UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 800
Newport Beach, California 92660
Newport Beach, California 92660
April 7, 20224, 2024
Dear Stockholder,
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (the “Company,” “Clean Energy,” “we,” “us” or “our”) on Thursday, May 19, 2022,16, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting conducted via live audio webcast that can be accessed by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024. At this website, you will be able to listen to the Annual Meeting live, submit questions for our management, directors and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm in attendance, and submit your vote while the Annual Meeting is being held.
Clean Energy strives to do just that.
During the Company’s early years, we worked with municipalities to help clean the air by transitioning their fleets of buses, airport support vehicles, and waste collection trucks from dirty diesel to cleaner burning natural gas. The results can be seen in bluer skies around the country.
In 2013, we pioneered a new type of fuel, renewable natural gas (“RNG”), that reduces smog-forming tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, providing the transportation industry with an immediate solution to address climate change. Today, virtually all the fuel that we sell at our stations is RNG, allowing our customers’ fleets to dramatically lower their carbon footprint.
We believe so strongly in the sustainable power of RNG, that we made the decision several years ago to invest directly in its production. By partnering with dairy owners, we can help mitigate the critical problem of fugitive methane produced from cow manure, one of the most groundbreakingpotent greenhouse gases. In 2023, we reached an important milestone by completing our first dairy RNG production facility that captures methane and turns it into a valuable transportation fuel, all while providing additional benefits to the dairy’s operations, such as organic nutrients, reduced odor, and improved water quality.
We feel very fortunate at Clean Energy to be in the Company’s history. We believebusiness of helping our decisioncustomers meet their sustainability goals.
As a longtime LA Dodgers fan, let me say that we were thrown a curveball at the beginning of 2023 that would make Clayton Kershaw envious. Due to rapidly accelerate our renewableextraordinary circumstances, including a protracted cold spell in California, natural gas (RNG) offering will play a big roleprices shot through the roof in the state, which is our customers’ ability to achieve their sustainability goals by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by their fleets.
largest market, increasing 10-fold at one point. We expect to bewere able to meet the growing demand for this incredibly clean fuel well into the future by investing in the production of additional RNG sources with our joint venture partners, TotalEnergies and bp. We cemented these two joint ventures in early-2021 and quickly went to work signing partnerships with dairy owners around the country. I had the privilege of meeting with a number of them and most, if not all, are family run dairy farms with multiple generations involved in the operations. These are hard-working men and women who have a passion to run their operations in the most environmentally-friendly way. The idea of turning the manure from their cows into a clean fuel that will operate fleets of refuse trucks, city buses or heavy-duty trucks is very appealing to them.
Thankfully the fundamentals of our business are strong, and we were able to bounce back with a solid second half of the year. Our overall financial results for 2023 might not be what we had hoped going into it, but we believe the wind is to our backs and we have considerable momentum going into 2024 and beyond.
One of the most significant developments that began to unfold last year was the introduction of several Cummins X15N test engines. This is crucial for the alternative fuels heavy-duty vehicle market because it’s the first 15-liter engine to operate on RNG, capable of delivering the power, torque, and range that many heavy-duty trucks require. Some of the most well-known fleets in the country, like Walmart, Werner, UPS, Amazon, UPS, Republic Services and Knight Transportation, began to put the transit agenciesX15N to the test, driving it over the most difficult terrains and challenging routes. I’m pleased to say that the reviews have been extremely favorable.
Commercialization of the X15N engine will begin later in New York City2024, but in my many years of partnering with Cummins on their natural gas engines, I’ve never heard the world-class engine manufacturer be so bullish about the potential of one of their new products. The heavy-duty truck market is desperately searching for an alternative to diesel that can meet their emissions reduction goals, yet have been disappointed by the
cost, availability, and Los Angeles.lack of necessary fueling/charging associated with other technologies including electric and hydrogen. We strongly believe the X15N, fueled by RNG, is the answer.
Another market that is eagerly awaiting the new Cummins X15N is Canada. And once again, Clean Energy is well-posed to take advantage of this important transportation market. In April of last year, we announced an exciting strategic partnership with Tourmaline, Canada’s leading energy company, to construct up to 20 fueling stations, first across the western part of the country, with the potential of expanding east. With its long stretches between cities and active as 2021 was, I am evenmountainous terrain, heavy-duty trucks in Canada need a larger engine. The X15N will be a perfect fit for this environmentally conscious market.
The over-the-road market is not the only one making the switch to cleaner burning fuels. Our relationship with Pasha, the shipping company that services the Hawaiian market, continues to expand. We are now providing liquified natural gas (“LNG”) from our plant in Boron, California for three Pasha container ships that make their way from the Ports of Long Beach and Oakland to Honolulu. When running at full capacity, these large ships use an average of 460,000 gallons of LNG every week and are reducing their diesel particulate matter and sulfur oxide by 99%, their nitrogen oxides by 90%, and carbon dioxide by 25% compared to traditional shipping fuels.
There’s much more to be optimistic about 2022, which marks Clean Energy’s 25th anniversary.future. But I will wrap up by emphasizing that we are extremely well positioned to continue to be the leader in the transitioning energy market. We were onestrengthened our balance sheet at the end of 2023 with a $300 million secured term loan from Stonepeak, a leading infrastructure firm, and can draw an additional $100 million. We believe the first companies to offer transportation fleets a solution to tackleinvestments we have made both in the problemupstream and downstream RNG markets will keep us ahead of dirty air and now we’re giving them a powerful tool to addressany competitor. And most of all, we have the issuebest team in the business of our changing climate with RNG.whom I couldn’t be prouder.
We are pleased to take advantage of laws and rules that allow issuers to make use of the Internet in conducting a meeting of stockholders, as well as in furnishing proxy materials. As a result, we will not only host the Annual Meeting virtually on the Internet, but we will also furnish the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting to our stockholders on the Internet. We believe this use of the Internet meaningfully lowers our costs, increases efficiencies and helps reduce the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting, while permitting and encouraging increased stockholder attendance and engagement.
The accompanying notice of Annual Meeting and proxy statementProxy Statement include the agenda for the Annual Meeting, explain the matters that will be discussed and voted on at the Annual Meeting and provide certain other information about our Company.company.
Your vote is important, and we urge you to vote as promptly as possible. Thank you for supporting our Company.
Sincerely,
![[MISSING IMAGE: sg_andrewjlittlefair-bw.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001104659-22-043683/sg_andrewjlittlefair-bw.jpg)
![[MISSING IMAGE: sg_andrewlittlefair-bw.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001104659-24-043492/sg_andrewlittlefair-bw.jpg)
ANDREW J. LITTLEFAIR
President & Chief Executive Officer
President & Chief Executive Officer
CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 800
Newport Beach, California 92660
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May19, 202216, 2024
May
The annual meeting of stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022,16, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time via live audio webcast that can be accessed by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024, for the following purposes:
1.
To elect tennine directors to the Board of Directors;
2.
To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2022;2024;
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To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;
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To approve our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “New ESPP”) and the reservation of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the New ESPP;2024 Performance Incentive Plan; and
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To transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statementProxy Statement that accompanies this notice.
The Company’s Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 22, 20222024 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting at our principal executive offices during normal business hours for a period of 10 days before the Annual Meeting. The list of stockholders may also be accessed during the virtual Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024 by using the control number on your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability.
Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you are encouraged to vote on the Internet, by telephone or by mail before the Annual Meeting using the instructions provided in the accompanying proxy materials to ensure that your vote will be counted. If you submit your proxy or voting instructions and then decide to attend the Annual Meeting, you may still vote your shares during the Annual Meeting.
| | | | | By order of the Board of Directors, ![[MISSING IMAGE: sg_mitchellwpratt-bw.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001104659-22-043683/sg_mitchellwpratt-bw.jpg) ![[MISSING IMAGE: sg_jameswsytsma-bw.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001104659-24-043492/sg_jameswsytsma-bw.jpg) | |
| | Dated: April | | | SYTSMA Corporate Secretary | |
CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 800
Newport Beach, California 92660
Newport Beach, California 92660
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and relate to future events or circumstances or the Company’s future performance, and they are based on the Company’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Company and its business. Forward-looking statements included herein include but are not limited to: statements regarding our ability to meet the demand for RNG, statements about the benefits of RNG, expectations regarding the Cummins X15N, our ability to increase our customer base and the ability of our customers to achieve their sustainability goals, our sustainability and safety goals, our diversity and inclusion efforts, our plans tostatements regarding the Company’s position the company as a leading renewable energy company, our expectations for our growth in 2024 and beyond and our expectations regarding renewable vehicle fuels. Actual results, performance or achievements and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, among others: the direct and indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the willingness of fleets and other consumers to adopt natural gas as a vehicle fuel, and the rate and level of any such adoption; our ability to capture a substantial share of the market for alternative vehicle fuels and vehicle fuels generally and otherwise compete successfully in these markets; the potential adoption of government policies or programs or increased publicity or popular sentiment in favor of other vehicle fuels; the market’s perception of the benefits of RNG and conventional natural gas relative to other alternative vehicle fuels; natural gas vehicle and engine cost, fuel usage, availability, quality, safety, convenience, design, performance and residual value, as well as operator perception with respect to these factors, in general and in our key customer markets, including heavy-duty trucking; our ability to managefurther develop and growmanage our RNG business, including its ability to procure adequate supplies of RNG and generate revenues from sales of such RNG; our and our suppliers’ ability to successfully develop and operate projects and produce expected volumes of RNG; the potential commercial viability of livestock waste and dairy farm projects to produce RNG; our history of net losses and the possibility that we could incur additional net losses in the future; our and our partners’ ability to acquire, finance, construct and develop other commercial projects; our ability to invest in hydrogen stations or modify our fueling stations to reform our RNG to fuel hydrogen and charge electric vehicles; our ability to realize the expected benefits from the commercial arrangement with Amazon and related transactions; the future supply, demand, use and prices of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and other vehicle fuels, including overall levels of and volatility in these factors; changes in the competitive environment in which we operate, including potentially increasing competition in the market for vehicle fuels generally; our ability to manage and increase our business of transporting and selling CNG for non-vehicle purposes via virtual natural gas pipelines and interconnects, as well as our station design and construction activities; construction, permitting and other factors that could cause delays or other problems at station construction projects; our ability to execute and realize the intended benefits of any acquisitions, divestitures, investments or other strategic relationships or transactions; the future availability of and our access to additional capital, which may include debt or equity financing, in the amounts and at the times needed to fund growth in our business and the repayment of our debt obligations (whether at or before their due dates) or other expenditures, as well as the terms and other effects of any such capital raising transaction; our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to repay our debt obligations as they come due; the availability of environmental, tax and other government legislation, regulations, programs and incentives that promote natural gas, such as AFTC, or other alternatives as a vehicle fuel, including long-standing support for gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles and growing support for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles that could result in programs or incentives that favor these or other vehicles or vehicle fuels over natural gas; our ability to comply with various registration and regulatory requirements related to its RNG projects; the effect of, or potential for changes to greenhouse gas emissions requirements or other environmental regulations applicable to vehicles powered by gasoline, diesel, natural gas or other vehicle fuels and crude oil and natural gas fueling, drilling, production, transportation or use; our ability to manage the safety and environmental risks inherent in its operations; our compliance with all applicable government regulations; the impact of the foregoing on the trading price of the our common stock; and general political, regulatory, economic and market conditions; and the other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A, Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212023 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that accompanies this Proxy Statement, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the Securities and
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Exchange Commission. We encourage you to carefully consider these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements made in this Proxy Statement speak only as of the date of Proxy Statement and we undertake no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by law.
WEBSITE REFERENCES
Throughout this Proxy Statement, we make references to additional information available on our corporate website at www.cleanenergyfuels.com. References to our website are provided for convenience only and the content on our website does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
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CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
4675 MacArthur Court, Suite 800
Newport Beach, California 92660
Newport Beach, California 92660
GENERAL INFORMATION
The board of directors (“Board”) of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is providing this proxy statementProxy Statement (“Proxy Statement”) and all other proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at our 20222024 annual meeting of stockholders (“Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022,16, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”) via live audio webcast that can be accessed by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024 for the purposes stated in this Proxy Statement. In addition to any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, stockholders are being asked to vote at the Annual Meeting on the following four proposals:
Proposal 1.
The election of tennine directors to the Board.
Proposal 2.
The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.2024.
Proposal 3.
The approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Proposal 4.
The approval of our 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “New ESPP”) and the reservation of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the New ESPP.2024 Performance Incentive Plan.
This Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need to know in order to vote on these proposals in an informed manner.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and our 20212023 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) are available at www.proxyvote.com. You are encouraged to access and review all of the important information contained in our proxy materials before voting. Copies of these proxy materials are also available in the Investors — Annual Reports and Proxies section of our website at www.cleanenergyfuels.com.https://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/annual-reports.
Use of the Internet
Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, including this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report, on the Internet. Accordingly, on or about April 7, 2022,4, 2024, we are mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) to all of the Company’s stockholders of record who have not previously elected an alternative delivery method, while brokers, banks and other nominees who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners will be sending their own similar Notice to beneficial owners. The Notice will include instructions on how you may access the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting at www.proxyvote.com. For stockholders who have previously elected to receive copies of the proxy materials by mail or e-mail, we will be sending the Annual Report, this Proxy Statement and a proxy card by that method on or about April 7, 2022.4, 2024. Stockholders who receive a Notice will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting unless they request them, in which case printed copies of the proxy materials and a paper proxy card will be provided at no charge. Instructions on how to request a printed copy of the proxy materials by mail or electronically, including an option to request paper copies on an ongoing basis, may be found in the Notice and on the website referred to in the Notice. We encourage you to take advantage of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet in order to lower our printing and delivery costs and help reduce the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting.
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Virtual Annual Meeting
We have held our annual meetings of stockholders virtually since 2017, and we have again elected to holdwill be holding this year’s Annual Meeting virtually on the Internet. We have made this decision for a number of reasons, including:
will be held. Stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting virtually will be able to listen to the meeting live and submit their vote while the Annual Meeting is being held, and will also be able to submit, either anonymously or identified by name, questions or comments for our management, directors and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm in attendance at the meeting. This functionality provides our stockholders with opportunities for participation and engagement at the Annual Meeting that are comparable to those that would be available at an in-person meeting. As a result, we believe the virtual nature of the Annual Meeting will not decrease engagement capabilities and could facilitate increased stockholder participation with the ability to submit comments and questions anonymously if a stockholder desires to do so.
During the Annual Meeting, we will answer as many stockholder-submitted questions as time permits, other than questions that are irrelevant to the purpose of the Annual Meeting or our business or that contain inappropriate or derogatory references that are not in good taste. Any appropriate questions that we are unable to address during the Annual Meeting will be published on our website following the meeting. If we receive substantially similar questions, we will group them together and provide a single response to avoid repetition.references.
Stockholders who choose to attend the Annual Meeting will do so by accessing a live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024. Please see “Attending the Virtual Annual Meeting” below for more information.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
All stockholders that owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on March 22, 2022,2024 (the “Record Date”), the date fixed by the Board as the record date, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
On the record date, 222,713,200Record Date, 223,263,055 shares of our common stock were outstanding.
Voting Matters
Voting Rights
Each share of our common stock entitles the owner of the share to one vote on all matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Quorum Requirement
We will have the required quorum to conduct the business of the Annual Meeting if holders as of the record dateRecord Date representing a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote are present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (discussed under “Effect of Not Providing Voting Instructions; Broker Non-Votes” below) will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Effect of Not Providing Voting Instructions; Broker Non-Votes
Stockholders of Record. You are a “stockholder of record” if your shares are registered directly in your name with Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our transfer agent. If you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on the record date for the Annual MeetingRecord Date and you submit a valid proxy but do not provide voting instructions with respect to your shares, all shares represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of our Board on each proposal to be presented at the Annual Meeting, as described in this Proxy Statement.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. You are a “beneficial owner of shares held in street name” if your shares are not held of record in your name but are held by a broker, bank or other nominee on your behalf as the beneficial owner. Pursuant to applicable stock exchange rules, if your shares were held in street name through a brokerage account at the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting,Record Date, you must provide voting instructions to your broker if you want your shares to be voted on the election of directors (Proposal 1), the approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3) and the approval of our New ESPP2024 Performance Incentive Plan (Proposal 4). These proposals constitute “non-routine” matters on which a broker is not entitled to vote shares held for a beneficial owner without receiving voting instructions from the beneficial owner. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2) is considered a “routine”
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matter for which your shares may be voted in the discretion of your broker if voting instructions have not been received. As a result, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your broker may exercise its discretion to vote on Proposal 2 at the Annual Meeting but will not be permitted to vote on Proposal 1, Proposal 3 or Proposal 4 at the Annual Meeting. In recent years, however, several large brokers, such as Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade have announced that they have eliminated discretionary voting for even “routine” matters. Therefore, if you hold your shares through such brokers, then your shares might not be voted, even for “routine” matters if you do not give voting instruction to your broker. Therefore,Consequently, we urge every stockholder to vote their shares. If your broker does exercise this discretion, your shares will be counted as present for determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting and will be voted on Proposal 2 in the manner directed by your broker, but your shares will constitute “broker non-votes” on each of the other items at the Annual Meeting. Moreover, if you are a beneficial owner of shares in street name and you properly submit a voting instruction form to your broker, bank or other nominee that is signed but unmarked with respect to your vote on Proposals 1, 2, 3 or 4, applicable rules will generally permit your broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares on these proposals in accordance with the recommendations of the Board as set forth in this Proxy Statement.
Voting Requirements
The election of directors (Proposal 1) will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. This means that the tennine nominees who receive the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. Shares voted “Withhold” and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 2), the approval, on an advisory, non-binding basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3), and the approval of our New ESPP (Proposal 4)2024 Performance Incentive Plan must each be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. For purposes of determining the number of votes cast for Proposals 2, 3 and 4, only shares voted “FOR” or “AGAINST” are counted. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast and will not be counted in determining the outcome of Proposal 2, Proposal 3 or Proposal 4.
The following is a summary of the voting requirements for each proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting:
| Proposal | | | Vote Required | | | Routine vs. Non-Routine Matter | | | Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes | |
1: Election of Directors | | | Plurality of Votes Cast | | | Non-Routine | | | No effect | |
2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | Majority of Votes Cast | | | Routine | | | Abstentions: No effect Broker non-votes: None expected | |
3: Advisory, Non-Binding Vote on Executive Compensation | | | Majority of Votes Cast | | | Non-Routine | | | No effect | |
4: Approval of our | | | Majority of Votes Cast | | | Non-Routine | | | No effect | |
Tabulation of Votes
The inspector of elections of the Annual Meeting will tabulate the votes of our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. All shares of our common stock represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions given on the proxy, as long as the proxy is properly submitted and unrevoked and is received by the applicable deadline, all as described under “How to Cast or Revoke Your Vote” below. If the Annual Meeting is adjourned or postponed, properly submitted and unrevoked proxies will remain effective and will be voted at the adjourned or postponed Annual Meeting, and stockholders will retain the right to revoke any such proxy until it is actually voted at the adjourned or postponed Annual Meeting.
Voting Results
Preliminary results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final results will be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting
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concludes. If the official results are not available at that time, we will provide preliminary voting results in such a Form 8-K and will provide the final results in an amendment to the Form 8-K as soon as they become available.
How to Cast or Revoke Your Vote
Stockholders of Record
If you are a stockholder of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, you may vote in any one of the following ways:
•
On the Internet.Internet. You may vote by proxy before the Annual Meeting starts by visiting www.proxyvote.com or by following the instructions in the Notice or proxy card you received.
•
By Telephone.Telephone. If you receive printed copies of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the proxy card delivered with these proxy materials.
•
By Mail. If you receive printed copies of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy by completing the proxy card delivered with these proxy materials and mailing it in the envelope provided.
•
During the Annual Meeting. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by attending the live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024 and by following the instructions at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024.
Votes submitted by proxy on the Internet or by telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 18, 202215, 2024 to be counted. Votes submitted on the Internet during the Annual Meeting by stockholders attending the meeting and votes submitted by mail must be received no later than the close of voting at the Annual Meeting to be counted.
Once you have submitted your proxy on the Internet or by telephone or mail, you may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by taking any one of the following actions:
•
Later-Dated Vote.Vote. You may revoke a previously submitted proxy by submitting a later-dated vote on the Internet, by telephone or by mail, as applicable.
•
Written Notice. You may revoke a previously submitted proxy by sending or otherwise delivering a written notice of revocation to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices.
•
Voting During the Annual Meeting. If you attend the live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024, you may vote your shares electronically at the Annual Meeting, which will revoke any previously submitted proxy.
