds 704,309 shares of the Companys common stock. These shares of the Companys common stock held by Centerpoint are for the benefit of its shareholders without any beneficial interest. The Company accounts for these shares similar to treasury stock.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 42,660 shares of the Companys restricted common stock at prices ranging from $1.91 to $2.13 per share for consulting services valued at $85,622, in the aggregate, to consultants and an employee.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted Mr. Bassani and Mr. Smith shares of the Companys common stock as bonuses for signing extensions to their employment agreements. Mr. Bassani will be issued 300,000 shares of the Companys common stock issuable in two tranches of 150,000 shares on each of January 15, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Mr. Smith will be issued 150,000 shares of the Companys common shares in two tranches of 75,000 shares on each of January 15, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The Company recorded non-cash compensation of $585,000 and $292,500 related to the future stock issuances to Mr. Bassani and Mr. Smith, respectively, as the bonuses were fully vested upon grant date during the six months ended December 31, 2012.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company declared contingent stock bonuses of 25,000 and 100,000 shares to Mr. Schafer and Mr. Smith, respectively, and recognized $48,750 and $195,000 of non-cash compensation expense, respectively. The stock bonuses are contingent upon the Companys stock price exceeding $10.00 and do not require that Mr. Schafer or Mr. Smith remain employed by the Company.
18
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock (continued):
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company entered into subscription agreements to sell 2012 B UNITS for $2.25 each, with each 2012 B UNIT consisting of one 2012 B share of the Companys restricted common stock and one 2012 B warrant to purchase one half of a share of the Companys restricted common stock for $3.10 per share until December 31, 2014 (the 2012 B UNITS). During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 177,556 2012 B UNITS for total proceeds of $399,499. The Company allocated the proceeds from the 2012 B shares and the 2012 B warrants based upon their relative fair values, using the share price on the day each of the subscription agreements were entered into and the fair value of the 2012 B Warrants, which was determined to be $0.075 per 2012 B Warrant. As a result, $6,905 was allocated to the 2012 B Warrants and $392,594 was allocated to the 2012 B Shares, and both were recorded as additional paid in capital.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company entered into subscription agreements to sell 2013 UNITS for $2.00 each, with each 2013 UNIT consisting of one 2013 Share of the Companys restricted common stock and one 2013 Warrant to purchase one half of a share of the Companys restricted common stock for $2.50 per share until December 31, 2014 (the 2013 UNITS). During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 280,500 2013 UNITS for total proceeds of $561,000. The Company allocated the proceeds from the 2013 shares and the 2013 warrants based upon their relative fair values, using the share price on the day each of the subscription agreements were entered into and the fair value of the 2013 Warrants, which was determined to be $0.075 per 2013 Warrant. As a result, $10,308 was allocated to the 2013 Warrants and $550,692 was allocated to the 2013 Shares, and both were recorded as additional paid in capital.
Warrants:
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 7.1 million warrants outstanding, with exercise prices from $0.75 to $4.25 and expiring on various dates through January 15, 2019.
The weighted-average exercise price for the outstanding warrants is $2.19, and the weighted-average remaining contractual life as of December 31, 2012 is 5.11 years.
In July 2012, warrants to purchase 50,000 and 250,000 shares of the Companys common stock at $2.10 per share were issued pursuant to extension agreements with Mr. Bassani and Mr. Smith, respectively (Note 9). These warrants were determined to have a fair value of $0.10 per warrant and expire on December 31, 2018. The Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $5,000 and $25,000, respectively, related to the warrant issuances.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued warrants to purchase 88,779 and 140,250 shares of the Companys common stock in connection with the sale of 2012 B UNITS and 2013 UNITS, respectively.
During the six months ended December 31, 2012 warrants to purchase 30,000 shares of the Companys common stock at $2.50 per share were issued pursuant to an agreement with a consultant. The warrants were determined to have a fair value of $0.10 per warrant and expire on June 30, 2017. The Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $3,000 related to the warrant issuance.
19
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Stock options:
The Companys 2006 Consolidated Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan), as amended, provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to 8,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock. Terms of exercise and expiration of options granted under the 2006 Plan may be established at the discretion of the Board of Directors, but no option may be exercisable for more than ten years.
The Company recorded compensation expense related to employee stock options of $114,055 and $319,422 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $353,110 and $2,206,286 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company granted 150,000 and 1,400,000 options during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The fair value of the options granted during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
|
| Weighted average, December 31, 2012 | Range, December 31, 2012 |
| Weighted average, December 31, 2011 | Range, December 31, 2011 |
Volatility |
| 66% | 60%-68% |
| 84% | 61%-88% |
Dividend yield |
| - | - |
| - | - |
Risk-free interest rate |
| 0.32% | 0.31%-0.34% |
| 1.37% | 0.25%-2.02% |
Expected term (years) |
| 3.05 | 2.66-3.25 |
| 4.1 | 2-4.5 |
The expected volatility was based on the historical price volatility of the Companys common stock. The dividend yield represents the Companys anticipated cash dividend on common stock over the expected term of the stock options. The U.S. Treasury bill rate for the expected term of the stock options was utilized to determine the risk-free interest rate. The expected term of stock options represents the period of time the stock options granted are expected to be outstanding based upon managements estimates.
20
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued):
Stock options (continued):
A summary of option activity under the 2006 Plan for the six months ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:
| Options |
| Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life |
| Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
Outstanding at July 1, 2012 | 5,111,145 |
| 2.86 | 4.6 |
| $274,200 |
Granted | 150,000 |
| 2.10 |
|
|
|
Exercised | - |
| - |
|
|
|
Forfeited | - |
| - |
|
|
|
Expired | - |
| - |
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 | 5,261,145 |
| $2.84 | 4.1 |
| $113,750 |
Exercisable at December 31, 2012 | 4,671,145 |
| $2.85 | 4.0 |
| $113,750 |
The following table presents information relating to nonvested stock options as of December 31, 2012:
| Options |
| Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value |
Nonvested at July 1, 2012 | 590,000 |
| $ 1.83 |
Granted | 150,000 |
| 0.83 |
Vested | (150,000) |
| (0.83) |
Forfeited | - |
| - |
Nonvested at December 31, 2012 | 590,000 |
| $ 1.83 |
The total fair value of stock options that vested during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $125,000 and $1,871,725, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $259,180 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options that will be recorded over a weighted average period of less than two years.
Stock-based employee compensation charges in operating expenses in the Companys financial statements for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:
21
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
7.
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued):
Stock options (continued):
| Three months ended December 31, 2012 | Three months ended December 31, 2011 | Six months ended December 31, 2012 | Six months ended December 31, 2011 |
General and administrative: |
|
|
|
|
Fair value of stock/warrant bonuses expensed | $ - | $ - |
$1,151,250 | $1,035,300 |
Fair value of stock issued to an employee | 24,999 | 24,999 | 49,998 | 49,998 |
Change in fair value from modification of option terms | - | - | - | 94,820 |
Fair value of stock options expensed | 104,732 | 319,422 | 335,085 | 2,165,688 |
Total | $129,731 | $344,421 | $1,536,333 | $3,345,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development: |
|
|
|
|
Fair value of stock options expensed | $ 9,323 | $ - | $ 18,025 | $ 40,598 |
Total | $ 9,323 | $ - | $ 18,025 | $ 40,598 |
8.
OPERATING LEASE:
The Company entered into a non-cancellable operating lease commitment for office space in New York, effective August 1, 2006 and expiring November 30, 2013. In conjunction with the signing of the lease, the Company provided the lessor with a secured letter of credit. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has reflected $57,315 as restricted cash related to the secured letter of credit. The Companys obligations under the lease are partially guaranteed by Mr. Salvatore Zizza, a former officer and director of the Company. The Company has entered into three separate agreements to sub-lease approximately 100% of the Companys lease obligation, and the tenants have also agreed to reimburse the Company for leasehold improvements and furnishings. Because the lease contains an escalation clause, the Company is recognizing rent under the straight-line method resulting in an average monthly rent expense of $15,820. The Company is also recognizing the sub-lease rental income from its tenants under the straight-line method, with a monthly average of $17,242. The difference between the straight-line method, and the actual lease payments has resulted in a deferred rent liability of $19,461 as of December 31, 2012. Rent expense net of contractual and month-to-month sub-lease rental income, was nil for each of the three and six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
At December 31, 2012, future minimum rental payments due under non-cancelable leases and future minimum rental payments to be received under non-cancelable subleases are:
22
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
8.
OPERATING LEASE (continued):
Fiscal year ended June 30: | Operating lease payments |
| Sublease rentals |
| Net operating lease payments |
2013 (remainder of year) | $113,222 |
| $113,222 |
| $ - |
2014 | 97,219 |
| 97,219 |
| - |
Total | $210,441 |
| $210,441 |
| $ - |
Effective January 1, 2009, Mr. Zizza entered into a Master Sublease with the Company pursuant to which Mr. Zizza became a sublessee and for a one year initial period, made all payments pursuant to the lease and managed the lease premises. Rental payments from existing sub-tenants are being deposited into a Company bank account such that Mr. Zizza utilizes those funds towards the monthly lease payment. During November 2009, Mr. Zizza exercised his option to continue the Master Sublease for the entire term of the lease. Mr. Zizza fulfilled his obligations under the Master Sublease during the one-year initial period and in January 2010 he received the funds from the release of the restricted cash securing the Companys letter of credit of $28,658. Since Mr. Zizza exercised the option to continue the Master Sublease for the entire term of the lease, Mr. Zizza will be entitled to the balance of restricted funds securing the letter of credit of approximately $57,000 if he fulfills his obligations pursuant to the Master Sublease.
9.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Employment and consulting agreements:
Mr. Smith has held the positions of Director, President and General Counsel of Company and its subsidiaries under various agreements and terms since March 2003. During July 2011, the Company entered into an extension agreement whereby Mr. Smith continued to hold his current position in the Company through a date no later than December 31, 2012. Commencing January 1, 2012, Mr. Smith has been paid a monthly salary of $20,000, which salary has been accrued and deferred. In addition, Mr. Smith will be issued 90,000 shares of the Companys common stock in two tranches of 45,000 shares on each of January 15, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded expense of $240,300 for the year ended June 30, 2012, related to the future stock issuances as the bonus was fully vested at the grant date. As part of the extension agreement, Mr. Smith was also granted 200,000 options, which vested immediately, to purchase common shares of the Company at a price of $3.00 per share and which options expire on December 31, 2019. The Company recorded expense of $334,000 during the year ended June 30, 2012 as the options were fully vested at the grant date. Effective July 15, 2012, the Company entered into an extension agreement whereby Mr. Smith will continue to hold his current positions in the Company through a date no later than June 30, 2014. Effective September 2012, Mr. Smiths monthly salary became $21,000 (which is currently being deferred). In addition, Mr. Smith will be issued 150,000 shares of the Companys common stock in two tranches of 75,000 shares on each of January 15, 2014 and 2015, which shares vested immediately. The Company recorded expense of $292,500 for the six months ended December 31, 2012, related to the future stock issuances as the bonus was fully vested at the grant date. As part of the extension agreement, Mr. Smith was also granted a bonus of $25,000 paid in warrants, which vested immediately, to purchase 250,000 shares of the Companys common stock at a price of $2.10 per share and which warrants expire on December 31, 2018 and a contingent stock bonus of 100,000 shares payable on the date on which the Companys stock price first reaches $10.00 per share (regardless of whether Mr. Smith is still providing services to the Company on such date).