To be effective, any later-dated vote must be received by the applicable deadline for the voting method used, as described above, and any written notice of revocation must be received no later than the close of voting at the Annual Meeting. Only your latest-dated vote that is received by the deadline applicable to the voting method used will be counted.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you have the right to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. You should do so by following the instructions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee regarding how to vote your shares and how to revoke a previously submitted proxy. The availability of Internet, telephone or other methods to vote your shares by proxy, and the deadlines by which to vote your shares using each such voting method, will depend on the voting processes of the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares.
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Attending the Virtual Annual Meeting
All stockholders that owned our common stock at the close of business on the record date for the Annual Meeting,Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you are encouraged to vote on the Internet, by telephone or by mail before the Annual Meeting, to ensure that your vote will be counted. Please see “How to Cast or Revoke Your Vote” above.
To attend and participate in the Annual Meeting, stockholders will need to access the live audio webcast of the meeting. To do so, stockholders of record will need to visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CLNE2022CLNE2024 and use their control number provided in the Notice or, if they received printed copies of the proxy materials, in the proxy card delivered with those proxy materials, to log in to this website, and beneficial owners of shares held in street name will need to follow the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee that holds their shares. On the day of the Annual Meeting, stockholders may begin to log in to the virtual meeting beginning at 7:45 a.m. PT, and the meeting will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. PT. We encourage stockholders to log in to this website and access the webcast before the Annual Meeting’s start time. Further instructions on how to attend, participate in and vote at the Annual Meeting are available at www.proxyvote.com. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or logging in to the Annual Meeting, including any difficulties with your control number or submitting questions, please call the technical support number displayed on the login page on the online virtual meeting platform.
Submitting your proxy before the Annual Meeting will not affect your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you decide to attend; however, your attendance at the Annual Meeting after having submitted a valid proxy will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of your proxy. To revoke a previously submitted proxy by attending thatthe Annual Meeting, you must submit an online vote during the webcast of the Annual Meeting reflecting your new vote.
Solicitation
This solicitation is made by our Board, and we will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies, including the costs of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing the Notice, any printed copies of this Proxy Statement, the proxy card, the Annual Report, and any additional information that we may elect to furnish to stockholders. We will provide copies of solicitation materials to brokers, banks and other nominees holding in their names shares of our common stock that are beneficially owned by others for forwarding to the
beneficial owners of those shares who have requested printed materials, and we may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners for their costs of forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners. Solicitations will be made primarily through the Notice and the solicitation materials made available on the Internet or via e-mail or in print to those who request copies of our proxy materials, but may be supplemented by telephone, mail, e-mail or personal solicitation by our directors, executive officers or other employees. We will pay no additional compensation to these individuals for these activities. We have not engaged employees for the specific purpose of soliciting proxies.
Separate Copy of Annual Report or Other Proxy Materials
We have adopted a procedure called “householding,” which the SEC has approved. Under this procedure, we are delivering a single copy of this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to multiple stockholders who share the same address and who did not receive a Notice or otherwise receive their proxy materials by e-mail, unless we have received contrary instructions from a stockholder. This procedure reduces our printing and mailing costs and other fees. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to request and receive a separate Notice or proxy card. Additionally, upon written or oral request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of this Proxy Statement or the Annual Report to any stockholder at a shared address to which we have delivered a single copy of these documents. To receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement or the Annual Report, or to notify us that you wish to receive separate copies of our proxy materials for future annual meetings of our stockholders, write to the attention of Investor Relations at the address of our principal executive offices or call (949) 437-1000. Stockholders who share an address and are receiving multiple copies of our proxy materials may also request to receive a single copy of this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report or our proxy materials for future annual meetings of our stockholders by writing or calling us at the address or telephone number provided above.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The two tables below show the beneficial ownership of certain persons with respect to our common stock, our only outstanding class of voting securities. Except as indicated by the footnotes to these tables, we believe, based on the information furnished or otherwise available to us, that the persons and entities named in these tables have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
We have determined beneficial ownership as shown in these tables in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In accordance with these rules, in computing the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of our common stock subject to (1) stock options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, and (2) restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by that person that are subject to vesting and settlement within 60 days after March 22, 2022.2024. We did not, however, deem these shares outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. We calculated percentage ownership as shown in these tables based on 222,713,200223,263,055 shares of our common stock outstanding on March 22, 2022.2024. The information in these tables is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose, and the inclusion of any shares in these tables does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of the shares.
The following table shows the amount and percentage of our common stock beneficially owned by each holder of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock:
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | | Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | Percent of Common Stock Outstanding | | | Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | Percent of Common Stock Outstanding | | ||||||||||||||||
| TotalEnergies/TMS(1) 2, place Jean Millier La Défense 6 92400 Courbevoie France | | | | 50,711,605 | | | | | 22.8% | | | | | | 51,100,282 | | | | | 22.9% | | | ||||
| BlackRock, Inc.(2) 55 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10055 | | | | 14,149,739 | | | | | 6.4% | | | |||||||||||||||
| Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC(3) 40 Rowes Wharf Boston, Massachusetts 02110 | | | | 12,357,746 | | | | | 5.5% | | | |||||||||||||||
| Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC(2) 53 State Street, Suite 3300 Boston, Massachusetts 02109 | | | | 16,086,394 | | | | | 7.2% | | | |||||||||||||||
| BlackRock, Inc.(3) 50 Hudson Yards New York, New York 10001 | | | | 14,741,694 | | | | | 6.6% | | | |||||||||||||||
| Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(4) 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 | | | | 12,314,636 | | | | | 5.5% | | | |||||||||||||||
(1)
Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed by TotalEnergies S.E. (“TotalEnergies”) and its direct wholly owned subsidiary TotalEnergiesTotal Marketing Services S.A.S. (“TMS”) on June 15, 2021 that reflects shares of common stock beneficially owned as of June 14, 2021, and updated to reflect subsequent sales of shares of our common stock by TMS as reported on a Form 4 filed with the SEC on June 17, 2021. TotalEnergies and TMS have (i) shared voting power over 50,711,60551,100,282 shares of our common stock, which consists of (a) 42,581,801 shares of our common stock that were purchased by TMS pursuant to a stock purchase agreement, dated May 9, 2018, between TMS and the Company, and (b) 8,129,8048,518,481 shares of common stock that are the subject of a voting agreement, dated May 9, 2018, among TMS, the Company, and all of our then-directors and officers, pursuant to which each such director and officer appointed TMS as such person’s proxy and attorney-in-fact, and authorized TMS to represent and vote (or consent, if applicable) all shares of common stock owned or controlled by such person with respect to the election of the individuals designated by TMS to serve on our Board pursuant to TMS’ director designation rights (described below under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”), and (ii) shared dispositive power over 42,581,801 shares of our common stock. TotalEnergies and TMS have expressly disclaimed beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock subject to the voting agreement discussed in (i)(b) above.
(2)
Based on a Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock Inc. on February 4, 2022 that reflects shares of common stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 2021. According to the Schedule 13G, BlackRock Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 13,492,002 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 14,149,739 shares of our common stock.
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(3)
Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock Inc. on January 29, 2024 that reflects shares of common stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 14,373,708 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 14,741,694 shares of our common stock.
(4)
Based on a Schedule 13G filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP on February 9, 2024 that reflects shares of common stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP has sole voting power with respect to 12,076,348 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 12,314,636 shares of our common stock.
The following table shows the amount and percentage of our common stock beneficially owned on March 22, 20222024 by each of our named executive officers and current directors and by all of our current executive officers and current directors as a group:
| Name of Beneficial Owner | | | Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | | | Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | ||||||||||||||||||
| | Number | | % | | | Number | | % | | |||||||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair(1) | | | | 2,561,156 | | | | | 1.1% | | | | | | 2,743,533 | | | | | 1.2% | | | ||||
| Robert M. Vreeland(2) | | | | 727,189 | | | | | * | | | | | | 1,053,219 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt(3) | | | | 1,171,595 | | | | | * | | | | | | 1,401,981 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Barclay F. Corbus(4) | | | | 1,151,200 | | | | | * | | | | | | 1,365,898 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Lizabeth Ardisana(5) | | | | 127,000 | | | | | * | | | | | | 223,067 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Karine Boissy-Rousseau | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||
| James C. Miller III(6) | | | | 390,501 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| Lorraine Paskett | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||
| Patrick J. Ford(6) | | | | 9,236 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| James C. Miller III(7) | | | | 446,568 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| Stephen A. Scully | | | | 438,618 | | | | | * | | | | | | 537,872 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Kenneth M. Socha | | | | 449,258 | | | | | * | | | | | | 504,795 | | | | | * | | | ||||
| Vincent C. Taormina(9) | | | | 546,518 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| Parker Weil(10) | | | | 117,000 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| Laurent Wolffsheim | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||
| All current executive officers and directors as a group (13 persons)(11) | | | | 7,680,035 | | | | | 3.4% | | | |||||||||||||||
| Mathieu Soulas | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||
| Vincent C. Taormina(10) | | | | 602,585 | | | | | * | | | |||||||||||||||
| All current executive officers and current directors as a group (11 persons)(11) | | | | 8,202,150 | | | | | 3.6% | | | |||||||||||||||
*
Represents less than 1%.
(1)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 1,135,7621,430,982 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, and (b) 1,425,3941,312,551 shares of outstanding common stock held directly.
(2)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 486,398747,293 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, and (b) 240,791305,926 shares of outstanding common stock held directly.
(3)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 429,828534,688 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 20222024 and held directly or by the Pratt Family Trust, over which Mr. Pratt possesses sole voting and investment control, and (b) 741,767867,293 shares of outstanding common stock held directly or by the Pratt Family Trust. On May 17, 2023, Mitchell W. Pratt transitioned from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Technology Development Officer and ceased being an executive officer of the Company. He is included as a named executive officer for purposes of this proxy on account of his service in 2023.
(4)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 566,243811,388 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, and (b) 584,957554,510 shares of outstanding common stock held directly or by an individual retirement account for the benefit of Mr. Corbus.
(5)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 97,000179,938 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022;2024; (b) 13,129 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, and (b)(c) 30,000 shares of outstanding common stock held directly.
(6)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 219,5005,434 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024; (b) 3,802 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, and (c) zero shares of outstanding common stock held directly.
(7)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 262,438 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2024, (b) 13,129 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, and (c) 171,001 shares of outstanding common stock held directly or by a trust over which Mr. Miller possesses shared voting and investment control.
(8)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 239,500325,625 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, (b) 13,129 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, and (b)(c) 199,118 shares of outstanding common stock held by the Scully Family Trust, over which Mr. Scully possesses sole voting and investment control.
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(9)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 219,500262,438 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, (b) 13,129 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, (c) 30 shares of outstanding common stock held in a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account for which Mr. Socha is the custodian and over which Mr. Socha possesses sole voting and investment control, and (c) 229,728(d) 229,118 shares of outstanding common stock held directly.
(10)
Beneficial ownership consists of (a) 259,500302,438 shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022,2024, (b) 13,129 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units vesting within 60 days after March 22, 2024, and (b)(c) 287,018 shares of outstanding common stock held by the Vincent C. Taormina REV Intervivos Trust UAD 5/14/84, over which Mr. Taormina possesses sole voting and investment control.
(11)
Beneficial ownership consists of 117,000(a) 5,043,431 shares of common stock subject to stock options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 22, 2022.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General
Each of our director nominees, other than Messrs. Littlefair and WolffsheimSoulas and Mses.Ms. Boissy-Rousseau, and Paskett, are independent directors within the meaning of applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”). Additionally, the Board affirmatively determined that Mr. Parker A. Weil was an independent director within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq rules during his term as director.
Each of the nominees is a current director of our Company and except for Mr. Wolffsheim and Mses. Boissy-Rousseau and Paskett, was elected by our stockholders at our 2021 annual meeting2023 Annual Meeting of stockholders. Ms. PaskettStockholders, other than Mr. Soulas who was appointed as a directorto our Board in December 2021 after being initially recommended for appointmentSeptember 2023 to the Board by our Chief Executive Officer. Mr.replace Laurent Wolffsheim and Mr. Ford who was appointed to our Board in March 2024. Ms. Boissy-Rousseau were appointed as directors in September 2021 and December 2021, respectively, andMr. Soulas are each being nominated for election at the Annual Meeting pursuant to director designation rights granted to TMS in June 2018. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below for further information about the director designation rights granted to TMS.
Upon election at the Annual Meeting, each director will serve a one-year term until the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his or her respective successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Each of the Board’s director nominees has agreed to serve if elected, and, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, we have no reason to believe any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director if elected. If, however, any nominee is unable to serve, or for good cause will not serve, as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the persons who are designated as proxies may vote your shares, in their discretion, for another nominee that may be proposed by the Board or the Board may choose to reduce the size of the Board.
We, as a matter of policy, encourage our directors to attend meetings of our stockholders and, in 2021, seven (7)2023, all of our then-current directors attended our annual meeting.
Director Nominees
The names of the director nominees, their ages as of the date of this Proxy Statement, their current positions and offices with our Company and other information about their professional backgrounds are shown below. We believe each of these nominees contributes to the Board’s effectiveness as a whole based on the wealth of executive leadership experience they bring to the Board, as well as the other specific attributes, qualifications and skills described below. There are no family relationships between any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer of our Company, and except as described under “General” above with respect to Ms. Boissy-Rousseau and Mr. Wolffsheim,Soulas, there are no arrangements or understandings between any director or nominee and any other person pursuant to which such individual was or is selected as a director or nominee.
| Name of Director Nominee | | | Age | | | Position(s) and Office(s) | |
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | | |
| Stephen A. Scully | | | 65 | | | Chairman of the Board | |
| Lizabeth Ardisana | | | 73 | | | Director | |
| Karine Boissy-Rousseau | | | 50 | | | Director | |
| Patrick J. Ford | | | 62 | | | | |
| | | | | Director | | ||
| | | | | Director | | ||
| | | | | Director | | ||
| | | | | Director | |||
| |
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Andrew J. Littlefair, one of our founders, has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director since June 2001. From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Littlefair served as President of Pickens Fuel Corp., and from 1987 to 1996, Mr. Littlefair served in various management positions at Mesa, Inc., an energy company. From 1983 to 1987, Mr. Littlefair served in the Reagan Administration as a Staff Assistant to the President. Mr. Littlefair servedserves as Chairmanthe chairman of NGV America, the leading U.S. advocacy group for natural gas vehicles, from March 1993 to March 2011. Mr. Littlefair hasboard of directors of SAFE&CEC S.r.l. and previously served on the board of directors of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (formerly PlainsCapital Corporation), a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), from 2009 to 2023. Mr. Littlefair served as Chairman of NGV America, the leading U.S. advocacy group for natural gas vehicles, from March 1993 to March 2011. He has served on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute Board of Trustees since 2009.July 2011. Mr. Littlefair earned a B.A. from the University of Southern California.
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Littlefair brings to our Board his experience as a co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of our Company, which gives him unique insight into our Company’s operations, challenges and opportunities.
Stephen A. Scully has served as a director of our Company since January 2014 and was appointed as Chairman of the Board on January 1, 2018. Mr. Scully was founder and President of the Scully Companies, a California-based truck leasing and specialized contract carriage provider. He started the Scully Companies immediately after graduating from the University of Southern California in 1981 and subsequently sold it to Ryder System in January 2011. The Scully Companies was the largest independent asset-based logistics provider in the western United States. Since selling the Scully Companies, Mr. Scully has been a private investor.investor and is currently the Chairman of the Newport Beach Harbor Commission. Additionally, he was the Chairman of the Board of the National Truck Leasing System from 1999 to 2010, a board member of the Truck Rental and Leasing Association from 1990 to 1999, a board member of Ameriquest Transportation and Logistics Resources from 2007 to 2008 and is a former member of the California Trucking Association.
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Scully brings to our Board the insight of a successful entrepreneur and operator, as well as extensive knowledge of the trucking industry.
Lizabeth Ardisana has served as a director of our Company since December 2019. Ms. Ardisana is the chief executive officer and the principal owner of the firm ASG Renaissance, LLC, which she founded in 1987. ASG Renaissance is a technical and communication services firm with experience providing services to clients in the automotive, environmental, defense, construction, healthcare, banking, and education sectors. Ms. Ardisana is also chief executive officer of Performance Driven Workforce, LLC, a scheduling and staffing firm that was founded in 2015 and has since expanded into five states. Ms. Ardisana, a Hispanic and female business owner, is an active business and civic leader in Michigan. Ms. Ardisana has held numerous leadership positions in a variety of non-profit organizations, including the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (where she serves as chair), Skillman Foundation, CS Mott Foundation, Kettering University, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and Focus: Hope. She was appointed by the governor of Michigan to the executive board of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and serves on its finance committee. Ms. Ardisana is also vice chair of the Wayne State University Physicians GroupHealth where she serves on the audit committee. On October 10, 2022, Ms. Ardisana was appointed to the Board of Directors of Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc., a leading investor in climate solutions. She has been a member of the board of directors of LeddarTech Holdings since 2024, and previously served as a member of the board of directors of Huntington Bancshares Inc. from 2016 to 2023 and as a member of the board of directors of FirstMerit Corporation from 2013 to 2016. Ms. Ardisana previously served as a board member of United Way for Southeastern Michigan (where she served as chair) and the Skillman Foundation. Ms. Ardisana holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematicsmathematics and Computer Sciencecomputer science from the University of Texas, a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Detroit. Ms. Ardisana has been a member of the board of directors of Huntington Bancshares Inc. since 2016
Skills and was a member of the board of directors of FirstMerit Corporation from 2013 to 2016.
Qualifications: Ms. Ardisana brings to our Board key experience and relationships in the automotive and environmental industries, as well as skills acquired through serving as a chief executive officer and as a member of multiple public and private company boards.
Karine Boissy-Rousseau has served as a director of our Company since December 2021. Ms. Boissy-Rousseau has served as Vice President Green Gases in the Gas, Renewables and Power business segment of TotalEnergies since September 2023. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President New Mobility and Marketing of TMSTotalEnergies’ Marketing & Services business segment since September 1, 2021. Before that Ms. Boissy-Rousseaushe was
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President of Air Liquide Hydrogen Mobility & Energy, where she led the development of hydrogen activities in the transportation sector for North America since 2019.from 2019 to 2021. Prior to that, she was Managing Director of Air Liquide Benelux Industries from 2016 to 2019 and General Manager of Air Liquide France Industries in Paris from 2012 to 2016. Ms. Boissy-Rousseau holds a Master’smaster’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ecole Nationale des Industries Chimiques, Nancychemical engineering and also a Master’smaster’s degree in Marketingmarketing.
Skills and Management from Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris.
Qualifications: Ms. Boissy-Rousseau was appointed as a director pursuant to director designation rights granted to TMS in June 2018, in a transaction described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below. Ms. Boissy-Rousseau brings to our Board extensive renewable fuels experience, significant management skills and key relationships within the TotalEnergies group.
Patrick J. Ford has served as a director of our Company since March 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Ford served as an Audit Partner at KPMG LLP from 1994 until his retirement in 2022. Mr. Ford served numerous SEC registrants as the Lead Audit Engagement Partner in the energy, automotive and technology sectors during his tenure with KPMG LLP. Mr. Ford served as a member of the Board of Directors of KPMG LLP and its related entity, KPMG Americas LLP from 2013-2018. Mr. Ford is a certified public accountant (retired status) in California, Arizona and Hawaii.
Mr. Ford previously served on the Board of Advisors for the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business from 2006 to 2019 and the Board of Advisors for the Shidler School of Business at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Ford holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Southern California.
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Ford brings to our Board extensive experience in finance and accounting within the energy industry.
James C. Miller III has served as a director of our Company since May 2006. Mr. Miller served on the board of governors of the United States Postal Service from April 2003 to December 2011 and as its Chairman from January 2005 to 2008.2007. Mr. Miller served on the board of directors of the Washington Mutual Investors Fund from October 1992 to December 2017. From 1981 to 1985, Mr. Miller was Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in the Reagan Administration, and also served as Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget from 1985 to 1988. In 2017, Mr. Miller began serving as a Senior Fellow of the Administrative Conference of the United States, an independent federal agency dedicated to improving the administrative process. Mr. Miller earned a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia.Virginia
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Miller brings to theour Board significant financial expertise and extensive knowledge of regulatory affairs gained during his service on the board of governors of the United States Postal Service, as Chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and as Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Miller also contributes financial acumen and experience dealing with large and financially complex organizations.
Kenneth M. Socha has served as a director of our Company since January 2003. From 1995 until his retirement at the end of 2014, Mr. Socha served as a Senior Managing Director of Perseus, L.L.C., a private equity fund management company. Previously, Mr. Socha practiced corporate and securities law as a partner in the New York office of Dewey Ballantine. Mr. Socha earned an A.B. from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Duke University Law School.
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Socha brings to our Board legal insight gained during his distinguished legal career and the perspective and financial acumen of a highly successful private equity investor.