23
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
9.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Employment and consulting agreements (continued):
Since March 31, 2005, the Company has had various agreements with Brightcap, through which the services of Mr. Bassani are provided. On September 30, 2009 the Company entered into an extension agreement with Brightcap pursuant to which Mr. Bassani provided services to the Company through September 30, 2012 for $312,000 annually (currently deferred). The Board appointed Mr. Bassani as the Company's CEO effective May 13, 2011. On July 15, 2011, Mr. Bassani, Brightcap and the Company agreed to an extension/amendment of the existing agreement with Brightcap which provides that Mr. Bassani will continue to provide the services of CEO through June 30, 2013 and will continue to provide full-time services to the Company in other capacities through June 30, 2014 at a salary of $26,000 per month. In addition Mr. Bassani will be issued 300,000 shares of the Companys common stock issuable in three tranches of 100,000 shares on each of January 15, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. During the year ended June 30, 2012 the Company recorded expense of $795,000 related to the future stock issuances as the bonus was fully vested at the grant date. Mr. Bassani was also granted 725,000 options, which vested immediately, to purchase shares of the Companys common stock at $3.00 per share which options expire on December 31, 2019. The Company recorded expense of $1,203,500 during the year ended June 30, 2012 as the options were fully vested at the grant date. Effective July 15, 2012, Mr. Bassani, Brightcap and the Company agreed to a further extension/amendment of the existing agreement with Brightcap which provides that Mr. Bassani will continue to provide the services of CEO through June 30, 2014. Mr. Bassani will continue to provide full-time services to the Company at a cash salary of $26,000 per month (which is currently being deferred) and Mr. Bassani will be issued 300,000 shares of the Companys common stock issuable in two tranches of 150,000 shares on each of January 15, 2015 and 2016, respectively, which will be immediately vested. The Company recorded expense of $585,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012, related to the future stock issuances as the bonus was fully vested at the grant date. As part of the extension agreement, Mr. Bassani was also granted a bonus of $5,000 paid in warrants, which vested immediately, to purchase 50,000 shares of the Companys common stock at a price of $2.10 per share and which warrants expire on December 31, 2018.
Effective January 1, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Edward Schafer pursuant to which for a period of three years, Mr. Schafer will provide senior management services to the Company on an approximately 75% full time basis, initially as Executive Vice Chairman and as a director. Compensation for Mr. Schafers services will initially be at an annual rate of $250,000, which will consist of $150,000 in cash compensation and $100,000 payable in the Companys common stock. Commencing the month following the first calendar month-end after the Company has completed an equity financing in excess of $3,000,000 (net of commissions and other offering expenses), Mr. Schafers compensation shall be at an annual rate of $225,000, all of which shall be payable in cash. Effective July 15, 2012, the Company entered into a deferral/employment/ compensation agreement with Mr. Schafer pursuant to which Mr. Schafer will continue to provide senior management services to the Company on an approximately 75% full time basis, initially as Executive Vice Chairman and as a director. Basic compensation for Mr. Schafers services will remain unchanged and Mr. Schafer was issued 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Companys common stock at $2.10 per share until December 31, 2018, which immediately vested and a contingent stock bonus of 25,000 shares payable on January 1 of the first year after the Companys stock price first reaches $10.00 per share (regardless of whether Mr. Schafer is still providing services to the Company on such date).
24
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
9.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued):
Employment and consulting agreements (continued):
Effective September 18, 2006, the Company entered into a four-year employment agreement with Jeremy Rowland whereby Mr. Rowland assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer of Projects at an annual salary of $150,000. In June 2008, the employment agreement terms were extended through July 1, 2012. Mr. Rowland now serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Companys Services Group subsidiary. Mr. Rowland currently works for the Company on a month-by-month basis. The Company anticipates that a new employment agreement with Mr. Rowland will be negotiated during 2013.
During January 2012, the Company approved an employment agreement contract extension effective January 1, 2012 with Craig Scott whereby he will continue to act as Vice President of Capital Markets and Shareholder Relations through December 31, 2012, at an annual salary of $144,000. In consideration for his extension agreement, Mr. Scott was granted 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Companys common shares at $2.75 per share with an expiration date of December 31, 2016, 12,500 contingent stock options that will be issued if the Companys stock price exceeds $10 and $20 per share, respectively, and an extension of the expiration dates all his existing warrants and options as of January 1, 2012 until December 31, 2016.
Effective February 1, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with James Morris, pursuant to which Mr. Morris will act as Chief Technology Officer of the Company through January 31, 2015 at an annual salary of $150,000 until July 1, 2011, and $180,000 thereafter.
Effective September 27, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with George Bloom, pursuant to which Mr. Bloom, the Companys Chief Engineering Officer, will act as Vice President-Engineering of the Company through January 31, 2016 at an annual salary of $180,000.
In May 2005 the Company declared contingent deferred stock bonuses of 690,000 shares to its key employees and consultants. The stock bonuses of 492,500 and 197,500 shares are contingent upon the Companys stock price exceeding $10.00 and $20.00 per share, respectively, and the grantees still being employed by or providing services to the Company at the time the target prices are reached. As of December 31, 2012, 327,500 and 115,000 of these contingent bonus shares, respectively, remain outstanding, to be issued when and if the Companys stock price exceeds $10.00 and $20.00 per share, respectively.
Effective January 1, 2011 the Company declared a contingent stock bonus of 50,000 shares to Mr. Smith and effective July 15, 2012 the Company declared contingent stock bonuses of 100,000 and 25,000 shares to Mr. Smith and Mr. Schafer, respectively. The stock bonuses are contingent upon the Companys stock price exceeding $10.00 and do not require that Mr. Smith or Mr. Schafer remain employed by the Company.
Litigation:
The Company currently is not involved in any material litigation.
25
BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
10.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
The Company has evaluated events that occurred subsequent to December 31, 2012 for recognition and disclosure in the financial statements and notes to the financial statements.
The Company has issued 10,746 shares of the Companys common shares to an employee and a consultant valued at approximately $18,900.
The Company has accrued additional deferred compensation totaling approximately $59,500 of which $26,000 and $21,000, respectively, is owed to Mr. Bassani and Mr. Smith, and $12,500 is due to Mr. Shafer.
26
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed herein and with the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
For several years, the Company focused on completion of the development of the next generation of its technology which provides a comprehensive environmental solution to a significant source of pollution in U.S. agriculture, large scale livestock facilities known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations ("CAFO's"). The re-development process is now substantially complete and the initial commercial system, based on our updated technology, has been constructed and placed in full commercial operation. Currently, Bion is focused on using applications of its patented waste management technology to pursue two main business opportunities: 1) installation of Bion systems to retrofit and environmentally remediate existing CAFOs in selected markets where: a) government policy supports such efforts (such as the Chesapeake Bay watershed and/or states and watersheds facing EPA total maximum daily load (TMDL) issues, and/or b) where CAFOs need our technology to obtain permits to expand or develop without negative environmental consequences; and 2) development of Integrated Projects which will include large CAFOs, such as large dairies, beef cattle feed lots and hog farms, with Bion waste treatment system modules processing the aggregate CAFO waste stream from the equivalent of 40,000 or more beef and/or dairy cows (or the waste stream equivalent of other species) while recovering cellulosic biomass (to be utilized for renewable energy production) and nutrient rich solids (that can potentially to be marketed as feed and/or fertilizer), integrated with an ethanol plant capable of producing 40 million gallons (or more) of ethanol per year and/or with CAFO end product processors. The Company has been pursuing these opportunities within the United States during the later stages of technology re-development and has recently begun activities to pursue such opportunities internationally.
The Company has commenced actively pursuing the opportunity presented by environmental retrofit and remediation of the waste streams of existing CAFOs. The first commercial activity in this area is an agreement with Kreider Farms ("KF") in Pennsylvania to design, construct and operate a Bion system to treat KF's dairy and poultry waste streams to reduce nutrient releases to the environment while generating marketable nutrient credits and renewable energy. On January 26, 2009 the Board of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest) approved a $7.75 million loan to Bion PA 1, LLC (PA-1), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for the initial stage of Bion's Kreider Farms project. After substantial unanticipated delays, on August 12, 2010 the Company received a permit for construction of the Phase 1 Kreider system. Construction activities commenced during November 2010. The closing/settlement of the Pennvest Loan took place on November 3, 2010. Bion finished the construction of the Phase 1 Kreider System and entered a period of system operational shakedown during May 2011. The Phase 1 Kreider System reached full, stabilized operation by the end of the 2012 fiscal year. During 2011 the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) re-certified the nutrient credits for this project. The PADEP issued final permits for the Kreider System (including the credit verification plan) on August 1, 2012 on which date the Company deemed that the Kreider System was placed in service. As a result, Bion can now commence generating and verifying nutrient reduction credits for sale during the 2013 fiscal year while continuing to utilize the system to test improvements and add-ons. Additionally, the Kreider System has met the technology guaranty standards which were incorporated in the Pennvest financing documents and the Pennvest Loan is now solely an obligation of PA-1. Based on the limited development of the depth and breadth of the Pennsylvania nutrient reduction credit market to date, Pennvest and PA-1 have recently commenced preliminary discussions regarding the Pennvest Loan.
27
The Company continues its development work related to the second phase of the Kreider project (Phase 2 Kreider Project) which involves production of renewable energy from the waste of KFs poultry operations and the cellulosic solids recovered by the Phase 1 Kreider System. During May 2011 the PADEP certified the Phase 2 Kreider Project for 559,457 nutrient credits under the old EPAs Chesapeake Bay model. The Company anticipates that this project will be certified for between 1.5-2 million nutrient reduction credits pursuant to the recently amended EPA Chesapeake Bay model. The Company intends to have the Phase 2 Kreider Project operational during the 2014 fiscal year, and hopes to enter into agreements related to sales of the credits for future delivery (under long term contracts) during the 2013 calendar year subject to verification by the PADEP. Liquidity in the Pennsylvania nutrient credit market has been slow to develop significant breadth and depth to date which has negatively impacted Bions business plans and has resulted in challenges to monetizing the nutrient reduction credits created by Bions existing Kreider project and proposed projects. A significant portion of Bions work with public and private stakeholders is related to policy and regulatory steps which will increase the depth and breadth of funding mechanisms for technology-based, verifiable agricultural nutrient reductions.
The Company has commenced activities related to marketing and potential use of its technology in relation to expansion and/or development of CAFOs in the Midwest (and elsewhere). Bion considers this to be a large potential market for the Companys growth over the next 18-36 months. It is anticipated that such activities will accelerate now that the Company has received final permits for the initial KF System (and as its credits are verified). Now that final permitting and verification plan approval has been completed at the Kreider System, the Company intends to seek to advance commercial sales in additional areas which face deadlines to meet EPA TMDL requirements.
A significant portion of Bions activities concern efforts with private and public stakeholders (at local and state level) in Pennsylvania and other Chesapeake Bay states and at the federal level (EPA (and other executive departments) and Congress) to establish appropriate public policies which will create regulations and funding mechanisms that foster installation of the low cost environmental solutions that Bion (and others) can provide through clean-up of agricultural waste streams. The Company anticipates that such activities will expand into additional states as TMDL requirements are extended by the EPA over the next two years.
Additionally, we believe that Bion's technology platform will allow the integration of large-scale CAFO's and their end-product users, renewable energy production from the CAFO waste stream, and on site utilization of the renewable energy generated and biofuel/ethanol production in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner while reducing the aggregate capital expense and operating costs and increasing revenue and profitability for the entire integrated complex ("Integrated Projects" or "Projects"). In the context of Integrated Projects, Bion's waste treatment process, in addition to mitigating polluting releases, will generate renewable energy from cellulosic portions of the CAFO waste stream which renewable energy can be utilized by integrated facilities including ethanol plants, CAFO end-product processors (including cheese, ice cream and/or bottling plants in the case of dairy CAFOs, and/or slaughter and/or processing facilities in the context of beef CAFOs) and/or other users as a replacement for fossil fuel usage. In addition an integrated ethanol plant's main by-product, called distillers grain, can be added to the feed of the animals in wet form, thereby lowering the capital expenditures, operating, marketing and shipping costs and energy usage of the ethanol production process. In such cases, the ethanol plant would act as a feed mill for the integrated CAFO, thereby reducing the CAFO's feeding costs as well as generating revenue to the ethanol plant, and would also provide a market for the renewable energy that Bion's System produces from the CAFO waste stream. And, in some cases the nutrient rich liquid effluent from the Bion system modules may be directly utilized for greenhouse and/or hydroponic agriculture. Accordingly, such Bion Integrated Projects can be denominated "closed loop". Bion, as developer of, and participant in, Integrated Projects, anticipates that it will share in the cost savings and the revenues generated from these activities.