Mathieu Soulas has served as a director of our Company since September 2023. Mr. Soulas began his career in TotalEnergies’ Refining Division. After holding various positions in European refineries and as head of Refining & Petrochemical operations in the Benelux countries, he moved to the Marketing & Services branch in 2013 as Executive Vice President for the geographical zone of the Indian Ocean and Vice President Supply and Logistic for Africa & Middle East. In 2017, he became Vice President in charge of the Lubricants Business Unit worldwide, covering industrial operations, supply chain, marketing and global sales. In August 2019, he joined the Company’s headquarters as Senior Vice President Strategy & Climate. He was then appointed Vice President Strategy & Supply of the Marketing & Services branch in September 2021. In July 2023, Mathieu Soulas became Senior Vice President New Mobilities & Marketing, regrouping the Business Units Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen and Gas as well as the Business Lines Network, B2B and Mobility Services. Mathieu Soulas is a graduate of France’s Ecole Polytechnique and IFPEN engineering schools.
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Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Soulas was appointed as a director pursuant to director designation rights granted to TMS in June 2018, in a transaction described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below. He brings to our Board significant renewable natural gas and energy industry experience, significant management skills and key relationships within the TotalEnergies group.
Vincent C. Taormina has served as a director of our Company since April 2008. Mr. Taormina is the former Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer of Taormina Industries, Inc., one of California’s largest solid waste and recycling companies. In 1997, Taormina Industries, Inc. merged with Republic Services, a publicly-held waste handling company that operates throughout the United States. Mr. Taormina served as Regional Vice President of Republic Services from 1997 to 2001, managing the overall operations of eleven western states. Since 2001, Mr. Taormina has served and continues to serve as a consultant to Republic Services and is a private investor. Mr. Taormina is a past President of the Orange County Solid Waste Management Association, past President Elect of the California Refuse Removal Council and a former board member of the Waste Recyclers Council for the National Solid Waste Management Board.
Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Taormina brings to our Board the perspective of a highly successful entrepreneur and industry leader in the refuse and recycling industry.
Selecting Our Director Nominees
Under its charter and our corporate governance guidelines, our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board, on an annual basis, the requisite skills and characteristics of potential new Board members, as well as the composition of the Board as a whole. This assessment includes an analysis of each member’s qualifications as a director and each member’s independence, as well as consideration of age, experience and other diversity factors in the context of the needs of the Board.
Minimum Criteria
Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines, a majority of our directors must meet the standards for independence as required by Nasdaq, and no director may serve on more than three other public company boards of directors unless approved in advance by the Board. Further, applicable Nasdaq rules provide that at least one member of our Board must meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules, and the members of certain of our Board committees must satisfy enhanced independence and financial expertise standards under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. We also believe all directors should possess the following attributes:
•
Professional ethics and values, consistent with our code of ethics (described below under “Corporate Governance — Code of Ethics”);
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A commitment to building stockholder value;
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Business acumen and broad experience and expertise at the policy-making level in one or more of the areas of particular consideration described under “Key Qualifications, Skills and Attributes” below;
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The ability to provide insights and practical wisdom based on the individual’s experience or expertise; and
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Sufficient time to effectively carry out duties as a Board member.
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, and the nominating and corporate governance committee may consider these factors and any such other factors as it deems appropriate. The nominating and corporate governance committee does, however, review the activities and associations of each potential director candidate to ensure there is no legal impediment, conflict of interest or other consideration that might hinder or prevent service on our Board.
Diversity
Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to Board diversity, the nominating and corporate governance committee strives to assemble a board of directors that brings to our Company a variety of perspectives, skills and expertise. To achieve this, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers individuals from various disciplines and backgrounds in recommending director nominees to the
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Board, including diversity characteristics that may be self-identified by directors or director nominees, such as race, gender, military service, or other socioeconomic or demographic characteristics. The nominating and corporate governance committee also seeks to recommend directors who possess a broad range of business, professional, governmental, community involvement and natural gas and energy industry experience.
The nominating and corporate governance committee assesses these and other factors as it deems appropriate in connection with its annual review of each director and the Board as a whole and takes these factors into account when determining whether to nominate existing directors for re-election in connection with this annual review. The nominating and corporate governance committee also takes these factors into account when considering any director nominee outside of its annual review process, such as when a vacancy exists on the Board or when a stockholder suggests a new director candidate that the committee or the Board decides to consider for a mid-year appointment. In addition, as part of its annual self-evaluation process, the nominating and corporate governance committee assesses its consideration of diversity in identifying and evaluating director candidates, including the key qualifications, skills and attributes that it aims for directors to possess.
The nominating and corporate governance committee is committed to further diversifying the Board across a number of metrics, including gender and representatives of underrepresented communities. Our Board has appointed three female directors since 2019, including Ms. Lizabeth Ardisana in December 2019, and each of Ms. Karine Boissy-Rousseau in December 2021, and Ms. Lorraine Paskett in December 2021. Three2021 (who resigned in May 2023). Two of our tennine current directors are female and twoone of our tennine current directors self-identify as an “underrepresented minority” as such term is defined by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f); among the nine directors nominated for election in this Proxy Statement, two are female and one self-identifies as an “underrepresented minority” as such term is defined by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(f).
Board Refreshment
Board members with a diversity of life experiences, backgrounds and gender are important to bring a variety of perspectives to our Board, as discussed above under “Diversity.” We aim to regularly bring new directors to our Board at a responsible pace to ensure the Board benefits from fresh ideas and perspectives, while balancing the importance of directors who have experience with our Company.
Board refreshment is a key matter considered during our annual Board and committee self-evaluations. We have refreshed a majority of our Board since 2018, including the retirement of three long-tenured directors and the appointment of three female directors since 2020.2018. The average tenure of our Board members is eight (8)eleven (11) years.
Key Qualifications, Skills and Attributes
The nominating and corporate governance committee regularly reviews the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the composition of the Board, our operating requirements, and the long-term interests of stockholders. When conducting its review of the key qualifications, skills and attributes desired of Board members, the nominating and corporate governance committee particularly considers:
| | Senior Leadership Experience: | | | Board members who have served in senior leadership positions, such as a chief executive officer, chairman, senior executive, or leader of significant operations, are important to us because they have the experience and perspective to analyze, shape and oversee the execution of important strategic, operational and policy issues. These Board members’ insights and guidance, and their ability to assess and respond to situations encountered by our Board, may be enhanced by leadership experience at complex businesses or organizations. | |
| | RNG and Conventional Natural Gas and Industry Experience: | | | Because we are seeking to drive adoption of RNG and conventional natural gas as a vehicle fuel by fleet vehicle operators, primarily in the trucking, airport, refuse, public transit, industrial and institutional energy user and government fleet markets, relevant education or experience in our industry is key for understanding our markets, strategy, risk management and operations. | |
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| | Government, Legal, Public Policy and Regulatory Expertise: | | | Board members who have served in government positions provide experience and insights that help us work constructively with governments and address significant public policy issues. Board members with a background in law can assist the Board and legal team in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding our legal and regulatory compliance and our engagement with regulatory authorities. | |
| | Financial Expertise: | | | Knowledge of financial markets, financing and funding operations and accounting and financial disclosure and reporting processes is important to have well-represented on our Board. This experience helps our Board members in understanding and overseeing our capital structure, financing and investing activities, as well as our financial reporting and internal controls. | |
| | Public and Private Company Board Experience: | | | Board members with public and private company board experience understand the dynamics and operations of a corporate board. These matters include the relationship of a company board with senior management personnel, the legal and regulatory landscape in which companies must operate, the importance of particular agenda and oversight issues, and how to oversee an ever-changing mix of strategic, operational and compliance-related matters. | |
From time to time, the nominating and corporate governance committee will also consider such other qualifications, skills and attributes as it deems appropriate given the needs of the Board and the Company to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience, background and capability.
Director Nominee Evaluations
At least annually, our nominating and corporate governance committee leads an evaluation of each of our directors and our Board as a whole and each of its committees. In evaluating whether a current director should continue to serve on our Board, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers a number of factors, including the minimum criteria and diversity goals described above and each director’s qualifications, skills and attributes in the areas identified by the committee as particularly important to our Board. In concluding that each of the director nominees should continue to serve as directors of the Company, the nominating and corporate governance committee considered their knowledge, experience and
expertise in these areas as indicated in the table below, which they gained from their professional backgrounds described under “Director Nominees” above.
| Director | | | Senior Leadership Experience | | | RNG and Natural Gas Industry Experience | | | Government, Legal and Regulatory Expertise | | | Financial Expertise | | | Company Board Experience | | |||||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | √ | | |
| Stephen A. Scully | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | |
| Lizabeth Ardisana | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | |
| Karine Boissy-Rousseau | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | √ | | |
| | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | |
| | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | |
| Kenneth M. Socha | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | √ | | |
| | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | √ | | | | | | √ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR ALL” THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES
NAMED IN THIS PROPOSAL 1
NAMED IN THIS PROPOSAL 1
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PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General
We are asking our stockholders to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.2024. KPMG LLP has audited our financial statements annually since 2001. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual MeetingMeeting. They will have the opportunity to answer appropriate questions and make a statement, if they desire to do so.so, and respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Although our amended and restated bylaws do not require that our stockholders approve the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, we are submitting the appointment of KPMG LLP to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If our stockholders vote against the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP, the audit committee of the Board may consider whether to retain the firm. Even if our stockholders ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the audit committee of the Board may choose to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the committee determines that such a change would, in its judgment, be in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services
The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to us for services rendered by KPMG LLP during the periods presented:
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |||||||||||||||||||
| | 2020 ($) | | 2021 ($) | | | 2022 ($) | | 2023 ($) | | |||||||||||||||||
| Audit Fees(1) | | | | 1,278,000 | | | | | 1,588,076 | | | | | | 1,866,235 | | | | | 1,889,995 | | | ||||
| Audit-Related Fees | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||
| Tax Fees | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||
| All Other Fees | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||
| Total | | | | 1,278,000 | | | | | 1,588,076 | | | | | | 1,866,235 | | | | | 1,889,995 | | | ||||
(1)
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and review of our interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports, the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, audits of stand-alone financial statements of certain of our subsidiaries, professional services rendered in connection with our filing of various registration statements (such as registration statements on Form S-8 and Form S-3, including related comfort letters) and other services that are normally provided by KPMG LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Pursuant to our audit committee charter, all audit and permitted non-audit and tax services, as well as the fees and terms of such services, that are provided by our independent registered public accounting firm are pre-approved by the audit committee of the Board. The audit committee may also delegate authority to grant pre-approvals to one or more audit committee members, provided that the pre-approvals are reported to the full audit committee at its regularly scheduled meetings. In considering such services for approval, the audit committee considers, among other things, whether the provision of the services is compatible with maintaining the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm.
All services provided by KPMG LLP in 20202022 and 20212023 were pre-approved by the audit committee in accordance with the foregoing pre-approval policy.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
KPMG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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PROPOSAL 3
ADVISORY, NON-BINDING VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules.
As described in detail under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate talented and dedicated executive officers; to reward individual performance and achievement of key corporate objectives without promoting excessive or unnecessary risk-taking; to align the interests of our executives with those of our stockholders; and to provide compensation that we believe is fair in light of an executive’s experience, responsibilities, performance and tenure with our Company and in relation to the compensation provided to other executives of our Company and certain peer companies. Under this program, determinations regarding each named executive officer’s compensation are based on, among other factors, the individual’s performance and contribution to our strategic plans and other business objectives; the Company’s overall performance, in light of business and industry conditions; general industry benchmarks and trends, including the compensation practices of certain peer companies; the level of the individual’s responsibility; the seniority of the individual; the individual’s long-term commitment to our Company; the available pool of individuals with similar skills; principles of pay equity and relative pay; the role of each compensation component in achieving the objectives of our executive compensation program; and the compensation committee’s business judgment and experience. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 32in this Proxy Statement for additional details about our executive compensation program.
We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. We believe the compensation of our named executive officers is appropriate and serves to both incentivize and retain our highly skilled executive leadership team. Attracting, retaining and motivating key executives is crucial to our success. This say-on-pay proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to indicate whether they approve of our named executive officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific component of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers and our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. Accordingly, we ask that our stockholders vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 20222024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure included therein.”
This say-on-pay proposal is being provided as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act and is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, the compensation committee or our Board in any way. Our Board and our compensation committee value the opinions of our stockholders, and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the compensation committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address these concerns.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF
OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC
OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC
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PROPOSAL 4
APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S
2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASECLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.
2024 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
2024 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
General
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the 2022 Employee Stock PurchaseClean Energy Fuels Corp. 2024 Performance Incentive Plan and the reservation of 2,500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the New ESPP. The New ESPP(the “2024 Plan”), which was adopted, by the Board, subject to stockholder approval, by our Board on April 6, 2022.March 27, 2024.
The Company believes that incentives and stock-based awards focus employees on the objective of creating stockholder value and promoting the success of the Company, and that incentive compensation plans like the proposed 2024 Plan are an important attraction, retention and motivation tool for participants in the plan.
The Company currently maintains the Clean Energy Fuels Corp. Employee Stock PurchaseAmended and Restated 2016 Performance Incentive Plan (the “Old ESPP”“2016 Plan”) and the Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”). As of March 15, 2022,2024, a total of 1,796,91221,475,022 shares of the Company’s common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2016 Plan, a total of 894,550 shares of the Company’s common stock were then subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2006 Plan and an additional 964,392 shares of the Company’s common stock were then available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan.
Our Board believes that the number of shares currently available under the 2016 Plan does not give the Company sufficient authority and flexibility to adequately provide for future incentives. If stockholders approve the 2024 Plan, no new awards will be granted under the 2016 Plan after the Annual Meeting. In that case, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that remain available for award grants under the 2016 Plan immediately prior to the Annual Meeting will become available for award grants under the 2024 Plan. An additional 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock will also be made available for award grants under the 2024 Plan. In addition, if stockholders approve the 2024 Plan, any shares of common stock were available for new option grantssubject to outstanding awards under the Old ESPP, before giving effect to outstanding purchase rights for2016 Plan or the currently in-progress offering period2006 Plan that expire, are cancelled, or otherwise terminate after the Annual Meeting will end on June 30, 2022. If stockholders approve the New ESPP, the Old ESPP will terminate following the conclusion of the currently in-progress offering period on June 30, 2022, and the shares available under the Old ESPP will no longeralso be available for option awardsaward grant purposes under either the Old ESPP or the New ESPP (i.e., the New ESPP does not have a “pour over” feature). 2024 Plan.
If stockholders do not approve the New ESPP,2024 Plan, the Company will continue to have the authority to grant new optionsawards under the Old ESPP until the term of the Old ESPP expires in 2023.2016 Plan. If stockholders approve the New ESPP,2024 Plan, the first offering periodtermination of our grant authority under the New ESPP is expected to begin on July 1, 2022.2016 Plan will not affect awards then outstanding under that plan.
The principal terms of the Company’s common shares during periodic “Offering Periods” as described below at a discount from the then current market price.2024 Plan are summarized below. The Board believes that the New ESPP will continue to help the Company retain and motivate eligible employees and will continue to help further align the interests of eligible employees with those of the Company’s stockholders. No purchase rights will be exercised and no shares will be issued under the New ESPP without stockholder approval.
The Administrator and as such will have fullhas broad authority to adopt such rules and procedures as it may deem necessary for proper plan administration and to interpret the provisions of the New ESPP.
•
to select eligible participants and determine the New ESPP (i.e., the New ESPP does not have a “pour over” feature).type(s) of award(s) that they are to receive;
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•
subject to the minimum vesting requirements described below, to determine any applicable vesting and exercise conditions for awards (including any applicable performance and/or time-based vesting or exercisability conditions) and the extent to which such conditions have been satisfied, or determine that no delayed vesting or exercise is required, to determine the circumstances in this paragraphwhich any performance-based goals (or the applicable measure of performance) will be adjusted and the nature and impact of any such adjustment, to establish the events (if any) on which exercisability or vesting may accelerate (including specified terminations of employment or service or other circumstances), and to accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all outstanding awards (subject in the case of options and stock appreciation rights to the maximum term of the award);
•
to cancel, modify, or waive the Company’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consents;
•
subject to the other provisions of the 2024 Plan, to make certain foreignadjustments to an outstanding award and to authorize the conversion, succession or substitution of an award;
•
to determine the method of payment of any purchase price for an award or shares of the Company’s common stock delivered under the 2024 Plan, as well as any tax-related items with respect to an award, which may be in the form of cash, check, or electronic funds transfer, by the delivery of already-owned shares of the Company’s common stock or by a reduction of the number of shares deliverable pursuant to the award, by services rendered by the recipient of the award, by notice and third-party payment or cashless exercise on such terms as the Administrator may authorize, or any other form permitted by law;
•
to modify the terms and conditions of any award, establish sub-plans and agreements and determine different terms and conditions that the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with laws in the countries where the Company or one of its subsidiaries operates or where one or more eligible participants reside or provide services;
•
to approve the form of any award agreements used under the 2024 Plan; and
•
to construe and interpret the 2024 Plan, make rules for the administration of the 2024 Plan, and make all other determinations for the administration of the 2024 Plan.
No Repricing. In no case (except due to an adjustment to reflect a stock split or other event referred to under “Adjustments” below, or any repricing that may be approved by stockholders) will the Administrator (1) amend an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right to reduce the exercise price or base price of the award, (2) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or other awards for the purpose of repricing the award, or (3) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for an option or stock appreciation right with an exercise or base price that is less than the exercise or base price of the original award.
Minimum Vesting Requirement. All awards granted under the 2024 Plan are subject to a minimum vesting requirement of one year and no portion of any award may vest earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date of the award. This minimum vesting requirement does not apply to 5% of the total number of shares under the 2024 Plan and does not limit or restrict the Administrator’s discretion to accelerate the vesting of any award in circumstances it determines to be appropriate.
Eligibility. Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2024 Plan include officers or employees allof the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. As of March 15, 2024, approximately 525 officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including all of the Company’s named executive officers), and each of the members of the Board who are eligible to participate in the New ESPP, except that the Plan Administrator may exclude from an offering period any individual who is regularly expected to work less than twenty hours per week or less than five months per calendar year in the employ ofnot employed by the Company or any subsidiary, any individual who has been employed less than 2 years, and certain highly compensated employeesof its subsidiaries (“Non-Employee Directors”), were considered eligible under the 2024 Plan.
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Aggregate Share Limit. The maximum number of shares of the CompanyCompany’s common stock that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the 2024 Plan equals the sum of the following (such total number of shares, the “Share Limit”):
•
4,000,000 shares, plus
•
the number of shares available for additional award grant purposes under the 2016 Plan as of the date of the Annual Meeting and determined immediately prior to the termination of the authority to grant new awards under that plan as of the date of the Annual Meeting, plus
•
the number of any subsidiary. An eligible employee may only join an offering periodshares subject to stock options granted under the 2016 Plan or the 2006 Plan and outstanding as of the date of the Annual Meeting which expire, or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, after the date of the Annual Meeting without being exercised (which, for purposes of clarity, will become available for award grants under the 2024 Plan on a one-for-one basis), plus
•
the number of any shares subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2016 Plan or the 2006 Plan that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Annual Meeting which are forfeited, terminated, cancelled, or otherwise reacquired after the date of the Annual Meeting without having become vested (with any such shares taken into account based on the start date of that period. Subsidiaries include any subsidiary corporation of the Company, whether now existing or hereafter organized, which elects, with the approval of the Plan Administrator, to extend the benefits of the New ESPP to their eligible employees. Employees who are citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction (without regard to whether he or she is also a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“Code”)) are ineligible to participate in the New ESPP if his or her participation is prohibited under the laws of the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction or if complying with the laws of the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction would cause the New ESPP or an offering to violate Section 423 of the Code.premium share-counting rule discussed below for full-value awards).
As of March 15, 2022, 4 executive officers2024, approximately 964,392 shares were available for additional award grant purposes under the 2016 Plan, approximately 19,590,827 shares were subject to stock options then outstanding under the 2016 Plan, approximately 894,550 shares were subject to stock options then outstanding under the 2006 Plan and approximately 4371,884,195 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards then outstanding under the 2016 Plan. As noted above, no additional awards will be granted under the 2016 Plan if stockholders approve the 2024 Plan.
Shares issued in respect of any “full-value award” granted under the 2024 Plan will be counted against the Share Limit as 1.5 shares for every one share actually issued in connection with the award. For example, if the Company granted a bonus of 100 shares of its common stock under the 2024 Plan, 150 shares would be counted against the Share Limit with respect to that award. For this purpose, a “full-value award” generally means any award granted under the 2024 Plan other employees were expected to be eligible to participatethan a stock option or stock appreciation right.
Additional Share Limits. The following other limits are also contained in the New ESPP.