28
Bion is currently working with local, state and federal officials with regard to regulatory and legislative initiatives, and with such parties and potential industry participants to evaluate sites in multiple states. The Company believes that its initial Integrated Project will most likely be located and developed (possibly in stages) in Pennsylvania and anticipates optioning land for such a Project during the current calendar year or soon thereafter. Note that locations in other states are also under review and the initial Integrated Project could be developed elsewhere. It is possible that the Company will develop one or more Integrated Projects as joint ventures specifically targeted to meet the growing animal protein demand outside of the United States (including without limitation Asia, Europe and/or the Middle East). Bion intends to choose sites for additional Projects during the calendar years 2013-2015 to create a pipeline of Projects. Management has a 5-year development target (through calendar year 2019) of approximately 10-24 Integrated Projects. At the end of that period, Bion projects that 5 or more of these Integrated Projects will be in full operation in 3-5 states (or other locations), and the balance would be in various stages ranging from partial operation to early permitting stage. No Integrated Project has been developed to date.
The Companys audited financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred net losses of approximately $6,465,000 and $6,998,000 during the years ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. At June 30, 2012, the Company had a working capital deficit and a stockholders deficit of approximately $345,000 and $858,000, respectively. The Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2012 includes a "going concern" explanatory paragraph which means that the accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred net losses of approximately $1,181,000 and $3,634,000 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2012 the Company has a working capital deficit and a stockholders deficit of approximately $762,000 and $1,938,000, respectively. Management's plans with respect to these matters are described in this section and in our consolidated financial statements (and notes thereto), and this material does not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to raise sufficient funds or further capital for the operations planned in the near future.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Management has identified the following policies below as critical to our business and results of operations. Our reported results are impacted by the application of the following accounting policies, certain of which require management to make subjective or complex judgments. These judgments involve making estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may significantly impact quarterly or annual results of operations. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as expected, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment. Specific risks associated with these critical accounting policies are described in the paragraphs below.
Revenue Recognition
While the Company has not recognized any operating revenues for the past two fiscal years, the Company anticipates that it will commence generation of revenues during the 2013 fiscal year. Revenues will be generated from the sale of nutrient reduction credits, product sales, technology license fees, annual waste treatment fees and/or direct ownership interests in Integrated Projects. The Company expects to recognize revenue from the sale of nutrient credits and products when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, when title has passed, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. The Company expects that technology license fees will be generated from the licensing of Bion's systems. The Company anticipates that it will charge its customers a non-refundable up-front technology license fee, which will be recognized over the estimated life of the customer relationship. In addition, any on-going technology license fees will be recognized as earned based upon the performance requirements of the agreement. Annual waste treatment fees will be recognized upon receipt. Revenues, if any, from the Company's interest in Projects will be recognized when the entity in which the Project has been developed recognizes such revenue.
29
Stock-based compensation
The Company follows the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, which generally requires that share-based compensation transactions be accounted and recognized in the statement of income based upon their grant date fair values.
Derivative Financial Instruments:
Pursuant to ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), the Company reviews all financial instruments for the existence of features which may require fair value accounting and a related mark-to-market adjustment at each reporting period end. Once determined, the Company assesses these instruments as derivative liabilities. The fair value of these instruments is adjusted to reflect the fair value at each reporting period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations as an adjustment to fair value of derivatives.
Warrants:
The Company has issued warrants to purchase common shares of the Company. Warrants are valued using a fair value based method, whereby the fair value of the warrant is determined at the warrant issue date using a market-based option valuation model based on factors including an evaluation of the Companys value as of the date of the issuance, consideration of the Companys limited liquid resources and business prospects, the market price of the Companys stock in its mostly inactive public market and the historical valuations and purchases of the Companys warrants. When warrants are issued in combination with debt or equity securities, the warrants are valued and accounted for based on the relative fair value of the warrants in relation to the total value assigned to the debt or equity securities and warrants combined.
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
General and Administrative
Total general and administrative expenses were $1,072,000 and $1,026,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
General and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation charges of $130,000 and $344,000, were $942,000 and $682,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing a $260,000 increase. The primary reason for the increase is due to the increase in depreciation expense from $4,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011 to $247,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012. Kreider 1 was placed in service on August 1, 2012 and its components are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Salaries and related payroll tax expenses increased to $315,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 from $239,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to the fact that during the three months ended December 31, 2011, certain salaries were being capitalized as part of Kreider 1.
General and administrative stock-based compensation for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consists of the following:
30
| Three months ended December 31, 2012 |
| Three months ended December 31, 2011 |
General and administrative: |
|
|
|
Fair value of stock issued to an employee | $ 25,000 |
| $ 25,000 |
Fair value of stock options expensed under ASC 718 | 105,000 |
| 319,000 |
Total | $130,000 |
| $344,000 |
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation charges decreased to $130,000 from $344,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Compensation expense relating to stock options was $105,000 and $319,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the decrease is due to more options vesting during the three months ended December 31, 2011.
Research and Development
Total research and development expenses were $38,000 and $28,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Research and development expenses, excluding stock-based compensation charges of $9,000 and nil, were $29,000 and $28,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There were no significant increases or decreases in research and development costs between the two periods.
Research and development stock-based compensation for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consists of the following:
| Three months ended December 31, 2012 |
| Three months ended December 31, 2011 |
Research and development: |
|
|
|
Fair value of stock options expensed under ASC 718 | $ 9,000 |
| $ - |
Total | $ 9,000 |
| $ - |
Stock-based compensation expense increased from nil for the three months ended December 31, 2011 to $9,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The increase is attributable to an increase in research and development activity by an employee whose salary is no longer being capitalized as part of the Kreider 1 project.
Loss from Operations
As a result of the factors described above, the loss from operations was $1,109,000 and $1,054,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
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Other Expense (Income)
Other expense was $72,000 and $7,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest expense increased to $72,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 from $7,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2011. Interest expense increased primarily due to $49,000 of Pennvest loan interest no longer being capitalized as of August 1, 2012 due to Kreider 1 being placed in service. Interest also increased $16,000 due to deferred compensation balances owed to Brightcap and Mark Smith as of December 31, 2012.
Net Loss Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest
The net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest was $1,000 for each of the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Net Loss Attributable to Bions Stockholders
As a result of the factors described above, the net loss attributable to Bions stockholders was $1,181,000 and $1,268,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing a $0.01 decrease in the net loss per basic and diluted common share from $0.08 to $0.07. For the three months ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $207,000 as an inducement offered to its Series C Preferred stockholders to convert their Series C Preferred shares into the Companys restricted common shares at a conversion rate of $3.00 versus the original conversion rate of $4.00.
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
General and Administrative
Total general and administrative expenses were $3,421,000 and $4,778,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
General and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation charges of $1,536,000 and $3,346,000, were $1,885,000 and $1,432,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing a $453,000 increase. The primary reason for the increase is due to the increase in depreciation expense from $8,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 to $413,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012. Kreider 1 was placed in service on August 1, 2012 and its components are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Salaries and related payroll tax expenses increased to $615,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 from $468,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to the fact that during the six months ended December 30, 2011, certain salaries were being capitalized as part of Kreider 1.
General and administrative stock-based employee compensation for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consists of the following:
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| Six months ended December 31, 2012 |
| Six months ended December 31, 2011 |
General and administrative: |
|
|
|
Fair value of stock/warrant bonuses expensed | $1,151,000 |
| $1,035,000 |
Fair value of stock issued to an employee | 50,000 |
| 50,000 |
Change in fair value from modification of option terms | - |
| 95,000 |
Fair value of stock options expensed under ASC 718 | 335,000 |
| 2,166,000 |
Total | $1,536,000 |
| $3,346,000 |
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation charges were $1,536,000 and $3,346,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Compensation expense relating to stock options was $335,000 and $2,166,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and the decrease is due to more options being vested upon grant date during the six months ended December 31, 2011 and a decrease in options being granted during the periods from 1,400,000 to 150,000. The Company also recognized general and administrative non-cash compensation expenses of $1,151,000 and $1,035,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to the granting and vesting of stock and warrant bonuses. The non-cash compensation expense related to stock and warrant bonuses for both periods were primarily in connection with the extension of employment agreements of two key officers. Compensation expense relating to the change in fair value from the modification of option terms was nil and $95,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the six months ended December 31, 2011 the options of a key employee were modified.
Research and Development
Total research and development expenses were $86,000 and $98,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Research and development expenses, excluding stock-based compensation charges of $18,000 and $41,000 were $77,000 and $57,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The primary reason for the increase is due to pilot program testing related to the enhancement of the Companys technology.
Research and development stock-based employee compensation for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 consists of the following:
| Six months ended December 31, 2012 |
| Six months ended December 31, 2011 |
Research and development: |
|
|
|
Fair value of stock options expensed under ASC 718 | $ 18,000 |
| $ 41,000 |
Total | $ 18,000 |
| $ 41,000 |
33
Stock-based compensation expense decreased from $41,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011 to $18,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012. The decrease is due to the signing in March 2011 of a new employment agreement with a research and development employee which vested stock options previously granted to the employee during May 2008, with issuance and vesting contingent upon the signing of the new employment agreement. There were no similar charges for the six months ended December 31, 2012.
Loss from Operations
As a result of the factors described above, the loss from operations was $3,507,000 and $4,887,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Other Expense (Income)
Other expense was $127,000 and $13,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest expense increased to $127,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 from $14,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2011. Interest expense increased primarily due to $83,000 of Pennvest loan interest no longer being capitalized as of August 1, 2012 due to Kreider 1 being placed in service. Interest also increased by $29,000 due to deferred compensation balances owed to Brightcap and Mark Smith as of December 31, 2012.
Net Loss Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest
The net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest was $3,000 and $14,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Net Loss Attributable to Bions Stockholders
As a result of the factors described above, the net loss attributable to Bions stockholders was $3,634,000 and $5,792,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, representing a $0.19 decrease in the net loss per basic and diluted common share from $0.40 to $0.21. For the six months ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $755,000 as an inducement offered to its Series C Preferred stockholders to convert their Series C Preferred shares into the Companys restricted common shares at a conversion rate of $3.00 versus the original conversion rate of $4.00.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's financial statements for the six months ended December 31, 2012 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The Report of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2012 includes a "going concern" explanatory paragraph which means that the auditors stated that conditions exist that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
34
Operating Activities
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash of approximately $380,000. During the six months ended December 31, 2012, net cash used in operating activities was $1,013,000, primarily consisting of cash operating expenses related to the KF Project that are no longer being capitalized. As previously noted, the Company is currently not generating revenue and accordingly has not generated cash flows from operations. The Company does not anticipate generating sufficient revenues to offset operating and capital costs for a minimum of two to five years. While there are no assurances that the Company will be successful in its efforts to develop and construct its Projects and market its Systems, it is certain that the Company will require significant funding from external sources. Given the unsettled state of the current credit and capital markets, there is no assurance the Company will be able to raise the funds it needs on reasonable terms.
Investing Activities
During the six months ended December 31, 2012 the Company used $64,000 for the final testing during the certification period of the KF Project, which has been capitalized as property and equipment.
Financing Activities
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company received cash proceeds of $960,000 related to the sale of its restricted units, consisting of a common share and a warrant to purchase one half of a common share. The Company also received $125,000 in loans payable from affiliates for short-term working capital needs. The Company used $25,000 and $3,000 respectively, for the redemption of 250 Series B preferred shares and accrued dividends, respectively.