•
The maximum number of shares that may authorize periodic payroll deductionsbe delivered pursuant to options qualified as incentive stock options granted under the plan is 4,000,000 shares. (For clarity, any shares issued in respect of incentive stock options granted under the plan will also count against the overall Share Limit above.)
•
The maximum number of shares subject to awards that mayare granted under the 2024 Plan during any one calendar year to any person who, on the grant date of the award, is a Non-Employee Director shall not exceed the lessernumber of (i) 10%shares that produce a grant date fair value for the award that, when combined with the grant date fair value of any other awards granted under the 2024 Plan during that same calendar year to that individual in his or her compensation,capacity as a Non-Employee Director, is $400,000, provided that this limit is $600,000 as to (1) a Non-Employee Director who is serving as the independent Chair of the Board of Directors or as a lead independent director at the time the applicable grant is made or (2) any new Non-Employee Director for the calendar year in which the non-employee director is definedfirst elected or appointed to the Board of Directors. For purposes of this limit, the “grant date fair value” of an award means the value of the award on the date of grant of the award determined using the equity award valuation principles applied in the New ESPPCompany’s financial reporting. This limit does not apply to, include his or her regular base salary in effect atand will be determined without taking into account, any award granted to an individual who, on the beginninggrant date of the offering period, exclusiveaward, is an officer or employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries. This limit applies on an individual basis and not on an aggregate basis to all Non-Employee Directors as a group.
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Share-Limit Counting Rules. The Share Limit of the 2024 Plan is subject to the following rules:
•
Shares that are subject to or underlie awards which expire or for any paymentsreason are cancelled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for overtime, bonuses, annualany other reason are not paid or delivered under the 2024 Plan will not be counted against the Share Limit and will again be available for subsequent awards other incentive payments, reimbursementsunder the 2024 Plan.
•
To the extent that shares are delivered pursuant to the exercise of expense allowances, fringe benefits (casha stock appreciation right granted under the 2024 Plan, the total number of underlying shares subject to the Award shall be counted against the Share Limit. (For purposes of clarity, if a stock appreciation right relates to 100,000 shares and is exercised at a time when the payment due to the participant is 15,000 shares, 100,000 shares shall be charged against the Share Limit with respect to such exercise.)
•
Shares that are exchanged by a participant or non-cash), moving expenses, deferred compensation, or contributions (other than contributions under a 401(k) or cafeteria plan) and (ii) such lesser amount determinedwithheld by the Company as full or partial payment in connection with any award granted under the 2024 Plan, Administrator per offering period. Aas well as any shares exchanged by a participant may increase or reduce hiswithheld by the Company to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any award granted under the 2024 Plan, will be counted against the Share Limit and will not again be available for subsequent awards under the 2024 Plan.
•
To the extent that an award is settled in cash or her ratea form other than shares, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement will not be counted against the Share Limit and will again be available for subsequent awards under the 2024 Plan.
•
In the event that shares are delivered in respect of payroll deductions during an offering period.
In addition, the 2024 Plan generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the 2024 Plan. The Company may not increase the applicable share limits of the 2024 Plan by repurchasing shares of common stock on the market (by using cash received through the exercise of stock options or otherwise).
Types of Awards. The 2024 Plan authorizes stock options, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common stock or units of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash bonus awards. The 2024 Plan retains flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be structured to be paid or settled in cash.
A stock option is the right to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the purchase price in effect for that period.
date of grant. The New ESPP imposes certain limitations uponmaximum term of an option is ten years from the date of grant. An option may either be an incentive stock option or a participant’s rightnonqualified stock option. Incentive stock option benefits are taxed differently from nonqualified stock options, as described under “Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards Under the 2024 Plan” below. Incentive stock options are also subject to acquire commonmore restrictive terms and are limited in amount by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the 2024 Plan. Incentive stock including the following limitations:
A stock appreciation right is the right to receive payment of its affiliates.
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receive shares of stock, or cash based on the fair market value of a share of stock), dividend equivalents which represent the right to receive a payment based on the dividends paid on a share of stock over a stated period of time, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, and cash awards.
Any awards under the 2024 Plan (including awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights) may be fully-vested at grant or may be subject to time- and/or performance-based vesting requirements.
Dividend Equivalents; Deferrals. The Administrator may provide for the deferred payment of awards, and may determine the other terms applicable to deferrals. The Administrator may provide that awards under the 2024 Plan (other than options or stock appreciation rights), and/or deferrals, earn dividends or dividend equivalents based on the amount of dividends paid on outstanding shares of Common Stock, provided that any dividends and/or dividend equivalents as to the portion of an award that is subject to unsatisfied vesting requirements will be subject to termination and forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the award to which they relate in the event the applicable vesting requirements are not satisfied (or, in the case of a restricted stock or similar award where the dividend must be paid as a matter of law, the dividend payment will be subject to forfeiture or repayment, as the case may be, if the related vesting conditions are not satisfied).
Assumption and Termination of Purchase Rights
No Limit on Other Authority. Except as expressly provided with respect to the termination of the Company,authority to grant new awards under the then-current offering period will terminate immediately prior to2016 Plan if stockholders approve the consummation of such dissolution or liquidation, unless otherwise provided by2024 Plan, the 2024 Plan Administrator. Indoes not limit the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, certain mergers, an acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company or a change in the composition of a majorityauthority of the Board following a contested election (each, a “Corporate Transaction”) during an offering period, all outstanding purchase rights shall be assumed by the successor corporation (or a parentof Directors or subsidiary thereof), unless the Plan Administrator determines, in its sole discretion,any committee to shorten the offering period then in-effect to a new purchase date. If the Plan Administrator shortens the offering period then in progress to a new purchase date, the Plan Administrator will provide notice to each participant that (i) hisgrant awards or her purchase right will be automatically exercised on the new purchase dateauthorize any other compensation, with or (ii) the Company will pay to him or her, on the new purchase date, cash, cash equivalents, or property as determined by the Plan Administrator that is equalwithout reference to the difference in the fair market value of the shares ofCompany’s common stock, covered by hisunder any other plan or her purchase right and the purchase price due had the purchase right been automatically exercised on the new purchase date.authority.
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Termination of or Changes to the outstanding shares of common stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares2024 Plan. The Board may amend or other change in corporate structure effected withoutterminate the Company’s receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments will be made to (i) the maximum number of securities issuable under the New ESPP, including the maximum number of securities issuable per participant on any one purchase date and (ii) the number of securities subject to each outstanding purchase right and the purchase price payable per share thereunder.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards under the 2024 Plan
describe the deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to the extent an award is subject to and does not satisfy those rules, nor does it describe state, local, or international tax consequences.
The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorized under the 2024 Plan generally follow certain basic patterns: nontransferable restricted stock subject to a Disqualifying Dispositionsubstantial risk of forfeiture results in income recognition equal to the shares at a price in excess of the fair market value over the price paid (if any) only at the time the restrictions lapse (unless the recipient elects to accelerate recognition as of the date of grant); bonuses, stock appreciation rights, cash and stock-based performance awards, dividend equivalents, stock units, and other types of awards are generally subject to tax at the time of payment; and compensation otherwise effectively deferred is taxed when paid. In each of the foregoing cases, the company will generally have a corresponding deduction at the time the participant recognizes income.
If an award is accelerated under the 2024 Plan in connection with a “change in control” (as this term is used under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), the company may not be permitted to deduct the portion of the compensation attributable to the acceleration (“parachute payments”) if it exceeds certain threshold limits under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (and certain related excise taxes may be triggered). Furthermore, under Section 162(m) of the Code, the aggregate compensation in excess of $1,000,000 payable to current or former Named Executive Officers (including amounts attributable to equity-based and other incentive awards) may not be deductible by the Company in certain circumstances.
Specific Benefits under the 2024 Performance Incentive Plan
The Company has not approved any awards that are conditioned upon stockholder approval of the 2024 Plan. The Company is not currently considering any other specific award grants under the 2024 Plan, other than the annual grants of stock options and restricted stock units to our Non-Employee Directors described in this Proxy Statement. If the 2024 Plan had been in existence in fiscal 2023, the Company expects that its award grants for fiscal 2023 would not have been substantially different from those actually made in that year under the 2016 Plan. For information regarding stock-based awards granted to the Company’s named executive officers and Non-Employee Directors during fiscal 2023, see the material under the heading “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” below.
The following paragraphs include additional information to help you assess the potential dilutive impact of the Company’s equity awards and the 2024 Plan.
The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan generally provides for broad-based participation by employees of the Company (and certain of its subsidiaries) and affords employees who elect to participate
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an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount. The discussion that follows in this “Specific Benefits” section does not include any shares that have been purchased under, may be purchased in the current purchase period under, or that remain available for issuance or delivery under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
“Overhang” refers to the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are subject to outstanding awards or remain available for new award grants. The following table shows the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock that were subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted under the 2016 Plan, that were subject to outstanding stock options granted under the 2016 Plan or the 2006 Plan and that were then available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan as of December 31, 2023 and as of March 15, 2024. (In this 2024 Plan proposal, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards granted during any particular period or outstanding on any particular date is presented based on the actual number of shares of the Company’s common stock covered by those awards and before applying the provisions of the 2016 Plan for counting these awards against the plan’s share limit as 1.5 for every share actually issued pursuant to the award. For awards subject to performance-based vesting requirements, the number of shares presented is based on the maximum level of performance.)
| | | | As of December 31, 2023 | | | As of March 15, 2024 | | ||||||
| Shares subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards) | | | | | 399,709 | | | | | | 1,884,195 | | |
| Shares subject to outstanding performance-based vesting restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Shares subject to outstanding stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options) | | | | | 12,560,577 | | | | | | 15,239,127 | | |
| Shares subject to outstanding performance-based vesting options | | | | | 5,265,000 | | | | | | 5,246,250 | | |
| Shares available for new award grants | | | | | 6,250,580 | | | | | | 964,392 | | |
As of December 31, 2023, a total of 18,225,286 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to all outstanding awards granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans (including the shares then subject to outstanding awards under the 2016 Plan and the 2006 Plan, as well as outstanding awards assumed by the Company in connection with acquisitions, but exclusive of shares that employees may purchase under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan), of which 399,709 shares were then subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), 12,560,577 shares were then subject to outstanding stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options), and 5,265,000 shares were then subject to outstanding performance-based vesting options. As of March 15, 2024, a total of 22,369,572 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to all outstanding awards granted under the Company’s equity compensation plans (including the shares then subject to outstanding awards under the 2016 Plan and the 2006 Plan, as well as outstanding awards assumed by the Company in connection with acquisitions, but exclusive of shares that employees may purchase under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan), of which 1,884,195 shares were then subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), 15,239,127 shares were then subject to outstanding stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options), and 5,246,250 shares were then subject to outstanding performance-based vesting options.
The weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding in each of the last three fiscal years was 213,118,694 shares issued and outstanding in 2021; 222,414,790 shares issued and outstanding in 2022; and 222,904,785 shares issued and outstanding in 2023. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 15, 2024 was 223,026,966 and 223,263,055 shares, respectively.
As of March 15, 2024, the weighted-average exercise price excluding performance-based vesting options was $5.06, and the weighted-average exercise price of performance-based vesting options was $6.77.
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As of March 15, 2024, the weighted-average remaining term excluding performance-based vesting options was 7.25 years, and the weighted-average remaining term of performance-based vesting options was 7.73 years.
“Burn rate” refers to the number of shares that are subject to awards that we grant over a particular period of time. The total number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to awards that the Company granted under the 2016 Plan in each of the last three fiscal years, and to date (as of March 15, 2024) for 2024, are as follows:
•
12,425,031 shares in 2021 (which was 5.83% of the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding in 2021), of which 898,771 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), 6,186,260 shares were subject to stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options), and 5,340,000 shares were subject to performance-based vesting options;
•
763,386 shares in 2022 (which was 0.34% of the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding in 2022), of which 31,650 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), and 731,736 shares were subject to stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options);
•
3,159,963 shares in 2023 (which was 1.42% of the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding in 2023), of which 129,524 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), and 3,030,439 shares were subject to stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options); and
•
4,733,850 shares in 2024 through March 15, 2024 (which was 2.12% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding on March 15, 2024), of which 1,748,000 shares were subject to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (excluding performance-based vesting awards), and 2,985,850 shares were subject to stock options (excluding performance-based vesting options).
Thus, the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock subject to awards granted under the 2016 Plan per year over the last three fiscal years (2021, 2022 and 2023) has been, on average, 2.53% of the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding for the corresponding year, and this percentage is consistent with the Company’s 2024 awards under the 2016 Plan through March 15, 2024 (which, as noted above, cover 2.12% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding shares on March 15, 2024. Performance-based vesting awards have been included above in the purchase date,year in which the participant will realize capital gainaward was granted. The actual number of shares subject to performance-based stock options that became eligible to vest each year because the applicable performance-based condition was satisfied in an amount equalthat year (subject to the difference betweensatisfaction of any applicable time-based vesting requirements) was as follows: zero in 2021, 410,000 in 2022, zero in 2023, and zero to date (as of March 15, 2024) in 2024.
The total number of shares of our common stock that were subject to awards granted under the selling price2016 Plan, the 2006 Plan and the 2002 Plan that terminated or expired, and thus became available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan, in each of the shareslast three fiscal years, and to date (as of March 15, 2024) in 2024, are as follows: 1,323,796 in 2021, 2,071,522 in 2022, 569,096 in 2023, and 315,098 in 2024. Shares subject to 2016 Plan, the 2006 Plan and the fair market2002 Plan awards that terminated or expired and became available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan have been included when information is presented in this 2024 Plan proposal on the number of shares available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan.
The Compensation Committee anticipates that the 4,000,000 additional shares requested for the 2024 Plan (together with the shares available for new award grants under the 2016 Plan on the Annual Meeting date and assuming usual levels of shares becoming available for new awards as a result of forfeitures of outstanding awards) will provide the Company with flexibility to continue to grant equity awards under the 2024 Plan through approximately the end of 2025 (reserving sufficient shares to cover potential payment of performance-based awards at maximum payment levels). However, this is only an estimate, in the Company’s judgment, based on current circumstances. The total number of shares that are subject to the Company’s award grants in any one year or from year-to-year may change based on a number of variables,
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including, without limitation, the value of the Company’s common stock (since higher stock prices generally require that fewer shares on the purchase date. Alternatively, if the participant makes a Disqualifying Dispositionbe issued to produce awards of the shares atsame grant date fair value), changes in competitors’ compensation practices or changes in compensation practices in the market generally, changes in the number of employees, changes in the number of directors and officers, whether and the extent to which vesting conditions applicable to equity-based awards are satisfied, acquisition activity and the need to grant awards to new employees in connection with acquisitions, the need to attract, retain and incentivize key talent, the type of awards the Company grants, and how the Company chooses to balance total compensation between cash and equity-based awards.
The closing market price for a price less than the fair market valueshare of the shares on the purchase date, the participant will realize a capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market valueCompany’s common stock as of March 15, 2024 was $2.52 per share.
Vote Required for Approval of the shares on2024 Performance Incentive Plan
Our Board believes that the purchase ate and the selling priceadoption of the shares. The2024 Plan will promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders and will nothelp the Company and its subsidiaries continue to be entitledable to a tax deduction with respectattract, retain and reward persons important to any capital gain realized by a participant.
All members of ourthe Board and all of the Company’s executive officers are eligible to participate infor awards under the New ESPP2024 Plan and thus have a personal interest in the approval of the New ESPP.2024 Plan.
OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW ESPP AND THE
RESERVATION OF 2,500,000 SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE
NEW ESPP,2024 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN AS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND SET FORTH IN ANNEX A HERETO.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board and Committee Composition
The following sets forth certain key features of the composition of our Board and its standing committees:
| | | | | Board Committees | | | | | Board Committees | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Board of Directors | | Audit(1) | | Compensation(1) | | Nominating and Corporate Governance | | | Board of Directors | | Audit(1) | | Compensation(1) | | Nominating and Corporate Governance | | ||||||||
| Directors: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| Stephen A. Scully | | ♦, I | | •, ▲ | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Stephen A. Scully (Chairman of the Board) | | I | | √ | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Lizabeth Ardisana | | I | | | | © | | • | | | I | | | | C | | √ | | ||||||||
| Karine Boissy-Rousseau | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| Patrick J. Ford | | I | | F | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| James C. Miller III | | I | | ©, ▲ | | | | | | | | | C; F | | | | | | ||||||||
| Lorraine Paskett | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Kenneth M. Socha | | I | | | | • | | • | | | | | | | √ | | √ | | ||||||||
| Mathieu Soulas | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Vincent C. Taormina | | I | | • | | | | © | | | I | | √ | | √ | | C | | ||||||||
| Parker A. Weil | | I | | •, ▲ | | • | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Laurent Wolffsheim | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Former Directors:(2) | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Philippe Charleux | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| John S. Herrington | | I | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Maurisse | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Philippe Montantême | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Observer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| Anne de Peyrelongue(3) | | | | √ | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Anne de Peyrelongue(2) | | | | O | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Meetings: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| Held in 2021(4) | | 5(5) | | 4 | | 5 | | 2 | | |||||||||||||||||
| Held in 2023(3) | | 4(4) | | 4 | | 4 | | 3 | | |||||||||||||||||
I
Determined by our Board to be an independent director, within the meaning of applicable rules of Nasdaq.
C
Committee Chair.
F
O
Observer.
(1)
Our Board has determined that each member of the audit and compensation committees satisfies the enhanced independence standards applicable to members of such a committee under, and, with respect to the compensation committee, considering the factors set forth in Nasdaq and SEC rules. In addition, our Board has determined that each member of the audit committee has sufficient knowledge in reading and understanding the Company’s financial statements to serve on such committee, and each member of the compensation committee is a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an outside director as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code.
(2)
Ms. de Peyrelongue, the Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs and Americas at TMS, was appointed as an observer of the audit committee in September 2021 pursuant to TMS’ director and observer designation rights, described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below. Ms. de Peyrelongue replaced Henri Max Ndong-Nzue who served as an observer on the audit committee from February 2020 until September 2021.
(3)
Each director, other than Mr. Soulas, attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and allthe applicable committees on which each he or she served that were held in 2021.2023. Mr. Soulas was appointed at, and attended, the September 2023 meeting of the Board of Directors and was not able to attend the final meeting of the Board in 2023.
(4)
Our directorsBoard typically holdholds at least two executive sessions each year and held fourtwo such executive sessions in 2021.2023.
Board Committees
We have established the following active committees: an audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee. Our Board also creates committees from time to time to oversee financing transactions or other significant corporate matters. Our Board and audit committee generally meet at least quarterly, and our other committees meet on an as-needed basis. Each of the Board committees has the responsibilities described below. Copies of the current charters of the audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee, as adopted by the Board, are accessible on our website at http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance.
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Audit Committee
We believe the functioning of our audit committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and with all applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The functions of this committee include:
•
Appointing, compensating, retaining, approving and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•
Assessing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;
•
Discussing our annual audited and quarterly financial statements and the conduct of each audit with management, our internal finance department and our independent registered public accounting firm;
•
Overseeing our information technology and cybersecurity;
•
Establishing procedures for employees to anonymously submit concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters;
•
Periodically reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm and with management our financial reporting processes and internal controls;
•
Based on its review and discussions with management, the internal finance staff and the independent auditor, recommending to the Board whether the Company’s financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other annual report to stockholders;
•
Producing the audit committee report required by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K for inclusion in the Company’s Annual Report or this Proxy Statement;
•
Discussing our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management; and
•
Reviewing, overseeing and approving all related-party transactions (as such term is defined in applicable SEC rules).
Compensation Committee
We believe the functioning of our compensation committee complies with all applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The functions of this committee include:
•
Reviewing and approving all of our compensation plans, employment and severance agreements, policies and programs as they affect our executive officers;
•
Administering our equity incentive plans and employee stock purchase plans;
•
Retaining and assessing the independence of any compensation consultants or advisors;
•
Reviewing and approving the fees and other compensation paid to our independent directors;
•
Reviewing and discussing with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required to be included in this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and, based on such review, recommending to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be so included;
•
Producing the compensation committee report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement in compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC;
•
Monitoring our compliance with the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 relating to loans to directors and officers, and with all other applicable laws affecting employee compensation and benefits; and
•
Overseeing our compliance with SEC rules and regulations regarding stockholder approval of certain executive compensation matters.
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The compensation committee may designate one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of two or more members of the compensation committee and may generally delegate its authority to any such subcommittee(s).