As of December 31, 2012 the Company has debt obligations consisting of loans payable affiliates of $126,000, deferred compensation of $1,338,000 and a loan payable of $7,754,000 (owed by PA-1). In addition, the Company entered into an 88-month operating lease for office space in New York City in August 2006, with an average monthly lease expense of $15,820. The Company has entered into sub-lease agreements with three separate parties which fully covers the lease expense. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has 11 months remaining on the lease.
Plan of Operations and Outlook
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash of approximately $380,000.
The Company continues to explore sources of additional financing to satisfy its current operating requirements as it is not currently generating any revenues. During fiscal year 2012 and for the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company experienced greater difficulty in raising equity funding than in the prior year. As a result, the Company faced (and continues to face), significant cash flow management challenges due to severe working capital constraints. To partially mitigate these working capital constraints, the Companys core senior management and several key employees have been deferring all or part of their cash compensation (see Note 5 to the Financial Statements). The extended constraints on available resources has had, and continues to have, negative effects on the pace and scope of the Companys effort to develop its business. While the Company hopes to commence revenue generation during the 2013 calendar year, it is not currently generating any revenues. Further, the Companys anticipated revenues from existing projects and proposed projects will not be sufficient to meet the Companys operational and capital expenditure needs for many years. To partially mitigate these working capital constraints, the Companys core senior management and several key employees have been deferring cash compensation. As of December 31, 2012 such deferrals totaled approximately $1,338,000 (including accrued interest). During the six months ended December 31, 2012 the Company raised proceeds of approximately $960,500 through sale of its securities (Note 7 to Financial Statements) and anticipates raising additional funds from such sales. However, there is no guarantee that we will be able to raise sufficient funds or further capital for the operations planned in the near future.
35
The Company is not currently generating any revenues. The Company will need to obtain additional capital to fund its operations and technology development, to satisfy existing creditors, to develop Projects and to sustain operations at the KF facilities.
In January 2009, the Board of Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority approved a $7.75 million loan to the Company for the initial stage of the KF Project. The Company received a permit for construction of the KF Project on August 12, 2010. Initial construction commenced during November 2010. The settlement/closing of the Pennvest loan took place on November 3, 2010 and the Company received the initial drawdown/reimbursement from Pennvest on January 6, 2011. From January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, the Company has received reimbursements of $7,754,000 pursuant to the Pennvest Loan. The Company recently provided Pennvest with data demonstrating that the Kreider System has met the technology guaranty standards which were incorporated in the Pennvest financing documents and, as a result, the Pennvest Loan is now solely an obligation of PA-1. Based on the limited development of the depth and breadth of the Pennsylvania nutrient reduction credit market to date, Pennvest and PA-1 have recently commenced preliminary discussions regarding the Pennvest Loan.
The Company anticipates that it will seek to raise from $7,500,000 to $50,000,000 or more (debt and equity) during the next twelve months, some of which may be in the context of joint ventures for the development of one or more Integrated Projects. There is no assurance, especially in the extremely unsettled capital markets that presently exist, that the Company will be able to obtain the funds that it needs to stay in business, finance its Projects and other activities, continue its technology development and/or to successfully develop its business.
There can be no assurance that funds required during the next twelve months or thereafter will be generated from operations or that those funds will be available from external sources such as debt or equity financings or other potential sources. The lack of additional capital resulting from the inability to generate cash flow from operations or to raise capital from external sources would force the Company to substantially curtail or cease operations and would, therefore, have a material adverse effect on its business. Further, there can be no assurance that any such required funds, if available, will be available on attractive terms or that they will not have a significantly dilutive effect on the Company's existing shareholders. All of these factors have been exacerbated by the extremely unsettled credit and capital markets presently existing.
Currently, Bion is focused on using applications of its patented waste management technology to pursue two main business opportunities: 1) development of Integrated Projects which will include large CAFOs, such as large dairies, beef cattle feed lots and hog farms, with Bion waste treatment System modules processing the aggregate CAFO waste stream from the equivalent of 40,000 or more beef and/or dairy cows (or the waste stream equivalent of other species) while producing solids to be utilized for renewable energy production (and potentially to be marketed as feed and/or fertilizer), integrated with an ethanol plant capable of producing 40 million gallons (or more) of ethanol per year, and/or integrated with CAFO end product processors, and 2) installation of Bion systems to retrofit and environmentally remediate existing CAFOs in selected markets where: a) government policy supports such efforts (such as the Chesapeake Bay watershed or, potentially, other areas seeking to meet EPA TMDL requirements) and/or b) where CAFOs need our technology to obtain permits to expand or develop without negative environmental consequences. The Company has been pursuing these opportunities within the United States during the later stages of technology re-development and has recently begun activities to pursue such opportunities internationally as well.
36
Bion has completed the construction of the Phase 1 Kreider System and a period of system operational shakedown commenced during mid-2011. The Phase 1 Kreider System reached full, stabilized operation by the end of the 2012 fiscal year. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) re-certified the nutrient reduction credits for this project and the Company anticipates that these credits will be verified by the PADEP during the next six months and that the Company will be able to sell these credits (under a long term contract) during the 2013 calendar year. Final permits and verification plan approvals were received during August 2012.
The Company has commenced activities related to marketing and potential use of its technology in relation to expansion and/or development of CAFOs in the Northeast and Midwest (and elsewhere). Bion considers this to be a large potential market for the Companys growth over the next 18 months. It is anticipated that such activities will accelerate now that the Company has received the final permits for the initial KF System (and its credits are verified) and publishes further data on KF System performance during the fall of 2012. Bions first commercial activities in this area are the Kreider projects in Pennsylvania.
The Company continues its development work related to the second phase of the Kreider project (Phase 2 Kreider Project) which involves production of renewable energy from the waste of KFs poultry operations and the cellulosic solids recovered by the Phase 1 Kreider dairy System. During May 2011 the PADEP certified the Phase 2 Kreider Project for 559,457 nutrient credits under the old EPAs Chesapeake Bay model. The Company anticipates that this project will be certified for between 1.5-2 million nutrient reduction credits when it reapplies later this year pursuant to the recently amended EPA Chesapeake Bay model. The Company intends to have the Phase 2 Kreider Project operational during 2013, and hopes to enter into agreements related to sale of the credits for future delivery (under a long term contracts) during the 2014 fiscal year subject to verification by the PADEP.
Bion is currently working with local, state and federal officials with regard to regulatory and legislative initiatives, and with such parties and potential industry participants to evaluate sites in multiple states. The Company believes that its initial Integrated Project will most likely be located and developed (possibly in stages) in Pennsylvania and anticipates optioning land for such a Project in one of those areas during the current calendar year or soon thereafter. Note that locations in other states are also under review and the initial Integrated Project could be developed elsewhere. It is possible that the Company will develop one or more Integrated Projects as joint ventures specifically targeted to meet the growing animal protein demand outside of the United States (including without limitation Asia, Europe and/or the Middle East). Bion intends to choose sites for additional Projects during the calendar years 2013-2015 to create a pipeline of Projects. Management has a 5-year development target (through calendar year 2019) of approximately 10-24 Integrated Projects. At the end of that period, Bion projects that 5 or more of these Integrated Projects will be in full operation in 3-5 states (or other locations), and the balance would be in various stages ranging from partial operation to early permitting stage. No Integrated Project has been developed to date.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
We have the following material contractual obligations (in addition to employment and consulting agreements with management and employees):
37
1) The Company executed a non-cancelable operating lease for office space in New York City effective August 1, 2006 and extending to November 30, 2013. The average monthly rent expense under the lease is $15,820. The Company has provided the lessor with a letter of credit in connection with the lease in the amount of $57,315 as of December 31, 2012. The Company's obligations under the lease are partially guaranteed by Salvatore Zizza, former Chairman of Bion Projects. The Company has entered into sub-leases with non-affiliated parties for approximately 100% of the obligations under the lease. Effective January 1, 2009, Mr. Zizza entered into a Master Sublease with the Company pursuant to which Mr. Zizza became a sublessee and for a one year initial period, made all payments pursuant to the lease and managed the lease premises. Rental payments from existing sub-tenants are being deposited into a Company bank account such that Mr. Zizza utilizes those funds towards the monthly lease payment. During November 2009, Mr. Zizza exercised his option to continue the Master Sublease for the entire period of the lease. Mr. Zizza fulfilled his obligations under the Master Sublease during the one year initial period and in January 2010; he received the funds from the release from the Company's letter of credit of $28,658. Since Mr. Zizza exercised the option to continue the Master Sublease for the entire term of the lease, Mr. Zizza will be entitled to the balance of funds held under the letter of credit of approximately $57,000 if he fulfills his obligations pursuant to the Master Sublease.
2) On September 27, 2008, the Company executed an agreement with Kreider Farms (and its affiliated entities) (collectively "Kreider") to design, construct and operate, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Bion Services Group, Inc. ("Bion Services") and PA-1 , a Bion system to treat the waste of the dairy cows (milkers, dry cows and heifers) at the Kreider Dairy, located in Mannheim, Pennsylvania. In addition, this agreement (as amended and extended) provides for a second phase which will include treatment of the cellulosic solid wastes from the Phase 1 together with the waste stream from Kreider's poultry facilities to produce renewable energy for Bion's waste treatment facility and/or for market sales. The system will be owned and operated by Bion through PA-1, in which Kreider has the option to purchase a minority interest. Funds were expended over the last year to complete the construction of the Phase 1 Kreider System and substantial capital and operating funds (equity and/or debt) has been and will continue to be expended. The Company anticipates that it will receive revenue from the sale of nutrient (and other) environmental credits related to the Kreider system, and through sales of renewable energy generated in connection with the second phase (largely poultry manure) of the Kreider project. The $7.75 million loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest Loan), together with funds provided by the Company, has provided the funds for construction of the Phase 1 Kreider System. The Pennvest loan is to be repaid by interest only payments for the first three years, followed by an additional ten-year amortization of principal, and matures in November 2023. Based on the limited development of the depth and breadth of the Pennsylvania nutrient reduction credit market to date, Pennvest and PA-1 have recently commenced preliminary discussions regarding the Pennvest Loan. The Phase 1 Kreider System reached full, stabilized operation by the end of the 2012 fiscal year and received final permits during August 2012. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection re-certified the nutrient credits for this project.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
38
Item. 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The term "disclosure controls and procedures" is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. Our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operations of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, and has concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, as a result of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting discussed in Item 9(A) of our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2012.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is not involved in any material legal proceedings at this time.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2012 the Company sold the following restricted securities (including units that contained shares of restricted common stock): a) 24,889 shares issued pursuant to our 2006 Consolidated Incentive Plan (Plan), valued at $48,999, in aggregate, to certain consultants and/or employees for services; b) 690 shares issued to consultants outside the Plan, valued at $1,380, for services, which shares were issued in reliance on the exemption in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933; c) 34,223 Units, each consisting of one share and one half warrant, at a price of $2.25 per Unit; d) 280,500 Units, each consisting of one share and one half warrant, at a price of $2.00 per Unit. These securities were issued in reliance on the exemptions provided by Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933 and/or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. See Notes to Financial Statements (included herein) for additional details.
The proceeds were utilized for general corporate purposes.
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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit |
| Description |
|
|
|
31.1 |
| Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) - Filed herewith electronically |
|
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31.2 |
| Certification of Executive Chairman, President and CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) - Filed herewith electronically |
|
|
|
32.1 |
| Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Filed herewith electronically |
|
|
|
32.2 |
| Certification of Executive Chairman, President and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Filed herewith electronically |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
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Date: February 7, 2013 | By: | /s/ Mark A. Smith |
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| Mark A. Smith, President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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Date: February 7, 2013 | By: | /s/ Dominic Bassani |
|
| Dominic Bassani, Chief Executive Officer |
|
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