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
We believe the functioning of our nominating and corporate governance committee complies with all applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The functions of this committee include:
•
Developing and recommending to the Board criteria to be used in screening and evaluating potential director candidates;
•
Reviewing, evaluating and recommending to the Board qualified director candidates;
•
Establishing and overseeing a policy for considering stockholder nominees for director, and evaluating any such nominees;
•
Monitoring and reviewing any issues regarding director independence or involving potential conflicts of interest; and
•
Reviewing and making recommendations about changes to the charters of other Board committees after consultation with the respective committee chairs;
•
Ensuring that continuing education is available for directors, at the Company’s cost;
•
Developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance guidelines and a code of ethics and reviewing and recommending changes to these documents as appropriate.appropriate; and
•
Recommend to the Board from time to time other compliance policies and guidelines as appropriate or necessary to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws or regulations or securities listing requirements.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board has determined that our current structure of separating the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. Mr. Scully has served as Chairman of the Board since January 2018; and Mr. Littlefair has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since June 2001. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Scully focuses on organizing Board activities to enable the Board to effectively provide guidance to and oversight (including risk oversight) and accountability of management. The Chairman of the Board, among other things, creates and maintains an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management and with the other members of the Board, provides the Chief Executive Officer ongoing direction regarding Board needs, interests and opinions, and ensures the Board agenda is appropriately directed toward matters significant to the Company. Separating the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer allows Mr. Littlefair, as Chief Executive Officer, to focus on managing the day-to-day direction and implementing the long-term strategic goals of the Company.
The functions of the Board are carried out by the full Board and, when delegated, by the Board’s committees. Each director is a full and equal participant in the major strategic and policy decisions of our Company.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
Risk is inherent in every business. We face a number of risks, including business, operational, strategic, competitive, financial, political, legislative, environmental, safety and regulatory risks, as well as risks related to compensation, cybersecurity threats or incidents, capital expenditures, derivative transactions, commodity-based exposures, acquisitions or other strategic transactions and financing and other liquidity matters. In general, our management is responsible for the day-to-day management of the risks we face, while our Board, as a whole and through its committees, is responsible for the oversight of risk management.
In its risk oversight role, the Board and each of its committees regularly review and discuss, internally and with management, the material short-, intermediate-, and long-term risks confronting our business,
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based on reports prepared and delivered by management and outside advisors that address these risks and other information deemed relevant. The Board also monitors our risk management and corporate governance policies, including the day-to-day risk management processes designed and implemented by management, and generally evaluates how management operates our Company with respect to risk exposures. These risks and risk management policies are also reviewed and
analyzed in depth by the Board at an annual strategic planning session with members of senior management. Due to the dynamic nature of risk and the business environment generally, management regularly updates the Board on key enterprise risks. Board and committee agendas and meeting materials are updated throughout the year so that emerging enterprise risks may be reviewed and discussed at the relevant times. This process facilitates the Board’s ability to fulfill its oversight responsibilities of the Company’s risks in a timely and effective manner. The Board considers the risks and vulnerabilities we face when granting authority to management and approving business strategies and particular transactions. Additionally, the full Board oversees our initiatives and risk management activities relating to sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Board performs its risk oversight function in part through its committees, which are comprised solely of independent directors. Each Board committee’s risk oversight role is as follows:
•
The audit committee oversees management of risks related to our financial reporting, disclosure processes and accounting policies, and information technology and cybersecurity, as well as any related party or conflict-of-interest transactions;
•
The compensation committee oversees management of risks related to our compensation practices and policies; and
•
The nominating and corporate governance committee oversees management of risks related to Board processes and composition, including director independence, and corporate governance matters.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a written code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and other employees, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers and controller or persons performing similar functions. This code of ethics establishes policies to promote honest and ethical conduct and is designed to comply with applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The nominating and corporate governance committee reviews our code of ethics periodically and may propose or adopt additions or amendments that it determines are required or appropriate.
Our code of ethics is accessible on our website at
http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance. We expect that any amendments to or waivers from certain provisions of our code of ethics applicable to any principal executive, financial or accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions will be disclosed on our website to the extent required by applicable Nasdaq or SEC rules.
http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance. We expect that any amendments to or waivers from certain provisions of our code of ethics applicable to any principal executive, financial or accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions will be disclosed on our website to the extent required by applicable Nasdaq or SEC rules.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
We have adopted written corporate governance guidelines that set forth standards for director qualifications and responsibilities, Board committees, Board leadership structure, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, Chief Executive Officer evaluation and management succession, Board self-evaluations, Board oversight of the Company’s strategic planning, and director and officer stock ownership, among other things. The nominating and corporate governance committee reviews our corporate governance guidelines periodically and may from time to time propose or adopt additions or amendments it determines are required or appropriate. Our corporate governance guidelines are accessible on our website at http://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance.
Board Evaluations
At least annually, our nominating and corporate governance committee leads an evaluation of each of our directors and our Board as a whole and each of its committees. As part of this evaluation, the Board considers the areas in which the Board believes it could improve. Each of our committees also conducts an evaluation of itself at least annually.
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Board Diversity Matrix (as of April 4, 2024)
While our Board has no formal policy for the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, the nominating and corporate governance committee seeks to have a board of directors that will reflect a balance of experience, qualifications, diversity, attributes and skills desirable for the Board as a whole. To achieve this, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers individuals from various disciplines and backgrounds in recommending director nominees to the Board, including diversity characteristics that may be self-identified by directors or director nominees, such as race, gender, military service, or other socioeconomic or demographic characteristics.
| | Board Size | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total Number of Directors | | | 9 | | | | | | | | |||
| | Part I: Gender Identity | | | Female | | | Male | | | Non-Binary | | | Did Not Disclose Gender | |
| | Directors | | | 2 | | | 7 | | | — | | | — | |
| | Part II: Demographic Background | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | African American or Black | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Alaskan Native or American Indian | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Asian | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Hispanic or Latinx | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | White | | | 1 | | | 7 | | | — | | | — | |
| | Two or More Races or Ethnicities | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | LGBTQ+ | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Chief Executive Officer Evaluation and Management Succession
Our Board works with our nominating and corporate governance committee to evaluate potential successors to our Chief Executive Officer and to ensure that a CEOChief Executive Officer succession plan is in place. Our Chief Executive Officer also makes available his recommendations and evaluations of potential successors, as well as reviews any development plans recommended for such individuals.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
We have adopted a formal process by which stockholders and interested parties may communicate with our Board, which is accessible on our website at
http:
https://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance/contact-the-board. This centralized process assists the Board in reviewing and responding to communications from stockholders and other interested parties in an appropriate manner. Communications to the Board must be in writing and mailed to our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices. The communication can be addressed to one or more individual directors or to the Board as a group, and the name of any specific intended recipient(s) should be noted in the communication. Communications submitted by postal mail may be anonymous. The Corporate Secretary typically reviews all such communications and will forward them to the Board or any identified individual director(s), unless any such communication is deemed to be, in the Corporate Secretary’s discretion, unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board or unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable for Board consideration.
https://investors.cleanenergyfuels.com/corporate-governance/contact-the-board. This centralized process assists the Board in reviewing and responding to communications from stockholders and other interested parties in an appropriate manner. Communications to the Board must be in writing and mailed to our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices. The communication can be addressed to one or more individual directors or to the Board as a group, and the name of any specific intended recipient(s) should be noted in the communication. Communications submitted by postal mail may be anonymous. The Corporate Secretary typically reviews all such communications and will forward them to the Board or any identified individual director(s), unless any such communication is deemed to be, in the Corporate Secretary’s discretion, unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board or unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable for Board consideration.
Director Nomination Process
Our Board, as a whole and through our nominating and corporate governance committee, is responsible for identifying, evaluating and recommending nominees to serve as directors of our Company.
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Identifying and Evaluating Director Nominees
Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board and recommending these candidates to our Board for nomination
or appointment. Our nominating and corporate governance committee may utilize a variety of methods to identify potential director candidates. For example, candidates may come to the attention of the nominating and corporate governance committee through current members of the Board, executive officers, professional search firms, stockholders or others. These candidates may be evaluated and considered by our nominating and corporate governance committee at any point during the year, including in connection with each annual meeting of our stockholders. For each such annual meeting, the nominating and corporate governance committee recommends to our Board certain director nominees to stand for election at the annual meeting based on the committee’s evaluation of all potential director candidates, including incumbent directors. The Board then selects its director nominees based on its determination, relying on the recommendation of and other information provided by the nominating and corporate governance committee as it deems appropriate, of the suitability of each potential director candidate to serve as a director of our Company.
Stockholder Recommendations of Director Candidates
In accordance with its charter, our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for considering and evaluating properly submitted stockholder recommendations of candidates for Board membership. Any such recommendation of director candidates for nomination by the Board in connection with our next annual meeting of stockholders should be made in writing by January 1st of the applicable year and delivered or mailed to our Corporate Secretary at the address of our principal executive offices, and should include the name, address and a current resume of the proposed director candidate, a statement describing the candidate’s qualifications and consent to serve on our Board if selected as a director nominee, and contact information for personal and professional references. The submission should also include the name and address of the stockholder who is submitting the proposed director candidate, the number of shares of our common stock that are owned of record or beneficially by the submitting stockholder and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the submitting stockholder and the proposed director candidate. We may also request that any proposed director candidate and any stockholder proposing a director candidate furnish us with such other information as may reasonably be required for our nominating and corporate governance committee to determine the eligibility of such proposed director candidate to serve as a director of our Company.
All properly submitted stockholder recommendations will be aggregated together and with any other director candidates proposed by other sources, for consideration and evaluation by our nominating and corporate governance committee and will receive the same consideration by our nominating and corporate governance committee as is received by any other director candidate. In evaluating all director candidates, the nominating and corporate governance committee will consider, among other things, the director qualifications set forth in our corporate governance guidelines, as described in “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” above. Any stockholder-recommended director candidate that is selected by our nominating and corporate governance committee would be recommended by the committee as a director nominee to the Board, which would then consider and evaluate the candidate in the same manner and based on the same criteria and qualifications as other prospective director candidates. If approved by the Board, the stockholder-recommended candidate would be appointed as a director to a vacant seat on the Board or included in the Board’s slate of director nominees to stand for election at our next annual meeting of stockholders.
A stockholder who wishes to nominate a director must comply with all applicable requirements set forth in our amended and Safety
restated bylaws. In accordance with these requirements, any stockholder nomination of a director must be made in writing and delivered to or mailed and received by our Corporate Secretary at the third quarter of 2020, Clean Energy worked with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) to develop a robust and ambitious sustainability strategy. To do so, a materiality assessment was conducted that helped us determine which environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues have the greatest impact on our business success and where we have the most impact on stakeholders. The resultant list of key material issues from the assessment was used to form the foundationaddress of our sustainability vision, strategy and goals,principal executive offices within a specified time period before the annual meeting of stockholders at which Clean Energy looksthe director nominee is to continue building upon as new emerging issues come to light. Inbe up for election. See “Stockholder Proposals for 2025 Annual Meeting” below for information about these time periods in connection with our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. Any such recommendation must include the summer of 2022, we expect to publish a sustainability report on our website at www.cleanenergyfuels.com, which will highlight the efforts of different teams across the organization and provide information on our 2021 performance on material ESG issues.following information:
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as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director:
•
the name, age, business address and residence address of such person;
•
the principal occupation or employment of such person;
•
the class and number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially owned by such person;
•
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and such person and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder; and
•
any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the Proxy Statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected);
•
as to the stockholder making the recommendation, the name and address of record of the stockholder, the class and number of shares of the Company’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder, any material interest of the stockholder in the nomination and any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with his recommendation of a director candidate; and
•
as to the stockholder making the recommendation and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any member of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household, (1) whether and the extent to which any Relevant Hedge Transaction (defined below) has been entered into by or on behalf of any such person, (2) whether and the extent to which any such person has direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any Derivative Instrument (defined below), (3) any rights to dividends on our shares owned beneficially by any such person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares, (4) any proportionate interest in our shares or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which any such person is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (5) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which any such person is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of our shares or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of the recommendation (which information shall be supplemented by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date), where, for purposes of these requirements, the following terms have the following meanings:
•
A “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder is (i) any person controlling or controlled by, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of our stock owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Stockholder Associated Person;
•
A “Relevant Hedge Transaction” is any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, but not limited to, any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss or increase profit to or manage the risk or benefit of stock price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, any person with respect to any share of our stock; and
•
A “Derivative Instrument” is any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of our shares, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of our capital stock or otherwise, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of our shares.
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Sustainability
Our vision is to deliver renewable transportation fuel for a cleaner, safer, more equitable tomorrow. We launched our strategy and goals to drive progress across three pillars: fueling the transition to renewable energy in transportation, building the workforce for the future of renewable energy, and advancing smart policies that drive the transformation to renewable fuels.
In 2021,2023, we continued to focus on building trusted partnerships with our stakeholders to help achieve progress towards our goals, as well as on improving our operations to align with our sustainability goals. We recognize that our environmental impact includes more than our products and that we must foster a culture of sustainability in our operations.everything we do. Each of the three pillars of our sustainability strategy incorporates parts of our own business operations, to ensure that our advocacy and external progress in sustainability is aligned with our internal operations.
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INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names of our executive officers, their ages as of the date of this Proxy Statement, their current positions and offices with our Company and, for executive officers who are not also members of our Board, other information about their backgrounds are shown below. We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers, which are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment Agreements” below, that establish, among other things, each executive officer’s term of office. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our executive officers and any other person pursuant to which such individual was or is selected as an officer of our Company.
| Name | | | Age | | | Position(s) and Office(s) | |
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | | |
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | | Chief Financial Officer | | |
| | | ||||||
| | | Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Head of Renewable Fuels | |
Robert M. Vreeland has served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2014. From 2012 to 2014, Mr. Vreeland served as our Vice President, Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Vreeland was a consultant at RV CPA Services, PLLC, a provider of certified public accounting services. From 1997 to 2009, Mr. Vreeland held various finance and accounting positions at Hypercom, an electronic payment and digital transactions service provider, including Interim Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller, Senior Vice President, Operations, and Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to joining Hypercom, Mr. Vreeland spent 12 years at Coopers & Lybrand, an accounting firm that later merged to become PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Vreeland earned a B.S. from Northern Arizona University and is a certified public accountant.
Barclay F. Corbus has served as our Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Head of Renewable Fuels since December 2021. From September 2007Prior to December 2021,that, Mr. Corbus served as our Senior Vice President, Strategic Development.Development from September 2007 to December 2021. From July 2003 to September 2007, Mr. Corbus served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and a director of WR Hambrecht + Co, an investment bank that managed our initial public offering. Mr. Corbus joined WR Hambrecht + Co in 1999 and, from October 2000 to July 2003, Mr. Corbus served as Head of Investment Banking of WR Hambrecht + Co. From 1989 to 1999, Mr. Corbus worked with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Corbus serves as a director of Overstock.com,Beyond, Inc., a publicly traded company, and is a Trustee of the College of the Atlantic. He has previously served on the boards of Alaska Energy and Resources Co, Niman Ranch, and Goodwill of San Francisco. Mr. Corbus earned an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
This compensation discussion and analysis describes the material features of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each person who served as our principal executive officer (Andrew J. Littlefair)Littlefair, our President and Chief Executive Officer) or principal financial officer (Robert M. Vreeland)Vreeland, our Chief Financial Officer) in 2021,2023, and the only two other individuals who were serving as executive officers at the end of 20212023 or at any time during the 20212023 calendar year (Mitchell W. Pratt, who served in an executive officer role as Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary until May 2023 and then transitioned to a non-executive officer role, and Barclay F. Corbus)Corbus, our Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Head of Renewable Fuels). Messrs. Littlefair, Vreeland, Pratt and Corbus are collectively referred to in this proxy statement as our “named executive officers.” This analysis also discusses our compensation philosophy and objectives, the methodologies used for establishing the compensation programs for the named executive officers, and the policies and practices for administering such programs.
Business
We are a leading renewable energy company focused on the procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas (“RNG”) and conventional natural gas, in the form of compressed natural gas (“CNG”) and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), for the United States (“U.S.”) and Canadian transportation markets. RNG, which is delivered as either CNG or LNG, is created by the recovery and processing of naturally occurring, environmentally detrimental waste methane (“biogas”) from non-fossil fuel sources — such as dairy and other livestock waste and landfills — for beneficial use as a replacement for fossil-based transportation fuels. Methane is one of the most potent climate-harming greenhouse gases (“GHG”) with a comparative impact on global warming that is about 25 times more powerful than that of carbon dioxide. We are focused on developing, owning, and operating dairy and other livestock waste RNG projects and supplying RNG to our customers in the heavy and medium-duty commercial transportation sectors. We have participated in the alternative vehicle fuels industry for over 20 years. We believe we are in a unique position because valuable Environmental Credits (as defined below) are generated by the party that dispenses RNG into vehicle fuel tanks, and we believe we have access to more dispensers than any other market participant.
We believe we were the first organization to supply RNG for vehicle fuel use in the U.S., and sales of our RNG for such purpose have increased from 13.0 million gasoline gallon equivalents (“GGEs”) in 2013 to 225.7 million GGEs in 2023. We calculate one GGE to equal 125,000 British Thermal Units (“BTUs”) and, as such, one million BTUs (“MMBTU”) equals eight GGEs. We are North America’s leading provider of the cleanest fuel for the commercial transportation market, based on both the number of stations operatedwe operate and the amount of gasoline gallon equivalents (“GGEs”)GGEs sold of RNG, CNG and conventional natural gas delivered. Through our salesLNG, which amounted to a total of RNG, which is derived from biogenic methane produced by the breakdown of organic waste, we help thousands of vehicles, from airport shuttles to city buses to waste and heavy-duty trucks, to reduce their amount of climate-harming greenhouse gas, while also reducing criteria pollutants such as Oxides of Nitrogen, or NOx. RNG is delivered as compressed natural gas (“CNG”) and liquefied natural gas (“LNG”). Our sales of RNG have increased dramatically, from 13.0466.2 million GGEs in 2013 (the year we introduced2023. With the Company’s focus on RNG, to the vehicle fuel market) to 167.0 million GGEs in 2021. The Company’sour sales of RNG have grown from 12% of our vehicle fuel sales in 2013 to 78%89% of our vehicle fuel sales in 2021.2023 (excluding GGEs from O&M (as defined below) services sales and non-vehicle sales). We believe that during 20212023 we provided 58%53% and 47% of the RNG used for transportation fuel in California and the United States,U.S., respectively. Our business uniquely benefits from the U.S. federal, state and local government credits generated by selling RNG as a vehicle fuel (collectively, “Environmental Credits”), which are generated by the party that dispenses RNG into vehicle fuel tanks. We believe we have access to more dispensers than any other market participant.
As a comprehensive clean energy solutions provider, we supply RNG and conventional natural gas, in the form of CNG and LNG, for heavy and medium-duty vehicles;also design and build, as well as operate and maintain (“O&M”), public and private vehicle fueling stations;stations in the U.S. and Canada; sell and service compressors and other equipment used in RNG production and at fueling stations; transport and sell RNG and conventional natural gas via “virtual” natural gas pipelines and interconnects; sell Environmental CreditsU.S. federal, state and local government credits (collectively, “Environmental Credits”) we generate;generate by selling RNG as a vehicle fuel, including Renewable Identification Numbers (“RIN Credits” or “RINs”) under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard Phase 2 and credits under the California, Oregon, and Washington Low Carbon Fuel Standards (collectively, “LCFS Credits”); and obtain other federal, state and local tax credits, grants and incentives.
We serve fleet vehicle operators in a variety of markets, including heavy-duty trucking, airports, refuse, public transit, industrial and public transit.institutional energy users, and government fleets. We believe these fleet markets will continue to present a growth opportunity for our vehicle fuels for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2021, we deliver RNG to the transportation market through 548 fueling stations we own, operate or supply in 42 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S., including over 200 stations in California
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Key 2021-20222023 Pay Decisions
Key pay decisions for 2021 and 20222023 include the following:
•
Base salaries: For 20212023, the compensation committee maintainedapproved no salary increase for Mr. Littlefair’sLittlefair (whose salary had not been adjusted since he elected to take a voluntary pay reduction in February 2015); a 3.5% salary increase for Mr. Vreeland; a 1% salary increase for Mr. Pratt; and a 4.4% salary increase for Mr. Corbus. On May 17, 2023, Mr. Pratt executed an amended and restated employment agreement which included an incremental 5.5% increase over his 2022 base salary atlevel in connection with his 2020 level (it has been at the same level since 2015) and increased the base salaries of Messrs. Vreeland, Pratt and Corbus by 13%, 8% and 8%, respectively.transition to Chief Technology Development Officer.
•
Performance-based cash bonuses: Based on our performance results achieved for 2021,2023, the compensation committee awarded cash incentives under our 20212023 performance-based cash incentive plan to our named executive officers abovebelow each executive’s target incentive.
•
Equity awards: In the first quarter of 2021,2023 the compensation committee granted RSUs andequity awards in the form of stock options to our named executive officers, in accordance with our regular grants of long-term incentives to employees.
Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy
Our compensation committee oversees the design and administration of our executive compensation program. The primary objectives of our executive officer compensation program are to attract, retain and motivate talented and dedicated executive officers; to reward individual performance and achievement of key corporate objectives, including the objectives set forth in our annual strategic plan, without promoting excessive or unnecessary risk-taking; to align the interests of our executivesexecutive officers with those of our stockholders; and to provide compensation that we believe is fair in light of an executive’sexecutive officer’s experience, responsibilities, performance and tenure with our Company and in relation to the compensation provided to other executives of our Company and comparable executives at certain peer companies.
To achieve these objectives, we maintain an executive compensation program that includes the following components: base salary, cash incentives, equity incentives, change in control and post-termination severance compensation and other benefits. The compensation program also places a strong emphasis on pay-for-performance, as a significant portion of executive compensation must be earned through the annual cash bonus opportunity, and our equity incentives have high upside upon achieving share price appreciation. The compensation committee developed our executive compensation program by drawing on its experience and judgment in establishing programs it believes are appropriately rewarding and responsible for a growth company in a developing industry. The compensation committee reviews and evaluates our executive compensation program, including its objectives and the forms of compensation used to achieve these objectives, on at least an annual basis, and adjusts the program as it deems appropriate and considers factors relevant in establishing appropriate levels and mix of compensation for our executives.executive officers.
Process for Determining Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee’s Role
The compensation committee’s general practice is to establish the annual compensation mix and levels for each of our executivesexecutive officers at the beginning of each fiscal year, typically in our first quarter in connection with annual performance reviews. Performing this process after the end of the prior year allows the compensation committee to incorporate into its analysis information on the Company’s and each individual’s performance during the prior year and to assess each executive’sexecutive officer’s overall contributions to the Company.
The compensation committee then compiles this information to establish annual base compensation and performance-related targets and to adjust long-term incentives as appropriate. However, as discussed above and below,In 2023, the compensation committee spent significant time in the third and fourth quarter of 2021 evaluating the structure of our long-term equity incentive awards, and in connection with the introduction of two new types of performance-based options, determined to grant the named executive officers their long-term incentive award in December of 2021. Because of the December grants, the compensation committee determined it will not grant any additional equity awards to named executive officers in calendar 2022.
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Management’s Role
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In determining the mix and level of compensation components for our named executive officers, Mr. Littlefair, our President and Chief Executive Officer, typically makes recommendations to our compensation committee regarding appropriate pay. After reviewing Mr. Littlefair’s recommendations, our compensation committee makes the final determination regarding compensation mix and levels for each of our named executive officers. Although Mr. Littlefair submits recommendations to the compensation committee regarding his own proposed compensation, which the committee takes under advisement, Mr. Littlefair does not participate in the compensation committee’s deliberations regarding his own compensation. Additionally, the financial performance criteria of our annual incentive plan are prepared by our Chief Financial Officer based on our annual budget, and the strategic initiatives are developed by our Chief Executive Officer, with the plan design and targets ultimately being approved by the compensation committee.
Mr. Littlefair’s recommendations and the compensation committee’s decisions regarding the mix and level of compensation components for each of our named executive officers are based on a number of factors, including, among others, the individual’s performance and contribution to our strategic plan and other business objectives; the Company’s overall performance in light of business and industry conditions; general industry trends and market reference points; the level of the individual’s responsibility; the seniority of the individual; the individual’s long-term commitment to our Company; the available pool of individuals with similar skills; retention risk for the individual; principles of pay equity and relative pay (we generally believe that executives with comparable experience, levels of responsibility and performance deserve comparable compensation, and that more experienced executives with a greater degree of responsibility and higher performance levels deserve higher levels of compensation on a relative basis); the role of each compensation component in achieving the objectives of our executive compensation program; and the compensation committee’s business judgment and experience.
Compensation Consultant
Our compensation committee has the authority to engage the services of compensation consultants or other experts or advisors as it deems appropriate in fulfilling its responsibilities and has retained the services of Semler Brossy. The compensation committee has the sole authority to approve the terms of this engagement, and Semler Brossy reports to the compensation committee only under this engagement and does not provide any additional services to us other than its work for the compensation committee. Before engaging Semler Brossy, the compensation committee determined that Semler Brossy was independent and that its work would not raise any conflicts of interest after taking into consideration the factors set forth in applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. In 2023, Semler Brossy assisted as part of the engagement and supported the compensation committee in determining our Board of Director pay levels and compensation plan, reviewing our peer group for 2024 compensation actions, analyzing our equity pool usage, providing executive pay benchmarking to help inform 2024 compensation decisions for the executive team, and supported on various other ad hoc and governance-related items.
Peer Group
Selecting a group of our peer companies is challenging for many reasons, including principally our belief that there are few publicly traded companies in our line of business. In selecting our peer companies for compensation purposes, our compensation committee generally sought to identify companies that are similar to us across a number of metrics and that, in the compensation committee’s view, compete with us for talent.
In 2022, based on Semler Brossy’s recommendations, the compensation committee approved the following 21 companies as our peer companies that were used for 2023 for compensation purposes, which we refer to collectively as the “2023 Peer Group.” When the compensation committee performed an analysis to determine which companies to include in the 2023 Peer Group, the compensation committee concluded that the previous peer group continued to include the most relevant companies for compensation comparison
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purposes; however, Covanta Holding Corporation and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. were each removed from the peer group because they had been acquired and no longer remain independent publicly traded companies.
| | Aemetis, Inc. | | | AeroVironment, Inc. | | | Ameresco, Inc. | |
| | Ballard Power Systems, Inc. | | | Battalion Oil Corporation | | | Bloom Energy Corporation | |
| | Broadwind, Inc. | | | Callon Petroleum Company | | | Darling Ingredients, Inc. | |
| | Enphase Energy, Inc. | | | FuelCell Energy, Inc. | | | Gevo, Inc. | |
| | Green Plains, Inc. | | | Montauk Renewables, Inc. | | | Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. | |
| | Ormat Technologies, Inc. | | | Plug Power, Inc. | | | Power Solutions International, Inc. | |
| | Rice Acquisition Corp. | | | Westport Fuel Systems, Inc. | | | W&T Offshore, Inc. | |
The compensation committee believes benchmarking may not always be the most appropriate tool for setting compensation due to aspects of our business, objectives, and the way we’ve structured executive roles that may be unique to us. The compensation committee considers internal equity, individual performance, tenure, recent pay levels, and input from our CEO and from our compensation consultant, among other factors, in determining final pay levels. The executive pay levels included in this proxy statement were determined based on all of the above factors, in conjunction with considering the peer group as stated above. As a result, the compensation committee retains discretion to vary executive compensation components and levels.
For compensation decisions in 2023, the compensation committee did not tie named executive officer compensation (either specific elements of compensation or total compensation levels) to any predetermined benchmark.
Review of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes
Consistent with the preference of our stockholders, which was most recently expressed at our annual meeting of stockholders held in May 2023, our stockholders can cast an advisory vote on executive compensation, or a “say-on-pay” vote, once every year. At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held in May 2023, our executive compensation received a favorable advisory vote from approximately 89.7% of the votes cast on the proposal at the meeting (which excludes abstentions and broker non-votes).
We believe the high degree of support on our 2023 say-on-pay proposal demonstrates that stockholders support our executive compensation program design.
We actively engage with our stockholders to discuss various compensation and governance matters and consider their feedback in determining named executive officer compensation. The compensation committee will also continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes, as well as this direct stockholder input, when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers and in respect of our compensation program generally.
Components of Compensation
Our named executive officers’ compensation consists of the following components:
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Base salary:
•
Performance-based annual cash incentives;
•
Equity incentives;
•
Change in control and post-termination severance compensation; and
•
Other benefits that are generally available to all of our salaried employees.
The compensation committee views the various components of compensation as distinct methods of achieving the various objectives of our compensation program and, as a result, it generally does not believe significant compensation derived from one component should negate or reduce compensation from other
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components. The compensation committee does, however, review and evaluate each executive’s total compensation, and it may make decisions regarding levels of certain compensation components based on this evaluation of overall compensation, including, for instance, determinations regarding target levels under our performance-based cash incentive plan. The compensation committee also strives to provide an appropriate mix of long-term and short-term, cash and non-cash, and different forms of non-cash compensation; however, the compensation committee has not adopted formal plans or programs that allocate total compensation among these various characteristics.
Base Salary
We provide base salaries to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge, and responsibilities of our named executive officers; reward individual performance and contribution to our overall business goals; and retain our executives. The compensation committee reviews base salaries annually and relies on its judgment and discretion in determining the amount of each named executive officer’s base salary. Proposed base salaries are prepared by Mr. Littlefair and recommended to the compensation committee for its consideration and approval.
Base salaries for our named executive officers in 20202022 and 20212023 are as follows:
| Named Executive Officer | | 2020 Base Salary ($) | | 2021 Base Salary ($) | | | 2022 Base Salary ($) | | 2023 Base Salary ($) | | ||||||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | 700,812 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | 700,812 | | | ||||
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | 400,000 | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | 465,750 | | | ||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | 481,268 | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | 550,000 | | | ||||
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | 443,415 | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | 500,000 | | | ||||
(1)
The base salary increase for Mr. Pratt includes an increase made in connection with his transition to the role of Chief Technology Development Officer in May 2023.
Cash Incentives
Our compensation committee believes cash incentives are important to focus our management on, and reward our executives for, achieving Company financial and strategic objectives on an annual basis, as well as to deliver adequate retention value when combined with our other incentive programs, which may be denominated in equity and/or designed to incentivize performance over a longer term than annually. The compensation committee has the discretion to determine performance criteria, consider factors and developments it deems relevant and award overall cash incentives in the amounts it deems appropriate.
Each year our compensation committee approves a performance-based cash incentive plan and pays incentives after reviewing our performance with respect to the criteria set forth in the plan. Further, our compensation committee may, in its discretion, award additional special discretionary cash incentives for extraordinary efforts or performance by our named executive officers that the compensation committee believes are not otherwise covered by the performance criteria in our performance-based cash incentive plan. No discretionary cash incentive awards were made for 20212023 performance.
As further detailed in the table below, based on our performance for 2021,2023, the compensation committee awarded Mr. Littlefair ana cash incentive under our performance-based plan equal to approximately 108%62% of his target (or “middle”) incentive and awarded the other named executive officers ana cash incentive under our performance-based plan equal to approximately 106%60% of their target (or “middle”) incentives for 2021.2023, as indicated below.
| Name | | | Target Incentive | | | Percent of Target Incentive Paid | | | Total Payout | | |||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | $ | 778,680 | | | | | | 108% | | | | | $ | 839,337 | | |
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | $ | 315,000 | | | | | | 106% | | | | | $ | 334,611 | | |
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | $ | 363,838 | | | | | | 106% | | | | | $ | 386,490 | | |
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | $ | 335,222 | | | | | | 106% | | | | | $ | 356,092 | | |
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| Name | | | Target Incentive | | | Percent of Target Incentive Paid | | | Total Payout | | |||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | $ | 778,680(1) | | | | | | 62% | | | | | $ | 482,811 | | |
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | $ | 326,025 | | | | | | 60% | | | | | $ | 195,589 | | |
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | $ | 385,000 | | | | | | 60% | | | | | $ | 230,970 | | |
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | $ | 300,000 | | | | | | 60% | | | | | $ | 209,973 | | |
(1)
Mr. Littlefair’s base salary used for purposes of cash performance bonus calculations was $778,680, which was his salary before taking a 10% voluntary pay reduction in 2015.
In February of 2021,April 2023, the compensation committee approved a 2023 performance-based cash incentive plan that included base, middle and maximum performance targets for each of the quantitative performance metrics described below. This was a returnbelow, noting that for 2023 the financial results for NG Advantage were evaluated separately and excluded from the 2023 performance-based cash incentive plan. The 2023 plan had the same design as our 2022 performance-based cash incentive plan, including the discretion afforded to our historic incentive plan design,compensation committee in determining performance criteria, performance targets, and unlike in 2020, we did not include any specific COVID-adjusted targets for 2021.actual payouts.
For 2021,2023, the total potential cash incentive award under our performance-based cash incentive plan for each of our named executive officers was based on the following, (theexclusive of the financial performance criteria are prepared by our Chief Financial Officer based on our annual budget, as amended, and the strategic initiatives are developed by our Chief Executive Officer):results for NG Advantage:
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15% was based on the volume of RNG we delivered;
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10% was based on our volume margin, as defined below;
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5% was based on the volume-related, O&M services margin, as defined below; and
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5% was based on the volume-related, O&M services margin percentage, as defined below.
We believe this combination of objective financial performance criteria that include both revenue and profitability measures, combined with tying a portion of the incentive to the achievement of strategic objectives, appropriately incentivized the named executive officers to achieve our business objectives for 2021.2023.
Performance Criteria. For 2021, weCriteria for 2023:
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Adjusted EBITDA: We defined adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Clean Energy, plus (minus) income tax expense (benefit), plus interest expense (including any losses from the extinguishment of debt), minus interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus non-cash incentive contra-revenue charges (Amazon warrant charges), plus stock-based compensation expense, plus (minus) loss (income) from the SAFE&CEC S.r.l. equity method investments, and plus (minus) any loss (gain) from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Calculation of 2023 Adjusted EBITDA” below in this Proxy Statement for the calculation of our 2023 adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), which is the most comparable GAAP financial measure.
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Strategic Initiatives: Our strategic initiatives included winning a substantial portion of major fleet fueling business for natural gas vehicles, assisting and capitalizing on the introduction of the Cummins 15-liter engine, securing long-term RNG sources and driving RNG growth pipeline, lowering RNG project costs, working with state governments to maintain successful RNG policy, working to maximize RNG production tax credits, working with states to develop additional low carbon fuel standard (“LCFS”) programs, and solidifying our hydrogen strategy and position ourselves for opportunities.
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Fuel Volume (in GGEs): We defined the volume of GGEs of RNG, CNG and LNGnatural gas fuel we delivered as (1) the volume of GGEs we sell to our customers as fuel, plus (2) the volume of GGEs dispensed at
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facilities we do not own but where we provide operation and maintenance services on a per-gallon or fixed fee basis, plus (3) our proportionate share of the GGEs sold as CNG by our joint venture, Mansfield Clean Energy Partners, LLC.
RNG Volume (in GGEs): We defined RNG volume as the amount of renewable natural gas fuel, in GGEs, delivered to our customers.
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Fuel Volume Margin per GGE: We defined fuel volume margin as gross profit margin from the volumes of natural gas and RNG CNG and LNGfuel we delivered, excluding gross profit margin from certain royalties and from our sales of credits we generate under federal and state programs by selling RNG and conventional RNG, CNG and LNG as a vehicle fuel, divided by the volumes of RNG, CNG and LNG we delivered (where “gross profit margin” is our fuel volume-related revenue, less our volume-related costexclusive of sales).
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Volume-related, O&M services Margin: We defined volume-related, O&M services margin as gross profit margin from performing maintenance services on customer-owned fueling stations.
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Volume-related, O&M services Margin %: We define volume-related, O&M services margin percentage as gross volume-related O&M services revenue, less any costs to perform those services, divided by the calculation of our 2021 adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), which is the most comparable GAAP financial measure.
gross volume-related O&M services revenue.The base, middle and maximum targets for the performance criteria under the incentive plan approved by our compensation committee for 2021,2023, as well as our actual performance for these criteria, are set forth in the following table. The middle target for each of our three financial performance criteria was set materially above our 2020 actual performance results, and required the executives to significantly improve on our 2020 actual performance results in order to earn a middle (target) bonus payment.
| Performance Criteria | | Weighting | | Base Target | | Middle Target | | Maximum Target | | Actual Performance | | | Weighting | | Base Target | | Middle Target | | Maximum Target | | Actual Performance(3) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | | | | 33% | | | | $ | 44.0 | | | | $ | 55.4 | | | | $ | 66.0 | | | | $ | 57.0 | | | | | | 30% | | | | $ | 47,000 | | | | $ | 52,200 | | | | $ | 60,000 | | | | $ | 39,448 | | | ||||||||||
| Strategic Initiatives | | | | 20% | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volume (in GGEs)(1) | | | | 25% | | | | | 395.0 | | | | | 415.7 | | | | | 436.0 | | | | | 402.6 | | | | | | 15% | | | | | 268,000 | | | | | 281,800 | | | | | 296,000 | | | | | 254,664 | | | ||||||||||
| Volume Margin per GGE(1) | | | | 20% | | | | $ | 0.228 | | | | $ | 0.237 | | | | $ | 0.252 | | | | $ | 0.261 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategic Initiatives | | | | 22% | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RNG Volume (in GGEs)(1) | | | | 15% | | | | | 222,000 | | | | | 234,000 | | | | | 246,000 | | | | | 225,689 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel Volume Margin per Gallon (in GGEs)(1)(2) | | | | 10% | | | | $ | 0.397 | | | | $ | 0.420 | | | | $ | 0.445 | | | | $ | 0.444 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volume-related, O&M services Margin | | | | 5% | | | | $ | 17,800 | | | | $ | 18,800 | | | | $ | 19,900 | | | | $ | 18,941 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volume-related, O&M services Margin % | | | | 5% | | | | | 38.1% | | | | | 40.3% | | | | | 42.6% | | | | | 36% | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Target and actual performance amounts shown in millions.
(2)
Excludes changes in fair value of derivative instruments and Amazon warrant charges; includes margin from fuel sales, RIN credits, LCFS credits, and AFTC.
(3)
Actual Performance excluding the actual performance of NG Advantage.
If each of the fourseven performance criteria are achieved at the base performance level, Mr. Littlefair would be entitled to an incentive payment equal to 70% of his target bonus (Mr. Littlefair’s base salary for purposes of bonus calculations was $778,680, which was his base salary before taking a 10% voluntary pay reduction in 2015), while the other named executive officers would be entitled to an incentive payment equal to 50% of their base salaries. If each of the fourseven performance criteria are achieved at the middle (target) performance level, Mr. Littlefair would be entitled to an incentive payment equal to 100% of his target bonus, while the other named executive officers would be entitled to an incentive payment equal to 70% of their base salaries. The maximum incentive payment for Mr. Littlefair is equal to 150% of his target bonus, and the maximum incentive payment for thewhile other named executive officers isexecutives can receive up to approximately 143% of their target bonuses resulting in a payout equal to 100% of their base salaries. Payouts for performance between the base and middle performance levels and between the middle and maximum performance levels are interpolated on a straight-line basis.linearly interpolated.
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Adjusted EBITDA: Our company achieved approximately 103% ofbelow the middlebase target for adjusted EBITDA, which was in-between our middle and maximum targets.EBITDA. This adjusted EBITDA performance resulted in an above targetno payout for this performance measure.
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Strategic Initiatives: The compensation committee determined that the named executive officers made significant progress on each of the strategic initiatives and decided that a payout equal to 100% of the middlemaximum target amount for the strategic initiativesinitiatives’ performance measure was appropriate. This payout level
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Fuel Volume (in GGEs): Our company achieved below the base target for the strategic initiatives was lower than the blendedvolume performance measure. This volume performance resulted in no payout level achieved for the three financialthis performance measures.measure.
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Equity Incentives
We believe long-term performance motivation is achieved through an ownership culture that encourages performance by our named executive officers through the use of stock-based awards. Our equity incentive plans have been established to provide certain of our employees, including our named executive officers, with incentives designed to align these employees’ interests with the interests of our stockholders. In general, the compensation committee develops its equity award determinations based on its judgments as to whether these equity awards are sufficient to further our ownership culture, appropriately align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders and retain, motivate, and adequately reward our executives on a long-term basis.
We have historically granted our named executive officers a combination of stock options and RSUs.RSUs, although in the past several years our named executive officers have received exclusively stock options. These awards are subject to both time-based and performance-based vesting requirements, and the compensation committee has exercised its judgment on the weighting of stock options relative to RSUs in any given year.
| | Time and Performance-Based Stock Options: | | | • Afford the recipient the option to purchase shares of our common stock at a stated price per share. • All stock option awards granted under our equity incentive plans include an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the applicable grant date, and the grant date is always on or after the date of compensation committee approval. • Time-based stock option awards granted to our named executive officers typically vest at a rate of 34% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and 33% on each subsequent anniversary until fully vested, subject to the named executive officer’s continued service for our Company at each vesting date. • The vesting of performance-based options granted to our named executive officers generally requires the achievement of objective performance targets or the attainment of a premium price per common share that is set as a multiple of the closing price of a share of common stock on the grant date. | |
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| | Time and | | | • Full-value awards that represent the contingent right to receive shares of our common stock upon achievement of stated vesting criteria. • Time-based RSU awards granted to our named executive officers typically vest at a rate of 34% on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and |
33% on each subsequent anniversary until fully vested, subject to the named executive officer’s continued service for our Company at each vesting date. • The vesting of performance-based RSUs granted to our named executive officers generally requires the achievement of objective performance targets or the attainment of a premium price per common share that is set as a multiple of the closing price of a share of common stock on the grant date. The vesting of performance-based RSUs is also subject to the named executive officer’s continued service for our Company at each vesting date. | |
Equity Awards Granted in 20212023
In January 2021,February 2023, the compensation committee awarded time-based RSUs and stock options to our named executive officers in the amounts set forth in the table below. The compensation committee granted stock option and RSU awards with time-based vesting in orderofficers. In 2023, our equity grants to provide greater certainty of vesting and value while still incentivizing long-term performance over time, after taking into account the status of our named executive officers’ then-outstanding equity awards, volatility in our stock price due to general market and industry conditions, the greater valueofficers consisted entirely of RSUs to executives due to their full-value nature, and the need for stock price appreciation to provide any value with stock option awards. For the January grants, the mix of RSUs and stock options was determined based onthat vest over 3 years and expire at the factors described above, with a target proportionend of 40% of the total shares subject to each executive’s equity awards being in the form of RSUs and 60% of the total shares subject to each executive’s equity awards being in the form of stock options.
10 years. These RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan and a Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, and vest according to the typical three-year vesting schedule described above. These stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan and a Notice of Grant of Stock Option and Stock Option Agreement, haveinclude an exercise price of $10.18 per share, and vest accordingequal to the typical three-year vesting schedule described above.
| Named Executive Officer | | | Number of RSUs | | | Grant Date Value of RSUs ($) | | | Number of Stock Options | | | Grant Date Value of Stock Options ($) | | ||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | 122,400 | | | | | | 1,246,032 | | | | | | 183,600 | | | | | | 1,417,392 | | |
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | | 792,072 | | |
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | | 792,072 | | |
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | | 792,072 | | |
| Executive | | | Stock Options Granted | | | Grant Date Fair Value | | | Strike Price | | |||||||||
| Andrew Littlefair | | | | | 187,500 | | | | | $ | 738,750 | | | | | $ | 5.69 | | |
| Robert Vreeland | | | | | 112,500 | | | | | $ | 443,250 | | | | | $ | 5.69 | | |
| Mitchell Pratt | | | | | 112,500 | | | | | $ | 443,250 | | | | | $ | 5.69 | | |
| Barclay Corbus | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | $ | 985,000 | | | | | $ | 5.69 | | |
In addition to his stock option award, Mr. Pratt was also granted an equity award in the Company’s subsidiary, CLNE PlasmaFlow Holdings, LLC. In connection with Mr. Pratt’s transition from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Technology Development Officer in May 2023, he is expected to devote a portion of his time to growing the CLNE PlasmaFlow business, and this separate equity award was intended as an incentive to motivate Mr. Pratt to drive value creation in this portion of the Company’s business. Mr. Pratt’s CLNE PlasmaFlow equity award is structured as a “profits interest” and vested immediately upon grant.
Current Performance of 2021 Performance Stock Options
In December of 2021, the compensation committee met and it determinedawarded two performance-based stock options as additional long-term incentives to our named executive officers. At that time, the Company was at a critical juncture, and the compensation committee determined that it was of primary importance to incentivize the named executive officers to (1) create long-term stockholder value by increasing the Company’s price per share and (2) strategically execute on expanding the Company’s RNG business over the long-term.long term and to create long term stockholder value by increasing the Company’s price per share. These awards have the following performance characteristics:
1) RNG Performance Options — The compensation committee decided to introduce two new types of performance-based stock option awards into our executive compensation program, and made grants of these performance-based stock option awards along with additional time-based stock options to each of the named executive officers in December. The December grants represent the largest component of each named executive officer’s 2021 compensation andRNG performance Options are intended to provide a meaningful performance-based equity incentive over a number of years going forward to incentivize the executives to execute our transformative strategy. Although the size of the December grants was larger than our historical grants, over 50% of the grant date value of each executive’s grant (and approximately 66% of the grant date value of Mr. Littlefair’s grant) will only vest and have any value to the executives if we are able to increase the closing price of our common stock by a greater than 100% premium above the closing price on the grant date.
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additional 15 million GGEs of RNG supply via investment for a total of 45 million GGEs and the final tranche will vest if we secure an additional 15 million GGEs of RNG supply via investment for a total of 60 million GGEs). We believe these represent challenging multi-year goals that if the named executive officers are able to achieve, will help drive our transformative strategic plan and the achievement of our future RNG volume, revenue and income goals. Each named executive officer must also remain in continued service for our Company at each vesting date in order to vest. As of the record date of the Annual Meeting, one tranche of these options have vested — however, because the strike price on the date of grant — $6.77 — is greater than our trending share price, these options are currently underwater. We believe these options still hold motivational and retentive value to our executives given our belief in the long-term growth potential of the business.
2) Premium Share Price Performance Options — The second new performance-based option was the largest component of each executive’s December grant and is structuredPremium Share Price Performance options are intended to incentivize long-termthe appreciation in the value of our shares. The vesting of 100% of each grant is subject to our attainment of a stock price representing a greater than 100% premium above the closing price of a share of common stock on the grant date. In order for these performance-based options to vest, we must achieve an average closing price equal to or above $14.00 per share over a twenty consecutive trading day period. Each named executive officer must also remain in continued service for our Company on the vesting date in order to vest.
| Named Executive Officer | | | Number of Time-Based Options | | | Number of RNG Options | | | Number of Premium Share Price Options | | | Grant Date Value of Stock Options ($) | | ||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | | 1,000,000 | | | | | | 6,537,500 | | |
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | 375,000 | | | | | | 2,826,750 | | |
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | 375,000 | | | | | | 2,826,750 | | |
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | 200,000 | | | | | | 375,000 | | | | | | 2,941,250 | | |
Change in Control and Post-Termination Severance Compensation
Our employment agreements with our named executive officers, described under “Employment Agreements” below, provide them certain benefits if their employment is terminated, including a termination following a change in control but excluding a termination by the Company for cause or a voluntary termination by the named executive officer without good reason. The compensation committee believes these benefits are important tools for retaining the services of our named executive officers and helping to align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders. The details and amounts of these benefits are described below under “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”
All equity awards granted to our named executive officers after November 2014 including the RSUs and stock options awarded to our named executive officers in 2021, are subject to double-trigger vesting upon a change in control. The compensation committee previously determined to modify the standard vesting provisions of our named executive officers’ equity awards from “single-trigger” to “double-trigger” vesting in connection with a change in control because it believes double-trigger vesting more accurately reflects current market practices but still provides appropriate benefits to executives in the event of a termination in connection with a change in control, and is thus in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. Further, we do not provide any excise tax “gross-up” payments to our executives in connection with a change in control.
Other Benefits
We appreciate the tremendous value and contributions of our employees, and we believe providing a competitive employee benefits program is one of our most important investments. As a result, we offer an employee benefits program with a wide range of plans designed to promote the health and personal welfare of all employees, including our named executive officers. Participation in these plans is generally available to all of our employees on the same basis. The Company provides minimal perquisites to executives which are noted in the description of “All Other Compensation” disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 45.of this Proxy Statement.
Employment Agreements
We entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers on December 31, 2015.2015 (and entered into an amended employment agreement with Mr. Pratt in May 2023 in connection with his transition to a non-executive officer position). These employment agreements have the following key terms:
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Each employment agreement, other than Mr. Pratt’s, is passed its initial three-year term and now automatically renews on December 31 for additional one-year periods (unless either party provides
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notice of non-renewal). The initial term of Mr. Pratt’s employment agreement runs through May 17, 2025 and automatically renews thereafter for additional one-year periods (unless either party provides notice of non-renewal).
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Each named executive officer is entitled to receive an annual base salary of no less than his base salary in 2015.2015, other than Mr. Pratt, who is entitled to receive an annual base salary of no less than his base salary under the new employment agreement, $550,000.
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Each named executive officer is eligible to receive an annual cash incentive of up to a specified percentage of his then-current annual base salary under the terms of our performance-based cash incentive plan in effect for the applicable year. Mr. Littlefair is eligible to receive 70%, 100% or 150% of $778,680 for our achievement of the base, middle and maximum performance targets, respectively, and we consider achievement of the middle performance targets to be Mr. Littlefair’s target incentive amount; each of Messrs. Vreeland, Pratt, and Corbus is eligible to receive 50%, 70% or 100% of his respective base salary for our achievement of the base, middle and maximum performance targets, respectively, and we consider achievement of the middle performance targets to be Messrs. Vreeland’s Pratt’s, and Corbus’ target incentive amount.
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Each named executive officer would be entitled to receive certain severance compensation and benefits under certain circumstances upon a termination of the named executive officer’s employment with us. The details of this severance are described below under “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” The employment agreements condition severance payments on a so-called “double-trigger” upon a change in control. The employment agreements also do not include any “gross-up” provision for any excise taxes that may be triggered in connection with a change in control under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, and instead include a “best-net” cutback provision under which benefits are reduced to avoid triggering any such excise taxes unless the after-tax benefit is greater to the named executive officer without the cutback. The compensation committee determined that these terms are appropriate because they better align our severance and change of control payment practices with current market expectations and the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders, while still providing a level of benefits the compensation committee believes is fair and reasonable and maintaining the retention value of these benefits.
Other Compensation Policies
Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines
We believe it is important to encourage our named executive officers to hold a material amount of our common stock, which links their long-term economic interest directly to that of our stockholders. To achieve
this goal, we have established stock ownership guidelines applicable to our named executive officers. The compensation committee recently examined our current stock ownership guideline levels relative to market practice and made adjustments to further align executive interests with our stockholders. These updated guidelines provide that our Chief Executive Officer is required to own shares of our common stock valued at threefive times his annual base salary (vs. three, previously) or more, and each of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President, Strategic Development, and Senior Vice President, Sales, in each case if any person is appointed in such position,other named executive officers is required to own shares of our common stock valued at one and one half times his annual base salary (vs. one, previously) or more. Such level of ownership must be attained by the later of December 14, 2019 andwithin five years after the date of an executive officer’s initial appointment as such. Stock options are not counted toward satisfaction of these stock ownership requirements. Executives who attain the applicable stock ownership level by the stated deadline will continue to satisfy the stock ownership requirements if the value of their stock holdings declines after such deadline solely due to a decrease in the trading price of our common stock. Each of our named executive officers had satisfied these stock ownership guidelines as of the record date forRecord Date.
We have also adopted an equity award grant policy that we believe aligns with best corporate governance practices. Our general policy is to grant equity awards no less than 1 business day after the filing of our Annual Meeting.Report filed on Form 10-K, although we do have the discretion to grant equity awards at other times if determined to be appropriate by the compensation committee.
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Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities
Our policies do not permit any of our executive officers or directors to “hedge” ownership of our securities by engaging in short sales or trading in put options, call options or other derivatives involving our securities. This means that our employees and directors may not purchase financial instruments or otherwise engage in transactions that hedge or offset, or are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of our equity securities. Further, our policies do not permit an executive officer or director to hold our securities in a margin account or pledge our securities as collateral for a loan unless the executive officer or director demonstrates to our satisfaction financial capacity to substitute other assets for Company securities in the event of a failure to meet a margin call or a default on the loan.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, none of our directors or executive officers has pledged any of the shares of our common stock he or she owns.
Clawback Policy
The compensation committee has adopted a formal clawback policy regarding recoupment, or a “clawback,” of cash compensation in certain circumstances. Our clawback policy was amended in 2023 to comply with the latest SEC and NASDAQ clawback policy requirements. The purpose of this clawback policy is to help ensure that executives act in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The clawback policy requires certain of our officers, including our named executive officers, to repay or return any cash incentive or other incentive cash compensation awarded to or received by such officer(s) in the event we issue a restatement of our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements and the restatement was caused by such officer’s fraud, intentional misconduct or gross negligence. In each case, the officer(s) would be required to repay or return the incentive cash compensation awarded to or received by the officer during the 12-month period following the filing of the erroneous financial statement at issue. Pursuant to the clawback policy, in the event of any restatement of our financial statements, the compensation committee would consider a number of factors and exercise its business judgment in determining appropriate amounts, if any, to recoup. Further, the compensation committee retains the discretion to adjust or recover awards or payments if the relevant performance measures on which they are based are restated or are otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of the award or payment. The clawback policy applies to cash compensation awarded to our officers from and after the date of its adoption.
Tax and Accounting Effects
In designing our compensation programs, the compensation committee considers the financial impact and tax and accounting effects that each element of compensation will or may have on the Company and our executives. One such area the compensation committee considers is the tax deductibility of each component of executive compensation. Prior to December 22, 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) was signed into law, Section 162(m) generally prohibited us from taking a tax deduction in any tax year for compensation paid to certain executive officers that exceeded $1,000,000, unless the compensation was payable only upon the achievement of pre-established, objective performance goals under a plan approved by our stockholders. As a result, we believe certain stock option and RSU awards we granted to our named executive officers before the impact of the TCJA have qualified as performance-basedperformance- based compensation under Section 162(m), although there is no guarantee that such equity awards, or any
other performance-based compensation paid to our named executive officers, qualify as such. Under the TCJA, the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) has been repealed, so that the $1,000,000 limit on tax deductions in a tax year generally applies to anyone serving as our chief executive officer or our chief financial officer at any time during a taxable year as well as our top three other highest-compensated executive officers serving at fiscal year-end. These changes generally do not apply to compensation provided pursuant to a binding written contract in effect on November 2, 2017 that is not modified in any material respect after that date. The compensation committee reserves the discretion to make any executive compensation decisions that it considers to be in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders, including to award compensation that may not be deductible or to amend existing compensation arrangements in a manner that could limit their deductibility.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
We, the compensation committee of the Board of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (set forth above) with management of the Company, and based on such review and discussion, have recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee:
Lizabeth A. Ardisana, Chairman
Kenneth M. Socha
Vincent C. Taormina
Lizabeth A. Ardisana, Chairman
Kenneth M. Socha
Vincent C. Taormina
This compensation committee report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act, other than as provided by applicable SEC rules, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically request that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. This compensation committee report will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each of our named executive officers for 2019, 20202021, 2022 and 2021:2023:
| Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Bonus ($) | | Stock Awards ($)(1) | | Option Awards ($)(1) | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | | Total ($) | | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Stock Awards ($)(1) | | Option Awards ($)(1) | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) | | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | | Total ($) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andrew J. Littlefair President and Chief Executive Officer | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | — | | | | | 1,246,032 | | | | | 7,954,892 | | | | | 839,337 | | | | | 70,120 | | | | | 10,811,193 | | | | | | | 2023 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | — | | | | | 738,750 | | | | | 482,811 | | | | | 55,485 | | | | | 1,977,858 | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | 2020 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | 253,071 | | | | | 156,672 | | | | | 139,536 | | | | | 506,142 | | | | | 70,120 | | | | | 1,826,353 | | | | | | 2022 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | 852 | | | | | — | | | | | 366,861 | | | | | 56,985 | | | | | 1,125,510 | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2019 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 308,160 | | | | | 569,410 | | | | | 66,611 | | | | | 1,644,993 | | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 700,812 | | | | | 1,246,032 | | | | | 7,954,892 | | | | | 839,337 | | | | | 70,120 | | | | | 10,811,193 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Robert M. Vreeland Chief Financial Officer | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,618,822 | | | | | 334,611 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,112,745 | | | | | | | 2023 | | | | | 462,721 | | | | | — | | | | | 443,250 | | | | | 195,589 | | | | | 12,000 | | | | | 1,113,560 | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | 2020 | | | | | 400,000 | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | 87,552 | | | | | 77,976 | | | | | 200,000 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 878,528 | | | | | | 2022 | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 142,956 | | | | | 13,500 | | | | | 606,456 | | | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2019 | | | | | 396,192 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 161,280 | | | | | 200,600 | | | | | 12,500 | | | | | 770,572 | | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,618,822 | | | | | 334,611 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,112,745 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Mitchell W. Pratt Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,618,822 | | | | | 386,490 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,234,393 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2020 | | | | | 481,268 | | | | | 120,317 | | | | | 87,552 | | | | | 77,976 | | | | | 240,634 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 1,020,747 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2019 | | | | | 481,268 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 161,280 | | | | | 241,356 | | | | | 12,500 | | | | | 896,404 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Barclay F. Corbus Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Renewable Fuels | | | | | 2021 | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,733,322 | | | | | 356,092 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,277,614 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2020 | | | | | 443,415 | | | | | 110,854 | | | | | 87,552 | | | | | 77,976 | | | | | 221,708 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 954,505 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2019 | | | | | 443,415 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 161,280 | | | | | 222,373 | | | | | 12,500 | | | | | 839,568 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt Former Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary(4) | | | | | 2023 | | | | | 539,379 | | | | | 95,400 | | | | | 443,250 | | | | | 230,970 | | | | | 12,000 | | | | | 1,320,999 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2022 | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | 852 | | | | | — | | | | | 165,120 | | | | | 13,500 | | | | | 699,241 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2021 | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,618,822 | | | | | 386,490 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,234,393 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barclay F. Corbus Senior Vice President, Strategic Development and Head of Renewable Fuels | | | | | 2023 | | | | | 495,940 | | | | | — | | | | | 985,000 | | | | | 209,973 | | | | | 11,903 | | | | | 1,702,816 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2022 | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 152,133 | | | | | 13,500 | | | | | 644,521 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 2021 | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | 696,312 | | | | | 3,733,322 | | | | | 356,092 | | | | | 13,000 | | | | | 5,277,614 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The amounts shown in this column represent the grant date fair value of awards granted in each of the periods calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“FASB ASC 718”). For a discussion about the valuation models and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of these awards, see noteNote 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report. For the RNG-based performance options grantedOur named executive officers received stock option grants in December of 2021, the grant date fair value is reported based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions as determined on the grant date, which results in a grant date fair value for these options as follows: Mr. Littlefair ($572,500), Mr. Vreeland ($343,500),2023, and Mr. Pratt ($343,500)was additionally granted an award of 833,334 profits interest units under the CLNE PlasmaFlow Holdings, LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan that vested upon grant. Mr. Pratt’s profits interest award was accounted for under FASB ASC 718 using the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing Model. No equity awards were granted to our named executive officers in 2022, with the exception of 150 restricted stock units awarded to each of Messrs. Littlefair and Mr. Corbus ($458,000). If we achieve the highest levelPratt, along with various other Company employees, on December 19, 2022 in recognition for over 20 years of performance for the RNG-based performance options, the grant date fair value would increaseservice to the following amounts: Mr. Littlefair ($1,145,000), Mr. Vreeland ($687,000), Mr. Pratt ($687,000) and Mr. Corbus ($916,000).Company.
(2)
The amounts shown in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column represent the cash incentives paid under our performance-based cash incentive plan, as described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Cash Incentives” above.
(3)
The amounts shown in thisthe All Other Compensation column represent, (a) for all named executive officers, the Company’s matching contributions under its savings plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Code, and (b) for Mr. Littlefair in 2021, $43,485 and $13,6352023, $45,511.70 paid by the Company for life insurance premiumpremiums.
(4)
On May 17, 2023, Mr. Pratt transitioned from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Technology Development Officer and vehicle lease payments, respectively.ceased being an executive officer of the Company. He is included as a named executive officer for purposes of this proxy on account of his service in 2023.
48
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table summarizes all plan-based awards granted to each of the named executive officers in 2021:2023:
| Name | | Grant Date | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Target (#)(2) | | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(3) (#) | | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(4) (#) | | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards $(/Sh) | | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(5) ($) | | | | Grant Date | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) | | | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Target (#) | | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards $(/Sh) | | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(3) ($) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Threshold ($) | | Target ($) | | Maximum ($) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Threshold ($) | | Target ($) | | Maximum ($) | | | | | | | | | | | | | Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | — | | | | | 545,076 | | | | | 778,680 | | | | | 1,168,020 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | — | | | | | 545,076 | | | | | 778,680 | | | | | 1,168,020 | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | 122,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1,246,032 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 183,600 | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1,417,392 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12/07/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1,250,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 6,537,500 | | | | Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | 2/17/2023 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 187,500 | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 738,750 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | — | | | | | 225,000 | | | | | 315,000 | | | | | 450,000 | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | 232,875 | | | | | 326,025 | | | | | 465,750 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 792,072 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12/07/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 525,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 2,826,750 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | | 2/17/2023 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 112,500 | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 443,250 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 259,885 | | | | | 363,838 | | | | | 519,769 | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | 275,000 | | | | | 385,000 | | | | | 550,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 792,072 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12/07/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 525,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 2,826,750 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | | 2/17/2023 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 112,500 | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 443,250 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 6/1/2023 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 833,334(4) | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 95,400 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 239,444 | | | | | 335,222 | | | | | 478,888 | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | 350,000 | | | | | 500,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | 68,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 696,312 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 1/21/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | 102,600 | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 792,072 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12/07/2021 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 575,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 2,941,250 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | | 2/17/2023 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 250,000 | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 985,000 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Time-based stock options that vest over a period of three years were granted to all of our named executive officers in 2023. Mr. Pratt was also awarded a grant of profits interests under the CLNE PlasmaFlow Holdings, LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan that was fully vested upon grant.
(2)
The amounts shown in these columns represent the possible payouts under the 20212023 performance-based cash incentive plan based on achievement levels for certain specified Company performance criteria. The actual amounts paid pursuant to the 20212023 performance-based cash incentive plan are reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column. The 20212023 performance-based cash incentive plan is described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of Compensation — Cash Incentives — 20212023 Performance-Based Cash Incentive Plan” above.
(3)
The amounts shown in this column represent the grant date fair value of awards granted in 20212023 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. For a discussion about the valuation models and assumptions used to calculate the fair value of these awards, see noteNote 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report.Report and Footnote 1 to the Summary Compensation Table contained in this Proxy Statement.
(4)
Represents a grant of profit interests under the CLNE PlasmaFlow Holdings, LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan.
49
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table summarizes outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers at December 31, 2021:2023:
| Name | | | Option Awards(1) | | Stock Awards(1) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Option Awards(1) | | Stock Awards(1) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options — Exercisable (#) | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options — Unexercisable (#) | | Equity Incentive Plan awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | Equity Incentive Plan awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(6) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 150,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 13.09 | | | | | 12/12/2022 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/26/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/27/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 96,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/16/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 24,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/5/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 260,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | ��� | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 213,750 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/2/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 112,912 | | | | | 55,613(2) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 24,557 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 31,212 | | | | | 60,588(3) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/25/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 40,392(4) | | | | | 247,603(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 183,600(5) | | | | | — | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 122,400(6) | | | | | 750,312(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 250,000(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1,250,00(8) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Andrew J. Littlefair | | | | | 96,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/15/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 24,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/4/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 260,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 213,750 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/1/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 193,082 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/24/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 91,800 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/24/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 123,012 | | | | | 60,588 | | | | | —(2) | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 167,500 | | | | | 82,500 | | | | | —(4) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 62,500 | | | | | — | | | | | 1,187,500(5) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 40,392(3) | | | | | 154,701 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 187,500(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 2/16/2033 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.51 | | | | | 11/4/2024 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.51 | | | | | 11/3/2024 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | 25,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 8.66 | | | | | 5/12/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/5/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 109,091 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 95,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/2/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 59,094 | | | | | 29,106(2) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12,852 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 17,442 | | | | | 33,858(3) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/25/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(4) | | | | | 138,366(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 102,600(5) | | | | | — | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 68,400(6) | | | | | 419,292(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 150,000(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 525,000(8) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | | 25,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 8.66 | | | | | 5/11/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 12,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/4/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 109,091 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 95,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/1/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 101,052 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/24/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 51,300 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/24/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 68,742 | | | | | 33,858 | | | | | —(2) | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 100,500 | | | | | 49,500 | | | | | —(4) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 37,500 | | | | | — | | | | | 487,500(5) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 112,500(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 2/16/2033 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(3) | | | | | 86,451 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 13.09 | | | | | 12/12/2022 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | 60,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/26/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||
| | | | | 60,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/27/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 70,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/16/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 17,600 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/5/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 90,909 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 35,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/2/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 29,106(2) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 33,858(3) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/25/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(4) | | | | | 138,366(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 102,600(5) | | | | | — | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 68,400(6) | | | | | 419,292(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 150,000(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 525,000(8) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | | 70,400 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/15/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 17,600 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/4/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 90,909 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 16,929 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/24/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 68,742 | | | | | 33,858 | | | | | —(2) | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 100,500 | | | | | 49,500 | | | | | —(4) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 37,500 | | | | | — | | | | | 487,500(5) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 112,500(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 2/16/2033 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(3) | | | | | 86,451 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50
| Name | | | Option Awards(1) | | Stock Awards(1) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Option Awards(1) | | Stock Awards(1) | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options — Exercisable (#) | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options — Unexercisable (#) | | Equity Incentive Plan awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | Equity Incentive Plan awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | Option Expiration Date | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(6) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 75,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 13.09 | | | | | 12/12/2022 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/26/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | 50,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 6.01 | | | | | 2/27/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 80,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/16/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 20,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/5/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 75,936 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 95,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/2/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 59,094 | | | | | 29,106(2) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 12,852 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/25/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | 17,442 | | | | | 33,858(3) | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/25/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(4) | | | | | 138,366(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 102,600(5) | | | | | — | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 68,400(6) | | | | | 419,292(9) | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | 150,000(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 575,000(8) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | | 80,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 5.02 | | | | | 11/15/2025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 20,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 3.63 | | | | | 1/4/2026 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 75,936 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.83 | | | | | 1/13/2027 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 95,000 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 1.37 | | | | | 3/1/2028 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 101,052 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.19 | | | | | 2/24/2029 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 51,300 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 2.56 | | | | | 2/24/2030 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 68,742 | | | | | 33,858 | | | | | —(2) | | | | | 10.18 | | | | | 1/21/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 100,500 | | | | | 49,500 | | | | | —(4) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 50,000 | | | | | — | | | | | 525,000(5) | | | | | 6.77 | | | | | 12/7/2031 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | 250,000(7) | | | | | — | | | | | 5.69 | | | | | 2/16/2033 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 22,572(3) | | | | | 86,451 | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Except as otherwise noted, all option and RSU awards granted before May 2016 were granted under our 2006 Plan and after May 2016 were granted under our 2016 Plan, and all such awards vest as follows: 34% of the shares subject to the award vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 33% of the shares subject to the award vest on each subsequent anniversary until all shares are fully vested, subject to continuing service by the named executive officer on each vesting date. The treatment of these option and RSU awards upon a termination or change of control is described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
(2)
Represents an option award granted on January 21, 2021.
(3)
Represents a RSU award granted on January 21, 2021.
(4)
Represents an option award granted on December 7, 2021.
(5)
Represents performance-based option awards granted on December 7, 2021. For 250,000 options granted to Mr. Littlefair, 150,000 options granted to each of Messrs. Vreeland and Pratt and for 200,000 options granted to Mr. Corbus: 25% of the total shares subject to the stock option award vest upon each achievement of a specific volume hurdle related to securing certain levels of RNG GGEs. For 1,000,000 options granted to Mr. Littlefair and 375,000 options granted to each of Messrs. Vreeland, Pratt and Corbus: 100% of the total shares subject to the stock option award vest immediately, if at all, if the closing share price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq equals or exceeds $14.00 for 20 consecutive trading days.
(6)
Amount determined by multiplying the unvested stock awards by $6.13,$3.83, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021.the last trading day of 2023.
(7)
Represents an option award granted on February 17, 2023.
51
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table summarizes exercises of option awards and vesting of stock awards for each of our named executive officers in 2021:2023:
| Name | | | Stock Awards | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Option Awards | | Stock Awards | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | | Value Realized on Vesting ($) | | | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | | Value Realized on Exercise ($) | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(1) | | Value Realized on Vesting ($) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 91,345 | | | | | 1,200,483 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 60,738 | | | | | 336,021 | | | |||||||
| Robert M. Vreeland | | | | 50,815 | | | | | 667,806 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 33,858 | | | | | 187,460 | | | ||||||
| Mitchell W. Pratt | | | | 50,815 | | | | | 667,806 | | | | | | 16,929 | | | | | 25,901 | | | | | 867,342 | | | | | 283,426 | | | ||||||
| Barclay F. Corbus | | | | 50,815 | | | | | 667,806 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | 33,858 | | | | | 187,460 | | | ||||||
(1)
Includes an award of 833,334 profit interest units to Mr. Pratt under the CLNE PlasmaFlow Holdings, LLC 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, in connection with his transition to Chief Technology Development Officer.
Employment Agreements
On December 31, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with each of our named executive officers. See the description under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Employment Agreements” and below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for more information. In connection with Mr. Pratt’s transition from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Technology Development Officer, we entered into an amended employment agreement with Mr. Pratt on May 17, 2023. Mr. Pratt’s amended employment agreement has a two-year term that automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions therein, provides Mr. Pratt with a $550,000 annual base salary, and is otherwise consistent in all material respects with Mr. Pratt’s previous employment agreement.
Pension Benefits, Non-Qualified Defined Contribution and Other Deferred Compensation Plans
We do not have any defined-benefit plans that provide for payments or other benefits to our named executive officers at, following or in connection with their retirement. We also do not have any non-qualified defined contribution plans or other deferred compensation plans that provide for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The narrative and tables below describe the amount of compensation to be paid to our named executive officers in the event of a termination of employment or a change in control. The amount of compensation payable to each of our named executive officers upon a voluntary termination, voluntary termination for good reason, involuntary without cause termination, failure by us to renew the named executive officer’s employment agreement upon its expiration, for-cause termination, change in control of our Company, termination in connection with a change in control and termination due to disability or death is shown in tabular format. Except as otherwise noted, the amounts shown in these tables assume that each such termination or change in control was effective as of December 31, 2021,2023, and thus are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to our named executive officers upon an actual termination or change in control because such amounts could only be determined at the time of such an actual termination or change in control. The amounts shown in these tables are based on the terms of each named executive officer’s employment agreement with us and the terms of agreements relating to each named executive officer’s outstanding equity awards.
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Severance Compensation under Employment Agreements
Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement for each named executive officer:
•
If we terminate a named executive officer without “cause” (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), if a named executive officer resigns for “good reason” (as such term is defined in the employment agreement) or if we do not renew the employment agreement before expiration of the term or any renewal term, then the named executive officer would be entitled to (1) a lump-sum payment of an amount equal to the sum of (A) his annual base salary earned through the date of termination and any annual cash incentive earned for the prior year to the extent not previously paid, (B) any compensation previously deferred by the named executive officer (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon), (C) 150% of one year’s then-current annual base salary, (D) 150% of his previous year’s annual cash incentive actually earned under our performance-based cash
incentive plan, and (E) any vacation pay accrued and not paid as of the date of termination; (2) after the end of the calendar year in which the termination occurs, a lump-sum payment of an amount equal to the annual cash incentive that would be payable to the named executive officer under our performance-based cash incentive plan in respect of such year (based on the criteria applicable for that year) without any pro-rating; and (3) continuing participation, at our expense, for a period of one year from the date of termination in the benefit programs in which the named executive officer was enrolled at the time of termination.
•
If we terminate any named executive officer’s employment without cause or do not renew his employment agreement within six months before or one year after the date of a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the employment agreement), or if a named executive officer resigns for good reason within six months before or one year after the date of the change in control, then the named executive officer would be entitled to the severance compensation described above, except that the lump-sum payment described in (1) above for all named executive officers except Mr. Littlefair would consist of 225% of his then-current annual base salary, 225% of his previous year’s annual cash incentive actually earned under our performance-based cash incentive plan, and the amounts described in (A), (B) and (E); and the lump-sum payment described in (1) above for Mr. Littlefair would consist of 300% of his then-current annual base salary, 300% of his previous year’s annual cash incentive actually earned under our performance-based cash incentive plan, and the amounts described in (A), (B) and (E).
•
If any named executive officer ceases to be an employee due to death or disability, then the named executive officer would be entitled to the amounts described in (1)(A),(B) and (E) and (2) above, except that the amount described in (2) above would be pro-rated based on the number of weeks during the last fiscal year during which the named executive officer was an employee.
•
If, at any time that our common stock is not listed or quoted on a national securities exchange or an over-the-counter quotation system, (i) the employment of either of Messrs. Littlefair or Pratt is terminated for cause, we would be entitled, at our option, to repurchase all or a portion of our stock owned by him, or (ii) the employment of either of these named executive officers is terminated due to death or disability, we would be required to repurchase all of our stock owned by him.
In consideration of the receipt of any of the severance compensation described above and as a precondition to their receipt, each named executive officer would be required to execute and deliver, and not revoke, a release in favor of us in the form attached to his employment agreement. For purposes of the tables below, we have assumed that the amounts described in (1)(A) and (B) above have already been paid to the applicable named executive officer or are $0.
For purposes of each such named executive officer’s employment agreement:
•
“Cause” means (1) the named executive officer committing a material act of dishonesty against us, (2) the named executive officer being convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude or (3) the named executive officer committing a material breach of his confidentiality, trade secret, non-solicitation or invention assignment obligations under his employment agreement.
•
“Good reason” means the named executive officer resigns from his employment after we (1) have materially diminished the named executive officer’s duties, authority, responsibility, annual base salary
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or annual incentive compensation opportunity, (2) materially breach the employment agreement; (3) change the person to whom the named executive officer reports, or (4) change the location of the named executive officer’s principal place of employmentemployment.
•
“Change in control” means (1) any “person” (as defined or referred to in Section 3(a)(9) and/or 13(d)(1), et seq. of the Exchange Act and the associated rules of the SEC promulgated thereunder), other than an existing stockholder of the Company as of January 1, 2006, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 40% or more of the combined voting power of our then-outstanding securities, or (2) a merger or consolidation of the Company in which its voting securities immediately before the merger or consolidation do not represent, or are not converted into securities that represent, a majority of the combined voting power of all voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after the merger or consolidation, or (3) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a
series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (4) individuals who, as of the date of the employment agreement, constitute the Company’s board of directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board of directors; provided that, other than in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest, any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the date of the employment agreement whose election, or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company, was approved by the vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board.
Vesting of Options and RSUs
The terms of the option awards granted to our named executive officers provide that all unvested options will be forfeited if the named executive officer’s employment with the Company is terminated for cause (as defined in his employment agreement) or voluntarily by the named executive officer before their applicable vesting date, that all unvested options will vest in full if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in his employment agreement), and that all vested options will generally continue to be exercisable for three months after the date of any such termination. The terms of the RSU awards granted to our named executive officers provide that all unvested RSUs will be forfeited if the named executive officer’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for cause or voluntarily by the named executive officer before their applicable vesting date, and that all unvested RSUs will vest in full if the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or if the named executive officer ceases to be an employee due to death or disability before their applicable vesting date.
If the Company experiences a “change in control,” as defined in the 2016 Plan, then each such named executive officer’s option and RSU awards that are outstanding on the date that immediately precedes the change in control will (A) if such awards are not assumed or replaced by the successor company in the change in control, immediately vest in full and, if applicable, become fully exercisable on the date of the change in control, or (B) if such awards are assumed or replaced by the successor company in the change in control but the named executive officer’s employment is terminated by the successor company without cause or by the named executive officer for good reason within 12 months following the change in control (based on the definitions of “cause” and “good reason” in his employment agreement with us), immediately vest in full and, if applicable, become fully exercisable on the date of such termination.
For purposes of the tables below, the “spread” value (i.e., the excess of $6.13$3.83 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021,29, 2023, over the applicable option exercise price) of unvested option awards that were “in the money” on December 31, 202129, 2023 is presented.
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Potential Payments to Each Named Executive Officer
Andrew J. Littlefair
The following table shows the potential cash payments or other benefits to be provided to our President and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew J. Littlefair, if a termination and/or a change in control had occurred as of December 31, 2021:2023:
| Benefit and Payments | | Voluntary Termination | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason | | Involuntary Without Cause Termination | | Failure to Renew Employment Agreement | | For-Cause Termination | | Change In Control | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason in connection with a Change in Control | | Involuntary Without Cause Termination in connection with a Change in Control | | Termination Due to Disability | | Termination Due to Death | | | Voluntary Termination | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason | | Involuntary Not For Cause Termination | | Failure to Renew Employment Agreement | | For Cause Termination | | Change in Control Termination(3) | | Termination Due to Death or Disability | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance Payment | | | | — | | | | $ | 2,649,768 | | | | $ | 2,649,768 | | | | $ | 2,649,768 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 4,460,200 | | | | $ | 4,460,200 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | $ | 2,084,321 | | | | $ | 2,084,321 | | | | $ | 2,084,321 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 3,685,830 | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
Continuation of Medical/Welfare Benefits (present value) | | | | — | | | | $ | 24,025 | | | | $ | 24,025 | | | | $ | 24,025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 24,025 | | | | $ | 24,025 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continuation of Medical/Welfare Benefits (present value) | | | | — | | | | $ | 26,745 | | | | $ | 26,745 | | | | $ | 26,745 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 26,745 | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vacation Pay | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | |||||||||||||||||
| RSU Vesting(1) | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | $ | 997,915 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 154,701 | | | | $ | 154,701 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 154,701 | | | | $ | 154,701 | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Option Vesting(2) | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | $ | 435,414 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Total: | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 2,754,656 | | | | $ | 4,187,985 | | | | $ | 4,187,985 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 5,998,417 | | | | $ | 5,998,417 | | | | $ | 1,514,192 | | | | $ | 1,514,192 | | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 2,191,929 | | | | $ | 2,346,630 | | | | $ | 2,346,630 | | | | $ | 80,863 | | | | $ | 3,948,139 | | | | $ | 235,564 | | | |||||||||||||||||
(1)
At December 31, 2021,2023, Mr. Littlefair held 162,79240,392 RSUs that had not vested. The amounts in this row were determined by multiplying the unvested RSUs by $6.13,$3.83, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021.29, 2023.
(2)
At December 31, 2021,2023, Mr. Littlefair held 116,201no unvested options that had not vested and have an exercise price less than $6.13,$3.83, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021.29, 2023. The amounts in this row were determined by multiplying the total number of unvested shares underlying the options by the excess of $6.13$3.83 over the exercise price for such options.
(3)
Executive change in control severance is based on a double-trigger, requiring both a change in control event and either i) a voluntary termination with Good Reason or ii) an involuntary termination without Cause.
Robert M. Vreeland
The following table shows the potential cash payments or other benefits to be provided to our Chief Financial Officer, Robert M. Vreeland, if a termination and/or a change in control had occurred as of December 31, 2021:2023:
| Benefit and Payments | | Voluntary Termination | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason | | Involuntary Without Cause Termination | | Failure to Renew Employment Agreement | | For-Cause Termination | | Change In Control | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason in connection with a Change in Control | | Involuntary Without Cause Termination in connection with a Change in Control | | Termination Due to Disability | | Termination Due to Death | | | Voluntary Termination | | Voluntary Termination for Good Reason | | Involuntary Not For Cause Termination | | Failure to Renew Employment Agreement | | For Cause Termination | | Change in Control Termination(3) | | Termination Due to Death or Disability | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance Payment | | | | — | | | | $ | 1,309,611 | | | | $ | 1,309,611 | | | | $ | 1,309,611 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 1,797,111 | | | | $ | 1,797,111 | | | | | — | | | | | — | �� | | | | | — | | | | $ | 1,104,105 | | | | $ | 1,104,105 | | | | $ | 1,104,105 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 1,558,362 | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
Continuation of Medical/Welfare Benefits (present value) | | | | — | | | | $ | 12,811 | | | | $ | 12,811 | | | | $ | 12,811 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 12,811 | | | | $ | 12,811 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continuation of Medical/Welfare Benefits (present value) | | | | — | | | | $ | 15,177 | | | | $ | 15,177 | | | | $ | 15,177 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 15,177 | | | | | — | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vacation Pay | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | |||||||||||||||||
| RSU Vesting(1) | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | $ | 557,658 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 86,451 | | | | $ | 86,451 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 86,451 | | | | $ | 86,451 | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Option Vesting(2) | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | $ | 235,551 | | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | | | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
| Total: | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | $ | 1,374,345 | | | | $ | 2,167,554 | | | | $ | 2,167,554 | | | | $ | 51,923 | | | | | — | | | | $ | 2,655,054 | | | | $ | 2,655,054 | | | | $ | 845,132 | | | | $ | 845,132 | | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 1,163,376 | | | | $ | 1,249,827 | | | | $ | 1,249,827 | | | | $ | 44,094 | | | | $ | 1,704,084 | | | | $ | 130,545 | | | |||||||||||||||||
(1)
At December 31, 2021,2023, Mr. Vreeland held 90,97222,572 RSUs that had not vested. The amounts in this row were determined by multiplying the unvested RSUs by $6.13,$3.83, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021.29, 2023.
(2)
At December 31, 2021,2023, Mr. Vreeland held 62,964no unvested options that had not vested and have an exercise price less than $6.13,$3.83, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021.29, 2022. The amounts in this row were determined by multiplying the total number of unvested shares underlying the options by the excess of $6.13$3.83 over the exercise price for such options.
(3)
Executive change in control severance is based on a double-trigger, requiring both a change in control event and either i) a voluntary termination with Good Reason or ii) an involuntary termination without Cause.
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